This course provides an introduction to the field of political psychology. It focuses primary attention on psychological explanations of individual political attitudes and actions, among both elites as well as the masses.

Topics will include peacekeeping, war statistics, the protection of civilians, the war on terror, military coups, battlefield performance, artificial intelligence and war, public opinion and foreign policy, leadership and war, women and political violence and other topics.

Massachusetts politics studied as a rich and colorful story, entailing corruption and virtue. Focus mainly on the present, covering the institutions of government and the political process. Students have the opportunity to pursue an aspect of the story that especially interests them.

This course explores the landscape of opinion on a variety of political topics to develop an understanding about how the public thinks about issues and why they think the way they do. It also examines how peoples' opinions influence their behavior, and whether or not political leaders follow the "will of the public" or manipulate public opinion to achieve their own aims.

A practicum/internship will help you gain invaluable knowledge and skills that can serve as a stepping-stone to your career. You can find an internship locally, in a major city, or abroad. Seeking an practicum/internship requires a great deal of initiative on your part - you must both find a site where you can work and connect with a faculty member who will support you in your academic efforts related to that work.

Not available at this time

Consider independently exploring a topic of interest under the guidance of a faculty member. Once you identify the subject, take time to research our faculty and their publications. It is important to ensure your interests intersect before asking if they will work with you. This work will be graded and may apply to your upper-level Political Science degree requirements.

UMass Women into Leadership (UWiL) is a series of hands-on workshops designed to educate participants on the existence and causes of gender disparities in public service, to provide leadership training to prepare participants to enter public service careers, and to offer mentoring and networking programs to help launch public service careers.

This course uses popular music - rock, hip hop, blues, country, jazz, and other genres - as an entryway to analysis of major themes in American politics, including American culture and values, patriotism, race relations and immigration, civil rights and liberties, and war and peace. It takes the view that popular music, in addition to being a form of entertainment, often offers incisive commentary on the state of American politics.

This course uses popular music - rock, hip hop, blues, country, jazz, and other genres - as an entryway to analysis of major themes in American politics, including American culture and values, patriotism, race relations and immigration, civil rights and liberties, and war and peace. It takes the view that popular music, in addition to being a form of entertainment, often offers incisive commentary on the state of American politics.