Political Science (POLT)

POLT 401 - Politics and Society

Credits: 4

Introduces the nature of politics and political institutions. Emphasizes political behavior and continuing issues of modern politics, such as power, authority, legitimacy, freedom, and order.

Attributes: Humanities(Disc)

Equivalent(s): POLT 401H

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 402 - American Politics and Government

Credits: 4

Foundational course to help students understand the institutions and actors of American politics and government, the decision-making process of government, and the political considerations that drive American government.

Attributes: Social Science (Discovery)

Equivalent(s): POLT 402H

Mutual Exclusion: No credit for students who have taken PS 402.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 403 - United States in World Affairs

Credits: 4

Introduces students to key concepts, actors, and events in U.S. foreign policy. After examining the early foundations of American foreign policy, this course concentrates on the United States' international engagement from the Cold War to the present. Students develop the analytical skills they need to form their own opinions on contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy, and defend these opinions articulately based on a solid knowledge of historic and current events.

Attributes: Historical Perspectives(Disc)

Equivalent(s): POLT 403H, POLT 403W

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 440A - Honors/Global Justice

Credits: 4

The course exposes students to different understandings of global justice and the institutions and approaches used to address genocide and mass human suffering. Students explore several modern conflicts and different cultural understandings of these conflicts and views on justice. The class also examines the political dynamics of international and domestic institutions, power politics, and international activism. Students also examine the globalization of accountability and post-conflict transitions from violence to peace.

Attributes: Honors course; World Cultures(Discovery)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 444 - Politics and Policy in a Warming World

Credits: 4

Uses the issue of climate change to explore the relationships between scientific and technical research and debate, policymaking at the international and domestic (U.S.) levels, and public understanding and interpretation of complex technical issues. The course is interdisciplinary.

Attributes: Environment,TechSociety(Disc); Inquiry (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 444B - Cruel and Unusual in a Federal System

Credits: 4

This course is an exploration of the US/state constitutional language of 'cruel and unusual' as an important limitation on governmental power. Students study its historical origins, interpretations, and applications across time periods and types of regimes. Particular attention will be paid to its association with the death penalty in the contemporary United States.

Attributes: Social Science (Discovery); Inquiry (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 500 - American Public Policy

Credits: 4

Foundational public policy course examining policy choices and conflicts, how policy decisions are made, how policies are assessed, the development of potential policy solutions, and the politics of policy making. Students engage in a task force project that simulates public policy processes and culminates in a policy recommendation at the end of the semester.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Mutual Exclusion: No credit for students who have taken PS 500.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 502 - State and Local Government

Credits: 4

Examines power, policies, political culture, and constitutional settings of state and local governments in the United States. Students study how state legislatures, governors, courts, political parties, and interest groups interact to shape political outcomes at the state and local levels.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 504 - American Presidency

Credits: 4

The President as administrator, policy maker, and political leader. The relationship between the President and the public, the media, and other governmental institutions. Historical and constitutional background of the Presidency, role, and powers of the President in domestic and foreign affairs.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 505 - American Congress

Credits: 4

Role and powers of Congress as national lawmaker and check on the executive branch: committee structure, concepts of representation, legislative oversight and party cleavage, federal budget control, and foreign policy involvement.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 506 - Parties, Interest Groups, and Voters

Credits: 4

Role of political parties as organizers and managers of social conflict. Role of voters in controlling parties and government. Influence of interest groups in the electoral process and in governmental decision making.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 507 - Politics of Crime and Justice

Credits: 4

Criminal justice in theory and practice; contemporary role of police, prosecutors, judges, juries, counsel, and interest groups in the administration of criminal justice.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 508 - Supreme Court and the Constitution

Credits: 4

Supreme Court treated as a political institution whose historic mission is to decide all controversies arising under the Constitution between the nation and the states, the President and Congress; the role of the judiciary in defining its own powers, rights, and duties.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Equivalent(s): PS 508

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 509 - Managing Bureaucracy in America

Credits: 4

Growth and development of the bureaucratic state. Roles and powers of administrative officials, decision making in bureaucratic settings, citizen participation, and the influence of interest groups on bureaucratic policymaking.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 511 - Women & Politics

Credits: 4

This class provides a survey of the intersection of women, sex, and gender with politics.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 512 - Public Opinion in American Politics

Credits: 4

Relationship of mass and elite opinion within the context of American political culture. Impact of public opinion on American governmental policies, especially with respect to major issues facing the President and Congress. Appraisal of responsiveness to influence and responsibility to lead.

Attributes: Social Science (Discovery)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #513 - Civil Rights and Liberties

Credits: 4

Analysis of four major areas of constitutional rights and liberties, political freedom, equal protection of the laws, and due process with particular attention to their impact on such problems as political protest, discrimination, school segregation, students' rights and the relationship between government and religion.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 522 - Dissent and the Political Community

Credits: 4

Current political ideologies and controversies in America and abroad; liberal democracy and its critics since the 19th century.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 523 - American Political Thought

Credits: 4

Introduces the student to the key questions about politics and government asked and answered by American thinkers and actors, as well as the ways in which those "answers" have shaped our institutions and political processes. Emphasizes the idea of property.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 524 - Politics and Literature

Credits: 4

This course examines classical and contemporary works of literature to explore perennial issues in the study of politics, such as: exceptionalism, individualism, justice, and equality.

Attributes: Humanities(Disc)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 544 - Of Dictators and Democrats

Credits: 4

Why are some countries democratic, while others are ruled by dictators? In this course, we answer this question by examining the different paths democratizing nations have taken. Following a theoretical overview, we examine early cases of democratic practices, then turn to study cases from each of the “waves” of democracy. In the first wave (18th and 19th centuries) we focus on the United States, testing the ability of theories to predict the emergence of American democracy. In our study of the second wave (post World War II), we investigate Germany’s transition from dictatorship to democracy. To explore the third wave (1980s to the 2000s), we examine the case of Chile. The course concludes with an examination of contemporary trends of democratic reversals and the rise of authoritarian populists. The goal of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of the process of democratization, and the analytical tools necessary for evaluating democratic development. By the end of this course, students will be able to explain and evaluate different theories of democratization, describe key democratic milestones in the selected countries, and use this theoretical and empirical knowledge to assess current political events around the world.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 545 - People and Politics in Asia

Credits: 4

This course is an introduction to Northeast Asia, with special emphasis on the politics of the region's major actors. Will China be the next global hegemon? Is Japan moribund? Is Taiwan an independent country? Is Hong Kong a democratic bastion? Why does Kim Jong-un keep threatening to attack the United States? This is a mid-level, writing intensive course that will prepare students for more advanced courses on the nations and issues of the Asia-Pacific rim.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #546 - Wealth and Politics in Asia

Credits: 4

Different paths to modernization, industrialization, and development in nations of the Asia-Pacific Rim. In-depth examinations of the challenges faced by Japan, China, Hong Kong/Macao, Taiwan, and the Koreas in their search for the correct path to economic growth and prosperity, with special emphasis on each nation's distinct society and history. Companion course to POLT 545, but either may be taken separately.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 548 - Drug Wars

Credits: 4

The Americas have hosted several wars against drugs, but these militarized campaigns have not curtailed the global consumption of opiates, cocaine, and cannabis. Perhaps even more sobering, the drug wars have coincided with spiraling rates of violent crime. Given this track record, policymakers have begun to reevaluate drug policies in the US and abroad. This course evaluates these contemporary changes, particularly in light of the successes and failures of past drug control policies.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 549 - The Politics of Markets

Credits: 4

This course surveys some major debates in comparative political economy, focusing especially on the creation, evolution, and reform of market institutions. The course emphasizes the ways in which the market is embedded in social and political institutions. Main topics include: 1) Theoretical foundations of political economy, 2) Patterns of industrialization, 3) Capitalist institutions in contemporary industrialized countries, 4) Challenges of development, 5) Transitions from communism to a market economy, and current challenges facing capitalism.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

POLT 550 - Comparative Government and Society

Credits: 4

Introduces students to key concepts and themes in comparative politics through the study of revolutions, ideologies, institutions, and/or social movements. This course compares interactions between citizens and their governments in various types of democracies as well as authoritarian regimes, and spans industrialized and developing countries.

Attributes: World Cultures(Discovery)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 551 - Ethnicity ,Violence, Democracy

Credits: 4

What is ethnic identity and why do ethnic differences result in violence? Are diverse societies prone to conflict? The course provides a broad perspective to these questions by examining diversity and conflict in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the US. Racial and ethnic politics in the US, while not a primary focus, are compared to identity and conflict in other countries. Students will understand how identity evolves and shapes the world.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 552 - Contemporary European Politics

Credits: 4

Analyzes politics, governments, and societies in contemporary Europe; focuses on basic characteristics of political life in different countries as well as pressing economic, political, and social issues.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 554 - Revolution and Protest in Latin America

Credits: 4

Throughout Latin American history, economic and political models have been heavily contested. Advocates of state intervention in the economy have clashed with free market forces, and these clashes have often spilled into the political arena where they have been further complicated by divisions between dictators and democrats. This course examines these twin processes in Latin American politics, tracing economic and political development from the time of independence to the present.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 559 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East

Credits: 4

Examines the dynamics of political and economic change in states and societies of the Middle East. Covers state formation, nationalism and colonialism, authoritarianism and opposition movements, and the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 560 - World Politics

Credits: 4

The course explores the primary issues of world politics with a focus on conflict, cooperation and development. Students are introduced to the principal theories and concepts in the analysis of world politics and encouraged to apply these theories and concepts to contemporary global issues.

Attributes: Social Science (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 562 - Strategy and National Security Policy

Credits: 4

This course develops an understanding of: 1) strategy and its relationship to national security policy and 2) American national security issues and the process of creating and implementing American national security policies. A primary theoretical and practical consideration is the relationship between the use of force and diplomacy. Among the specific issues are: the nuclear world, the U.S. defense posture, military interventions, and the broadening definition of security.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #565 - United States Policy in Latin America

Credits: 4

Frequently U.S. policymakers portray the United States as a benevolent neighbor, seeking to help the countries in their "backyard". Many Latin Americans disagree with this view, and think more critically about the motivations and legacies of U.S. intervention in the Western Hemisphere. To understand these disagreements, this course applies theories of international relations to analyze pivotal events in the history of U.S. - Latin American relations from the time of independence to the present, including Spanish-American War, creation of Panama Canal, Cuban Missile Crisis, Iran Contra Affair, War Against Drugs, Washington Consensus.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 566 - Asian Challenge to Global Order

Credits: 4

Asian international relations continue to challenge global power structures. As the world's most vital region, Asia is characterized by explosive economic growth, diverse political systems, modernizing militaries, and advanced technologies. This course explores the regional political and economic dilemmas, starting with the breakdown of the old imperialist order, Japan's expansion, the Asian Cold War, Korean and Chinese unification, China's post-1978 emergence, North Korea nuclear weapons, and the growing conflict over the Pacific Ocean's marginal seas.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 568 - International Security

Credits: 4

Explores central issues related to security in international politics, including: intelligence collection, emerging technologies, the rise and fall of major interstate wars, nuclear weapons, climate change, terrorism, civil wars, and coercion.

Prerequisite(s): POLT 403 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 569 - The Rise of China

Credits: 4

Analysis of China's struggle for political and economic power in Asia and the world. Examines the legacy of China's historical encounters with the outside world, interactions with the international system since 1949, domestic determinants of foreign political and economic policies, and theories of decision making.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #580 - Selected Topics Am Politics

Credits: 4

Special topics such as politics and public affairs in New Hampshire, women in politics, and civil liberties. Not offered every semester. See departmental listings for semester offerings.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 584 - Selected Topics in Political Thought

Credits: 4

Special issues in political theory, such as liberalism and conservatism, radical political thought, the American character, and others. Not offered every semester. See departmental listings for semester offerings.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 592 - Selected Topics in International Politics

Credits: 4

Examines specialized issues in international politics. Topics may include ethnic conflict, non-proliferations and global security, economic and political globalization, etc. Not offered every semester. See departmental listings for semester offerings.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 595 - Smart Politics

Credits: 4

An introduction to empirical research methods in political science, both qualitative and quantitative. Students study all aspects of the research process, including hypothesis-building, concepts and variables, measurement, research design, sampling, and empirical observations. Special attention paid to the use of statistical software.

Attributes: Inquiry (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

Mutual Exclusion: No credit for students who have taken PS 595.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #602A - Internship

Credits: 4

Field experience in a governmental or nongovernmental organization at the local, state, national, or international level. Arrangements must be made through the political science department. Open to juniors and seniors with at least a 3.2 GPA. Permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee of the department is required prior to the internship.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 602D - Internship

Credits: 2-12

Field experience in governmental or nongovernmental organization at the local, state, national, or international level. Arrangements must be made through the political science department. Open to juniors and seniors with at least 3.2 GPA. Permission from the undergraduate curriculum committee of the department is required. From 2 to 12 credits maybe taken.

Grade Mode: Credit/Fail Grading

POLT #695 - Independent Study

Credits: 2-4

Designed to meet special interests of students and instructors in exploring issues in political science. Upon satisfying eligibility requirements set forth by departmental guidelines (in departmental office and online), students must have the approval of a faculty sponsor. Students submit the form and all supporting evidence by mid-semester prior to the planned semester of independent study for departmental approval. Does not meet the major's four field-course requirement; maximum of eight (8) credits can be counted toward the non-field major requirements.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 696 - Independent Study

Credits: 2-4

Designed to meet special interests of students and instructors in exploring issues in political science. Upon satisfying eligibility requirements set forth by departmental guidelines (in departmental office and online), students must have the approval of a faculty sponsor. Students submit the form and all supporting evidence by mid-semester prior to the planned semester of independent study for departmental approval. Does not meet the major's four field-course requirement; maximum of eight (8) credits can be counted toward the non-field major requirements.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 700 - Political Science Pro-Seminar

Credits: 4

Familiarizes students with political science as a profession. Briefly surveys the scope of the discipline in terms of the substantive fields and methodological approaches. Examines the logic of research design and explores diverse methods of inquiry (e.g., archival, experimental, case study, comparative analysis, field study, survey, etc.), including the process of generating a presentable research paper.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 705 - Elections in the United States

Credits: 4

Students will study various aspects of elections in the United States while observing and analyzing case studies during campaign season.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 709 - Reforming American Government

Credits: 4

Why is American government designed the way that it is (and how does it change?)? Whose interests are protected and whose interests are limited by its design? What do successful reforms tell us about the future of reform?.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #721 - Feminist Political Theory

Credits: 4

Familiarizes students with trends feminist political thinking; exploring issues of race, ethnicity, class, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, ability, age as they relate to gender and the development of feminist political theory. Attention is paid to critical thinking and analysis using the paradigm of gender as a prism through which to view our lives and ideas.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 740 - States and Societies in the Middle East

Credits: 4

This seminar explores the comparative politics of selected countries and conflicts in the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. We focus on understanding the causes and consequences of popular uprisings, civil wars, and protracted conflicts. The class is taught through discussion, with students taking active, participatory roles. Themes include changing forms of governance, changing practices of warfare, gender and minority rights, economic and environmental problems, protest and activism, state-society relations, and migration and refugees. Students read memoir, journalistic accounts, and theoretical articles in comparative politics to understand important developments. Specific country and issue cases change each year; recent seminars have addressed Israel-Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. Writing, reading, and discussion intensive class. Designed as follow-on course to POLT 559, Comparative Politics of the Middle East, counts as capstone course for the Middle East Minor.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 742 - Politics of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India

Credits: 4

Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India are strategically important states and potential flashpoints of conflict. Nuclear neighbors, India and Pakistan have been in conflict for 70 years while Afghanistan remains internally unstable. The politics of these countries are also intimately involved with each other. The class will focus both on the internal politics of these states and their foreign relations with each other and the United States. Students will develop expertise in a crucial world region.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 748 - Food and Wine Politics

Credits: 4

Food and wine politics provides a lens through which to analyze contrasting perspectives on production organization, market structures, quality constructs, consumer preferences, and health and safety regulation. This course draws upon texts from economic history, political economy, economic sociology, and public policy to shed light on comparative political and market organization across Europe, the United States, and emerging market economies.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #750 - Politics of Poverty

Credits: 4

Why are some countries rich while others are so poor? This course answers this question by examining several theories of economic development: political culture, modernization, dependency, regime types, urban bias, rent-seeking institutions, and international aid. The immediate goal of this course is for students to understand the causes of international inequality in the distribution of wealth. Students also improve their ability to evaluate theoretical arguments and empirical evidence critically, and develop reading and writing skills.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Mutual Exclusion: No credit for students who have taken PS #750.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT #751 - Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy

Credits: 4

Environmental politics and policy across national boundaries and at different levels of governance. Comparison of the U.S. and European Union environmental policies to build a foundation for comparisons across national boundaries and sub-national authorities. Students improve their understanding of how and why comparative methods are used to gain insight into politics and policymaking. Central concepts and debates addressed include the roles of expertise, sustainability, precautionary principle, the use of market mechanisms in policy, environmental justice, policy devolution and flexibility, environmental performance assessment, NGO roles, activism, and social movements. Using a range of theoretical approaches and historical and contemporary events and case studies, evaluating the claims and explanatory power of various concepts and theories. Includes ethical issues emerging from the theory and practice of environmental politics.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 760 - Theories of International Relations

Credits: 4

Theoretical approaches of international politics, international organization, and international political economy with particular emphasis on systems theories, domestic determinants of foreign policy and theories of decision making.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 762 - International Political Economy

Credits: 4

This course has been designed to introduce advanced undergraduates and graduate students to the current theoretical discussions in international political economy. The course analyzes the development of current international economic regimes, as well as looks at systemic theories (interdependence, hegemonic stability), domestic determinants (bureaucratic, interest group), and decision-making theories (rational choice). By monitoring current economic and political news, students are challenged to apply these ideas to explain the current problems in political economy.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 778 - International Organization

Credits: 4

This course is about cooperation at the international level. With a focus on international organizations, we examine what roles international institutions (both IGOS and NGOS) play in global governance and their effects in various issue areas. We examine their historical origins, functions, and the international and domestic political forces that impact their effectiveness. The course also considers the role of international organizations on world order including conflict resolution, peacekeeping, development, and human rights.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 795 - Advanced Study

Credits: 1-4

Senior POLT majors, with a cumulative average of 3.20 or greater, may undertake advanced study (political science), in an area of their choice, in consultation with member(s) of the faculty. Normally, the result of the project is a significant written product of a quality comparable to that done at the 700 course level. Student must initiate the project discussion and obtain approval of the undergraduate curriculum committee of the department before undertaking the project.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 796 - Advanced Study

Credits: 4

Senior POLT majors, with a cumulative average of 3.20 or greater, may undertake advanced study (political science), in an area of their choice, in consultation with member(s) of the faculty. Normally, the result of the project is a significant written product of a quality comparable to that done at the 700 course level. Student must initiate the project discussion and obtain approval of the undergraduate curriculum committee of the department before undertaking the project.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 797B - Seminar in American Politics

Credits: 4

Advanced analysis and individual research.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 797C - Seminar in Comparative Politics

Credits: 4

Advanced analysis focusing on government and politics in foreign nations or regions. Areas of interest may include: constitutional structures, political parties and interest groups, legislatures, bureaucracy, and public policy. Topics address such concerns as religion and politics, patterns of economic development, ethnic strife, and political leadership.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 797E - Seminar in International Politics

Credits: 4

Advanced analysis focusing on problems of theory and contemporary issues in international politics. Areas of interest may include: democratic norms in international relations, NATO expansion and European security, the peace process in the Middle East, etc. See department listings for semester offerings.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 798B - Seminar in American Politics

Credits: 4

Advanced analysis and individual research.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

POLT 799 - Honors Thesis

Credits: 4

Senior POLT honors-in-major students (see department for honors-in-major requirements), with a cumulative average of 3.20 or greater, may undertake a special honors project in an area of their choice. The result of this special project is a significant written product constituting an honors thesis, under the supervision of a faculty sponsor. Students must initiate the project discussion and obtain approval of the undergraduate curriculum committee before undertaking the project. The honors thesis constitutes the tenth course in the major.

Attributes: Honors course; Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading