POLI_SCI 211 Introduction to Interpretive Methods in Political Science
Political science research relies on concepts (such as country, democracy, voting, power, market) that are human constructions. Their meaning, power, and utility depend on how they are used and understood, which in turn depends on processes of interpretation. This course introduces students to methodological issues raised by interpretation in political science scholarship. This course seeks not to introduce the student to interpretive methods as well as to broader questions regarding modes of scientific inquiry, disagreements about knowledge, and the philosophy of science. In so doing, it seeks to give students a firm foundation on which to conceptualize their own research with a strong match between research methods and the questions being asked.
W 5pm – 5:50pm W 6pm – 6:50pm Th 10 – 10:50am Th 11 – 11:50am
200
POLI_SCI 220 American Government and Politics
The structure and process of American politics from competing perspectives. Analysis of representation, voting, interest groups, parties, leadership, and policy-making institutions. The gateway course for the American politics subfield.
POLI_SCI 230 Introduction to Law in the Political Arena
Roles of law in society and politics. Police and prisons, law and social change, courts and politics, legal reasoning, Supreme Court decision making, judicial discretion, legal strategies for making change.
Emphasis may be on industrialized and/or developing states. Major issues include regime-society relations, political change and conflict, and policy making.
Intermediate coverage of statistical methods appropriate for data in political science research, such as multiple regression, logit and probit, estimation and inference with nonindependent or nonidentically distributed sampling, basic time series and panel data methods, and causal inference in statistical models.
W 4pm - 4:50pm (2) W 5pm - 5:50 pm (1) Th 10am - 10:50am (1)
60
POLI_SCI 320 The American Presidency
Structural foundations and historical development of the American presidency; predominant scholarly theories of presidential power and leadership; contemporary issues and debates. Prerequisite: 220 or equivalent.
Introduction to interpretation of the US Constitution by the Supreme Court. Judicial review, federalism, congressional and executive authority, separation of powers. Taught with LEGAL ST 332; may not receive credit for both courses. Prerequisite: 220 or 230.
Focus on post-Cold War increase in civil wars, including causes and consequences of internal wars, and theories of conflict. Examines recent and contemporary civil wars to illustrate applications of theories and better understand current events.
Development of international human rights. Comparative state and regional responses to forced migration due to war, conflict, and generalized violence. Humanitarian intervention, international law, and policy issues, such as gender-based violence, migrants at sea, and human trafficking.
Intersection of religion, law, and politics in comparative and global perspective. Legal, political, and religious history; discrimination and identity; religion, race, indigeneity, empire; religious liberalization; rule of law; national security.
POLI_SCI 390 Special Topics in Political Science: Rule of Law
Designed for investigation of topics of interest to students and Arts and Sciences faculty that are not covered by other course offerings. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.
POLI_SCI 390 Special Topics in Political Science: Religion and Politics in the State of Israel
Designed for investigation of topics of interest to students and Arts and Sciences faculty that are not covered by other course offerings. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.
POLI_SCI 395 Political Research Seminar: Party Polarization
The Political Research Seminar is required of all political science majors; ordinarily taken during junior year or in fall quarter of senior year. With consent of the department, students may receive full credit for more than 1 395 seminar provided that 399 and 395 courses together do not exceed a total of 4 course credits.
POLI_SCI 395 Political Research Seminar: Fixing the U.S. Constitution
The Political Research Seminar is required of all political science majors; ordinarily taken during junior year or in fall quarter of senior year. With consent of the department, students may receive full credit for more than 1 395 seminar provided that 399 and 395 courses together do not exceed a total of 4 course credits.
POLI_SCI 395 Political Research Seminar: Politics of Corruption
The Political Research Seminar is required of all political science majors; ordinarily taken during junior year or in fall quarter of senior year. With consent of the department, students may receive full credit for more than 1 395 seminar provided that 399 and 395 courses together do not exceed a total of 4 course credits.
POLI_SCI 395 Political Research Seminar: Illiberalism and the Retreat of Democracy: A New Global Era?
The Political Research Seminar is required of all political science majors; ordinarily taken during junior year or in fall quarter of senior year. With consent of the department, students may receive full credit for more than 1 395 seminar provided that 399 and 395 courses together do not exceed a total of 4 course credits.
