Political Science

A survey of the principles, problems, structure, and functions of the United States federal government including the concept of democracy, the constitution, the federal system, civil and political rights, the party system, public opinion, pressure groups, governmental institutions, and public policies.

Scholars have long argued that the number of wars in the world, along with battlefield deaths, have declined significantly in recent years. But are we still winning "the war on war?" We'll examine some of the world's current conflicts to see if war is making a comeback.

This introductory course explores the ways in which countries and organizations like the United Nations, global corporations, and humanitarian groups interact with each other. How do these actors address global problems like the spread of nuclear weapons, poverty in the developing world, and climate change? Why do wars occur, and how do world leaders try to promote peace? Assumes no prior study of Political Science. 

Are politics in countries like the United Kingdom, France, China, and Japan as contentious and troubled as those in the United States? Comparative politics is the study of political systems outside of the United States. Why do countries have different types of governments? How do politicians decide which problems and issues to address, and why do citizens in one country behave differently from those in another? This introductory course assumes no prior study of Political Science.

Political psychology is an exploding interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to understanding the psychological underpinnings of political cognition and political behavior. Researchers in this field use the tools of psychologists, behavioral economists, and cognitive scientists to study core questions about politics in novel and exciting new directions. Key questions answered in this course include: How is personality related to politics? Are politicians psychopathic? Are there psychological underpinnings of authoritarianism? Are there intuitive ethics and moral foundations that underlie all societies? Can humans overcome cognitive biases and prejudices in politics? Why are conspiracy theories so hard to combat?

This course explores race and ethnicity's role in American politics. In this class, students will focus on the 'big questions' surrounding race: What is race? Can race be measured—and, if so, how? How have questions about race and ethnicity shaped American legal, social, cultural, and political institutions? How have Americans thought about race and immigration throughout the 21st century, and how have these opinions shaped political engagement and behavior?

A study of the nature of parties; the history, organization, and government of the American party system; suffrage and elections; political socialization and behavior; primaries and conventions; campaign techniques and finance; pressure groups.

This course explores the history and politics of China and Japan since the middle of the 19th century, with a comparative focus on the remarkable political and economic experiences of both countries. Current domestic and international issues in the region are examined as well.

A study of the basic institutional components of the Presidency and the Congress and the interrelationships between these two branches of government.

Political behavior is the study of how people think and act politically. This course deeply investigates several important questions about people and politics: Is the mass public hopelessly divided by politics? Are American citizens knowledgeable about politics? Should we trust American citizens to elect good officials? Can misinformation hurt our democracy? In what ways do men and women operate differently in politics, as both voters and policy makers?

This course examines the nature of politics in the developing world. Topics include the political legacies of colonialism and the contemporary spread of democracy and open markets throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

A study of international systems, relations among states, problems of war and peace, and theoretical issues.

An analysis of American attitudes toward international problems, the process of foreign policy making, and the content of U.S. policy. Particular attention is focused on current issues.

A study of the interactions between states and markets in the international arena. Topics explored include the politics of international trade, the political regulation of international financial flows, and relations between developed and developing countries.