Spring 2025 Courses
Undergraduate Courses
Please view the 91¿´Æ¬ Course Catalog for a complete listing of the Political Science department course offerings.
Important note about special topic courses.
The department encourages students to take special topic (ST) courses. All special topic courses are eligible for credit with regard to political science major and minor requirements.
ST: American politics and political theory courses are eligible for Track 1 credit.
ST: Comparative politics and international relations courses count for Track 2 credit.
Special topic courses are not automatically assigned to the corresponding requirement. Advisors request a course substitution by emailing the registrar. If your special topic courses require a transcript adjustment, please contact your advisor.
Introductory Courses for LinC credit - M3, M4, M5
100- Level Courses
POSC 110 A: American Political System
Operation of American political processes and governmental institutions. Political culture of American democracy, political philosophy of the Constitution, relationship between organization of the economy and political power, linkages between mass public and governing elites, and operation of institutions of national government. (M4)
POSC 115 A: Introduction to International Politics
This course is meant to acquaint students with the analytical approaches, concepts, processes, issues, and actors in world politics. The class is anchored in class discussion and exchange of ideas. We will study the continuum of theoretical traditions and analytical approaches used in the study of international relations/world politics/international politics, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and feminism. We will explore the roles of key actors in global politics including governments, international institutions, and a variety of non-state actors. Additionally, we will examine key global issues such as global security, war and peace, human rights, global economics and trade, poverty and development, and environmental issues. The course will draw on historical and contemporary cases to help students draw connections between theories and world events and to be equipped with how to best explain and understand the world (M4)
POSC 120 A: Introduction to Political Thinking
How can we ask better political questions and provide better political answers? This course introduces students to the habits of mind of famous thinkers across the centuries: Plato, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, de Tocqueville, Students for a Democratic Society, and Hannah Arendt. Topics include personal choice, democratic citizenship, justice, and totalitarianism. (M3)
POSC 125 A: Introduction to Comparative Politics
In this course, students will be introduced to analytical tools that can be used to explore how politics operate outside of the United States. We will begin by addressing fundamental "what" questions about the concept of the state, democracy, and political identity. From there, we will examine "why" and "how" questions through comparative perspectives. Some of the questions we will explore include: Why are some countries democratic and peaceful while others are authoritarian and conflict-prone? How does democracy affect power distribution among political actors? What is the impact of political identities based on race/ethnicity/gender and religion on domestic politics? Upon completing the course, students will better understand the difference between strong and weak states, how politics are organized in democracies and non-democracies, and the political significance of various forms of identities. (M5)
Advanced Courses
200-Level courses
POSC 215 A: Modern Political Theory
Why should we obey the law? What makes state violence legitimate? Close textual investigations of the works of great modern political theorists such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, Marx, and Mill, with an emphasis on the social contract and its limits as a form of political foundation. (Track 1 credit)
POSC 241 A: International Security
This course provides students an understanding of the traditional and non-traditional discourses surrounding security affairs and conflict internationally, transnationally and sub-nationally. We will explore realist, liberal, constructivist, critical, and feminist understandings of international security affairs in the areas of great power and conflict, terrorism, revolutionary war, internal conflict, and civil-military relations. We will also examine other non-traditional security areas such as environmental degradation, resource/livelihood conflicts, global pandemics and economic woes that threaten the physical safety of individuals and groups. Prerequisites: POSC 110, POSC 115, or POSC 120 or POSC 125 or POSC 127 or instructor permission. (Track 2 credit)
POSC 291 A: ST: Quantitative Political Analysis
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the quantitative methods and statistical tools used in political science research, focusing on the application of these methods to analyze political phenomena. The course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in data analysis, statistical reasoning, and the use of statistical software to address complex research questions in political science and public policy. Students will explore various types of political data, including survey data, electoral data, and policy data, to understand and interpret political behavior, public opinion, electoral outcomes, and policy impacts. Throughout the semester, students will engage with a range of quantitative techniques, from basic descriptive statistics to advanced inferential methods such as regression analysis and Monte Carlo simulations. The course places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, requiring students to work with real-world datasets to develop practical skills in data manipulation, visualization, and analysis using R, a powerful and flexible statistical programming language widely used in political science. By the end of this course, students will be able to critically evaluate quantitative research in political science literature and effectively communicate their findings through written reports and presentations. This course is ideal for students seeking to deepen their understanding of quantitative methods and for those planning to pursue advanced studies or careers in political analysis, policy analysis, public opinion research, or related fields. Prerequisites: POSC 110 or POSC 115 of POSC 125 or SOC 115 or COMM 111 or COMM 155. (Track 1 credit)
POSC 296 A: ST: Comparative Law & Courts
This course is designed to familiarize students with fundamental principles and contemporary discussions regarding the role of law and the function of courts in both well-established and emerging democracies. Some of the questions we will be studying include: What is the concept of the rule of law and its significance? In what ways do the U.S. court system compare with those in other nations? Under what circumstances do individuals turn to the legal system in pursuit of justice? Is there a connection between the rule of law and economic development? Why do authoritarian leaders create constitutions? How do judges make their decisions, and are they impartial and just? The course is broadly divided into main sections: (1) the study of judicial institutions and (2) an exploration of judicial decision-making and the various individuals involved. The initial portion will revolve around acquiring a foundational understanding of legal structures and court-related institutions, encompassing topics like the rule of law, legal systems, judicial review, and judicial independence. The latter segment will delve into the world of legal experts and civil society. We will scrutinize diverse models of judicial decision-making and the potential influence of non-legal factors, including demographic characteristics, reputation, and empathy, on the judicial processes and its outcomes Prerequisites: POSC 125. (Track 2 credit)
POSC 299 A: ST: Political Communications
This course on political communication explores the psychology of how political messages like a television advertisement or a social media post are received and interpreted in the human mind. Political communication examines the economics of marketing, distributing, and testing the effects of specific messages or advertisements. It also pays a special attention to the effects of emerging technologies that disrupt established communication ecosystems (e.g., social media, smartphones). Political communication studies help us answer questions such as "What kind of messages resonate with younger voters?" or "When should a campaign use a positive advertisement instead of a negative attach on a political opponent?" Using theory-driven empirical research that sits at the intersection of politics and communication, students will read and synthesize social science theories with an emphasis on behavioral outcomes such as influencing an individual's vote choice in an election. Prerequisites: one introductory course in the social sciences is required. (Track 1 credit)
300-Level Course
POSC 396 A: ST: Dictatorships
This course delves into the study of authoritarianism, focusing on dictators and dictatorships from a comparative political science perspective. Students will explore the formation, consolidation, and collapse of dictatorships, while comparing various regime types such as personalist, military, and single-party systems. Case studies from different regions - including Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe - will be examined to draw broader conclusions about the conditions that give rise to dictatorships and the impact they have on societies. Through a writing- intensive approach, students will engage with key concepts in authoritarianism, including the role of ideology, coercion, propaganda, and institutional strategies of control. Additionally, the course will explore how dictatorships respond to internal and external pressures, including civil society resistance and international interventions. Prerequisites: (including class standing or courses) POSC 125, POSC 115, POSC 110, and POSC 120. (WI) (Track 2 credit)