400

Studies the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policies.

This course will examine the U.S. Congress and uses the 50 state legislatures as a basis of comparison. We will organize our discussion of Congress and legislative politics around three primary topics: representation, organization and power.

Concentrates on public international law, examining the legal and political framework by which international legal instruments are created, litigated and enforced across national boundaries. Makes limited reference to private international law.

This course examines courts from a comparative perspective and the variations in role, autonomy, power and accountability of courts and judges in both democratic and authoritarian regimes. Theories of judicial behavior and the impact of institutional arrangements contribute to the growing power of courts and the judicialization of politics that has occurred around the world. The course will give particular attention to the fundamental role of courts across societies including those of common, civil, Chinese and Islamic law.

Involves selected topics in political science. Content varies; may be repeated for credit if subject matter is not repeated.

Examines public opinion from a variety of perspectives, providing students with the ability to be intelligent consumers of public opinion research and effective users of public opinion research tools. This course explores public opinion's effects on contemporary society and politics.

Examines the political and economic problems and opportunities facing the continent of Africa; the African colonial experience and its impact on modern African development; and how the continent has struggled with political and economic trends over the past 40 years.

This course examines the role of international organizations in facilitating cooperation between states to achieve commonly held goals such as peace and prosperity. The course introduces competing theories of international organization and their applications to international organizations spanning fields such as security, trade, the environment and human rights. The course also is designed to help students develop analytical writing skills and research methods for the study of international organization.

Involves guided readings, research and criticism. Independent studies must be under the direction of a full-time PSC professor. Subject matter must be determined through student-faculty consultation.

Involves a major research paper planned and written with possible publication in mind.  A senior thesis must be written under the direction of any full-time PSC professor.  Subject matter must be determined through student-faculty consultation.

This course offers an overview of how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other non-state actors in the international arena communicate, organize and advocate on behalf of individuals and interests that are overlooked by states, or run counter to national interests. The course will focus on how issues are framed and campaigns are waged by NGOs and advocacy networks in order to compel states or intergovernmental institutions to change behavior or policies.