Analyzes important patterns of continuity and change in American politics by examining the development of the American State from a comparative and historical perspective. Covers issues and debates central to not only the subfield of American politics, but also the discipline of political science more broadly. These include the role of the state, political culture, interests, ideas, and institutions in politicadevelopment, and the role of history in political analysis. Open to advanced undergraduates with the permission of the instructor.

Examination of the relationship between the international, political, and economic systems from a variety of theoretical perspectives that have emerged in the postwar period, including liberalism, transnationalism, statism, Marxism, and dependency.

This purpose of this course is two-fold. First, the survey course is designed to introduce students to a wide range of theories of international politics. During the course of the semester we will examine neo-realism, power transition theory, hegemonic stability theory, the modern world system, international regimes and interdependence, the democratic peace, bureaucratic politics, organizational theory, constructivism, and decision making theory. Second, the course will sharpen students' research design skills. The written assignments require students to take the often abstract theories presented in the readings and develop practical research designs for testing hypotheses derived from the theories. The papers will not include data collection or the execution of actual tests. Rather, they will focus on the conceptual problems of designing tests which eliminate competing hypotheses, operationalizing variables, and identifying potential sources of data. Student's grades will be based on five short research designs and discussion leadership.

Consult department for detailed descriptions. More than one course may be taken in a given semester. Recent titles have included: Race Development and American International Relations, Hegel and Marx, and Logic of the West.

Consult department for detailed descriptions. Recent topics include: Globalization; Race & Criminal Justice; Democracy & Markets in Postcommunist Europe.

Consult department for detailed descriptions. Recent topics include: Globalization; Race & Criminal Justice; Democracy & Markets in Postcommunist Europe.

The object of this seminar is to prepare eligible senior honors candidates in political science for the completion of a senior honors thesis. Students writing honors theses will also work simultaneously with an individual supervisor and, during the spring semester, will enroll in an independent study (PSCI 499) under that faculty member's guidance. See department for more details.