L32 Pol Sci 101B American Politics

In a polarized era of American politics, it is critical to have a working knowledge of the American political process and the analytical skills with which tointerpret contemporary events. This course is designed to accomplish these dual objectives. In the first few weeks of the semester, we will explore boththe key principles of social scientific thinking and trace the evolution of the fundamental characteristics of American government. We will use thisfoundation throughout the remainder of the semester to assess the contemporary challenges to American institutions and the context in which they, andthe general public, make decisions. At the end of the semester, students should be able to understand and critically engage with information about American politics, as well as actively engage with the American political system (should they choose to do so).

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S UColl: PSA

L32 Pol Sci 1021 The Business of Elections

This course will focus on understanding the primary and presidential elections -- particularly the 2024 election -- through a multidisciplinary approach that primarily involves political science and business. Campaigns are start-ups that rely on strategy, branding, influencing consumers (voters), financing and other concepts to achieve the election of their candidate. At the same time, American politics is highly polarized, with voters who are increasingly hostile to listening to the other side. Given this context, how does a campaign succeed as an entrepreneurial venture? This course will allow students to compare and contrast how different candidates' policies and platforms may affect different constituencies/sectors of the business/labor world as well as the economy, how the media portrays them, and what role they will play in the general election. This course is for first-year (non-transfer) students only. Students who are not first-year students will be automatically unenrolled from this course.
Same as I60 BEYOND 102

Credit 3 units. Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 102B Introduction to Comparative Politics

One of the primary goals of a course in comparative politics is to familiarize students with a broad array of political systems. The approach taken in this course can best be characterized as the active acquisition and use of a set of tools for looking at the political world. In other words, instead of putting emphasis on what textbook writers think political scientist know, in this course the emphasis is on "how we know what we know" and on building knowledge. This approach equips students with a set of tools to use long after the course is over. These comparative tools are focused on historical, recent, and current events, and students are provided the opportunity to delve more deeply into a study of the parts of the world most they find most interesting.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, IS EN: S UColl: PSC

L32 Pol Sci 103B International Politics

This is an introductory survey course. Its goal is to familiarize students with the basic concepts of International Relations (IR) as a subfield of political science and to introduce them to important issues, such as cooperation and conflict, independence, in the era of globalization, human rights and human development, and the environment.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 1041 First Year Seminar: Introduction to Political Theory I

Why is democracy a good form of government? What if a benevolent dictator arose who wrote and enforced laws that were just and equitable? What if she honored the sanctity of human life and its flourishing, guaranteed a full range of liberties to her citizens-including political ones, like the right of free speech and organization (but not including the right to rule)? Given the problems of most living democracies, why wouldn't this be a better regime than a democratic one? And are people really capable of governing themselves anyway; why should we trust them so? In short, what's so special about "democracy" and its corresponding idol, "public opinion" that people bow to them as hallowed virtues of a good society? In this class we will provide a framework in which these and other central questions of political theory have been and can be addressed. This course is designed to introduce students to the main theoretical issues of western political theory, including but not limited to the following concepts: justice, legitimacy, equality, democracy, liberty, sovereignity and the role of history in the political and social world. In short, the questions are meant to explore the underlying assumptions and themes of contemporary politics and political science research today. The course is designed around the careful reading of primary text materials and engagement with contemproary problems of politics available on the front pages of any daily newspaper. Although designed as a two semester class, students may enroll in either one or both. In this first semester we will lay out the fundamental themes of political theory in Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics asking, among other things, what justice is and what place democracy has among other forms of government. Passing briefly on Augustine and Aquinas'struggle with religion and civil society, we will emerge in modernity with Machiavelli's Prince and question whether the "good" and the "political" are or ought to be different aims. We conclude the semester with the social contract theory of Hobbes and Locke in which political ligitimacy is based on the terms familiar to citizens of modernity: the right to rule is somehow related to a citizen's consent to be governed. In the Spring semester we will turn to the struggle that modernity and the Enlightenment raised for issues of politics including that of history, nature, institution building, and economics, guided by the texts of Rousseau, Hamilton and Madison, Tocqueville, Mill, Marx, Nietzsche and Weber.

Credit 3 units. A&S: FYS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 106 Introduction to Political Theory

This course offers an undergraduate level introduction to the field of political theory. We will focus on three major themes-social justice, power and freedom, and democracy-reading some canonical texts, such as Bentham's Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation and Marx's Capital, but emphasizing contemporary works, such as those of John Rawls, Michael Walzer, Michel Foucault, and Robert Dahl.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: FAAM, SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 2010 Introduction to Environmental Policy

This course provides an introduction to and overview of environmental policy. Subjects covered include the policy process, the behavior of interest groups and political parties, and the actions of policymakers like Congress and the President. We will also examine issues such as pollution control, climate change, and biodiversity.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 2100 Introduction to Migration Policy and Politics

Migration is a phenomenon in which people, individually or in groups, move from one territory to another. In this course, we will trace the process of migration and discuss the impact of migration on sending and host societies as well as on the migrants themselves. What drives people to migrate from their home communities? What challenges do they face along migration routes? As humans move, languages, ideas, and ways of life diffuse across territories. This diffusion can be integrated into host societies, or it can become a source of tension within the society. What political, social, and economic conditions facilitate this integration or tension? In this course, we will begin to answer these questions through the lens of two primary systems: 1. Central and North America, and 2. the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. As we study the process of migration, you will work towards a research paper that critically analyzes the migration process using a case of your choice.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 2123 Sophomore Seminar in Ethnic Violence

This course introduces students to the principal concepts, questions and answers in the study of ethnic conflict. The goal of the course is to build foundational knowledge on the study of ethnic politics and ethnic conflict. The course begins by addressing why, how and when ethnicity matters. We will study different theories of ethnically-based indentification and mobilization. We will then move on to examine different types of ethnic conflict, ranging from ethnic violence in civil war to ethnic riots. In addition, we will study consequences of and alternative solutions to ethnic conflict. This course counts towards the distribution requirement for the Political Science major.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 2202 Disagreement, Extremism & Polarization

Americans are increasingly skeptical about the future of their democracy and about our ability to pursue equality and social justice within the existing political system, and many people identify irresolvable disagreement, political extremism, and partisan polarization as causes of the current crisis in American democracy. In this course, we will study disagreement, extremism, and polarization using insights and methods from philosophy, political science, and empirical psychology, with the aim of understanding these phenomena and the social and political challenges they pose. Our questions will include whether it is possible for reasonable people to disagree, whether democratic deliberation requires a background of agreement or "shared facts," how our moral psychology shapes our political beliefs, whether prejudice and bias can be eliminated from political thinking, and whether there are some political positions that are so extreme they should not be taken seriously. There are no prerequisites for this course and no background in philosophy, political science, or psychology will be assumed
Same as L30 Phil 2201

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 226 The Immigrant Experience

This course explores the history and politics of immigrant groups in the 19th and 20th century United States. Topics include legislation, patterns of migration, comparisons of different waves of immigration, and changing social attitudes.
Same as L98 AMCS 202

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC, SC, SD Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, HUM EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 227 Just Do It! Skills That Turn Passion Into Policy

The course will focus on skills related to the democratic expression of political rights and responsibilities. The course will balance background knowledge of the issues with application. Students will explore how to use coalition building and advocacy skills to relate to personal issues to public issues. Students will research a current Missouri bill, create a strategic plan for its passage or failure, and prepare to give testimony on such bill in a mock House of Representatives committee hearing. Students will also learn about ethical dilemmas in policy and politics and create a plan for turning their passions into policy.

Credit 1 unit. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 240 Jewish Political Thought

The question of Jewish belonging in the Christian West has played a defining role in the formation of the modern state, and the afterlives of "the Jewish question" in Europe, America, and Israel continue to have significant influence on how political life is understood and evaluated. This course begins with classical Jewish sources on politics--including the nature of authority, national belonging, and territory--and then moves to a consideration of several crucial modern Jewish thinkers likely including Spinoza, Marx, and Arendt. The course will consistently consider topical contemporary questions about liberal democracy, totalitarianism, nationalism, Zionism, race, and secularism.
Same as L57 RelPol 240

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM BU: BA EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 2490 Reproducible Data Skills for Political Scientists

Reproducibility and open scientific practices are increasingly required of scientists and researchers. Training on how to apply these practices in data analysis has not kept up with demand. During this course, students will develop skills to meet this demand. This course uses a practical approach based on iterative application assignments that provide students with practical experience with real data problems.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, AN Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 2500 Zionism

Zionism is often thought of as a commitment to the principle that the Jewish People, as a distinct "people," has a right to self-determination in its own historical land of the biblical Palestine. Yet the history of the term and the set of ideologies show a much more complex understanding. In this course we trace the emergence of a number of different "Zionisms" that would lead to the creation of the modern state of Israel. And we explore how the political principles at the core of these ideologies have fared in the 65 years since the founding of the modern Jewish state. The course is at its heart applied political theory: a case study of the way that ideas emerge from historical events, take on a life of their own, and then shape real outcomes in the world. The readings will weave together history, philosophy, literature and government.
Same as L57 RelPol 250

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 258 Law, Politics, and Society

This course is an introduction to the functions of law and the legal system in American society. The course material will stress the realities of the operation of the legal system (in contrast to legal mythology), as well as the continuous interaction and feedback between the legal and political systems. There are four specific objectives to the course: (1) to introduce you to legal concepts and legal theories; (2) to analyze the operation of the appellate courts, with particular emphasis on the U.S. Supreme Court; (3) to analyze the operation of American trial courts, especially juries and the criminal courts; and (4) to examine the linkages between culture and law. Not open to students who have previously taken L32 358.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SEM EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 263 Data Science for Politics

We are on the doorstep of a new era of social science. Never before have political scientists had access to so much data about the attitudes and actions of individuals, institutions, and nations. Data on everything from the votes of members of the U.S. Senate in 1855 to terrorist attacks from around the globe are only a few clicks away. This class is designed to make you an active participant in this new data-rich world. The goal is to introduce you to the methods and practices by which you can use this data to answer questions that are important to us as political scientists and citizens. How many citizens currently approve of the president, and how do we know? What policies are most effective at reducing poverty? Which campaign ads are most effective at persuading voters? Can we affect the behavior of our Facebook friends just by sharing our opinions?

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, AN Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 299 Internship in Political Science

Please see department for more information.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 3005 Fast Fashion and the Environment

Students will leave this term with a greater understanding of not just this phenomenon, but the policies that created and now maintain it. Students will have an opportunity to identify and evaluate fast fashion brand performance relative to their envrionmental obligations. They will also have an opportunity to de- sign an international treaty mechanism to address the increased waste and harmful environmental consequences of the industry. Note: This course counts toward the undergraduate XXX subfield.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3008 The Stories that Win

We all know them. From fairy tales to bestsellers, legends of oral tradition to trend-setting points in the U.S. and global literary marketplace, they are the stories that win. These stories are rooted in a collective literary imagination that binds individual and community hopes + struggles. They are novels, or memoirs of political coming of age, tales of creative sparks that have led to iconic global brands and products, or narrative analyses that become collective origin stories. They speak to the relationship between expectations of justice and our varied political identities; they provide communal reference points during marked moments in history. These stories win by transcending the limits of time or through the entanglements of commercial success. This semester we delve into political memoirs; origin stories of athletes, iconic products, and CEOs; community narrative histories; fairy tales; and myths of national beginnings. We want to understand how power and the uses of history are central to making certain stories, especially "origin stories," the ones public figures deploy to represent their identity, the stories we as a nation tell about ourselves over and over, and the ones that become our collective points of reference-that is, the stories that win. And we want to know why other stories-and the people they're about-are so often left out of our collective imagination.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 3010 Gender, Politics, and Policy in the United States

This course surveys central topics in the study of gender and politics, covering such issues as women's participation in political parties and social movements, women as voters and candidates in political elections, feminism and the state, and gender and international politics. It will draw on examples from various world regions and time periods to analyze similarities and differences across cases around the globe.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3011 Computational Modeling in the Social Sciences

This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of computational modeling in social science. Computational modeling allows us to explore topics - including complexity, emergence, and dynamics - that are difficult to study using traditional analytic methods. This course will cover the theoretical foundations behind computational modeling in addition to offering an introduction to the design and programming of such models.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3012 Advanced Modeling in the Social Sciences

This course explores advanced topics and issues in the building and validation of models in the social sciences. The principal component of the course is the design and development of an individual research project by each student. The conclusion of the course involves a public research symposium with a poster session in which all students will present their models and findings to the broader campus community. PREREQUISITES: L32 Political Science 3011 Computational Modeling in Social Science.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3016 African American Politics

Race has been a central issue in United States politics since the country's founding. From debates about the South's \peculiar institution" to the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary discussions about a post-racial America, political discourse in the United States has often revolved around issues of race. In this course, we will examine the major political issues, struggles, and ideologies of African Americans in order to better understand U.S. Politics. Topics will include early and contemporary African American political thought, racism and segregation, inequality, the politics of the Civil Rights Movement, African American participation in electoral politics, and other contemporary issues. By the end of this course, students should be able to: examine current events related to race through the lens of political science concepts; understand the historical causes of ongoing conflicts and debates related to race in the United States; understand the arguments made by Black political thinkers; read and apply political science literature to major questions in the field of race.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3017 It's U.S. Against Them

The term "American Exceptionalism" is often used to refer to the special character of the United States as a uniquely free nation based on democratic ideals and personal liberty. Sometimes this special character is thought to be institutionalized in the American political system. In this course, we put the United States in comparative perspective, examining how it compares with other countries in terms of -- among other things -- constitutional provisions, parties and elections, and the functioning of its branches of government. A major component of the course will involve data exploration and visualization.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3024 International Organizations

This course surveys in an historically and theoretically informed fashion the role of various international institutions in international relations. It addresses the fundamental question of the contribution of international institutions to world order. The course first traces the historical evolution of international organizations before turning to international institutions since World War II. It then focuses on the following: the most important regional international organization, the European Union; the most important international organizations dealing with the issues of peace and security, the United Nations and NATO; and the major international economic institutions, the WTO, the IMF, and the World Bank. Prerequisite: L32 103B.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3031 Race and Ethnicity in American Politics

This seminar will discuss the continuing importance of race and ethnicity in American politics and the politics of racial minority groups in America. It will examine the disadvantage minorites have in the American political structure including problems with political participation. It will examine how the structure and functions of the brances of government and its bureaucracy affect the aspirations of minorities. The roll of pressure groups on political structure will be discussed. Additional discussion will focus on urban politics and tensions.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SC, SD Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3044 Foundations of American Democracy

Since its founding, the United States of America has been strongly identified with principles of democratic rule. This course provides an introduction to some philosophical and historical foundations of American democracy. Over the course of the semester, we will ask what democracy means, and what it requires. We will examine thinking about political rights and liberty at the American founding. We will ask what democratic inclusion and political equality entail. We will ask what democracy means, and what it should mean, in the American context, and whether and to what extent American institutions embody democratic ideals.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3055 The Comparative Study of Legislative Institutions

This course focuses on understanding the variation in legislative institutions around the world.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 306 American Political Thought

This is a course on American political and constituional thought. The main theme is the problem of freedom: how it should be understood, and the constitutional and other conditions which sustain it. We will also touch on questions of leadership, class, and foreign policy as they relate to the main theme. We begin with the political thought of the American colonists, then turn to the Federalist/Anti-Federalist debate on the constitution, and trace these lines of thinking to a point just before the outbreak of the Civil War. Apart from writings of prominent American political thinkers such as Madison, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and Calhoun, we will also consider the work of the foreign observer of American life and honorary American, Alexis de Tocqueville.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 3070 Politics and Policymaking in the American States

The American federal system is often overlooked in discussions about politics in the United States; however, state governments unquestionably touch the lives of Americans everyday. As such, an education in American politics is not complete without serious examination of state governments and their political institutions. This course illuminates the importance of the Ameican states in US politics and policymaking by critically examining topics such as : intergovernmental relations, the historical evolution of American federalism, the organization and processes associated with state legislative, executive, and judicial branches, state elections, political parties, interest groups and specific state policy areas such as - budgeting, welfare, education, and the environment. Prerequisites: Political Science L32 101B.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3073 Global War on Terrorism

This course presents an historical assessment of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) from the perspective of its major participants: militant Sunni Islamist jihadists, especially the Al-Qaeda network, and the nation states that oppose them, particularly the United States and its allies. The course then concludes by analyzing the current state and future of Islamist jihad and the GWOT.
Same as L22 History 3073

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM, IS EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 3074 United Nations Institutions and Processes

How do countries and non-state actors cooperate on issues that transcend international borders? What are the unique opportunities and challenges to addressing global issues in international organizations, especially the United Nations (UN)? In this course, we will examine the historical foundations of the UN, the structure of the UN, and the nature of representation in the United Nations. We will analyze the conditions under which the UN is likely to succeed or fail at addressing a range of security, economic and social, and human rights issues. To facilitate this analysis, we will examine historical and contemporary UN work to address climate change, conflict, humanitarian assistance, and human rights. This class is part of a Model United Nations program at Washington University in St.Louis, which will travel to the National Model United Nations conference in New York in the spring. It is the first course in a two-course series. Students must complete both the fall and the spring course to be eligible for the New York conference team.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3090 Civil War and Peace

This course examines the causes and consequences of intra-state conflict, as well as the potential solutions to it, drawing on examples from countries throughout the world, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, India, Iraq, Russia, Rwanda, Spain, et cetera. We will consider many potential causes of intra-state violence, including ethnic and religious identities, economic and security concerns, elite manipulation, and international diffusion. In order to understand the challenges countries face recovering from violence, we will subsequently examine different ways in which conflicts are conducted, as well as their consequences, including economic underdevelopment, rape, child soldiers, and disease. Finally, using what we have learned about the causes and consequences of conflict, we will analyze the utility of different tools for managing intra-state conflict, including, but not limited to, minority representation, consociationalism, decentralization and partition.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3093 Politics of the European Union

This course is designed to introduce undergraduates at the junior and senior level to the history and politics of the European Union (EU) and European integration. In the first part of the course, students will learn about the interplay of theory and practice in the history of European integration. In the second part, they will study the institutions and decision-making processes with reference to the theoretical concepts developed earlier in the course. From there, we will examine some of the key EU policies and their implementation during the third part of the course. In the final two sections of the course, we will look at constitutional politics and some of the more recent policies and developments.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3104 Political Psychology

Political psychology is a rapidly growing field of research located at the intersection of psychology and political science. Broadly, political psychology helps us understand how individuals think and feel about politics, and how these psychological factors shape political behavior. This course is designed to examine the major areas of research on how psychological factors explain important political phenomena, such as political participation, vote choice, polarization, partisanship, media consumption, political knowledge, political communication, and policy preferences. This course will also equip students with skills in information literacy that will improve their ability to conduct research, interrogate information sources, and evaluate biases in information processing that shape political decision-making

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3172 Sports, Policy, and Politics

The students participating in this class should expect to learn the ways in which sport and politics intersect; how sport is both the cause, and result, of political processes; how society's attachment to teams is linked to our identities, both social and political; how sport defines us physically, reflects class, and reproduces shared history. This is primarily a political science course, and no prior knowledge of sport in general, or any sport in particular, is necessary.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3180 Democracy: Causes & Consequences

This course will examine the major international and domestic causes and consequences of democracy worldwide.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3193 Politics of Migration in the European Union

As the European Union has expanded both in membership and policy scope, so too have its physical borders and political constructions of membership. Migration patterns - both within the European Union and from outside of it - are closely connected to this deepening integration and changing patterns of multi-level governance. In this course, we will trace the process of migration and discuss the impact of migration on sending and host societies as well as on the migrants themselves. What drives people to migrate from their home communities? What challenges do they face along migration routes? As humans move, languages, ideas, and ways of life diffuse across territories. This diffusion can be integrated into host societies, or it can become a source of tension within the society. What political, social, and economic conditions facilitate this integration or tension? After discussing general frameworks and theories from the scholarship of migration, we will focus our inquiries on specific cases from within and near the European Union.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3199 Teaching Practicum in Political Science

This course is an opportunity for students to assist in course instruction, tutoring, and preparation of problems, readings, and exam materials with permission and under supervision of instructor. Class hours to be arranged. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Must be enrolled through department. See department for approval form.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 321 Comparative European Politics

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to politics in Europe, with a focus on national politics. The course has two main goals. One goal is that students acquire a general understanding of the institutions of democratic governance and how they affect how voters preferences are translated into government policy. As most European states are variations of parliamentary democracies, we will pay particular attention to the connection between voters and policy-makers through parliamentary institutions. The second goal is that students achieve a basic understanding of specific political systems in Europe and appreciate current political issues particularly those related to democratic transitions in Eastern Europe. PREREQUISITES: L32 102B Intro to Comparative Politics, L32 363 Quantitative Political Methodology (can be taken concurrently)

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, IS

L32 Pol Sci 3211 Public Opinion and American Democracy

This course is about the salience of public opinion and its influence on American Politics. Topics to be covered include many of the theories developed to explain how public opinion is formed, if and why it changes, and the relationship between public opinion and the political behavior of citizens and elites. Therefore, the course will describe and analyze many of the factors that influence the formation, structure and variation in public opinion: information processing, education, core values, racial attitudes, political orientation (ideology and party identification), political elites, social groups, the media and religion. Additional topics include presidential approval, congressional approval, and the relationship between public opinion and public policy. The course will also train students in several concepts of statistical analysis (assuming no prior knowledge) so that students can use these tools as part of their own research projects. Prerequisites: Previous coursework in American politics or communications.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3240 The Political Economy of Public Goods

This course explores the nature of public goods by investigating the economic and political rationales for providing them. We will explore the endogenous creation of public goods, such as the formation of mutually-agreed upon Constitutions to protect property rights and the exogenous imposition of public goods, such as the regulatory framework that provides clean air. Through the use of efficiency analysis, we will explore the costs and benefits to alternative institutional arrangements, such as private property or market exchanges, to the government or voluntary provision of public goods.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 3255 Development of the American Constitution

The U.S. Constitution has been so long maintained because it has adapted to new circumstances. Contrary to common mythology, this adaptation goes far beyond formal amendment and court interpretation. But past performance is no guarantee of future results. The course examines the processes through which American constitutional democracy has developed, considers its successes and failures, and assesses some of its most pressing challenges. In doing so the course treats topics such as: the Electoral College; the justice system; executive powers in war and peace; Congress versus the president; reuglation and taxation; civil rights and Reconstructions; amendment politics; and constitutional rhetoric and beliefs.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 326B Latin-American Politics

This course is an introduction to the politics in Latin America, focusing on the trend toward the establishment of democracy. We examine the impact of political culture, economic development, and the legacy of authoritarian regimes on contemporary politics. The course also reviews many of the most pressing challenges confronting governments Latin American governments: the role of the military in politics, the reform of political institutions, threats from radical guerrillas and drug traffickers, debt and economic restructuring, and relations with the United States. Country studies focus on Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Prerequisites: 100-level introductory course in Political Science or its equivalent in History or IAS.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 327B African Politics

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3292 Topics in Politics: Modern South Asian Politics

This course will focus on the recent political history and development of South Asia. It will begin with a review of the British colonial period and the Independence movement. The remainder of the course will examine different political issues in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Topics will include political mobilization, land reform, law and politics, social movements, religious and caste politics, the rise of religious nationalism, and political control of the economy. Course website: http://artsci.wustl.edu/~polisci/parikh/asian/

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Art: SSC BU: IS

L32 Pol Sci 3296 Race and Ethnicity in the United States

This course is designed to explore relations within and between the racial and ethnic groups of the United States. Students examine the social, economic, and political similarities and differences of African Americans, Asian-Americans, Latinos, and New Immigrants that distinguish their American experience. Of particular interest are their respective experiences in relation to one another and the majority population for understanding the origins of conflict and unanimity within and between the different groups. Students will pay specific attention to events in Ferguson, Missouri and the tensions between political leaders, policing and minorities more generally, the disproportionate levels of poverty experienced by African Americans and Mexican-Americans, and the vilifying of certain minorities by the majority population.
Same as L98 AMCS 3296

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, SD BU: BA, HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 3300 Terrorism and Counterterrorism

What is terrorism, when is it used, and how can we stop it? This course will tackle these challenging questions, examining both the use of terrorism in political conflict and the ways in which states have responded to these threats. Crucially, we will engage in critical discussions about the definition of terrorism - is one person's terrorist really another person's freedom fighter, as the saying goes? We will also explore the strategic logic of terrorism - why do individuals choose to engage in this practice and why it is an effective or ineffective tactic of political violence? Importantly, we will also examine the psychology of terrorism, investigating how the mass public and state leaders react to and cope with terrorist violence. Specific examples of potential topics include: the use of terrorism in anti-colonial and separatist movements, the history of terrorism in the United States from the Ku Klux Klan to jihadism, the post 9/11 "War on Terror," and the resurgence of white nationalist terrorism around the world. By the end of this course, students should have a clear understanding of what terrorism is, why groups choose this strategy, how citizens and political leaders respond to this violence, and the implications this has for countering terrorism and extremism around the globe today.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3302 Politics and Policies of Immigration in the United States

This class examines the history and politics of American immigration from colonial times to the present. It begins with an overview of the colonial period, then discusses the immigration waves of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and concludes with an examination of current topics and debates about immigration. Issues include racial, ethnic and class relations among groups; changes in immigration policies over time; comparative group experiences; transnational issues in immigration; and the impact of immigration on other American social and political processes and events. This class is a WI and modified version of L32-226/AMCS L98-202. If you have taken this course, then students should *not* take this course. Because this is a WI class, we also will spend time studying research paper design and writing.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, WI EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3313 Theories of Social Justice

This course overviews the leading contemporary conceptions of social justice, including utilitarian, liberal, libertarian, communitarian, and deliberative-democratic theories, and their implications for the design of political, economic, and social institutions. In addition, this course will examine special topics such as justice between generations, global justice, and the rights of resistance or disobedience.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 331B Gender and American Politics

This course examines the ways in which issues pertaining to gender are salient in U.S. politics. The course is divided into four parts. First, we will examine theoretical approaches to the study of gender and politics, including the use of gender as an analytical category, and the relationship between gender, race, ethnicity and power. Second, we will study gender-based social movements, including the suffrage and woman's rights movements, women's participation in the civil rights movement, the contemporary feminist and anti-feminist movements, the gay rights/queer movement and the women's peace movement. Third, we will examine the role of gender in the electoral arena, in terms of how it affects voting, running for office and being in office. Finally, we will examine contemporary debates about public policy issues, including the integration of women and gays in the military, sexual harassment, pornography and equal rights.

Credit 3 units. BU: BA, ETH

L32 Pol Sci 3321 Topics in Politics:

Credit 3 units. BU: BA

L32 Pol Sci 3323 The Democracy Lab

The U.S. states are often called laboratories of democracy because the lessons learned from an "experiment" in one state or city can inform other governments. This course embraces the idea that we can act as scientists in the laboratories of local government. The course teaches students about research design. We also help them design their own experiments and then give students the opportunity to work with local officials to help design, conduct, and analyze an experiment relating to governance.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3326 Topics in Politics: Legal and Political

This course is designed to be a readings and discussion course in Supreme Court decisions. The focus is on extensive coverage of the court's decisions in particular subject areas and their relationship to political and social factors and to public policies. The purpose of the course is to expose students in the social sciences to the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court as indicators of political and sociological phenomena. PREREQUISITE: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR ONLY.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 332B Energy Politics

This course considers the major issues in these increasingly important areas of public policy. We will discuss the importance of political processes and actors on such phenomenon as pollution, global warming and wilderness protection. This course emphasizes the American experience but also considers international implications. Two lectures and one section meeting each week.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: ETH EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 333B Individual and Community

What social, political, and cultural forces shape the individuality of people and yet make them part of not just one community but many, each of which is greater than the sum of the individuals that comprise it? What role do families and friends fill in this process? Students explore answers to these questions by reading theories and case studies that try to explain the foundations of individuals' sense of self and the interdependence and responsibilities of individuals, families, and communities to one another. Cases students read highlight (1) how family and communal experiences (like school) influence individuals and (2) how virtual (online) and non-virtual communities are structured and sustained as social entities. In addition to readings, the class will rely on guests from the "real world" as well as field trips into virtual and non-virtual communities. AMCS Majors may count this course for Fieldwork credit with permission of instructor; a supplemental assignment might be required.
Same as L98 AMCS 301B

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SD Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, ETH, IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3341 Topics in Politics: Free Speech on Campus

Credit 1 unit.

L32 Pol Sci 335A International Organizations

The students participating in this course will have an opportunity to answer some of the most pressing questions about governance in the international system today. Why did the U.K. leave the European Union, and what does it mean for the remaining members? Is there a chance for international governance to address the climate crisis? How does NGO advocacy affect the behavior of nations? The course will resemble a graduate-level seminar; we will spend most of the class period in discussion of the weekly readings. Students will have an opportunity to independently study an issue or organization of their choosing, thus gaining a measure of expertise in an area of personal interest.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 336 Topics: American Elections and Voting Behavior

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3363 Interchangeables, Influentials, and Essentials

Do you want to know how to obtain power? How to influence the powerful? Or even how to unseat those in power? In this course, we will focus on how leaders, of all types, get and keep their jobs. Regardless of setting - democratic or dictatorial (or corporate, for that matter) - it is all about those whom the leader finds to be interchangeable, those the leader finds influential, and those who are essential. You will learn the "Rules to Rule By" and why, when leaders follow them, they often behave badly causing those they govern to suffer.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3399 Political Violence

This course studies the ways non-state groups use violence in pursuit of political goals. During the semester we will engage with contemporary research on political violence, including civil war, ethnic conflict, terrorism and communal riots. The goal of the course is to introduce students to major questions related to the study of political violence. What explains the onset of violence? Why do individuals choose to join violent movements? Is non-violent protest more effective than the use of violent tactics? During the semester, we will read a large volume of within-country and cross-national quantitative research on political violence and also examine several cases in detail, including ethnic riots in India, Rwandan genocide, and Kurdish conflict in Turkey.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3400 Social and Political Philosophy

Study of certain fundamental issues concerning government, society, and culture. For example: what are the nature and limits of legitimate political authority? Are ordinary human beings capable of governing themselves justly? Do citizens have a duty to obey the state? If so, to what extent, if at all, is that duty grounded in consent or contract? Should the state limit or regulate the personal relationships of citizens, such as marriage, family, and sexuality? How should social institutions rectify a history of political or social injustice against oppressed groups? Readings from historical and contemporary sources. Prerequisites: one course in Philosophy at the 100 or 200-level, or permission of the instructor. Priority given to majors in Philosophy & PNP.
Same as L30 Phil 340F

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: ETH, HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 3401 Topics in Political Thought

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: ETH

L32 Pol Sci 3403 The Politics of Congressional Elections

This course will introduce students to the study of American legislative elections. The first part of the course will focus on congressional election campaigns, in which we discuss who runs for office, the incumbency advantage, campaign finance, congressional primaries, electoral competition, voter turnout, and vote choice. The second part of the course examines how electoral factors affect legislative politics, focusing on questions involving representation, accountability, and lawmaking. PREREQ: L32 101B Intro to American Politics

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 342 The American Presidency

Consideration of part played by the president in American politics and public policy. The powers of the president; the staffing and organization of the executive office; the relations of the president with Congress, the bureaucracy, and other participants in American politics; presidential elections. Recommended: Pol Sci 101B.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3431 Constitutional Law

Introduction to constitutional law and practice in the United States. Emphasis on the role of the U.S. Supreme Court as an interpreter of the Constitution.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 344 Courts and Civil Liberties

This course focuses on constitutional law principles in the Bill of Rights, and examines how Supreme Court decisions influence these principles in everyday life. We explore how the courts, and particularly the Supreme Court, have interpreted these rights in light of changing times and emerging issues. Topics include the First Amendment; free exercise of religion and the establishment clause; freedom of speech, assembly and association; freedom of the press; the Fourth Amendment and the rights of those accused and convicted of crimes; the right to privacy, including reproductive freedom and the right to die; equal protection and civil rights, including race, gender, sexual orientation; immigrants' rights and voting rights; and civil liberties after September 11. Recommended for the Liberal Arts and Business (LAB) Certificate.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, ETH, HUM

L32 Pol Sci 3441 Defendant's Rights

This course explores the operations of the American criminal justice system. Substantial emphasis on the constitutional rights accorded to the criminally accused. Readings consist primarily, but not exclusively, of Supreme Court cases.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, ETH EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 345 The Legislative Process

Structure and behavioral patterns of American legislative bodies. Primary emphasis on the U.S. Congress, with attention to state legislatures for comparative purposes. Representation, internal patterns of influence, and policy-making processes. Prerequisite: junior standing.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3462 The Politics of Privacy in the Digital Age

This course explores the changing nature of privacy in contemporary society.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: ETH EN: S UColl: PSA, PSC

L32 Pol Sci 3470 Representation and Political Accountability

Political representation deals with the correspondence between citizen preferences and public policies. This course examines the critical role elections play in linking the two. Topics to be covered include the influence of interest groups, the media, and political parties on elections and policymaking. We will also explore how variation in the electoral rules, such as the rules governing campaign finance and methods of conducting party primaries, influence electoral politics. Finally, we will examine how separation of powers potentially attenuates the electoral connection between voters and electied officials.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 349 Politics in Bureaucracies

Focuses on politics and political conflicts involving bureaucratic organizations, primarily but not exclusively those of the federal government. Attention given to the characteristics of bureaucratic organizations and their members; their relations with one another as well as with other participants in policy making also considered. Major activities within bureaucracies--planning, program development, organizing, budgeting, and service delivery--discussed with a view to clarifying their political implications and consequences; problems associated with controlling and changing bureaucracies.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3490 Survey Design and Analysis

Survey research is an important method that political scientists often use to understand people in the world around us. By asking a standardized set of questions to a random sample of respondents, we can make inferences regarding the opinions and behavior of the larger population from which it was drawn. Surveys also offer numerous opportunities for experimental research, allowing scholars to make confident causal claims about the determinants of public opinion and behavior. In recent years, the advent of Internet-based surveying and online recruitment of respondents has "democratized" survey research, allowing many researchers and scholars with limited resources to design and conduct their own surveys from scratch. Surveys are also increasingly conducted around the world, outside of the context of advanced democracies where this method originated. Yet these developments have introduced new challenges in terms of ensuring that inferences drawn from survey research are valid. Topics include sampling, survey modes, questionnaire design, survey experiments, pre-analysis plans, ethics and the Institutional Review Board, and analyzing survey data. Prerequisites: L32 263, L32 363 or equivalent or with instructor permission.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, AN Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3507 Legal Conflict in Modern American Society

Thousands of lawsuits are filed daily in the state and federal courts of the United States. The disputes underlying those lawsuits are as messy and complex as the human, commercial, cultural and political dynamics that trigger them, and the legal processes for resolving those disputes are expensive, time-consuming and, for most citizens, seemingly impenetrable. At the same time law and legal conflict permeate public discourse in the United States to a degree that is unique in the world, even among the community of long-established democracies. The overarching objective of the course is to prepare our undergraduate students to participate constructively in that discourse by providing them with a conceptual framework for understanding both the conduct and resolution of legal conflict by American legal institutions, and the evolution of - - and values underlying - - the substantive law American courts apply to those conflicts. This is, at core, a course in the kind of legal or litigation "literacy" that should be expected of the graduates of first-tier American universities. Some of the legal controversies that will be used to help develop that "literacy" include those surrounding the permissible use of lethal force in self-defense, the constitutionality of affirmative action in university admissions, contracts that are unconscionably one-sided, sexual harassment in the workplace, the duty of landlords to prevent criminal assaults on their tenants, groundwater pollution alleged to cause pediatric cancers, and warrantless searches of cellphone locator data by police.
Same as L98 AMCS 3507

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: ETH, HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 3510 Topics in American Politics: The Supreme Court

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA

L32 Pol Sci 3511 The Politics of the US Supreme Court

The principal purpose of this course is to provide students with a systematic understanding of the U.S. Supreme Court. After discussing the social scientific study of the Court, we will examine theoretical issues regarding judicial process and politics. This course, unlike the constitutional law classes, does not focus on legal doctrine; rather, it examines political aspects of the Supreme Court, with an emphasis on the social scientific literature on law and politics. We will seek to understand phenomena such as the following: (1) Why does the Court change law? (2) Under what circumstances does the Court overrule precedent? (3) Do elected politicians (such as members of congress) influence how the Court decides cases (4) How does bargaining among the Justices influence the development of legal doctrine? One of the themes in this course is how we can understand the judiciary in terms of a political "game." That is, we will examine how the various participants in the judiciary attempt to achieve their goals within the constraints of the institution and its surrounding environment. Additionally, students will write a major research paper in which they will explain a specific set of judicial behaviors or events. The paper requires each student to undertake original research (i.e., the gathering of original evidence) in an effort to test their explanation.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3512 The Supreme Court, Law, and Public Policy

Learning how courts interpret policy has become an important component of the policymaker's toolkit. This course aims to introduce policy-oriented students to how Constitutional interpretation touches upon pressing policy questions. Students will engage with what courts expect to see from policymakers, while also learning how to read cases from a lawyer's perspective. Topics covered include federalism, LGBT rights, race and ethnicity, criminal justice issues, voting rights, and political questions and official immunity. Texts will include cases decided by the Supreme Court (including cases from recent terms), and also contemporary scholarship on judicial politics and decision making. Although our focus will be on the Supreme Court, the pedagogical emphasis will be on what policy makers can expect from the courts in terms of federal and state policy implementation. Our goal is that by the end of this course you will be able to: 1. Understand when federal courts will and will not intervene, particularly with regard to key policy and political issues 2. Think critically and assess the ability of courts to be used as instruments of social change 3. Understand what oversight, if any, the courts exercise over federal policy making, including by administrative agencies The course content is divided into four broad units, all of which are essential for understanding the courts' role in the promotion and interpretation of national policy. These are (1) federal courts, their nature, and their limited powers, (2) the courts' role in social movements and as "protectors" of individual rights and liberties, (3) political questions and immunity, and (4) the complicated relationship between courts and administrative agencies. Note: This course counts toward the undergraduate American Politics subfield.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3551 The Welfare State and Social Policy in America

How can we understand the recent debate about fundamental health care reform? Should social security be partially or wholly privatized? Was the 1996 welfare reform a success? Contemporary political questions frequently focus on the American welfare state and the social policies that comprise it. The first half of this course describes the American welfare state broadly construed, places it in a comparative context, and elucidates major political science explanations for the size and scope of American social policy. We touch on several areas of social policy while constructing the generalized lenses through which particular political outcomes can be understood. The second part of the course then focuses on three major aspects of the American welfare state: health care, old age pensions, and policies related to work, poverty, and inequality.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3552 Political Economy of Democracy

In the last few years a number of important books have appeared that combine elements of economics reasoning and political science, in an effort to understand the wide variation in economic development in the world. This course will deal with the logic apparatus underpinning these books. In addition, the course will introduce the student to the theoretical apparatus that can be used to examine democratic institutions in the developed world, and the success or otherwise of moves to democratization in the less developed world.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3561 Topics in Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3565 Understanding Political Protest and Violence

Collective action in the political sphere ranges from nonviolent demonstrations to violent conflict. We will study a range of cases of political protest, from historical to contemporary, using theories and evidence from political science and other disciplines, to identify individual motivations, political contexts, and patterns across time and space. We will analyze a handful of cases in depth, using previously collected data that ranges from interviews to social media accounts and applying techniques suitable to non-quantitative data.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 357B Gender and Politics in Global Perspective

This course surveys central topics in the study of gender and politics, covering such issues as women´s participation in political parties and social movements, women as voters and candidates in political elections, feminism and the state, and gender and international politics. It will draw on examples from various world regions and time periods to analyze similarities and differences across cases around the globe.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SD Arch: SEM, SSC Art: SSC BU: HUM

L32 Pol Sci 358 Law, Politics and Society

This course is an introduction to the functions of law and the legal system in American society. The course material will stress the realities of the operation of the legal system (in contrast to legal mythology) as well as the continuous interaction and feedback between the legal and political systems. There are four specific objectives of this course: (1) to introduce students to legal concepts and legal theories; (2) to analyze the operation of the appellate courts, with particular emphasis on the U.S. Supreme Court; (3) to analyze the operation of American trial courts, especially juries and the criminal courts; and (4) to examine the linkages between culture and law.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 358A Conscience and Religion in American Politics

Conscience is as American as apple pie and baseball, but its meaning and implications are deeply contested in American religion and politics. What is conscience? To what extent is conscience laden with theological -- and, more specifically, Christian -- commitments? What role should conscience, whether religious or ethical, play in political life? By considering what conscience means and what vision of politics it implies, we will reflect on what it means to be American: how religion should relate to politics, how individuals should engage with democratic laws and norms, and how religious and political dissenters might oppose American politics. We will focus on key moments in the history of American religion and politics through the lens of conscience, from the Interwar Period, the perceived threat of communism during the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War to the "culture wars" on abortion, marriage equality, LBGTQ rights, and the death penalty. This course draws on interdisciplinary sources from religious studies, political theory, law, and history in 20th- and 21st-century American politics.
Same as L57 RelPol 358

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: BA, ETH EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 359 The Mathematics of Elections

Voting procedures provide the commonest means of aggregating the preferences of individuals into societal outcomes. These procedures play an integral role in our daily lives; from having a show of hands to decide which type of pizza to order for a club meeting, to electing a president. This course will examine the effects that different voting procedures have on how groups make decisions. We will evaluate electoral systems mathematically, by considering the various properties that procedures may or may not satisfy. A classic example is Arrow's Impossibility Theorem, which tells us that every electoral system must fail to satisfy one or more criteria of fairness or sensibility. In addition to Arrow's claim we will examine other legislative paradoxes, and learn why the choice of electoral procedure is critical to our understanding of how "good" and "bad" decisions can be made. We will also discuss the comparative properties of electoral systems in operation, such as fairness, proportionality, representativeness, and legitimacy.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3610 Legislative Politics

This course is an introduction to the politics of the U.S. Congress and the federal lawmaking process. We will focus on the behavior of individual legislators and the role that they play in crafting federal legislation in policy areas such as healthcare, civil rights and the environment. In general we examine questions such as: Why do legislators behave as they do? Whose interests are being represented?

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 362 Politics and the Theory of Games

This course is intended to cover through analytical discussion and illustrations the basic concepts and major achievements of Game Theory in different sub-fields of research in the social sciences today. We will discuss examples of the usefulness of cooperative and non-cooperative game theory to the study of human behavior in general and political science and political economy in particular.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, AN Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 363 Quantitative Political Methodology

This is an introduction to research methodology and quantitative analysis for social scientists. Students will be introduced to the logic of social scientific inquiry, and to the basic statistical tools used to study politics. Students will learn and apply the following to answer substantive questions: measurement, descriptive analysis, correlation, graphical analysis, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. Major components of the course include learning how to collect, manage, and analyze data using computer software, and how to effectively communicate to others results from statistical analyses. Students will work collaboratively on research projects where they pose their own questions, design a study, collect and analyze the data, and present their findings in a research paper.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, AN Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3690 Politics of International Trade

In this course we will study the relationship between international trade and domestic politics. We will cover the basic models of international trade, the distributional consequences of international trade, the relationship between trade and economic development, an analysis of the trade protectionism (causes and consequences) and an analysis of international organizations related to international trade (special focus on the World Trade Organization). Prerequisites: L32 103B.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 372 Topics in International Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3722 International Politics, Trust and Public Health

Trust in government shapes a range of important political and social behaviors. In general, low trust in government reduces individuals' willingness to engage and comply with its institutions and policies. Consequently, low levels of trust in government hinder the state's ability to effectively lead during crises, as citizens with a wary view of the state are unlikely to comply with state directives that have direct impact on their personal lives. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potentially devastating consequences of low levels of trust in government, as individuals around the globe with lower levels of trust were less likely to follow government public health recommendations meant to slow infections and deaths. Furthermore, the adverse consequences of trust deficits extend well beyond the recent COVID-19 pandemic to perceptions of health services more generally. This course analyzes the links between trust and public health outcomes, paying special attention to the different sources of low trust. For example, low trust in government can stem from perceptions of recent performance, and thus be amenable to public relations campaigns to improve citizens' perceptions. This view is consistent with the approach of international organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations (UN), who have focused on short-term programs to promote public trust in government as a means to achieve widespread vaccination. Alternatively, trust may result from the lingering effects of influential and traumatic historical events, such as armed conflicts or systematic repression against a particular group or geographic area. Indeed, prominent research in political science and economics indicates that trust in government has enduring geographic variation and is, at least in part, a product of deeply historical factors We explore how the sources of low trust among different groups of citizens influences possible policy solutions to improving levels of trust and, consequently, key public health outcomes. We also explore factors other than trust that influence individuals' adherence to public health recommendations.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 373 International Political Economy

Analysis of the interplay of economics and politics in the world arena, focused primarily on the political basis of economic policies in both advanced and less developed societies. Treating differing perspectives on the international economy, production, trade and finance, and international economic relations. Prerequisite: junior standing, or permission of instructor.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: IS

L32 Pol Sci 374 Contemporary American Foreign Policy

This course surveys post-War American foreign policy in historical perspective. It begins by evaluating the rise of the United States as a world power during the twentieth century, its current position of primacy and its consequences in the post Cold period, and the distinctive traditions and institutions shaping the making of American foreign policy. It then examines the origins of the strategy of containment in the early Cold War period before considering how these debates animated the changing course of American foreign policy through the various phases of the Cold War conflict. The course concludes by analyzing American foreign policy since the end of the Cold War, up to and including debates about the consequences of September 11th 2001 for the United States' position of primacy, the Bush Doctrine and the American led intervention in and subsequent occupation of Iraq.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Art: SSC BU: IS

L32 Pol Sci 3752 Topics in American Politics

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3760 Globalization, Urbanization, and the Environment

Urbanization was a dominant trend in the twentieth century and globalization only acted to accelerate it. The consequence has been a multitude of ecological and social challenges that policy makers and citizens continue to confront. The students participating in this course should expect to learn about these challenges, their relationship to our present environmental emergency, and the potential policy solutions being debated. Students will have an opportunity to propose and defend their own solutions to these challenges.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3772 Topics in International Politics

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 378 Topics in International Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3781 Topics in Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3782 Topics in Comparative Politics: Terrorism and Political Violence

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 381 The Politics of Electoral Systems

It is impossible to appreciate the variety of electoral systems used to select legislative bodies without taking a comparative perspective. We will begin this course with a brief consideration of what goals political founders and reformers are pursuing when they design an electoral system. Then we will define the conceptual dimensions along which electoral rules can vary. With these basic concepts in hand we can then study specific national cases to assess the impact of electoral laws on party systems, legislator behavior, and interbranch relations. After completing a series of case studies, we will return to a comparative perspective to discuss recent scholarly research in this field. This research conceives of electoral systems as incentive structures for voters, candidates, parties, and politicians. To wrap up the course, we will return to the question of what founders and reformers can hope to achieve when selecting electoral systems.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, WI BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 3881 The Politics of Electoral Systems

It is impossible to appreciate the variety of electoral systems used to select legislative bodies without taking a comparative perspective. We will begin this course with a brief consideration of what goals political founders and reformers are pursuing when they design an electoral system. Then we will define the conceptual dimensions along which electoral rules can vary. With these basic concepts in hand we can then study specific national cases to assess the impact of electoral laws on party systems, legislator behavior, and interbranch relations. After completing a series of case studies, we will return to a comparative perspective to discuss recent scholarly research in this field. This research conceives of electoral systems as incentive structures for voters, candidates, parties, and politicians. To wrap up the course, we will return to the question of what founders and reformers can hope to achieve when selecting electoral systems.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 389 Power, Justice, and the City

This course examines normative theoretical questions of power and justice through the lens of the contemporary city, with a particular focus on American urban life. It explores urban political economic problems, questions of racial hierarchy and racial injustice in the modern metropolis, and the normative and practical dilemmas posed by "privatism" in cities and their suburbs. In addition, the course devotes considerable attention to honing students' writing skills, through class assignments that stress rewriting and revising, and also through four in-class writing workshops devoted to formulating a thesis and making an argument, revising and rewriting, writing with style, and peer consultation.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SD, WI Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 389A Power, Justice, and the City

This course examines normative theoretical questions of power and justice through the lens of the contemporary city, with a particular focus on American urban life. It explores urban political economic problems, questions of racial hierarchy and racial injustice in the modern metropolis, and the normative and practical dilemmas posed by "privatism" in cities and their suburbs.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SC, SD Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 391 History of Political Thought I: Justice, Virtue, and the Soul

This course offers a critical introduction to the main issues and debates in western political theory, including but not limited to the topics of justice, legitimacy, equality, democracy, liberty, sovereignty, and the role of history in the political and social world. This course is designed to be the first in a three-semester sequence on the history of political thought, and students are encouraged, but not required, to take the courses in chronological sequence. The first semester begins with ancient Greek political thought, and follows its development up to the early 16th century.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S UColl: ML

L32 Pol Sci 391A Democracy and Citizenship Seminar II

What does it mean to be a citizen in a democratic society? What are the rights of citizenship and what are its responsibilities? How are the answers to these questions different for citizens of the United States of America, with its particular history, values, and status in the world? Enrollment in this seminar is limited to freshmen who have been admitted to the "Democracy and Citizenship" Focus Program.

Credit 1 unit.

L32 Pol Sci 392 History of Political Thought II: Legitimacy, Equality, and the Social Contract

Government is often justified as legitimate on the grounds that it is based on the consent of the governed. In History of Political Thought II, "Legitimacy, Equality, and the Social Contract," we examine the origins of this view, focusing our attention on canonical works in the social contract tradition, by Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), John Locke (1632-1704), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), David Hume (1711-1776), and Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). This course is the second in a three-semester sequence on the history of political thought. Students are encouraged but not required to take all three courses. Prerequisite: One previous course in political theory or political philosophy.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 393 History of Political Thought III: Liberty, Democracy, and Revolution

How, if at all, should the political institutions of the modern state express and secure the liberty and equality of citizens? What is the political significance of private property? Is world history to be understood as progress towards one best form of government - capitalist democracy, perhaps, or communism? What forces drive history? We shall address these and other timeless political questions through close reading and rigorous analysis of classic texts in the history of Western political thought. Authors to be studied will include Kant, Hegel, Marx, Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill, and Nietzsche. Prerequisite: one previous course in political theory or political philosophy. The course is designed to be the third in a three-semester sequence on the history of political thought, and students are encouraged but not required to take the courses in chronological sequence.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 398 Topics in Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit variable, maximum 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 399 Topics in Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA, ETH EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4001 American Democracy and the Policy-Making Process

This course is part of the Semester in DC Program

Credit 3 units. EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4010 Pluralism, Liberalism, and Education

How should liberal democratic states respond to religious and cultural pluralism? In what ways is pluralism different from mere disagreement, and what normative implications does pluralism have for public policy? How can liberal states justify using their coercive power against a background of pluralism and in ways that systematically disadvantage certain religious and cultural groups in society? In particular, what is to be done when religious parents and the liberal state make conflicting judgments about the proper education of children? When should the state defer to parental judgments and what are the grounds for legitimately refusing to do so? Readings are taken from contemporary political philosophy. Prerequisites: Poli Sci 106, Poli Sci 107, Phil 340, or permission of instructor.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4013 Negotiating Major Legislation in Congress

This course examines the outcomes of the legislative process in the United States. The first third of the course will examine key concepts and major determinants of the negotiation process: majority rule instability, agenda control, political parties, the amendment process, and the uncovered set. The rest of the course will examine the negotiations that led to some of the most significant legislation in the past 100 years, from the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 through the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to the immigration bill of 2006. Along with other assignments, each student will write several drafts of a major research project on a major piece of legislation. Each research project will examine the amedments offered, the strategic intentions of the amendments' sponsors, the agenda process, and the role of party. Prerequisite: Poli Sci 101B.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, WI EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 402 Topics in Political Thought

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4025 Experiments in Politics

This will be a lab-style seminar in which we will design, field, and analyze an experimental study on political attitudes or political behavior. Our ultimate goal will be to publish a scholarly article in a peer-reviewed journal in political science. PREREQUISITE: L32 363 Quantitative Political Methodology or L32 263 Data Science for Politics (can be taken concurrently)

Credit 3 units. BU: BA

L32 Pol Sci 4026 Domestic Politics and International Relations

Advanced undergraduate course that looks at the domestic components of international relations.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC

L32 Pol Sci 4030 Political Theory of Education

This course explores issues of authority, legitimacy, citizenship, freedom, and equality through contemporary readings in the political theory of education. What is to be done when parents, citizens, and educational experts make conflicting judgments about the proper education of children? When should the state defer to parental judgments and what are the grounds for legitimately refusing to do so? How should public schools aim to equip their students for the responsibilities of citizenship in a diverse liberal democratic state? What do the concepts of equality and equality of opportunity mean in the context of education, and (how) should governments pursue these values through education policy? We shall explore these issues through contemporary works of political theory as well as through considering a number of important U.S. court cases, including those dealing with the schooling of children from minority religious and cultural groups, affirmative action in university admissions, and school desegregation plans. Prerequisite: one previous course in political theory or political philosophy.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: ETH EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4040 Capstone Seminar in International Politics: Public Policy Responses to Global Poverty

This course is designed for senior political science majors with a background in international politics (see prerequisites). In this course we will examine the theoretical and empirical literature on the causes of global poverty, and evaluate public policy responses from the international community. topics will include: foreign aid (including micro-finance), debt relief, trade reform, global health initiatives, and private-public partnerships. Students are expected to have a strong theoretical background in the tools and concepts in political science and a strong interest in development topics. As a capstone class the teaching style will focus on a student centered classroom, where students will run the class and help moderate discussions with outside speakers. Prerequisites: L32 103B, one advanced course in international politics, and a second advanced course in either international or comparative politics.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4043 Public Policy Analysis, Assessment and Practical Wisdom

This course provides an introduction to the study, professional practice, ex-ante and ex-post assessment of public policy and the professional practice of public analysis. We will rely heavily on David L. Weimer and Aidan R. Vining's text, Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice. This course covers a series of critical concepts in the understanding of practicing, analyzing and assessing public policy.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4046 Forced Displacement and the Politics of Seeking Refuge

In the last decade, the number of people who are forcibly displaced has more than doubled, and today the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that 108.4 million people are forcibly displaced. Among this group, people face distinct legal, social, economic, and political challenges according to their status as refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and others who do not fit these categories. In this course, we will examine the political conditions that forcibly displace people across and within countries including persecution, conflict, and environmental disasters exacerbated by climate change as well as their experiences of seeking refuge. How do international, state, local, and non-governmental institutions cooperate to manage the needs of forcibly displaced persons? In what ways do political pressures create opportunities for and barriers to effective policies to address refugee issues? How do these structural challenges affect forcibly displaced persons, and what strategies do advocates use to improve the human rights of these populations? Throughout the course, we will bear in mind the interconnectedness of macro-level policy-making and micro-level issues that affect the daily lives of individual humans experiencing forced displacement.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 405 Topics in Political Thought

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: ETH

L32 Pol Sci 4050 Political Representation

In this class we will study the concept of representation. Historically, how has representation been conceived? Conceptually, what should count as political representation, and must it always be democratic? As a normative problem what should representatives do? And how should institutions be designed to foster these normative ends? Readings will provide a broad overview of the subject, and address enduring questions including problems of minority representation, voting rights, and redistricting. Prerequisites: Political Science L32 106 or L32 107.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: ETH EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4053 Citizenship: Historical, Cross-Cultural, and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Although some have posited that citizenship may become obsolete in an increasingly globalizing and interconnected world, citizenship has never been more relevant. Discussions of migration, statelessness, naturalization policies, borders, and so many other contemporary topics hinge on questions of citizenship. In this course, we will be taking an interdisciplinary approach to the study of citizenship, drawing on a wide range of work from historians, social scientists, journalists, and writers. This is an interdisciplinary and transnational course intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Examples will draw from around the world and from a variety of disciplines. Assigned materials include the work of historians, anthropologists, political scientists, sociologists, and journalists as well as novels, films, and audio and visual sources.
Same as L93 IPH 4052

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 406 Topics in Political Thought

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: HUM EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4060 Senior Seminar: Religion, Politics, and Community

Religion is a powerful social, economic, and political force across the globe. Its formal authorities and informal influences have changed over time and across space and traditions. Yet even where regular religious practice has become less common, religion remains a means of constructing communities, be it a diaspora, a unique nation within a state, or state-wide national identity or nationalism. Religion intersects with race, gender, and other important social identities, and it overlaps with organized political power from the grassroots to the government. Human relationships with the divine have influenced everyday norms and values, have marked key moments in our life cycle, and have provided material and social psychological resources for communities. In this course, we will examine the political relationships between religion and community from a variety of social scientific perspectives. As a core part of this inquiry, you will conduct an original research paper on a topic of your choice relating to religion, politics, and community. We will work through each step of the scientific method over the course of the semester-using religion and community as a lens and set of thematic examples-and hold guided workshops to facilitate your research process. Prereq: L32 263 OR L32 363 OR department approved equivalent

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4070 Global Justice

This course examines contemporary debates and controversies regarding global justice. Seminar discussions will be arranged around significant issues in the current literature. for example: What (if anything) do we owe to the distantly needy? Do we have special obligations to our compatriots? Do political borders have normative significance? And so on. This course will be of interest not only to political theorists, but also students in other fields interested in social justice or international relations generally.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4080 Voting Rights

This course will study legal concepts of voting rights and election law that impact the ability of citizens to access and participate in the democratic process. It will include the opportunity for students to directly engage in observing, monitoring, or advancing the right to vote during the 2008 elections. Election law changes rapidly and is the subject of legal and political dispute in a number of areas that will affect the franchise during the 2008 elections. This course will examine federal constitutional and statutory law governing the right of suffrage and assess current controversies in these areas. While there is no specific "right to vote" explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution, over time, it has been amended or interpreted to protect the right of franchise from being abridged based on race, gender, property ownership, age and other qualifications. Legislative enactments have also established rights with respect to voting. Each extension of voting rights has been a product of and resulted in social and political change. This course will examine the interplay of law and politics in the right to vote. The course will begin with the study of constitutional foundations, statutory protections and case law. We will then apply these principles to current issues in voting rights, including voter registration, voter identification, provisional ballots, voting machines, access for people with disabilities, felony disenfranchisement, voter suppression and voter fraud. Students will apply this knowledge to voting rights during the 2008 elections through hands-on involvement in voter education, monitoring or advocacy. The course will conclude with an assessment of the current issues in light of observations made by students during the 2008 elections, with an eye toward the advancement of election law and full enfranchisement in the future. The course involves the study of fundamental Supreme Court cases, interactive discussion of contemporary debates, and review of current litigation and legislative proposals. The course will be supplemented by occasional guest visits by election officials, lawyers, legislators, voting rights advocates or others.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4100 Fascism and the Far Right in Europe

Across Europe and beyond, parties on the far right have become a substantial force in contemporary politics. Some analysts have raised questions about these parties' ties to fascism, as characterized regimes such as Mussolini's Italy, Franco's Spain, and Hitler's Germany. How do today's far right actors compare to those of the past, and what can we learn from the comparison of the present moment to history? In this class, we will study both the extreme and radical right in Europe over time through the lens of three cases: Italy, Spain, and Germany. We will analyze both the conditions for popular support (demand) and political opportunity structures (supply) that allow(ed) far right actors to gain and maintain authority. We will also assess the strategies of these actors through themes of race and migration, security and foreign policy, gender, and religion. As we develop this discussion, you will conduct further research into a single topic that interests you, in the course cases or another case of your choice. Since an essential element of far right politics is the rejection of either the liberal elements of democracy (e.g. minority rights) or the principles of democracy entirely (including the electoral process), you will present your research through a creative medium aimed at a public audience, with the goal of promoting civic engagement. Prereqs: Intro to Comparative Politics OR Intro to International Politics

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 412 Directed Readings

This is a course of readings in political science taken under the direction of an instructor in the department.

Credit variable, maximum 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 413 Directed Research

Research activities or project in political science done under the direction of an instructor in the department.

Credit variable, maximum 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 4131 Intolerance and Prejudice

Consideration of selected contemporary topics in social psychology. Participation in a research project of appropriate scope. Prerequisite: Psych 315.
Same as L33 Psych 413

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC

L32 Pol Sci 414 Directed Fieldwork

This course is a field work project carried out under the direction of an instructor in the department.

Credit variable, maximum 9 units.

L32 Pol Sci 415 Senior Thesis Research

Intensive research. To be conducted under the supervision and guidance of a faculty sponsor of the thesis.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 419 Teaching Practicum in Political Science

This course is an opportunity for undergraduates to assist in course instruction, tutoring, and preparation of problems, readings, and exam materials with permission and under supervision of instructor. This course will count towards up to 6 hours of credit in an advanced field for the Political Science Major.

Credit variable, maximum 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 4212 Elections

This course examines how politicians and policies are selected by citizens in democracies. The literature exploring the rules and procedures that govern elections is perhaps the most theoretically and empirically sophisticated body of knowledge in the study of politics. We will explore how differences in these institutional rules across a variety of democracies shape the types of strategic choices voters make, the coalitions that legislators form, whose interests are represented, the structure of parties, the career paths of politicians, and the policies that governments pursues. We will further investigate how, when, and why electoral rules are changed with reference to several recent cases of electoral reform.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4231 Contemporary Issues in Latin America

How do the institutional designs of contemporary democratic governments help us understand the nature and quality of representation? We will concentrate on variations in the powers granted presidents by constitutions as well as the institutional determinants of whether executives are likely to find support for their policies in the legislature. In addition, we will explore how incentives established by electoral laws influence the priorities of members of congress.  Given all these variations in democratic institutional design, can voters go to the polls with the confidence that politicians will implement the economic policies for which their parties have long stood or which they promised in their campaigns?

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Art: SSC BU: IS

L32 Pol Sci 4241 Topics in American Politics: Race and Politics

From the moment enslaved Africans were brought to American shores, race and racism has been central to the American political project. In this class we will examine how notions of race and racism inform conceptions of citizenship, the allocation of state resources, the development of political parties, and political participation. We will also examine the way that race and racism influence public opinion.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 425 Law, Religion, and Politics

What is the role of religious argument in politics and law? What kinds of arguments are advanced, and how do they differ from one another? Are some of these arguments more acceptable than others in a liberal democracy? This course will explore these questions through the work of legal scholars, theologians, and political theorists. Our topics include the nature of violence and coercion in the law, constraints on public reason, the relationship between religion and government, and the nature of religious practice and tradition.
Same as L57 RelPol 425

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: BA, ETH EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 426 Topics in American Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests. Prerequisites: L32 101B American Politics

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SD Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4260 Writing about Civil Rights

The substantive goal of this course will be to study the civil rights movement in order to learn more about the role of social movements, federalism, the legislative process, the presidency, political parties, and the courts in American politics. This will be a writing intensive seminar, limited to 18 students, each of whom will write three essays. Each student will submit an early draft of each essay, which will be edited and returned to the student for polishing. There will be review sessions on grammar, punctuation, word usage, and paragraph construction. The readings for the course will include some of the best essays on the subject of civil rights by W.E.B. DuBois, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and others. Prerequisite: L32 101B

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, SD, WI EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4271 Topics in Politics

Credit 3 units. BU: BA

L32 Pol Sci 428 Topics in Comparative Politics: Politics and Identity

In this course, we will examine the relationship between politics and identity and the consequences for political stability and cohesion as a result of those relationships. We will consider different cases and explanations for the United States and, in comparative perspective, for how identity works with respect to gender, race, ethnicity, class and sexual orientation in the pursuit of political or social goals. How do these different identities impact social and political conflict, local and national cohesiveness, and political participation?

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, WI Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4280 Political Intolerance in World Politics

This course is an investigation into the meaning, causes, and consequences of political intolerance. My goal is to expose you to contemporary research on a) how political intolerance is conceptualized and understood, especially within the context of theories of democracy; b) how political intolerance can be measured, both at the level of the individual and the institution/society; c) where intolerance originates, both in terms of individual psychology and system-level politics; and d) what consequences flow from intolerance, especially in terms of legal and extra-legal political repression, as well cultural consequences (e.g., a "culture of conformity"). The course makes little distinction between American politics and politics in other parts of the world (although no knowledge of specific non-U.S. systems is required as a prerequisite).

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSP Art: SSP BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4281 Comparative Political Parties

An introduction to theories and concepts used in the analysis of political parties in democratic regimes, with emphasis on the classic literature covering West European advanced industrial democracies and the more recent scholarship on Latin American party systems. The course illuminates the complex aims consequences, and characteristics of modern party politics.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4291 Topics in Politics: Polarization in American Politics

This course examines the political polarization of the American political parties and explores its effects on the mass public and American democracy more generally. We will examine what exactly is polarization, how it is measured, historical changes, potential causes, and its potential effects on the mass public and governance. PREREQUISITES: L32 101B Intro to American Politics, L32 363 Quantitative Political Methodology or equivalent

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 4299 Feminist Political Theory

This course asks how feminist thinkers from various political and intellectual traditions critique,adopt and transform political theories of justice, citizenship, property and the state. To uncover how different feminist theories have been adopted in the struggle for political transformation and social justice, we will pursue two main lines of inquiry. The first asks how feminist thinkers from various traditions critique and engage the history of political thought within the social contract tradition. We will ask, in particular, how gender, race, slavery, colonialism and empire shape conceptions of citizenship and property. We will also examine transnational feminist critiques of the public/private division in the Western political theory canon as it impacts the role of women and the social construction of women's bodies. During the second half of the semester, we will ask how various transnational social movements have engaged and adopted feminist theories in efforts to resist state violence, colonialism, labor exploitation and resource extraction. In following these lines of inquiry we will draw from postcolonial, decolonial, liberal, Black, radical, Marxist and Chicana feminist perspectives. Part of our goal will be to uncover how various feminist theories treat the relationship between politics and embodied experience, how gendered conceptions of family life affect notions of political power and how ideas about sexuality and sexual conquest intersect with empire-building. Majors and minors in WGSS receive first priority. Other students will be admitted as course enrollment allows.
Same as L77 WGSS 429

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, SC, SD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: BA EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 4302 Topics in Ethics: Civil Society

Selected advanced topics in ethics. Prerequisite: 6 units of philosophy, or permission of instructor.
Same as L30 Phil 430

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 4331 Topics in Politics: The Two Dimensions of Electoral Politics

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4373 Immigration, Identity, and the Internet

This class exmines a critical issue in contemporary societies: How do changes in technology affect the process of immigration and how immigrant identity is shaped?

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC, SC, SD, WI Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4400 Advanced Social and Political Philosophy

A selective investigation of one or two advanced topics in the philosophical understanding of society, government, and culture. Readings may include both historical and contemporary materials. Possible topics include: liberalism, socialism, communitarianism, citizenship, nationalism, cosmopolitanism, social contract theory, anarchism, and the rights of cultural minorities. Prerequisites: one course in Philosophy at the 300-level, graduate standing, or permission of the instructor.
Same as L30 Phil 4400

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 4402 Topics in Political and Social Theory: Constitutionalism

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 440A Religion, Politics, and the University

This course explores in depth current issues related to pluralism, difference, and belonging in matters pertaining to religion and other important issues, with a particular focus on how these play out in the university context. The instructors, John Inazu and Eboo Patel, are two of the leading national commentators on these issues. Prerequisite: Students enrolling in this class must submit a brief statement of interest to Professor John Inazu. Details on how and where to submit this statement can be found at http://law.wustl.edu/COURSES/INAZU/seminar1/summaries/.
Same as L57 RelPol 440

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 4442 The Supreme Court and Public Opinion

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4451 Contemporary Politics in India

This seminar will examine current topics and controversies in contemporary Indian politics. The course will have three main foci: the links between politics and economic liberalization over the last two decades; the links between ascriptive identities such as religion, caste and gender and contemporary political processes, including ethnic and gender quotas; and the changes in party politics at the national and state levels that have accompanied the decline of Congress party dominance. Specific topics include the role of caste and religion in contemporary politics; the rise of state parties and its effects on federal relations; the effects of economic reform and globalization on economy and society; urbanization and migration flows; the rise of modern Hindu nationalism; and the links between collective violence and electoral politics.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 450 Topics in American Politics

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 4504 Contemporary Democratic Theory

Contemporary debates in democratic theory have produced a number of challenging and provocative accounts of how democratic institutions can and should work. In this course we will analyze a number of competing theories of democracy and assess the similarities and differences among them. Although the course focuses primarily on theoretical issues, special attention will be given to how empirical research in the social sciences on democratic institutions and procedures informs and clarifies these debates.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 4505 American Political Parties

This seminar will introduce students to core literature on political parties with a strong bias towards recent research.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 451 Topics in American Politics: Supreme Court

This seminar has two purposes: to introduce students to the state of the art in studies of the Supreme Court and to cover a series of particular topics with emphasis on the major controversies within the field of law and the courts.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 4513 Topics in Politics: Criminal Law and Criminal Justice: Homicide

Seminar investigates current controversies surrounding the homicide laws. Topics include the definitions of homicide and claims of self-defense, the controversies about admissions of evidence at various stages of prosecution, and the debates about the use of capital punishment (including the capital punishment of youths). Includes general academic readings, readings of recent court opinions, and guest discussants from the legal community.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, WI Art: SSC BU: BA

L32 Pol Sci 4522 Topics in American Politics

This course is intended primarily for sophomores and juniors. The topic of this course varies by semester, dependent on faculty and student interests.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 4551 Seminar in Political Economy

This research seminar will introduce the student to recent work on the political economy of democracy. We shall start with a historical account of the development of democratic institutions in Britain and the United States, and then continue with recent work on modeling elections. We shall compare elections in countries that make use of proportional electoral systems, such as Israel, with those like the United States and Britain that are highly majoritarian. Finally we shall discuss the forces of democratization and globalization. The required work for the seminar is a research paper approximately 20pp (double spaced) in length.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4552 Comparative Political Economy

This seminar will introduce the student to aspects of social choice theory, applied to themes to do with the economic origins of democracy, democratization and the stability of social orders. We shall read and discuss a number of recent books: Acemoglu and Robinson on Economic Origins; North, Weingast and Wallis on Violence and Social Order; Przeworski on Democracy and Development; Ferguson on Money; Collier on Wars Guns and Votes. If time permits I also hope to discuss recent work by Stern on the Economics of Climate Change. Students will be expected to work on two short research paper, either empirically or theoretically based, and make a presentation of their work near the end of the semester.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4621 Politics and the Theory of Games

This course covers basic primitives and more sophisticated tools of game theory as they are used in contemporary political science. It will cover some issues of the forefront of contemporary research in game theory as the central analytical tool in studying the science of politics. The main substative issues will be the emergence of law and order in society, markets mersus political mechanisms and the distinctive characteristics of parliamentary versus presidential democratic systems. The course also includes some real case studies, basic experiments and, in general, a lot of fun.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC

L32 Pol Sci 4625 Topics in Politics

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 464 Topics in American Politics: The United States in Vietnam: Origins, Developments, and Consequences

This course will focus on America's involvement in Vietnam from the era of French colonialism through the collapse of United States intervention. Special attention will be given to political, military, economic, and cultural aspects, as well as to international relationships, and the significance of the experience and subsequent developments upon both American and Vietnamese societies.
Same as L22 History 4894

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H

L32 Pol Sci 4646 Democracy: Theory and Practice

What does it mean to govern democratically? Why value democratic government? What role, if any, should notions of rights, representation, and deliberation play in theorizing about and empirical research into problems of democratic governance? What lessons can we learn about democracy from scholars writing in the traditions of feminist theory and critical race theory? What is the relation between democracy and knowledge? Should democracy extend beyond the boundaries that define the nation-state? Should (some aspects of) the economy be democratized? During the fall of 2018, we will have the opportunity to ask these and related questions in the context of the U.S. midterm election. We will engage in debates about contemporary democratic theory while we follow developments in the campaigns leading up to the November election.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4652 Democracy and Inequality in an Age of Globalization

This is a course on comparative political economy that explores whether open, liberal democratic societies can provide relative economic equality while at the same time guaranteeing untrammeled flows of goods and services across borders. The course is based on close reading of recent research in economics and political science.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4731 Global Political Economy

This course will borrow on the insights of international relations scholarship and economic theory to develop a broad understanding of international economic relations. Specifically, this course attempts to address the following two sets of questions: 1) How do global economic relations fit into the broader category of international relations? How do the existing theories in international relations (liberalism, realism, and Marxism) help us understand international economic relations between nation-states? 2) What are the effects of these international economic forces (trade, finance, and multinational production) on domestic governments and societies?

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, SSC Art: SSC BU: IS EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4755 Psychology of War

Why does war occur? Why does it last so long? What are its long-term effects on the people that lived through them? This course is designed to shed light on these questions, examining the interaction of psychological and strategic processes in international war and conflict. We will critically examine how psychological factors such as emotions, identity, cognition, and motivation impact (and are impacted by) political violence. We will examine these processes in the context of crisis diplomacy, national security policy, war, post-conflict reconstruction, and more. Specific examples of potential topics include: the global "War on Terror," ongoing intractable conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, diplomatic standoffs between the US and adversaries such as North Korea and Russia, and refugee and migration crises around the globe. By the end of this course, students should have a clear understanding of how political conflict both affects and is affected by human psychology, and the implications this has for addressing a host of political problems and challenges.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, WI Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4761 Politics of International Finance

In this course we will examine the complex relationship between international finance, economic development, and domestic politics by drawing on the recent scholarly literature in economics, political science, and finance. The focus will be on the theoretical literature on both the determinants of international financial flows and its effects on domestic societies. Specially, we focus on five forms of international finance: 1) international equity markets (stocks), 2) flows of foreign direct investment (multinational corporations), 3) currency markets (with a special focus on currency crisis), 4) international debt, 5) and international aid.

Credit 3 units. EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 480 Topics in International Politics: Growth and Development

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 4861 Seminar on American Election and Voting

Survey of major contributions to the study of American elections and voting behavior; patterns of voting through time as well as contemporary cross-sectional patterns.

Credit 3 units.

L32 Pol Sci 489 Politics of Regulation

Events such as the Gulf oil spill and the economic meltdown have dramatized the importance of regulation in the United States, and at the same time called into question the most fundamental beliefs about the nature of the regulatory process. This course reviews the notion of market failure as basic to understanding the rationale for government regulation; it also examines theories of governmental failure as a source of skepticism and concern regarding impediments to effective regulation. Much of the course will review the development of regulatory machinery in the twentieth century. We will examine the political forces that have resulted in expansion of the institutions of regulation-interest groups, partisan conflict, legislative negotiation, and executive leadership. We will examine these forces in detail in examining the political and legislative response to recent financial and environmental crises.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC, WI EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 491 Collection and Analysis of Qualitative Data

This course will cover basic techniques for collecting, interpreting, and analyzing qualitative data. Students will select a research project, collect appropriate qualitative data, and conduct a preliminary analysis. Students will learn how to gather several types of qualitative data, including participant observation and open- and closed-ended interviews. In addition, they will evaluate and analyze primary data collected by others including oral histories, archival records, interview transcripts. We will consider the advantages and disadvantages of non-randomly collected data, such as those gathered though ethnographic and archival methods. We will assess the utility of building statistical datasets from such data, and students will learn the basic techniques of using computer programs for qualitative data such as Nvivo and Atlas.ti. Biweekly assignments that focus on different aspects of collection and analysis are designed to help students produce a research paper as a final project.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 495 Research Design and Methods

This course provides an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in political science. Topics address issues related to theory building as well as theory testing. Technical issues related to these methods are not the focus of this course, as are theoretical issues regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Ultimately, the goal of this course is twofold: (1) to instruct students to critically analyze scholarly articles with particular attention to research design, and (2) to guide students in how to design an original research project. Both the reading assignments, including methodological and applied readings, and the written assignments are directed toward these goals.

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 496 Game Theory and Collective Choice

An introduction to models of collective choice important in political science, including game theory, the spatial voting model, and axiomatic social choice theory. The course concentrates primarily on noncooperative game theory, whose main topics include: strategic and sequential forms, Nash equilibrium, solution by backword induction, imperfect information, repeated games; and applications to voting, campaigning, public goods, agenda design, bargaining, and collective action. With noncooperative games as a foundation, the course then examines cooperative game theory (games in coalition form), voting as a social choice mechanism (including the median voter theorem and global cycling theorems), and social-choice possibility theorems), and social-choice possibility theorems (such as Arrow's Theorem). Prerequisites: MATH 131 (Calculus I) or Pol Sci 5052 (Mathematical Modeling) or equivalent

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S

L32 Pol Sci 49PK The Founding Fathers' Government in an Electronic Age

This is a research seminar that examines how Americans sought to translate their notions of government into a realistic set of priorities and a functioning set of public institutions. Extending from 1789 through the 1820s, this course investigates how the federal government came into being, what it did, and who populated the civilian and military rank of American officialdom. This is also a course in digital history. Students will create new knowledge through their own contributions to an ongoing digital project that seeks to reconstitute the early federal workforce. In the process, students will learn a variety of digital techniques, ranging from encoding languages to electronic systems to software packages.
Same as L22 History 49PK

Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM EN: H