Spring 2025 Courses

POLS 102: Introduction to Comparative Politics
MWF 11:30PM - 12:30PM (Leah Gilbert)

Introduction to the central questions in comparative politics. Fundamental differences in the organization of states, democratic political institutions (presidentialism versus parliamentarianism, for example), and domestic social forces (for example, social capital, ethnic versus nonethnic identities). The impact of political organization on economic performance and social peace.

Prerequisites: None.

POLS 103: Introduction to American Politics
MWF 11:30AM - 12:30PM (Ben Gaskins)

The politics of the founding period; interactions within and among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; the federal division of institutionalized powers; public opinion, interest groups, and political parties; the policy process in areas such as defense, welfare, civil rights and liberties, and international affairs.

Prerequisites: None
Restrictions: None

POLS 307: Contemporary Policy Problems 
TTh 11:30AM - 1:00PM (Ellen Seljan)

In-depth examination of some of the most urgent and complex issues shaping the United States today. Policy topics will vary by semester but will be frequently chosen from the domains of housing, the environment, criminal justice, health care, and education. Each policy topic will be explored through an interdisciplinary lens combining political science, economics, and sociology.

Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Sophomore standing required.

POLS 311: Pillars of Western Political Thought: Revolution and the Social Contract
TTh 1:50PM - 3:20PM (John Holtzwarth)

What makes state authority legitimate? What, if anything, can warrant revolution as a means of political, social, or economic change? This course examines the origins of liberalism in early modern ideas of legitimacy, rights, and obligations, with primary emphasis on foundational thinkers from the crucial period
between 1648 and 1848. Readings may include Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine, Immanuel Kant, Karl Marx, and Martin Luther King Jr., among others.

Prerequisites: None
Restrictions: Sophomore standing required

POLS 313: Global Justice 
TTH 11:30AM - 01:00PM (John Holzwarth)

Normative issues in international politics, including such topics as national sovereignty, just war theory, international intervention, human rights, cultural rights, secession and self-determination, the competing ethics of patriotism, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism. Historical approaches through such thinkers as
Thucydides, Hobbes, Kant, Mill, followed by contemporary readings, including such authors as
Rawls, Walzer, Kymlicka, Rorty, Nussbaum.

Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Junior standing required.

POLS 325: European Politics 
MW 3:00PM - 4:30PM (Leah Gilbert)

Political challenges that face individual European countries and the European Union in the 21st century. Investigation of Europe’s historical political development, followed by a combination of in-depth case studies and comparative analyses to examine topics such as political parties, electoral systems, political participation, immigration, and postcommunism. Frequent comparisons of the trajectory of Europe and
individual European countries with the United States.

Prerequisites: POLS 102.
Restrictions: None.

POLS 350: Congressional Politics
TTh 09:40AM - 11:20AM (Ellen Seljan)

Constitutional foundations and the unfolding of various concepts of legislative power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and into the 21st century. The dynamics of Congress, its staffing, and how it and individual members manage different visions of legislative power. Other branches of government examined to illuminate the functioning and malfunctioning of the legislative branch.

Prerequisites: POLS 103 recommended.
Restrictions: None.

POLS 400: Senior Thesis 
(Ben Gaskins)

Choosing a definitive topic and narrowing it; developing a research design, doing the research, submitting drafts, revising drafts, polishing final copy. Presenting thesis to political science faculty and seniors for critique, rewrite of thesis. Final form due at end of semester. Normally taken for 2 credits in both fall and spring semesters of senior year for a total of 4 credits. A deferred grade will be issued for the first semester of the yearlong series. When the full sequence is completed, the given grade applies to both semesters.

Prerequisites: POLS 102, POLS 103, POLS 201

Restrictions: Sophmore Standing

POLS 435: Topics of Comparative Politics
MWF 12:40PM - 01:40PM (Ben Gaskins)

Advanced seminar focusing on problems and concepts in comparative politics. Specific content varies;
examples of topics include state failure and civil war, electoral competition and legislative behavior, migration and integration, institutional design, and ethnicity and nationalism. Assignments are organized around a substantial seminar paper (25 pages or longer).

Prerequisites: POLS 102
Restrictions: Senior standing required