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Department of Political Science Undergraduate Program
 

COURSES OFFERED

The undergraduate courses being offered by the Political Science Department for Summer Session 2008 and for the Fall 2008 semester are listed below, followed by course descriptions for the Fall 2008 classes.

Major & Minor Requirements
Admissions
Courses Offered
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Financial Assistance
Internships
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The University of Arizona

SUMMER 2008
(All classes are Monday through Friday)

PRESESSION - MAY 19– JUNE 7
Course # Title
Time
Room
Instructor
POL 201
American National Government
9:00-11:50 AM

Sirimarco

POL 210
US & AZ Constitution
9:00-11:50 AM
Leonard
POL 309
The Judicial Process
9:00-11:50 AM  
Ross
POL 360
Int'l Political Economy
1:00-3:50 PM
Baird
POL 462
Armed Confl+Confl Mngmnt
1:00-3:50 PM
RycKman

FIRST SESSION - JUNE 9 - JULY 10

Course # Title
Time
Room
Instructor
POL 361
Intl Organizations
11:00-12:15 PM
Fausett
POL 433
Feminist Political Thry
1:00-2:45 PM
McGary
POL 449
Pol Cultural Conflict
9:00-10:45 AM
Alminas

SECOND SESSION -JULY 14 - AUGUST 14

Course # Title
Time
Room
Instructor
POL 210
US & AZ Constitution
9:00-10:45 AM
Harper
POL 231
American Political Parties
9:00-10:45 AM  
Forster
POL 335
Gender and Politics
11:00-12:45 PM
Ellerby
POL 437
Democ, Emerging + Evolving
1:00-2:45 PM  
Shipley

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FALL 2008
Sect.
Title
Days
Start
Stop
Bldg.
RM.
Instructor
INDV101
040
THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE
MW
0200PM
0250PM
ILC
140
 PETERSON
040
DISCUSSION
F
0900AM
0950AM
INDV101
041
THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE
MW
0200PM
0250PM
ILC
140
PETERSON
041
DISCUSSION
F
1200PM
1250PM
INDV101
042
THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE
MW
0200PM
0250PM
ILC
140
PETERSON
042
DISCUSSION
F
1100AM
1150AM
INDV101
043
THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE
MW
0200PM
0250PM
ILC
140
PETERSON
043
DISCUSSION
F
0900AM
0950AM
INDV101
044
THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE
MW
0200PM
0250PM
ILC
140
PETERSON
044
DISCUSSION
F
1200PM
1250PM
INDV101
045
THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE
MW
0200PM
0250PM
ILC
140
PETERSON
045
DISCUSSION
F
1100AM
1150AM
POL 199
INDEPENDENT STUDY
TBA
TBA
  
POL 201
001
AMERICAN NATL GOVT
MWF
1000AM
1050AM
  
NORRANDER
POL 202
001
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
  
GOERTZ
001
DISCUSSION
F
0900AM
0950AM
POL 202
002
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
GOERTZ
002
DISCUSSION
F
1000AM
1050AM
POL 202
003
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
GOERTZ
003
DISCUSSION
F
1100AM
1150AM
POL 202
004
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
GOERTZ
004
DISCUSSION
F
1200PM
1250PM
POL 202
005
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
GOERTZ
005
DISCUSSION
F
0100PM
0150PM
POL 202
006
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
`GOERTZ
006
DISCUSSION
F
0200PM
0250PM
POL 202
007
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
GOERTZ
007
DISCUSSION
F
0900AM
0950AM
POL 202
008
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
GOERTZ
008
DISCUSSION
 F
1000AM
1050AM
POL 202
009
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MW
0100PM
0150PM
GOERTZ
009
DISCUSSION
F
1100AM
1150AM
POL 203
001
POLITICAL IDEAS
MWF
1100AM
1150AM
DOVI
POL 204
001
COMPARATIVE POLITICS
TR
0930AM
1045AM
WILLERTON
POL 210
001
US & AZ CONSTITUTION
TR
0200PM
0315PM
  
GARCIA
POL 247
001
INTRO TO LATIN-AM POLITICS
MWF
1000AM
1050AM
BERARDO
POL 293
001
INTERNSHIP
TBA
TBA
0445PM
  
COONAN
POL 299
001
INDEPENDENT STUDY
TBA
TBA
0445PM
  
POL 299H
001
HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY
TBA
TBA
POL 309
791
THE JUDICAL PROCESS
M
0600PM
0830PM
TBA
POL 326
001
AMER POLITICAL THOUGHT
MWF
0200PM
0250PM
DOVI
POL 330
001
MINORITY GROUP + AM POL
TR
1100AM
1150AM
GARCIA
POL 335
001
GENDER AND POLITICS
MWF
0900AM
0950AM
KHATIB
POL 335
791
GENDER AND POLITICS
T
0600PM
0830PM
TBA
POL 340
001
POL IN ADV INDUS STATES
TR
0200PM
0315PM
KURZER
POL 342
001
WEST EUROPEAN POLITICS
TR
1100AM
1215PM
KURZER
POL 360
001
INTL POLITICAL ECONOMY
TR
930AM
1045AM
DIXON, W.
POL 360
791
INTL POLITICAL ECONOMY
W
0600PM
0830PM
TBA
POL 361
791
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
R
0600PM
0830PM
TBA
POL 392
001
DIRECTED RESEARCH
TBA
TBA
0830PM
POL 393
001
INTERNSHIP
TBA
TBA
0550PM
COONAN
POL 393A
001
PUBLIC INTEREST INTERN
TBA
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 393B
001
ADMIN STAFF INTERNSHIP
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 393C
001
EXECUTIVE STAFF INTRNSHP
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 393D
001
JUSTICE SYSTEM INTRNSHP
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 393E
001
LEGAL INTERNSHIP
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 393F
001
POLITICAL INTERNSHIP
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 393G
001
PROJECT VOTE SMART
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 399
001
INDEPENDENT STUDY
TBA
TBA
POL 401
001
THE POL & GOVERNANCE OF WATER
MWF
0300PM
0350PM
BERARDO
POL 407
001
 CONGRESS + AMERICAN POL
TR
1230PM
0145PM
KIM
POL 430
001
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS & THEIR CONSQ
KIM
POL 434
001
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS POL PROB
MWF
0100PM
0150PM
KHATIB
POL 435
001
PUB OPINION + VOTING BEHAVIOR
MW
0400PM
0515PM
ORR
POL 441
001
ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
TR
0930AM
1045AM
DUNFORD
POL 454
001
THEORY INTERNATIONAL REL
TR
1230PM
0145PM
VOLGY
POL 456
001
INTERNATIONAL LAW
MWF
1200PM
1250PM
KORHONEN
POL 462
001
ARMED CONFLICT
MWF
0200PM
0250PM
GHOSN
POL 462
791
ARMED CONFLICT
W
0600PM
0830PM
TBA
POL 464
791
INTL RELATIONS EAST ASIA
T
0600PM
0830PM
COONAN
POL 465
001
INTL POL OF MIDDLE EAST
MWF
1100AM
1150AM
GHOSN
POL 471
001
CONSTIT LAW:   CIV LIBERTY
MW
0330PM
0445PM
WESTERLAND
POL 485
001
NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY
MWF
1000AM
1050AM
GUERTNER
POL 491
001
PRECEPTORSHIP
TBA
TBA
0315PM
POL 492
001
DIRECTED RESEARCH
TBA
TBA
1250PM
POL 493
001
INTERNSHIP
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 493L
001
LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP
TBA
TBA
COONAN
POL 498H
001
HONORS THESIS
TBA
TBA
POL 499
001
INDEPENDENT STUDY
TBA
TBA
POL 499H
001
HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY
TBA
TBA

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FALL 2008 Course Descriptions

POL 201 (001) - AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
PROFESSOR: BARBARA NORRANDER

The goal of this course is to make students more critical observers of American politics by providing a background in the political structures and processes of the United States. The course covers both institutions, such as the U.S. Congress, and the actions of ordinary citizens, such as voting in elections. Basic trends in public policy also will be reviewed. The class will meet in two formats. On Monday and Wednesday, Professor Norrander will lecture on the basic components of American government. In discussion sections, students will learn to use a computer-based workbook containing information on public opinion, Congress, Presidents, the Supreme Court and the 50 states. Students will have the opportunity to explore many of the factors described in the lectures with these data and discuss results in the discussion sections. Discussion section participation and homework account for 10% of the final grade. The course will have two midterms and a final exam. Each exam will be worth 30% of the final grade. Exams will be in the short-answer format. This course satisfies sub-field #1, American Politics.

POL 202 (001-009) - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PROFESSOR: GARY GOERTZ

The introductory course in international relations aims to acquaint students with the general knowledge and analytical tools necessary to understand, evaluate, and respond to emerging international problems. Students attend two lectures and one discussion group session each week. Lecture topics are designed to elaborate or complement those in the assigned readings from the text. Evaluation of student performance is based on three examinations each covering approximately one-third of the course and a final exam which is cumulative over the entire course. Be aware that this course provides no more than an overview of a broad range of topics. Other courses are available for students seeking more depth in such areas as international relations theory, foreign policy, national security, and political economy. This course fulfills the Tier II General Education. This course satisfies sub-field #2, International Relations.

POL 203 (001) - POLITICAL IDEAS
PROFESSOR: SUZANNE DOVI

Political Science has consistently drawn from classic political texts to help clarify central political concepts. These texts have been an inspiration for questions that needed testing, e.g. do democracies go to war more often than undemocratic countries? They have also articulated reasons for setting constraints on political behavior. This class explores the theoretical roots of a central question in political science: what is the relationship between military conflict and politics? This class will examine questions about the nature of political science, the relationship between democracy and peace, the ability of liberal democracies to stop war, and the relationship between war and justice. This class will examine some classic texts like Machiavelli’s The Prince, Kant’s Perpetual Peace, Woolf’s Three Guineas, and Walzer’s Just Wars. This class is a writing intensive course. Students will be required to write two papers, a mid term, and a final. This course satisfies sub-field #3, Ideas and Methods.

POL 204 (001) - COMPARATIVE POLITICS
PROFESSOR: PAT WILLERTON

This course provides an analysis of comparative (cross-national) political concepts and surveys the diversity of political systems found in the world today. We explore political institutions, elites, questions of system and regime legitimacy, policy programs, and mass-elite relations. Our survey encompasses tyrannies, democracies, and systems in transition (e.g., evolving Leninist countries). More focused attention is given to Congo, China, Russia, Iran, France, Finland, and Venezuela, with background reference to the U.S. The course involves essay exams, a research project (i.e., each class member tracking the politics of a country she/he selects), short writing assignments, and participation in the two weekly lecture meetings This course fulfills the Tier II General Education requirement in Individuals and Societies.

POL 210 (001) - STATE AND NATIONAL CONSTITUTION
PROFESSOR: JOHN GARCIA

This course will review the U.S. and Arizona governments in terms of its institutions, processes, founding principles, and relationships between governmental representatives and the broader public. Attention will center on state and local governments as well as the more focused upon federal government. Use of extant public policy issues will serve to understand the working and contributing factors of how our American political system works. For the fall, 2008, special attention will be directed toward the 2008 Presidential election and all of its ramifications. This course MEETS STATE TEACHERS CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS This course satisfies sub-field #1, American Politics.

POL 247 (001) – INTRO TO LATIN-AM POLITCS
PROFESSOR: RAMIRO BERARDO

What is Latin America? How are the countries in the region similar? More importantly, how are those countries different? Are the past mistakes of societies embracing dictatorships to be repeated in the future? Why does such a rich region exhibit such a high level of poverty? This class provides students with the information needed to answer these and other questions, and seeks to encourage discussion on issues such as democratization, integration in the global economy, and respect and protection of human rights, areas in which the past mistakes of Latin American countries can teach important lessons. This course satisfies sub-field #4, Comparative Politics.

POL 309 (791) – Evening/Weekend - THE JUDICIAL PROCESS
PROFESSOR:TBA

This course satisfies Subfield #1, American Politics.

POL 326 (001) – AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
PROFESSOR: SUZANNE DOVI

Unlike many political theory courses, which focus on the genius of individual thinkers, this course is organized around themes that recur throughout American history and shape American identity. In this course, we will examine both the continuous nature of these themes, and how they change and are changed by people, events, and new contexts. We also explore how these themes appear to Americans of different races, genders, ethnicities, regions, and classes. The central theme of this course is the "American Dream." In particular, I want to examine how the United States defines success, specifically, the relationship between the American Dream and material consumption. Drawing on Jennifer Hochschild?s work, I will provide a broad analytical definition of the Dream. The readings and lectures will extend that definition, suggest some virtues and defects of organizing a society in accord with such an ideology, propose alternatives, and discuss the American Dream has been perceived by Americans of various persuasions at various periods of history. By contrasting different visions of the Dream, this course highlights various tensions in American political ideas. Special attention will be paid to helping you improve your writing skills. This is a writing emphasis course, and satisfies sub-field #3, Ideas and Methods.

POL 330 (001)– MINORITY GROUP + AMERICAN POLITICS
PROFESSOR: JOHN GARCIA

Course Description: This course is part of a series of courses dealing with minority populations (or persons of color) and their experiences in the U.S. political system. More recently, gender and its politics has been added to the scope of this particular course. With politics as the central concern, this course will examine, analyze and interpret the power relations of minority groups and women in the U.S. political system. The concepts of power, authority, racism, culture, discrimination, diversity, patriarchy, mobilization, political resources, leadership, social structures, class, inequality, and group identity are central concepts to explore in this course. Specifically, we will look at African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and women in the U.S. The first part of the course will be spent on a discussion of group status (in relation to socioeconomic status and political power), historical ties and patterns, and a demographic profile. Secondly, several models of minority group status and power relationships will be described, explained, and interpreted for the various minority groups and women. The next part of the course will focus on specific political arenas, political processes, institutions, and organizations involved in the power relations between minority groups and women. The last part of the course will focus on some specific policy areas that are relevant to minority groups and women. These areas could include: education; employment and labor markets; poverty; housing; crime and law enforcement; affirmative action; immigration; and residential segregation. This course satisfies sub-field #1, American Politics.

POL 335 (001) – GENDER AND POLITICS
PROFESSOR: NADIA KHATIB

This course explores the role of gender in American politics. In the first part of the course, we shall spend considerable time examining the women's movement and three policy areas germane to gender politics: education, employment, and marriage/reproduction. Afterwards, we will explore issues concerning gender and political behavior looking at voting, political campaigning, elections, and governance at the elite level. We will look closely at the role of stereotypes in campaigns and elections (congressional, gubernatorial, and presidential), as well as assessing gender issues facing office-holders and policymakers in the current political scene. This is a writing emphasis course, and satisfies sub-field #3, Ideas and Methods.

POL 335 (791) – Evening/Weekend- GENDER AND POLITICS
PROFESSOR: TBA

POL 340 (001) – POL IN ADV INDUS STATES
PROFESSOR: PAULETTE KURZER

This course examines how the three largest economic regions -- EU, Japan, and the U.S. -- address common challenges such as aging society, shift from manufacturing to services, and global competition from emerging economies. It seeks to account for the differences by stressing variations in labor-business-government relations, functioning of capital markets, support for research and development, training, and education, and the political system. There will be two exams (50 percent), one short paper (25 percent), and five quizzes (25 percent). This course satisfies Subfield #4, Comparative Politics.

POL 342 (001) – WEST EUROPEAN POLITICS
PROFESSOR: PAULETTE KURZER

West European Politics provides an in-depth overview of the historical background, existing political and economic institutions, and current challenges faced by half a dozen countries in Europe (including some Central European countries). The last few weeks of the semester, the readings highlight issues related to regional integration and the European Union. It is recommended that students take POL 204 first. This course satisfies sub-field#4, Comparative Politics.

POL 360 (001) – INTL POLITICAL ECONOMY
PROFESSOR: BILL DIXON

POL 360 (791) – Evening/Weekend – INTL POLITICAL ECONOMY
TBA

This course satisfies sub-field #2, International Relations, and is a writing emphasis course.

POL 361 (791) – Evening/Weekend – INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
TBA

This course satisfies sub-field #2, International Relations.

POL 401 (001) – THE POL & GOVERNANCE OF WATER
PROFESSOR: RAMIRO BERARDO

Water is a necessary resource, but also a scarce one. It is this scarcity that produces the conditions for the emergence of conflict among potential users, hence requiring the creation of institutional structures that seek to accomplish an efficient utilization of water. This class examines such structures in a variety of levels ?state, federal, and international- and analyzes how they affect issues of quality and quantity of provision, ecological balance and biodiversity, and conflict and cooperation among users.

POL 407 (001) – CONGRESS + AMERICAN POL
PROFESSOR: HENRY KIM

POL 434 (001) – QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
PROFESSOR: NADIA KHATIB

This course provides an introduction to the use of statistical methods in political science. The lectures, homework, exams and assignments are designed to instruct you in the understanding and proper use of social science methods and promote your critical analysis of statistical findings. Students will learn to describe data, understand the impact of randomness in statistical research, conduct statistical tests, and most importantly learn to evaluate the implications of quantitative results. This course satisfies sub-field #3, Ideas and Methods. POL 435 (001) – PUB OPINION + VOTING BEHAVIOR PROFESSOR: ETHAN ORR Trends and patterns in voting behavior. How campaign strategy affects Public opinion and why that is important in the political process. This course satisfies sub-field #1, American Politics.

POL 441 (001) ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
PROFESSOR: DAVID DUNFORD

This course will examine the Arab Israeli conflict from a variety of perspectives. We will trace the historical roots of the conflict but we will also spend considerable time on current events as well as issues currently on the negotiating table as part of the Middle East Peace Process. We will discuss the relationships between oil, political Islam and terrorism and the conflict. We will consider the different forces which operate on individual decision makers including the internal constraints faced by key players such as Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Course requirements include two exams, a term paper, and active participation in class discussion. This course satisfies Subfield #4, Comparative Politics.

POL 454 (001) THEORY INTERNATIONAL REL
PROFESSOR: TOM VOLGY

This course examines closely alternative theoretical approaches to understanding international politics. Each competing approach to a better understanding of global politics is examined and compared to both other alternatives and ongoing processes in international affairs. Students are expected to come to understand each perspective, both to learn to apply and to critically evaluate each. The course includes a midterm and a final exam, and a paper is due at the end of the semester which which apply the theories to an explicit issues in international relations. This course satisfies Subfield #2, International Relations.

POL 456 (001) INTERNATIONAL LAW
PROFESSOR: KEIJO KORHONEN

Both the applications and the field of international law have expanded dramatically during the last two generations. Public as well as private international law affect the lives of nations and individuals more than ever. The expansion and intensification of international law continues. We will study the basics of international law, its sources and its uses, especially in the context of US politics and domestic legislation. Special attention will be devoted to the new or recently codified areas of the international law, like law of sea, environment, airspace and outer space a well as use of force between nations. We will use a comprehensive textbook casebook, concentrating on the central areas of the discipline. Our method of learning is discussion and debate. We will have several in class exercises, both in groups and individually. We will write a term paper. There will be both a mid term and a final test. This is a Writing Emphasis course and satisfies Subfield #2, International Relations.

POL 462 (001) – ARMED CONFLICT
PROFESSOR: FATEN GHOSN

This course aims to present some of the major theoretical approaches to conflict management. It examines the causes, dynamics and management of conflicts, be they international or domestic. We will focus on the various strategies of conflict management ranging from direct negotiations, to the role of third parties such as mediation, UN peacekeeping, as well as second track diplomacy. We will also examine the role of culture, power, and religion in managing conflicts. This course satisfies subfield #2, International Relations

POL 462 (791) – Evening/Weekend – ARMED CONFLICT
PROFESSOR: TBA

POL 464 (791) – Evening/Weekend – INTNL RELATIONS E. ASIA
PROFESSOR: PAM COONAN

This course seeks to introduce students to international relations among the East Asian countries of Japan, the PRC, ROC, and the two Koreas and to interrogate the role the United States plays in the arena. Since one cannot understand international political relationships among these countries without knowing something about their past and present domestic political climates, this course will examine how domestic politics, political culture, history and social changes in these countries shape and how they are shaped by international politics in the region. After a general introduction, we will begin by studying Japanese political history, domestic politics, and an overview of Japan’s relations with China, Taiwan, the Koreas and the United States to establish a basis from which to examine several selected case studies of Japanese foreign relations. Once we have covered Japan, we will do the same for China, Taiwan and the Koreas. Themes we will discuss include: East Asian security; the Asian model of development and the Asian economic crises; identity and nationalisms in East Asia; democratization and democratic consolidation; “peaceful co-existence” v. “ the new world order”; East Asian trade relations; the role of international organizations in East Asia; and U.S. influence in the region. This course satisfies sub-field #3, International Relations.

POL 465 (001) – INTL POL OF MIDDLE EAST
PROFESSOR: FATEN GHOSN

This course is