T POS 248 Identities, Boundaries, and Mobilization (3)
This course explores the political nature of identities, and particularly the way collective identities are shaped, maintained, and deployed. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, we will examine key dimensions of identity, modes, and strategies of inclusion and exclusion, forms of “identity politics,” and questions of intersectionality (the overlapping of identity categories, as for race and gender). Course materials will span everything from theoretical approaches to identity mobilization to nationalism and secessionism, to the politics of gender and ethnicity, and will combine conceptual works, case studies, and literature. Assignments will include a series of short reaction papers, a collaborative final project, and class presentations. Open to Honors College students only.
T POS 260 Political Violence: Honors Course (3)
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of violent political conflict. We will examine the how, why, and when of violent political conflict both domestic and international. What are the key empirical and normative questions raised by violent political conflict and what answers to these questions does the literature offer? What other strategies, like nonviolence and negotiation are available to actors instead of political violence? In this course, in addition to studying the theories that have been developed to explain the politics and history of violent political conflict, students will have an opportunity to participate in simulation exercises designed to sharpen their analytic skills in the subject area. Open to Honors College students only.
R POS 266 International Political Economic Science (3)
The course will address the historical significance of struggles for the control of world petroleum resources. The topics to be covered include: (1) the competition for power in the Middle East, and the competition among major powers for domination of world oil supplies; (2) Financial crises related to oil industry, in particular the collapse of the gold standard in 1974 and the decline of the dollar in 2008; (3) The politics of environmental regulation and alternative fuels with reference to tropospheric (ground level) pollution and also the Greenhouse Effect; (4) alternative fuels and their strategic context e.g. Germany's synthetic fuels program in the 1930s; (5) the role of speculation in energy pricing; (6) resource depletion theory.
T POS 266 International Political Economic Science (3)
T POS 266 is the Honors College version of R POS 266; only one version may be taken for credit.
R POS 349 (= A LCS 349) Urban Politics in Latin America (3)
This course examines from a theoretical and historical perspective the context and character of politics and political participation in major Latin American urban cities.
R POS 350 (= R PUB 350) Comparative Public Policy (3)
Comparison of the processes, content, and impact of public policy in both developed and underdeveloped, socialist and nonsocialist countries. Only one version of R POS 350 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): R POS 101 or 140, or junior or senior standing.
R POS 351 European Politics (3)
Politics and political change in contemporary Europe, as reflected in ideology, organization and leadership. Both Western and Eastern Europe are treated in a common, comparative framework. May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 353 Developing Political Systems (3)
A study of political development and modernization in The Third World of Asia, Africa, and Latin America; the meanings and measurement of the concepts; groups involved in the process such as the military, bureaucracies, intellectuals, minorities, and charismatic leaders. May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 354 Russian Domestic Politics (3)
In-depth study of Russian and Soviet internal politics, 1861 to the present. Emphasizes the activities of the Communist party of the Soviet Union-political, economic, and ideological-and changing characteristics of the Soviet political system. Equal attention to the origins of the Communist party and to the Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Andropov, Gorbachev, and Yeltsin eras.
R POS 355 Government and Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa (3)
The relationship between ideologies, institutions, and individuals in African political systems. Examines implications of these factors for African political behaviors (domestic and international). May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 356 Russian Foreign Policy (3)
Survey of Soviet and Russian activities in international relations, 1917 to the present. Attention is focused on the Soviet Union's relations with Western Europe, Eastern Europe, China, the developing nations, and the United States, and contemporary Russian policy. Previous study of Soviet internal politics is desirable, but not a prerequisite.
R POS 357 (= A LCS 357) Latin American & Caribbean Politics (3)
The course will examine the current process and societies in the hemisphere. Emphasis will be on Latin America and the Caribbean with implications of globalization for all workers and societies of the Americas. Only one version of R POS 357 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A LCS 100 or permission of instructor.
R POS 359 (= A JST 359) Israeli Politics (3)
In-depth study of the political system of Israel: its history, social and political cleavages, governing institutions, and persistent problems. Only one version of R POS 359 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): R POS 101 and 102, or junior or senior standing. May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 360 Violent Political Conflict (3)
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of violent political conflict. We will examine the how, why, and when of violent political conflict both domestic and international. The course will focus on the key empirical and normative questions raised by violent political conflict and what answers to these questions the existing literature offers. In this course, in addition to studying the theories that have been developed to explain the politics and history of violent political conflict, students will have an opportunity to participate in simulation exercises designed to sharpen their analytic skills in the subject.
R POS 361 Comparative Ethnicity (3)
The composition and problems of various ethnic and religious minorities: their origins, characteristics, political mobilization, and degree of integration into the social and political systems of the new post-colonial nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America examined against a background of European, American, and Russian experience. May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 362 Nationalism and Nation-Building (3)
Classical and recent scholarly debates regarding nationalism and nation-building: theoretical and historical evolution of nationalism, nationalist movements, and nation-building; some of the most salient contemporary issues related to the national question, including the effects of globalization and the resurgence of nationalist movements in the post-Cold War era.
R POS 364 Building Democracy (3)
A key shift in politics around the world has been the increasing number of democracies. This shift has important implications for everything from human rights to economic policy. This course will explore the causes and effects of democratization focusing on topics such as political economy, international pressures, and coalition building.
R POS 367 Politics of the Middle East (3)
This class will cover selected topics in relation to the political development of the Middle and near East, an area loosely defined to cover the region from Morocco to Afghanistan and including modern Turkey and the Caspian littoral states. Topics will vary. Examples will include, but are not limited to, the classic British Imperial period, revolutions, the oil industry, regional conflicts such as the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, and the tensions between secular modernization and Islamic systems of government.
R POS 368 Information Technology and World Politics (3)
Broad overview of the information revolution and its political consequences. Examines the impact of information technologies on diplomacy, global security, the international political economy, and international organization with a particular emphasis on the use of administrative information systems and the Internet by governments and other public sector organizations.
R POS 370 International Relations: Theory (3)
The uses of theory in observing the interaction patterns found in the international system. Examines concepts of equilibrium, conflict and nationalism. Theoretical propositions about power, war, and diplomacy are tested and counter-theories formulated.
R POS 371 International Relations: Practice (3)
Fundamental procedures of interstate and transnational relations. The historical evolution of the international system, statecraft, the use of force, negotiation and diplomacy, alliance formation, and nationalism and imperialism. Note: R POS 370 is not a prerequisite for R POS 371.
R POS 373 (= A EAC 373) Government and Politics in the People's Republic of China (3)
Examination of the origins of the Communist movement in China against the backdrop of the decline of dynastic rule and the era of Western imperialism. The implications of ideology, institutions, and individuals for public policy in the People's Republic of China.
R POS 375 International Organization (3)
The structure and processes of the United Nations evaluated in terms of its historical antecedents and the challenges that face it. The operational foundations of the specialized agencies and such other governmental organizations as are universal in character. Close attention to the forces and interest groups of international scope to which the United Nations and related organizations respond.
R POS 376 The Foreign Policy of the People's Republic of China (3)
The post-1949 foreign policy of the People's Republic of China, especially vis-�-vis the United States, the Soviet Union, Western Europe, Japan, and an array of developing countries.
R POS 377 Politics of Southeast Asia (3)
This class will introduce the politics and societies of the eleven states comprising Southeast Asia. The course will include an overview of the regions as a whole as well as of each country's political and social order, an exploration of prevailing theoretical approaches to the study of Southeast Asia and an analysis of major political issues of the region: nationalism and nation-building, ethnic and religious pluralism, developmentalism, reformist movements, and regional initiatives. Prerequisite(s): Prior knowledge of one or more countries in the region is helpful, but not required. R POS 102 strongly recommended.
R POS 380 Basics of International Law (3)
Analytical survey of the precedents and limitations of world law. The uses of law for the pacific settling of disputes and wars using varied texts, cases, and documents. May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 383 American Foreign Policy (3)
An examination of the patterns of American foreign policy in economic and security issues from the turn of the century through the end of the Cold War. This analysis provides the basis for discussion of the prospects for American foreign policy as we move into the 21st century.
R POS 384 Formulation of American Foreign Policy (3)
Introduction to the political institutions and values of the American foreign policy process. Issues considered: American national character; the search for national interests; the role of interest groups and public opinion; the Congress; the presidency; the military-industrial complex; the policy system in times of peace and Cold War.
R POS 395 (= R PUB 395) International Political Economy (3)
Examines world trade conflicts and impact of economic nationalism on global economy. Emphasizes U.S. policy formulation in recent decades and trade protection and economic nationalism as exercised in U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Only one version of R POS 395 may be taken for credit. May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 396 (= R PUB 396) Energy Policy, Domestic and International (3)
Analyzes present and future shortfall of energy supplies, availability of fuel sources to replace imported oil or U.S. energy production, and conflicts between OPEC, OECD consumers, and U.S. government. Projections of future conflict over energy controls within and between nation states. Only one version of R POS 396 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): R POS 101 or 140, or junior or senior standing. May not be offered in 2009-2010.
R POS 398 (= R PUB 398) Comparative National Security Policy (3)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major theoretical explanations for the foundation and implementation of national security policy. The course will focus of two central questions. First, what determines the basic security strategy of different states? Second, once this strategy is mapped, how do different states translate strategy into particular security policies? A variety of historical and contemporary cases will be used to determine which theories best answer these questions. Only one of R POS 398 and R PUB 398 may be taken for credit.
R POS 450Z Theory and Research on Global Politics (3)
The course will focus on how comparative and international politics is researched. The theories of one global politics topic will be studied in depth (the topic will change each semester). Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to do independent studies as research assistants for Global Politics faculty.
R POS 452Z Communist and Post-Communist Political Systems (3)
The characteristics of East European regimes in the modern world: the role of the political parties; the state and bureaucracy, mostly after World War II and in the aftermath of the collapse of communism; relations of these states in the world political system.
R POS 469/469Z Topics in Comparative Politics (3)
Special topics course in Comparative Politics. Only one version of R POS 469 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): two courses in Comparative Politics, or permission of instructor.
R POS 472Z International Conflict and Resolution (3)
An inquiry that includes strategic studies, arms control, foreign policy, and super power relations in the global threat system. Prerequisite(s): R POS 101, 102, 370 or 371, and junior or senior standing.
R POS 473Z Economic Relations in the Global System (3)
An inquiry into international trade relations, energy and foreign economic policies adopted by industrial and developing nations, and the exchange relations that govern the course of transnational politics. Prerequisite(s): R POS 101, 102, and junior or senior standing.
R POS 474Z Politics of International Migration (3)
Surveys the domestic and international politics of migration. Examines labor migration to advanced industrial states, border control, immigrant incorporation, refugee policies, emigrant participation in home country politics and the effect of migration on international development, democratization, and security.
R POS 479/479Z Topics in International Relations (3)
Special topics course in International Relations. Only one version of R POS 479 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): two courses in International Relations, or permission of instructor.
