Political Science
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- Political Science
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CAS PO 393: The European Enlightenment
Survey of the intellectual and social transformation of Europe from the 1680s to the French Revolution. Readings draw on both eighteenth-century sources (including Voltaire, Diderot, Condorcet, Lessing, Smith, and Hume) and recent work by historians. Also offered as CAS HI 215. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 395. -
CAS PO 394: Catastrophe & Memory
Examines the ways in which catastrophes, both natural and social, enter into cultural memory. Goal is to understand how events that seem to defy comprehension are represented in works of art and given a place in the memory of a culture. Also offered as CAS HI 221. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 397. -
CAS PO 425: Seminar: State Building and Failure in the Developing World
Considers the political significance of failed and fragile states in the developing world in the post-9/11 era. Students analyze historical patterns of state formation and its relevance in contemporary society. Also offered as CAS SO 439. -
CAS PO 491: Directed Study in Political Science
Directed study conducted under the supervision of a faculty member in Political Science. -
CAS PO 492: Directed Study in Political Science
Directed study conducted under the supervision of a faculty member in Political Science. -
CAS PO 493: Independent Work in Political Science
Open to upper division concentrators. Students have a minimum GPA of 3.2 with a 3.4 in the major plus the ability to do independent work in the judgment of the major faculty advisor. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 401. -
CAS PO 494: Independent Work in Political Science
Open to upper division concentrators. Students have a minimum GPA of 3.2 with a 3.4 in the major plus the ability to do independent work in the judgement of the major faculty advisor. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 402. -
CAS PO 500: The Politics of Education
Overview of the origins of public schooling, the purpose of public education, and controversial educational policies and research. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 548. -
CAS PO 502: Political Analysis: A Primer
The logic and methods of empirical analysis in political science. Includes discussion of experimental, observational, ethnographic, and mass survey research designs. Recommended for students pursuing Honors reserach or considering graduate work in political science. -
CAS PO 503: The U.S. in the Middle East
Meets with CAS IR 503. Examines the historical development and present status of the United States' association with the Middle East: American commercial, economic, political, military, and humanitarian interests in the area and their interaction. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 570. -
CAS PO 504: Public Policy Analysis: Issues, Concepts, and Tools
The analytical foundations of public policy analysis and the limitations on "rational" policy-making. An analysis of several controversial public policies (e.g., regulating the economy, immigration, health care reform) which may vary from year to year. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 641. -
CAS PO 508: The Judiciary and Civil Liberties
First Amendment rights of speech, press, assembly, religion; rights of defendants in criminal cases; and the constitutional protection of racial minorities. Supreme Court decision-making processes and modes of compliance with its decisions are also considered. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 514. -
CAS PO 511: American Electoral Behavior
The scientific study of elections and political participation with emphasis on voting in U.S. presidential elections. Topics include partisanship, ideology, voter turnout, political participation, campaign organization and strategy, and the effects of campaigns on voters. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 524. -
CAS PO 515: American Politics and Use of Force
Examines how domestic politics drive the use of force in the postwar United States. Explores how Congress, courts, interest groups, media, and public opinion define Presidential action in times of crisis, as well as the kinds of crises that evoke action. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 518. -
CAS PO 516: Gender and Politics
Analyzes the development of female citizenship in the United States since the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women's suffrage. Inequalities based on sex and sexuality, and the political and legal attempts to address these issues are discussed. -
CAS PO 524: Governance
What is good governance, and what are its causes and effects? These questions, at the heart of political science since Aristotle, are addressed empirically through cross-national data and case studies. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the title "Democratic Governance" that was previously numbered CAS PO 521. -
CAS PO 525: Bureaucracy and Governance: A Comparative Inquiry
(Meets with CAS IR 513.) Bureaucracy is not only credited with underpinning economic development but also blamed for corruption and inefficiency. Exploring both theory and comparative development, this course looks at some of the most basic and important issues informing our understanding of governance. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 546. -
CAS PO 526: Global Justice
Meets with CAS IR 523. Charts the course of human development over history and inquires why the quality of life varies so dramatically in the world today. Geographic, economic, cultural, and political factors are explored. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 523. -
CAS PO 528: Seminar: The Political Economy of Advanced Industrialized Societies
Meets with GRS IR 723. Surveys forces contributing to national differences in social and economic policy; identifies current challenges to state sovereignty, such as globalization and immigration; and examines how nations from different welfare state regimes are coping with these threats to the nation state. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 621. -
CAS PO 529: Globalization and Contemporary Capitalism in Advanced Industrialized Nations
Meets with CAS IR 596. How has globalization affected national sovereignty and control? Competing hypotheses are examined with specific reference to the internationalization of trade and the financial markets, and its impact on the three postwar models of capitalism. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 538.

