POSC 2201. American Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Problems of organizing and using governmental power at the national level. The principles of the U.S. Constitution. The Presidency, Congress and the federal judiciary. Public opinion, elections, political parties and interest groups. Issues of public policy.

POSC 2401. Comparative Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Types of government, ranging from democratic to totalitarian. The parliamentary alternative to presidential democracy. Political modernization and revolution.

POSC 2601. International Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Patterns of interaction among nations and subnational and supranational entities. Cooperation and conflict. National interest, elements of power and war. Morality and human rights issues; economic, environmental, and resource issues in world politics. Recent developments and their impact.

POSC 2801. Justice and Power. 3 cr. hrs.

Explores the difference between justice and power with special reference to the authority of a higher law or principle of right; selections from the works of Thucydides, Plato, Machiavelli and others are read.

POSC 3953. Undergraduate Seminar:. 3 cr. hrs.

Designed to initiate a selected group of qualified undergraduates in the techniques and discipline of scholarly research by concentrated work in a restricted field. Students pursue course reading in preparation of reports, while working under close supervision of a professor. Course intended primarily for Political Science majors, but other qualified students may apply. Specific subjects of seminars to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Prereq: Jr. stndg. and cons. of instr.

POSC 4191. The Logic of Social Inquiry: The Kennedy Assassination. 3 cr. hrs.

The Kennedy Assassination. The question of who killed President John F. Kennedy, and whether there was a conspiracy. The physical evidence; eyewitness testimony; Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, and suspected conspirators. The logic of social inquiry, and how we can approach "conspiracy" as an hypothesis to be tested. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4195. Politics of the Internet. 3 cr. hrs.

The origins and growth of the Internet. Legal and regulatory dilemmas posed by the Internet. The impact of the Internet on politics, society and economics. Prereq: POSC 2201 or POSC 2401 or POSC 2601 or POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4201. The United States Congress. 3 cr. hrs.

Membership, legislative process, and internal distribution of power in the U.S. Congress. Congressional relationships with the presidency, executive bureaucracy, interest groups, and public. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4211. The American Presidency. 3 cr. hrs.

The evolution and contemporary status of the American presidency. Presidential elections, policy-making, advisory systems, and relationships with Congress, the bureaucracy, and the courts. Problems and techniques of decision making. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4212. American Political Parties. 3 cr. hrs.

Examines the nature and development of American political parties. Traces continuity and change in the American party system beginning in the early Republic, assessing the rise and fall of the Whigs, the dynamic between machine politics and progressive reform, and the shifts in party ideas and policy stances that inform contemporary political debates. The question of ideological change in American political parties is further explored by contemporary work on factions, polarization, and culture war. Assesses changes to the parties as organizations in the wake of reforms to the candidate selection process from an institutional perspective. Explores the question of how American political parties compare to their counterparts in other advanced industrial democracies. Prereq: POSC or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4213. Elections, Public Opinion and Participation. 3 cr. hrs.

Covers explanations for political behavior at the individual, group, and national levels. Begins with an examination of public opinion and political attitudes, followed by questions about voter turnout, political participation, and theories of voter choice. Culminates in a unit exploring perspective on how to explain and interpret election outcomes. Prereq: POSC 2201or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4216. American Public Policy. 3 cr. hrs.

U.S. domestic policy with special attention to the politics of national policy in the areas of the economy, social welfare, and the environment. The stages of the policy process: agenda-building, formation, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4221. Interest Group Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

How groups are organized around particular economic interests and political preferences in order to influence policy-making institutions. The internal incentive structure of political organizations, including business, professional, trade union, and "public interest" groups. Functions of, and biases inherent in, the group process. Offered only at Les Aspin Center. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4231. Political Organizations. 3 cr. hrs.

Political parties, social movements, interest groups, and civic associations. How citizens organize themselves to participate in the political process. How democratic institutions resolve the tension between individual citizenship and collective action. Explores theories of mobilization, questions of influence, and explanations of success. Prereq: POSC 2201; or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4241. Constitutional Law: Separation of Powers, Federalism and Rights. 3 cr. hrs.

A detailed introduction to constitutional law. Examines the main themes of the United States' constitutional structure - popular sovereignty, separation of powers, federalism and the development and maintenance of rights - as well as some basic and contested techniques of constitutional interpretation. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4251. Civil Liberties and Rights. 3 cr. hrs.

Examines the development of civil rights and liberties over the course of American political history. What constitutes as a right or a liberty is contested terrain. Expanding, contracting, or otherwise altering the meaning of a right or a liberty involves a range of actors in a variety of venues, not only the courts. Therefore, we will examine the traditional list of civil liberties and civil rights that define American politics from a "law and society" perspective, which focuses on the content of judicial rulings as well as on the political processes involved in drafting legislation and in grassroots mobilization around theses rights and liberties. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4281. Urban Public Policy. 3 cr. hrs.

Conditions in American cities and the extent to which they can be improved by political activity. Race relations, ethnicity and class and their effects on housing, education and income. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4291. Urban Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Urban governmental structures and techniques of gaining power in urban areas. The role of elected and appointed officials, political parties, economic elites, neighborhood organizations, and ethnic groups in urban politics. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4321. Business and Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Business participation in the policy making process. Business as a political actor. The regulation of business. Political influence of business. Constraints on business power. Business politics in historical perspective. Prereq: POSC 2201; or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4331. Politics and Regulation. 3 cr. hrs.

Economic and social regulation in America. Why we have regulations. Who is regulated. Who does the regulating. What the consequences of regulation are. Primary focus on business regulation and related topics. Prereq: POSC 2201; or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4341. Politics of American Capitalism. 3 cr. hrs.

Political economy of U.S. history. Individuals, firms, and business associations and their role in politics. Economic development and conflict as sources of political change. Prereq: POSC 2201; or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4361. Politics of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender. 3 cr. hrs.

The role of African-Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, white ethnics, American Indians, and women in shaping American politics through elections, political parties, and public office. The nature and impact of political organizations representing these groups. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4366. Religion and Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Religion and politics in contemporary America. The historic patterns and current interactions of religious movements, denominations, and individuals involved in American politics. Specific attention given to the rationales used for religious involvement in politics, the types of political behavior employed, and the consequences of that behavior. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4371. Media and Politics in the U.S.. 3 cr. hrs.

Explores role and power of media in American political systems; history and development of national press, including court interpretations of freedom of the press; quality and impact of political reporting, with emphasis on election coverage; and media's relationships with other political actors. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4376. American National Security Policy. 3 cr. hrs.

Defense policy processes in the United States; issues in defense decision-making, including the roles of the public, interest groups, Congress, the President, and executive agencies, with emphasis on the defense establishment; U.S. strategic doctrines since World War II; budgeting; civil-military relations. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4406. Public Policy in Industrial Democracies. 3 cr. hrs.

Politics of public policies in democratic political systems, with special attention to North America, Western Europe, and Japan. Alternative theoretical perspectives on the problem of social choice in democracies. Problems and policies in the areas of the economy, education, health, welfare, and the environment. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4411. Politics, Economics, and Democracy. 3 cr. hrs.

The relationship between capitalism and democracy. The impact of economic factors on politics. The political consequences of the organization and power of private business. The impact of democratic politics and political institutions on economic actors and performance in capitalists democracies. Prereq: POSC 2401; or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4421. Democracy, Authoritarianism, and Totalitarianism. 3 cr. hrs.

Three "ideal types" of political systems, and their manifestations in countries at different points in time. Topics include power, legitimacy, ruling elites, institution, and economics. Examination of political system change through coup, revolution, and peaceful transition. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4431. Modern Revolutions. 3 cr. hrs.

Types and causes of revolutions. Modern case studies. The American, French, Russian, German and selected "Third World" revolutions, with attention to ideas, institutions, socio-economic conditions, and the nature of actual changes. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4441. Designing Liberal Democracy. 3 cr. hrs.

Exploring liberal democracy in theory practice, especially as concerns emerging democracies in the developing world. Includes consideration of the impact of economic development, ethnicity, language, Legacies of colonialism and/or indigenous political organization, internal democracy, corruption, strategic location and institutional design. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4451. Comparative Judicial Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Provides a detailed introduction to the empirical and normative debates surrounding judicial power including origins of judicial review, courts as strategic actors and the development of stronger courts over time in American and comparative context. Focuses on the development of rule of law, and in particular, how the court as a governing institution interacts with legislative and executive powers. POSC 4241 recommended.

POSC 4501. European Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Nationalism and European identity; evolution of executive and legislative institutions; political parties; ongoing changes in the welfare state and state socialism; transformation of class structure; the challenge of post-industrial society. Include both Eastern and Western Europe. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4511. Russian and Post-Soviet Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Developments in Russia and the other countries which emerge from the collapse of the Soviet Union. Brief coverage of tsarist and Soviet politics, with a particular emphasis on reasons for the USSR's collapse and Soviet legacies, followed by an overview of domestic and international politics in the region. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4521. Chinese Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Origins of the Chinese Revolution, political change and conflict in post-1949 China, and the contemporary political system and political developments. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4531. Japanese and Korean Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Political culture, unique patterns of modernization, and the contemporary political system in Japan and the two Koreas. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4541. Latin American Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Government and politics in major Latin American countries. The politics of social change and development, seizures of power and rule by the military, and the role of external factors. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4551. Politics of the Indian Subcontinent. 3 cr. hrs.

The British in India; the Indian nationalist movement and the Hindu-Muslim struggle; political systems in India and Pakistan; the creation of Bangladesh; linguistic, economic, and social issues in South Asia. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4561. Politics of the Developing World. 3 cr. hrs.

Politics of agricultural development, industrialization, military intervention, and social and cultural conflict in Third World Countries. Prereq: POSC 2401 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4601. International Law. 3 cr. hrs.

Law among states in peace and war. Historical background and political foundations of international law. The influence of judicial decisions, international courts and organizations, treaties, and practices of states upon the growing body of international law. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4611. International Organization. 3 cr. hrs.

Development and characteristics of international organizations. Functions of the League of Nations, the United Nations, and other organizations. Major contributions to international peace. Main political and legal problems. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4621. Politics of the World Economy. 3 cr. hrs.

Political and economic dynamics of the world economy; historical and theoretical roots; international trade and monetary relations and the impact of hegemony, interdependence, regimes, and domestic politics; trade, debt, multinational corporations, and the dynamics of dependency and development; communism, capitalism, and change. Prereq: ECON 2004 and POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4631. World Conflict and Security. 3 cr. hrs.

Classical and contemporary theories of war and peace; just and unjust wars; principles of strategic analysis, arms control, and security policy-making; the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. The international trade in arms; nationalism, ethnic conflict, and wars of secession. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4641. Politics of the Illicit Global Economy. 3 cr. hrs.

Political and economic dynamics of the illicit dimension of the global economy; historical and theoretical roots; state efforts to control illicit flows of goods and services including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal migration, traffic in women and children, money laundering; exploration of transnational organized crime as a challenge to state power. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4661. The Political Economy of Development. 3 cr. hrs.

Introduces interaction between politics and economics in developing countries by examining political and economic development (and underdevelopment) through the lenses of the principal theoretical debates and substantive issues. Areas of inquiry include the general theories that underpin the study of the processes of economic and political reform, the roles of international and domestic institutions, and the influence of private interests including business, labor and civil society organizations. Substantive issues include poverty, conflict, human rights, foreign aid, investment and the environment. Prereq: ECON 2004 and either POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4701. United States Foreign Policy. 3 cr. hrs.

Objectives of American foreign policy. Problems facing the United States in its relations with other countries. Trade, aid, propaganda and alliances as instruments of foreign policy. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4711. International Politics of Europe. 3 cr. hrs.

Evolution of the post-war settlement in Europe. Western European and Eastern European integration, relations between Western and Eastern Europe, Europe and the superpowers, French-German and intra-German relations, Europe and the Third World, European security issues. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4721. International Politics of the Middle East. 3 cr. hrs.

Historical and religious background of Middle East politics; comparative ideologies and political systems in the Middle East; Arab-Israeli relations; Persian Gulf politics; politics in the Maghreb; great power interests in the region. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4731. International Politics of Asia. 3 cr. hrs.

Principal patterns and problems of international politics in Asia, including international political economy, development and security issues, and the impact of global trends. Regional focus varies with instructor. Prereq: POSC 2401 or POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4741. United States-Latin American Relations. 3 cr. hrs.

United States response to reform and revolutionary movements and governments in Latin America. The politics of trade, foreign investment, foreign assistance, and human rights. Prereq: POSC 2601 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4801. Citizens, Beasts, or Gods?. 3 cr. hrs.

Evaluates the comparative congeniality to mankind of pre-political 'states of nature,' political citizenship, and the life of philosophy; selections from the works of Rousseau, Nietzsche, Chesterton and Aristotle are read. Prereq: POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4811. The Best Constitution. 3 cr. hrs.

Examines the relationship between constitutional design and human flourishing; selections from the works of Plato and others are read. Prereq: POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4821. Democracy and Its Problems. 3 cr. hrs.

Diagnoses the instability of popular governments in antiquity and considers the remedy provided by the American constitutional republic; selections from the works of Thucydides, Publius, Tocqueville and others. Prereq: POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4841. Enlightenment Political Thought. 3 cr. hrs.

The Enlightenment's contribution to modern doctrines of individual rights, representative government, popular sovereignty, free enterprise, religious toleration, and freedom of speech. Authors such as Locke, Voltaire, Hume, Publius, Rousseau and Burke. Prereq: POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4851. Karl Marx. 3 cr. hrs.

Primary works on freedom and alienation, history, capitalism, revolution, and socialism that have inspired Marxist movements. Prereq: POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4861. The Political Philosophy of Capitalism. 3 cr. hrs.

Is capitalist society just or unjust? Does capitalism promote or inhibit the realization of freedom? Does capitalism promote or inhibit the pursuit of human excellence? Authors such as Rousseau, Adam Smith, Marx, Weber. Prereq: POSC 2801; or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4871. Politics and Literature. 3 cr. hrs.

Study of the central questions of political philosophy through the lens of literature, with special focus on how literature approaches the questions of the best regime and the best type of human life. Prereq: POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4881. Postmodern Politics. 3 cr. hrs.

Nietzsche and his successors on the insufficiency of modern ethics and modern politics since the Enlightenment. Focus on the postmodern critique of modernity's contributions to consumerism, globalization and technology. Prereq: POSC 2801 or Jr. stndg.

POSC 4931. Topics in Political Science. 2-3 cr. hrs.

Lectures and discussion in a broad area which, because of its topicality, is not the subject of a regular course. May be taken a maximum of three times. Prereq: Jr. stndg.

POSC 4986. Internship in Political Science. 1-4 cr. hr.

Practical learning experience in politics. Evaluation will require the student to relate the experience to literature on the subject. Arrangements to be worked out by student, faculty member and agency concerned. Normally may be taken once. In some circumstances (as defined by department policy), a second internship may be taken for university elective credit. The 4-credit section is limited to students in the Les Aspin Center for Government program. S/U grade assessment. Prereq: POSC 2201 or Jr. stndg.; 2.500 MU GPA; and cons. of dept. ch.

POSC 4995. Independent Study in Political Science. 1-3 cr. hr.

Prereq: Jr. stndg., cons. of instr., and cons. of dept. ch.

POSC 4999. Senior Thesis. 3 cr. hrs.

Preparation of a thesis by approved students under the direction of an adviser. Prereq: Sr. stndg., POSC 4995, which may be taken concurrently, and cons. of dept. ch. Three semester hours of POSC 4995 are required.