Political Science (POLS)

An overview of the major political processes in American life. University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Understanding Human Behavior.

Analyzes political institutions and policies in democratic and authoritarian countries. Combines conceptual understanding with case studies from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Understanding Human Behavior.

This course provides an introduction to the field of international relations, with an emphasis on state and non-state behavior in explaining international cooperation and conflict. University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Understanding Human Behavior.

This course introduces students to the opportunities of the Political Science and International Relations Department and the University and helps them to reflect critically and creatively on the beginning of their college experience through a series of workshops and individual exercises.

A continuation of POLS 1810, this course introduces students to the opportunities of the Political Science and International Relations Department and the University and helps them to reflect critically and creatively on the beginning of their college experience through a series of workshops and individual exercises.

Introduction to the major concepts and theories that lay the foundation for contemporary governments. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: POLS 1200, POLS 1400, or POLS 1600. Students should complete this class in their sophomore year.

Introduction to the major concepts and theories that lay the foundation for contemporary international politics. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: POLS 1200, POLS 1400, or POLS 1600. Students should complete this class in their sophomore year.

This course introduces the assumptions of the scientific approach in the study of politics, the process of concept formation, and research design. Includes data analysis laboratory sessions. Prerequisite: POLS 1200, POLS 1400, or POLS 1600. Students should complete this class in their sophomore year.

A survey of Western political thought from ancient Greece through the Renaissance. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

A survey of Western political thought from the Renaissance through the 19th century. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

A survey of 20th century and 21st century political thought. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

A study of the origin and development of liberal democracy from Hobbes and Locke to contemporary American thinkers and groups. Prerequisite: POLS 2000.

This course takes up the question of race and politics through the lens of critical theory, legal theory, and political philosophies of race and difference. Prerequisite: POLS 2000 or AFAM 1211 or CHST 1116. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

An examination of the Marxist contribution to socio-political thought from Marx to the current era. Prerequisite: POLS 2000.

Political violence is ubiquitous in the modern world. In this class we will probe the causes, consequences, and structural dynamics of violence undertaken for political purposes. We will do so through a series of modules structured around different species of violence: riots and pogroms, protest and state repression, terrorism and fanaticism, ethnic cleansing and genocide, conquest and warfare, revolution and counter-revolution. Our study of political violence will involve engaging scholarship in the social sciences as well as memoirs, films, testimony from victims and perpetrators, as well as legal and philosophical debates around killing, harm, justice, and humanity.

A study of the workings of the U.S. Congress with an emphasis on the legislative process. Course is primarily conducted as a simulation of either the House or Senate. University Core fulfilled: Flags: Engaged Learning.

A study of the powers, process, and problems of the modern United States presidency.

A study of how America's courts really work, focusing on the role of judges, juries, and attorneys.

This is a class on control of information, covering issues such as censorship, the First Amendment, surveillance, and secrecy. We will cover questions about how to balance values such as freedom of speech against other values such as national security, privacy, public decency, and equity.

An examination of the electoral process in the United States covering political participation, campaigns, and institutional arrangements at all levels of government.

Former Congressional Politics students develop expertise in several areas of public policy and learn the techniques of professional lobbyists. Prerequisite: POLS 3210.

Comparative analysis of racial and ethnic groups within the United States political system. A focus on the effect of political institutions on minority groups at federal, state, and local levels. Examines the experience of minority groups to illuminate political process in the U.S. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

An analysis of the current issues and controversies facing several civil rights movements.

Analysis of political institutions and processes in urban areas of the U.S., including policy-making processes, power structures, urban problems, and intergovernmental relations.

A study of the intersection of aging issues with the legal system including advance directives, guardianships, wills and trusts, assisted living arrangements, health care benefits, age discrimination in employment, long term care, and elder abuse. University Core fulfilled: Flag: Engaged Learning.

Political behavior includes the study of how the masses develop their political attitudes and decision behind choosing to be involved in politics. In this class, we additionally contend with the notion that race is a central organizing unit and feature in political life. Therefore, the class focuses on the unique factors that shape the political behavior of African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian Americans, and White Americans. We uncover how unique individual experiences on the basis of race shape political behavior outcomes. POLS 2100 strongly recommended.

Race, gender, class, sexuality, religion and where you are from all uniquely influence the ways in which people engage in politics in the United States. How do we explain the ways intersecting identities impact political preferences?

This is a class on control of information, covering issues such as censorship, the First Amendment, surveillance, and secrecy. We will cover questions about how to balance values such as freedom of speech against other values such as national security, privacy, public decency, and equity.

An analysis of the problems and prospects for political, economic, and social development in Africa south of the Sahara. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

Northeast Asia is one of the most economically dynamic and politically fraught regions in the world. This course introduces students to the political systems of the region focusing on China, Japan, the Koreas, and Taiwan. Prerequisite: POLS 1400. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

This course delves into Japan's modern transformations focusing particularly on the period since World War II to understand the origins and development of Japan's political and economic institutions, the evolving nature of Japanese society, and the domestic and international challenges facing the nation.

Analyzes political institutions and processes in Latin America. Emphasizes current political and economic challenges to democratic consolidation in the region. Prerequisite: POLS 2100.

An overview and analysis of the major patterns and problems in political development and life in the Middle East and North Africa from a cross-national perspective. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections; Flag: Engaged Learning.

This course is an in-depth study of the politics and history of contemporary Israel.

A comparative study of political systems of the United States and Great Britain.

An examination of the political system of the United Kingdom (offered as part of the ILS/UK Parliamentary Fellowship).

An examination of the public policy process of the United Kingdom (offered as part of the ILS/UK Parliamentary Fellowship).

What is the British identity? How do the British people reflect this identity in its television, film and visual arts? How have the developments in Visual Media impacted cultural growth in the UK and abroad? How is British culture perceived when Visual Media is exported overseas? Students taking this course will examine issues of cultural identity as reflected by British film, television, photography and the visual arts. London FIE Study Abroad Program. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

An analysis of the various theoretical approaches to understanding the political economy of developing nations and the empirical consequences of development strategies.

A survey of challenges to security and peace in modern international relations, such as war, the nuclear peril, terrorism, revolution, ecological dangers, economic pressures, and sociodemographic crises. Prerequisite: POLS 1600.

A survey of peace and conflict resolution processes in various international contexts. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections; Flag: Engaged Learning.

An analysis of the political structures and processes of the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other European nations.

Analysis of recent United States foreign policy with a focus on the policy making and implementation process.

This course is designed for students who are preparing for the MUN conference. Model UN is designed to acquaint students with the operations of the United Nations through the study of political positions of member nations. Students will learn the rules of procedure, the art of diplomacy, negotiating skills, and public speaking. This course is repeatable one time for degree credit.

This course critically examines maritime and territorial disputes in East Asia from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Henry Kissinger once said “Diplomacy is the art of restraining power,” but what role does this art play on an international level? How are the interests of large economic states reconciled effectively with those of developing countries? This course covers in some detail the work of diplomatic missions in the execution of foreign policy and their organization to accomplish that work. London FIE Study Abroad Program.

This course is designed to combine students' experiences working in a political internship with academic coursework. Students are responsible for finding their own internships, but help is offered prior to the start of the semester. At the end of the semester, students are expected to complete a final project related to both their internship and coursework. University Core fulfilled: Flag: Engaged Learning.

The academic component of a supervised internship in Washington, D.C. Credit/No Credit only.

A part of The Washington Center academic internship program, this course is a comprehensive reflective examination and evaluation (in portfolio format) of the student's academic and internship experience. Students will also take an additional course on Political Process at the Washington Center as part of the academic internship program.

The academic component of a supervised internship in the British House of Commons (offered as part of the Hansard Fellowship). Credit/No Credit only.

An internship in London while on FIE study abroad. Course offered only on London FIE Study Abroad Program. University Core fulfilled: Flag: Engaged Learning.

An exploration of political themes as presented in movies.

In this one to two unit course, the student will have the opportunity to work closely with a professor on a research project in political science or international relations, either independently or collaboratively. In this capacity, the student will receive training in data collection, how to analyze and interpret the results from data, how to perform appropriate literature reviews, and/or how to edit articles in political science or international relations. The student will also be assessed at various stages of the course using suitable techniques such as weekly meetings, assignments, and a written report. Prerequisites: POLS 2100.

An examination of the ethical dimensions of political action and public policy. The course combines theoretical analyses and case studies. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

An examination of the ethical dimensions of military and political action, with special attention to just war theory and its applicability to today's world. The course combines theoretical analyses and case studies. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. Fulfills INT: Ethics and Justice.

This course explores theoretical and practical challenges to reconciling effective and just social punishment with the virtue of mercy. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

An examination of how rhetoric shapes political life and social goals. This course analyzes how the structure and content of arguments helps to create political narrative and guide political action.

This course introduces advanced techniques in the empirical study of politics. Prerequisite: POLS 2100. Students who intend to employ advanced methods in their senior thesis should plan to take this class their junior year.

Judicial, executive, and legislative power; individual rights.

Freedom of Speech and Equal Protection.

An examination of the processes by which public policy is formulated, implemented, and evaluated. Emphasis will be placed on policy planning and evaluation competencies.

A study of the relationship between selected psychological and social-psychological characteristics of individuals and political behavior.

This course will provide a general survey of Latino/a politics in the United States. Using readings from across disciplines, students will be introduced to the concepts and methods used to study and analyze Latino/a Politics in the United States.

An analysis of the issues and topics resulting from the intersection of gender with the political system.

An examination of public opinion and political participation in terms of their development, trends, measurement, and influencing factors.

An examination of the structure and dynamics of California government and politics. The role of elections, government institutions, economic and social trends will all be examined. Students also participate in the Sacramento Legislative Seminar: a three-day trip to the state capitol where they will have the opportunity to engage with elected officials, staffers, lobbyists, consultants, and journalists through moderated panel discussions.

A study of the structure and dynamics of county, city, and special district governments in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. There will be an emphasis on theoretical and historical perspectives, formal governmental structures, contemporary policies and current elections. Local government will also be placed in a federal and state context. Public opinion analysis will be extensively used.

This course surveys the history, economics, and politics of the Middle East and North Africa through film. It examines salient cultural, economic, and political issues in the region through film. The course examines explanations from various disciplines and compares these with empirical evidence to make informed arguments about contemporary and historical social and political issues in the Middle East and North Africa. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

The first part of this course examines historical slavery and global abolition. The second part of the course concentrates on modern slavery and its eradication. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

This course looks at how politics has shaped the modern global economy and how these global forces are re-shaping the relationship between states, markets, and society. Prerequisite: POLS 1600. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

Focus on some of the major doctrines of international law and the processes of making and implementing law in the contemporary international system.

This course introduces students to human rights issues around the world, with particular attention paid to international actors, such as the United Nations, that seek progress in this arena.

This course will focus on the foreign policy of states, with particular attention to decision making and policy planning models.

This course surveys the history, politics, philosophy, and functions of international organizations.

A study of the sources and uses, limits and possibilities of leadership in the political arena. The course focuses on leadership and followership in political systems across cultures and systems but focuses on the United States.

This course explores the nature of political violence with a central focus on civil war and terrorism. It examines the major theories political scientists have generated to explain the development and outcomes of political violence, including what motivates people to participate, why violent groups adopt particular strategies, and how governments engage and respond. Prerequisite: POLS 1600.

This is a zero-semester-hour course, required for graduation, which includes an assessment of program learning outcomes, a senior exit interview, and possible additional program evaluation. Political Science majors only. Credit/No Credit only.

This seminar examines how ethical principles can be applied to the realities of political action and public life. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. Juniors and seniors only. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

This seminar examines how differing interpretations of Christian theology influenced the development of modern political thought. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. Juniors and seniors only.

A seminar examining the theory and practice of punishment in the form of detention and incarceration, and how these contribute to defining contemporary understandings of individual agency and of the modern democratic state. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. Juniors and seniors only.

A seminar course that will give students an opportunity to study the history and theory of democratic politics. We will study the history and philosophy of democracy, as well as contemporary essays, films, and journalism that seek to understand the meaning of democracy in our own time. Our study of democracy will involve the study of its many institutional forms, the various mechanism by which the will of the "people" (demos) is said to be enacted, and its relationship to modern ideologies like liberalism, conservativism, and socialism. In doing so, we will ask fundamental questions about the function of democracy as a political ideal, its relationship to other ideals such as freedom, equality, and liberality, why participation by the people matters, and how (if at all) democratic institutions can address the many crises facing our societies today. Prerequisite: POLS 2000. Juniors and seniors only.

This course is designed to provide students with a critical introduction to the Politics of Immigration. In order to understand why immigration is such an important process we must first understand how nations are developed. Therefore, we must first grapple with a theoretical understanding of who we are as nation and, more importantly, who we want to be. In this course we will examine how governmental institutions, political actors, and socio-political processes have both shaped and responded to immigration to the United States from the beginning of the Republic, but with an emphasis on the post- 1965 period. From discussions of a melting pot society to taxpayer concerns, this course will help us understand the myths, concerns, and policies that shape our knowledge of immigration, citizenship, and membership in the United States. Juniors and seniors only.

This course focuses on the evolution and current situation of how gender and related issues fare in the legal system, including domestic violence, child custody, reproductive rights, marriage and divorce, domestic partnerships, education, employment, sexual harassment, prostitution, pornography, and gender identity. Juniors and seniors only.

The paper-based seminar examines the law and theory of the First Amendment, especially freedom of expression. Topics include censorship of social media, limits on free expression such as threats, hate speech, obscenity, and misinformation, as well as free speech in educational settings. It is a challenging course in which students will be exposed to controversial ideas and language. Juniors and seniors only.

What does the future hold for East Asia? This course explores this question by looking at a confluence of trends: the rise of China which is reviving tensions, unresolved historical tensions, growing economic interdependence, and the role of the U.S. in the region. Prerequisites: POLS 1400 or POLS 1600; POLS 2100. Juniors and seniors only.

Examines food poverty and domestic food policy, industrial animal farming and the ethics of eating animals, environmental sustainability, vertical farming, and global hunger. Discussion-based course that Includes critical thinking and writing workshops, weekly written assignments, a multi-staged research paper, and a presentation. Prerequisite: POLS 2100. Juniors and seniors only.

This course critically examines important debates and topics in international relations, through theoretical and empirical lenses. In this course, each student will also conduct original research in the field of international relations. Prerequisite: POLS 1600. Juniors and seniors only.

Wars and conflicts, and how they are resolved, have been some of the most important formative events in the past centuries and affect contemporary global politics. Since the end of the Second World War, there has been a marked decline in conflicts between states, while conflicts within states and the prospect of states' collapse into war or anarchy has become a paramount problem in global politics. Ending these types of conflicts has proven particularly difficult, not least because warring societies must find ways to return to living together. This course covers the ways in which these conflicts can be understood and resolved. The main subjects covered include understandings of violence and peace, the role of peacekeepers, processes of negotiation and mediation, peacebuilding practices, post-conflict state- and institution-building, transitional justice, and the ethics of peace. The purpose of this course is to provide students with skills and concepts to analyze conflict resolution, which students will use to complete independent original research projects. Juniors and seniors only.

All students who will have completed 100 hours or more by Spring semester are required to enroll in POLS 5700. This is a zero-semester-hour course, required for graduation, which includes an assessment of program learning outcomes, a senior exit interview, and possible additional program evaluation. International Relations majors only. Credit/No Credit only.

This course is designed to expose students to issues in international affairs in terms of ethics and social justice. Internship in International Social Justice organization required 6-10 hours/week. Prerequisites: POLS 1600 and POLS 2100. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice; Flag: Engaged Learning.

Examines the tension between human rights and national sovereignty and analyzes how international norms are changing the domestic protection of human rights. Explores how human rights are defined and derived, surveys the historical development of human rights law, and studies enforcement mechanisms and international tribunals. Junior and senior Political Science and International Relations majors only. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

This course explores the ethical challenges that arise in peacebuilding in post-conflict societies. It examines major ethical theories in order to help inform our thinking about various peacebuilding dilemmas. These challenges permeate all aspects of peacebuilding, from decision making to implementing policies on the ground. For example, who should be primarily responsible for rebuilding the peace and how should we decide which policies are best? Prerequisite: POLS 1600. Political Science and International Relations majors and minors only. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Ethics and Justice.

This course explores the law of war in the international system. Location: Loyola Law School Campus. Juniors and seniors only.

The course explores LGBTQ rights and representation in the United States and around the world. It examines the role that activists, social movements, elected officials, and voters have in driving change for LGBTQ people. In so doing, it analyzes the impact of the descriptive representation of LGBTQ people on public policy, legislation, and social change. Juniors and seniors only.

A particularly challenging senior seminar for students contemplating graduate work. Also provides preparation for writing a senior thesis. Prerequisites: POLS 2000, POLS 2100. Juniors and seniors only. Permission of instructor required.

This is an opportunity for Honors-Eligible students to complete a substantive research project to qualify for Departmental Honors. Prerequisite: POLS 5800.

The senior thesis provides the opportunity for students to complete a substantive research project to culminate their study of Political Science. Prerequisites: POLS 2100 and permission of department chairperson. The student must also obtain the written approval of the faculty supervisor the semester prior to writing the thesis. Senior standing required.

Examines political ideas and themes in the plays of William Shakespeare. Juniors and seniors only.

Prerequisite: POLS 2000. Juniors and seniors only. University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

Prerequisites: POLS 1200 and POLS 2100. Juniors and seniors only.

Prerequisites: POLS 1400 and POLS 2100. Juniors and seniors only.

Special Studies in International Relations Prerequisites: POLS 1600, POLS 2100. Juniors and seniors only.

This seminar introduces students to theoretical and practical issues concerning humanitarian intervention, including the concept and history of intervention, its political and moral dilemmas, and ways forward. It examines challenges stemming from great power politics, tensions between sovereignty and responsibility, political dimensions of humanitarian aid, the growth of "war economies," and controversies surrounding the meaning, legality, and implementation of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). Prerequisite: POLS 1600. Juniors and seniors only.

Juniors and seniors only.

Juniors and seniors only.