PS 300

Fall 2011 All Classes

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Credit: 3 hours.

Selected readings and research in political science. See Class Schedule for current topics.

Prerequisite: Six hours of political science, or consent of instructor.

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PS 300 class schedule data for fall 2011
CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
56249	Lecture-Discussion	A	5:00PM -6:50PM	MTR	219 David Kinley Hall	Sin, G	Part of Term: B Date Range: 10/17/11-12/07/11 Credit: 3 hours Section Title: Politics of Organization Section Info: "Topic: Politics of Organizations, Second 8 weeks class. Registration opens August 22, 2011. Politics of Organizations: This course is an introduction to the study of public organizations, with a focus on formal political organizations including parties, legislatures, and bureaucracies. It offers an in depth analysis of two of the main problems confronted by organizations: collective action problems and delegation problems. Students will acquire an understanding of these problems as well as different ways in which they can be addressed. A strong emphasis is also placed on developing the analytical skills necessary for informed analysis of political interactions involving formal organizations. The most prominent characteristic that organizations have in common is the delegation of authority from the individuals to whom power to take action was originally endowed, the principal, to one or more agents. In effect, delegation is key to overcome the problems of collective action. Throughout the development of the course, we will answer questions like (1) Can we assume that subordinates do what's in the superior's best interests? Why? Why not? (2) Is the structure of an organization important? (3) What does the structure of an organization reflect? " Restriction(s): Not intended for students with Freshman class standing.
56251	Lecture-Discussion	BW	3:30PM -4:50PM	TR	307 David Kinley Hall	Weir, B	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/22/11-12/07/11 Credit: 3 hours Section Title: Terrorism Section Info: Terrorism, a violent tactic with a strikingly long history of use, has become a central security concern and political issue in the U.S. in recent years. This course relies on both theoretical and empirical literature to examine a host of questions about terrorism in an advanced, intensive, discussion-based seminar. In particular, we investigate the definition(s) of terrorism, its historical use and evolution, the motivations of various types of groups that employ or have employed this tactic, different forms of terrorism, variation in state responses to terrorism (or, where and when terrorism successfully results in concessions), and the effectiveness of a range of counterterrorism strategies and tactics. Open to students with sophomore or higher standing." Restricted to political science and global studies majors until April 19. Restriction(s): Not intended for students with Freshman class standing.
59400	Lecture-Discussion	CCA	5:00PM -7:50PM	MW	108 David Kinley Hall	Kourtikakis, K	Part of Term: B Date Range: 10/17/11-12/07/11 Section Title: Comparative Conflict Analysis Section Info: Not intended for students with Freshman class standing. Examines the causes of conflict inside and between nation-states and identifies conflict resolution strategies. The course pays particular attention to the Eastern Mediterranean, especially the Balkan Peninsula and the Middle East (former Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Palestinian Territories, etc.). Current affairs are examined against the historical background of these regions, with special focus on the role of the Ottoman Empire and Western European influence. Restriction(s): Not intended for students with Freshman class standing.
56252	Lecture-Discussion	CW	2:00PM -3:20PM	MW	219 David Kinley Hall	Wong, C	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/22/11-12/07/11 Credit: 3 hours Section Title: Pol of Racial Ethnic Diversity Section Info: Politics of Racial and Ethnic Diversity This research seminar addresses 4 main questions: (1) How do people react to diversity? (2) How do states deal with diversity? (3) How do people react to policies that states develop to deal with diversity? and (4) What is the relationship between diversity and the provision of social welfare? Some of the topics covered in the course include multicultural policies, representation, segregation, social capital, the public opinion and political participation of majority and minority groups in society, and intergroup contact, conflict, and cooperation. Restriction(s): Not intended for students with Freshman class standing.
56259	Lecture-Discussion	FM	9:30AM -10:50AM	TR	106 David Kinley Hall	Malekafzali, F	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/22/11-12/07/11 Credit: 3 hours Section Title: Human Rights Section Info: This course will be an exploration of the meaning, basis, historical roots, and practical significance of human rights, with special attention given to the questions of the universality of human rights. The course is divided into four parts: Part one sets up the context and the background within which the role of human rights in international relations must be understood. Part two examines and compares human rights in contemporary Global North and Global South with special focus on the relationship between poverty and democracy. Part three will deal with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The meaning of aggressive war and ethnic cleansing will be analyzed in depth and the importance of the International Criminal Court is examined. In part four the course will deal with rights of people under military occupation and the responsibilities of the occupying power under international law. Specific cases will be used to better understand the significance of these four areas of inquiry. These include South Africa, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, the Palestinian territories, Chile, Iran, EU, and the United States. Restricted to political science and global studies majors until April 19. Restriction(s): Not intended for students with Freshman class standing.
56999	Lecture-Discussion	TB2	5:00PM -7:40PM	MW	111 David Kinley Hall	Dragu, T	Part of Term: B Date Range: 10/17/11-12/07/11 Credit: 3 hours Section Title: Analytical Politics Section Info: Analytical Politics. This course introduces the basic concepts of game theory and their application to matters of political importance. The underlying theme of the course is that politics may be described and understood in terms of rational, goal-seeking behavior by individuals in various institutional contexts. The main emphasis is on analyzing political events and phenomena, not judging them. In this course we develop theoretical tools to analyze the following topics: reasons for the existence of government, the collective pursuit of common goals, policy-making in legislatures, reasons for political conflict and war, and reasons for human destruction of environmental resources. Not intended for students with Freshman class standing. Restriction(s): Not intended for students with Freshman class standing.
56255	Lecture-Discussion	TD1	2:30PM -3:50PM	MW	170 Wohlers Hall	Dragu, T	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/22/11-12/07/11 Credit: 3 hours Section Title: Rule of Law Section Info: The rule of law requires that people in positions of authority should exercise their power within a constraining framework of public laws rather than on the basis of their own preferences or their own ideology. However, one of the main paradoxes in the foundation of our political systems is that politicians ultimately define the limits of their own powers. This simple observation raises the following question: under what conditions can we expect the rule of law to be properly enforced? This seminar analyzes this question by exploring the history, politics, and theory surrounding the rule of law ideal. It focuses on the political conditions that promote the rule of law in both established and developing democracies. Restricted to political science majors until April 19. Restriction(s): Not intended for students with Freshman class standing.