In this course we will read classic texts in the history of political thought and contemporary political theory. We will build understanding of key political concepts like the social contract, justice, democracy, and virtue. The readings will include Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Machiavelli, Rousseau, Marx, and Arendt.
POLI_SCI 220-0-24 American Government and Politics
This course introduces students to topics related to the development and maintenance of the U.S. system of government. It surveys the nature of American political institutions, behavior, and ideas while understanding the importance of these features for sustaining American democracy. Topics include the Constitution, federalism, civil rights, civil liberties, Congress, the Presidency, the Courts, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, the media, and campaigns and elections. Contemporary issues and debates in American politics and elections are discussed throughout. (This course counts toward WCAS Distribution Requirements, Division III; fulfills Major and Minor requirements in Political Science; and satisfies requirements in other majors and schools as well, e.g., Medill distribution requirement).
From civil war to nuclear weapons, mafia thugs to oligarchs, and natural resource battles to modern-day dictators, Russia has experienced a remarkable range of political phenomena over the past two decades. This course analyzes the political, economic, and foreign policy revolutions that shook Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Through the lens of the Russian experience, we will examine key concepts in comparative politics, such as revolution, regime change, market formation, nationalism, and state building.
Whether you plan to professionally engage in politics, conduct international business, or simply be a well-educated global citizen, you need to know about Russia. It is the world’s largest country by geographic size and the ninth largest country by population. It remains one of the world’s only two nuclear superpowers. It is the world’s largest oil producer and exporter. And it widely is considered – along with China, India, and Brazil – to be one of the world’s most important emerging economies.
POLI_SCI 390-0-25 Special Topic: 1968: The year of "revolution"
In the year of 1968 Students and others revolted across the globe: Chicago, Prague,Tokyo, Mexico City, Paris and others. People fought the police, engaged in the destruction of property and challenged the authority of the state. Some were protesting the War in Vietnam and racism, others capitalism, others political repression and still others the boredom of modern society. This class will focus on Paris, Prague and Chicago and we will ask why these revolts, in varying contexts, broke out in the same year and what did they have in common and what separated them.
POLI_SCI 390-0-35 Special Topic: Humanitarian Disasters and International Intervention
This class will address humanitarian disasters past and present and ask what other nations did (if anything), what could have been done, and why something or nothing occurred. We will begin with the idea of "Responsibility to Protect" as an alternative to international anarchy or nations choosing inaction as being in their national interests. We will choose one crisis from the past and one from the present, one with intervention and one without. We will attempt to find a logic behind both decisions.
POLI_SCI 395-0-1 Political Research Seminar: Politics of Corruption
What is corruption? How does it affect politics, economics, and the overall quality of life around the world? This course explores these and related questions. The first part of the course investigates various types of corruption – such as bribery, vote buying, and financial kickbacks – with a focus on recent examples from numerous countries. The second part of the course considers the consequences of corruption, with a particular emphasis on its impact on democracy and economic development. The final part of the course focuses on corruption’s roots and examines a variety of anti-‐corruption policies.
POLI_SCI 395-0-2 Political Research Seminar: Machiavelli Reconciled
Was Machiavelli really Machiavellian? We will read from all of Machiavelli's major works and many of his lesser works including diplomatic dispatches and observations, comedies, and later histories in chronological order to explore how his ideas evolved in context. Did the ends justify the means; do they still? If that question is not a tautology, what ends and what means? Was Machiavelli shocking because he said what everyone already knew but were afraid to say? If so, why were negative reactions unheard of until much later? The course was created on the premise that there is much more to Machiavelli than is commonly understood and that his political theory is still compelling 500 years later and that it still exerts its influence. Discussion and targeted writing assignments will aim at cultivating in students a deeper understanding of Machiavelli's political-theoretical, literary, and historical attitudes, placing Nic in his rightful place among political theorists.
Four Week - First Session courses meet the weeks of: Monday, June 24 to Sunday, July 21
Five Week - First Session courses meet the weeks of: Monday, June 24 to Sunday, July 28
