POSC 309 Sexual Politics in a Diverse Society
An examination of the interrelationships between political, legal, religious, and
social constructs of sexuality. Topics include the historical emergence of gay and
lesbian politics through the voices and observations of participants, with a special
focus on regimes of governance, gender issues, AIDS, and pivotal court cases.
POSC 317 Media and Politics
An examination of the role of the mass media in the American political process. Topics
include various models and theories of political communication, the construction of
news, agenda setting, mass media effects, campaign communications, and the impact
of press coverage of political actors and institutions.
POSC 326 Politics of the Contemporary Middle East
This course examines the interaction between politics and society in Middle East politics,
concentrating on three geographic clusters: North Africa, the Fertile Crescent, and
Southwest Asia (including the Persian-Arab Gulf). Students will examine issues of
identity formation, state formation, and the post-colonial state.
POSC 335 Political Economy
An examination of how economic systems and political systems influence each other.
Topics include the role government plays in the economy, how individuals and corporations
influence politics, the relationship between capitalism and democracy, and how the
gap between the rich and poor might be decreased.
POSC 343 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
An examination of American constitutional law with particular emphasis on the protection
of civil rights and civil liberties. Topics include the freedoms of religion, speech,
press and assembly; the rights of criminal defendants; economic rights; and the right
to equal protection of the laws.
POSC 349 Native American Law
The historical relationship between Native American peoples and the United States
has been characterized by some as “genocide-at-law;” how can the United States come
to deal justly with these so-called “nations within?” This course will examine the
historical background and contemporary nature of the legal and political relationship
between the United States government and Native American tribes. Special focus will
be placed on the legal status of indigenous peoples and Native Americans in international
law and how that impacts treaty interpretation in Federal Indian Law and the legal
basis and political implications of the sovereignty of Native peoples. The social,
political, and legal circumstances and prospects of Native Americans will be considered
through an examination of legislation, court cases, and the policies of federal, state
and local governments.
POSC 365 The Evolution of the American Party System
This course examines the evolution of the American political party system from the
late eighteenth century to the present. Students will examine the causes and consequences
of shifting party coalitions; changes in the parties’ organizational structures; and
the relationship between parties and other organizational actors in civil society.
In addition, students will evaluate U.S. political parties from a normative perspective.
The course will examine the ways in which their emergence has complicated the functioning
of the U.S. constitutional system (whose designers did not anticipate the existence
of parties). The course will ask whether parties have tended to promote or discourage
a healthy culture of civic engagement. And it will examine whether the recent polarization
of the electorate along partisan lines poses a threat to democratic institutions in
the United States.
POSC 372 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the U.S.
An analysis of the central importance of race and ethnicity in American politics.
Topics include the divergence and similarities in the political incorporation of various
West- and East-European ethnic groups (Irish, Italian, German, East-European Jews),
African-Americans, Latinos, and Asian-Americans.
POSC 374 Environmental Politics and Policy
An overview and examination of environmental problems and their political implications.
Topics include worldwide, environmental problems ranging from global warning to resource
depletion, deforestation and toxic waste, as well as the political and policy responses
to these threats, including sustainable development, eco-justice movements, and the
efforts of various actors in the domestic and international arenas.
POSC 379 Aliens, Wizards, and Politicians
This course will explore core themes in the study of politics, economics, and international
organizations through the lens of significant works of science fiction and fantasy.
These include, but are not limited to, democracy and autocracy, religious freedoms,
sovereignty, colonialism, interstate diplomacy and conflicts, political violence,
weapons of mass destruction, and extinction-level events. The course will draw on
films, television, and literary works and insights from Political Science, International
Relations theory, and Political Sociology. The aim is to use science fiction and fantasy
genres to understand central issues facing political institutions and the evolution
of the international system.
POSC 388 Gender and Global Politics
A study of global politics with a focus on international law and gender issues. Topics
include women’s rights, sexual violence in armed conflict, same-sex marriage, child
pornography, and surrogacy across regions and countries, such as Africa, Asia, Europe,
South America, and the United States.
Please look at the political science course catalog for a more extensive list of the courses offered within our department.