Introduction to the Western tradition of political theory; focus on particular problems and issues through a reading of classical and non-traditional texts. Topics include political obligation, justice, feminism, individuality, friendship, community, civil disobedience, power, others. (GenEd. SB)

Not available at this time

The course develops the practical knowledge and analytical skill required to make sense of field problems faced by public managers, and to design and implement strategic and effective practical action in the public sector. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-PolSci majors.

This course is designed to familiarize undergraduate political and social science majors with the basics of undertaking research in the social sciences. It will cover aspects of research design, and an introduction to various methodological approaches to political science research. (Gen.Ed. R2)

Not available at this time.

What does it mean to study politics from below? How does immersion of the researcher in the research world contribute to the study of power? What are the promises, and perils, of social research that invites the unruly minutiae of lived experience to converse with, and contest, abstract disciplinary theories and categories? In this practice-intensive seminar, we explore ethnographic and other qualitative fieldwork methods with specific attention to their potential to subvert, generate, and extend understandings of politics and power.

American Political Development is a research tradition in which important theoretical and empirical questions pertaining to the workings of democracy, the development of public policy, and the evolution of political institutions are investigated using historical and qualitative methods. This graduate course is provides a survey of classic and contemporary readings in this field.

An examination of the historical, legal, and political issues relating to the American "War on Terrorism." Discussions and readings will include the war on al Qaeda and ISIS, war powers and the laws of war, criminal actions against terrorists, FISA, wiretapping and the NSA, and torture. The class will conclude with issues relating to drones and robots and using military and diplomatic power to promote democracy. There will be a greater emphasis on legal issues than most political science seminars and extensive reading and class participation will be required.

Where is Central Asia? How have events and processes in Central Asia impacted us here in the United States? What can we learn about core political science themes ? for example governance and authoritarianism, political violence, identity politics, and economic development ? through an investigation of contemporary Central Asia? The course uses the Central Asian experience to critically interrogate the ways in which broader theories, concepts and approaches in political science resonate in Central Asia.

This course examines the multiple, competing ways in which social scientists have theorized the roles of various kinds of collective actors in politics. We will consider a range of such actors, including interest groups, social movements ("old" and "new," national and transnational), civil society associations, non-governmental organizations, those social actors recently grouped under the label the "Third Sector," as well as current protest movements across the globe.