Department: POLSC Political Science

Code Name Description
POLSC101 Understanding Politics This course immerses students in the intensive study of the fundamental question: What is politics? Our goal is to understand how politics shapes society and what distinguishes the political from the economic social, artistic, religious, etc. We will...
POLSC102 Democracy in America An introduction to American politics, with primary emphasis on national institutions. Course topics include the political theory of the American Constitution, the relations among the different branches of government and between state and federal inst...
POLSC1SG Ethics in Politics No Description Set
POLSC201 Topics in Classical Civilization This course will study key topics in Greek and Roman antiquity. Topics may include: imperialism, sport and spectacle, literature, the family, woman, or slavery in the Greek and Roman worlds; or authors such as Plutarch, Cicero, or Seneca. Repeatable...
POLSC205 Comparative Politics This course immerses students in the comparative study of regimes such as liberal democracy, monarchy, tyranny, and theocracy, especially as these are found in historical or contemporary city-states, nations, or empires. Such study can be comparative...
POLSC210 Political Rhetoric A seminar on the classical art of rhetoric and its impact on political thought and action through the course of world and U.S. history. Students will study important speeches that serve as models of rhetoric in a political context, such as Pericles'...
POLSC231 International Relations This course will immerse students in the study of international relations, especially how and why countries fight wars and make and maintain peace. Drawing on both historical and contemporary examples, the course may examine both the writings of theo...
POLSC236 American Foreign Policy A study of the foreign relations of the United States, underscoring the factors that determine formulation, execution and substance of U.S. foreign policy, traditional and contemporary, with emphasis on the place of the United States in today's world...
POLSC305 Political Parties and Interest Groups A study of the origins, development and contemporary character and problems of American political parties and the party system, and an examination of the role of interest groups in the political process.
POLSC310 The Presidency A study of the nation's Chief Executive Office.
POLSC312 Congress A study of the nation's legislative body, focusing on the nature of representation in Congress, the place of Congress within the framers' constitutional design, the historical development of the institution and its powers, and the operation of the mo...
POLSC320 American Political Thought I: Revolution to the Civil War A study of the political ideas of American statesmen and writers from the 18th century to the secession crisis. Candidates for consideration include Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Madison, Hamilton, and Calhoun.
POLSC321 American Political Thought II: Reconstruction to the Present A study of the political ideas of American statesmen and writers from the Civil War period to the present. Candidates for consideration include Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Twain, Melville, Booker T. Washington, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt.
POLSC336 Constitutional Powers A study of the American constitutional framework for the exercise of governmental power, with particular emphasis on the role of the Supreme Court in articulating that framework. Through reading Court cases and other materials, students address such...
POLSC337 Constitutional Rights A study of the individual rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, as viewed through Supreme Court cases and other materials. The primary focus will be on the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and press and of religious liberty, the 14th...
POLSC337HN Constitutional Rights A study of the individual rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, as viewed through Supreme Court cases and other materials. The primary focus will be on the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and press and of religious liberty, the 14th...
POLSC341 Modern Middle East This course explores the development and character of important Middle Eastern countries and of relations between them, with emphasis on the influence of geography, history, religion, political ideas, statesmanship, culture, European imperialism, and...
POLSC341HN Modern Middle East: Honors No Description Set
POLSC343 Western Political Thought I: Ancient Political Thought This course immerses students in the study of ancient political thought, whose central concern is the search for the best regime-the one that most cultivates human excellence. We will examine this politics of virtue by reading several great works of...
POLSC344 Western Political Thought II: Medieval Political Thought This course is an intensive study of major texts in medieval political thought. Particular attention will be given to the issue of how medieval thinkers from a variety of backgrounds attempted to deal with the relationship between reason and revelati...
POLSC345 Western Political Thought III: Early Modern Political Thought This course is designed to immerse students in the study of modern political thought, whose central concerns are human security, comfort, and liberty. We will examine this new politics of freedom by reading several great works of political philosophy...
POLSC345HN Western Political Thought III: Honors No Description Set
POLSC346 Western Political Thought IV: Late Modern Political Thought A study of selected works of leading political thinkers from the end of the 18th century to the present, such as Kant, Hegel, Mill, Marx, Nietzsche, Strauss and Rawls.
POLSC346HN Western Political Thought IV: Honors No Description Set
POLSC351 Politics and Religion This course is an intensive study of important thinkers, texts, or issues focusing on the proper relation between political authority and religious authority, law, or faith. Topics may include Christianity and politics, the rise of the political prin...
POLSC351HN Politics and Religion: Honors No Description Set
POLSC352 The American Founding A seminar on the principles and practices of America's founding statesmen. We examine how the founders formulated and reconciled ideas (natural rights, separation of powers, federalism) with interests (economic, political, regional, etc.). HIST 352/P...
POLSC355 International Organization A study of historical movements toward world cooperation, including an evaluation of the League of Nations and a study of the United Nations as well as regional organizations established since World War II.
POLSC360 Regional Studies A study of political systems of different countries or regions selected on a rotating basis, including such geographic areas or nations as Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and Japan. May be repeated for credit for different topic...
POLSC360A Regional Studies: Russia and the Independent States Historical background of the Soviet Union, mainly since the Russian Revolution of 1917, tracing the evolution of the social, economic and political life of the people, with particular emphasis on the political system of the Soviet Union today.
POLSC360B Regional Studies: 20th Century Europe A study of political systems of different countries or regions selected on a rotating basis, including such geographic areas or nations as Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and Japan. May be repeated for credit for different topi...
POLSC360C Regional Studies: Africa A study of political systems of different countries or regions selected on a rotating basis, including such geographic areas or nations as Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and Japan. May be repeated for credit for different topi...
POLSC360D Regional Studies: Latin America A study of politial systems of different countries or regions selected of a rotating basis, including such geographic areas or nations as Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and Japan. May be repeated for credit for different topic...
POLSC360E Regional Studies: Modern Middle East A study of politial systems of different countries or regions selected on a rotating basis, including such geographic areas or nations as Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and Japan. May be repeated for credit for different topic...
POLSC360F Regional Studies: Modern East Asia A study of political systems of different countries or regions selected on a rotating basis, including such geographic areas or nations as Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and Japan. May be repeated for credit for different topi...
POLSC360G Regional Studies: Political History of Islam A study of political systems of different countries or regions selected on a rotating basis, including such geographic areas or nations as Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and Japan. May be repeated for credit for different topi...
POLSC365 Contemporary Germany A study of contemporary Germany with an emphasis on the establishment and character of democracy in that country. Examines the statesmen and politicians, as well as the constitutional, social, economic and intellectual factors that help to explain th...
POLSC370 Topics in American Politics Intensive study of a topic in the field of American government and politics. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
POLSC370A Topics in American History: Lincoln - Civil War & Reconstruction A seminar that considers the political thought and statesmanship of Abraham Lincoln. Readings include a number of his speeches, with special emphasis on the Lincoln and Douglas debates. HIST 355/POLSC 370A credit.
POLSC370C Topics in American History: Political Economy in a Free Society Intensive study of a topic in the field of American government and politics. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
POLSC375 Lincoln A seminar that considers the political thought, actions, and statesmanship of Abraham Lincoln before and during the Civil War. Readings include a number of his speeches, with special emphasis on the Lincoln and Douglas debates. HIST 375/POLSC 375 cre...
POLSC380 Topics in Political Thought Intensive study of some theme or thinkers in the field of political thought. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
POLSC380A Topics in Political Thought: Churchill A seminar that considers the political thought and actions of Winston S. Churchill. Readings include a number of his speeches, essays and books; e.g. My Early Life, Savrola and The Gathering Storm.
POLSC380B Topics in Political Thought: Shakespeare An examination of those plays of Shakespeare that shed particular light on essential political issues, such as tyranny, legitimacy and statesmanship.
POLSC380C Topics in Political Thought: Mark Twain Intensive study of a topic in the fields of comparative and international politics.
POLSC380D Topics in Political Thought: Topical Research Intensive study of some theme or thinker(s) in the field of political thought. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
POLSC380E Topics in Political Thought: Freedom of Religion Intensive study of some theme or thinker(s) in the field of political thought. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
POLSC380F Topics in Political Thought: Politics and Love Intensive study of some theme or thinker(s) in the field of political thought.
POLSC381 Churchill A seminar that considers the political thought and actions of Winston S. Churchill. Readings include a number of his speeches, essays and books. e.g., My Early Life, Savrola and The Gathering Storm. HIST 381/POLSC 381 credit.
POLSC385 Shakespeare's Politics An examination of those plays of Shakespeare that shed particular light on essential political issues, such as tyranny, legitimacy, and statesmanship.
POLSC390 Topics in Comparative and International Politics Intensive study of a topic in the fields of comparative and international politics. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
POLSC390A Topics in Comparative and International Politics: Modern Revolutions A comparative examination of the three most influential revolutions of the modern world: American, French and Soviet.
POLSC390C TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL Topics in Comparative and International Politics: The British Empire Intensive study of a topic in the fields of comparative and international politics. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
POLSC430 Internship in Government and Politics To provide for on-the-job experiences for students of government and politics on an individual basis in selected offices or installations at the local state, or federal level. Each internship is arranged by the student's advisor with a specific offic...
POLSC431 Human Being and Citizen An attempt to understand the great issues animating politics-freedom, justice, equality, ethnicity-from the point of view of other disciplines and perspectives. The seminar will examine what it means to be a citizen, something of what it means to be...
POLSC497 Thesis Seminar The course is designed for a major or minor in the Department who is researching and writing a senior thesis. It is a guided, intensive study of some topic of interest to the student, which results in a substantial scholarly paper. The student may no...
POLSC498 Independent Study No Description Set
POLSC501 The American Revolution This course focuses on three topics: political developments in North America and the British empire and the arguments for and against independence, culminating in the Declaration of Independence; the Revolutionary War as a military,social and cultur...
POLSC502 The American Founding This course is an intensive study of the constitutional convention, the struggle over ratification of the Constitution, and the creation of the Bill of Rights. It will include a close xamination of the Federalist Papers and the anti-federalist writin...
POLSC503 Sectionalism and Civil War This class is a study of the sectional conflict beginning with nullification crisis. The course will not only examine the political, social, and economic developments in the period leading to the Civil War, but will emphasize the political thought of...
POLSC505 The Progressive Era The transition to an industrial economy posed many problems for the United States. This course examines those problems and the responses to them that came to be known as progressivism. The course includes the study of World War I as a manifestation...
POLSC506 Rise of Modern America 1914 to 1945 With the exception of the Civil War era, it is difficult to find another thirty-year period in U.S. history during which the nation underwent such dramatic change. In 1914 the United States was no more than a regional power, with a primarily rural de...
POLSC507 Lincoln This course provides an in-depth study of Abraham Lincoln's political thought and action. Students will study Lincoln's most important speeches, as well as study various aspects of his political leadership, including his role as the leader of the Rep...
POLSC510 Great American Texts This course is an intensive study of one important text in American history, politics or literature. Examples might include The Federalist Papers, Franklin's Autobiography, Tocqueville's Democracy in America or Twain's Huckleberry Finn. The text may...
POLSC5XX Transfer Electives No Description Set
POLSC601 Sources of American Regime This course examines the European heritage of ideas and practices upon which the American Founders drew as they devised a new government for the United States.
POLSC602 European Discovery and Settlement An examination of the motives behind and the consequences of the expansion of European power beginning in the sixteenth-century. The course focuses on the European settlement of North America and the interactions between Europeans and indigenous peo...
POLSC603 Colonial America This course focuses on the development of an indigenous political culture in the British colonies. It pays special attention to the development of representative political institutions and how these emerged through the confrontation between colonist...
POLSC604 The Early Republic Having adopted a form of government, the Americans had to make it work. This course examines their efforts to do so, as the Republic took shape amid foreign dangers, political conflict, westward expansion and religious revivals.
POLSC605 The Age of Enterprise In the last decades of the 19th century, the United States took decisive steps away from its rural, agrarian past toward its industrial future, assuming its place among world powers. This course examines that movement, covering such topics as busines...
POLSC607 America During the Cold War The simmering conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1989 was the defining phenomenon of the age, affecting not only the country's foreign policy but its politics, society, economy, and culture as well. In this course st...
POLSC608 Civil War and Reconstruction This course will examine military aspects of the war, as well as political developments during it, including the political history of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural. The course also examines the post-w...
POLSC609 World War II An examination of World War II, the most widespread, costly, and destructive war in the history of the planet. This course will cover the origins of the war, the strategies pursued by the participants, and the major events in both the Pacific and Eur...
POLSC610 American Foreign Policy Students examine events and issues in the foreign policy of the American republic. Topics include the major schools of thought and approaches, the connection between domestic and foreign politics, and the connection between the principles of the Ame...
POLSC611 The American Way of War The course examines how Americans have used military force, focusing on the relationship between civilian and military leaders, characteristic strategic approaches, and the connection between our political principles and our military practices.
POLSC613 Postwar America 1945 to 1973 An examination of the United States during the three decades following the Second World War. The social, economic, political, and diplomatic development of the country is stressed with a thematic emphasis.
POLSC614 Contemporary America 1974 to Present Examines the United States from the end of Watergate to the present, with emphasis on the rise of the new conservatism, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the search for a new foreign policy. The social, economic, political, and diplomatic develop...
POLSC620 The Reform Tradition in America America has lived through three periods of sustained interest in reforming its political and social life, the first in the decades preceding the Civil War, the second in the decades preceding World War I and the third in the decade or two following W...
POLSC621 Race and Equality in America This course explores the history of black Americans as they strove to secure their dignity as human beings, and rights as American citizens, in the face of racial prejudice. Students will examine the writings of leading black intellectuals and activ...
POLSC622 Religion in American Histroy & Politics From the time that the first Europeans arrived in America, religion has been an important part of American life. This course examines the various ways in which religion has played a role in American history, with particular emphasis on the role of r...
POLSC623 Women in American History and Politics This course explores the history of women in America from the early 19th century to the present, especially the political struggle to gain increased civil and political rights. Using primary source material from leading female intellectuals and activ...
POLSC624 American Culture and Society An examination of the nature and development of the United States by way of its culture. What does American music, art, literature, and film reveal about America? How has America shaped the culture of its people? The course addresses these question...
POLSC630 American Statesmen Even though the powers of the American Executive are controlled and limited, extraordinary acts of statesmanship are possible. This seminar examines those presidents who have demonstrated extraordinary political leadership. We will examine such sta...
POLSC631 American Political Rhetoric This course examines the principles and practice of American political rhetoric through the careful reading of the speeches of its leading statesmen.
POLSC632 The American Presidency I: Washington to Lincoln This course is an examination of the political and constitutional development of the office of president from the Founding era through the Civil War. It focuses on how the presidency shaped American political life as the country grew and struggled w...
POLSC633 The American Presidency II: Johnson to the Present This course is an examination of the political and constitutional development of the office of president from Reconstruction to the present. It focuses on how changing conceptions of the presidency have shaped American political life in the 19th and...
POLSC640 Special Topics Individual or group studies of course work in political science. Graduate standing, permission of the professor of record, and the approval of the director of graduate studies in education.
POLSC641 The Supreme Court The course is an intensive study of the highest court in the federal judiciary, focusing on the place of the Supreme Court in the American constitutional order. Areas of study may include the relationship between the Court and the other branches of...
POLSC642 Political Parties This course examines the development of American political parties, focusing on the meaning of parties and historic moments in the rise and fall of political parties from the Founding era to the present. Topics may include re-aligning elections, cha...
POLSC643 Constitutional Rights & Powers A study of the American constitutional framework for the exercise of governmental power, as well as the individual rights it was meant to protect. Through reading Court cases and other materials, students address such questions as: how should the Con...
POLSC644 The Congress This course focuses on the legislative branch of the US government. It examines topics such as the constitutional powers of Congress, the relations between Congress and the other branches of the federal government and the states, and the changing st...
POLSC660 Topics in American History & Government Topics courses allow faculty to meet the needs of small groups of students by offering a course specifically designed to examine an important contemporary or historical topic in significant depth and detail. Course may be repeated with permission of...
POLSC670 Directed Study Students wishing to develop expertise requiring study beyond what is offered in other courses may arrange with a professor to work individually on a topic.
POLSC680 Seminar in History, Government, & Civics An intensive study of topics related to American political, diplomatic, social, and economic history (including state and local history); the origins, philosophies, structures, and practices of national, state, and local government in the United Stat...
POLSC691 Thesis In order to complete requirements for the degree, each student must complete a thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive exam. The purpose of the thesis is to show mastery of both subject matter and analytical and interpretive skills.
POLSC692 Capstone Project In order to complete requirements for the degree, each student must complete a thesis, capstone project, or comprehensive exam. The purpose of the capstone project is to show mastery of both subject matter and analytical and interpretive skills.
POLSC693 Qualifying Examination The qualifying examination evaluates the candidates' understanding of significant ideas, events, persons, and text in American history and government. Additionally, the exam will evaluate the candidate's ability to analyze and use documentary evidenc...
POLSC6XX Effective Writing for the MAHG Program Students in this course will work to improve basic writing skills, with the specific intent of becoming more effective writers in general, and during their time in the MAHG or MASTAHG programs. The purpose of the course is for the student to develop...
POLSCELCT Political Science Elective No Description Set