Politics
ISPOSC210 United States Politics
Survey of U.S. politics at the federal level. Emphasis is on the context and development of the Constitution and the evolution of political institutions, such as Congress, the presidency, and the courts. Other topics include political economy, media, public opinion, parties, elections, interest groups, and social movements. Fall, Spring.
ISPOSC211 State and Local Politics
Topics include federalism; institutions and jurisdictional responsibilities of governance at the municipal, county, and state level; participatory potential and policy importance of politics at the subnational level. Spring.
ISPOSC220 International Relations
An introduction to the modern international political system with emphasis on the key institutions and issues that affect the interactions of the state and non-state actors in the contemporary global community. Fall, Spring.
ISPOSC240 Comparative Politics
Introduction to comparative political systems. Course covers the context and evolution of political traditions, institutions, and behavior. Includes discussion of concepts like states, nationalism, political ideologies, democracy and authoritarianism, and political violence, as well as key political institutions around the world such as elections, executives, and legislatures. Fall.
ISPOSC317 The U.S. Presidency
This course examines the modern American presidency. It provides a broad introduction to the executive branch and covers a range of topics, including campaigns and elections, rhetoric and speech-making, and foreign and domestic policy-making. A key theme concerns the nature and paradoxes of presidential power. Prerequisite: 24 credits in ISP, including ITW 101 and a QL course. Fall.
ISPOSC318 Law and Policy
This course examines how laws are drafted, debated, passed, interpreted, and revised. Emphasis will be on legislation and the lawmaking process but alternative routes to policy action and change will be discussed. Government and private actors and their incentives and behaviors will be examined. Prerequisite: 24 credits in ISP, including ITW 101 and a QL course.
ISPOSC330 Modern Political Thought
Introduction to the political philosophies that have framed political action and governance in modern societies over the past several centuries. Emphasis on variants of individual-centered liberalism and community-focused collectivism prominent over this time period. Students compare these with older and/or alternative contemporary models of human nature and political organization. Prerequisite: 24 credits in ISP, including ITW 101 and a QL course.