PSC 120 | THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course provides an overview of the American political system and its major institutions: Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Supreme Court. The class will examine the historical and theoretical foundations of the American system as well as the current state of American politics. The course will also focus on other aspects of political life in the country, including political parties, interest groups, elections and the media.
PSC 130 | INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course introduces students to basic ideas and concepts in political theory through a combination of classic and contemporary texts. These concepts include justice, democracy, freedom, and equality, among other topics. The course will review these ideas in a historical context and also examine their relevance to contemporary social and political debates.
PSC 140 | INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course provides an introduction to the study of international relations. The course will examine the evolution of the international state system and such issues as the causes of war, globalization, and the global competition for resources. The course also examines the dominant theoretical frameworks - Realism, Liberalism, Marxism and Constructivism - that seek to explain the nature and dynamics of international relations.
PSC 150 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course provides an introduction to the field of comparative politics. The class focuses on the politics and governments of countries around the world. Special attention is given to the institutions of different political systems, the distinction between nations and states, and such topics as democracy, authoritarianism, economic development, and political change.
PSC 200 | POLITICAL INQUIRY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Political Inquiry is an introduction to the logic and conceptual foundations of behavioral research, the methods used by political scientists, and writing in the discipline. This course is intended to improve students' ability to evaluate the information and methods used by political scientists to support their arguments.
PSC 201 | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are now used in fields such as environmental monitoring, marketing, law enforcement, public health, disaster management, and data journalism. Students will learn to make maps, manipulate and query tabular data, work with GPS data, use coordinate systems, and conduct spatial analysis through lectures and hands-on exercises using ArcGIS. The course is the first in a five-course undergraduate GIS certificate. Cross-listed with GEO 141.
MAT 120 or HON 180 or (MAT 130 or above) or consent of instructor is a prerequisite for this course.
PSC 205 | STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course provides an introduction to the use of quantitative methods in political science and in the social sciences more broadly. Students will learn to apply the logic of statistical analysis to measure and explain social phenomena. Students will also learn core concepts like Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), probability, regression analysis and computer coding with the statistics software R.
MAT 100 or higher or placement by test is a prerequisite for this class.
PSC 211 | POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the impact of individual and social psychology on political behavior and applies it to the study of political attitudes and identities, prejudice and group behavior, and political violence.
PSC 212 | LATINO POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is an introduction to the political experience of Latino/Latinx/Hispanic populations in the United States. It approaches Latino Politics by tracing the development of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, and Central American groups in this country from historical to contemporary times. What does it mean to be Latino? How are Latinos socialized to the U.S.? Are Latinos a distinct group in American politics? This course explores how U.S. intervention abroad and discrimination at home form a basis for shared political identity.
PSC 213 | POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course considers the social institutions important for the political development of individuals. The political significance of institutions such as the family, the school and the work place will be examined. (Please note that the catalog number for this course was changed from PSC 219 to PSC 213 effective Autumn, 2001)
PSC 215 | LIVED CIVICS, SOCIAL CONTRACT & PUBLIC LIFE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Civics is the exploration of the rights and duties of people living in a political society. This interdisciplinary course aims to provide the groundwork for embracing, challenging, and grappling with the important and contentious issues that lie at the heart of American contemporary civic culture and democratic life. We will discuss and interrogate the social contract in the United States, examining the implicit agreement among members of a society to follow certain rules in exchange for the benefits of living together. The course will center the lives of students through the "lived civics" approach, which embraces the experiences of each student in their various communities as examples of "lived civics." These experiences will be used to explore key tensions within American political and civic life, along with historical context and founding documents. Students will explore questions such as how to balance individualism with the needs of a community, or what rights and responsibilities are needed in American political and social society today. While all sections of the course share foundational elements, instructors will tailor the application of this course material to their areas of expertise. Students will gain knowledge and skills to help them engage in thoughtful dialogue around meaningful and often controversial topics and empower them to be more active members of their communities.
PSC 216 | AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An examination of the shared symbol systems that provide meaning and structure for political life. Key historic cultural concepts, such as individualism, materialism and mobility will be considered, and their connections to contemporary popular culture explored.
PSC 217 | WOMEN AND POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores the ways in which women interpret, gain access to, and use political power. It focuses on sex- and gender-based differences in the political socialization process, and their implications for the participation and organization of women. Gender-related legislation and "women's'' political issues are also evaluated. Particular attention is given to women and politics in the United States.
PSC 218 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course discusses the nature and scope of African-American politics. Major topics include the radical, liberal, moderate and conservative wings of African-American political discourse, the civil rights movement and its aftermath, the rise of African-American mayors, and presidential politics. An historical survey of African-American politics, and the factors that have shaped them, may also be included.
PSC 219 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL CULTURE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The course focuses on specific themes or concerns in politics and culture. Variable topics.
PSC 220 | THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An examination of the structure of the presidency, its relationship to other political and social institutions, and the way in which that office is shaped by individual presidents.
PSC 221 | CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course provides an analysis of congressional elections, the structure and operation of the United States Congress, the behavior of its members, and the relationship of the Congress to interest groups, the public, the President and the bureaucracy.
PSC 222 | POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The course explores the changing nature and function of political parties in the United States, factors that affect individual and aggregate vote choice, and the electoral process.
PSC 223 | URBAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Communities running the gamut from small towns through urban neighborhoods to big cities are examined with reference to their structures of government, systems of political influence, and public policy issues.
PSC 225 | STATE POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The formal structures of government and political behavior found among the fifty states and their local subdivisions are surveyed.
PSC 226 | LATINO POLITICAL BEHAVIOR | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores the empirical aspects of Latino Politics. The class takes what we know about American political behavior (public opinion, political attitudes, voting behavior, and the like) and applies it to this country's largest minority group, Latinos. Do Latinos affirm or redefine what we know about democracy and American politics? The course also examines how Latinos relate to the political system, to other Latinos, and to their Black and White American counterparts. You will also learn data coding to conduct your own statistical analysis of the 2006 Latino National Survey.
PSC 229 | TOPICS IN AMERICAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course discusses selected topics in American politics.
PSC 230 | CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines early political thought, including the Ancient Greek, Roman, and medieval periods (roughly 400 BCE-1500 CE). Readings can include some combination of Thucydides, Aristophanes, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Machiavelli, among others, and topics could include considerations of power, justice, equality, liberty, virtue, civil disobedience, human nature, fraternity, and social harmony, among other themes. Focus will vary according to instructor.
PSC 231 | MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Modern political thought covers the development of political thought from the Renaissance into the 19th century, as it might engage questions of liberty, equality, sovereignty, legitimacy, justice, human nature, the relationship of religion and politics, among other formative concepts. Readings may include some combination of works by Machiavelli, Luther, Calvin, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Wollstonecraft, Constant, Tocqueville, Hegel, Marx, Mill, and Nietzsche, among others. Focus will vary according to instructor.
PSC 232 | LIBERALISM, CONSERVATISM, AND DEMOCRACY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This is an introductory political theory course exploring the philosophical foundations of prominent contemporary political ideologies through an examination of historical texts. These texts may include a combination of Thucydides, Ibsen, Tocqueville, Mandeville, Marx, Oakeshott, Bentham, Mill, and Rawls, among others. Focus will vary according to instructor.
PSC 233 | POLITICAL IDEAS AND IDEOLOGIES | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An introduction to the enduring political issues confronted by major theorists and political traditions.
PSC 234 | FREEDOM AND EMPOWERMENT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Considers different models for the distribution of power including forms of classic and modern elitism and representative and democratic theories. Explores issues of citizenship, community, participation, representation and constitutionalism. The dynamic of inclusion and exclusion within society are addressed as well as theories that point to political, economic, and cultural liberation.
PSC 235 | EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Considers how societies distribute social goods of power, status, wealth, and informal resources and models of just distribution utilized in classic and modern political theory. Shifts in the meaning of social justice over the course of history and the critical contests over this issue are addressed, as well as the emergence of new models focusing on regional and global concerns. The major concepts including capitalism, socialism and meritocracy are considered.
PSC 236 | LEGITIMACY AND CRISIS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Considers how states achieve validation with their members and maintain that validation through such mechanisms as socialization, education, information flow, civil religion, and war. Theories of social crisis that challenge regime legitimacy are considered as well as issues of revolution, counterrevolution, and regime stabilization.
PSC 239 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Variable topics.
PSC 242 | AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course provides an overview of U.S. foreign policy. It includes a review of the dominant theoretical perspectives that inform American foreign policy debates, and an analysis of key historical events that have shaped America's role in the world. The course also examines the foreign policy making process, the approaches pursued by different Administrations, and the contemporary challenges facing American decision makers in the international arena today.
PSC 243 | RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course will probe the institutions, objectives and techniques which are reflected in contemporary Russian external policy. Economic, military and cultural dimensions will augment the primarily political focus of the course. The principle focus of the course will be Russian-American relations.
PSC 244 | LATIN AMERICAN-UNITED STATES RELATIONS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores competing theories about the relationship between the United States and Latin America. It focuses on contemporary conflicts over trade, immigration, and illegal drugs flows, and it explores the possibilities for increased regional collaboration and cooperation.
PSC 246 | ASIAN FOREIGN POLICY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course surveys the international relations of selected Asian countries. For each country, the course presents the basic historical background shaping foreign relations, introduces the external and domestic influences on foreign policy, and identifies emerging international challenges. It examines both the economic and military-security dimensions of Asian foreign relations.
PSC 247 | U.S. - AFRICA RELATIONS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the foreign policy of the United States toward Africa. The course focuses on the historical, civilizational, political, economic, ideological and strategic forces that shape U.S.-Africa relations over time.
PSC 248 | WAR, PEACE, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines basic questions of peace and conflict in different and diverse contexts. It is consciously inter-disciplinary, and draws from the theoretical and critical literature of a variety of fields. The course examines conflicts both within and between societies. It also addresses questions regarding the meaning and theories of peace, as well as the character, origins, and consequences of conflict and conflict resolution in the contemporary world. In addition to theoretical interpretation, specific case studies will be examined.
PSC 249 | TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course discusses selected topics in the area of international relations.
PSC 250 | EUROPEAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An overview of European political and economic systems, including an examination of their historical origins, the implications for political and social outcomes, and the contemporary challenges facing Europe.
PSC 251 | RUSSIAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course offers an overview of the fundamental premises, structures and political developments in Russia. Special attention is given to issues of transition from Communism to the new reality, and the emphasis is on contemporary politics. Key issues include the place of the military, economic and business patterns, health, education, and gender.
PSC 252 | LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores power structures, political institutions, and grassroots actors that shape political conflict in Latin America. It focuses on the persistent challenges raised by deep inequality and populist legacies, and the continuing struggle to invent new forms of inclusive and participatory democracy.
PSC 253 | ASIAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An introduction to contemporary government and politics in Asia, focusing on China, India, and Japan, with comparative reference to other Asian and non-Asian political systems. Special attention will be made to the historical legacies and emerging political and economic role of the Pacific Rim.
PSC 254 | AFRICAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An introduction to African politics. The course will focus on the basic concepts, issues, and theoretical models used in studies of the dynamics of government and politics in Africa from the precolonial era to the contemporary period.
PSC 255 | MIDDLE EAST POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course provides an introduction to the political dynamics of the modern Middle East. The topics covered in the course include the colonial legacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the regional wars, and the 2011 Arab uprisings. The course also examines the political economy of the region, and the inter-state rivalries and great power politics that continue to shape the contemporary context.
PSC 257 | CYBER WARFARE AND CYBER POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course focuses on the the relationship between technology, politics, and conflict. The class will look at the way in which cyber warfare and cyber politics impact democratic governance, participation, communication, and legitimacy. The crucial element is how or if cyber politics, the use of electronic devices and cybernetics by governments and competitors, can change the balance between stability/order and change. The class will emphasize the vulnerability of political systems when government lags behind adversaries or hostile parties in developing cyber capabilities. Government is the principle actor but not the only actor in this field. Cyber war (and cyber politics) also involve criminal organizations, dissident groups, malicious thieves, and intellectual experimenters, making twenty-first century warfare and competition qualitatively different from the conflicts of the past.
PSC 258 | GENDER, RESISTANCE & LABOR: COMPARATIVE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course will analyze and critique different theories of economic and political development, with a primary emphasis on China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. A key focus will be on the neo-liberal economic paradigm associated with contemporary globalization (the "Washington Consensus") and resistance to it. The course will also examine the impact of these policies on the gendered division of labor, on the exploitation of people and resources, and on environmental degradation. The course will also examine positive changes associated with economic development, such as greater autonomy for women; greater attention to child labor; some awareness of environmental harm; and greater communication between countries.
PSC 259 | TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This is a "topics" course that provides an in-depth analysis of one area within the broader sub-field of comparative politics.
PSC 260 | LAW AND THE POLITICAL SYSTEM | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An examination of the American judicial system with special attention to the role of the Supreme Court in American politics, the personnel of the American legal system, the problem of crime and the nature of the criminal justice system, and selected issues in constitutional law, including discrimination, privacy, family life, and freedom of speech, press, assembly and religion.
PSC 261 | FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
A discussion and analysis of Supreme Court decisions interpreting the meaning of the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech, press, assembly and religion.
PSC 262 | RIGHTS OF DEFENDANTS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
A discussion and analysis of Supreme Court decisions interpreting the meaning of the phrase "due process of law'' and the various specific provisions protecting the rights of criminal defendants.
PSC 263 | EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAWS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
A discussion and analysis of Supreme Court decisions interpreting the meaning of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and resolving issues of race and sex discrimination, school segregation, and the status of indigents in American law.
PSC 264 | CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: SEPARATION OF POWERS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the Constitutional powers and constraints which shape our governing institutions. The course will be taught using the case study approach that is commonly utilized in law school. We will learn the case law surrounding issues like the separation of powers, federalism, interstate commerce, and the power to tax. The course will also examine crucial, but often overlooked, aspects of the Constitution such as Article I, Article II, Article III, and the 10th Amendment. The course will also examine the social context in which key decisions about the scope of governing authority were made and how such decisions impact the government's ability to address important controversies of our day.
PSC 265 | LAW AND POPULAR CULTURE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores popular portrayals of a variety of legal topics in order to better appreciate how everyday understandings of the law are transmitted through movies, TV, and popular wisdom. Students will be asked to examine how legal meaning is socially constructed and to critically examine the normative implications of these constructions.
PSC 266 | LAW, POLITICS AND MASS INCARCERATION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is about the intersections of law, politics, and the American criminal legal system. The overarching contexts of this course will be: 1) the relationship of trauma, identity, and involvement with the criminal legal system, and 2) restorative, asset-based approaches to crime and justice. The course will cover topics such as our constitutional rights when accused of a crime, the political and ideological dynamics that have affected our rights, the impact of mass incarceration on voting and representation, and student-led, creative approaches to solving problems in these areas.
PSC 267 | LAW, POLITICS AND SOCIETY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course studies the interaction between law and the society we live in. This course asks students to engage with a number of critical concepts designed to enrich your understanding of how law impacts our everyday lives. Students will be encouraged to expand their view of law beyond the walls of the courtroom, to understand how law both shapes, and is shaped by societal norms.
PSC 268 | THE POLITICS OF LAW AND SEXUALITY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This class examines issues of public law as they relate to the regulation of sexuality. The course will focus on court cases that address issues of privacy, speech, equal protection and the tension between religious freedom and LGBT equality.
PSC 269 | TOPICS IN PUBLIC LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course discusses selected topics in the area of public law.
PSC 281 | MODEL UN | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Students will prepare for and participate in a Model United Nations conference. Students will learn about parliamentary procedure, the history and institutions of the United Nations, and international statecraft and diplomacy. Students will research country and committee assignments and prepare position papers in advance of the conference.
PSC 282 | POLITICAL ACTION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course combines community-based service learning with readings, lectures and classroom discussions to investigate the nature of social justice and the extent to which individual and community political action can promote it.
PSC 284 | MOCK TRIAL: CIVIL LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Mock Trial is a co-curricular activity involving intercollegiate competitive simulation of court cases. This course is taught by attorneys and gives students a chance to learn first hand about the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, examine the anatomy of the litigation process, develop critical thinking skills, enhance their communication skills, and participate in simulated trial experiences. Students will learn and practice the basic elements of trial advocacy, including opening statements, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, objections, and closing arguments. PSC 284 focuses on civil law, cases, and procedures.
PSC 285 | MOCK TRIAL: CRIMINAL LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Mock Trial is a co-curricular activity involving intercollegiate competitive simulation of court cases. This course is taught by attorneys and gives students a chance to learn first hand about the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, examine the anatomy of the litigation process, develop critical thinking skills, enhance their communication skills, and participate in simulated trial experiences. Students will learn and practice the basic elements of trial advocacy, including opening statements, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, objections, and closing arguments. PSC 285 focuses on criminal law, cases, and procedures.
PSC 286 | CAMPAIGNS AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines political campaigns and participation in the United States, the role of civic engagement in a representative and democratic political system, and the ethics of political campaigns. Students engage in an experiential project including participation in a political organization.
PSC 299 | SPECIAL TOPICS | 2-4.5 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
SPECIAL TOPICS.
PSC 300 | POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An introduction to the scientific method as applied in political science research. Among the topics covered are distinctions between normative and empirical statements, techniques for gathering data, basic data analysis, and interpretation of statistical results. This course is strongly recommended for students considering graduate study.
PSC 305 | WRITING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Good writers intensively revise their work. This class will improve students' writing through instruction and revision. The course is intended for students intending to go to law or graduate school or who struggle with writing papers in political science.
PSC 310 | POLITICAL CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Examines the theoretical and empirical linkages between development and culture. Development remains a hotly contested concept, as its relationship with "culture," or the norms, customs, practices and institutions that govern social relations in a particular society. The relationship between culture and development poses significant challenges to students of international and comparative political economy, especially in an era of unprecedented globalization.
PSC 312 | LGBTQ POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course will explore the historical roots and contemporary realities of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) politics, nationally and internationally. Such issues as hate crimes, marriage, AIDS, and ballot initiatives over non-discrimination law and policy have entered the political mainstream since the 1970's. This course examines the LGBTQ movement, its political and social strategies, conflicts and issues, and the political roles played by its members as participants in political culture.
PSC 315 | INTERNET, TECHNOLOGY, AND POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores the evolving relationships that reside at the intersection of the Internet and politics. Themes covered in this course include the ways in which politicians and organizations use the Internet and how the Internet is changing the relationship between governments and citizens.
PSC 316 | RELIGION, NATIONALISM AND POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course looks at the role of religion, nationalism and ethnicity in contemporary political life. Attention is given to the various theories for explaining modern religious politics. The course also examines the phenomenon in practice. Case studies are drawn from a variety of regions and traditions.
PSC 319 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN POLITICAL CULTURE | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Various topics in political cultures.
PSC 321 | MASS MEDIA AND AMERICAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The rise, fall and manipulation of public opinion and voting behavior, with special attention given to the mass media.
PSC 322 | URBAN POLICYMAKING | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
U.S. urban policy is examined from the standpoints of program objectives, the mechanics of their evaluation, and the barriers to their effective implementation.
PSC 323 | CHICAGO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The particular socioeconomic characteristics of Chicago are linked with its formal government structure, informal political style, and prominent public issues. To enhance this analysis, comparisons with other U.S. cities are employed.
PSC 324 | INEQUALITY IN AMERICAN SOCIETY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the nature and extent of inequality in American society and explores various psychological, political, social, and economic theories which attempt to explain the existence of this phenomenon.
PSC 326 | IDEOLOGY, ECONOMICS AND POLICY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the economic theories and political ideologies behind the policies advocated by the major political parties in America. The course also examines the social and economic consequences of policies advocated by Democratic and Republican Administrations.
PSC 327 | PUBLIC OPINION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An in-depth look into how individuals form opinions, how researchers attempt to measure attitudes, what the public thinks about a variety of social and public policy issues, and the role that public opinion plays in American society, politics and our notions of democracy.
PSC 328 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN AMERICAN POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced topics In American politics.
PSC 329 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN PUBLIC POLICY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced Topics In Public Policy.
PSC 330 | AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An examination of the enduring problems of American political thought from colonial time to the present, including puritanism, constitutionalism, Calhoun, populism, socialism, Social Darwinism, and pragmatism.
PSC 331 | CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This is a rigorous seminar course that covers the development of social and political ideas from roughly the 19th to 21st centuries. Themes can include critical theory/Marxism, democratic theory, human nature, the trajectory of history, the forces of social change, the nature of power, the relationship of religion and politics, egalitarianism, liberalism and republicanism, existentialism, post-modernism, and post-structuralism. Authors may include a combination of Marx, Nietzsche, Weber, Freud, Schmitt, Marcuse, Arendt, Habermas, Foucault, Rawls, Nozick, and others. Focus will vary according to instructor.
PSC 333 | MARXISM | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An analysis of Marxist political and economic thought as represented by the writings of Marx, Lenin, Trotsky, Lukacs, Sartre. Primary texts will be examined, and their application to the contemporary setting considered.
PSC 335 | THEORIES OF THE CHURCH | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course deals with the theological, social, and political implications of ecclesiology, or "theories of the church". Students will explore ideas about the origins and purposes of the Church, notions of authority and membership, matters of church and state, and more. The impact of Marxist, feminist, and conservative ideologies on understandings of the church may also be explored. The course will integrate theological, sociological, and political methods of analysis. Cross-listed as CTH 209.
PSC 336 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Considers black political thought through a variety of ideological, political, legal and historical perspectives. First explores early efforts by blacks to challenge the racialized limitations of America's core principles of liberty, equality and democracy in the contexts of abolitionism, the women's suffrage movements, Manifest Destiny, and American industrialism. Then concentrates on the evolution of contemporary black political thought, with an emphasis on both conceptual diversity and continuity over time.
PSC 337 | CHRISTIAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An exploration of key themes, thinkers and movements in the Christian tradition's engagement with power, governance, authority, and allegiance. Students explore scriptural and early church sources, important pre-modern theologians like Augustine and Aquinas, Reformation figures including Luther and Calvin, and contemporary philosophers, theologians and topics.
PSC 339 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced topics in political thought.
PSC 340 | THE EUROPEAN UNION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the history, institutional structures and processes, and policies of the EU. It will look at how the EU is unique, sharing characteristics of states and of international organizations.
PSC 341 | POLITICAL ISLAM AND AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the historical development of the international Islamist movement and the U.S. government's response to it. The course will include a review of Islamist ideology and the debates over how to deal with the militant challenge. The course also examines U.S. policies in the post 9/11 period.
PSC 342 | ARMS, SECURITY, AND WAR | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Focus is on the military dimensions of international politics, such as nuclear and conventional deterrence, arms races, arms control, alliances, and American defense policy, and how those affect war and peace.
PSC 343 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE PACIFIC RIM | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course offers an overview of the geopolitics, culture, and history behind economies in the "ring of fire". Provides students with the tools to analyze the core theories, actors, and current and historical events in the study of the international relations, business, politics, and economy of Asia and North and South America.
PSC 344 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is an overview of politics and economic opportunities and challenges facing developed and developing economies of the global north and south. It explores innovation and entrepreneurship trends in emerging economies and political activism affecting international trade and investment institutions and policies in global context.
PSC 345 | THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WORLD POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course seeks to familiarize students with major theories, research traditions, and issues regarding the role of Catholicism in the contemporary world. It will assess the role of various levels and actors with the Church--the Vatican, priests and nuns, lay groups and movements, activists, and others--in working as forces of social change/stability in matters of world politics, economics, and culture. The course will also consider the impact of globalization and other transnational processes on the activities and options of Catholic institutions and actors.
PSC 346 | THE UNITED NATIONS AND WORLD PROBLEMS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course will examine the historical and theoretical foundations of the United Nations, particularly in light of the changing problems and issues that confront the global community, such as international peace and security, global economic inequality, and environmental and human rights norms.
PSC 347 | ETHICS IN WORLD POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Drawing on general theories of international relations and historical cases, this course examines both the forces that inhibit the development and effectiveness of ethical norms at the international level and the conditions under which such norms develop and affect the behavior of states and other actors.
PSC 348 | GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Global Environmental Politics looks at the key political issues and challenges in global environmental protection. The course focuses on the main approaches and theoretical concepts used to understand global environmental issues, and examines specific problems with a particular focus on climate change. It also explores such basic questions as whether or not free markets and economic growth can solve environmental problems, or whether free-market capitalism is the very source of the planet's environmental challenges.
PSC 349 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced topics in international relations.
PSC 350 | JAPANESE POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the meeting of the ancient and the modern in the context of 21st century politics in Japan. Exploring political, economic, and cultural practices and institutions, this class provides an in-depth understanding of Japan's political system from its origins in Samurai traditions to current challenges facing Japan's democracy and economy.
PSC 351 | REVOLUTION AND TERRORISM | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Aspects of revolution, emphasizing contemporary cases, including units on ideology, leaders, followers, organization, techniques, weapons, causes and theories of revolution.
PSC 352 | CHINESE POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines the political system of China and the major domestic issues in contemporary Chinese politics. The course explores the rise and early governance of the Chinese Communist Party, the economic and political developments since the start of the reform (post 1978) era, and the main political challenges facing Chinese society today.
PSC 353 | COMPARATIVE DEMOCRACY AND DICTATORSHIP | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course compares democracies and dictatorships in order to ascertain how they differ and what are the requisite conditions for each type of political system. Among the concepts to be examined are elections, participation, distribution of resources, corruption, and transparency.
PSC 358 | GLOBAL GENDER POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course examines how inequalities between women and men are connected to the global politics of power, security, the political economy, and ecology. It focuses on the theoretical and practical linkages between "women's issues" and political matters such as wars of secession, arms proliferation, global economic recessions, and environmental degradation. Questions of the nature of power, abuses of human rights, the human costs of global inequality, and the meaning of a just world order are explored.
PSC 359 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced topics in comparative politics.
PSC 361 | INTERNATIONAL LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The nature, sources, and applications of international law in the international community, including issues of recognition, territory, jurisdiction, settlement of international disputes, diplomatic agents, intervention and the use of force.
PSC 362 | THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
An overview of the important features of the American criminal justice system, including the role of police, courts and corrections. The course analyzes conventional and alternative definitions of crime and explanations for criminal behavior. An examination of race and class issues as they relate to criminal justice, and their implications for public policy, is also included.
PSC 363 | WOMEN AND THE LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course investigates the variety of ways in which women come into relation with the law, focusing on laws and judicial decisions dealing with equal opportunity. Cross-listed as WGS 326.
PSC 365 | VOTING, REPRESENTATION, AND THE LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course explores key laws and policies governing voting rights, including the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act, voter ID laws, and the implications of mass incarceration on representation. The course is intended to familiarize students with various legal theories which courts use to evaluate our voting system. Course readings may include Supreme Court opinions, law review articles, and political analyses of voting rights and other electoral processes.
PSC 366 | NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Explores the relationship between the U.S. Constitution and the government's responsibility for the protection of national security. The course examines the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers and the respective roles of Congress, the President, and the courts in the conduct of foreign policy and the use of military force. It also examines the relationship between national security and protection of various rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, privacy, and personal liberty.
PSC 367 | IMMIGRATION LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
In this course students will learn about immigration policy through studying case law, including the history of immigration decisions from the 1880's, and specific policies leading up to the present. Students will learn about policies affecting immigrants at the border and policies affecting resident foreigners (which Daniel Kanstroom calls "post-entry social control"). This history will allow us to understand how policies and case law from 1996 on have increasingly made naturalization difficult and have generated a narrow understanding of resident foreigners without documents. At the end of this course, students will learn about refugee law and its relationship to people we currently view as undocumented.
PSC 368 | RIGHTS-BASED SOCIAL MOVEMENTS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course offers an in-depth look at the relationship between rights, identity, and social movements. It will examine how activists pursue policy goals through the use of rights-based legal strategies. Course material will cover a diverse set of groups, which may include: African Americans, disabled persons, Native Americans, immigrants, gun owners, women, anti-abortion activists, opponents of affirmative action, and LGBTQ individuals.
PSC 369 | ADVANCED TOPICS IN PUBLIC LAW | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Advanced topics in public law.
PSC 390 | CAPSTONE SEMINAR | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Senior capstone seminar.
Senior standing is a prerequisite for this class.
PSC 392 | INTERNSHIP | 4-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
By arrangement.
PSC 393 | HONORS SEMINAR | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Variable credit.
PSC 394 | SENIOR THESIS | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Variable credit.
PSC 395 | TRAVEL/STUDY | 1-8 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
By arrangement with sponsoring faculty, foreign and domestic tours or residence programs may be combined with lectures, readings, and research assignments. Variable credit.
PSC 399 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1-10 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Variable credit.
PSC 400 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
This course will examine and critique the dominant approaches to the study of international relations. This will include an analysis of the theories of realism and liberalism, their more modern variants (neo-realism and neo-liberalism), as well as such alternative perspectives as Marxism, constructivism, post-colonial and critical theory. The goal of the class will be to gain a thorough understanding of the issues that define international politics, and the diverse ways in which each school of thought approaches or explains the operations of the inter-state system.