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Course Descriptions | |||
Spring Quarter Course Descriptions
Our collective identity as citizens in a democratic society is established through political participation. Accordingly, this course covers the fundamental principles of political participation and why it is important. Political participation is examined not only through traditional means such as voting or running for office, but also through the initiative process, community involvement, and the legal system. In addition, this course will include a service learning component or group project assignment so students can apply course concepts outside of the classroom setting. PLSC 200-01, INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS In this course, the realities of American politics will be examine from two different and contrasting perspectives: (1) a radical, critical interpretation and (2) a more positive, reformist orientation. I believe that an exposure to these two diverse interpretations of American politics will help you gain a better understanding of American society and politics. It is my hope that this format will also enable you to gain a much greater sense of the possibilities that politics provides for arriving at positive solutions to our most serious societal problems. Special attention will be given to the Bush presidency. The course is organized around the assigned readings and the accompanying lectures and discussions.
Comparative politics is a subfield of political science that seeks to explain similarities and differences in political outcomes cross-nationally. This introduction to comparative politics course will expose students to the various theoretical and methodological approaches that are used to compare nations. In addition, we will explore some of the major questions for which comparative politics seeks explanations. We will examine rationalist, structuralist, and culturalist works that seek to explain why peasants resist states, the economic troubles that face African states, and why revolutions occur. The goal of this course is to expose students to the major problems, theories, and approaches that are explored in comparative politics so that students will have the foundations for future analysis of countries and concepts in which they are interested. PLSC 230-02, COMPARING NATIONS This course aims to help students understand the politics of other countries and enhances students citizenship by putting the politics of their home country in comparative perspective. The course begins by analyzing the building and breakdown of nations in Europe, followed by a study of how political institutions in Europe and the U.S. shape options for leaders and citizens. It then considers the relationship between political and economic systems, focusing on post-communist Russia and China. Finally, the course moves to Latin America, The Middle East, and Southeast Asia to evaluate the role of culture and contention in democratization and development. PLSC 250-01, INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY Political theory involves the effort to articulate normative and critical views to questions such as: what is human nature; what makes a government legitimate; what is politics; and how should the political world be organized? The central concern of political theory is not so much explanation for how the world is the way it is, as how it ought to be. This introduction to political theory course will expose students to some of the most important works in the field. We will trace the history of political thought in the west from Aristotle to the modern consent theorists, the rise of political Liberalism, and conclude by examining more contemporary critiques. PLSC 260-01, INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS This course will focus on the arrangement of nation states in the global arena and their relative power. Issues of national security, peace, justice, human rights, and the impact of economic globalization will be addressed. Because of the current unipolar arrangement, the role of the United States globally will provide a basis for comparison and contrast with other states. Institutions such as the United Nations, NATO, WTO and IMF will be considered for their impact globally and their future. The course will also consider terrorism, some of its roots, conflict, media and the impact of poverty on global stability. We will analyze the domestic as well as foreign media for a glimpse into how the United States is perceived globally. The course will also include live meetings with students in Iraq and Northern Ireland in an effort to gain a broader understanding of international perspectives surrounding conflict. Readings for the course will be designed so that material is very timely and recent, with the goal of providing the student with up to date knowledge of some of the major themes and dilemmas associated with the international arena. PLSC 301-01, THE EVOLVING PRESIDENCY This course will: (1) trace the ebb and flow of presidential power since Washingtons presidency, (2) critically examine the role of the president in the American political system, and (3) look at the psychological dimensions of presidential performance. The last portion of the course will focus on a careful examination of the rapid expansion of the powers of the American presidency that has occurred since September 11, 2001. Close attention will be given to the character and public policies of President George W. Bush.
This course will focus on how public policy is made and implemented in the United States. It is intended to provide knowledge and skills for understanding how issues arise, the way they become part of policy agenda of the executive and the legislature, and the factors influencing policy success and failure. In addition to becoming familiar with current theories of the policy process, students will be actively engaged in learning the skill of policy analysis. Students will apply their knowledge of the policy process to selected case studies in environmental and social welfare policy. Additionally, students will be responsible for applying their knowledge to a policy problem of their choosing in individual policy analysis papers. PLSC 312-01, LATINO POLITICS This course is designed to introduce the student to some of the major political issues facing Latinos in the United States. It begins with a brief overview and general introduction to the historical, demographic, and political nuances of Latinos in America. It then turns to issues of migration from the Americas and the Caribbean, which present both a challenge and an opportunity for Latino community formation in the U.S. We begin by assessing identity in Latino communities, and the ongoing impact of immigration on this process. Second, we assess the degree to which Latino migrants (and, perhaps, their children) seek to maintain cultural and civic connections with their communities of origin. This includes an examination of gender roles and how they are changing. Finally, we examine current policy issues, and second generation Latinos (the children of Latino immigrants) to assess the likely path of their social and political development and incorporation in the future. PLSC 321-01, AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW Examination of key Supreme Court decisions and doctrines pertaining to civil liberties, with emphasis on freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the right of privacy. PLSC 338-01, POLITICAL ECONOMY OF AFRICA This course will address the economic foundations of democratization, revolution, internal war, and authoritarianism in Africa as well as the political foundations of economic growth, social welfare, and economic inequities. It will confront the challenges posed by the global economy as well as the more limited opportunities offered. It will also consider the strength of African movements for social change and the new stakeholders in African politics. PLSC 355-01, CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT This class explores the possibility of a crisis of Western modernity in relation to the political implications of modern conceptions of personality, reason, freedom, economics, and progress. Topics include Freud and modern psychology, Marxism and critical theory, post colonialism, Hannah Arendt and the recovery of civic humanism, Michel Foucaults deconstructions of modern knowledge and power, and the relationship between postmodernism and feminism. PLSC 391-01, INTERNATIONAL LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS This class will focus on international law and human rights issues. The class will begin by exploring the idea of human rights what the concept means and how universally it is accepted. Then we will examine international human rights law and the different means through which that law is enforced. Finally we will look at some specific issue areas where international law and human rights intersect, including refugee rights, gender issues, military technology and the war on terrorism. PLSC 392-01, DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE AND SOCIAL EQUITY IN SOUTH AFRICA Study
Abroad Course/Cape Town The historical and contemporary social and economic foundations of politics in South Africa. There will be several meetings during the spring, but the course will primarily be taught during the summer, June 14-28, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Economic integration in Europe profoundly affects US business, trade and investment. Like NAFTA, the European Union confronts major problems in regional developments, labor and social welfare, financial services and environmental protection. In addition, Europe's newest structural reforms represent a dramatic experiment in transnational government. Themes include Origin and Evolution of EU; congruent and divergent national interests; elements of EU political system; comparison to federalism, interest groups, and courts in US; economic development and protectionism; neo-liberal market and exceptions; reforms in agriculture, transportation, financial services, environment, labor rights; cross-national inequality, class inequality, and social exclusion. PLSC 491-01, MODERN POLITCAL ECONOMY
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