Courses

POLI-111 American Government & Politics

An introductory survey covering the major institutions and processes of American government and politics, with a focus on understanding current issues and events.

POLI-121 Comparative Government and Politics

Surveys the political systems, ideologies and socio-economic policies and issues in various countries and regions of the world.

POLI-131 World Affairs

Examines state behavior in the international system in light of countries' abilities and limitations. Causes of state action, leaders' decision making, and the role of power are discussed. Explores why states go to war, the role of the United Nations, the benefits and costs of free trade, and the effects of the environmental and human rights movements. Case studies and current events will be used to illustrate theories and provide a framework for discussion.

POLI-133 World Affairs: Statecraft

Taught in a Team-Intensive format, this course examines state behavior in the international system in light of countries' abilities and limitations. Causes of state action, leaders' decision making, and the role of power are discussed. Explores why states go to war, the role of the United Nations, the benefits and costs of free trade, and the effects of the environmental and human rights movements. Case studies and current events will be used to illustrate theories and provide a framework for discussion.

POLI-202 Topics in Government and Politics

Examines selected topics or problems in American government or comparative government, international politics, or political thought. May be repeated for credit if topic is different.

POLI-205 Research Process & Data Analysis

Introduces students to the social science research process and common techniques of quantitative data analysis. Topics include statistical, comparative and experimental research methodologies, univariate and multivariate statistics, and hypothesis testing. Requirements include using a computer-based statistical program to complete an empirical research project. Course prepares students for careers involving research in government, business, and non-profit sectors.

POLI-210 Film and Politics

Course examines the treatment of politics in American cinema. Topics may include political corruption, courts and the law, war, race and politics, and elections. Possible themes include political and legal culture, political legitimacy, film as political criticism and film as a source of political knowledge. Course also examines film techniques and characteristics of film as contrasted with other forms of media.

POLI-211 Women and U.S. Politics

An introductory examination of the role of women in the U.S. political system. The course includes a theoretical and historical view of the development of women's political activity in the United States, as well as a contemporary look at women as activists, voters, and candidates. Current issues are incorporated as appropriate.

POLI-215 Law and Politics

Examines the law and the legal system in the United States, assessing the possibilities and limitations of the law. Studies the political basis of the law and critiques of the American legal system. Discusses the major players in the legal system, including lawyers, judges, and juries. Course culminates with a mock trial.

POLI-216 State and Local Government and Politics

Study and analysis of state and local government in the U.S. political system. Examines the influence of intergovernmental relations on these political systems and the "how, why, and so what" of governmental operation. Comparative look taken at the different ways state and local governments operate in 50 states and thousands of local governments, with an emphasis on the role of Pennsylvania and other states of particular interest to students. Contemporary policy issues are incorporated.

POLI-222 Politics of Developing Nations

A comparative survey of the political and economic issues facing the developing nations of Asia, Africa, Latin America the Middle East, and the transitional states in Eastern Europe. Emphasizes problems of political and economic development, nation building and the transition to democracy. Considers the role of elites, parties, corruption, the military, integration and competing ideologies.

POLI-224 Government and Politics of Europe

Comparative study of contemporary government, politics, problems and policies in Europe, with a special focus on Western Europe, though some attention is given to countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

POLI-225 Government and Politics of Africa

Examines regional, national and international politics in post-colonial Africa. Themes include the impact of the colonial legacy on political and economic development in Africa, regime change and ethnic conflicts. Case studies will be used to illustrate the wide-ranging political and economic challenges facing African nation-states.

POLI-226 Soviet and Russian Politics

Looks at Russian and Soviet politics and foreign policy. The Soviet Union is examined, with particular emphasis on the policies of Gorbachev and the 1991 disintegration of the USSR. The post-Soviet period is also studied, especially the challenges of democratization and of moving toward a market economy. While primary attention is paid to the situation in Russia, issues in the other former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe will also be discussed.

POLI-228 Middle East Politics and Society

This course examines the ways in which politics and society in the Middle East are shaped by historical and contemporary structures, processes, and practices. The geographic and temporal focus of the course includes the Arab world, Iran, Turkey, and Israel during the past century and a half, from the reforms of the late Ottoman Empire, through the years of European colonalism, to the emergence of post-colonial states and their contemporary development.

POLI-244 Political Values

An introduction to arguments about fundamental value conflicts, such as freedom vs. authority, equality vs. inequality, and conflict vs. cooperation. Draws on arguments of selected major thinkers and issues in political thought from Plato to the present.

POLI-245 American Political Ideas

An introduction to selected major ideas, issues, and perspectives in contemporary American political thought and practice.

POLI-310 Political Psychology

This course explores the psychological dimensions of politics and serves as a basic introduction to political psychology. It focuses on a broad range of issues that deal with how ordinary citizens make sense of their political surroundings and how their understandings of the political world are linked to their political beliefs and behaviors. In addition, the course analyzes political leaders and investigates how their personalities, beliefs, and emotions affect decisions they make. The course also covers relevant issues in mass political behavior such as media, voting, and tolerance.

POLI-312 Elections in America

The "hows" and "whys" of presidential and congressional elections in the United States, emphasizing candidates, campaigns, and political strategies. Also discusses parties and interest groups and their roles in the political process. Special focus on the flaws in the American electoral system, and on possible solutions to these problems.

POLI-314 Diversity in American Politics

Studies the many shapes of diversity found in the United States and how this diversity impacts the American political system. Analyzes how different groups have been denied or granted access to the political system and the success or failure of these groups in affecting the political system as voters, candidates and office holders, and in bringing new principles, values, and practices into American politics. The theoretical challenges presented by the general concept of diversity will also be examined.

POLI-316 The American Presidency

An exploration of the power of the American presidency as it has developed over time. Studies presidential authority, the limitations on presidential power, and the presidency's impact on public policy in the United States. Explores the interplay between individual presidents and the institution of the presidency. Topics covered include the presidential selection process; the relationship between the President and the Congress, "the Bureaucracy," and the courts.

POLI-317 The U. S. Congress

Examines the U.S. Congress as an institution, its relation to the public and to other branches of government, and its impact on public policy. Topics include congressional elections, internal workings of the House and Senate, and comparison of Congress with other national legislatures.

POLI-321 European Union

Examines the post-World War II development, institutional structure, and policies of the European Union and its predecessors in the movement toward European integration.

POLI-322 The Arab World and the West

This course explores a number of different themes and frameworks addressing the relationship between the Arab world and the West. Although a historical perspective is given to shed light on the diverse encounters, transformations, and changes in this relationship, the main focus will be on contemporary trends, phenomena, and perspectives. Going beyond traditional frameworks stressing tension and conflict (i.e. Orientalism, nationalism, and Islamism), the readings will also introduce analytical frameworks, which stress cultural exchange, entanglement, and dialogue.

POLI-331 American Foreign Policy

Studies the formation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Focuses on both the role of the U.S. in the post-WW II era and current foreign and security policy issues.

POLI-333 Development, Globalization and Society

A study of the relationship between economic development paradigms, institutions and groups in society. It focuses on the international economic relationships, world order and the resultant social and political conflict. More specifically, this course examines how global economic development policy since the 1960s has influenced relations between states, major institutions, organizations and social groupings in both the developed and the developing world.

POLI-334 International Organizations and Law

A study of the ways of managing the issues that arise from increasing interdependence among nation-states. It explores the consequences of the growth of international organizations and the proliferation of treaties in areas of security; economics; the environment; and political, social, and human rights. Primary attention is devoted to international governmental organizations, especially the United Nations and the World Court, but international non-governmental organizations (e.g. Amnesty International and Greenpeace) are also considered.

POLI-335 War and Politics

Analyzes issues of war and conflict in the international system, largely from a theoretical perspective. Students will examine the questions of why states go to war, how wars can be prevented, how states fight wars, and how wars end. Case studies of wars, including World War II and the Gulf War, will be studied. Arms control, terrorism, and peacekeeping are also discussed.

POLI-338 International Political Economy

Examines issues of political interaction with economic forces at the national, international and global levels. Topics studied include: economic systems, international trade and finance, the European Union, NAFTA, CAFTA, OPEC, multinational corporations, economic development, poverty, inequality and global environmental issues.

POLI-341 American Political Thought

Examines writings of representative political thinkers and movements from colonial through contemporary America. Stresses debates over relevant issues, such as religious freedom, the constitutional system, civil rights for minorities and women, and the role of government in the economy.

POLI-344 Modern Political Ideologies

Covers the major political ideologies of the 20th century. Focuses on Communism, Fascism, and Democratic Liberalism and Conservatism, with attention to other selected ideologies, including environmentalism, feminism, liberation ideologies, and radical Islam.

POLI-411 Constitutional Law

Examines the U.S. Supreme Court with an emphasis on its major decisions in questions of judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, interstate commerce, state police powers and substantive due process. Emphasizes the Court's political role and judicial decision making.

POLI-412 Civil Liberties

Examines significant Supreme Court decisions concerning the protection of liberty and equality. Topics covered include freedom of speech and press, church-state relations, right to privacy, criminal procedure, and racial and gender discrimination. Juniors and seniors only.

POLI-436 Issues of Conflict

An in-depth analysis of an international issue such as terrorism, ethnic conflict, weapons of mass destruction, or peacekeeping and peacemaking.

POLI-443 Western Political Philosophy

Studies the ideas of the major political philosophers, including Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Hegel, and Marx. Juniors and seniors only or by instructor's permission.

POLI-500 Seminar

Detailed research and in-depth discussion on a selected topic. Juniors and seniors only by instructor's permission.

POLI-501 Senior Seminar

A capstone course for political science majors. Students research, write and present a senior essay on an approved topic and participate actively in discussions. Required for all senior majors.

POLI-502 Directed Reading

Readings, essays and tutorials on a selected political science topic.

POLI-503 Independent Research

A major research project on a selected political science topic.

POLI-504 Independent Study

Individualized academic work for qualified students under faculty direction. Usually studies special topics not covered in regularly offered courses.

POLI-505 Internship in Government and Politics

Practical experience in a supervised work program. May be for a local, state, or federal government agency, legislative body, political party, legal office or other organization with substantial government-related responsibilities. Only two internship credits may apply to the major requirements. Junior and senior majors only with the prior permission of the department.