A survey of political theorists in the Western political tradition from classical Greece to the Renaissance. The formative influences upon our concep- tions of politics, citizenship, justice, and natural rights will be highlighted and key issues in contro- versies over rhetoric and philosophy, time and polit- ical order, education and the body politic, and polit- ical action and human artifice will be illuminated.
An analysis of American national and state party systems, organization, and functions; nominations and elections; and voting patterns.
An examination of the role that race and ethnicity play in the political arena. Students will explore the nature of race, racism, and ethnocentrism, as well as their impact on political institutions and public policy. Particular attention will be given to elections, public opinion, mass media and social movements in the United States.
An introduction to the nature and content of public opinion, how polls are conducted, the political effects of polling, and the role of public opinion in the policy-making process.
Introduction to quantitative research methods used by political scientists. The course introduces students to data sets and statistical software commonly used in political science, and basic analysis techniques used to analyze political data.
Analysis of research paradigms for political science, and investigation into the foundations of scientific inquiry. Emphasis on topics such as explanation, concept formation, the construction and function of theory, data, and verification.
A thorough survey of recent literature on political institutions and the political process, including political parties and the legislative and executive processes, at the national and sub-national levels.
An examination of contemporary political theories, especially their relationships to theoretical issues in policy analysis. Major problems such as inquiry and change, ideology and power, and knowledge and authority will be studied, particularly in the context of public policy.
Topic and instructor will vary from semester to semester. Faculty member presents seminar on topic in which he has particular research competence or special expertise. May be repeated under different subtitle to a maximum of nine hours.
The seminar examines international security affairs, with an emphasis on the sources and nature of conflict, and methods of conflict, the patterns of conflict, and methods of conflict resolution and regulation, both within states and among them.
