Spring 2024 Undergraduate Political Science Courses
All information in this guide is tentative and subject to change. Check the Political Science Department Office for updates.
Current Information on rooms and times for the classes listed can be obtained from the university-wide Time Schedule of
Classes or from the Political Science office.
“Cross listed” Courses: These may apply to a Political Science major or minor without a petition, regardless of the
departmental prefix. For example, if you take African-American Politics as AAS 306, you do not need to petition to apply
it to your Political Science major.
"Meets With” Courses": If you take a “Meets With” course under a departmental prefix other than PSC, you will need to
petition to count that course towards your Political Science major or minor.
PSC 121 m100 American National Government and Politics
Instructor: Mark Brockway
Class #: 30588
Offered: Tu/Th 2:00 pm – 2:55 pm
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: None
This course is required for all students who are majoring in Political Science.
Note: All students must also enroll in a discussion section listed for this course.
Discussion # 31758 (Section 101) Friday 10:35 am-11:30 am
Discussion # 31759 (Section 103) Thursday 5:00 pm-5:55 pm
Discussion # 31940 (Section 105) Thursday 5:00 pm-5:55 pm
Discussion # 31941 (Section 106) Friday 9:30 am-10:25 am
Course Description
How does the American political system operate? This course provides an introduction to American political institutions,
behaviors, and processes. Topics include (among other things) public opinion, elections, Congress, the presidency, the
mass media, civic participation, the Constitution, federalism, and public policy. Although we will cover the “nuts and bolts”
of American government, our focus is on political science rather than civics, which means our task is to analyze and
interpret political phenomena.
PSC 121 m200 American National Government and Politics
Instructor: Scott Taylor
Class #: 31088
Offered: Tu/Th 5:00 pm - 5:55 pm
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: None
This course is required for all students who are majoring in political science.
Note: All students must also enroll in a discussion section listed for this course.
Discussion # 31089 (Section 201) Thursdays 3:30 pm-4:25 pm
Discussion # 32328 (Section 202) Fridays 12:45 pm-1:40 pm
Discussion # 32329(Section 203) Thursdays 6:30 pm-7:25 pm
Discussion # 31288 (Section 206) Thursdays 2:00 pm-2:55 pm
Course Description
How does the American political system operate? This course provides an introduction to American political ideas,
institutions, behaviors, and processes. Topics include (among other things) the Constitution, Congress, the presidency,
the mass media, civic participation, and public policy. Although we will cover the “nuts and bolts” of American
government, our focus is on political science rather than civics, which means our task is to analyze and interpret political
phenomena.
PSC 123 m100 Comparative Government and Politics *
Instructor: Yuksel Sezgin
Class #: 31284
Offered: M/W 11:40 am - 12:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Yearly
Prerequisites: None
Note: All students must also enroll in a discussion section listed for this course.
Discussion # 31285 (Section 101) Thursdays 3:30 pm-4:25 pm
Discussion # 31286 (Section 102) Thursdays 5:00 pm-5:55 pm
Discussion # 32942 (Section 103) Fridays 12:45 pm-1:40 pm
Discussion # 31287 (Section 104) Fridays 9:30 am-10:25 am
Course Description
Why are some countries wealthier than others? Why do some countries become democratic while others remain
authoritarian? Do certain democratic institutions work better than others? Comparative politics is the study of variation in
political outcomes across and within countries. This course provides a broad introduction to the various topics covered
under comparative politics, including issues of economic development, regime type, and management of social and
political conflict. This course presents theory and comparative case analysis to help students deepen their understanding
differences in important outcomes between countries and world regions.
PSC 124 m100 International Relations *
Instructor: Minju Kim
Class #: 30589
Offered: M/W 11:40 am - 12:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: None
Note: All students must also enroll in a discussion section listed for this course.
Discussion # 30590 (Section 101) Thursdays 9:30 am-10:25 am
Discussion # 30591 (Section 102) Fridays 10:35 am-11:30 am
Discussion # 30592 (Section 103) Thursdays 3:30 pm-4:25 pm
Discussion # 30593 (Section 104) Thursdays 3:30 pm-4:25 pm
Discussion # 31289 (Section 105) Fridays 9:30 am-10:25 am
Discussion # 31290 (Section 106) Thursdays 2:00 pm-2:55 pm
Course Description
This course introduces students to the main issues and actors in contemporary international relations, organized around
three major topical perspectives: world structure and theoretical views of that structure; international political economy;
and international conflict, cooperation and security. It will focus on current debates around global topics such as human
rights, economic interdependence, nationalism, the global environment, and economic disparities. During section
meetings, students are encouraged to explore and discuss how states, international institutions, and non-state actors
shape current international affairs and future forms of global governance.
PSC 124 m300 International Relations *
Instructor: Dan McDowell
Class #: 30778
Offered: M/W 10:35 am - 11:30 am
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: None
Note: All students must also enroll in a discussion section listed for this course.
Discussion # 30779 (Section 302) Fridays 12:45 pm-1:40 pm
Discussion # 31943 (Section 304) Thursdays 9:30 am-10:25 am
Discussion # 31944 (Section 306) Thursdays 11:00 am-11:55 am
Discussion # 32736 (Section 308) Thursdays 12:30 pm-1:25 pm
Course Description
This course introduces students to the main issues and actors in contemporary international relations, organized around
three major topical perspectives: world structure and theoretical views of that structure; international political economy;
and international conflict, cooperation and security. It will focus on current debates around global topics such as human
rights, economic interdependence, nationalism, the global environment, and economic disparities. Students are
encouraged to explore and discuss how states, international institutions, and non-state actors shape current international
affairs and future forms of global governance.
PSC 125 m001 Political Theory
Instructor: Glyn Morgan
Class #: 31501
Offered: Tu/Th 6:30 pm -7:25 pm
Frequency Offered: Yearly
Prerequisites: None
Cross-listed with PHI 125 m001
Note: All students must also enroll in a discussion section listed for this course.
Discussion # 32134 (Section 002) Fridays 9:30 am-10:25 pm
Discussion # 32135 (Section 003) Fridays 10:35 am-11:30 am
Discussion # 32136 (Section 004) Fridays 12:45 pm-1:40 pm
Discussion # 32137 (Section 005) Fridays 2:15 pm-3:10 pm
Course Description
This course examines some of the most important thinkers and concepts of modern political philosophy, including the
rejection of ancient political philosophy and the rise of liberalism (Hobbes, Locke, and Mill) as well as critiques of the
liberal outlook in the name of nature and virtue (Rousseau), tradition and custom (Burke), equality and liberation (Marx),
and creativity and greatness (Nietzsche). In addition to exploring the various conceptions of nature, human nature, justice,
freedom, history, and the good life in the works of these thinkers, we will also use their arguments to reflect on the health
or illness of liberal democracy in today’s world.
PSC 200 m301 Gender and International Relations *
Instructor: Caylayan Baser
Class #: 42066
Offered: M/W 2:15 pm – 3:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course explores the intricate relationship between gender and international relations (IR). It addresses the historical
and contemporary dimensions of gender issues in global politics, including but not limited to war and conflict, diplomacy,
international political economy, development, human rights, as well as mainstream and feminist theories of IR. Students
will develop a critical understanding of how women and gender norms shape and are shaped by the international system,
promoting critical analysis of gendered power dynamics in global affairs.
PSC 200 m401 Religion, Science, and Society
Instructor: Team taught: Christopher Junium with Mark Brockway
Class #: 33761
Offered: Tu/Th 3:30 pm -4:50 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Meets with REL 200 m002 & EAR 200 m401
Course Description
Religion and science are the most powerful forces in society. Religion has dominated the minds and lives of humans for
millennia and scientific advancement is the crowning achievement of human endeavors. They both also represent
fundamentally different ways of seeing the world—one seems concerned with physical, empirical reality and the other
connected with supernatural, unseen entities. But these powerful forces also appear to be inextricably connected in
unending conflict. Religious people pass laws based on religious morality, science pushes back against religious viewpoints
in education, and individuals and leaders eschew scientific evidence in favor of religious beliefs. Fights over climate
change, stem cells, public health protocols, morality, religious dogma, and scientific facts permeate the globe. In this
course we will tackle these issues head on and uncover the nature of the conflict between science and religion. How has
religion and religious identity shaped scientific progress? How and why do people believe in science? What is the value
and utility of religious devotion and belief? How do debates over science and religion play out in the public sphere? Our
explorations of these questions will bring us to the issues and identities that make up the fabric of society giving us the
tools to help understand and shape the world around us.
PSC 202 m100 Introduction to Political Analysis
Instructor: Liwu Gan
Class #: 31002
Offered: M/W 2:15 pm - 3:10 pm
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: None
This course is required for all students who are majoring in political science.
All students must also enroll in a discussion section listed for this course.
Discussion # 31003(Section 101) Fridays 10:35 am -11:30 am
Discussion # 31004 (Section 102) Fridays 10:35 am -11:30 am
Discussion # 31005 (Section 103) Fridays 2:15 pm - 3:10 pm
Discussion # 31006 (Section 104) Fridays 2:15 pm - 3:10 pm
Discussion # 32533 (Section 105) Fridays 9:30 am - 10:25 am
Discussion # 32534 (Section 106) Fridays 9:30 am - 10:25 am
Course Description
The purpose of this course, required for political science majors, is to build skills for conducting, interpreting, and
presenting political science research. These skills include: basic research and data collection practices, techniques for
measuring political science concepts quantitatively, hypothesis testing, interpretation of statistical evidence, and the
presentation of findings in a clear and compelling manner. Tying these components together is a thematic focus on
important political science concepts such as democracy, power, or representation.
PSC 231 m001 Canadian Politics
Instructor: Audie Klotz
Class #: 41907
Offered: M/W 2:15 pm -3:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Irregularly
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
Come learn more about our neighbor to the north! Can you identify a Canadian accent or some of the most famous
"Americans" who are actually Canadians? Is there more to Justin Trudeau than fun socks? Did you know that Canada – not
China, not Japan, not Europe – is the United States' largest trading partner? So, what’s at stake in the NAFTA debate? An
introduction to Canadian politics, this course starts with some basics on political culture and historical geography before
covering core features of government (parliament, courts, federalism, and parties). The second part of the course focuses
on aspects of Canadian politics that are often regarded as distinctive: Quebec nationalism; immigration and
multiculturalism; and indigenous rights. In the third section, we explore some current policy debates—which you will get to
choose—thereby delving into policy-making processes. One introductory level course in Political Science would be useful
but is not required. Canadians are welcome too; expect a wider comparative perspective than what you learned at home.
PSC 300 m101 Policy Implementation
Instructor: Tomas Olivier
Class #: 32537
Offered: M/W 2:15 pm - 3:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Meets with PAI 305 m001
Course Description
This course is about how public policy gets put into action, with a focus on developing knowledge and skills essential for
addressing some of society’s most complex problems. The course will help you understand what we really mean when we
say “policy implementation,” as well as some realities of implementation as it is done in practice. The course will stress, in
particular, the widespread roles of not only government but also the private and nonprofit sectors at all levels in the
implementation process, and how these actors use policy tools like regulations, grants, vouchers, and public-private
partnerships to get things done. Government and non-governmental actors have taken numerous approaches to achieving
public policy goals, from (among many others) reducing poverty and improving education to ensuring public health and
safety, protecting the environment, and recovering from disasters. What are the trade-offs of different strategies to
pursuing goals like these, and why has the record of achievement been mixed? How do government, business, nonprofits,
and individual members of the public contribute to implementation efforts? How can they work better with one another to
make public policy successful? How do we assess whether policies have had their intended impacts on people and
communities? Students will consider these questions through a mix of lecture, discussion, examples, and hands-on
exercises, and develop abilities in areas including policy field mapping, logic modelling, planning, and applied
implementation analysis.
PSC 300 m102 Free Speech
Instructor: Thomas Keck
Class #: 41915
Offered: T/Th 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
In this class, students will investigate when, where, why, and how courts have protected the freedom of speech, and when,
where, why, and how courts _should_ protect the freedom of speech. In other words, we will critically evaluate the
performance of courts in protecting free speech when it should be protected and allowing restrictions on speech when it
should be restricted. Much of the class will focus on decisions issued by the U.S. Supreme Court, but we will also consider
how courts in Europe and elsewhere have resolved similar disputes. We will pay particular attention to current legal
conflicts regarding the appropriate scope of free expression on large social media platforms.
PSC 300 m103 Black Feminist Policies
Instructor: Jenn Jackson
Class #: 32327
Offered: M/W 2:15 pm- 3:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Meets with WGS 300 m003
Course Description
This seminar critically examines key issues, assumptions, and debates in contemporary, post-civil rights Black Feminist
thought, action, and behavior. As such, we will understand that Black Feminism is global and diasporic. We will begin with
a survey and broad analysis of Black Feminist history and origins. We will pay particular attention to how Black Feminists
make use of standpoint theory, Black nationalism, Black liberalism, liberal feminism, Black Marxism, and radical feminist
thought. We will also investigate the simultaneity of race, gender, class, and sexual oppression and its relationship to
power. This means that we will draw connections between Black Feminist models and contemporary queer and trans
politics. In this course, we will also focus on Black feminist understandings of intersectionality, the history of this analytical
frame, and how this framework has contributed to today’s politics. The particular questions we will analyze include but are
not limited to the following: How do we evaluate Black movements and leadership using a Black Feminist lens? What is
the relationship between racism, gender based oppression, homophobia, and classism in Black women’s lives? What forms
of resistance do many Black women engage in? How do these decisions shape politics?
PSC 300 m104 US Intelligence Community *
Instructor: Robert Murrett
Class#: 32550
Offered: M/W 2:15 pm - 3:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Meets with PAI 338 m001& IRP 338 m001
Course Description
This course will focus on the practice, structure and governance of the intelligence field, and material that has a direct
bearing on its current posture. Students will study the functional elements of intelligence tradecraft (human intelligence,
signals intelligence, imagery analysis, etc.), and engagement with international counterparts. The course will review
governance and oversight of the Intelligence Community (I.C), and in order to understand the full range of today’s
intelligence activities, students will examine the evolution of the I.C. since its inception in 1947 through the present day.
Key phases and specific events will be explored, including I.C. efforts throughout the Cold War, The Cuban Missile Crisis,
The Vietnam Conflict, the Church Committee, the Balkans Conflicts, pre and post-9/11 operations, the 911 and WMD
Commissions and the subsequent executive and legislative changes implemented over the past decade. The class will
participate in case studies, in which the students will evaluate, provide briefings and recommend decisions in realistic
scenarios, both in terms of analysis and intelligence-driven decision-making on policy and operational matters
PSC 300 m105 White Nationalism/Right Populism
Instructor: Margaret Thompson
Class #: 42213
Offered: Tu/Th 3:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Meets with HST 300 m002
Course Description
This course will examine why White Nationalism and Right-wing Populism have become so prominent on the early 21stcentury American political landscape. Although such tendencies have long been evident (consider the Second KKK in the
1920s and the Dixiecrats of the 1940s and '50s as two examples), we will explore why they have achieved such
significance in recent years. Among the questions we will consider are these:
To what extent is there continuity between earlier forms of right-wing radicalism and those we see today?
Was the emergence and ongoing influence of Donald Trump (and pro-Trump groups like QAnon, Proud Boys, Militias,
and America First) a cause or consequence of the surge in such beliefs?
In what ways are US developments distinctive, and how are they part of a global authoritarianist wave?
How has social media enabled the development of movements like these?
We will begin by reading Richard Hofstadter's "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" and Ruth Ben-Ghiat's Strongmen
to provide historical and global context. The remainder of the term will focus on reading broadly in the emerging literature
and journalistic explorations on this subject, and in extensive (and often student-led) class discussion.
PSC 300 m201 Pan Africanism *
Instructor: S N Sangmpam
Class#: 33005
Offered: M/W 3:45 pm – 5:05 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Meets with AAS 312 m001
Course Description
This is an introduction to Pan Africanism. The course attempts to define the concept of Pan Africanism by inquiring into the
origin of the commonalities shared by Africa and its Diaspora in the United States/Canada, the Caribbean/South America, and
Europe.Because historically Pan Africanism has focused on the idea of the bond between Africans and the African Diaspora, we
will perforce discuss the historical forces and stages that shaped this idea and the institutional framework within which it
acquired strength. Yet Africa and the Diaspora face different types of problems and issues. Their reactions to these issues differ,
if only because they are in geographically and economically differential zones. Therefore, we will also examine contemporary
trends in the debate about Pan Africanism and its proposed new directions.
PSC 300 m202 Fighting Crime in Latin America *
Instructor: Jessie Trudeau
Class#: 41924
Offered: M/W 3:45 pm – 5:05 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
Latin America is both the most violent region in the world and the region that spends the highest share of their budget on
public security. Despite the high spending, international drug cartels and prison gangs still subvert the rule of law and even
govern residents in some areas. Public security policies at times exacerbate rather than solve problems: high levels of
police violence and corruption have led citizens to fear or have little trust in law enforcement. At first glance, we might
expect that all countries are waging war with organized criminal groups. Upon taking a closer look, we see stunning
variation in the patterns of violence, types of criminal groups, and the state’s crime-fighting strategies across the region.
What explains variation in violence across and even within countries in Latin America? Why does organized crime look so
different from place to place? And what explains why some public security policies work better than others? To
understand these questions, this course draws from cutting-edge research on crime, violence, and policing, and specific
country-cases across the Americas.
PSC 300 m301 Nationalism and World Politics *
Instructor: Ryan Griffiths
Class#: 33704
Offered: Tu/Th 12:30 pm – 1:50 pm
Frequency Offered: Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
Nationalism has been one of the most powerful forces of change over the last two centuries. This course will focus on the
causes of nationalism, its persistence, and its consequences. Specific attention will be given to a number of topics
including the relationship between nationalism and democracy, the malleability of national identities, the dangers that
nationalist movements can pose, and the potential solutions to nationalist conflict. The aim of the course is to give
students the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to think critically about nationalism and its role in world politics.
PSC 300 m303 War and Peace in the Nuclear Age *
Instructor: Francine D’Amico
Class #: 42157
Offered: Tu/Th 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm
Frequency Special Offering
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
Is nuclear proliferation inevitable? Will conflict between countries with nuclear arsenals, such as the United States and the
Russian Federation or India and Pakistan, escalate to nuclear war? Can nuclear terrorism be prevented? Do “nuclear
weapons free zones” (NWFZs) work? What security and environmental risks does our expanding reliance on nuclear
energy as a power resource create? This course examines these life-and-death questions of the nuclear age, beginning with
the development of nuclear weapons technology, considering efforts at nonproliferation and denuclearization, and
concluding with an examination of contemporary weapons and energy policies around the globe.
PSC 303 m001 The Development of the American State
Instructor: Steven White
Class#: 33014
Offered Tu/Th 3:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Frequency Offered: Irregularly
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course addresses major themes in the historical development of American politics, while also introducing students to
the American political development (APD) approach to political science research. The first part of the course examines
APD perspectives on the American national state and U.S. political culture. We will consider whether the American
federal government is smaller or merely different than that of other countries, as well as the extent to which U.S. political
culture is characterized by a distinctly individualistic liberalism. The second part of the course focuses on the development
of major national political institutions, including Congress, the presidency, political parties, and interest groups. The third
part of the course examines U.S. social policy and the question of why the American welfare state takes the form that it
does. Among other topics, we will look at programs like Social Security and the debate over the national government's
role in health care. We will conclude by examining how APD perspectives might help us make sense of contemporary
American politics.
PSC 305 u001 U.S. Congressional Politics
Instructor: Brock Titlow
Class #: 42573
Offered: Tu/Th 5:00 pm - 6:20 pm
Frequency Offered: Irregularly
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course is about the politics of the United States Congress. We will discuss the historical and contemporary functions
of the U.S. Congress, with a focus on representation, elections, political parties, special interest groups, inter-branch
relations, and the changing character of legislative politicking and policymaking. As we do so, we continuously consider
the questions of how and why certain policy topics rise and fall on the agenda of the U.S. Congress over time.
PSC 308 m001 The Politics of U.S. Public Policy
Instructor: Brian Ohl
Class #: 32324
Offered: T/Th 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm
Frequency Offered: Irregularly
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course examines the process of policymaking in the United States. We will ask such questions as, how do particular
issues become framed as public policy priorities and placed on the political agenda. How are certain policy alternatives
chosen for consideration to the exclusion of others? Why are some issues considered to be appropriate for government
action, and others left to market forces? How do democratic institutions shape the policymaking process? And we'll
consider how policies can be designed so that they play a positive role in solving problems and shaping our society. As we
grapple with these concerns, we will focus on a number of case studies. While these questions are often approached in a
technical fashion, as if public policy was created and implemented in a scientific laboratory, our approach will
acknowledge that public policy is inherently political and cannot be understood apart from the political processes and
institutions in which it is created and implemented.
PSC 317 m001 Local Internship
Instructor: Grant Reeher
Class #: 30595
Offered: M/W/F 11:40 am - 12:35 pm
Frequency Offered: Every semester
Prerequisites: The internship program is intended for juniors and seniors only
Course Description
The course is based on a local internship experience in politics, public affairs, or the law. Placements are found at the
beginning of the semester based on a list provided by the professor. Students also meet once a week in the classroom for
organizational discussions, Q&A sessions with local political figures, and advice from professional development experts.
Interested students are advised to review a FAQ sheet and recent syllabus, which can be found in 100 Eggers Hall or by
contacting the professor.
PSC 318 m001 Technology, Politics, and Environment – Online Synchronous
Instructor: Takumi Shibaike
Class #: 31007
Offered: M/W 3:45 pm - 5:05pm
Frequency Offered: Regularly
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course analyzes the relation of government to policymaking in the domain of environment, where technology and
politics intersect in many crucial ways. Attention is given primarily to politics and administration of environmental policy
in the US at all levels of government. Comparative and international aspects of the problem are also examined. Particular
emphasis is given to the processes by which policy is formulated, implemented and modified.
PSC 322 m001 International Security *
Instructor: Chengzhi Yin
Class #: 33776
Offered: Tu/TH2:00pm-3:20pm
Frequency Offered: Regularly
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the field of security studies within the discipline of Political Science. Topics to be covered
include: the motivations for, and consequences of, nuclear proliferation; the origins of ethnic violence and the capacity for
humanitarian intervention to successfully prevent mass killings and genocide; the likelihood that enlarged ‘zones of
democracy’ will foster zones of peace; and the sources of terrorist violence and the implications of counter-terrorism
policies. The course will also include ‘hot’ topics currently debated among scholars and policymakers, including piracy and
other non-conventional forms of force; the out-sourcing of war; and the connection between climate change and violent
conflict. Throughout the course, we will consider these topics via the lens of real-world examples and ‘case studies’. While
these cases will be cross-regional, special focus will also be placed on the US role in fostering international security and
contemporary US national security dilemmas.
PSC 325 m100 Constitutional Law II
Instructor: Thomas Keck
Class #: 31122
Offered: Tu/Th 9:30 am - 10:50 am
Frequency Offered: Regularly
Prerequisites: Sophomore or above (taken PSC 324 preferred)
Course Description
This course, a continuation of the course sequence that began with Constitutional Law I (PSC 324), focuses on a variety
of significant political and legal conflicts regarding the US Constitution from the mid-twentieth century to the present,
including civil rights for racial minorities, women, and LGBT persons; reproductive rights; gun rights; religiousfreedom;
free speech; and presidential power during wartime.
PSC 334 m001 Mexico and the United States *
Instructor: Matthew Cleary
Class #: 41951
Offered: Tu/Th 3:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Frequency Offered: Regularly
Prerequisites: None
Cross-listed with LAS 335 m001
Course Description
This course focuses on the politics of modern Mexico, with special attention to relations between Mexico and the United
States. We begin with an overview of the long history of U.S.-Mexican relations, including comparative colonial histories,
the War (1846-48), and other conflicts up through the mid-20th century. However, the bulk of the course focuses on the
historical roots and contemporary dynamics of various themes that are critical for understanding Mexico today, again
with special attention to U.S.-Mexican relations. Topics of study include economic ties (e.g., the maquila industry,
NAFTA/USMCA, and bilateral trade relations); the roots of migration and the effects of migration in both countries;
Mexican democratization and inter-governmental relations; the drug trade; and the way that these bilateral issues are
politicized and negotiated in both countries.
PSC 336 m001 Money & Politics
Instructor: Simon Weschle
Class #: 41955
Offered: Tu/Th 9:30 am – 10:50 am
Frequency Offered: Regularly
Prerequisites: None
Course Description
Money and politics are inextricably linked. Citizens in many countries are regularly asked for bribes to get basic
government services. Interest groups or wealthy individuals try to use money to influence political decisions. Politicians, in
turn, need resources to finance election campaigns, or they use their position to enrich themselves. And voters are thought
to be more likely to vote for candidates who run expensive campaigns or hand out gifts. In this course, we will look at
political science research on money and politics in different countries around the world. We will try to answer the
following questions: How much money is there in politics, and how can we measure it? What is the money used for? What
influence does it have? What are the consequences? And finally, should we try to reduce money on politics, and if so what
ways to do so can be successful?
PSC 341 m001 Politics of Africa *
Instructor: Horace Campbell
Class #: 32140
Offered: Tu/Th 11:00 am - 12:20 am
Frequency Offered: Regularly
Prerequisites: None
Cross-listed with AAS 341 m001/Meets with PAI 500 m001
Course Description
The objective of the course is to introduce students to the foundations of the politics in Africa. The focus will be to bring
to life the struggles for self-determination and self-emancipation in Africa. Empiricism and immediatism in the study of
Africa reinforce the old conceptions of the need to civilize and modernize Africa, the need for ‘good governance’ and the
establishment of a ‘reform agenda’ to bring Africa into the ‘global’ economy. The focus will be to bring to life the humanity
of the African peoples and to understand the ideation system and social processes that had evolved in the process of
developing a Healing Spirit.
How can the African knowledge systems inspire new political formations to repair humans and the natural environment?
These questions are now more urgent in the face of daily warnings that humans have passed a tipping point with respect to
the future of global warming and the attendant disasters. Drawing from the ideas of healing and the interconnections
between humans and nature will lead us to study the importance of African Fractals.While there is the understanding that
fractal geometry can take us into the far reaches of ‘modern computing,’ its patterns are common in African design and
some of its basic concepts are fundamental to African knowledge systems. What has been understood in the fields of the
natural sciences has not yet been grasped in the social sciences. One of the many challenges for us is to grasp how
alternative approaches to knowledge can open new directions in the study of African politics and society. How are
symbols and divination processes linked to a cosmology that influenced social and political relations? In what ways was
the palaver a reflection of democratic relations in the village community? How did the matricentric production unit guarantee the autonomy of women? These questions arise in the present period as African scientists, activists, intellectuals and ordinary producers seek the ideas and organization necessary to break from domination and exploitation in order to develop new concepts of politics and community.In this course, we will seek to deconstruct liberal conceptions of modernization, idealistic visions of the salvation of the market and the equation of democracy with elections. From the outset, the effort will be to interrogate the intellectual foundations of the present output on Africa from the academy. Questions of the politics of radical African feminism, genocidal politics, militarism, and absolutism of the colonial order will form the foundation of the understanding of contemporary politics. In so far as the principal theoreticians of Modern Political Thought developed the ideas of citizenship and the state in the era of the victory of capitalist expansion, there will be an examination of the relationshipbetween the ideas of the enlightenment and contemporary social and economic devastation of Africa. The core ideas of individualism and private accumulation will be interrogated in relation to the environmental destruction, the politics of underdevelopment, and the traditions of militarism, war and genocide.Because there are 55 states in the African Union it would be unrealistic to cover this vast continent in one semester. Thus, the emphasis of the course will be on themes and methodological tools, which would sharpen our analytical skills. Students are encouraged to use their term paper to focus on one society.The lectures and visual presentations will draw from the material and intellectual culture of the region to provide an understanding of the dynamic of African peoples.