Political Science

Political science defines, describes, explains, and evaluates phenomena such as war and peace, revolution and reform, stability and instability, voting and office holding, and crime and punishment. However, because many things apparently outside of “politics” can be made quite relevant to politics, political science also covers many other subjects, employs diverse methods, and interests a broad range of students. As a result, political science is one of the most popular majors at Middlebury College. Some students come to political science because they seek careers in politics or academics; others study political science to gain a greater knowledge of this central human concern. Consequently, the curriculum is designed to train students in a discipline, reveal the possibilities of politics, meet the demands of thoughtful citizenship, and prepare those students who intend to pursue further work in either graduate or professional school.
    The Department strongly emphasizes teaching excellence and the acquisition of analytic skills. Among its seventeen faculty the Department has a generous contingent of scholars across the Comparative, International Relations, and Political Economy fields, and is well represented in American Politics and Political Theory. The faculty’s research interests are diverse, and include such topics as ethnic identity and conflict, state responses to racial, ethnic, and religious violence, democratic transitions, political Islam, rules and compliance, ethics and war, local and international environmental policy, the presidency, American power and foreign policy, international conflict and intervention, constitutional law and American political thought, regional integration, media and democratization, the legal, ethical, and political implications of private military corporations, and political dynamics in many regions of the world.
    Given the range of subject matter and the variety of approaches to the study of politics, the Department’s faculty are also involved, formally and informally, in a number of related majors and programs: American Studies, Classical Studies, Environmental Studies, International Politics and Economics, and International Studies (African Studies, East Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies, Russian and East European Studies). We encourage our students to study abroad, especially in a foreign language. Students planning to spend all or part of their junior year abroad should consult with their Department advisor before the second semester of their sophomore year.
    Our students also participate in American University’s Washington Semester (consult with the Office of Off-Campus Study), in the activities of the Pre-Law Club (consult with Professor Murray Dry, Pre-Law Advisor), the Middlebury Model United Nations Club (consult with Professor Mark Williams, Faculty Liaison), and the Rohatyn Center for International Affairs (consult with Professor Allison Stanger, Director). For a description of the activities sponsored by the center, see http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/rcfia. Political science majors who are interested in obtaining teaching licensure must notify the Teacher Education Program by the middle of their sophomore year.
    Course offerings are divided into four subfields: Political Theory, American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations and Foreign Policy. To familiarize students with the different topics, issues, and approaches in the study of political science, majors are required to take an introductory course in each of the four subfields (all 0100-level courses). We also offer an introductory course in Environmental Policy (PSCI 0211), which is required for the Environmental Studies Program. In addition, almost all 0200-level courses have no prerequisites and are open to students of all classes. 
    Understanding the four subfields:The Department does not require its majors to develop expertise in any particular subfield of political science. Instead, students are provided a basic foundation in all parts of the discipline, and are then permitted to explore their own interests via the courses they select to meet degree requirements and through independent study.
Political Theory: Political theory courses focus on the different ways, or methods, of studying politics. Political theory may include inquiry into the truth about politics in general or a particular form of politics, such as democracy or tyranny. The mode of inquiry may follow the model of natural science and seek out causes for certain behavior, or it may take politics on its own terms and try to move from opinion to knowledge about what is right and wrong, good and bad, noble and base. When political theory follows the latter kind of inquiries, as most of our courses do, it becomes political philosophy. The one course that reflects political science in the modern scientific sense is Frontiers of Political Science Research (PSCI 0368).
    There are two different versions of our required course in this subfield: PSCI 0101 (Introduction to Political Philosophy) and PSCI 0107 (Politics and the Study of Politics). Each is primarily a course in political philosophy, but each also introduces students to the scientific study of politics. In PSCI 0101, students read fundamental texts, some ancient and some modern, mainly in chronological order. In PSCI 0107, students study similar kinds of texts but with a view toward appreciating the different ways of studying politics (philosophy, history, poetry, science). In courses beyond the introductory level, students read different texts and authors or they examine distinctive topics, such as philosophy, politics and education, late-modern political theory, or ethics and war.

Comparative Politics: Comparative politics entails the study of different governments and regime types. By comparing distinct political systems, analysts seek to derive propositions that are valid for all political systems. Thus, the comparative subfield encompasses not only various regional area studies, but also the cross-national study of political institutions, processes, and behavior. While some comparativists study the politics of a single country or of culturally similar countries (i.e., Europe, Latin America), and others compare the politics of culturally (or economically) dissimilar nations, the comparative method facilitates the study of issues central to the concerns of all the subfields of political science. These include the sources of political stability and instability, political prerequisites of economic backwardness and development, and the origins of democracy, dictatorship, and revolution.
    Political Science 0103 (Introduction to Comparative Politics), the introductory course in this field, exposes students to diverse political systems and to the logic of comparative inquiry. By mixing theory and case studies it acquaints students with the institutions and processes of different governments and regime types, and encourages students to think analytically about these systems and to compare them to their own political experiences. Other comparative courses focus on the political systems of Africa, East Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Western Europe, China or Russia. Comparative courses also focus on broader issues such as ethnic conflict, political and economic development, revolution, socialism, public policy, democracy, and dictatorship.

American Politics: Americanists conduct behavioral, institutional, and theoretical analyses of topics in domestic and international politics, using a variety of methodologies ranging from moral and legal reasoning to historical analyses to mathematical modeling. Topics of study include the major governing institutions and actors—Congress, the Presidency, the courts, public bureaucracies, state and local governments, the media and interest groups—and the primary modes of political participation, including lobbying, social movements, elections, public opinion and voting. Typically, Americanists draw on several approaches when conducting these studies. Political theorists examine the philosophical foundations of America’s constitutional democracy and the ways these political principles play out in practice. Institutional studies focus on how rules and enduring governing structures shape political processes and outcomes. Behavioral analyses examine how individuals—from activists to the general public—think about and engage in political activity. Whereas political theorists are primarily concerned with the normative aspects of American politics—who should govern, and to what ends?—institutionalists and behavioralists focus more on identifying and explaining empirical regularities through hypothesis generation and testing. 
    Students have a choice of taking PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104 (The American Political Regime, and Introduction to American Politics) as the introductory courses in American Politics. Both provide a thorough grounding in the theory and operation of American political institutions, political behavior, and the abiding tension between core American political values (e.g., equality vs. individual liberty). Other courses are more specific in their focus (the Presidency, Congress, Federalism, Constitutional Law, bureaucracy, public policy, money and politics).
    International Relations and Foreign Policy: International relations is the study of political, strategic, military, and economic interactions across national boundaries. It is generally concerned with the relations between sovereign states, but increasingly it also analyzes the role of non-state actors.
    International relations also includes the analysis of foreign policy, international law, international institutions, nuclear weapons, arms control, and international economic relations. Although international relations and comparative politics are distinct, sometimes they intersect. In general, comparative politics looks at patterns of domestic politics and political development in various countries, whereas international relations examines relations between states and the foreign policies that states adopt. This distinction, however, can become blurred when domestic politics influence foreign policy.
    PSCI 0109 (International Politics), the introductory course in International Relations, provides a broad overview of the subfield. The course addresses such issues as the international system, how states relate to one another within it, why states sometimes go to war, the role and nature of power, international law and institutions, and the impact of economic interdependence. Other courses within the IR subfield examine such topics as American foreign policy, diplomacy, international conflict and its resolution, international law and organization, international political economy, and international security and weapons of mass destruction. 
     Required for the Major in Political Science: A major must take ten regular fall or spring term political science courses, including (1) PSCI 0101 or PSCI 0107; (2) PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104; (3) PSCI 0103; and (4) PSCI 0109 (formerly PSCI 0201). These requirements should normally be completed before the end of the sophomore year. Among these ten courses, the student must (5) fulfill the field distribution requirement, and (6) complete the 0400-level seminar. At least seven of these ten courses, including the 0400-level seminar, must be taken at Middlebury College.
     The Field Distribution Requirement: All regular fall and spring term political science courses are classified in one of the following four fields: Political Theory, American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations and Foreign Policy. Students must take at least two courses in any three of these fields and one course in the fourth field.
     Senior Program: The senior program consists of a seminar of the major's choice. Each seminar includes advanced work appropriate to the field in which the seminar is offered. The seminars are the 0400-level courses offered by the department. Seminars are open to juniors and seniors. Normally, the senior program requirement must be completed by taking a seminar offered by a member of the Middlebury faculty. Work done in programs abroad, at other North American colleges and universities, or in the Washington Semester program will not count as the equivalent of a Middlebury seminar. INTL seminars co-taught by PSCI faculty cannot substitute for 0400-level PSCI seminars but will count as an elective towards the 10 required courses in PSCI.
     Departmental Honors: Students who elect to seek departmental honors write a thesis in the senior year. All students who plan to write a thesis are strongly encouraged to enroll in PSCI 0368 or PSCI 0347 before their senior year (and students writing a political theory thesis are encouraged to take a 0300-level theory course). Honors candidates should initiate the process by contacting their prospective faculty advisor during their junior year (including students who are abroad during their junior year). Candidates must submit an honors thesis proposal to their advisor prior to the term(s) in which the thesis is to be written. If the proposal is approved, the student may register for PSCI 0700 winter term thesis and PSCI 0700 for the spring term. After an oral examination of the completed thesis, honors are conferred or denied on the basis of (1) the level of the grade achieved on the thesis; and (2) the level of the average grade received in other fall and spring courses taken at Middlebury. Courses taken abroad do not count toward the grade point determination. Honors theses candidates will have a political science course average of at least 3.33 and a thesis grade of B+ or higher to attain honors; a political science course average of at least 3.50 and a thesis grade of A- or higher to attain high honors; and a political science course average of at least 3.67 and a thesis grade of A to attain highest honors. (For a full description of regulations, pick up a copy of Honors Theses Procedures and Regulations in Munroe 213 or check the PSCI web page at www.middlebury.edu/depts/ps/awards.htm).
     Independent Study: Students with demonstrated preparation and proficiency in the field may elect independent study projects (PSCI 0500). These projects are prepared under the supervision of a member or members of the department. The PSCI 0500 projects may not be substituted for the seminar requirement. The PSCI 0500 projects are reading and research courses; the department will not award PSCI 0500 credit for political experience such as congressional internships.
     Joint Majors: Students wishing to do a joint major in political science and another department or program of studies must: (1) take eight regular fall or spring term political science courses, among them (a) either PSCI 0101 or PSCI 0107, and (b) PSCI 0103, and (c) either PSCI 0104 or PSCI 0102, and (d) PSCI 0109 (formerly PSCI 0201); (2) take at least two courses in any two of the four fields of political science and one course in a third field; (3) complete the department's 0400-level seminar; and (4) give evidence of having used the training in both major fields, usually in a seminar paper, but sometimes in an independent project or thesis. At least five courses including the 0400-level seminar must be taken at Middlebury College. Joint majors do not qualify for honors in political science. (Double majors are eligible.)
     International Politics and Economics Major: The IPE major allows students to combine the study of politics, economics, and languages, linking these disciplines with an appropriate experience abroad. Students wishing to pursue this major should refer to International Politics and Economics in both the General Catalog and the on-line catalog.
     International Studies Major: To specialize in political science within the INTL major, students must take: (1) PSCI 0103 and PSCI 0109 (formerly PSCI 0201); (2) PSCI 0101 or PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104 or PSCI 0107; (3) two other courses at the 0200 or 0300 -level from either Comparative Politics or International Relations and Foreign Policy field; and (4) a 0400-level seminar from either Comparative Politics or International Relations and Foreign Policy field, which must be taken at Middlebury in the junior or senior year. International studies seminars co-taught by PSCI faculty cannot substitute for 0400-level PSCI seminars but will count towards the 6 required courses in PSCI. In addition, it is highly recommended that INTL thesis candidates enroll in PSCI 0368 or PSCI 0347 before their senior year.
     Minors in Political Science: The minor in political science will consist of five regular fall or spring term courses taken at Middlebury College, which must come from at least two of the four fields in the department. At least one of the courses must be at the 0300-level or above.  The five course requirement will not be reduced by AP credits.
     Advanced Placement: A score of 4 or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in American politics will entitle the student to exemption from PSCI 0104; such a score may satisfy the requirement of one course in the American politics field. A score of 4 to 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in comparative politics will entitle the student to exemption from PSCI 0103; such a score may satisfy the requirement of one course in the comparative politics field. While supplying two college credits, advanced placement in both American politics and comparative politics will only count as one of the ten courses required for the political science major.  Students will also receive only one distribution credit for AP courses, and notwithstanding the distribution credit, all students must take at least one course in each subfield.

INTRODUCTORY COURSES

PSCI 0101 Introduction to Political Philosophy (Spring)
This course focuses on some of the most important texts in the field of political philosophy:  Central issues concern the relationship between politics and philosophy, types of truth and forms of power, and generally, how a critical understanding of politics and the human condition is achieved.  Specific works have included:  Thucydides, History;Plato, Republic,Aristotle, Politics,Machiavelli, The Prince,Hobbes, Leviathan,Rousseau, Second Discourse;Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Mill, On Liberty,Marx, Communist Manifesto, Capital;Nietzsche, The Birth of Tragedy;and essays by Weber, Arendt, and Havel. 3 hrs. lect./disc. PHL SOC EUR (K. Carmola)

PSCI 0102 The American Political Regime (Spring)
This is a course in American political and constitutional thought. The theme, taken from de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, is the problem of freedom. The first half covers the American founding up through the Civil War and the "refounding." This includes de Tocqueville, Madison's Notes on the Debates in the Federal Convention, the Federalist-Anti-Federalist ratification debate, Supreme Court decisions (Marbury, McCulloch), writings of Jefferson, Calhoun, and Lincoln. The second half considers basic problems in American politics, such as race, gender, foreign policy, and education. Readings include a novel, de Tocqueville, and Supreme Court decisions (Brown, Frontiero, Roe, Casey, Grutter, Lawrence). 4 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR (M. Dry)

PSCI 0103 Introduction to Comparative Politics (CW 15) (Fall, Spring)
An introduction to the comparative study of political systems and to the logic of comparative inquiry. How are different political systems created and organized? How do they change? Why are some democratic and others authoritarian? Why are some rich and others poor? Other topics covered in this course include nationalism and political ideologies, forms of representation, the relationship between state institutions and civil society, and development strategies. In this course students will also learn how to describe, classify, compare, and evaluate governments using modern library and computer-based research methods. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP (fall: J. Cason, Q. Mecham, D. Rosenberg; spring: Q. Mecham)

PSCI 0104 Introduction to American Politics (Fall)
This course introduces the institutions and practices of American government and politics. The aim is to give students a firm understanding of the workings of and the balance of power among the American Congress, President, bureaucracy, and court system. We begin with the Constitution, which provides the set of founding principles upon which the American government is based. We then look at how American citizens make decisions about politics. Finally, we examine how political institutions, interest groups, parties, elections, and legislative bodies and rules aggregate diverse, often conflicting preferences and how they resolve or exacerbate problems. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR (B. Johnson)

PSCI 0107 Politics and the Studies of Politics (Fall)
This course will consider classic texts of Western political thought. The aims of the course are to see what each of the texts says about politics, and to determine the modes of thought of the text. For example, we will pay close attention both to the substance of Aristotle's political science and to the manner in which he conducts his inquiry. Other works may include Thomas Aquinas, Summae; William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar; Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan; Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France; Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America; speeches by Thomas Macaulay; and writings by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. 3 hrs. lect./disc. PHL SOC EUR (P. Nelson)

PSCI 0109 International Politics (Fall, Spring)
What causes conflict or cooperation among states? What can states and other international entities do to preserve global peace? These are among the issues addressed by the study of international politics. This course examines the forces that shape relations among states, and between states and international regimes. Key concepts include: the international system, power and the balance of power, international institutions, foreign policy, diplomacy, deterrence, war, and global economic issues. Both the fall and spring sections of this course emphasize rigorous analysis and set theoretical concepts against historical and contemporary case studies.  (formerly PSCI 0201)  3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP (fall: J. Morrison, M. Williams; spring: A. Yuen)

POLITICAL THEORY

PSCI 0101 Introduction to Political Philosophy (Spring)
See description in "Introductory Courses" above. PHL SOC EUR

PSCI 0107 Politics and the Studies of Politics (Fall)
See description in "Introductory Courses" above. PHL SOC EUR

PSCI 0235 Ethics and War (Fall)
This course examines the problem of ethics and war from a variety of historical, cultural, and philosophical perspectives, including the theories of violence and its role in human society, the history of warfare, and the experience of battle. We then turn to some of the classical theories of "just war" and the rules of war, and look at the evolution of the international law of war. Finally, we apply the theories discussed to contemporary issues, such as humanitarian intervention, new technologies, sanctions, and post-conflict resolution. Contemporary cases have included the Gulf War, Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Readings include John Keegan's The History of War, Michael Walzer's Just and Unjust Wars, J. Glenn Gray's The Warriors, J. T. Johnson's Morality and Contemporary Warfare, and S. Hoffmann's Ethics and Humanitarian Intervention. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC (K. Carmola)

PSCI 0245 Power and Powerlessness (Not offered 2008-09)
This course introduces students to the field of political theory through the study of the concepts of power, authority, and powerlessness. We study a wide range of theories and case studies on the origins and use of various types of power: political, institutional, cultural, personal, and religious. We study the difference between power and authority, how legitimacy is achieved and enacted, and how various "powerless" groups and individuals behave, react, and rebel. Readings include selections from the Bible, Thucydides, Hobbes, Luther, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, Weber, Foucault, J. Gaventa, and H. Arendt. 3 hrs. lect./disc. PHL SOC

PSCI 0255 Politics, Poetry, and Philosophy (Not offered 2008-09)
This course uses poetic and dramatic works to examine enduring questions of political philosophy: leadership, membership (and dismembership) in a polity, justice and revenge, the role of truth and lies in political speech, and the problems of founding. We will begin with Greek tragedy and comedy, including Euripides' Bacchae, Aristophanes' The Clouds, Sophocles' Oedipus and Antigone, and Aeschylus' Oresteia. The next segment of the course will focus on three or four Shakespearean dramas, including Julius Caesar, Henry V, Antony and Cleopatra, and Richard III. During the last few weeks, we will read two highly contemporary plays by Tony Kushner: Angels in America, and Homebody/Kabul. 3 hrs. lect./disc. PHL EUR

PSCI/SOAN 0309 Risk and Late Modernity:  Politics, Culture, and Danger (Spring)
In this course we will address the political theory of our contemporary "late-modern" era.  We will begin by reading selections from Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger on technology, danger, and political action.  Then we will turn to an analysis of what some thinkers have labeled our current "risk society," focusing on the cultural anthropologist Mary Douglas, the sociologists Ullrich Beck and Anthony Giddens, and the political scientist Aaron Wildavsky.  Questions we will address include the current preoccupations with global disaster, the politics of risk assessment and analysis, its effect on national and military decision-making, the rise of the insurance industry, and the background assumptions that guide our understanding of action in the world. 3 hrs. sem. SOC PHL EUR (K. Carmola)

PSCI 0317 Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy (Fall)
We will study some classic works in ancient and medieval political philosophy: Plato (Laws, Republic); Aristotle (Ethics, Politics); Cicero (Republic, Laws), Maimonides (Guide to the Perplexed), Aquinas (Summa Theologica, Summa Contra Gentiles), Alfarabi (The Political Regime). 4 hrs. lect./disc. (PSCI 0101 or PSCI 0107 or by waiver) PHL SOC (M. Dry)

PSCI 0318 Modern Political Philosophy (Not offered 2008-09)
After starting with Plato, we will study some classic works in modern political philosophy, including Machiavelli, Hobbes, Spinoza, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, and Heidegger. We will explore the following themes: modernity's rejection of ancient thought, its later replacement of nature by history as the standard for right, and its subsequent rejection of any standard of right. We will also note how these writers introduce realism and idealism into the study of politics and the separation of powers and freedom of speech and religion into our understanding of constitutional government. We will conclude with a return to Plato. (PSCI 0101 or PSCI 0107) 4.5 hrs. lect./disc. PHL SOC

PSCI 0333/0433 Politics, Philosophy, and Education (Not offered 2008-09)
We will explore the nature of these three activities and the relations among them. The course could be said to be an extended commentary on Socrates' claim that education is turning the soul toward being; Aristotle's distinction between theoretical and practical knowledge; and Marx's claim that philosophers have only interpreted the world, but the point is to change it. We will ask what is liberal education and what is its business with political things. We will read Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Nietzsche, and some twentieth-century writers, including Michael Oakeshott, Allan Bloom, and Leo Strauss. Seniors needing to fulfill a political science seminar requirement may arrange with the instructor to do so. 3 hrs. lect./disc. PHL EUR

PSCI 0368 Frontiers in Political Science Research (Fall)
Nothing is more controversial among political scientists than the topic of how to study politics.  In this course, we consider a variety of advanced techniques for studying political phenomena, including statistical methods, game theory, institutional analysis, case study techniques, experiments, and agent-based modeling.  We will work with concrete examples (drawn from major political science journals) of how scholars have used these techniques, and consider the ongoing philosophical controversies associated with each approach.  Students will have the opportunity to conduct original research using a method and subject of their choosing.  (Two political science courses) 3 hrs. lect./disc. DED SOC (B. Johnson)

PSCI 0401 Modern and Post-Modern Political Thought (Not offered 2008-09)
This course examines one of the central dilemmas of modern and post-modern political theory: the sense that the Enlightenment project has come to an end, and the need to establish a "new," more fitting, conception of human beings in the world. Readings include Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground; Nietzsche, Genealogy of Morals, and Zarathustra; Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents, and some of Heidegger's later essays, including "The Question Concerning Technology," "Letter on Humanism," and "The Essence of Truth." Previous courses in philosophy or political philosophy highly recommended. (PSCI 0101 or PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104 or PSCI 0107) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0409 Seminar on Political Philosophy: Topics in the History of Political Philosophy (Fall)
We will take up a number of topics in the history of political philosophy, beginning with such questions as: what is political philosophy; what is political about it and what is philosophical; and what are the occasion and purpose of it? Further topics include theory and practice; history, historicity, and philosophy; the proposition that politics consists of speeches and deeds; civil society and politics; the city of God and the city of man; and science and politics. Finally, we will look at some complements of political life like family, economic activity, friendship, and war; we will consider the rank of politics among these activities and studies of them. We will read Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, Farabi, Montaigne, Hobbes, Pascal, Hegel, Max Weber, Hans Jonas, Michael Oakeshott, and Leo Strauss.(PSCI 0101 or 0107 or by waiver) 3 hrs. sem. PHL (P. Nelson)

AMERICAN POLITICS

PSCI 0102 The American Political Regime (Spring)
See description in "Introductory Courses" above. SOC NOR (M. Dry)

PSCI 0104 Introduction to American Politics (Fall)
See description in "Introductory Courses" above. SOC NOR (B. Johnson)

PSCI 0203 The Media as a Political Institution (Not offered 2008-09)
The U.S. media is the subject of many important social science questions.  How have the media changed over recent decades, and how have these changes affected our perceptions of government?  Does the nature or amount of media coverage change the public's opinion about issues or politicians?  Do elected officials behave differently if the media are watching?  Are the goals of members of the media consonant with the "public interest"?  Are there relevant differences between how newspapers, television, and the internet interact with government?  We will consider these and other questions in light of recent research. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR

PSCI 0206 The American Presidency (Fall)
This course examines the development and modern practice of presidential leadership. Focus is on presidential decision-making, changes in the structure of the presidency as an institution, differences among individual presidents, and the interaction of the president with other major actors, including national governing institutions (executive branch, Congress, courts), interest groups, media, and the public. The course includes an historical overview of the evolution of the presidency, and examines changes in the electoral process. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR (M. Dickinson)

PSCI 0208 The Politics of the U.S. Congress (Not offered 2008-09)
Introduces students to the analysis of Congress and congressional policy-making. Considers how congressional elections, institutions, and policy hang together roughly in equilibrium. Focuses on the internal organization of Congress-committees, parties, House and Senate leadership, rules and norms, and congressional staff. Analyzes the power of Congress relative to the president, the bureaucracy, and the courts, specifically in the policy process. Investigates how unified and divided party control of the government affects legislation in the House and Senate. Finally, applies congressional theories to determine the fates of specific policy proposals in Congress. 3 hrs. lect./disc. NOR

PSCI/ENVS 0211 Conservation and Environmental Policy (Fall)
See Program in Environmental Studies for course description.  This course is equivalent to ENVS 0211.  Register for this course under ENVS 0211. (C. Klyza)

PSCI 0213 Congress and the Presidency (Not offered 2008-09)
Congress and the Presidency stand at the heart of the American system of government.  The President is arguably the most powerful person on earth.  Congress is one of the greatest examples of democracy in our time.  Nonetheless, some scholars seriously question whether the Presidency functions successfully as an institution and congress is consistently unpopular among members of the public.  What accounts for the conflict between these two branches?  Under what conditions does each branch function effectively?  We will examine these and other pertinent questions. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR 

PSCI 0215 Federalism, State and Local Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
What are the unique political opportunities and constraints facing state and local governments?  How have these changed over time?  In this course we examine the relationships between different levels of government in the U.S. federal system, considering the particular tasks and dilemmas facing states and cities, and scrutinizing the complex interactions between governments that characterize federalism in the United States.  Topics include local political culture, intergovernmental grants, state parties, and state political economy. Vermont, New York, and California will receive special scrutiny. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR 

PSCI 0305 American Constitutional Law: The Federal System (Fall)
This course examines the development of American constitutionalism through study of Supreme Court decisions. Every major topic but the bill of rights (see PSCI 0306) is covered. Using the Sullivan and Gunther Constitutional Law casebook, we begin with judicial review and then study the development of legal doctrines surrounding the commerce clause, the due process and equal protection clauses of the fourteenth amendment, and the separation of powers. Recent cases focus on affirmative action and federal protection of civil rights. Interpretive books and essays are considered, as time permits. A mock court exercise is anticipated. (Juniors and seniors with PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104 or PSCI 0306) 3 hrs. lect./disc. NOR (M. Dry)

PSCI 0306 American Constitutional Law: Individual Rights (Not offered 2008-09)
This course focuses on the Supreme Court's interpretation of the first amendment freedoms of speech, press, and religion, and, to a lesser extent, the rights of the accused, as reflected in amendments four through eight. It includes consideration of philosophic arguments regarding speech and religion (Mill, Locke), the framing of the original bill of rights, and the constitutional history of free speech in America (Levy). Sullivan and Gunther's Constitutional Lawis the text; written work includes three or four essays, a mock court exercise, and a final exam. (Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104 or PSCI 0205 or PSCI 0206 or PSCI 0305) 4.5 hrs. lect./disc. PHL NOR

PSCI 0308 Presidential Elections in the U.S. (Not offered 2008-09)
Analysis of Presidential elections in the United States.  Topics covered include party systems, electoral realignment, voting behavior and turnout, candidate strategy, the nomination process, the legal framework for elections, the Electoral College, gender, race and ethnicity in presidential elections, the media, the Internet, and campaigns, and U.S. elections in comparative perspective.  Although most analysis will focus on the 2000 and 2004 election cycles, earlier elections will be studied for insight into continuity and change in American electoral politics, and the course will end by looking forward to the 2008 election cycle. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR

PSCI 0310 American Public Policy (Spring)
This course examines the functioning of the entire United States political system, with an emphasis on the policies or outcomes of this political system. The first part of the course will examine the context in which policy is made (e.g., history, capitalism, liberalism). The second part of the course will focus on the policy-making process. We will examine the major stages of the policy process: agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation. The third and final part of the course will focus on specific policy areas, such as agricultural policy and regulatory policy. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC NOR (C. Klyza)

PSCI 0312 Bureaucracy (Not offered 2008-09)
Bureaucracies: What are they? Why do they exist? What makes some more effective than others? How do they influence politics? This course examines the role of bureaucracies primarily in the American political context. It begins with an overview of the nature of bureaucracies and theories for their formation, followed by an examination of bureaucratic actors (managers, operators, and executives) and the context within which they work. It concludes with an attempt to assess bureaucratic effectiveness. Case studies of particular bureaucracies included to sharpen analyses. 3 hrs. lect./disc.

PSCI 0320 American Political Development (Not offered 2008-09)
This course will trace the development of the American political system from its founding through the present. We will pay special attention to the response of the governing system to crucial events in American history, such as the Civil War, the rise of industrialism, and the New Deal. Among the topics explored will be the growth in size and power of the federal executive branch and the rise in importance of interest groups in American politics. This course will be taught in a seminar format. (One course in American politics or American history) 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC HIS NOR

PSCI 0402 The Constitution in Wartime (Spring)
How does the framers' Constitution distribute the war powers? What changes in our constitutional separation of powers have taken place in wartime and what does that mean for our republican form of government and our civil liberties? We will focus on the Founding, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Cold War, Vietnam, and the current wars in Iraq and on terrorism to answer these questions. Readings will include Supreme Court decisions, books by Edward S. Corwin, Geoffrey Stone, Louis Fisher, John Yoo, Richard Posner, Bruce Ackerman, David Cole, and law review articles. HIS SOC NOR (M. Dry)

PSCI 0421 Seminar on American Environmental Politics (Spring)
In this seminar we will examine various aspects of environmental politics in the United States. Topics to be covered include how society seeks to influence environmental policy (through public opinion, voting, interest groups, and political parties) and how policy is made through Congress, the executive branch, the courts, collaboration and the states. We will also examine European Union environmental policy to provide a comparative context. Students will write a major research paper on an aspect of U.S. environmental politics. (PSCI/ENVS 0211) 3 hrs. sem. (C. Klyza)

PSCI 0425 Seminar on the American Presidency (Not offered 2008-09)
In-depth examination of the exercise of presidential leadership from a normative and empirical perspective. What are the sources of presidential power, the constraints on its use, and the implications for the American political system? The focus is on the leadership strategies of the modern presidents (FDR through Bush). (PSCI 0102 or PSCI 0104 or PSCI 0206 or waiver) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0429 Seminar on the U.S. Congress (Not offered 2008-09)
This course will analyze representation as practiced in the U.S. Congress.  Topics covered will include theories of representation and how they relate to the contemporary Congress; historical development and institutionalization of the Congress; the roles of parties, candidates, media, and money in Congressional elections; the legislative process, including roles of committees, interest groups, parties, congressional leaders, and presidents; the impact of representational and policy-making processes on the nature of legislation enacted by Congress; and Congress in comparative perspective. (Open to junior and senior majors) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0465 City Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
Cities have always been central to political life in the United States, but scholars disagree over how power is distributed in cities, which groups exercise the most authority, how cities relate to their economic and political environments, and whether it is legitimate to view cities as microcosms of state or national politics.  We will consider these general debates as we read major works on U.S. urban politics, addressing issues such as racial and ethnic politics, immigration, suburbanization, and cities' positions in the global economy.  (One course in American politics.) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0495 Seminar on Money and Politics (Spring)
Observers and political activists have long fought over how to best reconcile the existence of capitalism, with its necessary inequalities, and the principles of a democratic republic, which postulates equality with respect to rights.  In this seminar, we consider what political science can teach us about the relationship between money and politics, and how best to assess the normative consequences of this interaction. 3 hrs. sem. (B. Johnson)

COMPARATIVE POLITICS

PSCI 0103 Introduction to Comparative Politics (Fall, Spring)
See description in "Introductory Courses" above. SOC CMP fall: J. Cason, Q. Mecham, D. Rosenberg; spring: Q. Mecham)

PSCI 0202 African Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
This course surveys the challenges and possibilities that Sub-Saharan Africa presents in our era of globalization. We will look at the process of state formation to appreciate the relationships between historical legacies and political and economic development. Themes include state formation, democratic governance, sustainable development, and Africa in world affairs.  Topics such as colonial rule and national responses, ethnic politics, the debt burden, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment), natural resource access and management, and regional organizations will be discussed. Case studies from English-and French-speaking Africa will be used to illuminate such relationships. 3 hrs lect/disc. SOC AAL

PSCI 0209 Local Green Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
How do local communities manage their local natural resources?  How do they avoid a "tragedy of the commons" of natural resource degradation or ecological imperialism?  Through case studies in wildlife conservation, ecotourism, protected area management, and environmental and conservation planning, we will study community-based natural resource management efforts.  Case studies - from ancient times to the present - will be drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the US.  By the end of the course, students will be expected to critically analyze cases of resource management and mismanagement.  3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC AAL

PSCI 0217 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (Fall)
This course is an introduction to important themes, concepts, and cases in the study of Middle Eastern and North African politics.  We will examine key political issues in the region, focusing primarily on developments since World War II and issues of relevance to the region today.  For the purposes of this course, the region is defined as the countries of the Arab world, Israel, Turkey, and Iran. The first half of the course introduces major themes in Middle Eastern politics.  These include state development, nationalism, revolution, authoritarian rule, the petro-state, the Arab-Israeli conflict, conflicts in the Persian Gulf, civil conflict, the rise of Islamism, and attempts at liberal reform.  The second half of the course examines how these themes have affected political development in a number of key cases.  Primary cases include Egypt, Israel, Iran, Algeria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.   Students will have the opportunity to individually assess other countries of personal interest in the region. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC AAL (Q. Mecham)

PSCI 0221 Contemporary Chinese Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
This introductory course examines the rise of communism as a political movement, the evolution of the party-state bureaucracy, political participation and ideology, and regime legitimacy. Particular emphasis will be placed on the Reform Period (1978-present). The decentralization of administrative and regulatory powers in the late 1970s, intended, to jump-start the economy, was followed by successful re-centralization of political power in the 1990s. Course readings range from selections by Marx and Lenin to recent works in political science and sociology on the transformation of state and society under Communist Party rule. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC AAL

PSCI 0225 West European Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
An introduction to the domestic politics of Western Europe since 1945, focusing on Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the European Union. Topics include representation, the role of the state in promoting economic growth, social capital and democratic performance, transitions to democracy, and the welfare state. The second half of the course will focus on issues high on the current European agenda, including unemployment, economic reform, the rise of far-right parties and globalization. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC EUR

PSCI 0227 Soviet and Russian Politics (Spring)
This course seeks to introduce the student to a major phenomenon of twentieth century politics, the rise and decline of the Soviet Union and the emergence of Russia as its successor state. The first part of the course provides an overview of key factors that influenced Russian and Soviet politics under communism, including history, economy, ideology, institutions of the communist party, and the role of political leadership from Lenin to Gorbachev. The second part surveys radical political and social transformations in the 1990s and analyzes Russia's struggle with the twin challenges of democratic and market reform under Yeltsin and Putin. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC HIS EUR (M. Kraus)

PSCI 0228 East European Politics (Fall)
This introductory course surveys the key stages in the political development of East and Central Europe in the twentieth century, including the imposition of communist rule, crises of de-Stalinization, the revolutions of 1989, the politics of post-communist transitions, the Balkan wars, and democratization. It focuses on those factors that either promote or impede the development of stable democratic regimes and assesses East Europe's prospects in the context of EU enlargement and NATO expansion. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC HIS EUR (M. Kraus)

PSCI 0238 Political Economy of Globalization in Latin America: The Mexican Case (Not offered 2008-09)
How does globalization affect developing countries?  What general lessons might a single country's response to globalization teach?   What economic, political, or social consequences arise from embracing or resisting globalization?  We examine such issues by focusing on Mexico, Latin America's most dynamic economy, and the United States' second largest trading partner.  Themes include the politics of colonialism, independence, and revolution; authoritarianism, stability, and economic modernization; economic/political crises and liberalization; neoliberal reforms, economic integration, and democratic transition.  These themes are set against the backdrop of historic and contemporary globalization, and Mexico's encounters with  "core" states in Europe, North America, and international institutions. 3 hrs. sem. SOC AAL

PSCI 0240 Race Around the World: The Comparative Politics of Ethnic Diversity (Not offered 2008-09)
This course aims to promote reflection on the interactions between the state and ethnic and racially diverse societies. We will examine the political development of concepts of race and racism and address topics such as slave emancipation, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, and decolonization, as well as contemporary issues such as affirmative action, hate crimes, and Islamophobia.  We will draw on readings and case studies from North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP

PSCI 0243 US-European Relations (Not offered 2008-09)
In this course we will examine the evolving relationship between the US and Europe. We will analyze the impact of history, political culture, and national interest in defining clashing world visions. We will focus on issues of contention in several policy areas such as the environment, trade, and security. We will also explore the nature of key bilateral relations (US-France, US-United-Kingdom, and US-Germany). 3 hrs lect./disc. SOC EUR CMP

PSCI 0324 The Political Development of Western Europe (Not offered 2008-09)
In what ways are the political systems and politics of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain similar? In what ways do they differ? How might we explain these patterns? This course attempts to answer these questions through comparative investigation of the processes and consequences of economic and political modernization in these nations from the feudal period to the twenty-first century. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC EUR CMP

PSCI 0327 East Asian Democracy (Not offered 2008-09)
In this course we will survey the development of democratic institutions in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China.  Japanese democracy has been characterized by decades of dominance by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).  What were the causes of LDP dominance and what future challenges does the party face?  South Korean democracy descended into authoritarianism and violence before democratic consolidation.  In Taiwan, ethnic discrimination fueled opposition to the Kuomintang, culminating in a "bloodless" transition to democracy.  Retrocession to Chinese rule undermined Hong Kong's democratic institutions.  However, mass protest has recently invigorated the Hong Kong democracy movement.  Democratization at the township and village level in China has helped to reduce endemic corruption.  Will the Chinese Communist Party broaden the scope of democratization or retain its monopoly on political power? 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP AAL

PSCI 0330 Comparative Development Strategies (Spring)
Why have some countries developed more rapidly than others? What do we mean by "development?" How can governments help or hinder development prospects? These broad questions are addressed by analyzing the development experiences of Asian, Latin American, and African countries. The course focuses particularly on what governments have done to try to accelerate the development process. To gain a historical perspective, the course begins with a brief consideration of the experiences of the now "developed" countries, followed by an examination of how difference countries have confronted the dilemmas of development of the twentieth century. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP (S. Stroup)

PSCI 0335 Latin American Revolutions (Not offered 2008-09)
This course examines the causes, goals, and outcomes of revolutions in twentieth-century Latin America, with special reference to Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Chile, and Nicaragua. It seeks to understand (1) why this region has experienced multiple revolutions; (2) what their political, economic, or social impact has been; (3) why revolutions produced authoritarian, socialist, dictatorial, or democratic outcomes across countries; and (4) what factors have kept revolutionaries from achieving their political, social, or economic goals. Evaluation entails rigorous application of theory to in-depth case studies. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC AAL

PSCI 0347 Theories of Comparative Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
This course is an introduction to prominent theories and methods in comparative politics.  We will focus primarily on theoretical issues in the study of domestic politics using cases outside of the United States, by examining central debates in the politics of Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.  The academic field of comparative politics is introduced along with strategies for comparative political research.  The course will focus on five prominent themes in comparative politics: 1) theories of comparative political institutions, including forms of authoritarianism and democracy; 2) issues in the political economy of development; 3) theories of revolution and social movements; 4) identity politics and theories of ethnic conflict; and 5) theories of democratic transition and  consolidation. (PSCI 0103) 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP

PSCI 0378 Civil Conflict in Africa and the Middle East (Spring)
In this course we will examine the sources of civil conflict by investigating prominent cases of civil conflict and civil war in Africa and the Middle East, broadly defined.  Major theories of political and ethnic conflict are introduced and applied to specific cases, including South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Algeria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq.  Students will have the opportunity to make arguments about the causes and solutions to violent conflict, as well as individually examine a case study of their choice in the region. (PSCI 0103) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL (Q. Mecham)

PSCI 0413 Mass Media and Democratization (Not offered 2008-09)
Non-democratic regimes exercise varying degrees of control over the mass media to bolster political legitimacy. Drawing from the political science literature on democratic transitions and the communication studies literature on media effects. In this seminar we will examine the impact of the print and television media on democratization in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Taiwan. The goal of the course is to develop theory concerning the manner in which the erosion of state control over the mass media poses a threat to the survival of totalitarian, post-totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0415 Democracy and Development in Latin America (Not offered 2008-09)
In this reading/research seminar, our main focus is a single, yet critical question: Why have democracy and self-sustained prosperity proved so difficult to accomplish in Latin American countries? We will approach this puzzle from a number of angles including the region's commonalties historical legacies, sociopolitical arrangements, and economic challenges, etc. and alternative theoretical perspectives. We will also probe the inherent tensions between the political realities of various countries, and the fundamental political principles of liberty, freedom, equality, and opportunity. (ECON 0225 or HIST 0286 or PSCI 0103 or PSCI 0230 or PSCI 0335) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0416 Latin American Political Development (in Spanish) (Not offered 2008-09)
This course will examine the political development of Latin America after independence. Major topics in the course will include: leadership and caudillismo, nationalism and the relationship between Latin America and the outside world, democracy and authoritarianism, revolutionary movements and electoral systems. Readings for the course will draw on the work of Latin American social scientists and novelists, and will also include speeches and writings from Latin American political leaders. A major goal of the course is to build an ability to carry on sophisticated discussion of Latin American politics in Spanish. Most readings will be in Spanish, and all classes will be conducted in Spanish. If there is sufficient student interest, a supplemental discussion in Portuguese will be added.  This course will fulfill the advanced language course requirement for International Studies majors. Students may also use the course to receive elective credit in the Spanish department, though it does not fulfill the SPAN senior seminar requirement. (PSCI 0103 or PSCI 0109 or PSCI 0201 or PSCI 0230 or PSCI 0260 or PSCI 0303 or PSCI 0335 and one 0300-level course in Spanish) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0424 Seminar on Comparative Democratization (Fall)
This seminar explores critical issues concerning transitions from authoritarian to democratic rule. It addresses such questions as: What factors account for the "third wave" of global democratic expansion? How do newly democratic societies confront their authoritarian past? Should the new leaders choose presidential or parliamentary government? What challenges confront states that are undergoing simultaneously processes of democratic change and economic transformation? What conditions favor consolidation of new democracies? Can democracy's "third wave" be sustained indefinitely, or will a wave of democratic breakdowns follow? To contend with such questions, we will analyze and compare the experience of many countries and regions. (One course in comparative politics) 3 hrs. sem. (M. Kraus)

PSCI 0431 Seminar on African Government: The Political Economy of the Neo-Patrimonial State (Not offered 2008-09)
Sub-Saharan Africa has been described as being in a state of permanent crisis, a place where disorder and chaos reign and where states are weak.  How to political regimes form and stay in power in such an environment?  What accounts for their survival in the face of tremendous political and economic challenges?  This seminar examines the political economy of regime survival in neo-patrimonial states.  Case studies include Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0438 Political Islam (Not offered 2008-09)
In this course we will survey the central questions in studies of political Islam, focusing on the emergence of Islam as a political force in the contemporary period.  Discussion will center on the following core topics: (1) the nature of political Islam and Islamic interests; (2) how Islamic political movements develop; (3) why Islamic political movements flourish or fail; (4) how Islamic interests are expressed in the political arena; and (5) what types of political systems are most compatible with politicized Islam? These questions will be addressed by looking at the general history of the contemporary Islamic resurgence and by examining case studies on Egypt, Algeria, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, West Africa, and Southeast Asia. 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0448 Seminar on Comparative Electoral Processes (Not offered 2008-09) 
Analysis of institutions and processes that structure electoral outcomes in advanced democracies.  Topics covered include candidate and leadership selection, translation of votes into legislative seats, campaign finance, and the media in politics.  Theories of party systems and representation and how they mediate between citizens and government.  A wide range of political systems will be studied, drawn primarily from Europe, North America, and Latin America.  (Open to junior and senior majors in political science, international politics and economics, and international studies) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0450 Ethnic Conflict (Not offered 2008-09)
Students will examine the phenomenon of ethnic conflict in the modern world. How important is "ethnicity" as opposed to politics, economics, or other factors in generating ethnic conflict? Is ethnic conflict inevitable? Why is it more prominent in some places than others? Can we move beyond ethnic conflict to social integration? We will consider these questions through a mix of theoretical readings and in-depth case studies of genocide, sectarian violence, state dissolution, riots, and racial tensions commonly considered ethnic conflict. 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0454 Leadership: Politics and Personality (Spring)
What difference do leaders make? Are leaders born or made? What accounts for effective leadership? Do answers to these questions change when the social, cultural, and political context varies? This course will approach the subject of leadership from a multidisciplinary perspective, focusing on (1) the individual personalities and values of leaders; (2) the relationship of leaders to the institutions they serve; (3) the role of the state and cultural context in which the leadership is exercised; and (4) the process of leading. (One course in comparative politics) 3 hrs. sem. (Mr. Kraus)

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND FOREIGN POLICY

PSCI 0109 International Politics (Fall, Spring)
See description in "Introductory Courses" above. (Formerly PSCI 0201). SOC CMP (fall: J. Morrison, M. Williams; spring: A. Yuen)

PSCI 0214 International Environmental Politics (Not offered 2008-09)
What happens when the global economy outgrows the earth's ecosystem? This course surveys the consequences of the collision between the expanding world economy and the earth's natural limits: shrinking forests, falling water tables, eroding soils, collapsing fisheries, rising temperatures, and disappearing species. We will examine how countries with different circumstances and priorities attempt to work together to stop global environmental pollution and resource depletion. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP

PSCI 0226 The European Union (Not offered 2008-09)
The European integration project was launched in the aftermath of World War II as a means of making war between European states impossible. By the 1970s, this romantic aspiration for an ever closer union of Europeans gave way to a project focused on enhancing the global competitiveness of Europe's economies. This course investigates the tension between these two visions of an integrated Europe by focusing on the historical evolution of the European Community and its institutions, practical and conceptual problems encountered in the integration process, current problems of economic and monetary union and the recent enlargement to Eastern Europe. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC EUR

PSCI 0229 The United States and the European Union (Not offered 2008 -09)
This course explores the economic and political relationship between the United States and Europe, beginning with the first attempts at European integration after World War II and including the current controversies over the war in Iraq.  We will study the history and evolution of this relationship while also addressing intergovernmental dynamics within the European Union.  We will analyze recent developments in the EU such as the enlargement from 15 to 27 member states, the drafting of a constitution, and policy differences over Iraq, and examine their implications for European integration and for US-European relations. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP EUR

PSCI 0236 International Law (Spring)
This course introduces students to the politics of international law.  As well as the United Nations and international human rights treaties, we will focus on the dispute settlement arrangements of the World Trade Organisation and - one of the most extraordinary events in contemporary world politics - the creation of a "new legal order of international law" in the European Union. 3 hrs. sem. (J. Morrison)

PSCI 0242 International Politics and WMD (Fall)
In this course we will examine the international ramifications of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons use. What is a weapon of mass destruction (WMD)? How have WMD changed the way states behave toward international conflicts and within international crises? How has the development of these weapons influenced the policies states have adopted in response? Beyond these questions, major course themes include the threats of proliferation and the highs and lows of weapons reduction initiatives. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC (A. Yuen)

PSCI 0248 International Politics of the Middle East (Not offered 2008-09)
This course will analyze regional international relations from World War I to the present, focusing on the interaction of four key factors: 1) Great Power policies; 2) the Arab-Israeli conflict; 3) regional rivalries and transnational ideologies (Pan-Arabism, Islam); and 4) domestic politics of the concerned states. Discussion topics will include the formation of the regional state system and the challenges to it; ideological factors in conflict and alliance behavior; the causes of war and peace; and the effects of domestic political and economic change on foreign policy. The course will conclude with a review of the current status of Arab-Israeli and Gulf international issues. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC HIS

PSCI/INTL 0250  International Diplomacy and Modern South Asia (Fall)
See Department of International Studies for course description.  This course is equivalent to INTL 0250.  Register for this course under INTL 0250. (J. Lunstead)

PSCI 0258 The Politics of International Humanitarian Action (Fall) Humanitarian intervention has emerged as a new moral imperative that challenges traditional concepts and practices in international relations. In this course we will consider how a range of actors--international organizations, states, NGOs--understand the concept of humanitarian intervention and engage (or not) in humanitarian actions. We will examine a variety of policy choices, including aid and military intervention, using specific case studies of Somalia, Kosovo, Rwanda, and the current crisis in Darfur. The goal of the course is to enable students to assess critically the benefits and challenges of a humanitarian approach to global politics. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC AAL CMP (S. Stroup)

PSCI 0260 The Political Economy of Drug Trafficking (CW)(Spring)
This course examines the political economy of drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. How have transnational drug markets evolved, and why? What effects has narco-trafficking had on the political, economic, legal, financial, and social systems of producer, consumer, and transshipment countries? What policy responses are available to combat it? How should we weigh alternative policy options? Examination of these issues centers on source countries in Latin America's Andean region, the chief transshipment country (Mexico), and the principal consumer country (the US). Attention also is devoted to the drug trade's effects on American society and criminal justice system. 3 hrs./lect. disc. SOC CMP AAL (M. Williams)

PSCI 0302 International Law and Organization (Not offered 2008-09)
The course examines international law and organization as institutions designed to prevent, manage, and resolve international conflict. The first two-thirds of the course are devoted to the role of international law, and to legal issues involving territorial claims, diplomatic practice, intervention, the use of coercion, the laws of war, and human rights. The section on international organization focuses on the United Nations' efforts at peaceful settlement, collective security, peacekeeping, and nation-building. (PSCI 0109 or PSCI 0201 or PSCI 0311 or waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC

PSCI 0303 U.S.-Latin American Relations (Spring)
This course examines American foreign policy toward Latin America. Grounded in international relations theory, it chronicles the expansion of U.S. power in the nineteenth century, the interwar period, the Cold War, and the current era of continental economic integration. To ensure rigorous analysis the course sets theoretical concepts against specific case studies. Topics include the Inter-American System, specific doctrines (Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt Corollary), specific policies (Good Neighbor Policy, Alliance for Progress), and milestone events in U.S.-Latin American relations, including the Cuban missile crisis, Falkland Islands War, and North American Free Trade Agreement. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC CMP (M. Williams)

PSCI 0304 International Political Economy (Spring)
This course examines the politics of global economic relations, focusing principally on the advanced industrial states. How do governments and firms deal with the forces of globalization and interdependence? And what are the causes and consequences of their actions for the international system in turn? The course exposes students to both classic and contemporary thinking on free trade and protectionism, exchange rates and monetary systems, foreign direct investment and capital movements, regional integration, and the role of international institutions like the WTO. Readings will be drawn mainly from political science, as well as law and economics. 3 hrs. lect./disc. SOC (J. Morrison)

PSCI 0311 American Foreign Policy (Spring)
Does America exercise its power in the world in a distinctive way? If yes, has it always done so? In this course we will examine the evolution of American foreign policy from the time of the founding to the present. As we make our way from the height of the Cold War to the twenty-first century, we will assess how leaders, institutions, domestic politics, and the actions and inactions of other countries have shaped American international behavior. Topics considered include terrorism, nuclear proliferation, globalization, democracy promotion, whether the rich US has an obligation to help the less fortunate, how much power the Pentagon should have, what role the private sector can and should play in advancing American interests, and the Bush revolution in foreign policy. A central aim of the course is to map competing perspectives so that the student can draw his or her own political conclusions. SOC NOR (A. Stanger)

PSCI 0315 Theories of International Relations (Not offered 2008-09)
This course explores major theoretical and philosophical traditions in international politics.  Realism, liberalism, idealisim, Marxism/dependency, feminist theory these and other theories define political reality in different ways.  Such differences have a very great impact on our perception of political developments in the world, the way foreign policy is, or ought to be, made, and the way in which we study international relations.  The course examines these theories and perspectives in historical and contemporary contexts.  Seniors needing to fulfill a PSCI seminar requirement may arrange with the instructor to do so.  3 hrs. lect./disc. PHL SOC

PSCI 0316 Chinese Foreign Policy (Not offered 2008-09)
In this course we will explore the effect of China's rising power on foreign relations with its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region, and with the United States. Will China's growing power lead to war, as the emergence of new great powers has in the past? Might Chinese nationalism generate strife with Japan in an effort to redress historical wrongs? Could an emerging Taiwanese national identity provoke military conflict with the People's Republic across the Taiwan Strait? Or, will Chinese economic dynamism and "soft power" contribute to peace in the region? Drawing upon international relations theory, policy documents, film, and historical accounts, we will address these questions by considering the evolution of Chinese foreign policy since the founding of the PRC in 1949. SOC AAL

PSCI 0322 War and Peace (Fall)
What causes conflicts between states and within countries? What factors facilitate or impede their resolution? In this course we will examine interstate and intrastate conflicts and the challenges faced in resolving them, from both practical and theoretical perspectives. Employing some of the most prominent theories on war, and more recent theories of bargaining, negotiation, and conflict, we will draw upon a range of case studies to illustrate and evaluate the theoretical dynamics of conflict and conflict resolution. 3 hrs. lect./disc. (PSCI 0109 or PSCI 0201 or by waiver) SOC (A. Yuen)

PSCI 0380 International Relations of East Asia (Spring)
Although the power of East Asian states makes the region central to US foreign policy and the study of international politics in general, most international relations theorists rely heavily upon European history and case studies. In this course, we will explore IR theory and East Asian politics in an attempt to enrich both. We will review major events in East Asia, explore advanced theoretical readings and their applications to the region, and finally, use these theories to understand issues like energy security, territorial disputes, and prospects for democratic development. (PSCI 0109) 3 hrs. lect/disc. SOC AAL (S. Stroup)

PSCI 0404 Jihad vs. McWorld: The Political Economy of Globalization (Not offered 2008-09)
This seminar examines two major forces shaping the world today. One is "McWorld," a homogenizing trend resulting from modern technology, mass communications, and global capitalism. The other is "Jihad," a resurgence of ethnic nationalism and religious fundamentalism. Will globalization lead to more democracies or more revolutions? Will it help or hinder attempts to manage planet Earth within growing environmental constraints? We will analyze the origins, dynamics, and consequences of globalization and its counter-trends through case studies of the institutions that attempt to govern or influence state-market relations; e.g., the IMF, World Bank, WTO, multinational corporations, civil society groups, and armed struggle movements. 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0405 Causes of War (Not offered 2008-09)
War remains humankind’s most virulent and deadly social disease. In this seminar we will examine what we know about war's causes, and what might be done about its prevention. We will view the problem of war from several perspectives, including the perceptions and beliefs of national leaders, the attributes of states, the relationships and interactions of rival states, the international political environment, and terrorist networks. We will examine the writings of participants and theorists, as well as contemporary social science research. Each student will complete a case study of the origins of a specific international or civil war, or prepare the research design for an empirical study. (PSCI 0201 or PSCI 0311 or by waiver) 3 hrs. sem.

PSCI 0439/INTL/GRMN 0436 Terrorism (Fall)
See Department of International Studies for course description.  This course is equivalent to INTL 0436 and GRMN 0436.  Register for this course under INTL 0436. (Approval required)  (M. Geisler, K. Carmola)

PSCI 0412 Seminar on Diplomacy (Spring)
The practice of diplomacy and the techniques of bargaining, negotiation, and mediation are studied through theoretical works, diplomatic handbooks, memoirs, and studies of historical and contemporary cases. The seminar begins with an examination of a case of classical diplomacy at the Congress of Vienna.  It then moves to consider Vietnam War negotiations and more contemporary examples of negotiation and mediation in interstate crises, peace settlements, and cooperative efforts at problem solving. Each student will complete a case study of a diplomatic event of his or her choice. (PSCI 0109 or 0201 or PSCI 0311 or waiver) 3 hrs. sem. (R. Leng)

PSCI 0417 Seminar on the European Union (Not offered 2008-09)
The European Union is the most successful example of peaceful international cooperation in world history. In this seminar we will consider a range of questions including the EU's historical origins, the EU's internal decision-making, the EU as a democracy, the EU's foreign policy and relationship with the United States, the recent enlargement of the EU to Eastern Europe, and the implications of the European Union for the future of world politics. 3 hrs. sem.  

PSCI 0437 Understanding Intervention (Spring)
In this seminar we will examine third-party intervention and its effects on conflict. Why do interveners get involved? In what ways do third parties try to manage or influence conflict? We will discuss various types of intervention, including economic sanctions, military assistance, and covert operations. We will then consider how interveners affect the outbreak, duration, and conclusion of conflict. Do interveners make conflict more or less likely to start? Do they shorten or lengthen fighting? How do they affect war outcomes? Case studies of intervention include Bosnia and Kosovo, World War I and World War II, and various Cold War conflicts. 3 hrs. sem. SOC (A. Yuen)

PSCI 0456 International Organization in the 20th Century (Fall)
In this seminar we will study the organization of the international system throughout the twentieth century, and evaluate some of the key mechanisms by which international relations are supposed to have been organized: international institutions (e.g., World Bank), international organizations (United Nations), and international regimes (like the international gold standard). Reading both "secondary" and "primary" perspectives on these mechanisms, we will consider their interaction and assess the degree to which the international system was "organized" in the most recent century. The course will impart to students greater knowledge of the international system's evolution and refine their tools for analyzing international organization. (PSCI 0109 or PSCI 0201 or PSCI 0304 or PSCI 0311 or waiver) 3 hrs. sem. SOC (J. Morrison)

PSCI 0457 Nonstate Actors in World Politics (Fall)
Although the state has traditionally been at the center of the study of international relations, actors outside the state play an increasingly important role in global politics. In this seminar we will explore the theoretical literature on non-state actors, and analyze their "real world" roles and significance in international politics. We will assess a range of non-state actors--terrorist groups, transnational advocacy networks, and multinational corporations--consider the conditions under which they are most influential, and discuss how international relations theory can and should incorporate these groups to better understand our increasingly interconnected world.  (PSCI 0109 or PSCI 0201 or PSCI 0304 or PSCI 0311 or waiver) 3 hrs. sem. SOC (S. Stroup)

INDEPENDENT PROJECTS

PSCI 0500 Independent Projects (Fall, Winter, Spring)
A program of independent work designed to meet the individual needs of advanced students. (Approval required) (Staff)

PSCI 0700 Honors Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)
(Approval required) (Staff)