PC: Political Sciences
PC 151 — Global Power and Politics
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course is designed to give students an understanding of world politics by examining historical and current events and issues. It explores topics of international relations – origins of wars, conditions for peace, and conflicts over wealth and resources. Students will learn how international actors interact with each other. Formerly SS 151.
PC 202 — Bollywood and the Making of India
3 credits; 2 lecture and 2 lab hours
Bollywood cinema has played a significant role in managing euphoria, as well as political, social and religious crises confronting postcolonial India following partition, independence, globalization, and the rise of populism. In so doing, it captures and reflects anxieties and aspirations about an idea—a unique experiment called India. This class studies Bollywood movies, their history, and their connections with the world.
PC 251 — American Government and Politics
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
An introduction to American government and politics, addressing the following questions: 1) How democratic are the American political system and its processes? 2) How well do they function? 3) How knowledgeable are Americans about the country’s political system and how extensively do they participate in the political process? Students will examine the framework of the American political system as well as the institutions of government, political processes and leadership selection. Citizen participation and policy decision-making will be emphasized. Formerly SS 251.
PC 299 — Independent Study in Political Sciences
1-3 credit
Prerequisite(s): a minimum 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor, chairperson, and dean for Liberal Arts.
PC 341 — Women and Global Politics
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course will examine how gender intersects in, and shapes, international relations through an examination of issues in international conflict and in the international political economy. The course will focus on the global women’s movement as a considerable player in international politics, incorporating the experiences of women as well as feminist analyses. Formerly SS 341.
PC 353 — Latin America Today
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
Latin America is a region with a complex history, contentious politics and abundant inequality. This course will examine the region’s unique historical, political, economic, social and cultural factors which shape the identities of the nation-states and their citizens. Specific topics will include the colonial history of Latin America, the various types of political systems, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens with a special focus on race and gender. Formerly SS 353.
PC 354 — Comparative Political Systems
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course is designed to provide a comparative study of political systems with a global perspective. It compares political ideologies, institutions and processes in democracies and various types of authoritarian regimes. The course also explores how these political systems manifest themselves in different types of regimes and intersect with important issues of the 21st century. Comparative Political Systems is designed to provide students with an understanding of some of the major issues associated with different political systems in the world. Formerly SS 354.
PC 356 — Asia in Motion: National, International, and Transnational Relations
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course is designed to give students an analytical framework to understand the diversity, complexity, and dynamics of East Asian and Southeast Asian politics. In this course, students will learn about Asia and its moves toward modernity by focusing on paradigm shifts in ideology, geopolitics, culture, and economic systems. Students will develop their knowledge and critical perspective about “Asia” not only as a country-specific base but also in the transnational context. Formerly SS 356.
PC 393 — Politics in the Middle East (Honors)
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course is designed to give students a background in the most significant issues in the study of Middle Eastern politics. We will explore the ethnic, religious and geopolitical composition of the Middle East, and what major political discourses and identities exist as well as issues of conflict and cooperation. Formerly SS 393.
Prerequisite(s): Qualification for Presidential Scholars Program, or 3.5 GPA with approval of dean for Liberal Arts.
PC 395 — International Conflict in the 21st Century (Honors)
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
This course is designed to examine the nature of international conflicts in the 21st Century. Students will analyze how international conflicts have occurred through time while examining the question of why actors (people and states) take particular types of actions. The course will focus on countries and non-state actors in the Middle East, Asia and Africa in which there is a high level of international conflict. The class will study case studies which demonstrate examples of post-cold war conflict: terrorism, civil war and international intervention. Formerly SS 395.
Prerequisite(s): Qualification for Presidential Scholars Program, or 3.5 GPA with approval of dean for Liberal Arts.
PC 397 — Religion and Global Politics (Honors)
3 credits; 3 lecture hours
“Religion” is driving contemporary political events in multiple, multifaceted and mysterious ways. This course is designed to understand and reflect on how religion influences global politics. The course is divided into three sections. The first part will address concerns about how, why and where individuals are religious across the globe, and in what ways their religious ideas and identities influence their political decisions and behaviors. The second part will examine the major questions posed by human-rights practitioners of religious freedom, the origins and scope of these rights, the problem of definition, and the values with which they conflict. And finally we will focus on crucial themes in debates over the role that religion ought to play in democratic politics / pluralist societies. Formerly SS 397.
PC 499 — Independent Study in Political Sciences
1-3 credit
Prerequisite(s): a minimum 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor, chairperson, and dean for Liberal Arts.