Political Science

• CAS PO 563: Political Economy of Mexico and NAFTA
  Meets with CAS IR 575. Explores the dynamics of contemporary Mexicans' political economy and Mexico's participation in the North American Trade Agreement to understand the causes and effects of the profound transformation of Mexico in recent years. Addresses challenges that lie ahead. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 553.
• CAS PO 564: Latin American Politics
  Meets with CAS IR 567. The nature and evolution of politics in the region, with emphasis on twentieth-century patterns in specific countries. Considers the physical, historical, social, and economic constraints that have affected political development and the various explanations available to advance our understanding. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 567.
• CAS PO 565: U.S.-Latin American Relations
  Meets with CAS IR 568. The international context within which Latin American countries operate, with primary emphasis on U.S. policy toward the region. Includes historical overview, the policymaking process itself, and case studies of specific policy issues. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 568.
• CAS PO 566: Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Latin America
  Meets with CAS IR 411. Examines a range of historical and contemporary conflicts and wars in Latin America, both internal and regional, examining their causes and consequences, and the most important factors that explain how they were resolved or why they persist. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 411.
• CAS PO 567: Democracy in Latin America and Its Challenges
  Meets with CAS IR 566. Provides an overview of democracy's achievements and challenges in Latin America. Draws comparisons between stable and unstable democracies in the region, and analyzes the reasons for, and implications of, these differences. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 580.
• CAS PO 570: Politics and Society in North Africa and the Middle East
  Meets with CAS IR 569. An investigation of contemporary North Africa and the Middle East, with emphasis on current socioeconomic and political trends and tensions. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 560.
• CAS PO 571: Government and Politics of Contemporary Africa
  Meets with CAS IR 534. Analysis of independent black Africa; factors of continuity and change in modern Africa, problems of political order, ambiguities of independence. Case studies of individual countries selected for additional emphasis on specific issues and problems of the developing countries. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 565.
• CAS PO 572: Political Systems of Southern Africa
  Analysis of the balance of political forces in the multiracial societies of southern Africa; emphasis on the problems of governmental stability, the prospects for integration and disintegration, the range of responses to interracial tensions, and their international repercussions. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 566.
• CAS PO 575: Decision Making in U.S. Foreign Policy
  Examination of international crises from the perspective of the individual decision maker. Critical analysis and testing of the theoretical frameworks used to explain how states and statesmen behave in a crisis situation. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 576.
• CAS PO 576: The Foreign Policy of the People's Republic of China
  Meets with CAS IR 577. Explores China's perception of its role in the world, its evolution from a regional to a world power, and its security and economic relationships within the international system. Relationships with the superpowers, Third World, and world economy, focusing on technology and capital transfers. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 578.
• CAS PO 577: The Persian Gulf/Arabian Peninsula
  Meets with CAS IR 504. The Persian Gulf/Arabian Peninsula system as a major focus of international concern. An in-depth examination of the political, economic, and societal evolution and dynamics of these states: their interrelationships; superpowers', European, and Japanese policies toward them. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 585.
• CAS PO 578: The United States as a World Power
  Meets with GRS HI 859. The course material is organized along a debate format. Although the course is primarily concerned with twentieth-century U.S. foreign policy, attention is also given to eighteenth- and nineteenth-century issues. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 674.
• CAS PO 579: Political Biography
  Political biographies and memoir literature used to evaluate twentieth-century international relations and statecraft. Topics vary but may include biographical literature related to World War II, the Cold War, and Third World political leaders. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 676.
• CAS PO 582: North Atlantic/European Security Issues
  Meets with CAS IR 589. Examination of the post Cold War security environment in the North Atlantic and greater European context. Exploration of threats to security, mechanisms in place and emerging (NATO, CSCE, CFE, WEU), and challenges posed by changes since fall 1989. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 531.
• CAS PO 583: Gender and War
  (Meets with CAS IR 518 and WS 345.) Examines gender constructions in world politics. Topics include gender biases in international relations theories, female and males roles in war, and rape as an instrument of warfare. Also assesses roles of women as leaders, actors, and objects of foreign policy.
• CAS PO 591: Seminar in Political Philosophy
  An in-depth study of a major political philosopher, historical period, or topic in political philosophy. Topic for 2013/2014: TBA. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course by the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 691.

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