Courses

Courses

Fall 2007 Courses

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010. The Pursuit of Peace
Allen Springer T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Hubbard-22
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 M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 Hubbard-22
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.

024. Political Theory and Utopia
Thomas Schneider M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 Searles-127
Utopia is both “no place” and “good place.” Course considers a number of famous utopian (and anti-utopian) writings, beginning with the most famous of all – Plato’s Republic – and including works by later writers who have taken up some of the same questions (More, Bacon, Engels, Bellamy, Huxley): Is utopia unrealizable? If so, what is its use? Is there a role for philosophy in politics?

026. Fundamental Questions: Exercises in Political Theory
Jean Yarbrough T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Sills-Peucinian Room
Explores the fundamental questions in political life: What is justice? What is happiness? Are human beings equal or unequal by nature? Do they even have a nature, or are they “socially constructed”? Are there ethical standards for political action that exist prior to law and, if so, where do they come from? Nature? God? History? Readings may include Plato, the Bible, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, Marx, Mill, and Nietzsche.

120. Introduction to Comparative Government
Nicholas Toloudis M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25 Searles-223
Provides a broad introduction to key concepts in comparative politics. Most generally, asks why states are governed differently, both historically and in contemporary politics. Begins by examining foundational texts, including works by Marx, Smith, and Weber. Surveys subfields within comparative politics (the state, regime types, nations and nationalism, party systems, development, and civil society) to familiarize students with major debates and questions.

150. Introduction to American Government
Jeffrey Selinger T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Druckenmiller-016
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.

203. American Political Parties
Jeffrey Selinger M 2:30 - 3:55, F 2:30 - 3:55 Banister-106
Throughout American political history, parties have been among the most adept institutions at organizing political conflict and, more generally, American political life. In this vein, the role of political parties in the evolution of American politics is discussed. Special attention is given to the present political context, which many characterize as an era of ideologically polarized parties. Explores and challenges this conventional wisdom.

205. Campaigns and Elections
Michael Franz T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Kanbar Hall-107
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 run-up to the 2008 presidential primary season. The primary goal is to use concepts from the political science literature on elections to develop insight into the battle over control of Congress and the White House. 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 coattail effects, the Electoral College, and trends in partisan realignment.

209. Introduction to Political Behavior
Michael Franz T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55 Kanbar Hall-107
Examines the political behavior of ordinary citizens. Begins with a broad focus on the importance of citizen participation in a democracy,and the debate over how much or how little participation is best. Examines the reasons for citizen (non)participation, and focuses on the effects of campaigns and social capital on different forms of participation.

210. Constitutional Law I
Richard Morgan T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Sills-117
Examines the development of American constitutionalism, the power of judicial review, federalism, and separation of powers.

214. Environmental Policy and Politics
DeWitt John T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25 Banister-106
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.

215. Urban Politics
John Bauman T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Mass-Faculty Room
Explores American urban politics from the roots of urban political discourse and culture in the Medieval urban world to the modern urban politics of so-called global cities. Examines the evolution of urban political thought and culture, colonial-American urban politics, the nineteenth-century urban “boss” politics of New York’s William Marcy Tweed, and the twentieth-century urban “boss” politics of Chicago’s Richard Daley. Analyzes progressive urban reform; the concepts of urban elites and modern pro-growth politics; the impact of suburban decentralization and individuation; and the role of race, class, and gender in shaping and molding modern urban politics.

216. Maine Politics
Christian Potholm M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25 Hubbard-Conference Room West
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.

219. Education and Law
George Isaacson T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55 Sills-109
A study of the impact of the American legal system on the functioning of schools in the United States through an examination of Supreme Court decisions and federal legislation. Analyzes the public policy considerations that underlie court decisions in the field of education and considers how those judicial interests may differ from the concerns of school boards, administrators, and teachers. Issues to be discussed include constitutional and statutory developments affecting schools in such areas as free speech, sex discrimination, religious objections to compulsory education, race relations, teachers’ rights, school financing, and education of the handicapped.

224. West European Politics
Nicholas Toloudis M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Searles-215
Analyzes the dynamics of West European political systems, including the varieties of parliamentary and electoral systems, the formation of governments and lawmaking, and executive-legislative-judicial relations. Addresses contemporary political challenges in Britain, France, Germany, and other states, considering topics such as institutional reform, welfare state policies, economic growth and unemployment, immigration, relations with the United States and other foreign policy concerns.The European Union is not examined in this course, as it is a separate course, Government 225: The Politics of the European Union.

226. Middle East Politics
Shelley Deane M 8:00 - 9:25, W 8:00 - 9:25 Searles-217
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 T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 CT-16 Harrison McCann
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 and Societies in Southeast Asia
Lance Guo T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Searles-313
A survey of the political landscape and trends of change in tropical Southeast Asia and an investigation of the fundamental driving forces of 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); armed insurgence and nationalism; the different responses to modernization; the causes and consequences of rapid economic growth; the clash between human rights, democracy, and indigenous traditions.

240. Classical Political Philosophy
Jean Yarbrough T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Chase Barn Chamber
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.

244. Liberalism and Its Critics
Thomas Schneider M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Searles-217
An examination of liberal democratic doctrine and of religious, cultural, and radical criticisms of it in the nineteenth century. Authors include Burke, Tocqueville, Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche.

260. International Law
Allen Springer T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Hubbard-Conference Room West
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.

268. Bridging Divisions: Ethnonational Conflict Regulation
Shelley Deane M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 Kanbar Hall-107
Aims to consider the devices used for the regulation of national and ethnic conflicts. Seeks to provide students with an understanding of the tools available to states and policy makers to regulate conflict through an examination of divided territories and societies such as Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Israel-Palestine, Cyprus, and Rwanda. Considers the definitional and theoretical controversies associated with the conflict regulation and resolution literature.

303. The Law and Politics of Freedom of Speech
Richard Morgan T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Sills-111
While focusing primarily on American material, students have the option of choosing speech controversies in other polities as the subject of their seminar papers.

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