110. U.S. Federal Government and Politics (1). Introduction to U.S. government and politics at the national and state levels. Provides background on guiding principles, constitutional guarantees, the federal system, major institutions, and mechanisms that link citizens to officials. Covers both federal and state levels and their interaction in topics such as elections and political executives, which include the president and governors. Illustrative use of public policy materials as well as current events and issues. Serves as a basic course for any student wishing to gain a foundation in U.S. politics and as the prerequisite for many courses in the American politics subfield. Offered each semester.
130. Introduction to Comparative Politics (1). Introduction to the internal politics and policies of various countries throughout the world. Themes of the course include: methods and approaches of comparative analysis; democratic vs. authoritarian systems; political culture and state traditions; political attitudes and ideologies, political socialization and recruitment patterns; executive, legislative, and judicial systems; electoral and party systems; interest groups and other civil society actors; political economy; and selected domestic and foreign policy issues. Students may elect to use this course as part of their preparation for study abroad by choosing the country to which they plan to travel as their case study for contextualizing the broader themes of the course. Usually offered each semester.
160. International Politics (1). Introduction to the workings of the international political and economic systems from both a practical and theoretical perspective. Offers a brief history of the key events which have shaped international politics, introduces the major theoretical approaches of the discipline, and explores mechanisms for conflict and cooperation. Offered each semester.
180. Introduction to Political Thinking (1). Investigation of different approaches to basic questions of political life, such as the possibilities and limits of justice, power, freedom, and the good society, as well as the philosophic presuppositions about human nature and social responsibility that underlie these perspectives. Readings may include philosophical texts and literature as well as classical and contemporary political science. Emphasis will be placed on analytic and critical writing. Usually offered each semester. Open to first and second-year students only.
206. Topics in Gender Politics (1). Selected topics about gender and politics. Emphasizes relations between gender( s) and politics. Considers political power derived from gender and the effects gender produces in political processes, institutions, or policies. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. (Also listed as Women’s and Gender Studies 240.) Offered occasionally. Topics course. Prerequisite: Varies with offering.
215. U.S. Parties, Groups and Elections (1). Investigation of the nature and functioning of political parties and groups, and their roles in representative government. Special attention given to campaigns, with fieldwork required. Offered even years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 110 or 160 or consent of instructor.
216. U. S. Media and Politics in a Global Context (1). Exploration of the symbiotic relationship between the media and politics, along with the forces that drive news journalism and political coverage. Focus is on national politics. Offered every third semester. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
217. U.S. Congress (1⁄2, 1). Analysis of the complexity and conflicts of the institution and its members. Considers constitutional foundation and structure, committees, procedures, elections, and relation to the presidency. Some focus on policy making. Offered every third semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 110.
218. U.S. Presidency (1⁄2, 1). Examination of the institution of the presidency through focus on its weak constitutional foundations and relations with Congress, the EOP and executive branch, selection, power and leadership. Special attention to use of media to enhance power potential. Offered every third semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 110 or consent of instructor.
221. Topics in Public Law (1). Selected topics or problems in public law, legal theory, or the history of law. The focus selected for a particular offering of the course will be announced before registration. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Topics course. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
225. U.S. Constitutional Law (1). An introduction to the study of law and the judicial process, with special emphasis on the law and practice of civil liberties in the United States, including free speech, religion, and criminal justice. Extensive use of Supreme Court cases. Offered each year. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
227. Constitutionalism and National Security (1). An examination of civil liberties and the separation of powers in the face of national security challenges. Particular attention is paid to executive powers in war time, Supreme Court cases addressing free speech and due process, and national security legislation. Offered even years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
235. Politics of Advanced Industrial Democracies (1). A comparative study of three or more advanced industrial democracies, including at least two from among the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, and Japan. Study of state traditions and political cultures, including patterns of democratization, social cleavages, political attitudes, socialization, and recruitment. Comparison of elections, political parties, party systems, interest groups, and institutions (executive, legislative, administrative, judicial, and local). Offered even years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 130 or consent of instructor.
236. Democracy in East Asia (1). Examination and comparison of the politics of the three major East Asian democracies: Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. This course will also study the political cultures and governmental structures of individual countries and compare and contrast different regimes. Two main comparative themes will include: first, how democratic structures and values in each of the countries fit within the model of majoritarian and consensus democracies; and second, whether or not democracy in each of the three countries reflects so-called “Asian values.” Offered odd years, spring semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 130 or 235, or any course in Japanese and Korean history, or consent of instructor.
237. European Union (1). A review of the history of the European Union (EU), including an overview of past attempts at European integration, from the Romans to the Treaty of Rome. Addresses issues of identity, such as the meaning of being European and the challenge of nationalism, treaty law, and integration theories such as federalism, functionalism, neofunctionalism, liberal intergovernmentalism, and historical institutionalism. Offered odd years, spring semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 160; Economics 199 recommended.
240. Communist and Post- Communist Systems (1). Study of the political systems of Russia and the former Soviet Union, the People’s Republic of China, and other Communist or post- Communist systems. Focuses on why and when some Communist systems undergo reform and/or revolution while others resist change and even intensify repression. Compares state traditions and political cultures, Marxist ideology, and paths to power. Also compares institutions, recruitment patterns, economic policies, and social cleavages, including women, minorities, and dissidents. Offered odd years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 130 or consent of instructor.
241. Chinese Politics (1). Overview in the first half of the semester of the influences on contemporary Chinese politics from pre-modern Chinese political culture and state tradition as well as from China’s “Long Revolution” of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the rise of nationalism and communism in China from the early 20th century up to 1949, concluding with a survey of the main ideological and policy shifts in China from 1949 to the present. The second half of the semester examines the structure of the Chinese Party-State, the nature and extent of economic and political reform in the contemporary era, social cleavages, and selected domestic, “greater China,” and foreign policy issues. Counts for Asian studies minor and international relations major. Offered even years, spring semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 130 or one course on China or consent of instructor.
246. Global Political Economy (1). Examination of how the economy and politics influence one another. Analyzes schools of thought such as mercantilism, liberalism, and Marxism and provides theoretical support for a deep analysis of some of the international political and economic institutions in the areas of development, international trade, and international financial flows. Pays close attention to the role of multinational enterprises and regional integration as part of a broader development strategy, and reviews arguments about the relationship between economic development and liberal democracy. Offered even years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 160; Economics 199 recommended.
247. African International Relations (1). Study of major issues in contemporary African politics. Case studies of representative conflict situations and related topics, including genocide, child soldiers, famine, secession, UN and regional intervention, failed states, the exploitation of natural resources, and the legacy of slavery and colonialism. Offered every third semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 160 or consent of instructor.
255. Global Political Ecology (1). Social activity is inextricably related to the environment. However, many approaches to social organization take the environment for granted. Students will read about different ecologies, political and apolitical, as well as the actors, issues, and mechanisms of international environmental policy-making. We will review the role of Congress, the party system, and civil society groups involved in green politics and pay close attention to the relative success of green parties in Europe, their role in domestic politics and in the European Union. We will also study the politicization of the environment in developing countries, paying close attention to the role of outside actors and the fundamental differences in approach that exist between environmental groups in the north and those in the south. Offered odd years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
257. Peace and Security Studies (1). Examination of different approaches to peace by bringing together perspectives from anthropology, psychology, philosophy, and political science, among others. A core component of the course is an understanding and application of techniques of conflict resolution. We will use a number of case studies, based on international conflicts as well as conflicts affecting Beloit. (Also listed as Interdisciplinary Studies 268.) Offered even years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
260. International Organization and Law (1). Introduction to the political foundations of international institutions and international law. Primary attention to the transformation of the United Nations, the growth of specialized agencies, and the contemporary legal framework. Problems of international peace and security, arms control, economic development, and social welfare and human rights in international organizations. Prerequisite: Political Science 160 or consent of instructor.
262. Human Rights Seminar (1). The study of international human rights and humanitarian law, in theory and application. Topics include the role of the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations, complex humanitarian emergencies, the impact of gender and/or cultural practices, and emerging norms. The full range of human rights will be addressed, such as genocide, torture, civil and political liberties, refugee status, the death penalty, health, and economic conditions. Offered every third semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 160 or consent of instructor. Preference given to third- and fourth-year students.
265. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics (1). An exploration of the central concepts and theoretical debates surrounding nationalism and ethnic politics. Study of the meaning of the “nation,” the construction of national identity, the sources of ethnic conflict, secession, intervention, the management of protracted social conflict, and conflict resolution. Prerequisite: Political Science 160 or consent of instructor.
270. Topics in Middle East Politics (1). Topics include: the political processes of Mideast states, emphasizing identity, religion, social groups, economic development, and prospects for democracy; and the politics of West Asia, focusing on Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Turkey. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Offered every third semester. Topics course. Prerequisite: Political Science 160 or consent of instructor.
272. Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean (1). A study of the political systems of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. We take a critical approach in analyzing some of the main challenges faced by the region, such as the weakness of the party system, the prominent role of the president, and the lack of accountability of rulers, and look closely at the diversity of political histories, cultures, and traditions that exist there. This course serves as a gateway course for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Offered odd years, spring semester. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
273. International Relations of Latin America and the Caribbean (1). A review of the theories informed by several schools of thought to explain the role of Latin America and the Caribbean in international relations, as well as those theories that explain the impact of the international system on Latin American and Caribbean societies, including modernization theory, dependency theory, corporatism, bureaucratic authoritarianism, and democratization theories, among others. Includes study of the revitalization of regional blocs since the 1990s and analysis of the foreign policies of specific countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico, paying special attention to their relations with the United States. Offered even years, spring semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 160 or 272.
275. United States Foreign Policy (1). The formulation, conduct, and content of post-World War II U.S. foreign policy, with an emphasis on the post-Vietnam war era. (Also listed as History 275). (WL, LW) Prerequisite: Political Science 110 or 160 or consent of instructor.
280. Classical Justice (1). Study of classical political philosophy through an analysis of Plato’s Apology, Crito, and Republic, Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics, and a comparison of the philosophies of these Greek philosophical systems with the account of an Asian or medieval philosopher. Enduring questions about the community, the individual, and the just society—as well as how we as observers should situate ourselves in relation to such questions—will be addressed. (Also listed as Philosophy 280.) Offered odd years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 180 or sophomore standing.
285. Modern Political Theory (1). An examination of the revolutionary challenge to classical political philosophy posed by such writers as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Nietzsche. Broad themes will include the role of ethics in domestic and foreign policy; the relation between individual and community, the nature of rights and duties, and the meaning of human freedom and equality. (WL, LW) (Also listed as Philosophy 285.) Offered each spring. Prerequisite: Political Science 180 or sophomore standing.
287. U.S. Political Thought (1). Study of the main currents and issues in the development of North American political ideas, from colonial times to the present. Includes writings of intellectuals and political leaders as well as political documents. Offered even years, fall semester. Prerequisite: Political Science 180 or sophomore standing.
295. Studies in Politics (1⁄2, 1). Selected topics or problems in government and politics or in relating political studies to other disciplines. The focus selected for a particular offering of the course will be announced before registration. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Topics course. Prerequisite: Political Science 100 or consent of instructor.
306. Advanced Topics in Feminism and Politics (1). Capstone course in which students are expected to undertake a major research paper in addition to reading classic feminist theory and contemporary feminist scholarship in political science. Themes will vary each seminar but will always include key feminist writings from the 1960s and 1970s. Other topics depend upon student interests and recent scholarly developments. (Also listed as women’s and gender studies.) Offered every third semester. Topics course. Prerequisite: Senior standing, any 200-level political science course, and an introductory women’s and gender studies course.
310. Public Leadership: Influence In Policy, Administration, Institutions, and Elections (1). Capstone course that requires a major original research paper or a major practicum. Based around readings on public leadership in theory and practice, it explores the ways change occurs in the public sector of U.S. politics. Covers general political science topics, but focuses upon public leadership as related to the environment, health care, economic development, and education. May be taken in conjunction with an additional 1⁄2 unit of special project honors thesis or internship. Offered every third semester. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, any 100-level political science course, and any 200-level political science course.
330. Studies in Comparative Politics (1). Capstone course that examines a particular theme applied to various regions and countries of the world across time and space. Students will develop their own major research paper on a country or theme and will present that paper in class. Potential topics include: electoral and party systems; comparative East Asian foreign policy; and the interrelationship of American and Chinese politics. Offered occasionally. Topics course. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and two courses in comparative politics.
380. Political Theory and Public Law: Research Seminar (1). Capstone seminar for students interested in political theory or public law. Themes of the directed readings may vary from semester to semester, but students will have the opportunity to conduct in-depth research in areas of particular interest to them. Emphasis will be placed on framing research questions, formulating hypotheses, and the use of primary and secondary sources. Students will give seminar presentations and review their peers’ work. Usually offered each year. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and at least one 200-level law or political theory course.
386. Studies in Comparative Political Thought (1). Capstone course that examines a particular theme, applied to various thinkers and countries of the world across time and space. Students will develop their own major research paper on a particular thinker or country and will present that paper in class. Potential themes include: comparative dissent; anarchism as theory and movement; comparative utopian thought; Chinese political thought; and political ideology in fiction. Offered occasionally. Topics course. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and two courses in political theory and/or comparative politics
390. Special Projects (1⁄4-1). Individual research or reading projects for superior students under departmental guidance. Prerequisite: Available, with consent of the department, to political science majors with a “B” average in political science.
395. Teaching Assistant (1⁄2). Work with faculty in classroom instruction. Graded credit/no credit.
396. Teaching Assistant Research (1⁄2). Course and curriculum development projects with faculty.
Political Science Course Descriptions