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Political Theory
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.)
3340: Ancient and Medieval Political Thought. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1336 and 1337 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.
3341: Foundations of Modern Politics. Cr. 3 (3-0) Prerequisite: POLS 1336 and 1337 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.
3342: Liberalism and its Critics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Contemporary
arguments for and against liberalism beginning with the 16th century and ending with
19th century formulations.
3343: Democratic Theory Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 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.
3344: International Law and the Law of War. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1336 and POLS 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Introduction to legal principles and procedures of recognized public international
law and laws of war.
3347: Multiculturalism in Theory and Practice. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1336 and 1337 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.
3348: Left, Right, and Center Cr. 3 (3-0). Study of the principles of conservative and progressive political theories
and their historical roots.
3349: Foundations in American Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1337. Introduction of fundamental questions in the
American political experience. Special emphasis on the period from the Founding to
the Civil War.
3394: Selected Topics in Political Theory and Methodology Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
4344: Equality, Justice, and Democracy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 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.
4346: Greek Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: ENGL 1304; POLS 1336 and 1337 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.
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.
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.
4366: Constitutional Design Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 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.
4394: Selected Topics in Political Theory and Methodology Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit when topics vary.