Department of Political Science
Simone Chambers, Department Chair
5225 Social Science Plaza B
949-824-4012
http://www.polisci.uci.edu/
The Department of Political Science offers a wide variety of courses at the introductory, lower-division and more specialized upper-division levels. The curriculum is organized into four areas: American Politics, Political Theory, International Relations, and Comparative Politics. In addition to the traditional fields of political science, the department offers an introductory course in Law and in Racial and Ethnic Politics and a variety of upper-division courses where students can explore specialized courses in those areas. The department also offers an Honors Program in Political Science for juniors and seniors, culminating in a senior honors thesis.
The department is composed of a strong and diverse faculty especially interested in analyzing central questions of political science related to such topics as policy-making, political structures, participation, conflict, change and development, transition to democracy, voting theory, power and authority, and interstate relations. The faculty has particular strength in interdisciplinary approaches, in comparative analysis, in democratic theory, in racial and ethnic politics, and in gender and politics.
Program in Law and Graduate Studies (J.D./Ph.D.)
Highly qualified students interested in combining the study of law with graduate research and/or professional qualifications in political science are invited to undertake concurrent degree study under the auspices of UC Irvine’s Program in Law and Graduate Studies (PLGS). Students in this program pursue a coordinated curriculum leading to a J.D. degree from the School of Law in conjunction with a Ph.D. degree in political science. Additional information is available from the PLGS program director’s office, 949-824-4158, or by email to plgs@law.uci.edu. A full description of the program, with links to all relevant application information, can be found at the School of Law Concurrent Degree Programs website.
Faculty
Courses
POL SCI 11A. Introduction to Political Science: Political Analysis. 4 Units.
Presents various modes of understanding politics. Emphasis on basic approaches to political analysis, their uses in constructing theories, and their application to particular national political systems.
(III and VIII ).
POL SCI 11C. Introduction to Political Science: Micropolitics. 4 Units.
Introduction to political behavior of individuals and groups within national systems. Three questions addressed: How do individuals come to understand the political world? How do individuals behave within this world? How do groups and individuals engage in the political process.
(III)
POL SCI 21A. Introduction to American Government. 4 Units.
Introduction to American political processes and institutions. Topics include elections, political participation, parties, interest groups, the Presidency, Congress, the bureaucracy, and the judiciary.
(III)
POL SCI 31A. Introduction to Political Theory. 4 Units.
Types of questions: What is politics? What are the theoretical and philosophical bases for different types of political arrangements? How do these perspectives get translated into reality? Among others, the works of Rousseau, Locke, Mill, and Marx are read.
(III)
POL SCI 32A. Dilemmas of Diversity. 4 Units.
Focuses on racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, multiculturalism, and their impact on our social and political ideals. Traces the sources of ideas about difference, equality, and toleration, and examines tensions that occur when forms of identity conflict with one another.
(VII)
POL SCI 41A. Introduction to International Relations. 4 Units.
Analysis of political relations between and among nations with emphasis on explanations of conflict and cooperation. The role of ideologies and their relation to international problems are also examined.
Same as INTL ST 14.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(III and VIII ).
POL SCI 44B. Global Political Ideologies. 4 Units.
An overview of the major political ideologies shaping the current world order and global conflict. Topics include liberalism, democracy, nationalism, capitalism, communism, socialism, fascism, neoliberalism, clash of civilizations, sectarian violence, populist nationalism, and de-globalization.
Same as INTL ST 12, SOC SCI 12.
Restriction: International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(III and VIII ).
POL SCI 45A. Human Rights and Global Governance. 4 Units.
Historical development of civil, political rights and the rise of human rights in international law. Explores role, and limitations, of the UN, ICJ, and ICC in global governance. Reconceptualizing democracy and political representation in a postnational 21st century.
Same as INTL ST 16, SOC SCI 16.
Restriction: International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Social Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(III and VIII ).
POL SCI 51A. Introduction to Politics Around the World. 4 Units.
Introduces comparative politics. Compares political systems in a variety of countries. Includes elections, parties, parliaments, presidents, protest movements, and other aspects of national politics. Addresses how to make meaningful comparisons across countries.
(III and VIII ).
POL SCI 61A. Introduction to Race and Ethnicity in Political Science. 4 Units.
Examines major theories that attempt to explain the roles of race and ethnicity in U.S. politics.
Same as CHC/LAT 64.
(III and VII ).
POL SCI 71A. Introduction to Law. 4 Units.
An introduction to the study of judicial politics. Questions include: what is law?; what is a court?; who are the judges? Analysis of a wide range of judicial decisions illustrates the political importance of courts in the U.S. and elsewhere.
(III)
POL SCI 120. Public Opinion. 4 Units.
Theories concerning sources of public opinion, processes by which it is altered, organization of citizens’ belief systems, and role of public opinion in government policy. Students analyze survey data as a research project.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 121A. The American Presidency. 4 Units.
Presents a comprehensive survey of the American presidency and considers the question of political power.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 121C. U.S. Elections and Voting Behavior. 4 Units.
Examines how voters evaluate political parties, candidates, and issues in electoral campaigns to reach their decisions. Numerous controversies concerning the degree of issue voting, sophistication of candidate evaluations, and the decline of political parties are discussed.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 121F. Presidents Since World War II. 4 Units.
Reviews the actions and character of presidents from Harry Truman through Bill Clinton. Each week a different president is examined from a variety of perspectives. Students are expected to write a substantial original research paper.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 21A
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 121G. American Public Policy. 4 Units.
Focuses on the development and implementation of public policy in the United States. Lectures cover theoretical models of the policy process as well as significant problems facing contemporary American decision-makers.
Same as PUBHLTH 132, SOC SCI 152C, UPPP 129.
POL SCI 121HW. Writing for the President of the United States. 4 Units.
Imagines how White House staffers can help presidents with clear, focused, and effective writing. Through a variety of formats, students study, hone, and practice writing skills that will prove useful in and out of the White House.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 21A. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
(Ib)
POL SCI 122A. American Metropolitan Politics. 4 Units.
Explores the politics of urban and suburban America, including the policy making process; the exercise of political power; local politics, federalism and the problems of metropolitanism; and major policy problems facing urban areas.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 122B. California Politics. 4 Units.
Examines the structure and function of California government, traces historical development of political power, with constantly changing casts of power-brokers and seekers. Explores California exceptionalism and the roles played by the electorate, legislature, executive, and organized interests in policy making.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 123B. Representation. 4 Units.
Deals with classical theories of representation: issues of racial and political representation in U.S. legislatures and city councils; proportional representation models; and comparative election systems.
Prerequisite: SOC SCI 3A or SOC SCI 10A or SOC SCI 10B
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 124A. The Politics of Protest. 4 Units.
Examines the Civil Rights, Black Power, and women’s movements in relationship to the Asian American movement. Uses social movement theories to illuminate the cases, and the cases to critique and revise the theories.
Same as ASIANAM 144.
(VII)
POL SCI 124B. Latinos in U.S. Politics. 4 Units.
Comparing the political issues facing Latino groups by examining their migration histories, voting behavior, nonelectoral participation, and policy issues. Latino issues are examined on the national, state, and local levels, including formal representation, immigration, affirmative action, and language policy.
Same as CHC/LAT 151.
(VII)
POL SCI 124C. Comparative Minority Politics. 4 Units.
Examines the political experiences of Blacks, Latinos, and Asian Americans in the United States from roughly 1950 to the present. Focuses on how each group has pursued political empowerment via both conventional political channels and social movements.
Same as AFAM 151, CHC/LAT 147, ASIANAM 132.
POL SCI 124E. African American Politics. 4 Units.
Examines politics of African Americans in order to gain a broader perspective of the American political process. Major developments in African American politics (including the civil rights movement, Black presidential bids), continuing problem of racism, responsiveness of key governing institutions.
Same as AFAM 152.
POL SCI 125A. The United States Congress. 4 Units.
Does the Congress do a good job of representing the American citizenry? Is it the most appropriate mechanism for the creation, resolution, and implementation of public policy.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 125CW. Constitutional Convention. 4 Units.
Analyzes the Constitution, its amendments, and periods of Constitutional reform as a foundation for a critical evaluation of the Constitution with an eye both to necessary reforms and to elements of the Constitution that should be maintained.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 21A. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
(Ib)
POL SCI 126C. U.S. Immigration Policy. 4 Units.
Examines selected immigration policy debates since the nineteenth century, rationale and consequences of immigration law since 1965, problems of administration, implementation and enforcement, impact of immigration policy on foreign relations, and contemporary debate regarding the future of U.S. policy.
Same as CHC/LAT 163.
(VII)
POL SCI 126F. Politics of Animal Rights. 4 Units.
Examines animal rights/welfare movement’s efforts to transform moral, practical, and legal standing of nonhuman animals in contemporary U.S. Explores intersection of racism, sexism, and speciesism informed by theories of race and ethnicity, including Asian American Studies.
Same as ASIANAM 168.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Asian American Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 126G. Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll: The Politics of Prohibition. 4 Units.
Why and how does the U.S. government prohibit, regulate, or try to control sex, drugs, and rock and roll? Reveals the motivations and politically strategic decisions that underpin these governmental efforts.
POL SCI 128BW. Political Ideologies: The Way We View Our World. 4 Units.
Politics has become divisive and ideological. But ideologies are poorly understood and have become mere labels for identifying friends and enemies. Course analyzes the nature of ideology, focusing on liberalism, conservatism, fascism, socialism, and contemporary "liberation" ideologies.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
(Ib)
POL SCI 128C. Political Psychology. 4 Units.
Examination of how psychological theory and research may be used to better understand political thought and behavior. Drawing on theories of learning, cognition, and personality, discusses such topics as the formation of political attitudes, and the process of political decision-making.
Same as PSYCH 176A.
Restriction: Majors only. POL SCI 128C may not be taken for credit if taken after POL SCI 137C.
POL SCI 129. Special Topics in American Politics and Society. 4 Units.
Studies in selected areas of American politics and society. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 130A. Game Theory and Politics I. 4 Units.
Introduction to game theory and a survey of its political applications. Examples of topics covered include voting in small committees, legislatures, and mass elections; interest group activities and environmental issues; institutional design, and the evolution of cooperative behavior.
Same as SOCIOL 134, SOC SCI 103A.
Restriction: Social Policy/Public Service Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Sociology Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 130B. Game Theory and Politics II. 4 Units.
More advanced game theory and its political applications, beginning where Game Theory and Politics I ends. Examples of topics covered include revolutions; arms race; spatial models of party competition; political manipulation; political coalitions and their power.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 130A or ECON 116A
Same as SOC SCI 103B.
Restriction: Social Policy/Public Service Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 131C. Modern Political Theory. 4 Units.
Examines major thinkers and intellectual movements in the political thought of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 131F. 20th Century Political Theory. 4 Units.
Examines major thinkers and intellectual movements in the political thought of the 20th century.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 31A
POL SCI 134F. Social and Political Theory. 4 Units.
Focus is on recent major work in social and political theory. An in-depth analysis of a relatively small body of writing. Authors discussed include Jurgen Habermas, Anthony Giddens, and Richard Rorty.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 135B. Just War Revisited. 4 Units.
Examines the evolution of the doctrine of the just war across the history of Western political thought, the importance of changes in the doctrine and whether it applies today; examines international relations case studies to determine today's relevancy.
POL SCI 136BW. Cannibals and Conquistadores: The Philosophy of the Other. 4 Units.
Examines critically the notion of the "other" by looking at the philosophical challenges difference poses in the context of the European discovery of the New World. Seeks to understand the naissance of the concept of human rights and tolerance.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Overlaps with POL SCI 136B.
(Ib)
POL SCI 136E. France and You: Trans-Atlantic Problems and Partnerships - Past, Present, Future. 4 Units.
Co-taught by professors from UC and Sciences Po, French and UCI students are brought together in a virtual classroom. Students engage in joint projects on issues of global import: democratic fragility, race relations, international security, and climate change.
POL SCI 137BW. Types of Political Representation. 4 Units.
Political representation plays an important role in democratic systems, but is elusive once examined closely. Students delve into the concept and relate different views to political life. Half of the course is spent on writing instruction.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Recommended: Upper-Division students. Political Science majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(Ib)
POL SCI 138AW. Moral of the Story: Introduction to Ethics. 4 Units.
Focuses on how we learn about ethics from stories, in the form of fables, bedtime stories, religious stories, soap operas, television, and movies as adults. Students bring in stories that informed their own ethical development.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
(Ib)
POL SCI 138CW. Ethics of Difference. 4 Units.
Examines differences traditionally judged politically salient—race, ethnicity, religion, gender. Personal interviews with an elderly person encourage students to understand the social construction of difference and to reexamine their own attitudes by putting themselves in the place of another.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(Ib)
POL SCI 138DW. The Moral Life During War. 4 Units.
Can people keep their humanity during war? What does the term humanity signify when simply surviving requires faith, courage, and desperation? When facing wartime brutality, must we abrogate morality? What does it mean to compose a moral life during war?.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
Concurrent with POL SCI 238D.
(Ib)
POL SCI 139. Special Topics in Political Theory and Methods. 4 Units.
Studies in selected areas of political theory and methods. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 141B. International Political Economy. 4 Units.
Examination of problems in global political-economic relations through competing conceptual lenses or grand theories: mercantilism, liberalism, and Marxism. Surveys North-North and North-South issues relating power and wealth.
(VIII)
POL SCI 141C. International Political Economy of East Asia. 4 Units.
Integration of theoretical perspectives in international political economy with the study of economic development in East Asia, with special emphasis on regional integration.
(VIII)
POL SCI 141E. US Foreign Policy Toward Asia. 4 Units.
U.S. policy toward the countries of East Asia: bilateral and regional security relationships, U.S. economic relations with the major Asian countries, the development of regional institutions, and human rights.
POL SCI 142B. The International Relations of East Asia. 4 Units.
Surveys various aspects of relations between the nations of East Asia. Topics include the historical development of the region; current political and security relations, including the impact of the American military presence.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 142D. U.S. Foreign Policy I: Globalism and Cold War. 4 Units.
Looks at changing international perspectives, policy responses, and military strategies of presidential administrations from Truman to Reagan. In assessing the motives and objectives of U.S. foreign policy leaders during the “Cold War” era, the concept of “national interest” is examined.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 142G. US Coercive Diplomacy. 4 Units.
Examines the theory of compellence and the U.S. practice of coercive diplomacy - the power to change behavior of other governments. Specific case examples: the Cuban missile crisis, bombing of North Vietnam, the Nicaraguan Contras, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and Libya.
Restriction: Upper-division students only. Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 142J. U.S. Intervention in Latin America. 4 Units.
Explores political, economic, social, and cultural ties that bind Latin America to the United States. Focuses on U.S. intervention and Latin American response from early nineteenth century to present day. Case studies include Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Chile, and Central America.
Same as HISTORY 166, INTL ST 177D, CHC/LAT 150.
POL SCI 143D. East Asian Security. 4 Units.
Provides an overview of issues in East Asian security including U.S.-China relations, economic interdependence, global supply chains, South China Sea, environmental cooperation, COVID-19, and others. Includes Oxford-style debates.
POL SCI 143G. Homeland Security . 4.0 Units.
Examines the 9/11 origins of the concept of homeland security; assess the evolution, structure, and operations of the Department of Homeland Security; critically examines the evolution of threat assessment to the U.S. and the utilization of risk management methodologies.
Same as INTL ST 141B.
POL SCI 144A. Approaches to International Relations. 4 Units.
Reviews theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of international relations using contending perspectives to analyze power and influence, capabilities, interdependence, reciprocity, international regimes, anarchy, cooperation, imperialism, and hegemony.
Restriction: Upper-division students only. Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 146B. Religion and World Politics. 4 Units.
Examines the relationship between religion and world politics historically and today, focusing on connections with peace/war, democracy, human rights, secularism(s), and globalization. Covers major debates, scholarship, concepts, and theories through class exercises, exams, and essays.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 41A or INTL ST 11 or INTL ST 12 or REL STD 5A or REL STD 5B or REL STD 5C
Same as REL STD 115, INTL ST 151B.
POL SCI 147CW. International Humanitarianism. 4 Units.
Examines, analyzes, and evaluates the humanitarian phenomenon, the actors involved in it (including states, international organizations (IOs), and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)), the rise of a body of international humanitarian law, and the problems and debates associated with international humanitarianism today.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Same as INTL ST 147CW.
(Ib)
POL SCI 147D. International Organizations. 4 Units.
Active learning course that examines origins, decision-making processes, activities, and evolution of leading international organizations (e.g. U.N., NATO, EU, AU, WTO, World Bank, IMF). Activities include drafting reforms, applying theory, assessing dysfunctions, and participating in U.N. negotiation simulations.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 147E. Critical Investigations into Humanitarianism in Africa. 4 Units.
Explores the complex phenomenon of aid to Africa (emergency and development aid), and the representational, cultural, historical, and other reasons why some participants and many observers critique it. Students occasionally engage with peers and faculty in African institutions.
Same as SPPS 102.
(VIII)
POL SCI 149. Special Topics in International Relations. 4 Units.
Studies in selected areas of international relations. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 151B. Political Power in Contemporary China. 4 Units.
Analyzes the sources of political power in contemporary China, including historical legitimacy, political institutions, and Chinese Communist Party power. Identifies challenges to the CCP’s rule and rising socio-political issues such as mass protest, censorship, and the environment.
Same as INTL ST 176C.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 151H. Voting and Political Manipulation. 4 Units.
Introduction to social choice and cooperative games. Topics include majority rule, types of voting methods, apportionment and proportional representation, agenda manipulation, coalition formation, voting power, political consequences of electoral laws.
Same as ECON 154, SOC SCI 121T.
Restriction: Business Economics Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Social Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 152JW. Political Economy of Development. 4 Units.
Why are some countries rich and some countries poor? In Political Economy of Development, students assess and evaluate competing hypotheses on what drives social, economic, and political development around the world.
(Ib)
POL SCI 152K. Immigration Politics in Western Europe. 4 Units.
Examines immigration politics in Western Europe, analyzing trends and policy from the postwar period through to today. Topics include citizenship, immigrant integration, asylum, the far-right, and a rotating focus on contemporary issues, e.g., terrorism, Islamophobia.
POL SCI 153E. Human Rights. 4 Units.
Examines the causes and consequences of human rights violations with a focus on Latin America. What are human rights? When and where are they violated? What political mechanisms are available to deal with human rights problems? How effective are they.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 153G. Cuban Society and Revolution. 4 Units.
Explores the causes, development, and legacy of the 1959 Revolution. Themes include economic dependency, democracy, race, gender, culture, and the always volatile relations between Cuba and the United States.
Same as INTL ST 177E, HISTORY 166C, CHC/LAT 157.
POL SCI 154F. Peoples and Cultures of Post-Soviet Eurasia. 4 Units.
Examines the cultures and political conflicts of the more than 130 indigenous ethnic groups in the European and Asian territories of the former U.S.S.R. Emphasis is on the theoretical issues of ethnicity, nationalism, and conflict management.
Same as INTL ST 162B, ANTHRO 164P.
(VIII)
POL SCI 154G. Conflict Resolution in Cross-Cultural Perspective. 4 Units.
Examines theories of conflict management. Analyzes how conflict is mitigated in diverse cultures: at the interpersonal level, between groups, and on the international scale. Students discuss readings, hear from conflict management practitioners, and simulate negotiations.
Same as ANTHRO 136D, SOC SCI 183E, INTL ST 183E.
(VIII)
POL SCI 154J. Jews and Power. 4 Units.
Examines the relationship between the Jewish people and political power over a 3500 year period. How have Jews preserved their communal interests and personal safety? How have they defined the proper relationship of the people to political authority.
Same as HISTORY 130F, REL STD 130F.
POL SCI 154K. Antisemitism. 4 Units.
Covers the key concepts, sources, and dynamics of historical and contemporary antisemitism. Topics covered include the politics of anti-Jewish hatred, conspiracy theories, and the Holocaust.
(III and (VII or VIII) ).
POL SCI 154KW. US Government in Comparative Perspective. 4 Units.
Introduction to the United States in comparative perspective, covering general features of the United States and other countries, such as institutional design and policy choices. Addresses the debates about American exceptionalism and American decline.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(Ib)
POL SCI 155C. Organizations. 4 Units.
How bureaucracies, formal organizations, and voluntary associations work, how/why they grow, and where they are going. History and structure of organizational rationality; dynamics of organized groups; behavior in organizations; limits of bureaucratization and attempts to overcome these limits through decentralization.
Same as SOCIOL 141.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Sociology Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 156A. Political Participation. 4 Units.
The ways in which people in various political systems take part in politics, especially in activities directed toward affecting outcomes. Who is active, what they do, why they do it, and what difference it makes.
POL SCI 156D. Protests, Movements, and Revolutions. 4 Units.
A survey of models of collective action drawn from sociology, economics, psychology, and political science. Focus on areas such as social movements, strikes, crowd psychology, cults, fads, fashions, public opinion, and symbolic and mythical elements in collective culture.
Prerequisite: SOCIOL 1 or POL SCI 11A or ECON 1
Same as SOCIOL 174.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Sociology Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 157B. International Divided Cities. 4 Units.
Investigates urban divisions in international cities where deep-seated nationalistic ethnic differences create pressures for intergroup conflicts, autonomy, or territorial separation, and can incite violence. Urban political polarization as it is manifest in the urban setting.
Same as UPPP 178, SOCIOL 176.
POL SCI 158D. Introduction to Contemporary Middle East Politics. 4 Units.
An overview of basic issues that shape the politics of the Middle East and North Africa. Themes include implication of the colonization era, nation-state formation, inter-Arab relations, nationalism, Arab-Israel conflict, Islamic resurgence, and more.
Same as SOC SCI 188A, INTL ST 165.
POL SCI 159. Special Topics in Comparative Politics. 4 Units.
Studies in selected areas of comparative politics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 171AW. Law and Society. 4 Units.
Law and its various roles in society. The nature and meaning of law; legality and power in the American system; law as a mechanism for social change; the role of law in dispute processing, social control, compliance with judicial decisions.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 71A. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(Ib)
POL SCI 171D. American Constitutional Law. 4 Units.
American constitutional interpretation of cases involving separation of powers, federal-state relations, rights of property, free expression, privacy, criminal due process, political participation, and equality. Includes legal research methods, development of judicial review, legal reasoning, and impact of Supreme Court decisions.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 71A
Overlaps with CRM/LAW C122.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 172A. International Law. 4 Units.
Examination of the origin, changing structure, application of international law, and the role of legal norms in regulating the behavior of states and maintaining international order.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 71A
Same as INTL ST 145A.
(VIII)
POL SCI 174A. Civil Liberties. 4 Units.
Political analysis of selected Supreme Court cases involving claims under the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. Topics include: race, sex, and other forms of discrimination; criminal justice; privacy; freedom of speech and related claims.
Prerequisite: POL SCI 71A
Overlaps with CRM/LAW C122.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 174C. U.S. Supreme Court. 4 Units.
Overview and analysis of the role played by the U.S. Supreme Court in the American political system. Judicial review, appointment of justices, judicial activism and judicial restraint, process of case selection, court deliberation, land decision-making, impact of Supreme Court decisions.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI 174CW. U.S. Supreme Court. 4 Units.
Overview and analysis of the role played by the U.S. Supreme Court in the American political system. Judicial review, appointment of justices, judicial activism and judicial restraint, process of case selection, court deliberation, land decision-making, impact of Supreme Court decisions.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
(Ib)
POL SCI 179. Special Topics in Public Law. 4 Units.
Studies in selected areas of public law. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Political Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment.
POL SCI H180D. Honors Seminar in Political Science. 2-4 Units.
Course for students enrolled in the Honors Program in Political Science.
Prerequisite: Only open to students in the Political Science Honors Program.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
POL SCI H182A. Honors Thesis Workshop. 4 Units.
A weekly seminar/workshop to facilitate the exchange of ideas and research strategies among students and to review their progress in writing the thesis.
Restriction: Open only to students in the Political Science Senior Thesis program.
POL SCI 190. Senior Thesis. 4 Units.
Thesis research with Political Science faculty.
Repeatability: May be taken for credit 3 times.
POL SCI 190W. Senior Thesis. 4 Units.
Thesis research with Political Science faculty.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Repeatability: May be taken for credit 3 times.
(Ib)
POL SCI 197. Field Study. 1-4 Units.
Field study with Political Science faculty.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
POL SCI 198. Directed Group Study. 1-4 Units.
Directed group study with Political Science faculty.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
POL SCI 199. Independent Study. 1-4 Units.
Independent study or research with a Political Science faculty member.
Repeatability: May be repeated for credit unlimited times.
POL SCI 210. Colloquium. 4 Units.
Doctoral training requires more than learning substantive debates and research methods; it also requires students learn professional practices, routines, and expectations. This workshop offers students a mix of professional development, outside speakers, and discussions regarding research with departmental faculty.
Grading Option: Satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 212B. Ethics Workshop. 4 Units.
Students find an important question in ethics, search literature to assess topic's importance, post question to be researched, propose method of analysis and type of data, analyze data, and note how their works contribute to knowledge in the field.
POL SCI 219. Special Topics in Politics and Society. 4 Units.
Current research in politics and society.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 221A. Public Policy. 4 Units.
Explores different approaches to public policy analysis, the diverse conceptions of the goals and objectives that should be served by policy, and the appropriate role of the policy analyst. Policy consequences are traced to indirect and subtle incentives and disincentives.
Same as CRM/LAW C255, UPPP 221.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 222B. Public Opinion. 4 Units.
Introduction to the study of U.S. public opinion. Provides an overview of the theories regarding opinion formation, the methodologies employed, and the role of public opinion in democratic governments.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 223A. Theories of Power and Empowerment. 4 Units.
Studies different ways of thinking about power and its uses. Explores theories of power that inform various notions of empowerment, including resistance, participatory democracy, and workplace empowerment.
Same as MGMTPHD 297R, UPPP 279.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 229. Special Topics in American Politics. 4 Units.
Current research in American Politics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
POL SCI 231A. Political Epistemology. 4 Units.
Focuses on fundamental issues of knowledge in the study of politics, especially interconnections and tensions between politics and knowledge. Counts as the Field Seminar in Political Theory.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 231B. Theories of Textual Interpretation. 4 Units.
Examination of different theories of textual interpretation, including Straussian, hermeneutical, poststructuralist, feminist, postcolonial, and critical race theories. Key questions include: How does one go about the task of interpreting texts? What makes one interpretation better or more insightful than another.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 239. Special Topics in Political Theory. 4 Units.
Current research in political theory. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
POL SCI 241B. Seminar in International Relations Theory. 4 Units.
Overview of the major theories guiding research and scholarship in international relations. Focus on major conceptual approaches (realism, neoliberalism, marxism) and levels of analysis (systemic, state, and subnational), as well as on methodological/epistemological debates engulfing the field.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 241E. Research Design in International Relations. 4 Units.
Surveys research design primarily through substantive readings in international relations. The purpose is to familiarize students with choices/dilemmas relevant to IR-specific research. Students at various stages in the graduate program and with different methodological orientations are welcome.
POL SCI 249. Special Topics in International Relations. 4 Units.
Current research in international relations. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 252. Introduction to Voting Theory. 4 Units.
Introduction to voting models. Substantive topics include majority rule, voting methods and their properties, apportionment and proportional representation, agenda manipulation, coalition formation, voting power, political consequences of electoral laws.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 252G. Theories and Practice of Migration and Citizenship. 4 Units.
Examines theories of migration and citizenship. In examining these themes, the course includes discussion of theory development, multi-method testing, and case study comparison with a focus on Western Europe and other advanced democratic receiving states.
POL SCI 254A. Introduction to Game Theory. 4 Units.
Introduction to non-cooperative games. The prisoner's dilemma, Nash equilibrium, sequential games, subgame perfection. Applications include collective action, agenda-setter models, spatial competition of political parties, models of revolution and arms race.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 259. Special Topics in Comparative Politics. 4 Units.
Current research in comparative politics. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 273A. Advanced Qualitative Methods: Analyzing Qualitative Data. 4 Units.
Introduction to the theory and practice of analyzing qualitative data. Students must have already learned about data collection and research design for qualitative research and must have qualitative data they can analyze.
Same as MGMTPHD 297K, UPPP 213.
Restriction: Graduate students only.
POL SCI 285A. Introduction to Political Psychology I. 4 Units.
Reviews theoretical questions regarding the relationship between the analytical and normative and the polity. Considers relationships between the analytical and normative concerns of psychology and political science, addressing empirical literatures on political socialization, ideology and public opinion, identity and nationality.
POL SCI 290. Dissertation Research. 1-12 Units.
Dissertation research with Political Science faculty.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.
POL SCI 299. Independent Study. 1-12 Units.
Independent research with Political Science faculty.
Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.