Spring 2026 Courses
Undergraduate Courses
Please view the Â鶹¹û¶³ Course Catalog for a complete listing of the Political Science department course offerings.
Important note about special topic courses.
The department encourages students to take special topic (ST) courses. All special topic courses are eligible for credit with regard to political science major and minor requirements.
ST: American politics and political theory courses are eligible for Track 1 credit.
ST: Comparative politics and international relations courses count for Track 2 credit.
Special topic courses are not automatically assigned to the corresponding requirement. Advisors request a course substitution by emailing the registrar. If your special topic courses require a transcript adjustment, please contact your advisor.
Introductory Courses for LinC credit - M3, M4, M5
100- Level Courses
POSC 110 A: American Political System
Operation of American political processes and governmental institutions. Political culture of American democracy, political philosophy of the Constitution, relationship between organization of the economy and political power, linkages between mass public and governing elites, and operation of institutions of national government. (M4) (PTK: Scientific Process) (TAGS: Equity and Inclusion) (TAGS: Quantitative Reasoning)
POSC 115 A: Introduction to International Politics
This course is meant to acquaint students with the analytical approaches, concepts, processes, issues, and actors in world politics. The class is anchored in class discussion and exchange of ideas. We will study the continuum of theoretical traditions and analytical approaches used in the study of international relations/world politics/international politics, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and feminism. We will explore the roles of key actors in global politics including governments, international institutions, and a variety of non-state actors. Additionally, we will examine key global issues such as global security, war and peace, human rights, global economics and trade, poverty and development, and environmental issues. The course will draw on historical and contemporary cases to help students draw connections between theories and world events and to be equipped with how to best explain and understand the world (M4) (PTK: Global Connections) (TAGS: Public Speaking)
POSC 120 A: Introduction to Political Thinking
How can we ask better political questions and provide better political answers? This course introduces students to the habits of mind of famous thinkers across the centuries: Plato, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, de Tocqueville, Students for a Democratic Society, and Hannah Arendt. Topics include personal choice, democratic citizenship, justice, and totalitarianism. (M3) (PTK: Humanistic Inquiry) (TAGS: Critical Reading) (TAGS: Equity and Inclusion)
POSC 125 A: Introduction to Comparative Politics
In this course, students will be introduced to analytical tools that can be used to explore how politics operate of the United States. We will begin by addressing fundamental "what" questions about the concept of the state, democracy, and political identity. From there, we will examine "why" and "how" questions through comparative perspectives. Some of the questions we will explore include: Why are some countries democratic and peaceful while others are authoritarian and conflict-prone? How does democracy affect power distribution among political actors? What is the impact of political identities based on race/ethnicity/gender and religion on domestic politics? Upon completing the course, students will better understand the differences between strong and weak states, how politics are organized in democracies and non-democracies, and the political significance of various forms of identities. (M5) (TAGS: Equity and Inclusion) (TAGS: Cultural and Linguistic Competencies)
Advanced Courses
200-Level courses
POSC 220: American Constitutional Law
Role of the Supreme Court and its relationship to legislative and executive branches of the American political system. Attention to judicial decisions of constitutional and historic significance in the development of the American government. Recommended: Political Science 110 or Sociology 216. (Track 1 credit)
POSC 249: Two Koreas: Democracy Authoritarian
Authoritarianism and democracy are fundamentally different, but what distinguishes them? Do democracies perform better than authoritarian political systems? Can democracy and authoritarianism coexist in a hybrid form? This course aims to address these questions by focusing on the two Koreas in East Asia. Despite the armistice between North and South Korea, the two nations remain in a state of war, posing a significant threat to global peace beyond Asia. Throughout the course, we will explore how the division of the two Koreas came about, why democracy emerged in South Korea while dictators retained power in North Korea, and how South Korea, despite being poorer than the North, has outpaced its northern neighbor and now ranks as the world's 10th largest economy. (Track 2 credit)
POSC 260 A: Critical Gender Studies
This advanced-level political theory course introduces students to scholarly texts, activist writings, and historical documents pertinent to feminist theory and masculinity studies. Selected readings also address multiculturalism, race, class, sexuality, religion, and ethnicity. Theories studied will vary by semester. This class exposes students to diverse approaches to the politics of sex and gender. Prerequisite; POSC 120 or permission of the instructor. (Track 1 credit)
300-Level Course
POSC 327: WI: Politics of Developing Nations
This course is meant to acquaint students with the pertinent issues affecting the developing world and the challenges faced by developing nations. In an interconnected world, the challenges of developing nations affect us all. The course will provide an overview of the analytical frameworks used to study the politics of the developing world. We will explore the questions of development and underdevelopment. Why are some countries not developed? We will examine the global context in which the developing world is situated and the power dynamics that shape current political and economic realities of developing nations. Additionally we will discuss how the issues of globalization, gender, violence, governance, poverty, natural resources, and many others unfold in the developing world and how they are perceived by both developing and developed nations. The course will draw on historical and contemporary examples from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East while exploring some countries in depth. The class will be run as a seminar and is anchored in class discussion and exchange of ideas. (WI) (Track 2 credit) (M5) (TAGS: Writing)
IDIS 191A: ST: Beginner's Guide to Middle East
Few North Americans lack some picture in their minds of what Arabs, Muslims, and Jews are like. These stereotypical images create barriers to a realistic understanding of the region and a humane engagement with its people and politics. This course identifies and challenges common stereotypes of Muslims, Arabs, and Jews and asks whether people, particularly in the US, can see the people and politics of the region as they are. The course invites students to develop critical 'reading' skills of media, political, and film images of the Middle East with a particular focus on persistent Islamophobic myths. Prerequisites: None.
MILE 101 G: American Authoritarianism
In this interdisciplinary course, students will delve into the complex world of authoritarianism in the American context, using both social science research and creative fiction as lenses. The course will explore how authoritarianism is conceptualized, measured, and analyzed by scholars, and how it is depicted and critiqued in popular fiction. Students will engage with a variety of academic texts that examine the causes, characteristics, and consequences of authoritarian regimes. Topics will include political behavior, media influence, and psychological factors that predispose individuals to support authoritarian leaders. These academic explorations will be complemented by analyses of fictional works that portray authoritarian societies, providing a rich, narrative perspective on the subject. A unique aspect of the course involves an interactive experience where students will play a video game that places them in the role of a border guard within an authoritarian regime. This immersive activity will offer insights into the everyday functions and moral dilemmas faced by individuals operating under authoritarian rule. Following this, students will select a piece of fiction-such as a novel, short story, film, or television series-that portrays authoritarianism, specifically focusing on depictions of the United States. Through this selection, students will analyze the narrative strategies and thematic elements used to represent authoritarian practices and their effects on society. Throughout the course, students will develop skills in both social science writing and creative expression. They will learn to write rigorous social science papers that incorporate empirical research and theoretical analysis. Additionally, they will explore creative writing in various mediums, enhancing their ability to craft compelling narratives that reflect and critique authoritarian themes. By the end of the course, students will have a nuanced understanding of how authoritarianism is both studied and represented, gaining the ability to critically engage with and contribute to discussions about illiberalism in society.