Survey of United States politics at the federal level. Emphasis on the context and development of the Constitution and the evolution of political institutions, such as Congress, the Presidency, and the courts. Other topics include political economy, media, public opinion, parties, elections, interest groups, and social movements.

Topics include federalism; institutions and jurisdictional responsibilities of governance at the municipal, county, and state level; participatory potential and policy importance of politics at the subnational level.

An introduction to the modern international political system with emphasis on the key institutions and issues that affect the interactions of the state and non-state actors in the contemporary global community.

Introduction to comparative political systems. Course covers the context and evolution of political traditions, institutions, and behavior. Includes discussion of concepts like states, nationalism, political ideologies, democracy and authoritarianism, and political violence, as well as key political institutions around the world such as elections, executives, and legislatures.

This course examines the modern American presidency. It provides a broad introduction to the executive branch and covers a range of topics, including campaigns and elections, rhetoric and speechmaking, and foreign and domestic policymaking. A key theme concerns the nature and paradoxes of presidential power.

This course examines how laws are drafted, debated, passed, interpreted, and revised. Emphasis will be on legislation and the lawmaking process but alternative routes to policy action and change will be discussed. Government and private actors and their incentives and behaviors will be examined.

Introduction to the political philosophies that have framed political action and governance in modern societies over the past several centuries. Emphasis on variants of individual-centered liberalism and community-focused collectivism prominent over this time period. Students compare these with older and/or alternative contemporary models of human nature and political organization.

Emphasizes the background work and writing tasks that are intrinsic to scholarly political argument and analysis. Via close examination of exemplary political writing students will learn the parts and related tasks in researched and revised analytical study related to politics.

Study of a selested topic in Political Science. May be repeated as topic changes.

Introductory work learning experience related to career interests, for which compensation may be received. Positions arranged by students with sponsorship, approval and evaluation by full time faculty. Elective credit only, normally 120 hours/credit, to maximum 12 credits per degree program. Graded Pass/Fail.

Individualized study of an issue, or topic, selected and pursued in consultation with a faculty member. May be repeated.

An examination of American elections and voting, assessing the quality of modern democracy. Polling and prediction, historic turnout and choice patterns among population groups, political information, campaign tactics and money. Also discussion of sufficiency of voting to functional democracy.

The Constitution as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court, nature and origins of judicial review, battles over strict and loose construction and judicial activism, recent cases in political and civil rights, economic regulation, and distribution and scope of government powers.

Analysis of foreign policy formation in the United States as it interacts with the international system. Includes historical development of US foreign policy, as well as contemporary policies and problems.

This course is a comprehensive examination of international law and its role in international politics. Topics include: the sources and subjects of international law, the jurisdiction of states, the use of force, treaties, human rights law, international criminal law, laws of citizenship and nationality, among others.

This course is a comprehensive examination of the role of ethics in the realm of war. Topics include: aggression, noncombatant immunity, guerilla war, terrorism, torture, and nuclear deterrence.

Study of a selected topic in Political Science. May be repeated as topic changes.

Description: An in-depth analysis of an issue in contemporary American politics. The course will involve seminar-style group discussion of relevant books, an individual research project, and a presentation of research findings. Specific topics vary from year to year.

Description: An in-depth analysis of an issue in contemporary international politics. The course will involve seminar-style group discussion of relevant books, an individual research project, and a presentation of research findings. Specific topics vary from year to year.

Application of a political science background to the practical affairs and activities of a political organization or institution as a participant observer. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits.

Intensive study of an issue, problem, or topic. May be repeated.