DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Undergraduate Course Offerings

Spring 2007

Course No.

CRN

Course Title

Instructor

Day/Time

1014

14658

US Government and Politics

Pautz

MWF 8:00-8:50

This course will survey the institutions and processes of American Government and politics.While focusing on the American system, the course will provide a general introduction to the study of government.The course will cover the Constitution and the federal system, public opinion and political behavior, parties, interest groups, the role of the media, Congress, the executive branch (presidency and bureaucracy), the courts, and the major elements of American public policy.

1024

14659

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 9:05-9:55

1024

14660

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 11:15-12:05

1024

14661

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 11:15-12:05

1024

14662

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 11:15-12:05

1024

14663

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 9:05-9:55

1024

14664

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 10:10-11:00

1024

14666

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 10:10-11:00

1024

14667

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 10:10-11:00

1024

14668

Comparative Government and Politics

C. Taylor

TR 2:00-2:50 F 9:05-9:55

This course is an introduction to basic issues in comparing political systems throughout the world. You will be able to learn a great deal about what politics is, why we have governments, how governments are run, what influences them to do what they do, and what programs they attempt.Course requirements include assigned readings along with both multiple choice and essay exams.Lectures are given on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and discussion sections meet on Fridays.

2014

14669

Introduction to Political Theory

Vazquez-Arroyo

TR 11:00-12:15

This course will introduce students to the study of major themes and problems in the history of western political theory. The revolts and reforms that gave birth to democracy in the fifth century BCE in Athens, which was then a new political experience, also led to the consequent development of political theory: an activity better understood as a systematic/comprehensive inquiry on the foundation of collective life and the uses of collective power. From the Greeks on, reflection on the experience of political life has taken form in a variety of genres and modes of discourse. Each genre has placed different emphases in light of its own form as well as of the political experience and historical context in which the texts written in it were produced. Accordingly, in this course we will pay particular attention to the genres of political theory and the centrality of form and content in the activity of political theorizing. In doing so, we will consider the traditional themes that have occupied the minds of thinkers working within this tradition of discourse. Among these themes are: justice, responsibility, violence, terror, authority, civil disobedience, democracy, imperialism, and power. Our selection of thinkers seeks to combine canonical figures of the western tradition with writers whose work is not traditionally considered part of the canon of political theory but who have reflected on the aforementioned problems. As we examine traditional political concerns questions of racial and sexual politics will also be addressed.

2024

14670

LECTURE - Research Methods LAB-Research Methods

Brians

MW 11:15-12:05 F 11:15-12:05

Introduction to Political Science Research; topics span the research process from formulating and developing theory to the measurement, gathering, analysis and interpretation of data.Techniques for the use of both qualitative and quantitative data are taught, with students learning data analysis through direct calculation and by using statistical software in the computer lab.

2024

14671

Research Methods

Faulkner

TR 2:00-3:15

*Introduction to research in political science; formulation of theory, operationalization and measurement, gathering, analysis and interpretation of data. Pre: 1014, 1024. (3H,3C) I,II,III,IV.

2024

14672

Research Methods

Faulkner

TR 5:00-6:15

*Introduction to research in political science; formulation of theory, operationalization and measurement, gathering, analysis and interpretation of data. Pre: 1014, 1024. (3H,3C) I,II,III,IV.

2064

14673

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 10:10-11:00

2064

14674

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 11:15-1205

2064

14675

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 10:10-11:00

2064

14676

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 12:20-1:10

2064

14677

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 10:10-11:00

2064

14678

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 11:15-12:05

2064

14679

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 11:15-12:05

2064

14680

Global Economy and World Politics

Weisband

MW 11:15-12:05 F 12:20-1:10

***DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN 2056 (WORLD POLITICS & ECONOMY) AS IT WILL RESULT IN COURSE DUPLICATION *** A systematic introduction to the dynamics economic governance in the international political economy.Topics include: division of labor, efficiency, states, classical and neo-classical liberalism, markets, liberalization, state-market relationships, transnational firms, production, productivity, globalization, economic hegemony, post-colonialism, development, poverty, multilateral organizations (including the WTO and the IMF), network dynamics, coordinating forums (including the G-8), preferential trade associations, and regionalization.Lecture quizzes, recitation participation, and analytical essays will serve as the forms of student evaluation.

2974

14681

Independent Study

Staff

Arranged

3015

14683

Political Theory

Koch

MWF 11:15-12:05

The course will examine the evolution of political thought from Greek antiquity to the early modern period. We will examine concepts of the best constitution, ideal versions of rulership, tyranny, theories of resistance and a number of further political concepts. These concepts and ideas still determine contemporary political language, with regard to their origins and transformations in political practice.

3016

14685

Political Theory

Wittkower

MWF 2:30-3:20

*Analysis of the fundamental ideas in the history of political theory.  Late 17^th century to the present.

3016

14686

Political Theory

Wittkower

MWF 1:25-2:15

*Analysis of the fundamental ideas in the history of political theory.  Late 17^th century to the present.

3016

15948

Political Theory

Koch

MWF 1:25-2:15

This course examines central themes in the tradition of Western political thought from early modern period to the present. The emphasis will be on both the ideas of particular political thinkers as well as on concepts like citizenship, liberty, and democracy. We address these issues by reading and discussing excerpts from the original texts (in English translation).

3256

14688

Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender

Shingles

TR 3:30-4:45

PSCI 3256, "The Politics of Gender" is part of a two semester course sequence, "The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Gender" (PSCI 3255, 3256).  The sequence takes a comparative view of several prominent American "political minorities," groups traditionally under-represented in major American institutions, including government.  PSCI  3255, typically covers several American racial/ethnic minorities: African-, Native- and selective Latino-Americans.  PSCI 3256 addresses the politics of gender in the United States, beginning with all women as a political minority, then turning to unique political issues confronting women and men of color.  PSCI 3256 overviews the history of discrimination against women in the United States, focusing on the impact of women's movements, legal reforms, and the current status of women.  As such, it addresses a broad range of gender related issues.  Particular attention is paid to the politics among women: the political debates as to the extent and cause of their deprivation and how best to address it.  PSCI 3255 is not a perquisite for taking PSCI 3256, although it helps to take them in order. The focus of this course is the politics of gender.  The politics of gender is the competition between men and women for rights, privileges, opportunities, status, authority and power.  It is also about debate and power struggles among women (less so among men) about the meaning of nature of men and women and their relationships and roles in society.  There has not been one women's movement, but many, most of which can be classified as feminist or anti-feminist, where the former seek changes in gender relations and the latter seek to preserve tradition

3264

15962

Interest Groups

Walcott

TR 3:30-4:45

Interest groups are important organizations tools for expressing citizen demands on the U.S. government.Without them, many citizens would have little or no voice in public policy.At the same time, interest groups are commonly criticized for selfish, high-pressure influence tactics, for corrupting the election system through PAC contributions, and for fragmenting U.S. government decision-making in the service of narrow causes.The multiple and controversial roles and consequences of interest groups in the U.S. system will be explored in this course.

3314

16519

Congress

Pearson

TR 5:00-6:15

* Congressional structure, organization and procedure; characteristics of members of Congress; Congressional elections; decision-making and external influences; change and reform.Pre: 1014. (3H3C) I.

3344

14691

Global Environmental Issues

Rich

TR 3:30-4:45

We will examine major global environmental problems such as global warming, atmospheric ozone depletion, acid rain, tropical deforestation, toxic waste, and persistent organic compounds, with an emphasis on their social, economic, political, ethical, and legal origins, implications, and solutions.While we will cover the scientific nature of these problems, special emphasis will be placed on the public policy issues they raise.Each student will write a term paper about how to solve a specific environmental problem.Pre: completion of Area 4 of the University Core.

3354

14692

Con Law Structures and Relationships

Ra

MW 4:00-5:15

***DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN 3345 (CONSTITUTIONAL LAW) AS IT WILL RESULT IN COURSE DUPLICATION*** Powers and authority of President, Congress, and Courts; division of power between states and federal government.Pre: 1014

3354

14693

Con Law Structures and Relationships

Ra

MW 2:30-3:45

**DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN 3345 (CONSTITUTIONAL LAW) AS IT WILL RESULT IN COURSE DUPLICATION** Powers and authority of President, Congress, and Courts; division of power between states and federal government. Pre: 1014

3364

14694

Con Law Civil and Political Rights

Moore

TR 11:00-12:15

***DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN 3346 (CONSTITUTIONAL LAW) AS IT WILL RESULT IN COURSE DUPLICATION*** The subject matter of this course is constitutional rights.Through analysis of Supreme Court decisions and other materials, we will examine the historical development and competing conceptions of a range of rights--such as rights of economic choice, speech, press, religion, due process, equal protection, and privacy.Active participation in class will be required.Other requirements will include 2-3 quizzes, two midterm examinations, and a final examination or paper.The prerequisites are PSCI 1014 and a high level of commitment.

3424

15963

State and Local Government

Hult

TR 9:30-10:45

This course will explore political and policy issues at the state and local levels of government in the United States.  Two fundamental questions weave throughout the class: in a federal system, which activities are most appropriately performed at what levels of government, and what are the current capabilities of sub-national governments for performing these roles?  After briefly tracing the evolution of federalism in the U.S. , the course will pay particular attention to political behavior, governmental institutions, and public policies across the fifty states.In 2006, 36 states had gubernatorial elections, and in 2007 several states (including Virginia and New Jersey ) will hold state legislative elections; we will examine some of the key issues and races.The course also will look at the evolving condition of local-state-national relations, the lingering effects of September 11th, and the impact of mounting national budget deficits and debt and changing population demographics.  Examination of specific policy areas (such as economic development, social welfare, elementary and secondary education) and policy strategies (e.g., government v. private provision of public services) will help illustrate many of the challenges facing state and local governments.  Course requirements will include three exams and two analytical essays.  PSCI 1014 is a prerequisite for this course.

3444

14695

Administrative Law and Policy

Faulkner

TR 11:00-12:15

*DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE IF YOU HAVE TAKEN 3416 (PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION) AS IT WILL RESULT IN COURSE DUPLICATION)* The legal context of the exercise of discretion by public administrators in the United States. Adjudication and rule-making; access to administrative processes and information; legislative and judicial control of administration. Pre: 1014 (3H3C)

3515

14696

European Political Systems

C. Taylor

T 6:00-8:50

Please note that this is a preparatory course for students who will be participating in the London Semester during the summer.It is restricted to students enrolled in the London Semester.To enroll contact Dr. Taylor at clt@vt.edu.

3515

14697

European Political Systems

R. Taylor

MWF 11:15-12:05

*The government and politics of selected European states and of the European Union.3515: normally includes the United Kingdom, France , Italy, Spain and Northern Europe. 3516: normally includes Germany and Hungary.

3516

14698

European Political Systems

C. Taylor

TR 11:00-12:15