Descriptions of All Political Science Courses 

COURSES FOR 2008-9

POLS256 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY
Introductory survey featuring a range of topics about U.S. government, including Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, federalism, political parties, elections, interest groups, civil liberties, and civil rights. Also covers contemporary domestic policy debates.
Offered both semesters at various times, with various professors

POLS241/GLOB241 INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL POLITICS
Introduction to the field of global politics focused on the development of the nation-state system and political interactions among countries over issues of war and peace, human rights, economic and environmental policies. Also explores the evolution and work of international institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Offered both semesters at various times, with various professors

POLS291 HONORS: CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POLITICS
This course is the honors equivalent of POLS256. It examines the foundational ideas and defining principles of U.S. government through an exploration of the various struggles for power that have defined, and continue to redefine, American politics. Going beyond book knowledge, this intensive seminar will address a wide range of challenging and controversial issues in contemporary American politics and public policy.
Fall 2008, MWF 1, Prof. Holtzman

POLS351 U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
This course examines contemporary U.S. foreign policy. Reviews policy history, looking at the basis for current issues and for patterns over time, and examines various policy players and their interactions in policy-making, as well as current challenges and policy debates.
Fall 2008, MWF1, Prof. Dietrich

POLS353 POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS
This course considers the American party and electoral systems by examining them through the lens of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections. Of primary interest are the “rules of the game” that influence the processes and outcomes of these systems, where they come from, why they matter, and whether they should be changed. We also will explore the role played by modern political parties and other key players in electoral politics, such as interest groups, the media, the candidates, and the voters.
Fall 2008, MWF 10, Prof. Holtzman

POLS361 GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS AROUND THE GLOBE
This course examines government/citizen interactions in various countries around the world. Topics include the historical evolution of modern democracies, different governmental and citizen participation processes within today’s democratic countries, historical and contemporary non-democratic systems, and the processes of political and economic liberalization in authoritarian countries.
Spring 2009, TR12;30, TR2, Prof. Copeland

POLS456 THE PRESIDENCY IN MODERN AMERICAN POLITICS
The image of the presidency today as the centerpiece of the American political system is very different than the one originally outlined in the U.S. Constitution. What has brought about this change? How has this transformation impacted the separation of powers and the respective roles of Congress and the Supreme Court? What does the popular image of the president as “chief decider” signify for a democratic system of government? These questions and more guide this course’s exploration of the presidency in modern American politics.
Spring 2009, MWF 10, Prof. Holtzman

POLS462 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
This course analyzes the nature of the nation-state system and the resultant struggle for power, and war and peace. It also examines 20th century developments such as international organizations, NGOs, international law and the decline of great power war. Contemporary international issues are examined using our theoretical understanding of the modern international system.
Spring 2009, MWF 1, Prof. Dietrich

POLS485 COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
This course focuses on the contemporary political systems of the developing countries of the Middle East, including Iran and the Arab countries of northern Africa, the Fertile Crescent, and the Persian Gulf. We will explore, from a comparative perspective, the internal politics of these countries, focusing on the relationship between government and ,opposition forces, the reasons for the persistence of authoritarian rule, the role of Islam in politics, the governments’ role in their countries’ economies, and the relationship between gender, family and the state.
Fall 2008, M 6:30, Prof. Shadbash