- PSC 2200 American Political Institutions
- PSC 2300 International Relations
- PSC 2400 Comparative Politics
- PSC 2500 Political Theory
- PSC 2600 Social Scientific Methods
- PSC 4600 Research Seminar in Political Science
- PSC 3320 Global Conflict and Violence
- PSC 3340 National Security Policy and Process
- PSC 3710 International Political Economy
- PSC 4320 International Law
- INB 3300 International Business
- ECO 4400 International Economics
- PSC 3410 Politics of Africa
- PSC 3420 Politics of Latin America
- PSC 3430 Politics of Asia
- PSC 3450 Politics of Europe
- PSC 3480 Politics of the Middle East
- PSC 3481 Israeli Politics
- PSC 3510 Foundations of Democracy
- ECO 3800 Comparative Economic Systems
3 Hours
Prerequisites: PSC 1210 or permission of the instructor.
The focus of this course is on Congress and the Presidency, the political branches of American government, and the bureaucracy. As an introduction to the sub-field of American politics, the course will study these institutions in greater depth through looking at the approaches the discipline takes toward them. In studying these three institutions in greater detail, it will also investigate how they interact to create public policy.
3 Hours
A survey of the sub-field of international relations, this course gives special emphasis to political and economic factors which contribute to conflict and cooperation among nations.
Gen. Ed. Designation: GS (G - Global Studies).
3 Hours
Prerequisites: PSC 1210.
This course examines political, economic and social divergence between nations. As one field of political science, comparative politics attempts to identify patterns of divergence and to determine their causes. A particular focus of this course is how differences in institutional arrangements across countries affect differences in outcomes.
Gen. Ed. Designation: GS (G - Global Studies).
3 Hours
An introduction to the foundations of normative political theory, with emphasis on great political ideas and thinkers.
4 Hours
This course is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the various sub-fields, approaches, and methods of Political Science. Special emphasis is placed on honing the research, writing, and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in the discipline.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: PSC 1210, PSC 2300, and PSC 2600 or permission of the instructor.
A culminating research seminar designed for majors in their last year of matriculation. Students will examine the many sub-fields in the discipline and complete and present a major independent research thesis. Normally taken in concert with PSC 4980. Open to non-majors with instructor’s permission. Taught each spring semester.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R - Undergraduate Research).
3 Hours
Drawing from the expansive literatures in comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, this course explores the nature of historical and contemporary conflicts and how violence is used both by states and non-state actors to achieve political objectives.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: PSC 2300 or instructor’s permission.
Examines the evolution of security policy and the primary institutions involved in decision-making related to issues of foreign policy and defense.
3 Hours
This course examines how two different forms of organizing human activity, states and markets, interact on a global scale. Thus it focuses not only on international trade and the forces that drive it, but also the policies and institutions that attempt to control it; not only on the policies that attempt to control international trade, but on the forces that drive those policies. Prior instruction in economics is not necessary but would be helpful.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: PSC 2300 or instructor’s consent.
A survey of public international law, this course focuses the nature of international law, its origin and capabilities, and the actors involved. It then pursues these larger issues through specific topics in international law, such as laws of war, sea, or environment.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: ECO 2210.
An introduction to the theories and practices of international business. The course gives special emphasis to the impact of environmental forces on multinational firms and on management responses to changing international conditions.
3 Hours
Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220.
An examination of the special problems and issues surrounding the economic interaction of sovereign nations. Topics include gains from trade, patterns of trade, balance of payments, determination of exchange rates, free trade and protectionism, international capital markets, and issues in international policy coordination. Cross Listed with INB 4400.
3 Hours
This course focuses on the development of modern political and economic institutions in contemporary African states. The course centers on the issues of political development and democratization, considering the impacts which the legacies of slavery and colonialism, cultural diversity, and the integration of Africa into the modern world economy have produced for the evolution of the modern African state.
3 Hours
This course focuses on the issues of political development and democratization in Central and South American states, and the role of domestic and international institutions in those processes.
3 Hours
This course examines political, economic, and cultural factors shaping governmental institutions and processes in the nations of modern Asia, with heaviest emphasis given to the emergence of China.
3 Hours
This course focuses on the process of regional integration in Europe. It covers theoretical explanations of integration as well as the institutions of the European Union and the policies they produce.
Gen. Ed. Designation: GS (G - Global Studies).
3 Hours
This course examines the political, economic and cultural factors that contribute to conflict in the Middle East region. Special attention is given to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the relationship between religion and politics, competition for leadership in the Muslim world, and the role which the United States plays in managing the dynamics of Middle Eastern politics.
3 Hours
This course analyzes the origins and politics of modern Israel. The course examines the political and cultural forces that gave rise to the modern Zionist movement of the 19th century and the subsequent issues, events, and challenges that led to the creation of the modern state of Israel. The course explains how Israel’s political system is structured, the plethora of political parties, the role of the military in providing national security, and the changing relationship between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Its relationship to the broader international community, particularly the United States is also studied.
3 Hours
This course examines one of the prerequisites for democracy, a civil society and institutions which support it. It focuses first on the theories which describe the role of civil society and its underpinnings, then on the application of these theories to current society.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (Experiential Learning).
3 Hours
Prerequisites: ECO 2210 or ECO 2220.
This course investigates the organization of economic systems in the world’s major industrialized nations. Through comparative analysis of social, private sector, and governmental institutions, students learn the strengths and weaknesses of national economies. The economics of China, the European Union, Japan and the Commonwealth of Independent States are the primary areas of interest for this course. Particular emphasis is placed upon the impact of globalization in each economy.