CoursesAs well as offering introductory and in-depth instruction in many areas, the Department of Political Science offers a wide range of courses in a variety of specialties.Autumn Quarter 2008 Courses (Word document) Autumn Quarter 2008 Courses (PDF document) Autumn 2008 Courses Political Science 201A: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY Days/Time: MWF 10:30-11:20 plus quiz sections 5 credits
Days/Time: MWF 12:30-1:20 plus quiz sections 5 credits
Days/Time: MWF 9:30-10:20 plus quiz sections 5 credits Description: This course introduces students to the major theoretical approaches to international relations—Realism, Liberalism, and Marxism—and uses these approaches to address a variety of issues. For example, we will discuss the rise of the modern state system, the origins of WWI, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars, terrorism, genocide in Rwanda, free trade, North-South relations, the environment, and human rights. The principle aims of the course are to demonstrate how theory influences our explanations; to familiarize students with some important issues in international politics; and most important, to help students evaluate contemporary issues in international politics.
Days/Time: MWF 8:30-9:20 plus quiz sections 5 credits Description: This course will provide a basic introduction to the theoretical underpinnings and empirical subject matter of the study of comparative politics. The first part of the course will consist of an examination of two of the great theorists who first compared different social orders in a systematic way: Karl Marx and Max Weber. In the second part of the course, we will move on to an examination of what has historically been a key issue in the field of comparative politics, namely: what are the causes and consequences of industrialization whether under liberal capitalist, Leninist, fascist, or nationalist auspices?
Day/Time: MW 2:30-4:20 5 credits Description: What is distinctive about how Americans view the political world? From where do American values originate, and how have they changed over time and adapted to new circumstances? Is the United States in the middle of a “culture war” based on fundamental differences over religion and values? How do Americans’ beliefs about politics affect political processes and outcomes? These are among the questions this course will address. After surveying the development and expression of the nation’s core values, we will examine how these values set the context for political debates and public policy.
Days/Time: MWF 10:30-11:20 5 credits Description: No course description is available at this time. Following is the description taken from the UW General Catalog: Policy decision making with emphasis on: how issues arise, the way they become part of the policy agenda of the executive and the legislature, how these institutions organize to handle policy issues, and the roles of the legislature, the executive, and the bureaucracy. Public policy literature and familiarization with key aspects of policy decision making at the national, state, and local levels.
Day/Time: TTH 2:30-4:20 5 credits Continuation of 308, treating materials from the fifteenth through eighteenth centuries, Machiavelli through Rousseau.
Days/Time: TTH 12:00-1:20 5 credits Description: This class will examine the history and contemporary role of racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. political system. We will focus on political relationships between Whites, African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans as they relate to political institutions, political parties, voting coalitions, representation and public policy. A research project is required and final paper in lieu of an in-class final exam.
Days/Time: TTH 9:00-10:20 5 credits Description: This course surveys American political thought from the seventeenth century to the Civil War. Topics covered include the meaning and consequences of the first encounters between American Indians and Europeans; Puritan concepts of mission, community, and liberty; the rise of the idea of the “self-made” man; the ideological origins of the American revolution; debates between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over the Constitution; Jeffersonian republicanism and Jacksonian democracy; the emergence of democratic culture; the question of women’s equality; the conflict over slavery; and the relationship between freedom, equality, the rule of law, and popular sovereignty.
Days/Time: MWF 12:30-1:20 plus quiz sections 5 Credits Description: Course description unavailable at this time. Following is that taken from the UW General Catalog: The politics of conflicting ideologies: Zionism and Arab nationalism; formation of the state of Israel; development of Palestinian nationalism; Arab-Israeli wars. Re-emergence of Palestinian activism; domestic sources of foreign policy; the role of the super powers.
Day/Time: TTH 1:30-3:20 5 credits
Days/Time: MWF 11:30-12:20 plus quiz sections 5 credits Description: Congressional decisions are products of two distinct but interrelated political arenas. The first is the election arena. The second is the lawmaking arena. In this course, we learn about both through readings, research, and a full term legislative simulation. In the process, we will come to more fully appreciate the task that legislators face in achieving consensus in light of their obligations to represent very different constituencies, and in light of the frequent tension between getting reelected and serving the interests of constituents.
Days/Time: MW 8:30-10:20 5 credits Description: Course description not available at this time. Following is that taken from the UW General Catalog: Focus on the causes of political change in democratic countries, including public opinion, social movements, interest group activity, and party organization.
Day/Time: MW 10:00-11:20 plus quiz section 5 credits Description: This course is the first of a two-quarter introduction to American Constitutional Law. The course examines the constitutional foundations of the American political and legal systems. Participants will examine the political and legal processes that have shaped constitutional development from the founding to the present. The focus of the course is Supreme Court decisions on judicial review, state/federal relations, executive and legislative powers, separation of powers, and economic regulation.
Day/Time: TTH 9:00-10:20 plus quiz sections 5 credits Description: Are you interested in why law and courts matter for international and comparative politics and policy? This course, a basic introduction to comparative judicial politics, is targeted at students who are interested in learning about the interaction between law, courts and politics in countries throughout the world. This class is a required pre-requisite course for the Law, Societies and Justice program and consists of both large lectures and smaller quiz sections. We begin by critically examining the (alleged) functions of courts: to provide for “order,” resolve disputes, and to enforce legal norms. We then turn to constitutional politics in democracies, asking how constitutional courts have changed national policies and empowered individuals with new rights. Next we study the development of constitutional courts in new democracies. The final section of the course is devoted to law and courts in supranational and international contexts.
Days/Time: MWF 11:30-12:20 plus quiz sections 5 credits Description: This course examines the emergence and development, since World War II, of an international movement dedicated to the promotion of human rights. We will study the goals of the movement and the global political context in which it operates. Special attention will be given to the legal institutions, national and international, which have influenced its evolution and character. Students taking the course will acquire an enhanced understanding of the role in human rights politics played by the United Nations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, international customary law, treaty law, regional courts, and international tribunals. Students will also be responsible for writing a research paper on some aspect of human rights.
Days/Time: MW 1:30-3:20 5 credits Description: This course introduces students to the study of state government and politics in the U.S. It focuses on the political structures, processes, and policies of state government through a comparative analysis of the 50 states. Particular attention is paid to federalism, electoral politics, parties, interest groups, lobbying, media, the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The first half of the course focuses on competing theories and understandings of these concepts; the second half applies these concepts and theories to Washington State. Several guest lecturers will be invited to the course, people active in Washington state politics and government.
Days/Time: MW 1:30-3:20 5 credits Description: Course description not available at this time. Following is that taken from the UW General Catalog: Intensive and advanced studies in various aspects of political science. Open only to participants in the departmental honors program.
Days/Time: MW 1:30-3:20 5-10 credits Description: This course looks at theoretical controversies regarding human rights. We will ask whether human rights are universal or culturally bounded, whether there is a human right to democracy, and what kinds of international institutions offer the best protection for human rights. Political Science 403A: ADVANCED TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Days/Time: MW 1:30-3:20 5 credits Description: This research seminar explores how political scientists use psychology to address questions of war and peace. Deterrence theory frames most discussions of international security and the course begins by reading Thomas Schelling’s classic text, and then comparing “spiral” and “deterrence” models of conflict. An enduring question among deterrence theorists is which type of bias is most important, cold cognitive (or un-motivated) biases or emotional (motivated) biases. We will address both types of bias and then focus on prospect theory, which is primarily a cognitive theory, though motivation is important. We’ll conclude the first part of the course with a discussion of the failure to plan for post-war Iraq. After the mid-term, we focus on the role of perceptions in interpreting victory and defeat in war, and then examine how analogies influence what people believe and the policies they support. We then turn to focus on why individuals become terrorists and discuss different ways of addressing this threat. Essential to understanding terrorists is knowing how they think of “normal” states. We will address the question of how different types of actors assess another’s credibility. The course concludes with an examination of intelligence failures before the Iraq War.
Days/Time: TTH 10:30-11:50 plus quiz sections 5 credits Description: War is a central feature of international politics. The course begins with an overview of the development of modern warfare, but it focuses on the causes of war. Is war inevitable given the structure of the international system, or can, for example, changes in beliefs or the spread of democracies temper aggressive appetites or eliminate the security dilemma? We will examine these questions by focusing on World War I, World War II , the Persian Gulf War, and the war in Iraq. The course concludes with a discussion of the ethics of war.
Days/Time: MW 1:30-3:20 5 credits Description: Course description not available at this time. The following is taken from the UW General Catalog: Surveys the history of United States-China relations and examines the evolution of bilateral relations, particularly since 1949. Focus on the period since 1972 and the major issues as they have evolved since that time, including trade, human rights, security, and Taiwan.
Days/Time: MW 1:30-3:20 5 credits Description: Course description unavailable at this time. Following is that taken from the UW General Catalog: Comprehensive examination of Japan's international relations. Covers issues such as trade, security, environment, aid, and human rights. Investigates Japan's participation in international organizations, including the UN, World Bank, IMF, and WTO. Examines Japan's relations with the United States, the European Union, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and other regions.
Days/Time: TTH 1:30-3:20 5 credits Description: Is China the next capitalist wonderland or the next evil empire? Following the U.S. media, it's easy to get confused. This course will help you get beneath media rhetoric about the Middle Kingdom by taking a closer look at the Chinese polity, society, and economy. We will address a number of important issues, including 1) the roots of the revolution that led to the establishment of the People's Republic, 2) the human and institutional legacies of a planned economy and Leninist political system, 3) the nature of the transition to a more market-oriented economy, 4) the potential for democratization in a more open polity, 5) the impact of the reforms on the global environment, population growth, labor conditions, and gender relations, and, last but certainly not least, 6) Chinese nationalism, China-Taiwan relations, and US-China relations at the beginning of the twenty-first century.
Days/Time: MW 2:30-4:20 5 credits Description: In this course, students will learn about the European Union in two aspects—the EU as a process of international or regional integration and the EU as a polity or political system with its own institutions, policies, and policy processes. The study of the European Union borders between international relations and comparative politics, and the course draws from both fields of political science. The course is arranged in four parts: (1) the political history of European integration in the post-war era, and the theories on why integration occurs; (2) the political system of the EU, including its core institutions and its legislative, executive and judicial politics; (3) core EU policies, including the European internal market, the single currency, and social policy; and (4) the key challenges facing the EU in the coming years, including enlargement, “Europeanization” of domestic politics, European social identity, a “Constitution” for Europe, and the “democratic deficit.”
Days/Time: MW 11:30-1:20 5 credits Description: This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of public opinion. It examines the role of public opinion in a democracy; the relationship between mass media and public opinion; theories of public opinion and attitude change; and contemporary uses of public opinion.
Days/Time: TTH 11:30-1:20 plus quiz section 5 credits Description: In Mass Media Law, students will learn about the First Amendment and laws journalists must know about. Heavy emphasis on freedom of the press, libel and the right to report. We will also cover censorship, obscenity and broadcast regulation. This course is essential for those who want to practice journalism. It's also a good introduction to constitutional law for those considering law school. This is a heavy reading course. Students should be able to dedicate several hours to reading in preparation for each class. Some instruction by Socratic method. Possible moot court participation.
Days/Time: MW 1:30-3:20 5 credits Description: Is the rule of law necessary for capitalist economic development? What is the role of law in transitions from authoritarian government? What is the role of law in overall governance of developing countries? This course examines the role of law and courts in economic and political change in the developing world. Topics include economic development, property rights, dispute resolution, democratization, and human rights. The course will also address the ways in which various legal traditions and institutions affect outcomes in each of these issue areas. The empirical materials will focus mainly on China and East Asia with some comparisons to other cases.
Days/ Time: TTH 11:30-1:20 5 credits Description: No course description available at this time. Following is that taken from the UW General Catalog: Examines the politics of contemporary post-Soviet Central Asia. Analyzes issues relevant to the region in comparative perspective, including democratization, religion, terrorism, civil society, economic reform, ethnic identity, and international influences. Uses theory to shed light on current policy debates.
Days/Times: ARR 5 Credits Description: Registration is limited to students currently enrolled in the Political Science Honors Program. A contract must be completed and signed prior to obtaining an entry code for POL S 488. See your adviser for the contract and entry code.
Days/Times: ARR 5 credits
Day & Time: ARR 5 Credits, Max. 15 Description: Local, state, national and international internship opportunities are posted at www.polisci.washington.edu/under/internships.asp. More detailed information is available for some placements and is kept in a notebook in the Political Science Advising Office in Smith 215. Students wanting internship experience should consult the listings and then make contact with the agency coordinators at the placements that interest them.
Days/Time: ARR 2-5 Credits, Description: Intensive study with faculty supervision. A contract must be fully completed and signed by a faculty sponsor prior to obtaining an entry code for POL S 499. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IN POL S 499 IS THE END OF THE SECOND WEEK OF THE ACADEMIC QUARTER WITHOUT EXCEPTION; students are encouraged to complete arrangements prior to the beginning of the quarter.
Days/Time: ARR 2-5 credits
Days/Time: W 1:30-4:20 5 credits Description: This course addresses issues of research design and empirical analysis in political science. Topics will include attention to the pragmatic aspects of design (e.g., case selection, sampling), the fundamentals of data analysis, and the logic of statistical inference. This is a “hands on” course aimed at enhancing student ability to design and conduct empirical research. Students will be required to draft a research proposal by the end of the quarter and are encouraged to have a substantive topic of investigation in mind before starting the class.
Days/Time: M 1:30-4:20 5 credits Description: This seminar is the core course required of all graduate students intending to take comparative politics as an examination field. The course provides a general introduction to the scope and methods of the field. One important problem in the field is to understand the emergence, consolidation and extension of democracy as a political system and this seminar will have a substantive focus on democracy. It will consider alternate theoretical approaches including those of historical sociology, rational choice, political culture and institutionalism. Readings for the course will be drawn from the assigned list of readings for the field examination. Participation in the course should therefore help students prepare for the examination..
Days/ Time: M 1:30-4:20 5 credits Description: The last half-century has seen an explosion in scholarly literature critically examining race in the United States. This course surveys flash points in that literature, in the hope of equipping students to delve deeper into the field. The first half of the course focuses on innovative historical approaches; readings will include Roy Harvey Pearce’s SAVAGISM AND CIVILIZATION, Orlando Patterson’s SLAVERY AND SOCIAL DEATH, David R. Roediger’s WAGES OF WHITENESS, and Mae M. Ngai’s IMPOSSIBLE SUBJECTS. The second half of the course focuses on critical theoretical approaches; readings will include Charles W. Mills’s THE RACIAL CONTRACT, Robin Dale Jacobson’s THE NEW NATIVISM, Patricia J. Williams’s ALCHEMY OF RACE AND RIGHTS, and classic articles in critical race theory. Emphasis will be placed on the need for transdisciplinary thinking in both the humanistic and the social scientific study of race.
Days/Time: T 1:30-4:20 5 credits Description: No course description available at this time. Following is that taken from the UW General Catalog: Examination of current topics in the theory and practice of world politics. Content varies according to recent developments in the field and research interests of the instructor.
Days/Time: TH 1:30-4:20 5 credits
Days/Time: T 2:30-5:20 5 credits Description: Course description not available at this time. The following is taken from the UW General Catalog: Examination of current topics on the theory and practice of political methodology. Course content varies according to recent developments in the field and the research interests of the instructor.
Day/Time: TH 1:30-4:20 3 credits Description: This is a topical seminar that addresses policy implementation and bureaucratic politics. We will attempt to come to grips with the resurgence of research on these topics in recent years. Particular attention will be paid to consideration of the relationship between policy design and implementation, intergovernmental implementation, street level bureaucracy, bureaucratic control, and bureaucratic influences on policy processes. We will ground the discussion with consideration of how these issues play out in various policy areas. The course should be especially relevant to students in American politics and policy processes, but also has applications to those with interests in comparative politics.
Days/Time: TTH 11:30-1:20 5 credits Description: Course description not available at this time. The following is taken from the UW General Catalog: Examines the politics of contemporary post-Soviet Central Asia. Analyzes issues relevant to the region in comparative perspective, including democratization, religion, terrorism, civil society, economic reform, ethnic identity, and international influences. Uses theory to shed light on current policy debates.
Days/Time: M 1:30-4:20 5 credits Description: The focus of this seminar is on political economic analysis of the emergence of the rule of law and how to institutionalize it. This involves questions of state building, including the development of a staff competent to carry out the laws in a reasonably fair and equitable manner. It also raises questions of achieving sufficient legitimacy so that law enforcement can rest on quasi-voluntary compliance as well as coercion. The role played by leadership is also explored. Political Science 595A: TEACHING POLITICAL SCIENCE Days/Time: F 1:30-3:20 1 credit Description: No course description available at this time. Following is that drawn from the UW General Catalog: College teaching of Political Science.
Days/Time: ARR 1 - 10 credits Description: Intensive reading in the literatures of political science, directed by the chair of the doctoral supervisory
Days/Time: ARR 1 – 5 Credits Description: Supervised research and writing for graduate students completing the M.A. Essay of Distinction. Intended to provide students with the opportunity to undertake for-credit research and writing leading to the required Essay of Distinction for the department.
Days/Time: ARR 1 -10 credits Description: A contract must be completed and signed by the faculty supervisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator prior to obtaining an entry code for POL S 600. POL S 600A is decimal graded; POL S 600B is credit / no credit.
Days/Time: ARR 1 – 10 credits Description: Registration in POL S 800 is limited to doctoral candidates.
|