Current Courses
Spring 2021
POL 003: INTRODUCTION TO POLITIC THEORY (1 unit)
How do other countries go about addressing major political issues such as social security, tax rates, education, and abortion? How do institutions and political culture operate differently in other nations, and what do those differences say about the American experience? This comparative survey of politics in countries and regions other than the United States seeks to answer these questions by focusing on political culture and socialization, socio-economic structure and development, class interests, government institutions, electoral processes, political parties, and major shifts in public policy. This course satisfies the Social, Historical, Cultural Understanding and Common Good requirements of the Core Curriculum.
MWF 8:00-9:05, Patrizia Longo
POL 004: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (1 unit)
In this introductory course, we will explore the different theoretical frameworks for the study of international politics, in an attempt to understand how, why, and where the national interests of some actors collide and those of other actors coalesce. This course satisfies the Global Perspectives requirement of the Core Curriculum.
TTH 8:00-9:35, Ron Ahnen
POL 100: WRITING, RESEARCH & ANALYSIS FOR THE POLITICS MAJOR (1 unit)
Have you ever thought that some people just know how to think, research, and write, and some just don’t? Educators sometimes give the impression that we are basically born good at these things, or we’re not. The truth is that being able to do effective research, analysis, and
writing does not involve skills we are born with – it involves learned skills, and they can be taught and learned through practice. This course will help you master these skills in a small-group setting with lots of individual support, and it aims to foster the student’s transition from lower division to upper division research, writing and analysis. Join the class, develop your skills in a supportive setting, and be empowered by becoming more competent and confident in your upper division politics work. This course satisfies the Writing in the Disciplines requirement of the Core Curriculum. Not open to freshmen.
MWF 2:45-3:50, Ron Ahnen
POL 101: STATE AND URBAN POLITICS (1 unit)
The State and Urban Politics course is a survey of current issues and problems in state and city government. The course analyzes important issues faced by cities and states and the solutions that have been created to address them. Topics include the distribution of power in communities, the organization of city government, executive and legislative processes of the state, and community responses to issues including law enforcement, social welfare, education and taxation. Texts include readings, guest lecturers, films, and other materials. This course satisfies the American Diversity requirement of the Core Curriculum. Course fee $30.
MW 4:00-5:35, Zahra Ahmed
POL 104: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (1 unit)
There is no more fascinating time to study constitutional law than now. Questions about the Constitution arise for Americans every day: can the Democrats pack the Supreme Court, were the Founders racists, were they elitists, have our First and Fourth Amendment rights been eroded, can abortion be completely prohibited, is it legal to keep citizens from voting, and did the Constitution get so much, so wrong? For more than 230 years this founding document has guided law, public policy and the life of the nation. We examine the philosophy that inspired the Founders, we study theories of Constitutional interpretation, and we look the most important Supreme Court Cases in American law and politics. In a supportive atmosphere we “do law” – we learn how to read, understand, brief, and apply cases to legal problems. Finally, we explore why constitutional law supports and defines this nation in the search for justice we have imperfectly achieved but, for which we so ardently long This course satisfies the Common Good requirement of the Core Curriculum. Course fee of $15.
MWF 11:45-12:50, Melinda Thomas
POL 114: POSTCOLINIAL THEORY (1 unit)
Postcolonialism may be defined as the perspective provided by theories that analyze the conditions of postcoloniality and seek to combat the continuing, often covert, operation of an imperialist system of economic, political and cultural domination. In this course we will discuss, through the lens of postcolonial theories, texts that have been produced by people from countries with a history of colonialism, particularly those concerned with the workings and legacy of colonialism and resistance to it, in either the past or the present. Important issues that we will consider are the construction of nation and national culture, the role of education and language, and hybridity, gender, and the disenfranchised in the formation of colonial and postcolonial identities. This course satisfies The Common Good requirement of the Core Curriculum. Course fee $35.
MWF 10:30-11:35, Patrizia Longo
POL 140/193: GENDER POLITICS (1 UNIT) & FIELD WORK (.25 unit)
(Students must enroll in both POL 140 and POL 193—see below)
A study of the social, economic, political and legal status of women in contemporary America and in other countries. The course examines the dynamic changes taking place in the relationship between women and men. Topics include the history of the women’s liberation movements, the Equal Rights Amendment, abortion, sexism in the workplace, feminist social theory and women in politics. This course satisfies the Community Engagement requirement of the Core Curriculum. Cross-listed with WGS 140/193.
MWF 9:15–10:20, Patrizia Longo
POL 141: CONTEMPORARY REVOLUTIONS (1 unit)
A comparative study of 20th Century revolutions and the unfolding contemporary 21st Century revolutionary processes, examining revolutionary theory and the debates between revolutionaries. Using primary texts, students read the theorists and practitioners of each revolution studied. Cases include the successful Russian Revolution as the first model, followed by the unsuccessful German and Spanish revolutions, the Chinese and the Cuban revolutions, the attempted French revolution of May 1968, the Chilean revolutionary process of 1970 –73, the Vietnamese Civil War, the Iranian and Nicaraguan revolutions of 1979. Eastern European revolutions of 1989 are examined as the completion of the failed process of imposed revolutions from above and without after 1945. The causes and basis of social conflict are explored as well as the way rebellions, riots and insurrections can turn into revolutions. Questions are posed for the contemporary period of spontaneous mass uprisings and occupations that develop, spread and change at lightning speed, from the squares of Egypt and Greece to the Indignados of Spain to Occupy in the US, Turkey, Brazil and beyond. As the global economic crisis deepens the signs of revolutionary resistance are everywhere, prompting the question: whither the 21st Century? This course satisfies the Social, Historical & Cultural Understanding requirement of the Core Curriculum. Course fee $35.
TTH 1:15–2:35, Suzi Weissman
POL 145: LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (1 unit)
An examination of the historical evolution and present state of political systems in Mexico, Central America and Southern Cone countries. Alternative theoretical explanations of democratization, democratic consolidation, and the links between public policy and socio-economic development are emphasized. Major themes of the course include measuring and explaining the quality of democratic governance, institutional variations, social justice, human rights, ideologies and US policy toward the region. This course satisfies the Common Good, and the Social, Historical and Cultural Understanding requirements of the Core Curriculum. Offered in alternate years. Not open to freshmen. Cross-listed with GRS 130.
TTH 9:45-11:20, Ron Ahnen
POL 196: CAPSTON SEMINAR IN POLITICS (1 unit)
This seminar style course deals with a fundamental issue in political theory/philosophy, political economy, politics and sociology: the meaning of equality. How do we conceptualize and measure equality -- and inequality? What are their causes and what are their effects? Using a variety of classical and contemporary texts we’ll explore these questions with respect to the current social and political context in the US and the world. The course is open to juniors and seniors. Course fee of $30. Please note: This Politics Capstone Seminar course may be counted for any unfulfilled upper division course.
TTH, 11:30-1:05, Suzi Weissman