Politics

Courses

POLS 104 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS (4 credits)
Designed to develop an understanding of our national political system by examining its institutions and structures; by stimulating interest in its programs, processes and personalities; and by measuring its performance against the universal criteria of legitimacy, power, efficiency, responsiveness and representativeness. Also listed as ENPR 104.

*POLS 105 INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3 credits)
With examples from selected countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, and through a method of systematic comparison, examines the issues and process of nation-building and development, and the roles played by political institutions and parties, leaders and their ideologies, interest groups and political alliances in setting political agenda and selecting policy priorities. Also considers the interplay between history, geography and culture. Serves as a foundation to many upper-level comparative Politics courses. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 105. (CP, D-I)

*POLS 107 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3 credits)
Introduces the study of politics and problems on the global political agenda at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. Studies the role of power and values in shaping international governance and institutions; security dilemma; development of the post-Cold War era; North-South relations; global environmental problems and problems of human rights. Also listed as PAGS 107. (D-I)

*POLS 207 ISSUES BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS (3 credits)
Students in this experiential course study political, economic and social issues in world politics by simulating the work of states in UN committees and organizations. Students serve as delegates to the American Model United Nations in Chicago during Thanksgiving Break. First-year students with a demonstrated interest in international affairs are welcome to enroll. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Also listed as PAGS 207. (D-I)

POLS 340 NATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY (3 credits)
A weekly seminar to consider current topics in domestic and foreign policy. Topics, determined by the instructor, may include such issues as welfare, immigration, social security, education, affirmative action or energy.

POLS 341 POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS (3 credits)
The nature, organization, purposes and performance of American political parties and the conduct of national elections. Student research project focuses on the current elections for president and/or U. S. Senate. Prerequisite: POLS 104 or consent of the instructor. (AY)

POLS 343 THE AMERICAN CONGRESS (3 credits)
Examines the organization, behavior and performance of Congress. Comparison of House and Senate and relations between Congress and the Executive branch, as well as the behavior of members of Congress both in their legislative and their representative roles. Particular attention to the committees of Congress and to its role in the policy-making process. Prerequisite: POLS 104 or consent of the instructor. (AY)

POLS 345 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY (3 credits)
A study of the Executive branch, with emphasis upon the president and presidential leadership. Focuses on the extent and limits of presidential power, with special emphasis upon the president's relations with Congress. Reviews case studies of recent issues in domestic and national security policy. Prerequisite: POLS 104 or consent of the instructor. (AY)

*POLS 346 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I: INSTITUTIONS AND DEMOCRACY (4 credits)
An examination, through the study of case law, of the powers and limitations of Congress, the Presidency and the Judiciary; federalism; commercial and property rights; and political participation. Attention to the Supreme Court's role in expressing the public philosophy of the nation. Prerequisite: POLS 104 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as LGST 346. (D-D) (AY)

*POLS 348 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II: CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES (4 credits)
An examination, through the study of case law, of the rights and protections of individuals and groups under the Constitution. Topics include First Amendment rights of expression and religion; and aspects of criminal justice, privacy and equal protection of minorities. Attention to the Supreme Court's role in expressing the public philosophy of the nation. Prerequisite: POLS 104 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as LGST 348. (D-D) (AY)

*POLS 350 THEORIES OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3 credits)
Introduces core comparative political theories to analyze current affairs in domestic and global politics. Improves critical thinking skills through logical application of core concepts and such approaches as political culture, rational choice, states and institutions, and democracy. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 350. (D-I with appropriate topic) (AY)

*POLS 351 DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIZATION (3 credits)
Examines the historical experience of some stable democracies, newly independent countries, and authoritarian regimes in transition. Analyzes prominent hypotheses and approaches of democratization to explain why some countries become democratic while others are not, the timing of transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, and why attempts at democratization succeed or fail. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 351. (D-I with appropriate topic) (AY)

POLS 352 POLITICS OF EUROPEAN UNION (3 credits)
Focuses on the political and economic imperatives in the evolution of the EU from the European Coal and Steel Community to the present; the working of the EU institutions such as the commission, the council of ministers, the court and the parliament; and such major policy issues as enlargement, the euro, common agricultural policy, competition, and common foreign and defense policy which embroil member states. Students may participate in the Midwest Model EU organized by IUPUI in the Spring Semester. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor.

*POLS 353 POLITICS OF CHINA (3 credits)
Focusing on Chinese culture, society and political economy, surveys the development of Chinese postwar domestic and foreign policy. How did the Chinese Communist Party gain its power, and how has it governed the nation? What were the significant changes in Chinese politics due to economic reform in the 1970s? Analyzes the relationships with countries such as the United States, Russia and Japan to help understand Chinese foreign policy-making and objectives. Prerequisite: 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 353. (D-I with appropriate topic) (AY)

*POLS 354 COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ECONOMY (3 credits)
Introduces the study of comparative political economy. Examines how states and markets are organized in various countries. Also studies regionalism and globalization to comprehend the process of international economic integration. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 354. (D-I with appropriate topic) (AY)

*POLS 355 THE POLITICS OF THE THIRD WORLD (3 credits)
Examines social, economic and political processes in developing countries in Asia and Africa. What has hindered overcoming poverty in developing countries? How can we effectively assist the people in the Third World? Topics include demography, ethnicity, religion, kinship, viability of civil society, political culture, patrimonialism and authoritarianism. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 355. (D-I) (AY)

*POLS 356 POLITICS OF JAPAN (3 credits)
Focusing on Japanese culture, political institutions and such processes as political parties, interest groups and Japanese bureaucracies, examines the development of Japanese postwar domestic and foreign policy. How can we best understand what is going on in Japanese government and politics? How is Japanese politics unique in the world arena? Analyzes relationships with the United Sates and other countries to help understand Japan's foreign policy making and objectives. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 356. (D-I) (AY)

*POLS 357 COMPARATIVE FOREIGN POLICY (3 credits)
Examines foreign policy using a comparative perspective by focusing on major domestic and foreign political issues in various countries. Examines the decision-making process in different foreign policies to guide understanding the relationships among nations in the global community. Who makes foreign policy, and do international organizations have an impact? Analyzes international political economy; and compares and contrasts foreign policies. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 357. (D-I) (AY)

POLS 358 POLITICS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND (3 credits)
A comparative examination of government and politics in two neighboring countries whose historical relationship has been stormy and who have only recently begun to coexist in conditions of mutual respect and even trust. Examines historical developments in this century; the respective political cultures, constitutional structures, the party systems of representation, the patterns of decision-making in parliaments and executives, and the evolving relations between the two countries. Particular attention to the problem of Northern Ireland. Particularly useful to students planning to go on the England or Northern Ireland study abroad programs. Prerequisite: POLS 105 or consent of the instructor.

*POLS 359 MASS MEDIA AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3 credits)
Surveys the impact of the news media on politics and society in various countries. Examines differences between government and news media relations across a variety of political systems. Compares and contrasts the role of news media in the political process and provides opportunities to study democracy, political culture and participation. Prerequisite: JPNS 105 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 359. (D-I) (AY)

POLS 361 WESTERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY I (3 credits)
An examination of the central questions posed by major political philosophers of the classical and early modern periods. Attention to major primary works of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli and Hobbes. Also listed as PHIL 361. (AY)

POLS 362 WESTERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY II (3 credits)
Examination of the central ideas of modern political philosophers. Attention to major primary works by Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Mill, Marx and Nietzsche. Also listed as PHIL 362. (AY)

*POLS 365 TOPICS IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (3 credits)
An intensive study of a significant concept, set of ideas or philosopher. Recent topics include the search for utopia, Hobbes and Rousseau, the American Framers, contemporary political philosophy, the crisis of American Liberalism, and Thomas Jefferson and the American Enlightenment. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course and POLS 361, 362 or 366; or consent of the instructor. (CP)

*POLS 366 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 credits)
The development of political ideas in America from the Puritan colonial experience to the present. Examines the changing concepts of the role of government and the nature of political society through the writings of major thinkers. Also listed as HIST 366. (D-D) (AY)

*POLS 367 WOMEN AND MEN IN AMERICAN SOCIETY (4 credits)
Research Credit. A survey of U.S. social history from 1607 to the present, focusing on the historical contours of female/male sex roles. Topics include marriage, the family, child-rearing, work, education, sexuality, and gynecology and reproduction. Analyzes the effects of war, racism, slavery, immigration, industrialization and consumerism along with abolitionism, temperance, feminism, civil rights and other social protest movements. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, HIST 121 or 122, or consent of the instructor. Also listed as HIST 367 and WMNS 367. (D-D) (AY)

POLS 371 THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3 credits)
Examines classics and trends in empirical and normative theories of international relations. Provides an opportunity for students who have studied abroad to apply various analytical approaches in the field to a problem or issue with which they have had first-hand experience. Prerequisite: POLS 107 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as PAGS 371.

*POLS 372 INTERNATIONAL LAW I: SOVEREIGNTY, HUMANITARIAN LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS (4 credits)
Surveys concepts and theories of international law and treaty interpretation, focusing on problems of the international law of war and peace (international humanitarian law), and questions of socio-political justice (human rights). Prerequisites: POLS 107 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as LGST 372 and PAGS 372. (D-I)

POLS 373 INTERNATIONAL LAW II: INTERDEPENDENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBALIZATION (4 credits)
Surveys concepts and theories of international law and treaty interpretation, focusing on environmental problems and policy-making in the global arena. Topics include the emergence of "the environment" as an issue in international politics, managing global common property resources, and sustainable trade and development. Prerequisite: POLS 107. (AY)

*POLS 374 AMERICA'S WARS IN ASIA (3 credits)
American perceptions and diplomatic, philanthropic and military conduct in Asia in the 20th century, and the ways China, Japan, Korea and Viet Nam respectively responded to U.S. behavior. Emphasizes the bilateral relations between these countries and the U.S., and the way they were affected by their mutual changing foreign policy objectives and economic interests. Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar, an Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as JPNS 374. (D-I)

POLS 375 TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3 credits)
Offers in-depth study of a current controversy or theoretical problem in IR. Past topics have included global environmental politics, international development, feminist theories of IR and arms control. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course or consent of the instructor. Also listed as PAGS 375. (CP)

POLS 377 POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION (3 credits)
Through case studies and examples from both advanced industrialized and developing countries, examines the fundamental causes and consequences of the historical transformation of global manufacturing, international trade, financial architecture, migration, communication and environment, and the way politicians and interest groups adjust to and manage these changes. Also addresses anti-globalization critique. Prerequisite: ECON 101 or 102, or consent of the instructor.

POLS 481 INTERNSHIPS, FIELD STUDIES AND OTHER FIELD EXPERIENCES

POLS 482 SPECIAL TOPICS (3 credits)
Selected topics determined by the instructor for upper-level study.

POLS 483 TEACHING ASSISTANTS (1-3 credits)

POLS 484 FORD/KNIGHT RESEARCH PROJECT (1-4 credits)
Collaborative research with faculty funded by the Ford/Knight Program.

POLS 485 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
An investigation of a specific topic conceived and planned by the student in consultation with a faculty adviser.

POLS 488 SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (4 credits)
Designed to bring together both the substantive and methodological diversities of the discipline of Politics in an intensive, collegial format. Seminar topics vary. Students produce a major and original research paper that serves as the comprehensive examination for majors.

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This page last updated: August 11, 2007