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Division of Social Studies
William Garriott (chair),
Lori Hartmann-Mahmud, Jamey Leahey, Larry Matheny, Nayef Samhat, Daniel
Stroup; students: Katie Martin, 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. 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 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. 2002-2003 Topic:
GOV 420 Introduction to the American Court System
Students study the origins of the American court system, both state and federal, discuss the mechanisms by which the courts conduct their business, learn why the courts perform certain functions, and evaluate how well they perform them. Course work includes considerable reading, field work in local courts, and visits to area state and federal courts.
GOV 431 Baseball and American Politics
Professional baseball is used as a device for examining the politics of class, race, and business in post-Civil War America. Baseball, Ken Burns' documentary series, is used to provide historical and social context. Assigned reading and class activities focus on the evolution of public policies during the last century.
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 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 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. Prerequisite: Junior standing; GOV 260 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 450-459 Topics in Comparative Politics
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor; GOV 110 or permission of the instructor. 2002-2003 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
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor; GOV 260 or permission of the instructor. 2002-2003 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
Prerequisite: Senior majors who have completed GOV 110, 210, and 260.