Take me to the Fall Time Schedule
Primarily for First and Second Year Students
140. Introduction to Comparative
Politics. (4). (SS).
This course examines how democracy evolves and functions in different settings
around the world. We start with the emergence of democracy in Western Europe,
examining the factors that give rise to it and help it survive. We then
examine the origins of fascism in Germany and Japan; and the rise of communism
in Russia and China, attempting to understand why these alternatives to
democracy flourished in those settings - and why they later collapsed. This
leads to an analysis of the current struggle between reformers and hardliners
over the move to market economies and liberal democracy in Russia, China,
and Eastern Europe, and an assessment of the prospects for democracy in
Mexico and Nigeria. Finally, we examine the probable evolution of democracy
in advanced industrial societies. In addition to two lectures, there are
two meetings a week in relatively small discussion sections, designed to
encourage active discussion of these topics. Cost:3
(Inglehart)
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Primarily for Juniors and Seniors
300. Contemporary Political Issues.
(4). (SS).
This course will help you think about the relationships between yourself
and politics in the United States. Learn about: (1) important social, economic,
and political issues of the day, including how an issue becomes "important";
(2) the political values and attitudes of the American public; (3) the conduct
of political campaigns and elections. Confront these subjects from the perspectives
of "What is..." and also "What ought to be...." Given
our goals, scholarly readings are intermixed with articles about current
issues, and our discussions often move freely from assigned readings to
the latest news. Although intended primarily for non-political science concentrators,
this is a serious course for serious students. The readings are extensive,
and occasionally difficult. You will be expected to: stay current and master
what you have read, attend lectures faithfully, participate in sections
actively, and engage in additional learning activities outside of the classroom.
You will write papers, and you will be examined - carefully and regularly
(two midterms plus a final). Recommended: at least one prior political science
course. Grades are based on a no-curve system. Cost:4
WL:1
(Markus)
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395/REES 395/Hist. 332/Slavic 395/Soc.
392. Survey of Russia: The Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the Successor
States. (4). (SS). Laboratory fee ($10) required.
See Russian and East European Studies
395. (Rosenberg)
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400. Development of Political Thought:
To Modern Period. Junior standing or two courses in political science.
(3). (Excl).
This course forms the first half of a year-long survey of the History of
Political Thought. It approaches the study of classic texts in political
philosophy by analyzing them in historical context and also as lessons for
thinking about how we answer our own political questions. Authors include
Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Cicero, Sallust, Aquinas, and Machiavelli,
among others. The reading amounts to about 100 pages a week, sometimes more,
others less. Class will combine lecture and discussion. (McKee)
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431. Public Administration. Two
courses in political science. (3). (Excl).
This course will deal with major topics in public administration. In the
first half of the course we will read about and discuss the following topics:
leadership, decision making, human resource management, budgeting, program
implementation, and program evaluation. There will be a midterm exam on
this material. Then the class will split up into six groups each of which
will study in greater depth one of the above topics. We will start the group
projects with sessions on working effectively in groups. Then there will
be a few weeks to gather information about the topic. Groups will be encouraged
to gather information from people who deal with these issues as well as
from library sources. Each group will have one class session toward the
end of the term to present information to the rest of the class. Students
will write individual final papers. Grades will be based on midterm, group
presentation, final paper, and participation. (Feldman)
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441. Comparative Politics of Advanced
Industrial Democracies. Any 100-level course in political science
or upperclass standing. (3). (Excl).
This course examines the politics of developed democracies: i.e.,
those where commitment to relatively free-market capitalism and to relatively
liberal democracy are no longer the subject of any serious political debate
or conflict. This is not a course in current or past events in these countries.
Rather we analyze certain systematic, (social) scientific regularities which
may be evidenced in the politics of advanced capitalist democracies. In
this positive (not normative) analysis, the focus is on political parties,
elections, patterns of participation and of political conflict, public policy,
and political economy. Course grades will be based upon short-paper writing,
a final examination, and participation. (Franzese)
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454. Governments and Politics of
Southeast Asia. Two courses in political science. (3). (Excl).
Southeast Asia is one of the world's most dynamic and complex regions, and
is of growing importance on the global stage. This course offers an introduction
to the region for advanced undergraduates; it is also an introduction to
some of the broader political and economic issues in the developing world.
The course has three parts. The first is an introduction to the history
and politics of the region; the second is a country-by-country study of
nine Southeast Asianstates: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Burma. The final section looks at
five major challenges facing the region - economic development, environmental
protection, international security, human rights, and democratization. Grading
will be based on two midterms, a final exam, and in-class discussions. Cost:3
WL:1
(Ross)
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456. Government and Politics of
Japan. Pol. Sci. 140, 440, or 450. (3). (Excl).
Japan is an ever-more interesting country to study, due to both its obvious
importance, and the fact that it is the only post-industrial non-western
country. This course offers an overview of contemporary Japanese politics,
designed for students with a general interest in Japan as well as political
science concentrators. Special attention is given to how politics has affected,
and has been affected by, cultural patterns, social organization, economic
growth and Japan's position in the world. Grading will be by examination
and short papers. Cost:3
WL:1
(Campbell)
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459/CAAS 449. African Politics.
Prior or concurrent study of the Third World; Pol. Sci. 465
is recommended but not required. (3). (Excl).
Examines the institutions that shape political life in Africa. The first
part of the course is historical and considers the effects of environment
on political structure, the differences between segmentary societies and
kingships, literacy and political communication, secret societies, and diasporas.
The second part covers the politics of the colonial era and the nationalist
period. The third section explores some of the bold initiatives of independence
leaders. The course concludes with a discussion of contemporary struggles
for democracy. No prerequisites. (Widner)
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465. Political Development and
Dependence. Two courses in political science. (3). (Excl).
This course is designed to introduce students to some of the issues in the
politics of "developing" nations. It focuses on how ideas about
development and the interests of political actors, in conjunction with each
other, have influenced the political and economic development of these nation
states. The first part of the course discusses the understanding of poverty
before moving on to modernization theory, and how its particular understanding
of the relationship of the individual to the state came to provide an initial
path to political and economic development. An important consequence of
the pressures for economic development and the dominance of the modernization
paradigm was the construction of particular kinds of nation-states in the
immediate post-colonial era. We will then discuss whether the constructed
nation-state, in the context of an international political economy, has
been able to generate economic development. One of the constraints faced
by state in developing nations is its weakness in relationship to social
forces, and sometimes to the multiple ethnic groups which compose many of
these nation-states. In the final segment of the course we will evaluate
the nature of ethnic conflict and examine reasons for the resurgence of
religion and separatism as political forces in parts of the developing world.
The gendered nature of these modules will be stressed. Grading will be based
on two book reviews, a midterm and final examination, and class participation.
(Chhibber)
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475. Russian Foreign Policy. Two
courses in political science. (3). (Excl).
The course focuses on the international behavior of the Soviet Union and
its primary successor state, Russia. The course will cover U.S.-Soviet relations,
the rise and fall of the Soviet empire in Europe, and contemporary Russian
relations with the United States and Soviet successor states. Particular
emphasis will be placed on the link between Russian elite and mass attitudes
and foreign policy choices. Recommended as background: PS 160, CREES 395.
There will be a midterm paper that follows the format of review articles
in the journal World Politics, and a final. (Zimmerman)
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483. American Political Parties
and Electoral Problems. Poli. Sci. 111, 140, 410, or 411. (3).
(Excl).
In this class we seek a broad understanding of what the American political
parties are, how they operate and how they evolved, and how they compare
to parties in other countries. We will study them mainly in the context
of presidential and congressional elections, although we will also consider
local parties, party organization, and parties in legislatures. There will
be two exams (short answer and essay), and one short paper. Students will
be expected to read assigned books and articles and be prepared to discuss
the material. Lecture and discussion will be the format. Cost:3
WL:1
(Kollman)
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486. Public Opinion, Political
Participation, and Pressure Groups. One course in political
science. (3). (Excl).
This course will cover the history of the American party system, with a
special emphasis on the state of Michigan. Beginning with the pre-Civil
War period, the readings and lectures will treat the shifts in public opinion
that give rise to new popular movements and pressure groups, which then
modify or destroy the contemporary party system. The course will be taught
with a research emphasis. The prerequisite is Political Science 111; there
is no quantitative prerequisite. Several computer-based assignments will
introduce students to the historical study of electoral politics. (Achen)
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489. Advanced Topics in Contemporary
Political Science. Two 400-level courses in political science.
(1-3). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
Section 001 - Game Theory in Political Science. (3 credits) (QR/2)..
This course introduces students to the use of game theory in political science.
Game theory is the study of mathematical models of conflict and cooperation
between rational decision makers. The course will emphasize the fundamental
assumptions behind game theory models of politics and will expose students
to models of legislatures, voting and elections, international relations,
and political participation. There are no mathematical prerequisites, but
students should have a useful facility with algebra before taking the course.
Lecture. There will be homework problems and several tests. Cost:2
WL:1
(Kollman)
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Section 002. (3 credits). The objectives of this course are
to provide the advanced undergraduate student with: (a) an understanding
of global demographic, social, technological, economic, and political configurations
and trends in the global system; (b) alternative interpretations of policies
to deal with these conditions; (c) methods by which these interpretations
can be compared and tested against the empirical evidence; and (d) the ability
to evaluate past policy decisions and to propose future ones. We are also
interested in improving our ability to express orally and on paper the concepts,
hypotheses, relationships, and methods used in pursuit of the substantive
objectives. Combination of minilectures and discussion, usually going well
beyond the assigned readings and sufficiently unstructured to make notetaking
difficult. Three short papers plus final exam. Cost between $50 and $100.
Go to department office to get on waitlist and attend first class. ( J.
David Singer)
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Section 003 - New German Politics: Social Movements, Youths Activities
and Expert's Politics. For Fall Term, 1998, this section is offered
jointly with German 449.001. (Ritter)
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496. Undergraduate Seminar in American
Government and Politics. Senior standing, primarily for seniors
concentrating in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit
twice.
Section 002 - Institutions and Political Participation. This course
examines the extent to which institutions foster political participation.
The texts for the course will center on American politics, but will incorporate
some comparative cases. We will be concerned with what might count as an
institution and with the precise mechanisms through which institutions might
constrain or enable political involvement. The course will operate as a
seminar. Student evaluation will be based on three things: weekly participation,
a series of short papers, and one term paper. Cost:2
WL:1
(Burns)
Section 003 - Religion and Political Behavior in America
Is religion an important variable in explaining political behavior? In this
course, we will analyze voters, elected officials, and other political actors
to see how different religious beliefs, activities, and affiliations change
behavior. Some questions we consider are: Do religious citizens vote more
often than or on different types of issues from secular citizens? Does religion
affect members of Congress differently from voters or interest group members?
Do religious interest groups lobby differently from secular groups? Does
religion matter on the Supreme Court bench or in the White House? What is
the mechanism for religionís impact? By studying various religious
traditions, reading social science research, following current events in
religion and politics, and conducting individual research projects, we will
uncover patterns and explanations for religionís effect on political
activity. (Fastnow)
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497. Undergraduate Seminar in Comparative
and Foreign Government. Senior standing, primarily for seniors
concentrating in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit
twice.
Section 001 - The Politics of Economic Change. This seminar is designed
to present an overview of the field of the political economy of development.
Readings will be conceptually organized around political variables that
scholars have found to have an impact on economic change. As such, readings
will be taken from a wide variety of geographical areas and time periods.
The seminar will begin by examining the impact of institutions on economic
change. This will be followed by an exploration of interest groups, gender,
and the state on economic change. The final segment of the course will address
whether a manipulation by politicians of economic policy for maintaining
political support influences economic growth and concludes with a discussion
of economic reform. Formal course requirements are weekly papers (2-3 pages
each) and class participation. A quarter of the grade (25 percent) will
be assigned on the basis of class participation. The remaining 75 percent
of the grade will be determined by written assignments. (Chibber)
Section 002 - Political Elites. This seminar will survey theories
of political elites and leadership and address questions that are central
to the science of politics. Why do leaders and elites emerge in most social
gorups and in all societies? What are the origins of power and authority?
What is th relationship between politcial actors and the state? Are some
type of individuals moe likely than others to seek power and to succeed
in politics? What role do leaders and elties play in shaping events and
history? Through exploring reseach on leaders and elites conducted in various
countries, the student will acquire an understanding ot the infidcidual,
gorup, social, and institutional factors that shape elite behavior and poltiics
around the globe. (Kullberg)
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498. Undergraduate Seminar in International
Politics. Senior standing, primarily for seniors concentrating
in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit twice.
Section 003 - New German Politics: Social Movements, Youths Activities
and Expert's Politics. For Fall Term, 1998, this section is offered
jointly with German 449.001. (Ritter)
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