Courses

Courses

Spring 2007 Courses

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120. Introduction to Comparative Government
Henry Laurence M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25 Adams-208
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
Dennis Rasmussen T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25 Hubbard-Conference Room West
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
Shelley Deane M 8:00 - 9:25, W 8:00 - 9:25 Sills-Smith Auditorium
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.
202. The American Presidency
Professor X M 8:00 - 9:25, W 8:00 - 9:25 Searles-113
An examination of the presidency in the American political system, including the “road to the White House” (party nomination process and role of the electoral college), advisory systems, the institutional presidency, relations with Congress and the courts, and decision-making in the White House. In addition, the role of women as advisors within the White House and Executive branch, and influence of outside groups on the White House's consideration of "women's issues," especially since 1960, will be a topic of discussion drawing upon the instructor's own research, and a growing body of literature in this area.
208. Mass Media and American Politics
Michael Franz T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25 Adams-208
Examines the role of the media as the “fourth branch” of government. Focuses first on the history of the media throughout American political development, and then examines the role of the media in contemporary politics. Is the media biased? How? What are the effects of media coverage on citizens? What is the interplay of politicians, citizens, and journalists? Spends considerable time on the place of new media outlets such as blogs.
211. Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties
Richard Morgan T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Sills-109
Examines questions arising under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
225. The Politics of the European Union
Laura Henry M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Kanbar Hall - 107
Explores the historical foundations, scope, and consequences of European political and economic integration since 1951. Examines how the European Union's supranational political institutions, law, and policies developed and how they affect the domestic politics of member states. Considers challenges faced by the European Union: enlargement to include Eastern European members, the rise of far right parties, the loss of national sovereignty and the “democratic deficit,” the creation of a European identity, and the development of a constitution and a coordinated foreign policy.
228. Chinese Foreign Policy
Lance Guo T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25 Sills-109
An analytic survey of the historical evolution of China's foreign relations since 1949. Emphasis is on China's evolving strategic thinking in the context of its rapid economic ascendance and increasing global influence. Topics include cultural and historical factors shaping Chinese foreign policy and strategic thinking; the actors, institutions, and processes of foreign policy making; national interests and the internationalization of China; Sino-U.S. relations; the resurgent nationalism; China's role in the Asia-Pacific regionalism; the key security and foreign policy issues such as Taiwan and North Korea, etc.
233. Advanced Comparative Politics: Government, War, and Society
Christian Potholm M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25 Hubbard-Conference Room West
An examination of the forces and processes by which governments and societies approach and wage or avoid wars. The theories and practices of warfare of various political systems will be analyzed and particular attention will be paid to the interface where politics, society, and the military come together under governmental auspices in various comparative contexts. Specific examples from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America are examined.
241. Modern Political Philosophy
Paul Franco M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Sills-109
A survey of modern political philosophy from Machiavelli to Hegel. Examines the overthrow of the classical horizon, the movement of human will and freedom to the center of political thought, the idea of the social contract, the origin and meaning of rights, the relationship between freedom and equality, the role of democracy, and the replacement of nature by history as the source of human meaning. Authors include Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, and Hegel.
242. Politics and Culture
Paul Franco M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 Mass-Faculty Room
In light of current debates about “culture wars,” “multiculturalism,” and the “clash of civilizations,” examines the relationship between culture and politics, primarily by looking at philosophical reflection on the subject over the last two centuries. Investigates many questions, including: What is culture? Why does it matter to politics? How has it been affected by democracy, capitalism, and technology? Is there a crisis of modern culture? If so, is there any way that it can be rectified? Authors may include: Schiller, Tocqueville, Carlyle, Ruskin, Mill, Arnold, Whitman, Nietzsche, Eliot, Horkheimer, Adorno, Raymond Williams, Allan Bloom, Clifford Geertz, and Charles Taylor.
249. Eros and Politics
Jean Yarbrough T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Hubbard-Conference Room West
What and whom do we love? Do we seek “another self” or someone to complement our natures? Is there something other than human beings that we love? The Good, God, or some other principle? How do the answers to these questions affect our views of politics and justice? Readings include Plato's Symposium; The Bible; Shakespeare; Rousseau's Emile; Mary Wollstonecraft; Tocqueville; and contemporary thinkers.
250. American Political Thought
Jean Yarbrough T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Hubbard-Conference Room West
Examines the political thought of American statesmen and writers from the founding to the twentieth century, with special emphasis on three pivotal moments: the Founding, the Crisis of the House Divided, and the growth of the modern welfare state. Readings include the Federalist Papers, the Anti-federalists, Jefferson and Hamilton, Calhoun, Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, William Graham Sumner, the Progressives, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and contemporary thinkers on both the right and the left.
263. International Environmental Policy
Allen Springer T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Hubbard-Conference Room West
Examines the political, legal, and institutional dimension of international efforts to protect the environment. Problems discussed include transboundary and marine pollution, maintaining biodiversity, and global climate change.
264. Energy, Climate, and Air Quality
DeWitt John M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25 Adams-104
Examines how the federal government in the United States, as well as states, communities, businesses, and nonprofits, can address climate change and energy issues. Compares American policies and politics with efforts in other countries and examines the links between American policies and efforts in other nations.
265. International Political Economy
Lance Guo T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 CT-2 South
Examines the politics underlying international economic relations and the dynamic interactions between states and the global market forces. Asks why some states are able to realize the benefits of trade while others not; Looks at distributional consequences of international trade, investment and monetary relations at both national and international levels and the ensuing political struggles. Examines conflicts and cooperation in international economic relations in various forms of manifestation, and the effects of global interdependence on the ability of governments to pursue economic and social policies independently.
270. United States Foreign Policy
Gerald DiGiusto T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55 Searles-223
Examines the objectives, formulation, and implementation of United States foreign policy. Provides a theoretical analysis of contemporary foreign policy in the context of historical, institutional, and ideological trends. Emphasis on who and what influences foreign policymaking, the resources and strategies used to execute foreign policy, the domestic and international constraints on successful foreign policy, and the challenges facing foreign policy over the next generation.
282. Globalization and World Politics
Gerald DiGiusto T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Searles-113
Analyzes the effect of globalization on world politics. Have technological, environmental, social, and economic changes transformed sovereignty and the relationship between citizens and the state? Begins with an investigation of the meaning of globalization and the variables that determine its processes, both historically and contemporarily. Later, examines whether the world political system has adapted to these changes, emphasizing the evolving role of international institutions and global civil society. Also discusses the implications of globalization for democratic governance, social welfare, and international conflict.
303. The Law and Politics of Freedom of Speech
Richard Morgan T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55 Hubbard-22
While focusing primarily on American material, students have the option of choosing speech controversies in other polities as the subject of their seminar papers.
308. Money and Politics
Michael Franz T 6:30 - 9:25 Hubbard-22
Considers the historical and contemporary relationship between money and government. In what ways have moneyed interests always had distinctive influences on American politics? Does this threaten the vibrancy of our representative democracy? Are recent controversies over campaign finance reform and lobbying reform signs that American government is in trouble? Reading, writing, and discussion intensive, considers the large academic literature on this subject, as well as the reflections of journalists and political practitioners, with the overall goal of understanding the money/politics relationship in ways that facilitate the evaluation of American democracy.
324. Post-Communist Pathways
Laura Henry M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 Hatch Library-012
Explores growing political, economic, and cultural diversity within the post-communist region after the enforced homogeneity of the communist era. Considers the essential features of communism and asks why these systems collapsed, before examining more recent developments. What are the factors promoting growing variation in the region? Why have some post-communist states joined the European Union, while others appear mired in authoritarianism? Do the institutional and cultural legacies of communism influence contemporary politics? Fifteen years after the collapse of communist regimes in East Central Europe and the Soviet Union, is “post-communism” still a useful concept for social scientists? Examines contemporary scholarship on the sources of change and continuity in the region and offers students the opportunity to undertake individual research projects.
330. Ending Civil Wars
Shelley Deane M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25 Hubbard-22
Considers the means and mechanisms adopted to end civil wars. Examines the nature of negotiated settlements. As wars end, peace settlements are varied and complex, often negotiated and agreed, sometimes imposed. Considers associated issues of insecurity, the nature of the settlement reached, the problems of implementation, and third party intervention, along with the dilemmas associated with peacekeeping and enforcement. The transition from war to settlement implementation is considered theoretically and empirically. Historical and contemporary civil wars selected from every continent illuminate the theoretical imperatives associated with implementing peace agreements.
332. Advanced Seminar in Japanese Politics
Henry Laurence M 2:30 - 3:55, F 2:30 - 3:55 Sills-Peucinian Room
Analyzes the political, social, and cultural underpinnings of modern politics, and asks how democracy works in Japan compared with other countries. Explores how Japan has achieved stunning material prosperity while maintaining, among the best healthcare and education systems in the world, high levels of income equality, and low levels of crime. Students are also instructed in conducting independent research on topics of their own choosing.
361. Advanced Seminar in International Relations: Conflict Simulation and Conflict Resolution
Christian Potholm M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55 CT-16 Harrison McCann
An upper-level interdisciplinary seminar on the nature of both international and national conflict. A variety of contexts and influence vectors are examined and students are encouraged to look at the ways conflicts can be solved short of actual warfare, as well as by it.
363. Advanced Seminar in International Relations: Law, Politics, and the Search for Justice
Allen Springer T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Hubbard-22
Examines the complex relationship between law and policy in international relations by focusing on two important and rapidly developing areas of international concern: environmental protection and humanitarian rights. Fulfills the ES senior seminar requirement.

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