Political Science

* Emeritus

The classification of political systems according to institutional and developmental characteristics. Causes and costs of political stability and instability. Comparison will relate to contemporary political institutions and processes in specific countries. (I, S)

A comparative analysis of the government and politics of the major Western European countries. Special emphasis will be given to party systems and the social bases of politics in industrialized societies. (I, S)

African nationalism, political movements, and governments in the African states. (I, S) GR-E†

An introduction to and overview of political patterns and political behavior in Latin America within comparative and developmental perspectives. Emphasis on the social, economic and political factors shaping contemporary political structures and processes. (I, S)

Focus on the history, politics and economy of selected Asian countries. Countries from two major regions of Asia are examined – South Asia and East/Southeast Asia. (I, S) GR-E†

A comparative analysis of the formal structures of government and politics of Eastern European countries, the actual operation of their political systems and the factors which have influenced the transitions to democracy and market-based economies. (I, S)

An analysis of the formal structures of government and politics in Russia, the actual operation of its political system and the factors that influenced the transition to democracy and a market-based economy. (I, S)

A general introduction to politics in "third world" states, an examination of common problems and the various strategies for dealing with them.

Comparative analysis of advanced industrial states with emphasis on diverse patterns of economic, social and political development as determinants of current political structures and policies.

Examines the history institutions and theoretical interpretations of the European Union from its origins to the present including some general European history and background of the 15 member states.

Survey of the political culture, constitutional foundations, public opinion and participation, and political institutions in Canada. Focus on the challenges to constitutional foundations, Canadian nationalism, federalism, parliamentary supremacy, and the party system. (S).

This course situates contemporary polemics regarding ethnic violence, culture wars and resurgent "tribalism" in a comparative analytic framework. We explore the construction and political use of identity, ethnicity and tradition by placing U.S. cultural politics alongside the extensive literature on cultural politics in sub-Saharan Africa, the putative "homeland of tribalism." In the U.S. the course focuses mainly on the experience of Native, African and European Americans.

The analysis of major themes and issues in the study of Latin American politics: democratic transitions, economic restructuring, social movements, civil-military relations and political violence. GR-E†

Introduction to literature on democratization. The course will familiarize students with important theoretical and conceptual issues and will acquaint them with empirical data on major regions of the world.

Examines philosophical, theoretical and methodological approaches to the student of international relations, the interaction of major global actors in the post-World War II and post-Cold War eras, the structure of the global economy, and various issues such as arms proliferation and conflict associated with ethnicity and nationalism. (I, S)

International trade, finance, and investment issues in the global political economy and their importance for advanced industrial and less-developed countries.

Contending conceptualizations of "culture" and its relations to international politics. Examination of several substantive questions concerning the relationship between national/group identity and international politics. For example, do diplomatic alliances reflect cultural/ideological affinity among the allies? What is the relationship between the self-image of the West and Western imperialism?

The tradition and development of American foreign policy; contemporary foreign policy problems. (I, S)

Provides an examination and application of the major theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of international security. Students will analyze the impact of domestic, state, regional, and global system factors in explicating international security. The course assumes some familiarity with the basic concepts of world politics, particularly the dominant actors, issues, and paradigms in forming analyses in the field.

Analysis of the political and functional aspects of international organization and cooperation with emphasis on both formal organizations, as the United Nations or the European Union, and less formal institutions and arrangements. (I, S) GR-E†

Examination of a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of international relations.

Explores the economic, social and political linkages between less developed and advanced industrial countries in the global system predominantly from the former’s perspective. Considers the historical sources of underdevelopment, theoretical and substantive aspects of world poverty, and regional and international efforts to redress the problems of developing countries.

Provides an examination and application of the major theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of international conflict. Students will analyze the impact of domestic, state, regional, and global factors in explicating international war. Assumes some familiarity with the basic concepts of world politics, particularly the dominant actors, issues, and paradigms informing analyses in the field, with special emphasis on quantitative analyses of war.

Various theoretical approaches to explaining foreign policy, with special attention to the foreign policies of selected countries other than the United States.

An analysis of the international politics of Latin America, includes relations with the United States and non-hemispheric powers as well as the foreign policies of Latin American states vis-à-vis each other. GR-E†

Examination of the principal factors influencing the formulation of U.S. foreign policy, including the international environment, information processing, personality factors, political culture, decision makers and decision making. Consideration is also given to the institutional setting, including the President, Congress and public opinion.

Considers the special problems posed by environmental collective action for international policymakers; some of the primary actors and organizations involved in addressing environmental problems; and selected international environmental issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, and rain forest destruction.

Examines the primary structures, actors and processes of policy making in the European Union. Salient policy areas such as the single market, monetary union, agricultural policy and the potential for a common foreign and security policy are investigated.

The role of administrative agencies in the formulation and implementation of public policy. Emphasis on the politics of administration. Problems in administration management. (S)

A treatment of the political-administrative dimensions of government programs.

An introduction to the rapidly expanding and increasingly important field of administrative law. Materials for the course will be balanced between cases in administrative law, illustrating the principles of administrative procedures and review as well as judicial review of administrative agencies and studies of regulatory politics in administrative agencies.

Preapproved internship with the Alachua County Clerk of Court. Interns will work a minimum of 150 hours per semester, complete readings and a 5-10 page paper. Only three hours of POS/PAD 4940 credit may be counted toward the Political Science major. Must be taken S/U. ††

Basic principles of the Federal Constitution and Civil Rights. Political parties and the electoral process. The structure and machinery of the federal government, including Congress, President and Judiciary. (S)

State constitutions, political parties and politics. State legislatures, courts and chief executives. The functions of state, city and county government. (S)

An investigation of major problems and issues in American State Politics. The emphasis is on the political institutions and organizations, political behavior in state politics and the impact of state politics on policy making at national, state and local levels.

An examination of urban problems, institutions and policies. Includes an overview of urban history and a look at metropolitan issues. (S) GR-E†

The changing politics of the South; two party development, urbanism, traditionalism, racism. (S) GR-E†

Factors influencing political decisions by the individual and by groups. (S) GR-E†

Study of the definition and measurement of political opinion by polls and surveys, developmental character of opinions. Variables in opinion formation, experiments in opinion measurement and the relation of political opinion to public policy. (S) GR-E†

Conceptual and comparative study of leadership in a variety of political contexts. (S) GR-E†

A complete study and analysis of the Federal Constitution, with study and briefing of leading cases in constitutional law.

Discussion of statutes and court decisions emphasizing First Amendment freedoms, equal protection of the law, due process and rights of defendants, implied rights, and the rights of women, juveniles, students, prisoners and the mentally ill. GR-E†

Explores major issues associated with modern political campaigns. Presidential campaigns are a primary, but not exclusive, focus. The emphasis of the course is to investigate why modern campaigns take the forms they do, and to place them in broader American and political contexts. This is not a course on how to run campaigns; it is a course on understanding campaign politics.

Investigates the role of religious institutions, values and communities in contemporary American political life. GR-E†

The central role of the American Presidency in the political process. Emphasis on the contemporary institutional nature of that office and the behavior of its occupants. (S)

The politics of the legislative process. Recruitment of legislators. Formal and informal rules of behavior. Legislative-executive relations. The committee system. The impact of political parties, interest groups, and constituents on the legislative process. (S)

The composition, organization and structure of political parties and their role and relationships in the political process. (S) GR-E†

Surveys the historical and contemporary response of the law enforcement, civil/criminal justice, and corrections systems to minority/ethnic groups in the United States. GR-E†

Introduces the role of law in political and social development by providing a background in social theory and the history of legal systems, beginning with Roman law.

An introduction to the theory and method of contemporary political analysis. Emphasis on alternative analytical frameworks, concepts, variables, measurement, and quantitative analysis of political data. GR-E†

Readings and discussion in advanced topics of political science; requires departmental permission.

Selected topics in political science; precise course content will be announced in advance.

Must be taken in conjunction with other Political Science courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. Open to majors with upper division GPA of 3.5. Students must secure permission of instructor of the course to which they wish to add this credit.

Special topics in political science on a colloquium basis for seniors.

Internship in government and politics. Internships are available at all levels—local, state, and federal— and in every branch of government—executive, legislative, and judicial. Other internships are available with political parties, interest groups, lobbying organizations, international organizations, and private companies engaged in governmental relations and issue research. Readings and paper required. Only three hours of POS /PAD 4940 credit may be counted toward the major. Must be taken S/U.

Basic principles of political thought. Examination of the nature of the state, and of the relationship between the individual and the state. Covers topics such as authority, consent, freedom and obligation. (H)

Seeks understanding of the contemporary spectrum of political beliefs from liberal democracy to the ideological ideas of the far right. Examines the effects of ethical, historical, political and psychological perspectives on these belief systems.

An intensive investigation into the history and theory of environmental ethical and political thought.

Examines the historical rise of liberalism and moral issues associated with building a political system based on individual rights and human freedom.

Major early political theorists including Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Emphasis on the principles of a just political order: natural law, civic virtue, constitutionalism. Analysis of church-state struggles and the emergence of the modern state. (H)

Study of selected political theorists from Machiavelli to Marx. Emphasis on the ideas of authority and freedom, obligation and consent in the writing of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, etc. Liberalism, conservatism, utilitarianism, idealism. (H)

The theory and practice of democracy, especially ideas that define a democratic order. Study of selected topics ranging from equality and majority rule to technology and the globalization of democracy. GR-E†

Emphasis on the interrelationship of theory and practice in the evolution of Marxist-Leninist theory and developments in various communist political systems. The appeals of communism. Cadre training. The development of the international communist system.

The course presents a framework to understand the formation, adoption, budgeting, implementation and evaluation of public policy. This framework provides a basis for detailed discussions and debates about current policy issues. (S)

Problems of conservation, pollution. Group pressures and interaction for and against development. (S) GR-E†

An analysis of the roles women play in American politics including political behavior and public policy issues.

Investigates the issues of poverty, public attitudes toward the poor, public policies dealing with poverty, and forms of mobilization of the poor. (S) GR-E†

Provides an understanding of various political and economic approaches used to solve public policy problems such as environmental quality, public education, business regulation, health care, and welfare.

Regulation in America is introduced as state activity mediating the forces of the market and the demands of democracy within the context of federalism. This mediation occurs through legislative, administrative, and judicial politics and is bounded by our constitutional understanding of private property and public power. (S)

An analysis of the political problems and strategies employed by various racial, gender and ethnic minorities in the United States. GR-E†

The interrelationship of American political and educational systems; educational policymaking as political process; analysis of contemporary educational problems. (S) GR-E†

Examines the role government should play in a market economy. Among other topics, the course will examine how the electoral system, interest groups, and the bureaucracy affect the design and implementation of public policy.