     |
Division of Social Studies
Daniel Stroup (chair), William Garriott, Lori Hartmann-Mahmud, Andrei Maximenko, Kenneth McIntyre, Nayef Samhat; students: Jake Ottley, Ben Stewart
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 participation in 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. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; GOV 110 strongly recommended.
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. Prerequisite: Sophomore
standing; GOV 110 strongly recommended.
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:Junior standing; GOV 300 or permission of the instructor
for GOV 301.
GOV 403-409 Topics in Political Theory
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor; GOV
300 or 301 or permission of the instructor.
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: Junior standing; 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. Prerequisite: Junior standing; GOV
210 or HIS 230, 240 or permission of the instructor.
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. Prerequisite: Junior standing; GOV 210 or HIS 230, 240 or
permission of the instructor.
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:
Junior standing; GOV 210 or HIS 230, 240. Sophomores who have completed
either GOV 210 or HIS 230, 240 may enroll with permission of the instructor.
GOV 321 Civil Liberties
A consideration, primarily through hypothetical cases, of constitutional
issues arising under the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. Junior
standing; GOV 210 or HIS 230, 240. Sophomores who have completed either
GOV 210 or HIS 230, 240 may enroll with permission of the instructor.
GOV 322 Regulation of Business
An examination of the impact of statutes, administrative regulations, and judicial decisions on the operation of businesses in the United States . Both economic regulation (for example, antitrust laws) and social regulation (for example, environmental protection) are addressed. Contemporary issues and cases are emphasized. Prerequisite: Junior standing; GOV 210; sophomores who have completed GOV 210 may enroll with the permission of the instructor. ECO 110 and GOV 320 are recommended.
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.
GOV 331 State and Local Politics
The American political process at the state and local levels, and
the dynamics of American federalism. Prerequisite: GOV 210.
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:
GOV 210.
GOV 410-439 Topics in American Politics
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor; GOV
210 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 432 Gender in American Politics
An exploration of gender and feminist issues as they relate to political theory and political participation. The course begins with an examination of the history of women in American politics and how gender-based roles shaped that participation. This is followed by an analysis of men's and women's participation in contemporary U.S. politics. We will also examine various theoretical perspectives in the sub-field of gender and politics. Prerequisite: Junior standing and GOV 110, or permission of the instructor.
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:
Junior standing; 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:Junior standing; 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. Prerequisite:Junior standing; GOV 110
or permission of the instructor.
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. Prerequisite:Junior
standing; GOV 110 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 344 Politics of the Middle East
A study of the political sources of conflict in the Middle East. These sources include religion, great power rivalry, resource conflict, and levels of development. These sources are applied to the variety of conflicts in the region, including intra-Arab disputes, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the notion of civilizational conflict between the West and Islam, and the implications for transformation in the Middle East. Prerequisite: junior standing and GOV 110; or permission of the instructor.
GOV 345 Politics of South Asia
A
n examination of the governments of post-colonial South Asia , as well as the major political issues of the region. Beginning with a brief overview of the nationalist struggle and the Government of India Act of 1935, the course explores how Independence and Partition in 1947 led to radically different forms of government in India and Pakistan . The course also examines the politics of Bangladesh , Sri Lanka , Nepal , and Bhutan . The central focus of the course is the implications of democracy and development on the emergence of modern South Asian societies. Prerequisite: GOV 110 or permission of the instructor.
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. Prerequisite:Junior standing; GOV 110 or permission
of the instructor.
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. Prerequisite:Junior standing; GOV 110 or permission
of the instructor.
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. Prerequisite: Junior standing;
GOV 260 or permission of the instructor.
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. Prerequisite:
Junior standing; GOV 260 or permission of the instructor.
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. Prerequisite:
Junior standing; 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. Prerequisite: Junior standing; GOV 260 or permission of
the instructor. (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: Junior standing;
GOV 11 or permission of instructor. (Also listed as PEC 452.)
GOV 440-449 Topics in Country and Regional Politics
GOV 444 Politics of the Former Soviet Union
The breakup of the Soviet Union has been associated with a continuing period of political conflict and instability among its former republics and regions. This course explores historical, cultural, economic, and other sources of political change since 1991, as well as conflicting processes of integration and disintegration and their influence on the foreign policies of newly independent states. Prerequisite: Junior standing and GOV 110, or permission of the instructor.
GOV 450-459 Topics in Comparative Politics
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor; GOV
110 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 460-469 Topics in International Relations
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor; GOV
260 or permission of the instructor.
GOV 461 The Construction of Europe
A study of the three European institutions housed in Strasbourg, France: The European Union (EU), The Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. In part, the course uses a case study approach, focussing on current issues being debated and decided in Strasbourg, the administrative center of Europe. Conducted in Strasbourg.
GOV 462 Multilateralism and Unilateralism in International Relations
The end of the Cold War and the emergence of the U.S. as the world's only superpower have led many to re-evaluate the importance of multilateral and unilateral approaches to foreign policy. This course analyzes the tension between the two, both from the theoretical and practical perspectives. Such themese as the utility of the use of force, future of the United Nations, and others, are addresses. The course includes interaction with U.S. and foreign policy makers during a six-day field trip to Washington, D.C. Prerequisite: GOV 110 is recommended.
GOV 463 International Security Diplomacy
Studies on international security often focus on power dynamics in international relations, or national strategies of individual state and government. Diplomatic interactions and resulting institutional frameworks (treaties, organizations, etc.) are typically seen as byproducts of power balances or strategy outcomes. This course examines the role of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy in designing institutional frameworks for international security. Prerequisite: Junior standing and GOV 110, or permission of the instructor.
GOV 470-479 Topics in International Political Economy
GOV 470 The Law and Economics of American Colonialism: Rights and Resources of Native Cultures This course examines Hawaii as a microcosm of economic development in the face of political, cultural and environmental tensions. Students discover the history of our 50th state and how that history shaped the fate of native cultures and natural resources. Case studies include Hawaiian independence movements, coffee agriculture, ecotourism, environmental sustainability, and the political economy of Hawaii. Conducted in Hawaii.
GOV 500 Senior Seminar
Prerequisite: Senior majors who have completed GOV 110, 210, and
260.
Catalog Home