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.
Erik Bleich
Race and Ethnic Conflict in Western Europe
Professor of Political Science
Email: ebleich@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.3254
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Topics he can discuss include:
- Hate crimes
- Free speech
- Riots
- Islamophobia
- Race relations in the United States, France and Britain
Video Clips:
Kemi Fuentes-George
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Email: kgeorge@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5574
Office Hours: Monday, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
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Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
ENVS 0500 - Independent Study ▹
Independent Study
A one- or two-semester research project on a topic that relates to the relationship between humans and the environment. The project, carried out under the supervision of a faculty member with related expertise, must involve a significant amount of independent research and analysis. Students may enroll in ENVS 0500 no more than twice for a given project. (Approval only)
Spring 2012, Spring 2013
ENVS 0700 - ES Senior Honors Work ▹
Senior Honors Work
The final semester of a multi-semester research project on a topic pertinent to the relationship between humans and the environment. Students may enroll in ENVS 0700 only once. (Previous work would have been conducted as one or two semesters of an ENVS 0500 Independent Study project.) The project, carried out under the supervision of a faculty member, will result in a substantial piece of writing, and will be presented to other ENVS faculty and students in a public forum. (Senior standing; ENVS 0112, ENVS 0211, ENVS 0215, GEOG 0320, and ENVS 0500; Approval only)
Spring 2012, Spring 2013
INTL 0501 - LAS Independent Project ▹
Latin American Studies Independent Project
(Approval Required)
Spring 2012, Spring 2013
PSCI 0109 - International Politics ▹
International Politics
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. 3 hrs. lect./disc. (International Relations and Foreign Policy)/
Spring 2012
PSCI 0212 - Comp Environmental Politics ▹
Comparative Environmental Politics
The nation-state is confronted with both internal and external demands on its ability to manage environmental problems, and these challenges take many forms. For example, international treaties have to be effectively translated into domestic policy; environmental problems that may be considered "local" are often exacerbated by international phenomena; the ability of domestic populations to bring environmental problems to the policy agenda is influenced by state-society relationships; and state environmental agencies often have jurisdictional conflicts with vested interests. In this course we will examine such environmental issues in several countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, and Egypt in order to compare the effects of different political systems on natural resource management. / 3 hrs. lect.(Comparative Politics)/
Spring 2012
PSCI 0214 - Intl Environmental Politics
International Environmental Politics
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. (International Relations and Foreign Policy)/
Fall 2011
PSCI 0452 - Transnatl/Transform Environ
Transnational Transformations and the Environment
Critics assert that existing environmental governance institutions, including treaties and organizations in the UN system, have not provided an effective response to modern environmental crises. Many attribute this failure to the organization of political power that privileges the state, global capitalism, and scientific knowledge, all of which preclude real environmental reform. In response, transnational networks of environmental actors have challenged the authoritative claims of science, criticized organizations such as the World Bank, and advocated for greater grassroots participation in global environmental management. In this course we will examine both perspectives. (International Relations and Foreign Policy)/
Fall 2011
PSCI 0500 - Independent Project ▲ ▹
Independent Projects
A program of independent work designed to meet the individual needs of advanced students. (Approval required)
Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Spring 2013
PSCI 0700 - Honors Thesis ▹
Allison Stanger
Privatization of Power, Contractors, Transparency, American Foreign Policy
Russell Leng ’60 Professor of International Politics and Economics; Chair of Political Science Department
Email: stanger@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5023
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Topics she can discuss include:
- Transparency
- U.S. government use of private contractors
- American foreign policy
- Globalization and the changing nature of power
Video Clip:
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Video: Privatization of Power (1:07) |
Bertram Johnson
Campaign Finance, Media and Politics, State and Local Politics, Intergovernmental Relations
Associate Professor of Political Science
Email: bnjohnso@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5399
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Matt Dickinson
American Politics and the Presidency
Professor of Political Science
Email: dickinso@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.3253
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Topics he can discuss include:
- National and local elections
- The Obama presidency
- The president and Congress
- U.S. bureaucracy
Matt's Blog:
Video Clips:
Quinn Mecham
Politics and Civil Conflict in Middle East and Africa
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Email: qmecham@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5929
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Topics he can discuss include:
- Politics of the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey
- Civil conflict in Middle East and Africa
- Political Islam
Video: Yemen is not another Afghanistan, yet.
Michael Kraus
European Politics, the Balkans and U.S. Foreign Policy
Frederick C. Dirks Professor of Political Science
Email: kraus@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5306
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Eric Davis
Vermont Politics, National Election Politics
Secretary of the College Emeritus, Professor Emeritus of Political ScienceTopics he can discuss include:
- Campaign finance legislation and court decisions
- Political trends and issues in Vermont
About Eric Davis
Eric L. Davis is professor emeritus of political science at Middlebury College and a nationally recognized expert on Vermont and national politics. He teaches courses on American politics, the presidency, Congress and elections. He has been a close observer of presidential, congressional, and Vermont elections for more than 25 years.
Jeffrey Cason
Study Abroad, Latin American Politics
Dean of International Programs, Knox Professor of Inernational Studies and Politics
Email: cason@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5745
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Topics he can discuss include:
- Study Abroad programs
- Latin American political economy
- political economy of integration
- Brazilian politics
Video Clip
Video: Trends in Study Abroad (1:43)
Courses by Field 2010-2011
Courses in brackets are not being offered in the
10-11 academic year. For details on courses, see the college catalog.
Introductory Courses: PSCI 0101 Ms. Carmola (Spring), PSCI 0102 Mr. Dry (Spring), PSCI 0103 Ms. Horning, Ms. Teets (Fall), Mr. Bleich, Mr. Mecham (Spring), PSCI 0104 Mr. Johnson (Fall), Mr. Dickinson (Spring), PSCI 0107 Mr. Nelson (Fall), PSCI 0109 Ms. Eglene, Ms. Yuen (Fall), Mr. Morrison (Spring)
George Altshuler '10 blogs about his experience studying abroad in France. Expect thoughts on museums, politics, education, and history.
The Web site SouthChinaSea.org was started in 1998 by David Rosenberg, a professor of Political Science at Middlebury, as a student-faculty collaborative research project. It has developed into a five-star online resource for students, scholars and policy-makers interested in South China Sea regional economic, environmental, and security issues.