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Division of Social Studies
William Garriott (chair),
Lori Hartmann-Mahmud, Jamey Leahey, Larry Matheny, Nayef Samhat, Daniel
Stroup; students: Brooke Folley, Nate Olson
The Government program is designed to assist students in developing the arts of deliberation and judgment by which they may understand more fully and participate more effectively in public affairs. Analytical reasoning, effective writing, and proficiency in basic research techniques are skills cultivated and used throughout the program.
Special attention is given to the use of language since facility in this art is the best means by which to cut through the ideological and partisan jargon that surrounds and camouflages so much discussion of politics. Sensitivity to the nuances of language and skill in identifying common fallacies and cleverly used rhetoric are required for the study of politics.
Emphasis is placed not so much on the changing details of current events, but on the philosophical, historical, and institutional nature of the persistent problems that current issues illustrate. Students can anticipate a rigorous inquiry into political philosophy, American government, comparative government, and international relations. Attention is given to both empirical and normative aspects of these subjects. Primary texts and public documents are extensively used. Majors in our program are urged to undertake study in related disciplines, particularly in economics, history, philosophy, statistics, and languages.
Students are offered a diversity of non-classroom learning experiences. The Government program encourages independent study, internships, and off-campus academic programs.
The perspectives and skills acquired by students in government classes will serve them in a wide range of career fields, including public service, law, politics, business, and journalism.
Recommended Freshman-Sophomore Preparation
Students considering a major in government should try to satisfy as many graduation and major requirements as possible in their first two years. Elective courses in government, history, and economics are recommended. In addition, courses in foreign language and mathematics, especially statistics, are useful.
Requirements for the Major
ECO 110;
GOV 110, 210, 260;
GOV 300 or 301;
One GOV course chosen from courses numbered 310-339 or 410-439;
One GOV course chosen from courses numbered 340-379 or 440-479;
GOV 500;
Two additional GOV courses numbered 300 or higher.
Requirements for the Minor
GOV 110, 210, 260;
Three GOV courses numbered 300 or higher drawn from at least two of the three areas of the discipline (American government, political theory, and comparative government and international relations).
Government Courses
GOV 110 Introduction
to Politics
An introduction to political values and institutions as they have
evolved in historical context. Emphasis is placed on the examination of
classic texts in political thought and their relevance to contemporary
political life.
GOV 210 American Politics and Institutions
An introduction to the process of American government, emphasizing
the structure, powers, and functions of government, primarily at the federal
level.
GOV 260 Introduction to International Relations
An investigation of the basic factors in international politics, including
the relationship of international politics to international economics
in the conduct of foreign affairs.
Political Theory
GOV 300, 301 Western Political Theory-I, II
A survey of the works of selected
thinkers whose political ideas and approaches to the study of politics
have become a part of the framework of Western political institutions
and thought. Emphasis is placed on such theorists as Plato, Aristotle,
Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Mill, Hegel, and Marx. Prerequisite:
GOV 300 or permission of the instructor for GOV 301.
GOV 403-409 Topics in Political Theory
American Government
GOV 310 American Political Thought
An examination of the major strands
of political ideas in the United States, traced from their English antecedents
to the present. Prerequisite: GOV 210; or HIS 230, 240; or permission
of the instructor.
GOV 311 The American Founding
A consideration of some of the fundamental principles of the American
constitutional regime, emphasizing the formation and ratification of the
Constitution and the political principles of such founders as Adams, Hamilton,
Madison, and Jefferson.
GOV 312 The Crisis of the Union
An examination of constitutional theory and political ideology from
1820 to 1860. Emphasis is placed on the ideas and politics of such figures
as Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Lincoln, Douglas, and Davis. Extensive use
is made of primary materials: speeches, letters, diaries, and public documents.
GOV 320 American Constitutional Interpretation
A study of the fundamentals of American constitutional law as seen
through the decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Prerequisite:
GOV 210 or HIS 230, 240.
GOV 321 Civil Liberties
A consideration, primarily through hypothetical cases, of constitutional
issues arising under the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment.
GOV 330 Political Parties and Political Behavior
A study of the major factors involved in the behavior of party systems,
emphasizing American political parties. Prerequisite: GOV 210; or HIS
230, 240; or permission of the instructor.
GOV 331 State and Local Politics
The American political process at the state and local levels, and
the dynamics of American federalism.
GOV 332 Executive Branch Politics
An examination of the American presidency and the administrative agencies
of the executive branch of the national government. Focus is on the policy-making
process within the executive branch. Prerequisite: Junior standing and
GOV 210 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 410-419 Topics in American political Thought - 2001-2002 Topic:
GOV 410 Politics of Utopian Movements in the U.S.
This course will explore the history and political significance of
utopian movements in the United States. The political issues to be addressed
include: elements of the greater society's political system these movements
seek to escape; these societies' visions of a more fair, just and moral
political order; their conceptualization of key political terms such as
democracy, liberty, equality, balance of power, rule of law, individual
(or group) rights; and the future of utopian movements in the United States.
Utopian communities located in the area will provide an opportunity for
site visits.
GOV 420-429 Topics in American Public Law
GOC 430-439 Topics in American Politics - 2001-2002 Topic:
GOV 430 The American Civil Rights Movement
An examination of the events of the Civil Rights Movement with emphasis
on their effects on American political values, processes, and institutions.
The course will trace race relations in the United States from Reconstruction
to the present, focusing on those events between the Montgomery Bus Boycott
and the death of Dr. Martin Luther King. The course will be based upon
the PBS series, Eyes on the Prize, and on the writings and speeches of
participants in the events discussed.
Comparative Government and International
Relations
GOV 340 European Politics
A study of major political systems
in Europe, both East and West. Special emphasis is given to the ongoing
changes in political structures of the European communities. Prerequisite:
GOV 110 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 341 Latin American Politics
A study of the political systems of Latin America. Attention is given
to the problems of political changes and economic development. The role
of the United States in Latin American politics is also explored. Prerequisite:
GOV 110 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 342 Politics from Cairo to Calcutta
The Middle East and South Asia are two regions considered distinct,
yet they share many common experiences: religion, colonialism, diversity,
political institutions and practices, and identity struggles. This course,
by examining Egypt, India and other states in the two regions, explores
these experiences in a comparative context, assessing the causes of similarity
and the sources of difference, in order to understand the contemporary
challenges of political and economic development, state formation and
nation building.
GOV 343 Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
A general introduction to politics on the African continent south
of the Sahara Desert. The first part of the course explores African political
systems chronologically from pre-colonial forms such as "empires,"
through colonialism, and into the current nation-state system. The second
half of the course looks at several political challenges facing Africa
today, bringing in specific country examples to illustrate how those challenges
are being met. Examples include: the ethnic factor, the legacy of colonialism,
democratic transitions, and the debate over whether development should
precede democracy (or vice-versa). Some topical issues such as the environment,
population and health are also examined.
GOV 350 Gender and Politics
An exploration of gender and feminist issues as they relate to political
theory and political participation. The first part of the course examines
current debates in international relations theory concerning the significance
and relevance of feminist contributions. This is followed by an analysis
of men’s and women’s participation in American politics. Finally,
the course compares the American context with the experiences of Europe
and the developing world.
GOV 351 Women and Development
An examination of perspectives on women’s role in development,
concentrating on Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Some themes include:
the effect of development projects on women’s quality of life, balance
links between women’s productive and reproductive roles, how women’s
work is conceptualized, and structural obstacles to women’s empowerment.
Includes a study of specific ways in which "Third World" women
have organized to improve their condition locally and globally.
GOV 360 International Institutions
An examination of the institutions and practices which govern interactions
amongst states and non-state actors in international relations. Particular
attention is given to the development of norms and principles that constitute
international law and regimes, as well as the role of international organizations
in contemporary global issues such as human rights, the environment, and
peace and security.
GOV 361 International Law
A study of the principles, customs, and rules recognized as binding
obligations on sovereign states in their mutual relationships. Emphasis
is given to the evolution of international law and its effectiveness in
ordering the relationships among nations.
GOV 362 International Organization
A study of the development and effectiveness of international organizations
in regulating relationships among states and other actors in the international
system. Emphasis is given to the United Nations, regional organizations,
and political-economic organizations such as the IMF and GATT.
GOV 363 American Foreign Policy
A study of the formulation and implementation of American foreign
policy. Attention is devoted to how political institutions (President,
Congress, bureaucracy, etc.) interact to produce foreign policy. Major
issues of American foreign policy, both past and present, are discussed.
Prerequisite: GOV 260 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 370 International Political Economy
An introduction to the concepts, theory, and policy of international
political economy. The course discusses the traditional perspectives,
alternative views, and primary issues of the contemporary international
political economy including money, trade, development, and transnational
corporations. (Also listed as PEC 451.)
GOV 371 Political Economy of Development
An examination of leading theories of political economy and how they
apply to challenges facing developing countries. Focus is on the specific
challenge of the debt crisis and the various strategies for mitigating
it (e.g., IMF and World Bank – sponsored structural adjustment programs,
national level approaches, proposals for debt relief, etc.). Finally,
the course examines how individuals are affected by the debt crisis in
developing countries. Prerequisite: GOV 11 or permission of instructor.
(Also listed as PEC 452.)
GOV 440-449 Topics in Country and Regional Politics
GOV 450-459 Topics in Comparative Politics - 2001-2002 Topic:
GOV 450 Comparative Legal Systems
A comparative study of the Anglo-American common law tradition and
the civil law tradition of Continental Europe. Emphasis is placed on examining
legal institutions in their cultural context. The course also considers
the effects of European integration on domestic legal institutions. Offered
in Strasbourg.
GOV 460-469 Topics in International relations - 2002-2002 Topic:
GOV 460 Geopolitical Conflict
This course will examine in depth a specific geopolitical conflict
in its historical, political, and geographic contexts. This year the topic
will be the Arab-Israeli Conflict. We will examine the ideological, political,
and historical dimensions of the creation of Israel, the emergence of
the Palestinian question, as well as related issues such as the Lebanese
Civil War and the Syrian-Israeli disputes. In addition to reading analysis
of documentary material and policy writing, there will be simulation exercises
to facilitate an understanding of contending perspectives and the challenges
of conflict resolution processes.
GOV 470-479 Topics in International Political Economy
GOV 500 Senior Seminar