Courses

Courses

Fall 2006 Courses

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010. The Pursuit of Peace
Allen Springer T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55
Examines different strategies for preventing and controlling armed conflict in international society, and emphasizes the role of diplomacy, international law, and international organizations in the peace-making process.
011. The Korean War
Christian Potholm T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
The Korean War is often called �the forgotten war� because it is overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War, yet many important aspects and results of it are mirrored in the contemporary world. Korea is still divided and its situation as a buffer state in between China, Russia, and Japan continues to have important policy ramifications for the United States. The course focuses not just on the course of the war, but on the foreign policy assumptions of the two Korean governments, the United States, the People�s Republic of China, and Russia.
012. Becoming Modern
Paul Franco M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
An examination of early modernity from 1500-1800. Topics include modern doubt and skepticism, the quest for certainty, the rise of science, the emergence of individuality and its impact on ethics, politics, and religion, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the beginnings of Romanticism. Authors may include Montaigne, Shakespeare, Descartes, Bacon, Milton, Hobbes, Locke, Defoe, Rousseau, and Mary Shelley
019. East Asian Politics: Introductory Seminar
Henry Laurence T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
Surveys the diverse political, social, and economic arrangements across East Asia. Main focus on China, Japan, and North and South Korea. Examines the relationships between democracy, economic change, and human rights. Other questions: What are �Asian values�? What is the role of Confucianism in political and economic life? How are economic and political developments affecting traditional social institutions such as families, and how is the status of women changing?
025. American Politics
Janet Martin M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
An introductory seminar in American National Politics. Readings, papers, and discussion explore the changing nature of power and participation in the American polity, with a focus on the interaction between individuals (non-voters, voters, party leaders, members of Congress, the President) and political institutions (parties, Congress, the executive branch, the judiciary). Not open to students enrolled in Government 150.
150. Introduction to American Government
Michael Franz T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55
Provides a comprehensive overview of the American political process. Specifically, traces the foundations of American government (the Constitution, federalism, civil rights, and civil liberties), its political institutions (Congress, Presidency, courts, and bureaucracy), and its electoral processes (elections, voting, and political parties). Also examines other influences, such as public opinion and the mass media, which fall outside the traditional institutional boundaries, but have an increasingly large effect on political outcomes.
160. Introduction to International Relations
Gerald DiGiusto M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25
Provides a broad introduction to the study of international relations. Designed to strike a balance between empirical and historical knowledge on the one hand, and theoretical understanding on the other. Designed as an introductory course to familiarize students with no prior background in the subject, and recommended for first- and second-year students intending to take upper-level international relations courses.
204. Congress and the Policy Process
Janet Martin M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
An examination of the United States Congress, with a focus on members, leaders, constituent relations, the congressional role in the policy-making process, congressional procedures and their impact on policy outcomes, and executive-congressional relations.
205. Campaigns and Elections
Michael Franz T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Introduces current theories and controversies concerning political campaigns and elections in the United States. Takes advantage of the fact that the class meets during the heart of the 2006 congressional campaigns. The primary goal is to use concepts from the political science literature on elections to develop insight into the battle over control of Congress. Readings are organized around two themes. First, students are expected to follow journalistic accounts of the fall campaigns closely. A second set of readings introduces political science literature on campaigns and elections. These readings touch upon a wide range of themes, including presidential primaries, campaign finance, voting behavior, polling, media strategy, incumbency and coat-tail effects, the Electoral College, and trends in partisan realignment.
210. Constitutional Law I
Richard Morgan T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
Examines the development of American constitutionalism, the power of judicial review, federalism, and separation of powers.
214. Environmental Policy and Politics
DeWitt John T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Examines alternative ways to protect our environment. Analyzes environmental policies and the regulatory regime that has developed in the United States; new approaches such as free-market environmentalism, civic environmentalism, environmental justice, sustainable development; and environmental policies and politics in other countries, especially China. (Same as Government 214.)
216. Maine Politics
Christian Potholm T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
An analysis of politics in the state of Maine since World War II. Subjects covered include the dynamics of Republican and Democratic rivalries and the efficacy of the Independent voter, the rise of the Green and Reform parties, the growing importance of ballot measure initiatives, and the interaction of ethnicity and politics in the Pine Tree state. An analysis of key precincts and Maine voting paradigms is included, as well as a look at the efficacy of such phenomena as the north/south geographic split, the environmental movement, and the impact of such interest groups as SAM and the Roman Catholic Church. Students are expected to follow contemporary political events on a regular basis.
221. Division and Consensus: The Government and Politics of Ireland
Shelley Deane M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25
Aims to Familiarize students with the contemporary politics and political history of the two jurisdictions on the Island of Ireland. Seeks to provide students with an understanding of the political institutions in Ireland north and south; studies constitutional and public policy issues such as church and state, while providing the means to critically assess the relevance of social science theories of nationalism, religion, and conflict resolution to the Ireland case.
226. Middle East Politics
Shelley Deane M 8:30 - 9:25, W 8:30 - 9:25, F 8:30 - 9:25
Provides an introduction to the politics of the Middle East region. Begins with a brief overview of the history of the region, focusing on the period since the end of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Proceeds to examine a number of topics of importance in the contemporary politics of the region. Some of the major topics addressed are colonialism and its legacy; nationalism; religion and politics; authoritarianism, democratization, and civil society; politics of women and gender; ethnicity and sectarianism; regional security and the role of outside powers. Presupposes no previous knowledge of the region.
227. Contemporary Chinese Politics
Lance Guo M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Examines Chinese politics in the context of a prolonged revolution. After a survey of the political system as established in the 1950s and patterns of politics emerging from it, the analytic focus turns to political change in the reform era (since 1979) and the forces driving it. Topics include the political impact of decentralization and marketization, the reintegration into the capitalist world economy, and the development of the legal system. The adaptation by the Communist Party to these changes and the prospects of democratization are also examined.
229. Politics of Southeast Asia
Lance Guo M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
Starts with a survey of the political landscape of tropical Southeast Asia and proceeds to investigate the fundamental forces driving political changes in this region of rich diversity in culture, religion, ethnicity, mystic beliefs, and political traditions. Topics include nation building and the role of colonial history in it, regime legitimacy, political protests (often spearheaded by college students) and armed insurgence, the different responses to the challenges of modernization, causes and consequences of rapid economic growth, dynamics of the political processes, and the attempts by political elites at culturally-bounded human rights and democracy.
232. Japanese Politics and Society
Henry Laurence M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25
Comprehensive overview of modern Japanese politics in historical, social, and cultural context. Analyzes the electoral dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party, the nature of democratic politics, and the rise and fall of the economy. Other topics include the status of women and ethnic minorities, education, war guilt, nationalism, and the role of the media.
239. Comparative Constitutional Law
George Isaacson T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
A comparative examination of constitutional principles and constitutional processes in democratic and non-democratic countries. Explores the roles that constitutions play in shaping civil society and defining the relationship between governments and the people they govern. Compares American constitutional law with that of other nations to scrutinize alternative models of governance, and to gain new perspectives regarding the legal foundations for the protection of individual rights. Special attention given to the constitutions of Canada, India, Germany, South Africa, Israel and the People�s Republic of China, along with that of the United States. Structural issues include consideration of executive-legislative separation of powers, constitutional courts, federalism and church-state relations. Discusses arguments in favor of and against a written Bill of Rights, as well as such specific issues as political dissent, hate speech, religious belief, reproductive choice, racial and gender discrimination, public welfare, privacy, and police investigative powers.
240. Classical Political Philosophy
Paul Franco M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
A survey of classical political philosophy focusing on four major works: Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Politics, and St. Augustine's City of God. The course examines ancient Greek and early Christian reflection on human nature, justice, the best regime, the relationship of the individual to the political community, the relationship of philosophy to politics, democracy, education, religion, and international relations.
245. Contemporary Political Philosophy
Dennis Rasmussen M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
A survey of political philosophy in Europe and the United States since 1945. Examines a broad array of topics, including the revival of political philosophy, relativism, rationalism, contemporary liberal theory, communitarianism, conservatism, multiculturalism, feminism, and postmodernism. Authors may include Strauss, Arendt, Oakeshott, Berlin, Hayek, Rawls, Sandel, Taylor, Walzer, okin, Habermas, and Foucault. Prerequisite: One course in political philosophy, or permission of the instructor.
260. International Law
Allen Springer T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
The modern state system, the role of law in its operation, the principles and practices that have developed, and the problems involved in their application.
303. The Law and Politics of Freedom of Speech
Richard Morgan T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
While focusing primarily on American material, students have the option of choosing speech controversies in other polities as the subject of their seminar papers.
347. The Idea of Progress in American Political Thought
Jean Yarbrough M 6:30 - 9:25
Traces the understanding of progress from its roots in the Enlightenment, with special emphasis on the Progressive movement and its aftermath. Questions considered include: Who were the Progressives? What did they stand for? What distinguished their understanding of progress from earlier Enlightenment views both in America and Europe? How did historicism, positivism, and evolution, the three most powerful intellectual movements of the late nineteenth century, affect their understanding of human nature, politics, and law? What is their enduring contribution to American political life as we enter the twenty-first century? Readings include Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Croly, Walter Lippmann, John Dewey, and contemporary thinkers.
362. Democracy, Autocracy, War
Gerald DiGiusto M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
Explores the relationship between domestic regime type and international conflict. Does the proliferation of democracy make the international system more peaceful? Why are democracies less likely to fight wars with one another? If so, will this trend persist as democracy becomes more widespread? What are the dangers and challenges of the transition from autocracy to democracy? Can democracy be exported? If so, should democratic states actively seek to install democracy in autocratic states? The course will emphasize contemporary scholarship on democracy and democratization as well as analysis and student research on cases of democratization and war.

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