Courses

• CAS PH 491: Directed Study
  Individual or small group tutorial instruction and directed research on selected topics.
• CAS PH 492: Directed Study
  Individual or small group tutorial instruction and directed research on selected topics.
• 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 fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Social Inquiry .
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  • Social Inquiry I
• CAS PO 141: Introduction to Public Policy
  What are public policies? Where do they come from? What are their effects? In this course, we grapple with these questions. We also examine the question: how do the politics of public policy affect racial and economic inequality? Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Social Inquiry I.
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  • Social Inquiry I
  • Critical Thinking
• 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 Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Introduces the comparative method in political science and competing theories of political development and political change. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
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  • Social Inquiry I
  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • Critical Thinking
• CAS PO 171: Introduction to International Relations
  Explores major issues in international relations, including conflict, cooperation, and governance. Addresses dominant international relations theories and their application. Investigates state system, international law and organization, transnational actors, state behavior, and globalization. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
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  • Social Inquiry I
  • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
• CAS PO 191: Introduction to Political Theory
  Fundamental questions of political life are addressed by analyzing works of political philosophy. Historical and contemporary events and issues illustrate and complicate analysis of conceptions of authority, justice, liberty, and equality. Many definitions of government, law, and rights are considered. Carries social science divisional credit in CAS. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking.
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  • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
  • Ethical Reasoning
  • Critical Thinking
• CAS PO 201: American Governance: Foreign Affairs, Politics, and Presidents in the Twentieth Century
  Meets with CAS IR 356 E and CAS HI 281 E. Overview of American presidencies of the late twentieth century, specifically considering how politics relates to foreign policy in America. Concepts including isolationism, manifest destiny, moralism, rule of law, national self-interest, and terrorism are discussed. Special focus on Iraq and Afghanistan. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 356.
• CAS PO 202: Introduction to Congressional Policymaking
  Takes students through a step-by-step analysis of legalizing a bill. The process is studied in minute detail to give students a good understanding of the American system of government. All students who have not taken courses in American government are expected to enroll in this course. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 406.
• CAS PO 203: Strategies for Issue Development and Policy Change
  Focuses on the specialized forms of communication that political professionals use to win public support for their issues, candidates, and policy positions; and teaches concrete planning skills for those interested in influencing public policy using both inside and outside (or grassroots) strategies. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 321.
• CAS PO 204: The Modern US Senate: From Collaboration to Confrontation
  Examines the history of the US Senate with a special focus on increasing partisanship since WWII. Addresses major policy issues and landmark pieces of legislation as well as the lives and legacies of prominent individual Senators. Includes guest lecturers. Also offered as CAS HI 327E.
• CAS PO 220: Britain and Europe: A New Beginning
  Examines the changing social, cultural, political, and economic structures of Britain at the end of the twentieth century. Introduction to current debates about the future of the United Kingdom in its relationship with Europe. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 335.
• CAS PO 221: British Political Institutions
  Meets with CAS IR 359. The institutions of British democracy and political participation. Voting patterns, interest groups, and political parties; the role of Parliament, the cabinet, the monarchy, and civil service. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 360.
• CAS PO 222: The British Legal System
  Provides an introduction to the history and the development of the British legal system. Describes the evolution of the Common Law of England, the legal system and the legal profession of England. Also examines legal aspects of constitutional systems of government. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 534.
• CAS PO 223: Issues in Contemporary Politics
  An in-depth study of contemporary topics in British and European politics and society, the course provides context to examine such issues as British/EC political and trade relations, British relations with the former Soviet bloc, and Anglo-American problems of public administration. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 358.
• CAS PO 224: British Law and Current Issues
  Examines controversial issues in contemporary British law, situated in their social, political, and ethical context. Special comparisons to wider European as well as American issues. Format includes class discussions, film viewings, and guest lectures from field experts. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 388.
• CAS PO 225: Understanding British Foreign and Domestic Policy Processes
  Meets with CAS IR 361 E. Presents main policy areas and policy-making in Britain in an international context. Particular attention paid to foreign and defense policies. Focus on policy outcomes and the policy- making process with some reference to the political system and associated legal and constitutional factors.
• CAS PO 231: The History of Ireland
  Examination of four themes: Ireland's relationship with England; Ireland and the Catholic Church; Ireland during the Union with Great Britain (especially the famine); and the emergence of the modern Irish nation. Emphasis on economic, political, and religious developments. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 381.
• CAS PO 240: Paris Politique
  Introduction to the political life of France, beginning with a historical overview of the French political system. Examines issues related to administrative organization, the civil service, regionalism, and France's role in the international community. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 450.
• CAS PO 242: The Activities of International Organizations
  Examination of several types of institutional arrangements, both within and outside the UN system, as well as normative, operational, and enforcement activities. Considers role of non-State actors in their relations with international institutional arrangements. This course cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title that was previously numbered CAS PO 444.

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