Political Science
College of Arts & Sciences
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Introduction to American Politics
CAS PO 111
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. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 9 am-12:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: PHO 201 ... Open SeatsTyler Lloyd -
Introduction to Comparative Politics
CAS PO 151
Undergraduate core course. 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. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Wed. 1-4:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: COM 217 ... Open SeatsNasir AlmasriMeets w/CAS IR 251 -
Introduction to International Relations
CAS PO 171
Undergraduate core course. 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. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Wed./Fri. 1-3:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Monday, June 29, 2026 Last day to add Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Course End Date Friday, August 7, 2026 Location: MCS B33 ... Open SeatsFlorian BodamerMeets w/CAS IR 271 -
Race and the Politics of Criminal Justice Policy
CAS PO 316
Online offering. Considers the following questions: How many people are affected by the criminal justice system? What is the relationship between crime and race? What criminal justice policies, if any, should change? Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 12-June 26)
O1 (IND) Arranged Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Sunday, May 24, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Sunday, June 7, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 ... Open SeatsSpencer PistonOnline section O1: Meets online every Wed 1-3 pm for a live class. Nonstandard course dates. Meets w/CAS AA 319Summer 2 (June 29-August 14)
O2 (IND) Arranged Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Monday, June 29, 2026 Last day to add Monday, June 22, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Saturday, July 11, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Saturday, July 25, 2026 Course End Date Friday, August 14, 2026 ... Open SeatsSpencer PistonOnline section O2: Meets online every Wed 1-3 pm for a live class. Nonstandard course dates. Meets w/CAS AA 319. Please note that the deadline to enroll in this section is June 25For information about technology requirements for online courses at Boston University, see bu.edu/online/technology. BU Virtual can be reached at buvirtual@bu.edu or 617-358-1960 for additional information. -
The Politics of Science, Care, and the Environment
CAS PO 322
Undergraduate Prerequisite: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120). This interdisciplinary course explores political conflicts over environmental problems as conflicts over science and care. Content ranges from concrete cases of U.S. environmental challenges (toxic exposure, wildlife in suburbs) to environmental political theory and the politics of climate change. Effective Summer 2026, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Social Inquiry II, Creativity/Innovation. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 1-4:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: PSY B51 ... Open SeatsLida MaxwellMeets w/CAS EE 322 -
Causes of War and Peace
CAS PO 357
War is the most destructive social act in which humanity engages. Why does this happen? This question is addressed by focusing on a variety of scholarly explanations. Theoretical discussions are paired with an examination of historical cases. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Social Inquiry 2. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Wed./Fri. 1-3:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Tuesday, May 19, 2026 Last day to add Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Thursday, June 11, 2026 Course End Date Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: MCS B29 ... Open SeatsFlorian BodamerMeets w/CAS IR 347 -
International Nuclear Politics
CAS PO 358
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120). Examines politics, history, and technologies surrounding nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. Foregrounds the "global atomic marketplace" with emphasis on the challenges and opportunities for nuclear proliferation and nonproliferation. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Writing-Intensive Course. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 9 am-12:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Monday, June 29, 2026 Last day to add Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Course End Date Friday, August 7, 2026 Location: CAS 228 ... Open SeatsRosella Cappella ZielinskiMeets w/CAS IR 315 & CAS HI 335 -
Religion and Politics
CAS PO 379
Introduction to the comparative study of the political role of religious institutions and beliefs. Covers issues such as religion's relationship to violence and terrorism, democracy and human rights, group identity, gender and sexuality, and modernity and secularism. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 1-4:30 pm Add & Drop DatesCourse Start Date Monday, June 29, 2026 Last day to add Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop without "W" grade Monday, July 6, 2026 Last day to drop with "W" grade Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Course End Date Friday, August 7, 2026 Location: MCS B37 ... Open SeatsTimothy LongmanMeets w/CAS IR 337 & CAS RN 379
Financial aid may be available to BU need-based scholarship recipients for certain HUB courses in summer 2026, including this one. For more information, please contact BU Financial Assistance at 617-353-2965 or finaid@bu.edu. Check out Summer 2026 HUB Course Scholarship eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.