POSC 109. The U.S. Political System. 3 Units.

This course provides an overview of governmental institutions and processes in the United States, the political forces that combine to shape them, and how we might best understand the system that government and politics create.

POSC 160. Introduction to Comparative Politics. 3 Units.

Comparative politics is the study of processes and institutions within countries. Prompted by real-world puzzles, comparativists investigate broad, theoretical questions such as: What constitutes a revolution, and why do revolutions occur? How does one country become more democratic than another? Why do relations between some ethnic groups turn violent? This course introduces students to some of the central puzzles and theories of comparative politics in order to help them better understand world events, varied cultures, and human differences. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 172. Introduction to International Relations. 3 Units.

Why do countries fight wars? Can nuclear proliferation be curtailed? Does trade help developing countries or harm them? This survey of the field of International Relations examines "big questions" in world politics. It introduces themes including the rise, development and changes of the nation-state system; patterns and causes of international conflict and cooperation; international law, organizations, and transnational institutions; the roles of both state and non-state actors in international politics; and the methods used to understand this field. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 201. Politics: Participation and Power. 3 Units.

This course presents an introduction to core aspects of politics: participation (who is acting on or with whom) and power (how people or organizations influence other peoples' or organizations' behavior). To do this we will read and discuss classic texts as old as the Bible and classical Greece and up to the recent past. We will look at political leadership, relations among both individuals and states, and forms of political action ranging from democratic politics to war. We will focus both on the substance and the communication strategies of authors. Assignments will include both essays and one oral presentation. Counts as a Communication Intensive course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course.

POSC 213. Science on Trial. 3 Units.

Universities, laboratories, and scientific journals are not the only places where questions of science are debated and settled; in the modern era, they are often decided in courts of law as well. In this seminar, through readings, discussion, and writing, we will focus on a range of examples in which scientific questions have been adjudicated in the courtroom. Questions to be considered are: How are judges or juries supposed to evaluate questions of science? Who decides what counts as science, or what counts as scientific consensus? What counts as expertise, and what counts as evidence when it comes to deciding a case that hinges on questions of science? Are legal facts ever different from scientific facts? By the end of the course, students will have a new understanding of the role of science in the modern world and the complicated intersections between science, society, and the law. Offered as HSTY 213 and POSC 213. Counts as a Communication Intensive course. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course.

POSC 215. The Arctic in the System of States, Science and Markets. 3 Units.

Regardless of how the Arctic is defined, major environmental challenges that accompany climate change, melting sea ice and human activity there give rise to disasters that engender major changes such as forced migration and the destruction of property. At the same time, the instruments available to address Arctic environmental issues are in need of reform. Therefore, the challenge of Arctic governance is that what is essentially a set of regional issues has become problematized as a global call for action. Nonetheless, the causes of these physical changes embedded in industrial society do not emanate from the region--but rather from behaviors of peoples and industries far removed from them. This course takes a comprehensive view of the region, and explores the evolving concept of the Arctic through the lens of international relations with a particular emphasis on traditional national security, scientific cooperation, and political economy. We will consider future challenges and potential avenues of resolution that fall across disciplinary lines. Thus, students are expected to prepare for class by doing the assigned readings--there are very few lectures. At the same time, we will carve out time to review and reflect on composing, writing, and revising in order to produce the best possible research. Counts as a Communication Intensive course.

POSC 219. Politics and Money. 3 Units.

One of the most famous definitions of politics comes from Harold Laswell, who described it as the struggle over "who gets what, when, how." Money is at the center of most political conflict. It is a resource, a motivation, and an end unto itself. This course will examine the role of money in politics, with particular emphasis on American politics. We will discuss the role of money in elections, in the policy-making process, and what it means for representation. The course will begin with the question of the role that financial considerations play in public opinion and voting behavior. We will then address the role that money plays in election results, both in terms of its role in financing campaigns, and the relationship between the state of the economy and election results. Finally, we will discuss the policy-making process. In that context, we will address the role that interest groups play in the process, and how the quest for economic benefits for one's constituency motivates the behavior of elected officials. Counts as a Communication Intensive course.

POSC 229. Writers and Government. 3 Units.

Poetry, drama, and fiction enhance the understanding of political realities. This course, an interdisciplinary venture, will focus on literature and politics. At its core is the belief that this emphasis will help students become better thinkers and speakers, readers and writers, as well as better participants in civic affairs. Through literature it will broaden and deepen students' appreciation of human nature, tyranny, democracy, freedom of conscience, and lack of empathy. Offered as POSC 229 and WLIT 239. Counts as a Communication Intensive course.

POSC 258. Political Strategy. 3 Units.

The objective of this course is to provide a general overview of strategic behavior in politics. The course links practical issues in modern politics to theoretical concepts in Political Science based on the rational actor model. The goal is to understand why events happen the way they do by understanding why strategic actors make the choices they do, constrained by events, institutions, and each other. Particular attention will be paid to strategy in American politics, but the general concepts and methods will be applicable to a wide range of situations. Also note that the approach of this course is completely divorced from all normative concerns: for the purposes of this course, "good" and "evil" do not exist -- only success or failure. Counts as a Communication Intensive course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 301. Decision-Making in American Cities. 3 Units.

Localities are the primary interface with government and provide the basic psychological place identification for most Americans. The course will explore this assertion in the context of urban America today. How are decisions made in cities? Who shapes these decisions and why? What role is played by shifting demographics, race, and poverty? What can the individual do to influence local decision-making? Offered as POSC 301 and POSC 401.

POSC 306. Interest Groups in the Policy Process. 3 Units.

Introduction to the institutions and processes that make up the political environment of nonprofit and other organizations in the United States, beginning with an examination of the role of civil society in a democracy and continuing with the framing of issues, role of political entrepreneurs and organized interests, elections, the legislative process and strategies for influencing it, and the roles of executive institutions and the courts. Offered as POSC 306 and POSC 406.

POSC 308. The American Presidency. 3 Units.

The sources of, strategies of, and restraints on presidential leadership in the United States. Emphasis on problems of policy formation, presidential relations with Congress and executive agencies, and the electoral process. Offered as POSC 308 and POSC 408.

POSC 310. Congress in an Era of Polarization. 3 Units.

A study of Congress in the modern era with emphasis on the development of polarization, procedural changes, conflict between the legislative and executive branches during divided government, and the current state of representation. Offered as POSC 310 and POSC 410.

POSC 318. People and Planet. 3 Units.

In this course, we study the way in which the environment is a matter of politics. Our approach is philosophical, examining the concept of politics in light of how societies shape their environment on Earth. This elucidation's aim is practical. We want to know not only what environmental politics is, but what we should do about it. Students from any major are welcome, without prerequisite. Offered as PHIL 318, POSC 318 and ESTD 318. Counts as a Communication Intensive course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course.

POSC 321. News Media and Politics. 3 Units.

Analysis of the political role of the news media in American government and politics. Examines the fascinating relationship between reporters and politicians. Covers the overall structure and legal position of the media as well as the media's impact on the American political system. Offered as POSC 321 and POSC 421.

POSC 322. Political Movements and Political Participation. 3 Units.

Political Movements and Political Participation is concerned with the variety of ways citizens engage in collective activism in the United States and across national boundaries, and with the conditions under which citizens identify common concerns and join together in political movements to bring about change. The course begins with an examination of three general bodies of theory and research on political movements: resource mobilization, political opportunity structures, and cultural framing. We will also investigate frameworks of political participation for understanding the relationships among different expressions of collective activism and representation. In the context of these sometimes competing theories, we will consider 1) the conditions under which political movements are likely to emerge, as well as the circumstances in which collective political action is precluded; 2) how citizens come to recognize collective grievances and shared political identities; 3) the strategies and tactics of organized movements, and their likelihood of political success; and 4) the relationship between political movements, political parties, and the state. Offered as POSC 322 and POSC 422.

POSC 323. Judicial Politics. 3 Units.

Rejecting the view that judges mechanically apply the law, the study of judicial politics seeks to understand the behavior of judges as political actors with policy goals. Topics include judicial selection and socialization, judicial policy change, judicial strategy (especially the strategic interaction of judges on multi-judge panels), the interaction of courts in hierarchical judicial systems, the policy impact of judicial decisions, and the courts' interactions with coordinate branches of government (the executive, Congress, state governments, state courts). Primary focus will be on the federal judiciary, with some discussion of state judicial systems. Offered as POSC 323 and POSC 423.

POSC 325. American Constitutional Law. 3 Units.

An introductory survey of U.S. constitutional law. Special attention given to the historical, philosophical, and political dimensions of landmark Supreme Court cases. Judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, due process, and equal protection. Supreme Court's involvement in major political controversies: the New Deal, abortion, physician-assisted suicide, school desegregation, and affirmative action. Offered as POSC 325 and POSC 425.

POSC 326. Constitutions in Practical Politics. 3 Units.

Overview of ancient Greek and Roman constitution-making, medieval principles, emergence of modern constitutionalism, and the constitutionalist vision of the American and French Revolutions. Examination of contemporary constitutional issues and developments in countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ethiopia, India, and the United States. Offered as POSC 326 and POSC 426. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 327. Civil Liberties in America. 3 Units.

"Civil Liberties in America" centers on the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment. Our approach will therefore be case-specific, but, by contrast to a law school course, emphasis will be given to the historical and political context in which constitutional law is shaped, as well as to the philosophical dimension of landmark cases. We will follow the text of the Amendment, focusing first on liberty of religion with its establishment and free exercise clauses, and then move on to explore freedoms of speech and the press, of assembly and association.

POSC 328. Topics in Civil Liberties. 3 Units.

Rights of the accused as outlined in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments. Topics covered are (1) arrests, searches, and seizures, (2) the privilege against compelled self-incrimination, (3) the rights to counsel, confrontation, and jury trial, and (4) the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments. Case-specific approach but presents interplay of history, philosophy, and politics as background of each topic. Offered as POSC 328 and POSC 428.

POSC 334. Comparative Political Violence. 3 Units.

This is a non-standard, simulation based course analyzing the causes and processes of political violence in comparative perspective. The course begins by engaging some classic philosophical work on power, conflict, and violence. It then moves to specific cases drawn at different historical periods and from across the world (North America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East). For each case, students are organized into groups representing actual political actors. Collaborative research and written assignments serve to prepare each group for an in-class simulation exercise. Simulations vary in format and goals but each comprises a group grade and an individual written project. Offered as POSC 334 and POSC 434. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 341. US Political Parties and Elections. 3 Units.

Political Parties and Elections examines the development and history of political parties in the US, examining the impact of electoral systems and law at the national and local levels, the impact on key events in shaping the parties' ideologies, policy preferences, and core constituencies. The course reviews key party realignments and asks whether the US is experiencing a party realignment in response to party polarization and populist challenges. It also considers candidate emergence, campaign strategies, and campaign finance in the context of the US political party system. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course.

POSC 343. Public Opinion and American Democracy. 3 Units.

Examination of theories, concepts and empirical research related to attitudes and the political behavior of mass publics. Offered as POSC 343 and POSC 443.

POSC 345. The Politics of Guns in the U.S.. 3 Units.

Despite high rates of both gun violence and public support for stricter rules, the U.S. has not enacted strong federal regulations on the ownership and use of firearms -- a situation that has been described as the "gun control paradox." This discussion-based seminar digs into the gun control paradox. The majority of the semester will focus on the politics of guns. We'll cover the history of the gun control debate in the U.S. and examine the various roles that interest groups -- including both the NRA and gun control advocacy organizations --play in it. We'll think about how gun politics are connected to and impact partisan politics. We will also explore the relationship between gun politics and mass political behavior, discussing who buys guns (and why) and the social and psychological meaning they carry for many Americans. Related, we'll ponder how guns are linked to a range of politically-relevant identities individuals hold, including those related to race and gender. Finally, we will examine gun policy, critically assessing the pros and cons of various proposed solutions to the U.S. gun violence problem. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course.

POSC 346. Women, Power, and Politics. 3 Units.

Women, Power, and Politics involves a critical examination of the impact of gender on the forms and distributions of power and politics, with primary reference to the experience of women in the United States. Major concerns of the course include the political meanings and import of "sex," "gender," and "politics;" the relationship between women and the state; how women organize collectively to influence state policies; and how the state facilitates and constrains women's access to and exercise of political power. The course is organized around four foci central to the study of women and politics. The first section of the course focuses on the meanings of "women," "gender," and "politics." In this section, we will consider how these concepts intersect and the ways in which each may be used to deepen our understanding of the workings of governments and political systems, and of women's relative political powerlessness. The second section of the course employs these concepts to understand the (re) emergence of the US feminist movement, its meanings, practices, and goals, and its transformation across US political history. In the third section, we turn to conventional electoral politics, focusing on women's candidacies, their campaigns, and women's voting behavior. In the final section of the course, we consider those general factors that might provide for increased gender equality and improved life status for women, in global, comparative perspective. Offered as POSC 346, POSC 446 and WGST 346. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 347. Economic Inequality and Power in the United States. 3 Units.

In recent decades, economic inequality in the United States has soared to levels not seen for nearly a century: Workers' wages have stagnated, while the proportion of wealth concentrated among the most well-off Americans has increased. These trends may have negative consequences for democracy in the United States, contributing to a political system that often responds to the preferences of the wealthiest Americans while frequently ignoring the views of most ordinary citizens. This course, in diverse ways, explores the political causes and consequences of rising inequality, especially with regards to who has political power. We will begin by examining the contours of inequality in the U.S. while also exploring the various ways that power manifests itself in politics. We'll then explore the relationship between wealth and public policy outcomes in the United States, along with the ways that the very wealthiest Americans -- both individually and collectively -- work to advance their policy views. We'll then explore how political and economic inequality are interrelated with race and social class. Finally, we will assess potential remedies to political and economic inequality. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course.

POSC 349. Political Science Research Methods. 3 Units.

This course examines approaches that political scientists use to understand events and processes. In doing so, the course provides students with skills helpful to completing senior projects, such as the ability to evaluate and conduct research. Through exercises and projects, students will take part in the research process from constructing a question to developing a research design to interpreting results. Students will learn and apply key techniques, including inductive and deductive reasoning, hypothesis construction, operationalization of concepts, measurements, sampling and probability, causal inference, and the logic of controls. They will produce materials common to the discipline, such as research designs. Offered as POSC 349 and POSC 449. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 351. Modern Political Thought. 3 Units.

Examination of a limited topic in the study of modern political thought. Topics vary. Offered as POSC 351 and POSC 451.

POSC 352. American Political Thought. 3 Units.

Examination of the unique contribution to the science of government made by American political thinkers. Offered as POSC 352 and POSC 452.

POSC 353. Political Thought and Political Change in China. 3 Units.

"No state is forever strong or forever weak," said Han Feizi, China's great legalist philosopher. He believed that as a country's conditions changed, the laws and institutions had to change to meet these new circumstances. China today faces new circumstances that have caused deep and broad challenges to its people. This has prompted serious debate among intellectuals, leaders, and average citizens about the possibility for and direction of political reform. But what might that reform look like, and how would it be conceived, if it could overcome the current barriers? This seminar will provide a fuller understanding of China's potential for political change by examining Chinese political though from Confucius, Mencius and Han Feizi through Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. These and other political philosophies have influenced China's political culture, which will influence the form of any change. Offered as POSC 353 and POSC 453.

POSC 354. Political and Social Philosophy. 3 Units.

Justification of social institutions, primarily political ones. Such distinctions as that between de facto and legitimate authority; analysis of criteria for evaluation, such as social justice and equality; inquiry into theories of justification of the state; theory of democratic government and its alternatives. Readings from classical and contemporary sources. Recommended preparation: PHIL 101. Offered as PHIL 334, POSC 354, PHIL 434, and POSC 454.

POSC 355. Political Ideologies. 3 Units.

Liberalism, conservatism, Marxism, democratic socialism, fascism, libertarianism, feminism, anarchism, ecologism, etc. We frequently encounter these ideologies ("isms") and may ourselves subscribe to one or more. But what are these things and what do they really mean? This course will explore through primary texts past and present debates on ideologies around the world from their origins in modern political thought to the present. Along with reading the theorists and thinkers grounding these ideologies, we will be exploring ideologies as they are practiced today, with the class culminating in a final project involving the ideological 'diagnosis' of a contemporary political leader. Offered as POSC 355 and POSC 455. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 356. Transitions to Democracy and Dictatorship. 3 Units.

Everyday life is dramatically different depending on whether one resides in a democracy or under a dictatorship. This course examines why some countries have democracies and others dictatorships. It explores successful, incomplete, and failed transitions to democracy. The incomplete transitions result in hybrid regimes, stuck between democracy and dictatorship, and the outright failures result in non-democracies, such as dictatorships. The course examines examples from most regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, North America, and South America. Offered as POSC 356 and POSC 456. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 357. Economic, Environmental, and Health Challenges: The Impact of Democracy. 3 Units.

To what extent does democracy result in positive economic, environmental, and health outcomes? Instructed by faculty from the disciplines of economics, environmental science, epidemiology, medicine, political science, and sociology, students will learn about current economic, environmental, and public health problems and various democratic and non-democratic political institutions. They will read and discuss the latest findings about how democratic and non-democratic political institutions impact economic, environmental, and public health outcomes. Topics include economic inequality, economic growth, global warming, water pollution, infectious and non-infectious diseases, and worker health and safety. Building on this foundation of knowledge, students will work together to investigate the impact of political institutions on problems of their own choosing. Offered as POSC 357 and POSC 457. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Local & Global Engagement course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 360. Revolts and Revolutions in Global Perspective. 3 Units.

Revolution! Few political events conjure as much hope, passion, or fear. In 2011, young Arab protestors grabbed the attention of the world as they tried to throw off decades of authoritarian rule. This course takes those events as a starting point to examine the broader political history of revolts and revolutions. The course engages classic scholarly texts to unpack the roots, processes, and outcomes of revolution and then apply them to specific historical cases. A core component of this course will deal with ethical and moral decision making under revolutionary and extraordinary political conditions. Why do people try to change the world when the costs can be so high? Under what conditions, if any, is it right to use violence to enact revolutionary change or to deny it? Is it right for an outside power to enter another country to influence a revolutionary situation? What does it mean to match one's political values to their moral values? To what extent do the means we employ to change the world determine that new world? Offered as POSC 360 and POSC 460. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 363. The Politics of Electoral Systems. 3 Units.

Elections involve more than a simple act of voting to express individual preferences. The rules under which countries conduct elections determine who controls the executive and how votes are converted into legislative seats. The mechanics of various electoral arrangements will be examined in detail and the consequences for the political system discussed in terms of strategies and desired outcomes on the part of contestants in terms of democratic representation. Students will research individual countries and analyze recent elections from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. Offered as POSC 363 and POSC 463. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 364. Dictatorship and Democracy in Modern Latin America. 3 Units.

This course focuses on political leadership and political parties in Latin America. It addresses the nature, causes, and consequences of dictatorship and democracy in the region, touching on politicians from Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and on the evolution of political parties in contemporary Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. Offered as ETHS 364, POSC 364, and POSC 464. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 367. Western European Political Systems. 3 Units.

Comparative analysis of sociopolitical systems of selected Western European industrial democracies, using North American systems as a point of comparison. Offered as POSC 367 and POSC 467.

POSC 369. Social Justice Issues in Latin America. 3 Units.

This course explores ethnicity, gender, and religion in Latin American politics and society, and then tackles revolution, democracy, and populism. Throughout, the region's history, geography, and culture are taken into account--for example, the European and indigenous legacies in Mexico and Perú, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador; the Asian presence in Perú and Brazil; the African contributions to Cuba and Brazil; female heads of state, such as Nicaragua's Violeta Chamorro, Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Argentina's Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Costa Rica's Laura Chinchilla, and Brazil's Dilma Rousseff. Liberation Theology and the current Pope's worries about the declining number of Catholics in the region are also addressed. Today's multiparty democracy in Mexico, Hugo Chávez's legacy in Venezuela, and Cuba's international humanitarian aid and ideological aims would not be possible without revolution(s) and populism. They are inevitably intertwined with ethnicity, gender, and religion. This course aims to encourage a better understanding of Latin America and its relation to the rest of the world. Offered as ETHS 369, POSC 369 and POSC 469. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 370A. Political Economy. 3 Units.

Focus on debates concerning the proper relationship between political and economic systems, including conservative, liberal, and radical perspectives. The politics of international economics and the economics of international politics receive separate attention. The course concludes with study of "modern" political economy and the application of economic theory to the study of political systems. Offered as POSC 370A and POSC 470A.

POSC 370C. The United States and Asia. 3 Units.

Survey and analysis of U.S.-Asia relations in the post-World War II period. Focus specifically is on the interaction of politics and economics in the United States' relations with Japan, China, and Southeast Asian countries. Topics will include the role of Asia in U.S. Cold War policies, the dynamics of U.S.-Japan alliance politics, post-Cold War issues involving U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, a history and analysis of economic conflict cooperation, and an examination of the move toward Asia-Pacific "regionalism." Offered as POSC 370C and POSC 470C.

POSC 370D. The Politics of China. 3 Units.

Now more than ever, the Chinese state and society are facing tremendous economic, social, and political challenges. This course presents an overview of current issues facing the People's Republic, including a changing (or not) political culture, policy processes and outcomes at the national and local levels, reform and economic growth, the resultant societal changes and pressures, and the consequent challenges the Communist Party faces as demand for political reform grows. The class involves a mixture of lectures and discussion and draws on a combination of primary and secondary sources, including current news reports and films. Offered as POSC 370D and POSC 470D. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 370F. Financial Politics in the United States and the World. 3 Units.

This course explores how political institutions make policy in the financial area with particular emphasis on the United States. Using a bureaucratic politics framework, it examines money, banks and the securities industry by integrating a wide range of literature in economics and political science. Specific objectives include familiarizing students with different approaches to the political economy of finance from different disciplines, exploring the historical evolution of finance, examining the changing relationship between public and private authority within the financial system, considering how politics operates in a crisis, and evaluating the role of international financial institutions in the global economy. By taking this course, students will equip themselves for further research into politics and economics, as well as offer them tools to analyze future policy developments as they unfold. Offered as POSC 370F and POSC 470F.

POSC 370H. China's Foreign Policy. 3 Units.

The rise of China is evident in the country's more forward and robust foreign policy that began in 1979. At every turn, nations throughout the world must now consider China wherever their interests are at stake, be it Korea and Northeast Asia, Indochina and Southeast Asia, India/Pakistan and South Asia, or Afghanistan and Iran in the Middle East, not to mention the many African states that welcome Chinese investment but chafe at China's presence. Further, China is increasingly aggressive in international trade, a major determinant of its foreign policy. This course describes the key factors that make up Chinese foreign policy, including its cultural tradition, policy-making institutions, the role of the military, and domestic determinants of foreign policy. The course also examines China's ever-changing foreign policy strategies, from an aggressive posture to charming its neighbors only to become more strident once again. The course will also examine China's role involving possible mercantilism, currency manipulation, and the hunt for traditional and alternative energy sources. Throughout the course, we will pay attention to how China's foreign policy relates to international relations theories and what strategies might be used to manage China's growing role in international affairs. Offered as POSC 370H and POSC 470H. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 370J. International Law and Organizations. 3 Units.

Study of international organizations and international law as two means for regulating and coordinating nation-state behavior. History of the two techniques will be traced, covering 19th century efforts at cooperation, the League of Nations and the United Nations, regional and specialized global organization. The functions of international law in global politics will be stressed, with primary focus on the evolving role of law in dealing with global problems, e.g., war, the environment, economic cooperation, and human rights. Offered as POSC 370J and POSC 470J.

POSC 370M. Theories of Political Economy. 3 Units.

This course is a departmental seminar in political economy that brings a wide range of theoretical perspectives to bear on the relations between market and state in the contemporary world. It focuses on three questions: What have been the major debates concerning the role of the government in the economy? How were these debates resolved in the compromise of embedded liberalism, and What experiences have individual states had with these questions of political economy? To answer these questions, we will read original literature to uncover the connections among politics, economics, and the world of ideas that has resulted in the political debates we confront today. Offered as POSC 370M and POSC 470M. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 370N. Economics and Politics in Global Governance. 3 Units.

The political and economic dynamics at work in a country both establish the conditions leading up to crises and frame the policy choices available to resolve it. This course addresses these interactive dynamics by combining the research and career expertise of the discipline of Political Science and Macroeconomics and Financial Regulation in a team-taught course. It explores how financial crises have been managed in world history by paying particular attention to the way governance structures operate to help or hurt the outcome. The emphasis combines a sophisticated understanding of the mechanics of the intervention as well as the politics inside each International Financial Institution involved. Specifically, the course begins by reviewing the history of the Federal Reserve and the gold standard, the Great Depression and the operations of the Bretton Woods System. Next, it looks at the sovereign debt crises of the 1980s and the International Monetary Fund. It picks up the history with Japan's crisis in the 1990s and the later interventions of the International Monetary Fund, Bank for International Settlements, Federal Reserve, European Commission, and European Central Bank to the present era. Offered as POSC 370N and POSC 470N.

POSC 371. Natural Resources and World Politics. 3 Units.

Examination of the political causes and ramifications of the uneven distribution of the valuable natural resources for modern industrial societies. Strategic and military issues and the exploitation of the sea bed. Examination in some detail of selected commodity issues, including petroleum, copper and uranium. Offered as POSC 371 and POSC 471.

POSC 372. Africa's International Relations 1945 to the Present. 3 Units.

This course examines the development of Africa's international relations from World War II to the present. The period covers the decolonization era and the period after independence. It will focus on three key aspects of the continent's international relations: intra-African relations, relations with the major powers and emerging economies, and relations with the African Diasporas. It will explore the complex, contradictory, and rapidly changing political, economic, social, cultural, strategic and geopolitical forces that shaped these relations separately and in their interconnections. Offered as AFST 372, HSTY 372, and POSC 372.

POSC 373. Politics of the European Union. 3 Units.

The evolution of the European Union ranks among the most significant developments in contemporary European and international history. It is an extraordinary illustration of successful cooperation among sovereign countries and a fascinating laboratory for political scientists and others interested in the building of polities, markets and societies. Yet scholars have disagreed about nearly every important aspect of its origins, nature and implications; and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom's departure (Brexit), the pandemic and its consequences, democratic backsliding (in some member states) and other crises, they are arguing about whether and how the EU can endure recent and future challenges. The seminar's readings, discussions and written assignments will introduce students to the main debates and cover past and ongoing developments. Offered as POSC 373 and POSC 473. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 374. Politics of Development in the Global South. 3 Units.

Exploration of the post-World War II emergence of the Global South nations of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Eastern Europe arena. Offered as ETHS 374, POSC 374, and POSC 474.

POSC 375. The International Politics of Technology. 3 Units.

Technology is deeply political. Nowhere is this statement more evident than in the realm of international relations, where governments perceive technology as a source of power and wealth and a symbol of relative position and modernity. Yet for centuries skeptics have questioned the economic rationale of government technology policies. Still, to this day, countries support emulation, innovation and a host of other strategies as means for catching up with leading nations or locking in current advantages. What lies behind such policies? What do they accomplish? And what are the domestic and international politics surrounding them? After reading classic arguments, including texts by Adam Smith, Alexander Hamilton and Friedrich List, students will consider 20th and 21st century debates and an array of experiments tried by poor, middle-income and rich countries. Cases include the development of new industries; the imposition of sanctions; the dilemma of dual technologies and military spillovers; the forging of national champions; the reorganization of banks and the creation of international financial centers; the copying of regional clusters (e.g. Silicon Valley) and stock markets (e.g. the Nasdaq); and the extraterritorial extension of domestic regulation and governance techniques. Offered as POSC 375 and POSC 475. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 376. United States Foreign Policy. 3 Units.

Focus on U.S. foreign policy making with a dynamic network of executive and congressional actors and organizations; analysis of traditional and contemporary U.S. foreign policies from nuclear defense to current economic resource issues; future role of the United States in world affairs. Offered as POSC 376 and POSC 476.

POSC 377. Politics of Russia. 3 Units.

After becoming independent in 1991, Russia faced three challenges: the creation of a sovereign state, the development of a new political system, and the restructuring of its economy. In this course we will evaluate Russia's efforts, by examining center-periphery relations, nationalism, soft vs. hard power, democracy and authoritarianism, and socialism and market reform in the country. Learning these concepts will also help students understand other countries' politics. Offered as POSC 377 and POSC 477. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 378. International Relations Theory. 3 Units.

This course is a seminar in international relations theory. As such, we will bring a wide range of theoretical perspectives to bear on issues and debates in the area of international relations by systematically studying the evolution of the world system. The seminar is roughly divided into a first half focusing on war and the political system, and a second half focusing on trade, finance and the economic system. Each section devotes particular attention to ethical problems associated with political and economic issues. This course should develop students' ability to read and critically evaluate academic literature in the field of international relations, and enable students to produce a scholarly paper on one substantive area of the field. Offered as POSC 378 and POSC 478. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 379. Introduction to Middle East Politics. 3 Units.

This is an introductory course about Middle East Politics, in regional as well as international aspects. In this course we will explore broad social, economic, and political themes that have defined the region since the end of World War Two. Since this is an introductory course, a major goal will be to gain comparative knowledge about the region's states and peoples. The countries that comprise the modern Middle East are quite diverse; therefore, we will only be able to focus on a few cases in depth. A second goal is to use the tools and theories social scientists employ to answer broad questions related to the region, such as: How have colonial legacies shaped political and economic development in the Middle East? How do oil, religion, and identity interact with politics? How have external powers affected the region's political development? What do the uprisings of 2011 hold for the region's future? Offered as POSC 379 and POSC 479. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 380A. State and War in Africa and the Middle East. 3 Units.

Since the end of World War Two, violent conflict in the Middle East and Africa has varied greatly. It has ranged from inter-state wars to sub-state violence and protracted social conflict, much of it mediated and extended by external powers. At the same time, states in these regions have struggled to consolidate political and economic order within their borders. This seminar course will analyze these internal and external dynamics to understand the causes and effects of modern war and intervention in Africa and the Middle East. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 382A. Public Policy in Child Development. 3 Units.

This course introduces students to issues in public policy that impact children and families. Local, state, and federal child policy will be considered, and topics will include, for example, policies related to child poverty, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and children's physical and mental health. Students will learn how policy is developed, how research informs policy and vice versa, and a framework for analyzing social policy. Recommended preparation: One social sciences course or consent. Offered as ANTH 305, ANTH 405, CHST 301, CHST 401, and POSC 382A.

POSC 382B. Arts Education Advocacy and Policy. 3 Units.

In arts education, policy experts operate as plumbers. They seem to only be acknowledged when a problem occurs - like when a newly implemented policy creates a barrier to licensure or a state changes high school graduation requirements - not to mention perennial budgetary crises that have students, parents, and community members wondering what courses will be cut. Through the study of arts education, political science, and education policy, this course empowers arts advocates and teachers to participate in local policy activism by clarifying their goals and expectations as well as help them explore the education policy quagmire through the arts education lens. Offered as MUED 348, MUED 448, POSC 382B, and POSC 482B.

POSC 383. Health Policy and Politics in the United States. 3 Units.

Overview of the principal institutions, processes, social forces, and ideas shaping the U.S. health system. Historical, political, economic, and sociological perspectives on the health system are explored as well as the intellectual context of recent policy changes, challenges, and developments. Students will acquire a sense of how health services are financed and delivered in the U.S. They will also learn how to assess its performance compared to that of other similar countries. Offered as POSC 383 and POSC 483.

POSC 384. Ethics and Public Policy. 3 Units.

Evaluation of ethical arguments in contemporary public policymaking discourse. That is, approaches to evaluating not only the efficiency of policy (Will this policy achieve its end for the least cost?) but also the ethics of policy (Are a policy's intended ends ethically justified or "good," and are our means to achieve those ends moral or "just"?). Overview of political ideologies that supply U.S. political actors with their ethical or moral arguments when proposing and implementing public policy, followed by an application of these differing perspectives to selected policy areas such as welfare, euthanasia, school choice, drug laws, censorship, or others. Offered as PHIL 384, PHIL 484, POSC 384 and POSC 484.

POSC 385. Doing Government Work: Public Administration in the U.S.. 3 Units.

This course focuses on how governments, particularly governments in the United States, do their work. The topic is often called "public administration," or "implementation," or "bureaucratic politics." It involves what James Q. Wilson calls government "operators" such as teachers, public health doctors, agricultural extension agents, grant administrators and Seal teams. Their actions depend on their own values; conflict among political authorities, and on what is needed to perform specific tasks. We will begin by discussing the challenges of organizing to do anything, or organization theory; turn to the peculiar political context of administration in the United States; and apply these understandings to specific government activities. Students should emerge with a better understanding of why government agencies do what they do, and why they succeed or fail. Offered as POSC 385 and POSC 485. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 386. Making Public Policy. 3 Units.

Politics is about who wins, who loses, and why. Policy, by contrast, is often depicted as more "neutral;" policies are the means through which political decisions are carried out. In this class, we examine the notion that policy is the rational, impartial counterpart to the political arena. We will ask: How are public policies made? Why do some issues make it on to the agenda, while others do not? Can we separate facts from values, or are both always contested? We will examine how decision-making in a group introduces distinct challenges for policymaking. The course focuses on widely applicable themes of policymaking, drawing on both domestic and international examples. Offered as POSC 386 and POSC 486.

POSC 387. Environmental Justice. 3 Units.

The idea of environmental justice emerged five decades ago to bring attention to and politicize the injustices of environmental degradation. Our understanding and exploration of the idea is now global and the ways in which we theorize about and study injustices have grown in sophistication and inclusiveness. Over the course of the semester, students will explore the political theories developed about environmental justice, the experiences of actors living with and acting on environmental injustices, and more generally the scholarly literature on environmental degradation governance. These theories and cases are largely drawn from the Global South and from marginalized communities in the Global North. Topics addressed can include local commons governance, the right to development, rights of nature, indigenous rights and environmental governance, land defenders, commodities extraction, and animal and land conservation. Offered as ESTD 387, POSC 387, and POSC 487. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 388. Global Politics of the Climate Crisis. 3 Units.

In 1992, the international community committed itself to "preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" and yet the most recent IPCC reports found we are well on our way to missing our best-case warming scenarios. Why is the global community here three decades after committing to address the problem? Do we have reasons to be hopeful that perhaps finally the tide of insufficient action is turning? This course examines and confronts the global politics at the heart of the climate crisis. Students will explore global governance surrounding the crisis by looking at the dynamics of the climate change regime and alternative and complementary systems of governance. Topics will include some combination of the Paris Agreement, market mechanisms, popular mobilization, population displacement, corporate governance, technological innovation, and more, adjusting to keep current with an ever-changing governance system. Offered as ESTD 388, POSC 388 and POSC 488. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 389. Special Topics in American Politics and Policy. 3 Units.

Specific topic will vary but will consist of an in-depth investigation of a particular policy area or political phenomenon. Topics will involve policy controversies of some current interest. Offered as AFST 389, POSC 389, and POSC 489.

POSC 390. Special Topics in International Relations. 3 Units.

This course will vary semester to semester and will focus on International Relations topics such as statecraft and diplomacy in contemporary world affairs; weak states and international sovereignty; and transnational soft law. A description of the topic(s) being covered will be available on the political science website each semester that the course is offered. Students may take this course more than once for up to 9 credits, when different topics are covered. Offered as POSC 390 and POSC 490.

POSC 391. Special Topics in Comparative Politics. 3 Units.

This course will vary semester to semester and will focus on comparative politics topics involving political issues and/or controversies of some current interest. These may include some of the following: federal vs unitary political systems, nationalism and national identity, independence movements in developed countries, comparative political behavior, national and supranational political organization, comparative public policy, political violence and violent conflict, comparative political economy, varieties of democracy, the comparative politics of gender, comparative race and ethnicity, among others. A description of the specific course topic focus will be available on the political science website each semester that the course is offered. Students may take this course more than once (up to 9 credits) so long as the topics are different. Offered as POSC 391 and POSC 491.

POSC 395. Special Projects. 1 - 6 Units.

Study of a topic of particular interest, and/or independent academic work associated with an approved internship. The student must submit to the departmental office a project prospectus form, approved and signed by the faculty supervisor, no later than the end of the second week of classes. The prospectus must outline the goals of the project and the research methodology to be used, and is part of the basis for grading. The prospectus form is available from the departmental office or from the department's webpage.

POSC 396. Senior Project SAGES Capstone. 3 Units.

Capstone experience for political science majors or senior POSC minors as part of the SAGES program, providing opportunity to do an in-depth paper on a topic of particular interest to them. Students must obtain approval from a faculty project advisor and list that advisor on the registration form. The advisor must sign and student submit to department a prospectus including goals, schedule, and research methodology. This paper should demonstrate, and ideally even extend, the skills and expertise developed over the course of study in the department. Upon completion of the capstone, students will be expected to present their work in a public forum. Recommended preparation: Junior or Senior political science major or senior political science minor and departmental prospectus form. Counts as a SAGES Senior Capstone course.

POSC 401. Decision-Making in American Cities. 3 Units.

Localities are the primary interface with government and provide the basic psychological place identification for most Americans. The course will explore this assertion in the context of urban America today. How are decisions made in cities? Who shapes these decisions and why? What role is played by shifting demographics, race, and poverty? What can the individual do to influence local decision-making? Offered as POSC 301 and POSC 401.

POSC 406. Interest Groups in the Policy Process. 3 Units.

Introduction to the institutions and processes that make up the political environment of nonprofit and other organizations in the United States, beginning with an examination of the role of civil society in a democracy and continuing with the framing of issues, role of political entrepreneurs and organized interests, elections, the legislative process and strategies for influencing it, and the roles of executive institutions and the courts. Offered as POSC 306 and POSC 406.

POSC 408. The American Presidency. 3 Units.

The sources of, strategies of, and restraints on presidential leadership in the United States. Emphasis on problems of policy formation, presidential relations with Congress and executive agencies, and the electoral process. Offered as POSC 308 and POSC 408.

POSC 410. Congress in an Era of Polarization. 3 Units.

A study of Congress in the modern era with emphasis on the development of polarization, procedural changes, conflict between the legislative and executive branches during divided government, and the current state of representation. Offered as POSC 310 and POSC 410.

POSC 421. News Media and Politics. 3 Units.

Analysis of the political role of the news media in American government and politics. Examines the fascinating relationship between reporters and politicians. Covers the overall structure and legal position of the media as well as the media's impact on the American political system. Offered as POSC 321 and POSC 421.

POSC 422. Political Movements and Political Participation. 3 Units.

Political Movements and Political Participation is concerned with the variety of ways citizens engage in collective activism in the United States and across national boundaries, and with the conditions under which citizens identify common concerns and join together in political movements to bring about change. The course begins with an examination of three general bodies of theory and research on political movements: resource mobilization, political opportunity structures, and cultural framing. We will also investigate frameworks of political participation for understanding the relationships among different expressions of collective activism and representation. In the context of these sometimes competing theories, we will consider 1) the conditions under which political movements are likely to emerge, as well as the circumstances in which collective political action is precluded; 2) how citizens come to recognize collective grievances and shared political identities; 3) the strategies and tactics of organized movements, and their likelihood of political success; and 4) the relationship between political movements, political parties, and the state. Offered as POSC 322 and POSC 422.

POSC 423. Judicial Politics. 3 Units.

Rejecting the view that judges mechanically apply the law, the study of judicial politics seeks to understand the behavior of judges as political actors with policy goals. Topics include judicial selection and socialization, judicial policy change, judicial strategy (especially the strategic interaction of judges on multi-judge panels), the interaction of courts in hierarchical judicial systems, the policy impact of judicial decisions, and the courts' interactions with coordinate branches of government (the executive, Congress, state governments, state courts). Primary focus will be on the federal judiciary, with some discussion of state judicial systems. Offered as POSC 323 and POSC 423.

POSC 425. American Constitutional Law. 3 Units.

An introductory survey of U.S. constitutional law. Special attention given to the historical, philosophical, and political dimensions of landmark Supreme Court cases. Judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, due process, and equal protection. Supreme Court's involvement in major political controversies: the New Deal, abortion, physician-assisted suicide, school desegregation, and affirmative action. Offered as POSC 325 and POSC 425.

POSC 426. Constitutions in Practical Politics. 3 Units.

Overview of ancient Greek and Roman constitution-making, medieval principles, emergence of modern constitutionalism, and the constitutionalist vision of the American and French Revolutions. Examination of contemporary constitutional issues and developments in countries such as Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ethiopia, India, and the United States. Offered as POSC 326 and POSC 426. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 428. Topics in Civil Liberties. 3 Units.

Rights of the accused as outlined in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments. Topics covered are (1) arrests, searches, and seizures, (2) the privilege against compelled self-incrimination, (3) the rights to counsel, confrontation, and jury trial, and (4) the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments. Case-specific approach but presents interplay of history, philosophy, and politics as background of each topic. Offered as POSC 328 and POSC 428.

POSC 434. Comparative Political Violence. 3 Units.

This is a non-standard, simulation based course analyzing the causes and processes of political violence in comparative perspective. The course begins by engaging some classic philosophical work on power, conflict, and violence. It then moves to specific cases drawn at different historical periods and from across the world (North America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East). For each case, students are organized into groups representing actual political actors. Collaborative research and written assignments serve to prepare each group for an in-class simulation exercise. Simulations vary in format and goals but each comprises a group grade and an individual written project. Offered as POSC 334 and POSC 434. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 443. Public Opinion and American Democracy. 3 Units.

Examination of theories, concepts and empirical research related to attitudes and the political behavior of mass publics. Offered as POSC 343 and POSC 443.

POSC 446. Women, Power, and Politics. 3 Units.

Women, Power, and Politics involves a critical examination of the impact of gender on the forms and distributions of power and politics, with primary reference to the experience of women in the United States. Major concerns of the course include the political meanings and import of "sex," "gender," and "politics;" the relationship between women and the state; how women organize collectively to influence state policies; and how the state facilitates and constrains women's access to and exercise of political power. The course is organized around four foci central to the study of women and politics. The first section of the course focuses on the meanings of "women," "gender," and "politics." In this section, we will consider how these concepts intersect and the ways in which each may be used to deepen our understanding of the workings of governments and political systems, and of women's relative political powerlessness. The second section of the course employs these concepts to understand the (re) emergence of the US feminist movement, its meanings, practices, and goals, and its transformation across US political history. In the third section, we turn to conventional electoral politics, focusing on women's candidacies, their campaigns, and women's voting behavior. In the final section of the course, we consider those general factors that might provide for increased gender equality and improved life status for women, in global, comparative perspective. Offered as POSC 346, POSC 446 and WGST 346. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 449. Political Science Research Methods. 3 Units.

This course examines approaches that political scientists use to understand events and processes. In doing so, the course provides students with skills helpful to completing senior projects, such as the ability to evaluate and conduct research. Through exercises and projects, students will take part in the research process from constructing a question to developing a research design to interpreting results. Students will learn and apply key techniques, including inductive and deductive reasoning, hypothesis construction, operationalization of concepts, measurements, sampling and probability, causal inference, and the logic of controls. They will produce materials common to the discipline, such as research designs. Offered as POSC 349 and POSC 449. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 451. Modern Political Thought. 3 Units.

Examination of a limited topic in the study of modern political thought. Topics vary. Offered as POSC 351 and POSC 451.

POSC 452. American Political Thought. 3 Units.

Examination of the unique contribution to the science of government made by American political thinkers. Offered as POSC 352 and POSC 452.

POSC 453. Political Thought and Political Change in China. 3 Units.

"No state is forever strong or forever weak," said Han Feizi, China's great legalist philosopher. He believed that as a country's conditions changed, the laws and institutions had to change to meet these new circumstances. China today faces new circumstances that have caused deep and broad challenges to its people. This has prompted serious debate among intellectuals, leaders, and average citizens about the possibility for and direction of political reform. But what might that reform look like, and how would it be conceived, if it could overcome the current barriers? This seminar will provide a fuller understanding of China's potential for political change by examining Chinese political though from Confucius, Mencius and Han Feizi through Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. These and other political philosophies have influenced China's political culture, which will influence the form of any change. Offered as POSC 353 and POSC 453.

POSC 454. Political and Social Philosophy. 3 Units.

Justification of social institutions, primarily political ones. Such distinctions as that between de facto and legitimate authority; analysis of criteria for evaluation, such as social justice and equality; inquiry into theories of justification of the state; theory of democratic government and its alternatives. Readings from classical and contemporary sources. Recommended preparation: PHIL 101. Offered as PHIL 334, POSC 354, PHIL 434, and POSC 454.

POSC 455. Political Ideologies. 3 Units.

Liberalism, conservatism, Marxism, democratic socialism, fascism, libertarianism, feminism, anarchism, ecologism, etc. We frequently encounter these ideologies ("isms") and may ourselves subscribe to one or more. But what are these things and what do they really mean? This course will explore through primary texts past and present debates on ideologies around the world from their origins in modern political thought to the present. Along with reading the theorists and thinkers grounding these ideologies, we will be exploring ideologies as they are practiced today, with the class culminating in a final project involving the ideological 'diagnosis' of a contemporary political leader. Offered as POSC 355 and POSC 455. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 456. Transitions to Democracy and Dictatorship. 3 Units.

Everyday life is dramatically different depending on whether one resides in a democracy or under a dictatorship. This course examines why some countries have democracies and others dictatorships. It explores successful, incomplete, and failed transitions to democracy. The incomplete transitions result in hybrid regimes, stuck between democracy and dictatorship, and the outright failures result in non-democracies, such as dictatorships. The course examines examples from most regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, North America, and South America. Offered as POSC 356 and POSC 456. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 457. Economic, Environmental, and Health Challenges: The Impact of Democracy. 3 Units.

To what extent does democracy result in positive economic, environmental, and health outcomes? Instructed by faculty from the disciplines of economics, environmental science, epidemiology, medicine, political science, and sociology, students will learn about current economic, environmental, and public health problems and various democratic and non-democratic political institutions. They will read and discuss the latest findings about how democratic and non-democratic political institutions impact economic, environmental, and public health outcomes. Topics include economic inequality, economic growth, global warming, water pollution, infectious and non-infectious diseases, and worker health and safety. Building on this foundation of knowledge, students will work together to investigate the impact of political institutions on problems of their own choosing. Offered as POSC 357 and POSC 457. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Local & Global Engagement course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 460. Revolts and Revolutions in Global Perspective. 3 Units.

Revolution! Few political events conjure as much hope, passion, or fear. In 2011, young Arab protestors grabbed the attention of the world as they tried to throw off decades of authoritarian rule. This course takes those events as a starting point to examine the broader political history of revolts and revolutions. The course engages classic scholarly texts to unpack the roots, processes, and outcomes of revolution and then apply them to specific historical cases. A core component of this course will deal with ethical and moral decision making under revolutionary and extraordinary political conditions. Why do people try to change the world when the costs can be so high? Under what conditions, if any, is it right to use violence to enact revolutionary change or to deny it? Is it right for an outside power to enter another country to influence a revolutionary situation? What does it mean to match one's political values to their moral values? To what extent do the means we employ to change the world determine that new world? Offered as POSC 360 and POSC 460. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 463. The Politics of Electoral Systems. 3 Units.

Elections involve more than a simple act of voting to express individual preferences. The rules under which countries conduct elections determine who controls the executive and how votes are converted into legislative seats. The mechanics of various electoral arrangements will be examined in detail and the consequences for the political system discussed in terms of strategies and desired outcomes on the part of contestants in terms of democratic representation. Students will research individual countries and analyze recent elections from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. Offered as POSC 363 and POSC 463. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 464. Dictatorship and Democracy in Modern Latin America. 3 Units.

This course focuses on political leadership and political parties in Latin America. It addresses the nature, causes, and consequences of dictatorship and democracy in the region, touching on politicians from Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and on the evolution of political parties in contemporary Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. Offered as ETHS 364, POSC 364, and POSC 464. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 467. Western European Political Systems. 3 Units.

Comparative analysis of sociopolitical systems of selected Western European industrial democracies, using North American systems as a point of comparison. Offered as POSC 367 and POSC 467.

POSC 469. Social Justice Issues in Latin America. 3 Units.

This course explores ethnicity, gender, and religion in Latin American politics and society, and then tackles revolution, democracy, and populism. Throughout, the region's history, geography, and culture are taken into account--for example, the European and indigenous legacies in Mexico and Perú, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador; the Asian presence in Perú and Brazil; the African contributions to Cuba and Brazil; female heads of state, such as Nicaragua's Violeta Chamorro, Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Argentina's Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Costa Rica's Laura Chinchilla, and Brazil's Dilma Rousseff. Liberation Theology and the current Pope's worries about the declining number of Catholics in the region are also addressed. Today's multiparty democracy in Mexico, Hugo Chávez's legacy in Venezuela, and Cuba's international humanitarian aid and ideological aims would not be possible without revolution(s) and populism. They are inevitably intertwined with ethnicity, gender, and religion. This course aims to encourage a better understanding of Latin America and its relation to the rest of the world. Offered as ETHS 369, POSC 369 and POSC 469. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 470A. Political Economy. 3 Units.

Focus on debates concerning the proper relationship between political and economic systems, including conservative, liberal, and radical perspectives. The politics of international economics and the economics of international politics receive separate attention. The course concludes with study of "modern" political economy and the application of economic theory to the study of political systems. Offered as POSC 370A and POSC 470A.

POSC 470C. The United States and Asia. 3 Units.

Survey and analysis of U.S.-Asia relations in the post-World War II period. Focus specifically is on the interaction of politics and economics in the United States' relations with Japan, China, and Southeast Asian countries. Topics will include the role of Asia in U.S. Cold War policies, the dynamics of U.S.-Japan alliance politics, post-Cold War issues involving U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, a history and analysis of economic conflict cooperation, and an examination of the move toward Asia-Pacific "regionalism." Offered as POSC 370C and POSC 470C.

POSC 470D. The Politics of China. 3 Units.

Now more than ever, the Chinese state and society are facing tremendous economic, social, and political challenges. This course presents an overview of current issues facing the People's Republic, including a changing (or not) political culture, policy processes and outcomes at the national and local levels, reform and economic growth, the resultant societal changes and pressures, and the consequent challenges the Communist Party faces as demand for political reform grows. The class involves a mixture of lectures and discussion and draws on a combination of primary and secondary sources, including current news reports and films. Offered as POSC 370D and POSC 470D. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 470F. Financial Politics in the United States and the World. 3 Units.

This course explores how political institutions make policy in the financial area with particular emphasis on the United States. Using a bureaucratic politics framework, it examines money, banks and the securities industry by integrating a wide range of literature in economics and political science. Specific objectives include familiarizing students with different approaches to the political economy of finance from different disciplines, exploring the historical evolution of finance, examining the changing relationship between public and private authority within the financial system, considering how politics operates in a crisis, and evaluating the role of international financial institutions in the global economy. By taking this course, students will equip themselves for further research into politics and economics, as well as offer them tools to analyze future policy developments as they unfold. Offered as POSC 370F and POSC 470F.

POSC 470H. China's Foreign Policy. 3 Units.

The rise of China is evident in the country's more forward and robust foreign policy that began in 1979. At every turn, nations throughout the world must now consider China wherever their interests are at stake, be it Korea and Northeast Asia, Indochina and Southeast Asia, India/Pakistan and South Asia, or Afghanistan and Iran in the Middle East, not to mention the many African states that welcome Chinese investment but chafe at China's presence. Further, China is increasingly aggressive in international trade, a major determinant of its foreign policy. This course describes the key factors that make up Chinese foreign policy, including its cultural tradition, policy-making institutions, the role of the military, and domestic determinants of foreign policy. The course also examines China's ever-changing foreign policy strategies, from an aggressive posture to charming its neighbors only to become more strident once again. The course will also examine China's role involving possible mercantilism, currency manipulation, and the hunt for traditional and alternative energy sources. Throughout the course, we will pay attention to how China's foreign policy relates to international relations theories and what strategies might be used to manage China's growing role in international affairs. Offered as POSC 370H and POSC 470H. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 470J. International Law and Organizations. 3 Units.

Study of international organizations and international law as two means for regulating and coordinating nation-state behavior. History of the two techniques will be traced, covering 19th century efforts at cooperation, the League of Nations and the United Nations, regional and specialized global organization. The functions of international law in global politics will be stressed, with primary focus on the evolving role of law in dealing with global problems, e.g., war, the environment, economic cooperation, and human rights. Offered as POSC 370J and POSC 470J.

POSC 470M. Theories of Political Economy. 3 Units.

This course is a departmental seminar in political economy that brings a wide range of theoretical perspectives to bear on the relations between market and state in the contemporary world. It focuses on three questions: What have been the major debates concerning the role of the government in the economy? How were these debates resolved in the compromise of embedded liberalism, and What experiences have individual states had with these questions of political economy? To answer these questions, we will read original literature to uncover the connections among politics, economics, and the world of ideas that has resulted in the political debates we confront today. Offered as POSC 370M and POSC 470M. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 470N. Economics and Politics in Global Governance. 3 Units.

The political and economic dynamics at work in a country both establish the conditions leading up to crises and frame the policy choices available to resolve it. This course addresses these interactive dynamics by combining the research and career expertise of the discipline of Political Science and Macroeconomics and Financial Regulation in a team-taught course. It explores how financial crises have been managed in world history by paying particular attention to the way governance structures operate to help or hurt the outcome. The emphasis combines a sophisticated understanding of the mechanics of the intervention as well as the politics inside each International Financial Institution involved. Specifically, the course begins by reviewing the history of the Federal Reserve and the gold standard, the Great Depression and the operations of the Bretton Woods System. Next, it looks at the sovereign debt crises of the 1980s and the International Monetary Fund. It picks up the history with Japan's crisis in the 1990s and the later interventions of the International Monetary Fund, Bank for International Settlements, Federal Reserve, European Commission, and European Central Bank to the present era. Offered as POSC 370N and POSC 470N.

POSC 471. Natural Resources and World Politics. 3 Units.

Examination of the political causes and ramifications of the uneven distribution of the valuable natural resources for modern industrial societies. Strategic and military issues and the exploitation of the sea bed. Examination in some detail of selected commodity issues, including petroleum, copper and uranium. Offered as POSC 371 and POSC 471.

POSC 473. Politics of the European Union. 3 Units.

The evolution of the European Union ranks among the most significant developments in contemporary European and international history. It is an extraordinary illustration of successful cooperation among sovereign countries and a fascinating laboratory for political scientists and others interested in the building of polities, markets and societies. Yet scholars have disagreed about nearly every important aspect of its origins, nature and implications; and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom's departure (Brexit), the pandemic and its consequences, democratic backsliding (in some member states) and other crises, they are arguing about whether and how the EU can endure recent and future challenges. The seminar's readings, discussions and written assignments will introduce students to the main debates and cover past and ongoing developments. Offered as POSC 373 and POSC 473. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 474. Politics of Development in the Global South. 3 Units.

Exploration of the post-World War II emergence of the Global South nations of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Eastern Europe arena. Offered as ETHS 374, POSC 374, and POSC 474.

POSC 475. The International Politics of Technology. 3 Units.

Technology is deeply political. Nowhere is this statement more evident than in the realm of international relations, where governments perceive technology as a source of power and wealth and a symbol of relative position and modernity. Yet for centuries skeptics have questioned the economic rationale of government technology policies. Still, to this day, countries support emulation, innovation and a host of other strategies as means for catching up with leading nations or locking in current advantages. What lies behind such policies? What do they accomplish? And what are the domestic and international politics surrounding them? After reading classic arguments, including texts by Adam Smith, Alexander Hamilton and Friedrich List, students will consider 20th and 21st century debates and an array of experiments tried by poor, middle-income and rich countries. Cases include the development of new industries; the imposition of sanctions; the dilemma of dual technologies and military spillovers; the forging of national champions; the reorganization of banks and the creation of international financial centers; the copying of regional clusters (e.g. Silicon Valley) and stock markets (e.g. the Nasdaq); and the extraterritorial extension of domestic regulation and governance techniques. Offered as POSC 375 and POSC 475. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 476. United States Foreign Policy. 3 Units.

Focus on U.S. foreign policy making with a dynamic network of executive and congressional actors and organizations; analysis of traditional and contemporary U.S. foreign policies from nuclear defense to current economic resource issues; future role of the United States in world affairs. Offered as POSC 376 and POSC 476.

POSC 477. Politics of Russia. 3 Units.

After becoming independent in 1991, Russia faced three challenges: the creation of a sovereign state, the development of a new political system, and the restructuring of its economy. In this course we will evaluate Russia's efforts, by examining center-periphery relations, nationalism, soft vs. hard power, democracy and authoritarianism, and socialism and market reform in the country. Learning these concepts will also help students understand other countries' politics. Offered as POSC 377 and POSC 477. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 478. International Relations Theory. 3 Units.

This course is a seminar in international relations theory. As such, we will bring a wide range of theoretical perspectives to bear on issues and debates in the area of international relations by systematically studying the evolution of the world system. The seminar is roughly divided into a first half focusing on war and the political system, and a second half focusing on trade, finance and the economic system. Each section devotes particular attention to ethical problems associated with political and economic issues. This course should develop students' ability to read and critically evaluate academic literature in the field of international relations, and enable students to produce a scholarly paper on one substantive area of the field. Offered as POSC 378 and POSC 478. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 479. Introduction to Middle East Politics. 3 Units.

This is an introductory course about Middle East Politics, in regional as well as international aspects. In this course we will explore broad social, economic, and political themes that have defined the region since the end of World War Two. Since this is an introductory course, a major goal will be to gain comparative knowledge about the region's states and peoples. The countries that comprise the modern Middle East are quite diverse; therefore, we will only be able to focus on a few cases in depth. A second goal is to use the tools and theories social scientists employ to answer broad questions related to the region, such as: How have colonial legacies shaped political and economic development in the Middle East? How do oil, religion, and identity interact with politics? How have external powers affected the region's political development? What do the uprisings of 2011 hold for the region's future? Offered as POSC 379 and POSC 479. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

POSC 482B. Arts Education Advocacy and Policy. 3 Units.

In arts education, policy experts operate as plumbers. They seem to only be acknowledged when a problem occurs - like when a newly implemented policy creates a barrier to licensure or a state changes high school graduation requirements - not to mention perennial budgetary crises that have students, parents, and community members wondering what courses will be cut. Through the study of arts education, political science, and education policy, this course empowers arts advocates and teachers to participate in local policy activism by clarifying their goals and expectations as well as help them explore the education policy quagmire through the arts education lens. Offered as MUED 348, MUED 448, POSC 382B, and POSC 482B.

POSC 483. Health Policy and Politics in the United States. 3 Units.

Overview of the principal institutions, processes, social forces, and ideas shaping the U.S. health system. Historical, political, economic, and sociological perspectives on the health system are explored as well as the intellectual context of recent policy changes, challenges, and developments. Students will acquire a sense of how health services are financed and delivered in the U.S. They will also learn how to assess its performance compared to that of other similar countries. Offered as POSC 383 and POSC 483.

POSC 484. Ethics and Public Policy. 3 Units.

Evaluation of ethical arguments in contemporary public policymaking discourse. That is, approaches to evaluating not only the efficiency of policy (Will this policy achieve its end for the least cost?) but also the ethics of policy (Are a policy's intended ends ethically justified or "good," and are our means to achieve those ends moral or "just"?). Overview of political ideologies that supply U.S. political actors with their ethical or moral arguments when proposing and implementing public policy, followed by an application of these differing perspectives to selected policy areas such as welfare, euthanasia, school choice, drug laws, censorship, or others. Offered as PHIL 384, PHIL 484, POSC 384 and POSC 484.

POSC 485. Doing Government Work: Public Administration in the U.S.. 3 Units.

This course focuses on how governments, particularly governments in the United States, do their work. The topic is often called "public administration," or "implementation," or "bureaucratic politics." It involves what James Q. Wilson calls government "operators" such as teachers, public health doctors, agricultural extension agents, grant administrators and Seal teams. Their actions depend on their own values; conflict among political authorities, and on what is needed to perform specific tasks. We will begin by discussing the challenges of organizing to do anything, or organization theory; turn to the peculiar political context of administration in the United States; and apply these understandings to specific government activities. Students should emerge with a better understanding of why government agencies do what they do, and why they succeed or fail. Offered as POSC 385 and POSC 485. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course.

POSC 486. Making Public Policy. 3 Units.

Politics is about who wins, who loses, and why. Policy, by contrast, is often depicted as more "neutral;" policies are the means through which political decisions are carried out. In this class, we examine the notion that policy is the rational, impartial counterpart to the political arena. We will ask: How are public policies made? Why do some issues make it on to the agenda, while others do not? Can we separate facts from values, or are both always contested? We will examine how decision-making in a group introduces distinct challenges for policymaking. The course focuses on widely applicable themes of policymaking, drawing on both domestic and international examples. Offered as POSC 386 and POSC 486.

POSC 487. Environmental Justice. 3 Units.

The idea of environmental justice emerged five decades ago to bring attention to and politicize the injustices of environmental degradation. Our understanding and exploration of the idea is now global and the ways in which we theorize about and study injustices have grown in sophistication and inclusiveness. Over the course of the semester, students will explore the political theories developed about environmental justice, the experiences of actors living with and acting on environmental injustices, and more generally the scholarly literature on environmental degradation governance. These theories and cases are largely drawn from the Global South and from marginalized communities in the Global North. Topics addressed can include local commons governance, the right to development, rights of nature, indigenous rights and environmental governance, land defenders, commodities extraction, and animal and land conservation. Offered as ESTD 387, POSC 387, and POSC 487. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Moral & Ethical Reasoning course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 488. Global Politics of the Climate Crisis. 3 Units.

In 1992, the international community committed itself to "preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" and yet the most recent IPCC reports found we are well on our way to missing our best-case warming scenarios. Why is the global community here three decades after committing to address the problem? Do we have reasons to be hopeful that perhaps finally the tide of insufficient action is turning? This course examines and confronts the global politics at the heart of the climate crisis. Students will explore global governance surrounding the crisis by looking at the dynamics of the climate change regime and alternative and complementary systems of governance. Topics will include some combination of the Paris Agreement, market mechanisms, popular mobilization, population displacement, corporate governance, technological innovation, and more, adjusting to keep current with an ever-changing governance system. Offered as ESTD 388, POSC 388 and POSC 488. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.

POSC 489. Special Topics in American Politics and Policy. 3 Units.

Specific topic will vary but will consist of an in-depth investigation of a particular policy area or political phenomenon. Topics will involve policy controversies of some current interest. Offered as AFST 389, POSC 389, and POSC 489.

POSC 490. Special Topics in International Relations. 3 Units.

This course will vary semester to semester and will focus on International Relations topics such as statecraft and diplomacy in contemporary world affairs; weak states and international sovereignty; and transnational soft law. A description of the topic(s) being covered will be available on the political science website each semester that the course is offered. Students may take this course more than once for up to 9 credits, when different topics are covered. Offered as POSC 390 and POSC 490.

POSC 491. Special Topics in Comparative Politics. 3 Units.

This course will vary semester to semester and will focus on comparative politics topics involving political issues and/or controversies of some current interest. These may include some of the following: federal vs unitary political systems, nationalism and national identity, independence movements in developed countries, comparative political behavior, national and supranational political organization, comparative public policy, political violence and violent conflict, comparative political economy, varieties of democracy, the comparative politics of gender, comparative race and ethnicity, among others. A description of the specific course topic focus will be available on the political science website each semester that the course is offered. Students may take this course more than once (up to 9 credits) so long as the topics are different. Offered as POSC 391 and POSC 491.

POSC 495. Independent Study. 3 Units.

Graduate level independent study taken for a grade.

POSC 651. Thesis M.A.. 1 - 6 Units.

Independent study of a research question and completion of a major research paper. An approved prospectus is required. Prereq: Graduate standing.

POSC 701. Dissertation Ph.D.. 1 - 9 Units.

(Credit as arranged.) Prereq: Predoctoral research consent or advanced to Ph.D. candidacy milestone.