Political Science

• CAS PO 111: Introduction to American Politics
  Undergraduate core course. Study of the national political structure; emphasis on Congress, the executive, administrative agencies, and the judiciary. Relations between formal institutions, parties, and interest groups. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 211.
• CAS PO 141: Introduction to Public Policy
  Undergraduate core course. Analysis of several issue areas: civil rights, school desegregation, welfare and social policy, education and urban housing, energy and the environment. Characteristics of policy systems in each issue area are analyzed to identify factors which may affect the content and implementation of public policies. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course by the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 241.
• CAS PO 151: Introduction to Comparative Politics
  Undergraduate core course. Meets with CAS IR 251. Examines different patterns of political development and contemporary politics in Western Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the former Soviet bloc. Introduces the comparative method in political science and competing theories of political development and political change. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 251.
• CAS PO 171: Introduction to International Relations
  (Meets with CAS IR 271.) Undergraduate core course. Study of basic factors in international relations, Western state system, balance of power, nationalism, and imperialism. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 271.
• CAS PO 191: Introduction to Political Theory
  Major works of political philosophy are considered, to address fundamental questions of political life. Looks at different conceptions of authority, justice, liberty, and equality, including how they justify and define government, law, and rights and how they pertain to current issues. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course by the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 291.
• CAS PO 204: Zanzibar&E Afrc
  
• CAS PO 301: Presidential Leadership
  Presidential power and functions; relations with Congress, political party, and the public; personality and leadership; and comparative study of selected presidents. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 317.
• CAS PO 304: The Judicial Process
  Introduction to the judicial process. Topics include the role of lawyers and judges, the structure of the court system, juries, and legal reasoning. Primarily intended for students who have little or no exposure to law courses. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 315. (Offered alternate years.)
• CAS PO 306: Media and Politics in the United States
  Examines changes over time in the American polity's assumptions about what the press ought to do. In particular, relates our understanding of the press's role to contemporary media developments including technological changes, corporate media ownership, and the re-amateurization of journalism. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 324.
• CAS PO 308: The Politics of Race and Ethnicity
  Definitional hypotheses of race and ethnicity based on cultural, sociological, and biological determinants tested against concrete examples of plural societies in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Correlations between racial/ethnic differentiation and sociopolitical stratification and cleavages examined. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 351.
• CAS PO 309: Women and Politics
  (Meets with CAS WS 350.) Readings, discussion, and field research on issues of women's relationship to the processes of political influence, change, and empowerment. Analysis of public policy related to women and children. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 342.
• CAS PO 313: The Politics and Policy of HBO’s The Wire
  HBO's television series The Wire is used to explore politics and policy. A number of interdisciplinary topics are covered, including the war on drugs, urban elections, bureaucracy, rational choice theory, and the decline of American cities.
• CAS PO 321: Foundations of American Public Policy
  Investigates the social and political roots of U.S. policy solutions. Cross-national comparisons and historical perspectives are used to shed light on seemingly unique American solutions to pressing social and economic problems. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 343.
• CAS PO 324: Comparative Public Policy
  Meets with CAS IR 340. Comparative study of the public policies of advanced societies in such areas as health training, unemployment, poverty, and budget. Explores why countries develop different solutions to policy needs, and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of various national approaches. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 341.
• CAS PO 325: Campaigns and Elections Around the World
  Meets with CAS IR 302. Electoral campaigns in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Changes in campaigns over time; role of international political consultants; influence of party systems, electoral systems, campaign finance regulation, vote buying, and mass media; campaign effects on voting behavior and public opinion. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 302.
• CAS PO 327: Non-State Actors in International Relations
  Meets with CAS IR 333. Examines the important role of non-state actors in international relations. Non- state actors include subnational governments, international organizations, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, religious groups, violent groups, for-profit security firms, social movements, and grassroots organizations. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 333.
• CAS PO 328: North-South Relations
  Meets with CAS IR 395. Employs a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the relations between the industrialized nations of the "North" and the developing nations of the "South." Addresses historical and current issues in North-South relations, including trade, investment, migration, regional economic integration, and the environment. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 352.
• CAS PO 329: International Political Economy
  Meets with CAS IR 390. Emphasizes the dynamic interaction between politics and economics to understand and explain historical and contemporary issues in international political economy, including international monetary, trade, investment, financial, and environmental relations. Considers emerging challenges and structures in the international political economy. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 355.
• CAS PO 331: The Policymaking Process
  An overview of policymaking in the United States and an exploration of the process, including obstacles faced, of political change. Toward the end of the semester, specific policy areas are analyzed to illustrate some of the broader topics.
• CAS PO 341: European Politics
  Meets with CAS IR 362. Comparative study of politics in member states of the European Union, with emphasis on political development, institutions, major issues in contemporary politics, and the impact of European integration. Selective references to original and new member states of the EU. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 361.

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