POLITICAL SCIENCE
University Professors J.N. Rosenau, H. Harding
Professors B. Reich, H.R. Nau, J.B. Manheim, C. McClintock, L. Sigelman, M.J. Sodaro, S.L. Wolchik, D. Shambaugh, C.J. Deering (Chair), H.B. Feigenbaum, N.J. Brown, H.L. Wolman, F. Maltzman, M. Finnemore, J. Goldgeier, S.K. Sell, B. Dickson, P. Wahlbeck, S. Binder, M.E. Brown, D.D. Avant
Associate Professors J.H. Lebovic, R.P. Stoker, A. Bowie, M.M. Mochizuki, S.J. Balla, S. Wiley, I. Creppell
Assistant Professors E.Z. Csergo, W.J. Winstead, E. Voeten, E.A. Posner, K.J. Morgan, A.E. Searight, C. Rector, S. Kelts, E.D. Lawrence, G.S. Lambright, H. Farrell, H.E. Hale, J.M. Sides, E.J. Teitelbaum, D.K. Park
Instructor H. Schmidt
Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science—The following requirements must be fulfilled:
1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.
2. Prerequisite: PSc 1, 2, and 3 (or the equivalent). Six courses in the social sciences, other than political science, to include 6 hours of history or 6 hours of economics. Twelve credit hours of introductory foreign language and statistics are strongly recommended. 3. Required courses in the major: 30 credit hours of 100-level political science courses, including a distribution requirement that consists of 3 credit hours from each of the following groups: Group A (comparative politics)—PSc 130, 131, 134, 167, 170, 173, 177, 179, 181, 183; Group B (American government and politics)—PSc 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 124, 128, 129; Group C (international politics, law, and organizations)—PSc 139, 140, 142, 144, 146, 149, 161, 168, 175, 176, 178, 180, 182, 184; Group D (methodology)—PSc 101, 104; Group E (political thought)—PSc 105, 106, 107, 108, 110. Every major must complete a proseminar (which counts toward the 30-hour requirement) in the junior or senior year. A maximum of two of these may be included in a student’s program; such courses do not satisfy the department’s group distribution requirements. A 200-level course may be substituted for the proseminar requirement with the written permission of the instructor and the undergraduate coordinator.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science (public policy focus)—Requirements are the same as for the B.A. with a major in political science with the required 30 credit hours of 100-level courses in political science distributed as follows: PSc 104; 9 credit hours in policy-oriented courses to be selected from PSc 112, 117, 122, 124, 146; one policy-oriented proseminar; 3 additional credit hours from each of Groups A, B, C, and E; and 3 credit hours in a political science elective at the 100 level.
No more than 3 hours of service-learning or internship courses may be credited toward the major; these courses do not satisfy the distribution requirement. Specific group credit for offerings of PSc 190 Special Topics is determined by the undergraduate advisor. Five-Year Bachelor’s/Master’s Dual Degree Programs—Three master’s programs can be undertaken in combination with the Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science. Departmental majors should consult the undergraduate program advisor at the beginning of the junior year (after completing 60 credit hours at GW) for the dual degree programs that lead to the Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Administration (the M.P.P. is available only to majors in the public policy focus). For the dual degree program leading to the Master of Arts in the field of political science, students should consult the undergraduate program advisor as soon as possible in order to select courses appropriately; the program is available only to students who qualify for Special Honors.
Special Honors—Students may apply for graduation with Special Honors. To qualify, a student must fulfill the general requirements stated under University Regulations, have a GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher, and take PSc 192 in the semester preceding the final semester of study. Those with a GPA in the major of 3.8 and higher will then be recommended for Special Honors. Those with a GPA in the major between 3.5 and 3.7 must complete an independent research project in PSc 192 that has been approved as meriting Special Honors by two members of the Political Science faculty. Application for Special Honors must be in writing and received by the undergraduate coordinator by the third week of the semester preceding the final semester of study.
Minor in political science—Required: PSc 1, 2, and 3 (or the equivalent) plus 12 credit hours of 100-level political science courses, including one course each from Groups D and E. A minimum of 9 credit hours of other social science courses is also required.
With permission of the instructor and the undergraduate coordinator, a limited number of graduate courses in the department may be taken for credit toward an undergraduate degree. See the Graduate Programs Bulletin for course listings. Departmental prerequisite: PSc 1 is prerequisite to Group A courses (comparative politics), PSc 2 is prerequisite to Group B courses (American government and politics), and PSc 3 is prerequisite to Group C courses (international politics, law, and organizations). Courses are defined by their group under item 3, above. Elliott School students substitute IAff 5 for PSc 3 as a prerequisite to Group C courses. Qualified juniors and seniors who are not political science majors and who wish to take 100-level PSc courses without having the appropriate prerequisites may do so only with the written permission of the instructor.
| 1 |
Introduction to Comparative Politics (3) |
Sodaro, Dickson, Morgan |
| |
Concepts and principles of comparative analysis, with an examination of politics and government in selected countries. |
| 2 |
Introduction to American Politics and Government (3) |
Sigelman, Maltzman |
| |
Structure, powers, and processes of the American political system and the impact on public policy. |
| 3 |
Introduction to International Politics (3) |
Goldgeier, Nau, Rector |
| |
Analysis of world politics, focusing on the role of nation–states and international organizations and on selected foreign policy issues. |
| 11–12 |
Introduction to Politics (6–6) |
Kelts |
| |
Role of personal and social values in politics. Fall: Problems in the Western (especially American) tradition of political science. Spring: Thinking outside the Western state: culture, nationalism, ethnic conflict, democratization, international conflict. Admission by special selection process. |
| 101 |
Scope and Methods of Political Science (3) |
Lebovic, Wahlbeck, Wiley, Voeten, Lawrence |
| |
Nature of political inquiry, approaches to the study of politics and government, empirical methods of research. Laboratory fee, $20. |
| 104 |
Methods of Public Policy Analysis (3) |
Stoker, Balla |
| |
Introductory overview of the concepts, issues, and techniques of systematic policy analysis and its role in the policy process. |
| 105–6 |
Major Issues of Western Political Thought (3–3) |
Creppell, Kelts |
| |
PSc 105: foundations of Western political thought—Plato to Aquinas. PSc 106: history of political thought from the 16th through the late 19th century, as set forth in the works of representative thinkers. |
| 107 |
20th-Century Political Thought (3) |
Creppell, Winstead |
| |
Recent Western political thought; analysis and critique of the legacies of modern political theories and ideologies. |
| 108 |
Freedom and Equality (3) |
Kelts |
| |
Case analysis of major ideas related to freedom and equality in the Western political tradition. |
| 110 |
American Political Thought (3) |
Staff |
| |
Political thought in the U.S. from colonial times to the present as seen through major representative writings. |
| 111 |
State and Urban Politics (3) |
Wolman |
| |
Comparative analysis of context, institutions, processes, and policies of state and urban political systems. |
| 112 |
State and Urban Policy Problems (3) |
Wolman |
| |
Selected issues in state and urban policymaking, with emphasis on urban and metropolitan settings. |
| 113 |
Judicial Politics (3) |
Wahlbeck |
| |
An examination of judicial process and behavior. Emphasis on judicial selection, decision making, interaction with the political environment, and impact and implementation of decisions. |
| 114–15 |
U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics (3–3) |
Wahlbeck |
| |
PSc 114: Separation of powers, federal–state relationships, economic regulation. PSc 115: Political and civil rights. |
| 116 |
The American Presidency (3) |
Maltzman, Lawrence |
| |
Examination of the politics of presidential selection, the authority of the contemporary institution, the mechanisms and processes for formulating public policy, and the influences of personality on performance in office. |
| 117 |
Executive Branch Politics (3) |
Balla |
| |
Basic concepts in public administration; influence of bureaucratic politics on policy formulation and implementation. Same as PAd 117. |
| 118 |
Legislative Politics (3) |
Deering, Maltzman, Binder |
| |
Theory, structure, and process of the U.S. Congress, with emphasis on elections, party organization, committees, and floor procedure, in the context of executive–legislative relations and interest-group activities. |
| 119 |
U.S. Political Parties and Politics (3) |
Binder |
| |
Role of parties as a linkage between mass preferences and government policies. Organization, nominations, voting, and activities in legislative and executive branches. |
| 120 |
Public Opinion (3) |
Sides |
| |
How public opinion is measured, how it is shaped, and its consequences for policymaking. |
| 121 |
U.S. Political Participation (3) |
Park |
| |
Examination of the various forms of American political participation in electoral and governmental politics and their effects on the political process. |
| 122 |
Science, Technology, and Politics (3) |
Rycroft |
| |
Multiple impacts of scientific and technological developments on the political systems. Discussion of public policies for support, use, and control of science and technology. |
| 124 |
Issues in Domestic Public Policy (3) |
Stoker, Balla |
| |
Examination of the decision-making process and the substance of various issues in domestic public policy in such areas as crime, economics, education, energy, the environment, poverty, and health. |
| 125 |
Women and Politics (3) |
Morgan |
| |
An examination of the role and impact of women in politics, including women’s interests and access to the political system; specific public policy issues with a particular focus on the role of women. |
| 128 |
Media, Politics, and Government (3) |
Staff |
| |
Same as SMPA 128. |
| 129 |
Media and Politics (3) |
Sides |
| |
The impact of the media on American politics, including the nature of coverage of political issues and campaigns, dynamics of selecting and presenting news stories, and consequences of media messages for public opinion and action. |
| 130 |
Comparative Politics of Western Europe (3) |
Feigenbaum |
| |
Comparative political analysis with primary focus on the principal states of Western Europe. |
| 131 |
Comparative Politics of Central and Eastern Europe (3) |
Wolchik |
| |
Specific countries vary, to include nations of central and Eastern Europe and/or the newly independent states. |
| 134 |
Global Perspectives on Democracy (3) |
Brown, Dickson |
| |
International experiences with the historical evolution and current nature of democratic political systems. |
| 137 |
Development Politics (3) |
Lambright |
| |
An examination of how and why political systems develop the way they do. Why do some countries develop into democracies, while others become authoritarian? How do class conflict, the nature of the elite, and the political culture affect the development of political institutions? |
| 139 |
International Political Economy (3) |
Sell, Posner |
| |
Analysis of the political aspects of global economic relationships, focusing on such issues as economic hegemony, interdependence, trade relations, development assistance, multinational corporations, and the role of international organizations. |
| 140 |
Theories of International Politics (3) |
Nau, Lebovic, Goldgeier |
| |
Exploration of alternative theoretical approaches to understanding world politics in its historical and contemporary dimensions. |
| 142 |
International Organizations (3) |
Finnemore, Voeten |
| |
Development and operations of the United Nations, regional organizations, and functional international organizations. |
| 144 |
Public International Law (3) |
Staff |
| |
Survey of essential principles and concepts of public international law through case analysis and with reference to political factors. |
| 146 |
U.S. Foreign Policy (3) |
Goldgeier |
| |
Constitutional, political, and international factors that determine the formulation, execution, and substance of U.S. foreign policy. |
| 149 |
International Security Politics (3) |
Avant, Schmidt |
| |
Overview of international security issues. Insights from a variety of historical periods and theoretical approaches inform the analysis. |
| 161 |
European–Atlantic Relations (3) |
Rector |
| |
International politics of the North Atlantic area, the European Union, and U.S.–European relations. |
| 166 |
Government and Politics of Russia (3) |
Hale |
| |
An examination of political institutions, processes, and issues of Russian politics. |
| 167 |
Human Rights (3) |
Staff |
| |
Human rights theory, the various movements for human, religious, civil, political, and other rights. |
| 168 |
Post-Soviet Foreign Policy (3) |
Staff |
| |
External problems and policies of Russia and the other successor states of the former USSR (especially the Baltics, Ukraine, and southern rim of the former Soviet Union). |
| 169 |
Comparative Politics of South Asia (3) |
Teitelbaum |
| |
A comparative examination of colonialism, economic development, and identity politics in South Asia. |
| 170 |
Comparative Politics of China and Northeast Asia (3) |
Dickson |
| |
Political institutions and processes of China (including Taiwan), Japan, and Korea since World War II. Influence of indigenous traditions and foreign contacts. |
| 171 |
Politics and Foreign Policy of China (3) |
Shambaugh |
| |
An examination of political institutions, processes, and issues of Chinese politics and foreign policy. |
| 173 |
Comparative Politics of Southeast Asia (3) |
Bowie |
| |
Political forces, processes, and outcomes, using empirical examples from Southeast Asia. |
| 174 |
Politics and Foreign Policy of Japan (3) |
Searight |
| |
An examination of political institutions, processes, and issues of Japanese politics and foreign policy. |
| 175 |
International Relations of East Asia (3) |
Mochizuki, Shambaugh, Harding |
| |
Analysis of the foreign policies of selected East Asian countries and the foreign policies of major powers toward the region. |
| 176 |
The Arab–Israeli Conflict (3) |
Reich |
| |
Origins, evolution, and issues of the Arab–Israeli conflict. |
| 177 |
Comparative Politics of the Middle East (3) |
Reich, Brown |
| |
Politics of the eastern Arab states, Turkey, Iran, and Israel. |
| 178 |
International Relations of the Middle East (3) |
Reich, Brown |
| |
Analysis of the regional and international relations of the Middle East. |
| 179 |
Politics and Foreign Policy of Israel (3) |
Reich |
| |
Examination of the institutions, processes, and issues of Israeli politics and foreign policy. |
| 181 |
Comparative Politics of Middle and Southern Africa (3) |
Lambright |
| |
Comparative analysis of political systems in selected countries of non-Mediterranean Africa. |
| 182 |
African International Politics (3) |
Lambright |
| |
Analysis of interstate relations in Africa and of selected aspects of African relations with the outside world. Recommended prerequisite: PSc 181. |
| 183 |
Comparative Politics of Latin America (3) |
McClintock |
| |
The politics of selected countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Emphasis on revolutionary movements and democratization. |
| 184 |
International Relations of Latin America (3) |
McClintock |
| |
Emphasis on U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. |
| 187 |
Internship (1 to 3) |
Wiley |
| |
Study of political behavior and institutions through internship experience. Open to departmental major only. Admission requires departmental approval and junior standing. |
| 190 |
Selected Topics (3) |
Staff |
| 191 |
Independent Study (1 to 3) |
Staff |
| |
For departmental majors and minors. Prerequisite: 15 credit hours of 100-level political science courses and approval of the undergraduate program advisor and the faculty member who will direct the study. |
| 192 |
Proseminar (3) |
Staff |
| |
Examination of selected problems in political science. Admission requires departmental approval. |
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