Political Science (POLS)

Department Head: Professor Howard Reiter
Department Office: Room 137, Monteith Building

For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

1002. Introduction to Political Theory

(106) Either semester. Three credits.

Major themes of political theory such as justice, obligation, and equality, and their relevance to contemporary political concerns.  CA 1.

1007. Introduction to Human Rights

(125) (Also offered as HRTS 1007.) Either semester. Three credits. 

Exploration of central human rights institutions, selected human rights themes and political controversies, and key political challenges of contemporary human rights advocacy. CA 2. CA 4-INT. 

1202. Introduction to Comparative Politics

(121) Either semester. Three credits.

A survey of institutions, politics, and ideologies in democratic and non-democratic states. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

1202W. Introduction to Comparative Politics

(121W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.  CA 2. CA 4-INT.

1207. Introduction to Nonwestern Politics

(143) Either semester. Three credits.

A survey of institutions, ideologies, development strategies, and the political processes in nonwestern culture. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

1402. Introduction to International Relations

(132) Either semester. Three credits.

The nature and problems of international politics. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

1402W. Introduction to International Relations

(132W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. CA 2. CA 4-INT.

1602. Introduction to American Politics

(173) Either semester. Three credits.

Analysis of the organization and operation of the American political system. CA 2.

1602W. Introduction to American Politics

(173W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. CA 2.

2072QC. Quantitative Analysis in Political Science

(291QC) Either semester.  Three credits. Recommended preparation: High school algebra II and MATH 1010 or equivalent.

Explanation of the quantitative methods used in political science. Application of these methods for the analysis of substantive political questions.

2222. Political Institutions and Behavior in Western Europe

(231) Either semester. Three credits.

Comparative analysis of the governments and politics of Western Europe.

2222W. Political Institutions and Behavior in Western Europe

(231W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

2607. American Political Parties

(241) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: POLS 1602.

An analysis of the aims, organization, and growth of parties in the United States.

2622. State and Local Government

(274) Either semester. Three credits.

The practical working of democracy and the role of state and local governments.

2998. Political Issues

(296) Either semester. Three credits. May be repeated for credit with a change in subject matter.

An exploration of the fundamental nature of political conflicts on the national and international levels.

2998W. Political Issues

(296W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. 

3002. Classical and Medieval Political Theory

(201) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

An examination of Greek, Roman and early Judeo-Christian political ideas and institutions, and their relevance to the present.

3012. Modern Political Theory

(202) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Major political doctrines of the contemporary period, and their influence upon political movement and institutions as they are reflected in the democratic and nondemocratic forms of government.

3022W. Western Marxist Tradition

(206W) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher.

Exploration of the social and political theories of Marx and Engels, and of later interpretations and modifications of their ideas.

3032. American Political Thought and Ideology

(207) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

American political thought from the colonial to the contemporary period. Political thought discussed as the ideological expression of the larger sociopolitical situation.

3042. The Theory of Human Rights

(205) (Also offered as HRTS 3042.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Various theories of human rights, both historical and contemporary. Conceptual arguments both in favor and critical of the theory and practice of human rights will be considered, with literature taken primarily from philosophy and political theory. 

3052. Women and Politics

(204) (Also offered as WS 3052.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

An introduction to feminist thought, the study of women as political actors, the feminist movement and several public policy issues affecting women.

3202. Comparative Political Parties and Electoral Systems

(233) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

A focus on political party and electoral systems around the world, including advanced industrial nations, transitional nations, and less developed nations. Issues such as the relationship between electoral and party systems, democratic reform, voting behavior, and organization of political parties are examined.

3202W. Comparative Political Parties and Electoral Systems

(233W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher.

3206. Comparative Political Economy

(232) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Introduction to overlapping themes in economics and political science including the substantive and emperical relationship between these two in advanced industrial democracies. 

3208. Politics of Oil

Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: POLS 1202 or 1207.

Historical and contemporary role of oil in comparative politics and international relations.

3212. Comparative Perspectives on Human Rights

(258) (Also offered as HRTS 3212.) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Cultural difference and human rights in areas of legal equality, women's rights, political violence, criminal justice, religious pluralism, global security, and race relations.

3216. Women in Political Development

(203) (Also offered as WS 3216.) Second semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Analysis of the role of women in the process of political development in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The importance of gender to the understanding of development and modernization will be explored and the ways in which change in traditional societies has affected the position of women, economically, socially and politically will be examined.

3225. Politics in Eastern Europe

(230) Second semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The politics of the East European states in a comparative and analytical framework, stressing ideology, political culture, participation, and elite behavior.

3228. Politics of Russia and the Former Soviet Union

(237) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The social and political structure of the former Soviet Union, the causes and outcome of efforts to reform it, and the development of democratic politics in Russia and other former Soviet republics.

3232. Comparative Politics of North America. 

(223) Second Semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: POLS 1202. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Commonalities and differences in the political systems of the NAFTA countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States. Issues include political culture and value systems; electoral politics, approaches to federalism and regionalism; public opinion and support for NAFTA and its expansion; migration, political integration, the treatment of indigenous peoples, ethnic and gender representation; and decentralization and the role of municipal government in the provinces/states.

3235. Latin American Politics

(235) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Theories and institutions of Latin American politics, with emphasis on issues of stability and change.

3237. Democratic Culture and Citizenship in Latin America

(238) Either semester. Three credits.

The development of democratic attitudes, norms, and behavior in Latin America. CA 2.

3237W. Democratic Culture and Citizenship in Latin America

(238W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. CA 2.

3245. Chinese Government and Politics

(229) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Chinese political processes, with emphasis on ideology and problems of development.

3252. Politics in Africa

(239) (Also offered as AFAM 3252.) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The political systems in contemporary Africa; the background of the slave trade, imperialism, colonialism, and the present concerns of nationalism, independence, economic development and military rule. Emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa.

3255. Politics of South Africa

(244) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Internal development of the South African state and the external response to apartheid policies, with special attention to both white and African politics, U.S. policy, and other selected topics.

3402. Contemporary International Politics

(211) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Problems in international relations with emphasis on changing characteristics of international politics.

3406. Globalilization and Political Change

(212) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Origins and contested definitions of globalization, and its impact on national, regional and international institutions and political processes. Designed for upper-level undergraduate students with a solid grounding in comparative politics and international relations.

3406W. Globalization and Political Change

(212W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher.

3410. International Political Economy

(216) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Politics of international economic relations: trade, finance, foreign direct investment, aid.

3414. National and International Security

(221) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Key American national security issues as integral parts of the larger problem of global security.

3418. International Organizations and Law

(225) (Also offered as HRTS 3418.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The role of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and international law in world affairs with special attention to contemporary issues.

3418W. International Organizations and Law

(225W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher.

3422. International Negotiation and Bargaining

(220) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

A comparative study of foreign policy making. Use of computer-assisted simulation provides realistic experience in foreign policy decision making and international negotiation.

3426. Politics, Propaganda, and Cinema

(208) Second semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Lectures and films from several nations serve to illustrate techniques and effects of propaganda, analyzing the pervasive impact that propaganda has on our lives. The course concentrates on the World War II era.

3432. American Diplomacy

(215) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

A chronological examination of the foreign relations of the United States from 1776 to the first World War.

3437. Recent American Diplomacy

(217) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The foreign relations of the United States from the first World War to the present.

3438W. Writing Seminar in Recent American Diplomacy

(214W) Second semester. One credit. Corequisite: POLS 3437. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

3442. The Politics of American Foreign Policy

(219) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Instructions, forces and processes in the making of American foreign policy. Emphasis will be on contemporary issues.

3447. American Diplomacy in the Middle East

(224) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The strategic, political, and economic interests that have shaped U.S. policy in the Middle East. U.S. responses to regional crises, peace efforts, arms transfers, covert operations and military intervention.

3452. Inter-American Relations

(218) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Major problems in inter-American relations; the Western hemisphere in contemporary world politics.

3457. Foreign Policies of the Russian Federation and the Former USSR

(222) Second semester, alternate years. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The Soviet Union's role in world affairs as background for studying the international consequences of the breakup of the USSR; the foreign policies of the former soviet republics among themselves, and of Russia and selected other republics.

3462. International Relations of the Middle East

(226) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The foreign policies and security problems of Middle Eastern States; sources of regional conflict and competition - oil, water, borders, religion, ideology, alliances, geopolitics, refugees, and superpower intervention.

3464. Arab-Israeli Conflict

(234) Either semester. Three credits.

Political relations between Arabs and Israelis with an emphasis on war and diplomacy.

3464W. Arab-Israeli Conflict

(234W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

3472. South Asia in World Politics

(279) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Relations among countries of South Asia and between this region and the rest of the world. Problems of development and security confronting South Asian countries.

3472W. South Asia in World Politics

(279W) Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher.

3602. The Presidency and Congress

(275) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The contemporary Presidency and its interactions with the Congress in the formation of public policy.

3604. Congress in Theory and Practice

Either semester. Three credits.

Analysis of the U.S. Congress, including representation, elections, policy formation, law making, and organization.

3612. Political Opinion and Electoral Behavior

(242) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Analysis of public opinion and its potential to affect government policies. Emphasis on explaining elections and the basis for voters' decisions.

3617. American Political Economy

(273) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Theoretical foundations of the American political economy. Examination of selected public policy issues, including interaction between economic factors and incentives, and democratic institutions and processes.

3627. Connecticut State and Municipal Politics

(270) First semester, alternate years. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

An examination of contemporary Connecticut politics on the state and municipal levels

3632W. Urban Politics

(263W) (Also offered as URBN 3632W.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher.

Political systems and problems confronting urban governments.

3642. African-American Politics

(248) (Also offered as AFAM 3642.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Political behavior, theory, and ideology of African-Americans, with emphasis on contemporary U.S. politics. CA 4.

3647. Black Leadership and Civil Rights

(245) (Also offered as AFAM 3647.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Black leadership, emphasizing the principles, goals, and strategies used by African-American men and women to secure basic citizenship rights during the civil rights era.

3652. Black-Feminist Politics

(247) (Also offered as AFAM 3652 and WS 3652.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

An introduction to major philosophical and theoretical debates at the core of black feminist thought, emphasizing the ways in which interlocking systems of oppression uphold and sustain each other.

3662. Latino Political Behavior

(249) (Also offered as PRLS 3270.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Latino politics in the United States. Political histories of four different Latino populations: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central American. Different forms of political expressions, ranging from electoral behavior to political art. CA 4.

3802. Constitutional Law

(252) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The role of the Supreme court in expounding and developing the United States Constitution. Topics include judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, and due process.

3807. Constitutional Rights and Liberties

(256) (Also offered as HRTS 3807.) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Bill of Rights. Topics include freedoms of speech and religion, criminal due process, and equal protection.

3812. Judiciary in the Political Process

(253) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: POLS 1602; open to juniors or higher.

The Supreme Court in the Political Process.

3817. Law and Society

(251) (Formerly offered as POLS 254.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. When students intend to take several courses in the Judicial Process field (250's series), it is recommended that 3817 be taken first.

Leading schools of legal thought, fundamental principles and concepts of law, the basic framework of legal institutions, and judicial procedure. Particular attention is devoted to the general features of American law as it affects the citizen, and primary emphasis is placed on the function of law as a medium for attaining a balance of social interests in a politically organized society.

3822. Law and Popular Culture

(250) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Exploration of themes in the study of law and courts by contrasting scholarly work against representations of such themes in movies, televisions, and other media of popular culture. 

3827. Politics of Crime and Justice

(255) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Criminal justice in the United States, with emphasis on the links between law, politics, and administration.

3832. Maritime Law

(259) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

International and domestic legal concepts concerning jurisdiction in a maritime setting.

3842. Public Administration

(260) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

The politics of public administration. Role of administrative agencies and officials in American national, state, and local governments.

3847. The Policy-making Process

(276) Second semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Introduction to the study of policy analysis. Consideration of description and prescriptive models of policy-making. Examination of several substantive areas of national policy in the United States.

3850W. Politics and Ethics

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

Analysis of relationship between power and ethics in political life. Examination of ethical perspectives on political decisions and issues.

3852. Politics of Budgeting

(264) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Examination of the decision-making processes and role of the budget in public bureaucracies and policy implementation. Contemporary controversies in budgeting are used to illustrate and apply basic principles.

3857. Politics, Society, and Education Policy

(261) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Analysis of interactions among educational policy, politics, and other social forces. Insights and concerns from politics and other social sciences disciplines applied to different levels and types of schooling.

3991. Supervised Field Work

(297) Either or both semesters. Credits up to 12. Hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of the department head. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

3993. Foreign Study

(287) Either or both semesters. Credits (up to a maximum of 15) and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head required, normally to be granted before the student's departure. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor.

Special topics taken in a foreign study program.

3995. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

3999. Independent Study

(299) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. This course may be repeated for credit with a change in subject matter. Open only with consent of instructor and department head.

4994. Senior Seminar

(289) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Open only with consent of instructor.

Required  for students in the Honors Program.  Weekly seminar on selected topics in political science. Students must complete this course prior to their final semester.

4997W. Senior Thesis

(288W) Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher. Open only by  instructor consent. All honors students writing an honors theseis in Political Science must take this course in each of their last two semesters. Course may be repeated once for credit.