Fall 2026 Political Science Classes
From current global issues and political concepts to American government and politics around the world, we are excited to offer a variety of classes across the political science discipline during the fall 2026 semester. Explore some of the different themes our classes will cover below.
- POL 3282: Black Political Thought: Concepts of Freedom. The main objective of this class is to enter an intellectual terrain of rich and vibrant debates between African American political thinkers over the meaning of Black freedom. Explore questions about: 1) the geographical reach of their visions of freedom, 2) their strategies for agitating for and achieving freedom, 3) their different understandings of the nature of domination and how this informs their conception of freedom, and 4) their emphasis on political affect in the struggle for freedom.
- Fulfills the Race, Power, and Justice in the United States and Historical Perspectives Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3462: The Politics of Race, Class, and Ethnicity in the United States, South Africa, and Cuba. Is it true that the United States is more racist than ever? Is racism on the rise elsewhere in the world? This course helps students navigate their way through what is often seen as one of the most perplexing and intractable problems in today's world: racial and ethnic conflicts. This course examines the so-called "black-white" conflict in three settings, the U.S., South Africa, and Cuba, to see their similarities and differences, as well as various consequences.
- POL 4771: Race and Politics in America: Making Sense of Racial Attitudes in the United States. Race continues to be one of the defining fault lines in American politics. The existence of racial inequality has enormous consequences for any given individual's social and economic standing. However, it also has an enormous impact on the pattern of attitudes and beliefs which have served as the backdrop for many of society's most pressing political debates and conflicts. This course provides students with an introduction to how political scientists have studied racial attitudes and the larger problem of inter-ethnic conflict in American society.
- Fulfills the Race, Power, and Justice in the United States Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 1001: American Democracy in a Changing World. Explore topics including the ideas underlying the nation's founding and its constitutional foundations; civil rights and civil liberties; the role of the United States in an increasingly globalized world; the structure and function of American political institutions; and the behavior of American citizens in the political process.
- Fulfills the Social Sciences Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 1054: Politics Around the World. This course is an introduction to the study of domestic politics in different countries around the world. Learn about 1) the difference between strong and weak states, 2) the distinctions between democratic and non-democratic forms of government, 3) the various ways democracies are governed, 4) arguments explaining the origin of democracy and the persistence of non-democracy, 5) the significance of different forms of political identity, 6) why some countries are rich while others remain poor, and 7) why some countries tax and spend more than others.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives and Social Sciences Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3235W: Democracy and Citizenship. This course considers the nature of contemporary democracy and the role that members of the political community do, can, and should play. Students investigate two models of citizenship: 1) the state-centered transactional model of citizenship, and 2) the citizen-centered participatory model of citizenship. Think historically about the origins of these two models to understand the ways in which contemporary democratic societies have come to be defined by the state-centered transactional model.
- Fulfills the Civic Life and Ethics and Writing Intensive Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3306: Presidential Leadership and American Democracy. This course's primary objectives are for students to come away with a full, foundational, and detailed comprehension of the current state of the American presidency, along with the histories and philosophies that got us here. Analyze the intricate complexities of American political history, executive institutions, and civic leadership, as well as synthesize their connections with each other and the principles of democracy, citizenship, and representation.
- POL 3409: Introduction to Authoritarian Politics. This course examines dictatorship and authoritarianism by introducing students to the regime type's current literature. Answer questions such as: Are dictatorships qualitatively different from democracies? How do dictators survive in power? In the absence of free and fair elections, how does the transfer of power occur? Go beyond the often simplistic descriptions of dictators, and instead learn that the dictator is only one among many other political elites that make up the regime and to survive, one must traverse the terrain of power politics with the utmost care.
- POL 4465: Democracy and Dictatorship in Southeast Asia. This course examines the "menu of manipulation" through which dictators and democrats claim and retain power, and the conditions under which average citizens mobilize and challenge their governments, despite the risks and in the face of what may seem to be insurmountable odds. Explore these dynamics in Southeast Asia, one of the most culturally and politically diverse regions of the globe. The region is similarly diverse in its political systems, which range from democratic to semi-democratic to fully authoritarian.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 1054: Politics Around the World. This course is an introduction to the study of domestic politics in different countries around the world. Learn about 1) the difference between strong and weak states, 2) the distinctions between democratic and non-democratic forms of government, 3) the various ways democracies are governed, 4) arguments explaining the origin of democracy and the persistence of non-democracy, 5) the significance of different forms of political identity, 6) why some countries are rich while others remain poor, and 7) why some countries tax and spend more than others.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives and Social Sciences Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3409: Introduction to Authoritarian Politics. This course examines dictatorship and authoritarianism by introducing students to the regime type's current literature. Answer questions such as: Are dictatorships qualitatively different from democracies? How do dictators survive in power? In the absence of free and fair elections, how does the transfer of power occur? Go beyond the often simplistic descriptions of dictators, and instead learn that the dictator is only one among many other political elites that make up the regime and to survive, one must traverse the terrain of power politics with the utmost care.
- POL 3451W: Politics and Society in the New Europe. The devastation of Europe through two World Wars put the deadly results of ultra-nationalism on full display. To avoid such destruction again, a group of European technocrats and leaders embarked on a mission of incrementally deepening economic and social partnerships between an ever-expanding number of European countries. These efforts culminated in the birth of the European Union. From its inception, the Union has found obstacles in the forms of a weak institutional structure and authority, deep skepticism of a central European authority, financial crisis, ethnic anxiety, and resurgent nationalism. Yet, the continuation of the Union is seen as the antidote to the rise of anti-democratic and authoritarian tendencies on the continent.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives and Writing Intensive Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3462: The Politics of Race, Class, and Ethnicity in the United States, South Africa, and Cuba. Is it true that the United States is more racist than ever? Is racism on the rise elsewhere in the world? This course helps students navigate their way through what is often seen as one of the most perplexing and intractable problems in today's world: racial and ethnic conflicts. This course examines the so-called "black-white" conflict in three settings, the U.S., South Africa, and Cuba, to see their similarities and differences, as well as various consequences.
- POL 4465: Democracy and Dictatorship in Southeast Asia. This course examines the "menu of manipulation" through which dictators and democrats claim and retain power, and the conditions under which average citizens mobilize and challenge their governments, despite the risks and in the face of what may seem to be insurmountable odds. Explore these dynamics in Southeast Asia, one of the most culturally and politically diverse regions of the globe. The region is similarly diverse in its political systems, which range from democratic to semi-democratic to fully authoritarian.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 4474W: Russian Politics: From Soviet Empire to Post-Soviet State. This course examines major themes and periods in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian politics. Pose questions such as: Why does democratization begin and why does it fail? How is economic reform undermined? What type of state and regime is Russia now? What is Russia's goal in Syria, Iran, or Central Asia? Is Putin rebuilding Russia, or driving it to disaster, and how will this impact the West?
- Fulfills the Writing Intensive Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 3310: Psychology of Polarization: Why Can't We Get Along? This course provides the knowledge and skills we all need to grapple with polarizing divisions and inequalities, engage empathetically with others, and prepare for active, meaningful public lives in a pluralistic society. Questions addressed will include: What is political polarization, and how has it evolved in America? What are its psychological, political, sociological, and economic roots? How does polarization impinge on the quality of American democracy? Does it lead to democratic “backsliding?” Can its adverse effects be ameliorated? This course will equip you to critically examine the existence and reality of polarization in civic life in America.
- POL 3769: Public Opinion and Voting Behavior. Polls are ubiquitous, measuring what Americans think on topics big and small. This course examines the nature, measurement, and consequences of public opinion in the contemporary United States. Students will explore the following questions: How do pollsters measure what the public thinks about government and public affairs? Can we assume that the responses people give to survey questions reflect their true thoughts and feelings about politics? What are the major factors that shape voter decision making in U.S. presidential elections?
- Fulfills the Social Sciences Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 4771: Race and Politics in America: Making Sense of Racial Attitudes in the United States. Race continues to be one of the defining fault lines in American politics. The existence of racial inequality has enormous consequences for any given individual's social and economic standing. However, it also has an enormous impact on the pattern of attitudes and beliefs which have served as the backdrop for many of society's most pressing political debates and conflicts. This course provides students with an introduction to how political scientists have studied racial attitudes and the larger problem of inter-ethnic conflict in American society.
- Fulfills the Race, Power, and Justice in the United States Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 3835: International Relations. Why do countries go to war? Are individuals, organizations, and states driven by their interests or their ideas? What role does power play in international relations and is there any role for justice? Do international laws and transnational advocacy groups matter in a world dominated by powerful states? Whose interests are served by a globalizing world economy? This course provides the conceptual and theoretical means for analyzing these issues, processes, and events in international politics.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives and Social Sciences Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3875: Global Politics of Climate Change. Climate change mitigation requires strong global action, but the global community has been slow to respond. This course will ask why. Consider various international aspects central to the causes and consequences of the climate crisis. This course aims to provide a broad overview of the key concepts, actors, debates, and issues around the global climate crisis.
- Fulfills the Environment Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 3879: Critical Humanitarianism: Policy and Politics. The international community has established a set of humanitarian norms, principles, and institutions designed to alleviate the suffering and improve the welfare of vulnerable populations. Humanitarianism has undergone significant development and transformation with the expansion and institutionalization of humanitarian action now accepted as a normal part of global politics. Students in this course will develop a better understanding of the current themes and debates in the field of humanitarianism.
- POL 4885W: International Conflict and Security. Explore the causes and consequences of interstate war and peace. Examine whether and how the international system, domestic institutions and politics, ideas and culture, ethnic and racial prejudice and inequity, and human psychology shape the path to war. Consider the possibilities, limits, and challenges of more limited uses of force. Explore the strategic and ethical implications of the use of force and especially of innovation in military technologies.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives and Writing Intensive Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 1001: American Democracy in a Changing World. Explore topics including the ideas underlying the nation's founding and its constitutional foundations; civil rights and civil liberties; the role of the United States in an increasingly globalized world; the structure and function of American political institutions; and the behavior of American citizens in the political process.
- Fulfills the Social Sciences Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 3306: Presidential Leadership and American Democracy. This course's primary objectives are for students to come away with a full, foundational, and detailed comprehension of the current state of the American presidency, along with the histories and philosophies that got us here. Analyze the intricate complexities of American political history, executive institutions, and civic leadership, as well as synthesize their connections with each other and the principles of democracy, citizenship, and representation.
- POL 3325: U.S. Campaigns and Elections. Examine presidential, congressional, state, and local campaigns and elections in the United States. Through this course, you will be able to 1) evaluate the rules and structure of the American electoral system, 2) understand and analyze the strategic decisions of candidates, parties, the media, interest groups, and voters, and 3) apply theoretical arguments and empirical evidence to assess the 206 campaign environment, institutional rules, and election outcomes.
- POL 4501W: The Supreme Court and Constitutional Interpretation. This course introduces students to constitutional law, with an emphasis on the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of Articles I, II, and III. Discuss how the nation's Court of last resort has helped shape the powers of and constraints on the three branches of our federal government.
- Fulfills the Civic Life and Ethics and Writing Intensive Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 1201: Political Ideas. This course serves as an introduction to the study of political theory. Starting from such basic concepts as the nature of politics, humans, power, and justice, political theorists explore how these basic starting assumptions organize the norms, practices, and institutions of political social order. In this course, students investigate some of the basic texts in political theory, with the goal of learning how to read texts more analytically and to address fundamental questions.
- Fulfills the Civic Life and Ethics and Historical Perspectives Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3210: Revolution. Revolutions are commonly viewed as the start of something entirely new. When, where, and how did this idea emerge? How has it traveled across history? How does it relate to politics today? This class examines different concepts of revolution in the humanistic social sciences with a focus on contemporary political theory. Begin with legacies of the 1789 revolution in France and the claim that it initiated a period of Enlightenment. Then consider the 1979 revolution in Iran, known in some corners as “the last great revolution.” Assess both claims in conversation with a survey of mass revolutionary movements in the 21st century.
- POL 3225: American Political Thought. This course provides an introduction to several key points and some of the leading concepts and debates in American political thought. Explore the tension between community and liberty in John Winthrop. Examine the use and development of social contract theory. Examine how the American Revolutionaries and Founders deployed ideas drawn from the tradition of civic republicanism to declare the independence and to form new governments. Throughout the course, students explore the theme of American national destiny.
- Fulfills the Civic Life and Ethics Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 3235W: Democracy and Citizenship. This course considers the nature of contemporary democracy and the role that members of the political community do, can, and should play. Students investigate two models of citizenship: 1) the state-centered transactional model of citizenship, and 2) the citizen-centered participatory model of citizenship. Think historically about the origins of these two models to understand the ways in which contemporary democratic societies have come to be defined by the state-centered transactional model.
- Fulfills the Civic Life and Ethics and Writing Intensive Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3251W: Power, Virtue, and Vice: Ancient and Early Modern Political Theory. Key concepts of political life such as democracy, tyranny, authority, and politics derive from ancient sources. This course offers students an opportunity to return to the foundations of this vocabulary by delving into work by such major thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and Machiavelli. Consider questions such as: What is justice? What is the best regime? What is the relationship between human nature and political order? Can politics be virtuous?
- Fulfills Writing Intensive Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 3282: Black Political Thought: Concepts of Freedom. The main objective of this class is to enter an intellectual terrain of rich and vibrant debates between African American political thinkers over the meaning of Black freedom. Explore questions about: 1) the geographical reach of their visions of freedom, 2) their strategies for agitating for and achieving freedom, 3) their different understandings of the nature of domination and how this informs their conception of freedom, and 4) their emphasis on political affect in the struggle for freedom.
- Fulfills the Race, Power, and Justice in the United States and Historical Perspectives Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 4210: After Empire: Decolonization / Postcolonial Thought. What is distinctive about postcolonial political theory? What lessons does it hold for the history of political thought and contemporary political theory? This course investigates these questions by reconsidering the trajectory of 20th century anticolonial thought and, especially, its aftermath since the major period of decolonization. The course begins by studying some important threads of anticolonial thought in the first half of the 20th century. Following this introduction, the course adopts a regional focus to understand the distinct legacies of anticolonial thought and decolonization. In each of these cases, the focus will be on the work of postcolonial theorists. Salient themes of the course will include modernity, nationalism, democracy, religion, freedom, and the role of economics in the postcolonial experiences of the 20th and early-21st centuries.
- POL 4225: Comparative Real Time Political Analysis: Marxist versus Liberal Perspectives. Karl Marx and Frederick Engels had better democratic credentials than Alexis de Tocqueville and John Stuart Mill. Vladimir Lenin, too, had better democratic credentials than Max Weber and Woodrow Wilson. That’s the provocative argument of this course. Performing what it calls “comparative real-time political analysis,” it presents convincing evidence to sustain both claims. When the two sets of protagonists are compared and contrasted in how they read and responded to big political events in motion, in real-time, the Marxists, it contends, proved to be better democrats than the Liberals. Real-time analysis argues that responding to and making decisions about events in motion is the real test of political perspective and theory; on Monday morning, we can all look smart.
- Fulfills the Global Perspectives and Historical Perspectives Liberal Education requirements.
- POL 3085: Quantitative Analysis in Political Science. Learn how to study politics scientifically and how to use quantitative analysis to answer political questions. Students will learn how political scientists develop theories, formulate testable hypotheses, collect and analyze data, and draw inferences about the political world. The course covers both experimental and observational research designs, with hands-on experience using the R statistical programming language.
- Fulfills the Mathematical Thinking Liberal Education requirement.
- POL 3080: Internship in Politics or Government. Acquire first-hand political experience and knowledge while earning academic credit. Students will situate their internship experience in the context of relevant political science research on the subject matter. Develop professional skills and experience while exploring a potential career path.
