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POLS 321
This course is a study of the roles and functions of the President of the United States in relation to the other branches of government, the states, and the international system.POLS 322
This course is a study of the United States courts as institution and process, emphasizing the Federal courts. The course examines the role of courts as defenders of the rights of citizens and as makers of law and policy.POLS 325
This course is a study of the theoretical and policy interrelationship of politics and economics, state and market, in the international system. Emphasis is on the role of government and international organizations in the authoritative allocation of public and private goods. Socio-economic decision-making mechanisms (market, hierarchy, bargaining, etc.) are identified and analyzed on a global scale. Neo-classical, Keynesian, Marxist, andnon-traditional approaches to political economy are examined.POLS 337
This course studies the democratic dynamic in the United States in its electoral form. Particular emphasis is on voting behavior, political parties, candidate decision-making, and political campaign strategy. Political culture and processes of participatory democracy are also emphasized.POLS 341
This course is an examination of the assumptions and mechanics underlying the making of U.S. foreign policy since World War II. The course provides a framework for analyzing foreign policy decision-making and the various approaches to the formulation and conduct of post-Cold War foreign policy.POLS 342
This course broadly focuses on the idea of international cooperation while examining more specifically the roles of international organizations (IOs), both inter-governmental and non-governmental, in international politics. Emphasis is on topics such as the relationships between major international relations theories and IOs, the evolution of international law, the structure and function of IOs, and the issue areas addressed by IOs.POLS 361
This course provides an introduction to ancient and medieval political thought. Fundamental questions examined include: What is the relationship between ethics and politics?; What is a good regime?; What is a good citizen?; What is the relationship between law and ethics?; What is the relationship between theology and political thought? Students are guided in a close reading of important political works, including Plato’s Apology and Republic, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics and Politics, and Augustine’s City of God. (This course can be taken as PHIL 361.)POLS 362
As an introduction to modern and post-modern political thought, students examine the writings of important political thinkers of the past 500 years. Emphasis is on the development of political theories regarding issues such as democracy, citizenship, justice, equality, race, gender, sexuality, and the environment. (This course can be taken as PHIL 362.)