An examination of the role of Latinos in society and politics in the U.S. Issues to be analyzed include immigration, education, electoral politics and gender.

As national politics becomes increasingly polarized and dysfunctional the states have become a central focus for many groups to affect policy change. This seminar focuses on major topics in State Politics research including, direct democracy, the spread of policies, and the growth of political reforms, and the role of public opinion in determining state policies. Students complete research papers on a state politics topic of their choice. Prerequisite: a 200-level course in American government. Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.

In the contemporary world, democracy is often considered not merely a form of government or one type of regime among many, but the very condition of political legitimacy. But what exactly does democracy entail? Is it an institution, a practice, a value, a virtue? This lecture course provides a survey of different historical and theoretical answers to these questions, from the foundations of self-government in ancient Athens through the present day.

This course examines international human rights and the legal regime designed to protect them. Beginning with a theoretical inquiry into the justification of human rights, the course moves into an analysis of the contemporary system, from the UN to regional associations to NGOs.

In this course we ask and answer the following questions: Just what is "United States foreign policy"? By what processes does the United States define its interests in the global arena? What instruments does the U.S. possess to further those interests? Finally, what specific foreign policy questions are generating debate today? Prerequisite: GOV 241 or permission of the instructor.

This course begins with an examination of the broad theoretical paradigms in international political economy (IPE), including the liberal, economic nationalist, structuralist and Marxist persepctives. The course analyzes critical debates in the post-World War II period, including the role of the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank group and IMF), international trade and development, the debt question, poverty and global inequality and the broad question of "globalization." Prerequisite: GOV 241 or permission of the instructor. First-year students may enroll only if they have completed 241.

An introduction to the theoretical and empirical analysis of the interactions of states in the international system. Emphasis is given to the historical evolution of the international system, security politics, the role of international norms in shaping behavior, and the influence of the world economy on international relations. Not a course in current events. Enrollment limited to 50.

This course explores the practical meaning of the term "development" and its impact on a range of global topics from the problems of poverty and income inequality to the spread of democracy, environmental degradation, urbanization and gender empowerment. We examine existing theories of economic development and consider how state governments, international donors and NGOs interact to craft development policy.

The People’s Republic of China represents approximately one quarter of the world’s population, sustains the largest bureaucracy in the history of the world, and currently possesses of a system of political economy that combines elements of both communism and capitalism. This course introduces students to the basic concepts of political processes, political institutions, and political events in China, primarily focusing on the reform era (1978-present). Specifically, we examine China’s political institutions, political economy, state-society relations, and the politics of Hong Kong and Taiwan.

A comparative analysis of Latin American political systems. Emphasis on the politics of development, the problems of leadership, legitimacy and regime continuity. A wide range of countries and political issues is covered.