Course Descriptions: Fall 2007
Format:
Course Number COURSE TITLE - Instructor
Time Block
Course Description
PS 11 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS - Glaser
(MWF 10:30-11:20) Block E
A study of governmental politics, functions, and programs. Emphasis given to
political behavior, both at the mass level and in institutions. Survey of public
opinion and political culture, parties, and elections. Congress, the presidency,
the bureaucracy, the federal courts, and interest groups. The Political Science
Department will offer PS 11 only once during the 07-08 academic year.
PS 21 INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS - Art
(MW 10:30-11:45) Block E+
Theories and evidence in comparative politics, preparing students for upper-level
courses that focus on specific regions, countries, and themes. The rise and fall
of democracy in selected countries from different regions such as Western Europe,
Eastern Europe and Russia, East Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin
America. Mandatory recitation.
PS 43 JUSTICE, EQUALITY, LIBERTY - Denby
(TR 10:30-11:45) Block D+
(Cross-listed as Philosophy 43.) An introduction to the central concepts and
problems in the foundations of political order, including the nature of the state,
rights, justice, equality, representation, property, law, and coercion. Readings
from classic and contemporary thinkers.
PS 45 WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT I - Evrigenis
(MW 1:30-2:45) Block G+
(Cross-listed as Classics 45 and Philosophy 45.) Central concepts of ancient,
medieval, and early modern political thought. Ideas of Thucydides, Plato, and Aristotle
during the rise and fall of Athens. Subsequent transformations of political philosophy
related to the decline of the Roman Empire and the origins and development of Christian
political doctrine, and the new political outlook of those who challenged the hegemony
of Christianity. Analysis of how pre-modern political thought helped structure future
political debate.
PS 61 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -
Eichenberg
(MW 10:30-11:45) Block E+
Examination of several conceptual designs intended to make order out of the
essential anarchy in international relations, from a theoretical assessment of the
nation-state and the nature of national power to an exploration of behavior among
nation-states, including the ultimate problem of war and peace and an appraisal
of the factors that give an age its particular characteristics.
PS 78-01 SOPH. SEM: THE POLITICAL BEHAVIOR OF YOUNG PEOPLE
- Portney
(T 8:30-11:30) Block 1+
This methodologically-focused course examines the political and civic engagement
of Americans aged 18 to 24. Common wisdom says that young people don’t participate
and don’t care about politics. Yet evidence has emerged to call into question
this common wisdom. This course will investigate these issues by taking advantage
of relatively recent survey data permitting analysis of a wide range of behaviors
and attitudes, comparing college students to non-college young people, young people
to older people, young women to young men, and a variety of other groups and sub-groups.
Sophomore standing or consent.
PS 99 FIELDWORK IN POLITICS - Staff
Internship placements with such employers as legislators, campaigns, news media,
lobbies, law firms, and administrative agencies. Twelve to fifteen hours of work
per week. Written assignments, with supporting readings, on organizational structure,
goals and strategies, and occupational socialization.
PS 101 PRESIDENCY AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH - Berry
(MW 1:30-2:45) Block G+
Study of the power, prestige, and functions, as well as the influences of the
person occupying that office. Major emphasis is on the process of policy formulation
in the executive branch. Analysis of the president's relations with his staff, the
bureaucracy, the Congress, the press, and the public. The role of the President
as a world leader and his direction of American foreign policy is also a central
focus. Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing
PS 106 CIVIL LIBERTIES - Munoz
(TR 10:30-11:45) Block D+
The meaning of freedom and the fashioning of the law of civil liberties by the
U.S. Supreme Court. Rights and obligations of individuals and groups under the Bill
of Rights. The legal issues involved in maintaining national security and in preserving
and broadening freedoms, with particular attention to freedom of religion and freedom
of expression.
PS 112 MEDIA POLITICS AND LAW - Goldman
(F 9:00-11:30) Block 4
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the natural integration
of history, communication, politics, and law. Central themes of the course
will include: relationships between advocates and media; lawmakers and the media;
the public as consumers of media; and the ongoing cultural wars impacting our society.
Our method of analysis will be to examine the various constituent parts of our communication
model (sender, receiver, message, and medium), and how they together reach their
target audience.
PS 115 PUBLIC OPINION AND SURVERY RESEARCH - Portney
(TR 1:30-2:45) Block H+
Foundations of survey research as used in political polls, election analysis,
and public opinion research. Overview of major survey methodologies and techniques.
Emphasis on development and execution of survey projects, from questionnaire construction
to sampling and interviewing. (M)
Prerequisite: PS 11 or Consent from Professor
PS 118-01 SEM: JUDICIAL SOLUTIONS - Winslow
(T 7:00-9:00) ARR
“The judicial system is the most expensive machine ever invented for finding
out what happened and what to do about it,” according to one prominent court observer.
This seminar course will review the mission and ability of the judicial system to
provide prompt, affordable, fair and accessible civil and criminal justice.
Weekly discussion with key player in the Massachusetts state and federal justice
systems, coupled with written materials on court reforms by the National Center
for State Courts, Institute of Court Management, American Judicature Society and
others, will focus on the process, problems and solutions to various challenges
in the third branch of government. Topics the course will address include
judicial independence and activism, jury management, probation and sentencing, domestic
violence, juvenile offenders, gender and racial perception, dispute resolution,
criminal and civil litigation, judicial selection and court administration.
Completion of the Judicial Politics course (PS 116) is helpful but not required.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing
PS 118-03 SEM: DECISION ‘08 - Solomont
(R 1:20-4:20) Block 8+
With so much interest and excitement being generated by the first presidential
campaign in over fifty years without a sitting President or Vice President standing
for election, this seminar will examine in depth how the American electorate chooses
its President. By following the 2008 campaign in real time and comparing it
to other presidential campaigns, this course will foster an understanding of who
seeks the Presidency; how political parties choose their nominees; the changing
roles in presidential campaigns of fundraising, paid advertising, grass roots organizing,
media coverage and technology; and what factors contribute to the successful candidates
being propelled into the White House. The instructor will draw on his own personal
involvement in five previous presidential campaigns as well as the current one.
Students will also have the chance to interact with guests who have played important
roles in recent campaigns. This seminar is open to juniors and seniors who are majoring
in political science or are otherwise well grounded in the discipline. It will involve
some field trips to New Hampshire.
PS 125 Building the European Union - Art
(MW 1:30-2:45) Block G+
Introduction to the project for greater economic, political, and security integration
among the current members of the European Union in it’s historical context, economic
and political setting, and future ambitions. Covers recent events and important
European events-in-the-making, including the implementation of the Maastricht Treaty,
the expansion of the European Union, and the EU-sponsored strategies to facilitate
democratic transitions in Eastern Europe.
PS 126 CHINESE POLITICS - Remick
(TR 12:00-1:15) Block F+
Survey of the domestic politics of the People's Republic of China. The development
of Communist Party power through the political campaigns of the 1950s and 1960s.
The political, cultural, economic, and social challenges faced by post-Mao reformers.
PS 127 LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS - Lucero
(TR 3:00-4:15) Block J+
This course is intended to deepen our understanding of Latin America and of
politics. To that end, we will be concerned with both the political dynamics of
Latin America and with significant debates in political science. This
course will familiarize students with the rich histories of several Latin American
countries and engage social scientific theorizing of such processes as imperialism,
colonialism, revolution, regime change, identity politics, and issues in political
economy.
PS 129 AFRICAN POLITICS - Robinson
(MW 10:30-11:45) Block E+
Analysis of political developments in contemporary Africa, with emphasis on
the interaction between politics and culture. Relates Africa's historical, economic,
social, and gender dynamics to general theories of politics and governance.
Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing or above
PS 131 DEMOCRACY AND CAPITALISM IN JAPAN - Fujihira
(MW 6:00-7:15) Block M+
Survey of the world’s second largest economy and postwar Asia’s most stable democracy.
Investigation of whether Japan’s democracy is fundamentally different from the one
practiced in the west; whether Japan’s capitalism offers an alternative model that
is more efficient and fair; and whether Japan should adopt a more assertive foreign
policy in the post cold-war world.
PS 135 COMPARATIVE REVOLUTIONS - Remick
(TR 4:30-5:45) Block L+
The causes, processes, and outcomes of revolution. Student development of a
theory of revolution's causes through comparative examination of revolutions in
France, Russia, China, and Iran. Discussion of whether the causes of revolution
have changed in the late twentieth century. (M)
Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing
PS 138-03 SOVIET AND POST-SOVIET POLITICS - Shevel
(TR 12:00-1:15) Block F+
In this course, you will be studying one of the most important countries of
the 20th century, the Soviet Union, and the states – the Russian Federation
and 14 others – that were formed from its collapse. Approximately one third
of the course will be devoted to an overview of political, economic, and social
structures that defined Soviet Communism. This historical overview will cover
the time period from the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution through Gorbachev, “perestroika,”
and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. In the remaining two/thirds
of the course we will consider the divergent paths taken by the 15 successor states
of the Soviet Union after 1991. While Russia will receive the most extensive consideration,
we will cover the other successor states as well. As we examine and compare developments
in the region after 1991, we will pay particular attention to topics such as state
collapse and state formation, political and institutional changes, the politics
of economic reform, the challenges of nationalism within the multinational state,
political leadership, informal politics, and others. Course requirements will
include in-class and take-home tests, a paper, and participation in class discussions.
PS 144 MEANING OF AMERICA - Munoz
(MW 1:30-2:45) Block G+
Analysis of founding political principles of the U.S. through a study of the
debates that animated the Revolution, the founding of the national government, and
the Civil War. Among the themes analyzed are the tension between the rights of communities
and the liberties of the individual, the relations between democracy and leadership,
the American idea of human excellence, the role of political virtue in a republic,
and the relations among empire, commerce, and corruption. Discussion of how America's
foundational principles have helped structure future political debate.
PS 147 SEM: THE POLITICAL THOUGHT OF NIETZSCHE - Devigne
(R 6:30-9:00) Block 13
Nietzsche's views of philosophy, nature, morality, religion, art, science, and
politics. Analysis of view that "God is dead" and that we are no longer capable
of distinguishing whether one value is better than another. Assessment of the qualities
that must exist--in both the individual and society--for human creativity to regenerate.
Exploration of whether Nietzsche successfully broke from Western political philosophy.
Please see departmental website for specific details:
http://ase.tufts.edu/polsci/ps99/main.asp
PS 148 SEM: POLITICAL THOUGHT OF MONTESQUIEU - Sullivan
(W 9:00-11:30) Block 2
Examination of Montesquieu's political thought through his comparative analysis
of political regimes in his major work, Spirit of Laws. Topics include the principles
that guide tyranny, monarchy, and republican government, the principle of separation
of powers, the meaning of political liberty, the impact of commerce on political
life, the relation of mores to laws, and the character of Montesquieu's liberalism.
His other works, The Persian Letters or Considerations on the Greatness of the Romans
and Their Decline, will also be considered. Please see departmental website for
specific details:
http://ase.tufts.edu/polsci/ps99/main.asp
PS-158-01 LAW, PROPERTY, AND THE STATE - Edgerton
(TR 3:00-4:15) Block J+
This course centers on the relationship between the right to private property,
law and the use of state power. Students will encounter the major defenses
for property rights by thinkers such as Hegel, Hobbes, Locke, Hume and Kant as well
as their critics. A variety of contemporary thinkers will be used to
show the ways in which these debates are still alive. In doing so, students will
consider how these property claims either justify state power or limit its use.
Discussion about U.S. court cases will highlight how property claims work in politics,
allowing for an exploration of the ways in which property rights theories have provided
compelling answers to political and social problems.
PS 158-02 THE SOCIAL CONTRACT - Evrigenis
(MW 4:30 – 5:45) Block K+
An examination of the concept of the social contract and its role in political
thought and practice. We will focus on the works of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau,
as well as their sources of inspiration, emulators, and critics, in an attempt to
understand this influential approach to the question of political obligation.
We will consider arguments regarding the source of political authority, the origins,
nature, and limits of the state, and the concept of sovereignty.
PS 160 FORCE, STRATEGY, AND ARMS CONTROL - Taliaferro
(TR 1:30 -2:45) Block H+
Examination of the political, economic, military, and ethical factors affecting
the use and utility of military force in international relations. Study of the political
and decision-making process by which nations decide to use military force. Study
of the major arms control agreements of the post-World War II period, including
negotiations currently under way.
Prerequisite: Political Science
61.
PS 165 US FOREIGN POLICY - Greenhill
(MW 10:30-11:45) Block E+
Survey of diplomacy and national security policy of the United States from founding
of the republic to the present. Examination of various theoretical approaches (defensive
realism, offensive realism, and liberal peace theory) to understanding the sources,
goals, and tools of U.S. foreign policy. Topics include the U.S. rise to great power
status; World Wars I and II; the origins, conduct, and end of the cold war; and
U.S. foreign policy in the post-cold war world.
PS 171 SEM: RETHINKING THE COLD WAR - Taliaferro
(W 9:00-11:30) Block 2
Reexamination of the 50-year rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union
with emphasis on the "crisis years," 1945-1963. Consideration of orthodox, revisionist,
and post-revisionist scholarship in international relations and history. Origins
of the Cold War, the division of Germany, the Korean War, the 1961 Berlin crisis,
covert action in the Third World; superpower intervention in Vietnam and Afghanistan,
and the Cold War's end.
Prerequisite: Political Science 61.
Note: This course is not open to students who took PS 72
PS 172 US FOREIGN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST - Mufti
(MW 4:30-5:45) Block K+
The evolution of American foreign policy toward the Middle East since World
War II. Basic American interests in the region, and how the U.S. has pursued those
interests in connection with issues such as conflicting nationalisms (including
the Arab-Israeli conflict), the role of Turkey and Iran in the regional balance
of power, and the Islamist revival. Implications of the Soviet Union's collapse
for future American policy in the Middle East.
PS 188-01 SEMINAR: TERRORISM AND COUNTERTERRORISM - Howard
(T 9:00-11:30) Block 1
Topics include ideology; religion and terrorism; finance; suicide tactics; organizing
to fight terrorism; and the challenge of terrorism for liberal democracies. Readings are
extensive and will be applied to an analysis of the current situation
in Iraq. Sustentative term paper required.
PS 188-06 SEM: CAUSES OF MODERN INTERSTATE WAR - Greenhill
(W 1:30-4:00) Block 7
This course explores the causes of interstate war, with a particular- but not
exclusive- focus on preventable causes. Topics to be examined include the
security dilemma, diversionary war, deterrence, power transition theory, misperceptions,
domestic politics, the role of alliances, and economic causes of war. These
theories will be examined through the lens of some of the major wars and crises
of the modern era. Although we will cover a good deal of historical material,
our focus will be primarily theoretical, and the particular conflicts examined will
be used to illustrate and to question the logic of the various theories that purport
to explain their causes. In other words, we will examine cases with an eye
towards “testing” the prevailing explanations for their origins.
PS 188-07 SEM: HUMAN RIGHTS AND WAR ON TERROR - Olesker
(W 9:00-11:30) Block 2
This course explores the dilemma democracies face in attempting to combat terrorism
in the post 9/11 setting and the democratic deficit they experience as a result.
The objective of the course is to examine the tensions between effective counter-terrorism
strategies and adherence to democratic values and norms. The course explores whether,
and if so how, international human rights can serve as a tool in combating global
terrorism.
PS 188-08 ISRAELI FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL SECURITY - Olesker
(MW 3:00-4:15) Block I+
The purpose of this course is to learn about the formation of foreign policy and
the prioritization of national security interests in Israel. During the course we
will explore the events post-1948 independence through the Oslo Peace process in
the 1990s leading to the current developments with the Gaza Disengagement. We will
explore future prospects in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the readings
cover the historical background of the aforementioned events, the discussion in
class will focus on the policy decisions and security considerations leading to
those decisions, rather than the historical events themselves.
PS 188-09 SEM: CONTEMPORARY DILEMMAS IN US FOREIGN POLICY - Shattuck
(W 1:30-4:00) Block 7
This course will introduce students to the decision-making process inside government
on selected foreign policy problems since the end of the Cold War. General
themes will involve human rights, crisis management and institutional politics.
Specific topics will include failed states and human rights catastrophes; genocide
in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia; humanitarian intervention in Haiti, Bosnia
and Kosovo; challenges and lessons of post-conflict reconstruction; institutions
of international justice; human rights and trade policy toward China; military intervention
in Afghanistan and Iraq; and detention, interrogation and torture in "the war on
terror." For each session students will prepare short papers reflecting perspectives
of government officials and decision makers; class discussion will be guided and
critiqued by instructor and guest speakers. Readings will include Freedom
on Fire: Human Rights Wars and America's Response (Harvard University
Press 2003), instructor's first-hand account of topics covered in course, based
on his experience as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and
Labor (1993-98) and U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic (1998-2000).
PS 198 SENIOR THESIS - Eichenberg
(W 6:00-7:15) Block M+
This course explores the theoretical, empirical, normative, and methodological problems
involved in conducting political science research. It will also provide a
forum for discussing students’ draft thesis chapters. Prerequisite: Admission
to the Honors Thesis Program in the Department of Political Science.
Although it differs from the listed timeblock, this thesis seminar will in all
likelihood meet from 5-7:30pm on Wednesdays.
(M) = Methodologically Focused
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