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Political Theory
POLS 2346: The Politics of Greek Theater Cr. 3 (3-0). A study of the influence of Greek comedy and tragedy on the politics
of democratic Athens. (Introductory category.)
POLS 3340: Ancient and Medieval Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
An examination of the political theories and institutions of the ancient world, with
emphasis on works by Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides, Xenophon.
POLS 3341: Foundations of Modern Politics. Cr. 3 (3-0) Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
A survey of major works of political theory from 16th through 19th centuries, including
Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Marx.
POLS 3342: Liberalism and its Critics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Contemporary arguments for and against liberalism beginning with the 16th century
and ending with 19th century formulations.
POLS 3343: Democratic Theory Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
A critical examination of the theoretical foundation for popular control of government,
as well as the empirical conditions and problems associated with such control.
POLS 3344: International Law and the Law of War. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Introduction to legal principles and procedures of recognized public international
law and laws of war.
POLS 3347: Multiculturalism in Theory and Practice. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
An examination of political theories that grapple with how we should treat cultural,
religious, racial, and gender differences in a multicultural and pluralistic world.
POLS 3348: Left, Right, and Center Cr. 3 (3-0). Study of the principles of conservative and progressive political theories
and their historical roots.
POLS 3349: Foundations in American Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305. Introduction of fundamental questions in the
American political experience. Special emphasis on the period from the Founding to
the Civil War.
POLS 3383: Facilitating Political Deliberation Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306. This course teaches students the fundamentals
of deliberation, the civil and constructive discussion of controversial political
issues, and provides hands-on experience facilitating deliberation.
POLS 3384: Morality and Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306. Approaches morality from a psychological
perspective. Analyzes the origins, structure, and purpose of morality, as well as
how our moral values and political views influence each other.
POLS 3387: Politics of the Qur’an Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306. In this course, participants will
be asked to examine the political theory implicit in the Qur’an, and how the text
motivates certain understandings of the nature and aims of the political world.
POLS 3394: Selected Topics in Political Theory and Methodology Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
POLS 4344: Equality, Justice, and Democracy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
An examination of alternative standards of equality, justice, and democracy, with
an emphasis on how economic, political, and social benefits and burdens are distributed
in the context of current controversies such as affirmative action, compensatory education,
and the governance of science.
POLS 4345: Politics and the Death of God Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. This course examines
the nature and consequences of modernity’s secularization.
POLS 4346: Greek Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: ENGL 1302; GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents; and POLS
3310 or 3343, or consent of instructor. A study of Greek political thought of the
fifth and fourth centuries B.C. This course emphasizes analytical writing.
POLS 4347: Religion and Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Explores religion/political interaction from the Enlightenment to present.
Includes secularism, separation of church/state, political liberalism, attempts to
accommodate different religions, and Islamic scholars on the relationship of religion
and politics.
POLS 4348: Contemporary Islamic Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Survey of trends in Islamic political thought including Islamic Modernism,
Political Islam, and contemporary liberal Muslim political thinkers.
POLS 4366: Constitutional Design Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
Basic empirical, normative, and analytical principles of constitutional design are
used to develop a constitution for a fictitious country.
POLS 4394: Selected Topics in Political Theory and Methodology Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.