Courses in Political Science at Kalamazoo College
POLS
105 Introduction to American Government
Introduction to the structure and functioning of the American government;
introductory analysis of the processes of policy formation, the
relationship of the state and the individual, and the degree and
nature of popular control.
AOS (SS); CR (US)
POLS 106 Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduction to some contending theoretical approaches and problems
encoun tered in the study of comparative politics. Students
will examine the various paths to political development taken by
various nations and explore the question of why some nations experienced
democracy, communism, or fascism.
AOS (SS)
POLS 107 Introduction to International Politics
An introduction to the study of international relations that focuses
on the core issue of international war and peace. The issue is used
as a means to explore how political scientists analyze international
relations. The course examines different approaches to analyzing
international relations (the system, state, and individual levels
of analysis), as well as the ongoing controversy between realist
and idealist schools of thought. AOS (SS)
POLS 108 Introduction to Political Theory: American Political
Thought
This course explores some of the ideas and political movements that
have shaped American political thought. Particular attention will
be paid to the natural rights doctrine, federalism, expressive individualism,
the abolition movement, the women's rights movement, the emergence
of the welfare state, and current efforts to shift federal powers
to the states. AOS (SS)
POLS 205 The Politics of Revolution
The very casual use of the term ``revolution'' frequently betrays
its importance. What, for example, does it mean to be a ``revolutionary''?
Moreover, what has ``revolution'' meant for men and women? This
course seeks to clarify its meaning(s), consider its causes, and
explore the consequences with attention to the French and Russian
revolutions. The revolutions of 1989 throughout Eastern Europe will
also be considered. AOS (SS)
POLS 210 Comparative Political Institutions: Social Europe
Examination of the political systems, institutions, and practices
of western European states. Emphasis is on analysis and comparison
of social policies con cerning immigration, the environment,
and other issues. AOS (SS); CR (Europe)
POLS 215 Politics in Developing Countries
A general introduction to the study of politics in developing countries.
The course examines the impact of colonialism, problems of dependency
and economic development, and the ecological context of politics.
It also explores the social context of politics (focusing on the
role of women in developing countries, as well as on the issues
of religion and ethnicity). It culminates in an examination of the
alternatives of revolutionary, authoritarian, or democratic political
regimes. AOS (SS)
POLS
225 Constitutional Law
Study of the development of the American Constitution and of the
role of the Supreme Court in the processes of American democracy.
AOS (SS)
POLS
227 Law, Politics, and Society
The course examines law – as practiced by judges, juries,
lawyers, and law enforcement – as an inherently political
institution that is profoundly influenced by, and influential over,
American culture. Students will explore gaps between the legal principles
(of justice, equality, and liberty) and legal practices, asking
whether law is a set of moral guidelines or a tool to preserve power
and privilege. AOS (SS)
POLS
230 Presidency and Congress
Study of the historical development of the current power relationship
between the United States President and Congress; exploration of
possible future direc tions of this relationship. AOS (SS).
Prerequisite: POLS 105 or permission.
POLS
232 Environmental Policy and Politics
Study of the role of American politics and culture in the formation
and implementation of environmental protection, natural resource,
and energy policies. The course will critically evaluate American
government’s effectiveness in protecting the quantity and
quality of natural resources required for sustainable development.
AOS (SS)
POLS 240 Politics of Africa
Study of African politics and development including both external
and internal forces that have helped determine African political
and economic life. AOS (SS)
POLS 245 Politics of Latin America
An introduction to contemporary Latin American politics. The course
examines three areas crucial to a basic understanding of the region:
(1) socioeconomic conditions; (2) the principal actors in the
Latin American political arena, including labor movements, peasants,
women, indigenous groups, the Catholic Church, political parties,
the military, and guerrilla movements; and (3) the resulting political
structures that have characterized Latin American politics in the
form of authoritarian, revolutionary, and demo cratic regimes.
AOS (SS); CR (Latin America)
POLS 250 Government and Politics of China
This course offers a general introduction to the politics of contemporary
China. It will focus on major political events in the People's Republic:
collectivization of land, socialization of industry, hundred Flowers
and AntiRightist Campaigns, Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution,
leadership succession, Democracy Wall, economic reforms and Tiananmen
Incident, among others. We also try to analyze Chinese foreign policy
from the perspective of its domestic politics. Moreover, we will
look at issues that fundamentally affect Chinese society such as
popular participation and elite control in contemporary China. The
basic objectives of the course are to provide a working knowledge
of Chinese politics and to encourage a critical evaluation of China's
politics. AOS (SS); CR (Asia)
POLS 255 Women and Social Movements
This course examines the benefits and disadvantages women have gained
from and within social movements, the persistent myths and inconvenient
realities. We will clarify the terms of art, examine the origins,
characteristics, goals and shortcomings of various movements. As
well, we will review the vigorous and ongoing debates about
and within movements. AOS (SS)
POLS 257 Classical Political Theory: Justice and Political
Community
The study of how the classical thinkers understood the relationship
between politics and morality and the challenges posed to their
views by subsequent political thinkers. The political thinkers examined
in this course will include Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Machiavelli.
AOS (SS)
POLS 260 Modern Political Theory: Liberalism and Its Critics
The study of modern political theorists and their quest to justify
political authority. Specifically, the course examines the development
of an important political theory, liberalism, and a variety of criticisms.
Theorists explored include Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Paine,
Wollstonecraft, Douglass, Mill and Marx. AOS (SS)
POLS 265 Feminism and Political Theory
Examination and critical evaluation of the philosophical and methodological
foundations of various feminist theories. Primary focus will be
on how different feminists understand the relationship between gender
and power.
AOS (SS)
POLS 270 The European Union: Institutions, Actors, Aliens
and Outcomes
This course offers a broad introduction to the European Union and
the politics of European integration. We move from a historical
overview to a description and assessment of several basic political
institutions and conclude with the impact that European integration
has had (and continues to exercise) over matters ranging from agriculture,
food, the environment and crime to citizen ship, migration,
gay rights and women's rights. AOS (SS)
POLS 285 United States Foreign Policy
An introduction to the study of U.S. foreign policy. The first half
of the course provides an introduction to, and a historical overview
of, U.S. foreign policy in the second half of the 20th century.
The second half of the course examines the way in which U.S. foreign
policy is made, looking specifically at the role of the Presidency,
Congress, the bureaucracy, interest groups, mass media, and public
opinion. AOS (SS)
POLS 305 International Law and Organizations
Study of the evolution of governmental and nongovernmental international
organizations; types of composition; functions and problems of international
organizations; and approaches to peace (collective security, preventive
diplomacy, disarmament, trusteeship, etc.) through international
organizations.
AOS (SS)
POLS 310 Women and the Western State
An examination of the state and women's relationship to it from
a feminist per spective. Students will explore classic conceptions
of the state and assess differing strategies and contemporary debates
within the U.S. and western European women's movements concerning
whether and how to engage the state on women's behalf. AOS (SS)
POLS 320 The Crises of Democracy
Study of modern democracy in theoretical and historical perspective;
discussion of contemporary issues such as representation theory,
centralized bureaucracy, race and racism, private power, and movements
for direct participatory democracy. AOS (SS); CR (US)
POLS
325 Race and Politics
This course critically examines three storylines about race in American
politics: the Black/White story of racial exclusion, the multicultural
story of racial inclusion, and the libertarian story of reverse
discrimination. By delving into an empirical analysis of racial
dynamics in American political culture, participa tion, institutions,
and law/policy, the course will uncover myths, ironies, and paradoxes
of race in American politics. AOS (SS)
POLS 330 The Politics of the Holocaust
Study of two fundamental elements: (1) a brief historical overview
of anti Semitism and the social construction of identity whereby
Jews are rendered ``Other'' and (2) a focus on how and by whom the
Jews were annihilated. Students will comprehend the unique fate
of the Jews under National Socialism, the incorporation of racial
eugenics into law, and the capacities of modern states to service
genocide. AOS (SS)
POLS 340 Israeli Politics in the Middle East
A study of politics and government in Israel with attention to Israel's
geopoliti cal and strategic setting in the Middle East and
its relations with the Palestine people. AOS (SS)
POLS 360 Contemporary Political Thought: Critics of Modernity
The study of 20th century political theorists' diverse reactions
to modernity. These theorists focus on the failure of human rationality,
systematic inequality, human rights abuses, gender and race discrimination,
and a whole host of other weaknesses embedded in modernity. We will
examine American and European theorists including Adorno, Arendt,
de Beauvoir, Camus, Foucault, Habermas, Horkheimer, MacKinnon, Nietzsche
and Rawls. AOS (SS)
POLS 370 Civil Liberties and Majority
Power
Study of individual liberties as defined by today's Supreme
Court; develop ment of the Court's point of view in such areas
as freedom of speech, subver sion and disloyalty, religious
freedoms and churchstate separation, and equal protection of
the law; the role of the Supreme Court in the political system of
the United States. AOS (SS); CR (US)
POLS 375 International Political Economy
An overview of the most prominent topics in international political
economy (IPE). This course deals with the issues that arise in a
world system that is increasingly united by a global economy, but
remains fragmented politically. The course examines alternative
IPE paradigms (economic liberalism, economic nationalism, dependency
theory). I then proceeds to explore the issues of inter national
trade, the international monetary system (including the 1980s debt
crisis and the recent East Asian financial crisis), and the role
of multinational corporations. AOS (SS)
POLS 380 Drugs, Democracy, and Human Rights
An overview of three of the most contentious issues in contemporary
U.S. foreign policy. Specifically, the course examines the role
of U.S. policy with regard to the problems of international human
rights, the promotion of democracy, and the international drug trade.
Past and present U.S. policy is discussed, as well as what U.S.
policy ought to be regarding these challenging problems. AOS (SS)
POLS
420 Politics, Parties, and Public Opinion
Analysis of the process of public decision making with reference
to the nature and role of interest groups, political parties, and
their relationships to other forces and factors that form public
opinion. Examines parties as mediating institutions between masses
and elites. AOS (SS) Prerequisite: POLS 105 or permission.
POLS 435 The Political Novel
Examines through reading and discussion of political philosophy
and novels several of the many relationships that exist between
individuals and the state in which they live, ranging from the utopian
condition resulting from individuals and the state interacting in
an optimal manner, to the opposite extreme in which individuals
must survive the repression of a totalitarian political regime.
The course examines a variety of such theoretical relationships,
including topics dealing with utopism, revolution, totalitarianism,
resistance, political obliga tion, and political socialization.
AOS (SS) Prerequisite: Junior standing and one Political Science
course.
POLS 490 Contemporary Behavior, Theory, and Methodology
Analysis of major premises and theoretical frameworks underlying
current political science research. Prerequisite: Senior standing
and permission.
POLS 491 Seminar in Comparative Politics
Selected topics.
POLS 492 Seminar in International Politics
Selected topics.
