Subject Course Number Long Course Title Description
GOVT 110 Introduction to Political Science An introduction to the nature of contemporary politics and government. Topics drawn primarily from American national, state, and local government and politics, with other political systems introduced for comparative purposes. Emphasis on such major concepts as power, legitimacy, political culture, conflict, and rational choice and on an examination of how a political system manages problems related to political change.
GOVT 140 Introduction to International Relations An introductory study of the cultural, political, and economic interactions among states and non-state actors in global politics. Special attention is paid to key issues, including international security, foreign policy decision-making, and the role of diplomacy in promoting cooperation. Required for the interdisciplinary area in international studies.
GOVT 150 Introduction to Global Studies An introduction to the economic, political, social, and cultural aspects of globalization. Special attention will be paid to the influence of globalization on particular regions of the world, including Europe and North America, the former Soviet Union, East Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Emphasis will be placed on the role of cross-cultural diplomacy in a global world. As part of the course, students will participate in a simulation of an international negotiation.
GOVT 190 Tutorial Studies in Government Advanced study, arranged and carried out under the direction of an instructor.
GOVT 195 Internship in Governenment Work with a government agency, legislative office, research institution, private employer, or other relevant organization, arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department.
GOVT 199 Independent Study in Government Advanced research, arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering an honors project should register for this course, for one or more terms.
GOVT 200 Politics and Human Nature What activities are most appropriate for human beings? What is the purpose of political activity? What is the best practicable constitution for a political community? This course examines several philosophers’ arguments concerning the best political regime in light of their respective visions of human nature and happiness.
GOVT 211 Flexibility and Freedom: American Federalism in Transition Federalism is a compromise between freedom and equality. How much authority should states and cities have over elections? Education? The environment? Observers characterize American federalism both as a bulwark against tyranny and a perpetrator of inequality. This course considers federalism's development, its contradictions, and its survival in a global society.
GOVT 215 Democracy in Comparative Perspective This course examines the key elements of democratic systems, including those of the United States, Japan, Britain, and Mexico. The course highlights political culture, institutions, and political processes, as well as key issues facing democracies today. Particular attention is paid to policies and politics of race relations and environmental concerns.
GOVT 216 Alliances and Power Politics An examination of the origins and development of U.S. alliances since 1945 that considers the internal and international politics of various countries, including Japan and the United States, explicitly employing relevant theories of politics, economics, and psychology.
GOVT 220 American Elections, Candidates, and Political Parties A study of the development, organization, structure, and activities of American political parties, with special attention to the recruitment and selection of presidential candidates.
GOVT 225 Race, Law, and Representation in U.S. Politics This course examines theories of political behavior and political representation through the lens of racial and ethnic politics in the United States. We focus particularly on the role of race in legislative representation, political campaigns, and minority voting rights, answering the question, “Does race affect political outcomes?” 
GOVT 235 American Political Thought This course examines the character and historical development of American political thought. Students analyze ideas about liberty, virtue, equality, authority, and community expressed in political tracts and speeches from colonial times to the present.
GOVT 245 Comparative Politics of Developing Countries An introduction to the study of comparative politics, with an emphasis on countries in the developing world. Themes covered include state-building, nationalism, modernization, political culture, democratization, and regime change. These concepts are assessed in light of observations drawn from specific countries and regions in the developing world.
GOVT 246 Latin American Politics The course addresses the politics of our neighboring region, Latin America. This important world region is at a political crossroads today. Topics include historical precedents, institutional arrangements, democratization, inter-american governance, the politics of women, the rise of Chavez and the "new left", and indigenous organizing.
GOVT 255 Immigrants and Refugees: Changing the Face of Europe An examination of the impact of immigration and refugee policy on the politics, culture, and society of European countries, especially Great Britain, France, and Germany.
GOVT 260 European Democracies An examination of the historical development and contemporary characteristics of western European political systems that first compares the contemporary systems of Great Britain, France, and Germany and then focuses on challenges facing European democracies today, including environmental problems and increasing immigration. Particular attention is paid to the process of European integration and the role of the European Union.
GOVT 270 Global Environmental Politics This course provides an examination of the environment as an issue in world politics. Emphasis will be placed on the role of both state and non-state actors (i.e., the UN, NGOs) in global environmental regimes that are designed to deal with global warming, ozone depletion, and other environmental issues. Particular attention will be paid to the positions taken by both developed and developing countries. As part of the course, students will participate in a simulation of an international negotiation on an environmental issue.
GOVT 275 Global Economic Relations This course covers the major concepts utilized in the field of international political economy. Major issues covered include globalization, monetary policy, trade policy, and the role of international institutions such as the WTO.
GOVT 276 Economic Development Economic analysis of particular situations and policy questions faced by developing countries. Topics include economic growth and inequality, poverty, demographics, rural-urban transitions, factor and financial markets, and trade policies.
GOVT 277 Political Economy of Regulation An introduction to the political economy of economic regulation, which includes an analysis of both the economic incentives of those people being regulated and the political incentives of those people doing the regulating. In addition to an overview of this field, this course focuses on developing a common case study whose topic changes from year to year.
GOVT 278 Public Sector Economics: Taxation Analysis An analysis of the effects of governmental taxation policies on the allocation of resources and on the distribution of income. Considerable attention to analyzing the equity and efficiency implications of various tax instruments.
GOVT 279 Public Sector Economics:Expenditure Analysis This course examines market deficiencies, including externalities and public goods, as well as the policy responses to these deficiencies. Policy selection will be discussed in terms of voting behavior and public-choice theory. The course also will address cost-benefit analysis, governmental subsidies, and specific government programs such as Social Security.
GOVT 280 U.S. Foreign Policy Analysis and interpretation of the nature, patterns, and trends of American foreign policy since World War II. Emphasis on the origins, development, and passing of the Cold War and on factors of continuing significance.
GOVT 315 Founding the Just Regime Can a corrupt people create a just regime? What role must violence, deception, persuasion, and reflection play in promoting political justice? What are the ground and scope of citizens’ political obligations? This course studies the difficulties of creating and reforming political communities.
GOVT 320 Introduction to Constitutional Law This course examines the American Constitution's structure and purposes; who may authoritatively interpret the Constitution; and legal debates that have attended American constitutional development. It focuses particular attention on competing claims about the founding; interpretive expertise and authority; the contract, commerce, and equal protection clauses; the separation of powers; and federalism.
GOVT 321 Civil Liberties and the Supreme Court A study of landmark 20th-century civil-rights and liberties cases in U.S. constitutional law. These cases involve critical constitutional issues concerning the nationalization of the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and press, abortion and the right to privacy, desegregation and affirmative action.
GOVT 335 Political Economy of East Asia This course examines the policies and politics associated with the emergence and continued dynamism of the East Asian economies. The course will cover various debates over the roles of the state, culture, and market institutions in explaining the region’s rapid economic development and the viability of current development models in a global economy.
GOVT 340 International Politics An analysis of patterns of interactions of state and non-state actors in a system without supreme authority, focusing on alternative theoretical frameworks rather than substantive problems. Special emphasis on “realist” and “liberal” theories; the nature and uses of power in international politics; and issues of security, including conventional war, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, environmental decay, and migration.
GOVT 350 Comparative Politics: Asia, Africa, and Latin America A comparative study of the crucial issues and problems of state-building in old and new countries in the developing areas. Emphasis on theories of political modernization and their application to concrete cases, especially Japan, and a comparison of it with other countries, mainly in Africa and Latin America. Topics include political culture, nationalism, revolution, politics of economic development, and the relation of development to regime types and legitimacy.
GOVT 351 Broadsides to Blogs: Mass Media in American Politics From colonial broadsides to last night's blog, American politics has been enmeshed with mass media. Students will consider the roll of the mass media in shaping what citizens think about candidates for office, election campaigns, making of policy, and ultimately, governing. Does the mass media undermine democracy or strengthen it?
GOVT 360 The American Presidency An examination of the politics of the American presidency, including the constitutional foundations of the office, elections, and the president's relationships with
Congress, the courts, the public, media, and the executive branch. The main theme of the course is the difficulty of assessing presidential leadership, in particular sorting the effects of presidents' individual characteristics and strategies from contextual constraints and opportunities.
GOVT 370 Congressional Politics This course covers the basics of congressional politics, including elections, the constitutional framework, committees, parties, and legislative procedures. Thematic focuses include strategies of legslative coalition building and the relative importance of partisanship, constituent pressures, and policy expertise in comgressional politics.
GOVT 375 American Political Development This course explores patterns in American political culture that have shaped American institutions. Attention is paid to historical context and alternate political arrangements once suggested but not taken. Students will engage two questions: Will American democracy work only in America? Do political structures or political culture better explain American institutions?
GOVT 380 Introduction to Public Policy This course considers economic and democratic models for structuring the collective choices that become public policy. It then explores how major American institutions balance political control and technical expertise in the design, enactment and implementation of public policy.
GOVT 385 Modern British Politics This course analyzes the central structures and processes of British politics, the important policy issues of recent years, British attitudes toward the political system, and critiques of British politics and history. Offered at the London Centre.
GOVT 390 Tutorial Studies in Government Advanced study, arranged and carried out under the direction of an instructor.
GOVT 395 Internship in Government Work with a government agency, legislative office, research institution, private employer, or other relevant organization, arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department.
GOVT 399 Independent Study in Government Advanced research, arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering an honors project should register for this course, for one or more terms.
GOVT 405 Individuality and Community in Modern Politics This course studies a variety of theoretical responses to the emergence of open societies in the West. Topics include the competing demands of individuality and community in religious, commercial, and political life.
GOVT 415 The History of American Political Thought This course examines the character and historical development of American political thought. Students analyze ideas about liberty, virtue, equality, authority, and community expressed in political tracts and speeches from colonial times to the present. This course is more research intensive than Government 235.
GOVT 435 Voting, Political Participation, and Public Opinion Who votes and why? How do individuals form opinions about politics? How are scientific surveys and polls conducted and what are their limitations? This course examines voting, participation, and public opinion formation (primarily in the United States) through theories of political psychology and rational choice.
GOVT 445 Chinese Government and Politics This course explores the political development, political institutions, forms of political participation, and the policy-making process in the People’s Republic of China. Coverage includes the Chinese Revolution, Maoist China, and contemporary China, with an emphasis on economic reforms and political changes in recent decades.
GOVT 465 Environmental Politics An examination of the politics of environmental policy in the United States, including the organization and demands of the environmental movement and its opponents, the ways in which major actors and institutions in the U.S. system treat environmental issues, and such specific topics as environmental justice and the application of cost-benefit reasoning to environmental policy making.
GOVT 475 Games and Strategy in Politics Political scientists often interpret politics as a game between strategic actors. This course surveys applications of game theory and social-choice theory to a wide variety of political phenomena,
GOVT 480 International Organizations An examination of the role of international organizations (IOs) in world politics, focusing on both the historical development and the contemporary functions of the United Nations and other IOs in regard to the promotion of international peace and security. Attention is also given to the role of IOs in regard to global issues such as peacekeeping, humanitarian intervention, and environmental protection and to regional organizations, especially the European Union. As part of the course, students will participate in a simulation of the United Nations.
GOVT 490 International Law A study of the role of law in international politics. Attention to the distinctive nature of the international legal system and to the relevance of international law to the control of violence, promotion of peace, protection of human rights, and management of resources. Current problems and the outlook for the future world order are assessed.
GOVT 495 Health Policy A seminar addressing present and prospective health care policy in the United States. Emphasis on various contemporary health care problems, including high and rising costs, differences in access to medical service, and trade-offs between cost and quality. Specific topics include Medicare, Medicaid, medical malpractice, profit versus not-only-for-profit producers of care, and alternative delivery systems.
GOVT 500 Senior Seminar in Government


Seminar for Fall 2008: Advanced Research in International and Comparative Politics


In this seminar, students will 1) examine different ways that research questions can be posed and answered in the fields of international and comparative politics; and 2) carry out research projects that answer a specific research question derived from one or more theoretical approaches found in the study of international or comparative politics. The focus of the research project will be selected in consultation with the instructor.



Seminar for Fall 2008: Advanced Research in American Politics


The first part of the seminar will be devoted to an overview of the scope and methods of political science research. During the balance of the term, students will design and produce individual research projects on topics of their choice. Projects must be positive in nature, descriptive and explanatory, rather than prescriptive. Students entering this seminar should have some background in the topic they wish to study.



Seminar for Winter 2009: The War in Iraq and the 2008 Election


In this seminar, we'll examine the degree to which the war in Iraq influenced the 2008 election season. We'll cover an array of campaigns and elections, from the Iowa caucuses to the general presidential race and select Congressional contests. The course will incorporate both traditional and new media, including television debates, campaign advertising, talk radio, and blogs.




Seminar for Spring 2009: The United States and Europe in the 21st Century


A seminar examining in depth contemporary U.S.-European relations. This relationship has served as the corner stone of economic, political and security policies on both sides of the Atlantic for most of the 20th century. In the past decade, however, old assumptions have gone by the board. Strong foreign and security policy disagreements have arisen; harsh economic and trade disputes have also developed. This seminar will examine systematically the institutional, psychological, historical, political and economic factors on both sides of the Atlantic which are fueling the apparent division of two major partners and consider the future of the relationship.
GOVT 550 Practicum in Environmental Studies Practical experience working in either environmental policy development or environmental science fieldwork in a community. For example, students might work with businesses, trade organizations, state or local government, or non-profit advocacy groups. Students spend a minimum of ten hours per week at assigned settings and attend weekly supervision meetings with instructor. Practica can be done during the academic year (at local placements or on campus) or during the summer (at off-campus placements).
GOVT 590 Tutorial Studies in Government Advanced study, arranged and carried out under the direction of an instructor.
GOVT 595 Internship in Government Work with a government agency, legislative office, research institution, private employer, or other relevant organization, arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department.
GOVT 599 Independent Study in Government Advanced research, arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering an honors project should register for this course, for one or more terms.
GOVT 690 Tutorial Studies in Government Advanced study, arranged and carried out under the direction of an instructor.
GOVT 695 Internship in government Work with a government agency, legislative office, research institution, private employer, or other relevant organization, arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department.
GOVT 699 Independent Study in Government Advanced research, arranged in consultation with the department. Students considering an honors project should register for this course, for one or more terms.