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Current information on rooms and times for classes can be obtained on your MySlice or from the Political Science office.
Summer 2024 Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Maymester (May 16 13 – 27)
PSC/PHI 125.m800 70451/70452 Political Theory Online sync (Secen)
Introduction to theories of major modern political philosophers (Locke, Rousseau, Hume, J.S. Mill, Marx). Contemporary theories of liberty, justice, and equality.
PSC 300.m301 70322 Introduction to International Environmental Politics Online sync (Montgomery)
This course serves to introduce students to the study of environmental politics from an international perspective. Students will engage with literature and discussion on how environmental problems transcend national borders and create intractable problems for our global community. We will discuss issues of collective action; international environmental agreements and the role international and domestic actors play in designing and securing environmental agreements across policy arenas. The goal of this course is to engage students with the critical topic of environmental crises at the intersection of International Relations and Public Policy. This class will cover the problems, institutions (both formal and informal), and politics that underlie global environmental governance. Additionally, students will engage with questions around understanding international cooperation and conflict as it relates to environmental justice, markets, science, and security. We will look at how global politics shape a variety of responses to specific environmental issues including: climate change, forest depletion, the disruption of ecological systems, and the mounting water crisis.
Session I (May 23 – July 1)
PSC 123.m800 72322 Introduction to Comparative Politics Online sync (Call)
Comparison of selected governmental institutions, individual and collective political actors, and issues across the industrialized and developing world. Particular attention to dynamics of socioeconomic and political change.
PSC 202.m001 70291 Introduction to Political Analysis Online sync (Wang)
Introduction to important political science concepts; basics of political argumentation and reasoning; and basic quantitative research and analysis techniques.
PSC 355.u800 70300 International Political Economy Online async (McDowell)24)
Please keep in mind that ALL Maymester courses are extremely time-intensive; you are signing up for a 3.0 credit course and earning your grade for the course in a two-week period. Please expect to expend your time during Maymester working on your course.
PSC 388.m800 Globalization and the Rise of Populism
Instructor: Almila Basak
Class #: 72463
Offered: ONLINE SYNC 05/13/2024 – 05/24/2024
Course Description:
This course examines the causes and consequences of globalization: who wins and who loses from political and economic globalization? In the second part of the semester, we will discuss the global rise of populism and question the relationship between globalization and the rise of populism in both Global North and Global South countries. This course is open to anyone interested in global politics.
PSC 344.m500 Politics of the Middle East
Instructor: Yael Zeira
Class #: 72464
Offered: ONLINE SYNC 05/13/2024 – 05/24/2024
Course Description:
This course offers a thematic approach to the study of contemporary Middle East politics and society. We will review the major questions that leading scholars and policymakers ask about the Middle East today. The class will proceed both thematically and chronologically, beginning with the region’s long-standing authoritarianism, proceeding to challenges to the long-time status quo (e.g. the Arab Uprisings of 2011), and ending with the ongoing, diverging consequences of these challenges. Geographically, the class will focus on Egypt, Syria, and Tunisia, as well as examine more general patterns and trends across the region.
Session I (May 20 – June 28 – no residential classes W 6/19)
PSC 121 m001 American National Government & Politics
Instructor: Brock Titlow
Class #: 70003
Offered: ONLINE SYNC 05/20/2024 – 06/27/2024
Course Description: American political institutions. Basic principles embedded in structure and practices of American government. Practical consequences of this political system for the citizen. Credit is given for PSC 121 or PSC 129, but not both.
PSC 202 m001 American National Government & Politics
Instructor: Aysenur Deger
Class #: 72462
Offered: ONLINE SYNC 05/20/2024 – 06/28/2024
Course Description:
The purpose of this course, required for political science majors, is to build skills for conducting, interpreting, and presenting political science research. These skills include: basic research and data collection practices, techniques for measuring political science concepts quantitatively, hypothesis testing, interpretation of statistical evidence, and the presentation of findings in a clear and compelling manner. Tying these components together is a thematic focus on important political science concepts such as democracy, power, or representation.
PSC 355 u800 International Political Economy
Instructor: Dan McDowell
Class #: 70233
Offered: ONLINE ASYNC 05/20/2024 – 06/28/2024
Course Description:
Institutions and politics of international economic relations. Trade, investment, macro-economic policy coordination, economic development, global resource issues, and the causes and consequences of global economic integration.
Session II (July
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1 – August
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9)
PSC 121.m001 70006 American National Government & Politics In person (Jones)
American political institutions. Basic principles embedded in structure and practices of American government. Practical consequences of this political system for the citizen. Credit is given for PSC 121 or PSC 129, but not both.
PSC 121.m002 72539 American National Government & Politics In person (Van Egdom)
American political institutions. Basic principles embedded in structure and practices of American government. Practical consequences of this political system for the citizen. Credit is given for PSC 121 or PSC 129, but not both.
PSC 124.m001 70453 International Relations In person (Paracha)123 m001 Comparative Government & Politics
Instructor: Ivy Raines
Class: 70380
Offered: IN-PERSON – MTWTh, 2:00 pm -3:45 pm
Course Description:
Comparison of selected governmental institutions, individual and collective political actors, and issues across the industrialized and developing world. Particular attention to dynamics of socioeconomic and political change
PSC 124 m001 International Relations
Instructor: Michael McCall
Class: 70326
Offered: IN-PERSON – MTWTh, 10:00 am – 11:45 am
Course Description:
Foreign policy, decision making, comparative foreign policy, international transactions, and the international system. Credit is given for PSC 124 or PSC 139, but not both.
Please note: In some cases, the College of Professional Studies’ website may present an edited version of the descriptions listed below.