FALL 2016 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Transcription

1 FALL 2016 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS CRN POLS The Political World, MW, 10:00-10:50am, KIERST This course is designed to help students make sense of the political events about which they hear, see and read every day. The course should provide students with a basis for more clearly understanding and participating in the world of politics, and for studying it in more depth. (Students who have already taken courses in Political Science may not count this course towards the major). Each section of POLS 110 has different time and location for the lab section. CRNs include days and times of lab component for this course: (F 10-10:50 GSM 128), (F 10-10:50 ASM 1068), (F 11-11:50 GSM 117), (F 1-1:50 GSM 117, (F 2-2:50 MITCH 115). CRN POLS American Politics, TR, 9:30-10:45am, ROCCA This course is designed to introduce students to the institutions of American national government and the processes of American political life. We will be concerned with analyzing how well this political system operates in light of its democratic goals and what it actually accomplishes in terms of policy results. To fulfill these objectives, we will examine the constitutional basis of American government and the institutional structure of the Presidency, Congress, and Supreme Court which was built on that political foundation. Complementing this institutional focus will be an exploration of how U.S. citizens translate their political aspirations into governmental action. What is the role of interest groups and political parties in representing the views of the citizenry? How do elections and shifts in public opinion affect governmental decision-making? Finally, we will look at the policy impacts of this political process, with special attention given to economic performance and recent developments in foreign affairs. CRN POLS American Politics, Online, HESS This online course is an introduction and survey of the institutions and processes of American politics. We will examine the structures, goals, actions and impacts of American governments, as well as look at the basic questions that drive our political processes today. Through readings, online lectures and presentations, exams and individual and group participation, we will explore answers together. Political Science majors will find this course to be a building block to more advanced courses. Non-majors will gain a greater understanding of our various levels and institutions of government and the processes behind them. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to understand the basic principles that drive politics in America. The course starts with the definition of politics, moves through the institutions of government, and finally focuses on those who are affected by and participate in the political process. CRN POLS Comparative Politics, MW, 11:00-11:50am, HTUN This course offers an introduction to the academic field of comparative politics. It covers the historical, core concerns of the field including the development of the modern state, forms of political regime, democratization, nationalism, political parties and electoral systems, racial formation and ethnic conflict, the relationship between the state and the market, and the formation of political identities. Readings and examples are drawn from all regions of the world. Each section of POLS 220 has a different times and location for the Friday class. CRNs below include days and times of lab component for this course: (F 11-11:50 DSH 331), (F 2-2:50 DSH 333), (F 10-10:50 DSH 132). CRN POLS International Politics, TR, 5:00-6:15pm, POWERS Analyzes significant factors in world politics, including nationalism, national interest, ideology, international conflict and collaboration, balance of power, deterrence, international law and international organization. CRN POLS International Politics, TR, 12:30-1:45pm, BUTLER This course is an adventure in world politics. After building a raft of conceptual tools (including key actors, structures, types of interactions, and historical events), we will explore the areas of international security, international political economy, and international law through lecture, discussion, and in-class activities. Students will demonstrate their skills through short essays, online quizzes, and traditional exams. CRN POLS International Politics, R, 7:00-9:30pm, LANUCARA The objective of this course is to provide students with a general understanding of international politics issues and develop students critical thinking. The course will cover key definitions and concepts, central topics and debates,

2 principles, theories, and practical policy issues essential for understanding global politics in the modern age. Students will become familiar with historical, geographical and demographic background of international processes and events. The course will combine lectures and class discussion to help students develop critical thinking and analytical skills for further study of international politics. Specific attention will be dedicated to the relationship with the European Union, which has recently heightened its relevance as a trade partner through the negotiation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and as political partners in some of the most important issues, such as the tensions with Russia and the unrest in the Middle East. CRN POLS Political Ideas, MWF, 11:00-11:50am, GRIGSBY This course provides an introductory survey of the history of political theory. We will explore how major political theories--democracy, liberalism, conservatism, socialism, liberation theory, Green Theory, and fascism have changed and developed over time. As we experience a tumultuous campaign season in which candidates for office debate the meaning of liberal, conservative, socialist, fascist, etc., our readings will focus on primary source documents in the history of political ideas. CRN POLS Introduction to Political Analysis, TR, 9:30-10:45am, HANSEN This course is an introduction to scientific methods of research in political science. Students will learn how to design a research project, develop hypotheses, generate and collect data, test hypotheses through data analysis, and explain results. Students will learn basic statistical skills using SPSS, a statistical software package widely used in business, government, and education. No prior computer or statistical skills are required; but students will find a basic understanding of algebra very helpful. CRN POLS Introduction to Political Analysis, MWF, 9:00-9:50am, HANNIGAN What makes the field of Political Science a science? How do scholars corroborate their theories? How can you strengthen your own arguments using empirical evidence? The goal of this course is to introduce students to the scientific process used by political scientists. The interpretation and analysis of data is also essential for almost any career that a political science major might pursue. Lawyers and lobbyists, politicians, and professors all need to be able to read and understand reports in which numerical summaries of data (i.e. statistics) are used as evidence to support an argument or point of view. These professionals need to ascertain whether these statistics are being used appropriately. In addition, many of these professionals need to do their own statistical analysis. This course introduces students to statistics for social science research and the scientific study of politics. Students will learn why statistics are useful, how to interpret a variety of statistics, how to analyze data to generate their own statistics, and how to tell whether their statistics support their own argument. Students will also learn how to apply the scientific research process to their own research questions by completing a research design project. CRN POLS Introduction to Political Analysis, Online, ADAMS Statistics and data are increasingly important to society, from economic forecasts that shape policy to decisions of whether or not a new drug should be approved by the FDA. This course aims to provide students with the tools to critically evaluate empirical research presented both in academic political science and in the news media. Additionally, students will learn basic statistical analysis techniques. No knowledge of statistics, computers or research methods assumed. CRN POLS Internship, GRIGSBY Have you ever wanted to apply your understanding of political science in practice? Have you ever wished that a "real life" setting could replace the classroom as an arena for learning about politics? Do you want some practical experience in a political science-related workplace as a supplement to your political science coursework? If so, you might find a political science internship to be a useful addition to your fall 2016 schedule. By (a) working at least 160 hours in your internship office and (b) completing Political Science 291/491 through weekly ed assignments, you can earn three credits of political science (and these hours *can* count toward your political science major or minor). Permission of instructor is required. egrigsby@unm.edu for more information. NOTE: Watch this listserv for mailings about the specific internship openings for fall CRN POLS T: The Constitution and How it Got That Way, MW, 4:00-5:15pm, KIERST This course examines the United States Constitution, and tries to shed light on why it was drafted the way it was: what particular understanding of the nature of human nature, human rights and the purpose of government drove its

3 framing, why governmental authority was divided with apparently so little concern for efficiency, what role the new general government was expected to play, why the federal system was adopted, why no Bill of Rights was initially included, and many other questions explaining its remarkable structure and content. We will examine all of this in the cultural and political framework of the time. Readings will include Locke, Rousseau, Madison s Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention, and selections from the Federalist Papers as well as the anti-federalists. All those with an interest in understanding the American Constitution or the role of constitutions in a republic are encouraged to enroll; no prior constitutional law course is required. CRN POLS T: Truth and Tribunals, TR, 2:00-3:15pm, POWERS This course examines political causes and consequences of war crimes tribunals and truth commissions and the politics involved in their creation, design changes and termination. We study the varied designs of these institutions and their implications (or lack thereof) for punishment and restorative justice. It focuses on the role of war crimes tribunals and truth commissions in post-conflict reconstruction and democratic transition. We examine the economic aspects of these institutions. The costs of creating and maintaining such tribunals as well as funding sources (international vs. domestic) often shape their effectiveness. We analyze war crimes tribunals and truth commissions from the perspectives of international organizations, international law and international political economy. CRN POLS T: American Political Theory, MWF, 9:00-9:50am, GRIGSBY This class will explore some of the central themes in the history of American political theory. We will focus on a wide variety of primary readings from selected historical periods, ranging from the Puritan period through the present. We'll see how the practice of "consent of the governed" was in place (for some) in North America decades before it was theorized in familiar European social contract theories; we'll explore changing concepts of "America" and "Americans;" and we'll analyze alternative definitions of equality, citizenship, justice, liberty, and dissent as those ideas were debated through decades of political struggle and experimentation. Our evidence-based analysis of texts will take us on an investigation of sources as diverse as The Mayflower Compact; The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin; Thoreau's Walden; Emma Goldman's Anarchism: What it Really Stands For; Chief Joseph's An Indian's View of Indian Affairs; Barry Goldwater's The Conscience of a Conservative; and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. CRN POLS Law in the Political Community, T, 5:30-8:00pm, GANJEI The purpose of this course is twofold: to introduce students to the principal features of the American legal system as a part of the political system, and perhaps more importantly, to equip the students with a set of analytical tools that they can use to analyze how actors and institutions operate within this system and why they behave in certain ways. With a critical eye, we will explore how the law functions as a tool and an institution of government, the presidency, the judiciary, the bureaucracy, etc. Furthermore, we will examine the role played by the court system in the formation and implementation of public policy. CRN POLS Law in the Political Community, Online, WRIGHT The purpose of this course is twofold: to introduce students to the principal features of the American legal system as a part of the political system, and perhaps more importantly, to equip the students with a set of analytical tools that they can use to analyze how actors and institutions operate within this system and why they behave in certain ways. With a critical eye, we will explore how the law functions as a tool and an institution of government, the presidency, the judiciary, the bureaucracy, etc. Furthermore, we will examine the role played by the court system in the formation and implementation of public policy. CRN POLS Constitutional Law-Powers, TR, 4:00-5:15pm, KIERST This course examines the ways in which the American Constitution allocates power between the various branches of the general government, and the allocation of power between that government and those of the states. This allocation, both as originally framed and as it has evolved over the past 216 years, shed significant light on the nature of American democracy, and the role of the Supreme Court in shaping that democracy. So this course is at once about political theory and practical politics. In fact, like the Constitution, it denies those are different things. The course will emphasize why the Framers allocated power as they did, how the allocation has shifted over time and the influences on the Supreme Court's decision-making in this area. In particular, we will look at how times of crisis influence the allocation and use of constitutional power. Prerequisite: POLS 200.

4 CRN POLS T: Poverty & Inequality, TR, 2:00-3:15pm, NUÑEZ CRN POLS T: European Politics, MWF 1:00-1:50pm, KOIVU CRN POLS T: Power, Markets, & Money, MWF 3:00-3:50pm, KOIVU CRN POLS T: Latin America s Big Three, MWF, 1:00-1:50pm, NIEDZWIECKI This course offers an overview of Argentina s, Brazil s, and Mexico s politics and development. It targets students who seek to understand how societies and governments function in these countries and what major challenges they face. By the end of the semester, students will be able to identify the diverse and historically contingent contexts of Latin America s big three countries in terms of their levels of economic development, the functioning of their democracies, their systems of government, and their human welfare. The class will emphasize five broad topics: (1) economic models such as import-export, import substitution industrialization, and neoliberalism, (2) the emergence of authoritarian regimes and transitions to democracy, (3) problems associated with the consolidation of democracy such as clientelism and drug-related violence, (4) federalism and subnational politics, and (5) poverty, inequality, and social policies. The only prerequisite for taking this course is a general curiosity about Latin American politics. CRN POLS T: The Politics of Making a Difference, TR, 3:30-4:45pm, NUÑEZ CRN POLS American Foreign Policy, R, 7:00-9:30pm, PECENY The purpose of this course is to help you build a theoretical understanding of American foreign policy. After examining how several theoretical perspectives view the United States role in the world, we will look at the institutional structures of the foreign policy process. Then, these theoretical and institutional approaches will be used to analyze a variety of important historical and contemporary issues in security and economic policy. Prerequisite: POLS 240. CRN POLS Population Policy and Politics, TR, 9:30-10:45am, MCFARLANE This course provides an introduction to human population growth and public policy. For the first three weeks, the class focuses upon demographic measures, emphasizing the stark differences between developing and developing countries. The course progresses by examining the relationship between environment and population, the prevalence and effectiveness of birth control methods, demographic measures for developing and developing countries, and the health rationale for family planning. Historically, rapid human population growth is a recent phenomenon. At the beginning of the 20 th century, total world population was less than two billion; in 2011, world population passed the seven billion mark. The largest cohort in world history has now entered its childbearing years, and as a result, world population is expected to exceed 9 billion by mid-century. Nearly all of the increase will occur in the poorest countries of the world, where we can expect to see more political upheaval, environmental degradation, and risks to human health. We also examine the policies and politics surrounding human population growth. We look particularly, but not exclusively at U.S. policies regarding population assistance to other nations. We also consider the policies of other economically developed countries as well as multinational organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, population policies. We discuss the different policy tools that are used to address population growth: family planning programs, improving the status of women, economic development, education, and mandatory fertility control and what we know about the effectiveness of each. We also discuss the role of abortion.

5 CRN POLS Adv T: Government Regulations, TR, 2:00-3:15pm, HANSEN This course will examine the politics and economics of government regulation of our economy and society. While government regulation is essential to modern society, it is also the subject of constant criticism. Regulations affect virtually every aspect of individuals lives: the food we eat, the products we buy, our health and safety, and even individual behaviors. From both theoretical and practical perspectives, we will address the following questions and issues. Why and when do we regulate? What are our regulatory goals? What is and/or should be the role of the government in our society? What governmental institutions have been established to facilitate regulation and how well do they perform their tasks? When and why do we sometimes get deregulation and/or regulatory reforms and what is the impact? From a comparative perspective, do regulations differ across countries in the world and how? And finally, what effect do regulations have beyond our borders in the international context? CRN POLS U.S. Campaigns and Elections, MWF, 11:00-11:50am, KREBS In this course we will study several aspects of electoral politics in the United States. Major topics include the environment of American elections, the role of money, effects of political campaigns, political advertising and messages, and the process of presidential selection. Besides the subject matter, what separates this course from others is your involvement in a local political campaign (more on this below), thus we are able to combine theoretical and practical aspects of electoral politics in what promises to be an exciting semester and fall campaign season.prerequisite: 200 CRN POLS Civil Wars, TR, 2:00-3:15pm, DORFF The historical record is replete with cases in which individuals bound together collectively to challenge the status quo. These challenges are often about territorial jurisdiction, succession, natural resources, or socio-political identities. In this realm of contentious politics, actors often resort to violence and force in order to achieve their goals. These conflicts have been incredibly destructive, accounting for the deaths and displacement of millions. This course is an advanced introduction to the study of civil war and civil conflicts. As such, we will cover a wide range of regional cases throughout the globe including, but not limited to the criminal conflict in Mexico, African civil wars, and failed uprisings in the middle east. The course will enable students to analytically conceptualize civil conflicts as well as debate the ethics of studying such regions. Finally, students will learn to develop original research questions and broaden their understanding of the causes, duration, and consequences of civil conflicts. CRN POLS Internship, GRIGSBY Have you ever wanted to apply your understanding of political science in practice? Have you ever wished that a "real life" setting could replace the classroom as an arena for learning about politics? Do you want some practical experience in a political science-related workplace as a supplement to your political science coursework? If so, you might find a political science internship to be a useful addition to your fall 2016 schedule. By (a) working at least 160 hours in your internship office and (b) completing Political Science 291/491 through weekly ed assignments, you can earn three credits of political science (and these hours *can* count toward your political science major or minor). Permission of instructor is required. egrigsby@unm.edu for more information. NOTE: Watch this listserv for mailings about the specific internship openings for fall CRN POLS SEM: Minority Political Behavior & Elections, M, 2:00-4:30pm, SANCHEZ CRN POLS SEM: Latin American Politics, W, 4:00-6:30pm, NIEDZWIECKI This course addresses the main theoretical debates surrounding the study of Latin American politics and development. We will discuss both historical and contemporary issues, analyzing methodological strategies developed for the study of Latin America and comparative politics more generally. In addition, we will use case studies to build on empirical knowledge that will serve as the basis for evaluating concepts and theories. By engaging in intensive study of relevant literature, this course aims to provide a foundation for fostering original research questions and innovative theoretical approaches that can contribute to Latin American scholarship. To achieve this, seminar discussions will be mostly led by students, who are expected to prepare for and actively participate in each meeting. Discussion leaders will focus on the main theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions (and shortcomings) of the readings. The rest of seminar participants will come prepared to contribute with their own critical comments and engage in the conversation started by discussion leaders.

6 CRN POLS SEM: International Politics, F, 2:30-5:00pm, POWERS CRN POLS SEM: Minority Political Behavior & Elections, M, 2:00-4:30pm, SANCHEZ

7 CRN POLS T: Population Policy & Politics, TR, 9:30-10:45am, MCFARLANE This course provides an introduction to human population growth and public policy. For the first three weeks, the class focuses upon demographic measures, emphasizing the stark differences between developing and developing countries. The course progresses by examining the relationship between environment and population, the prevalence and effectiveness of birth control methods, demographic measures for developing and developing countries, and the health rationale for family planning. Historically, rapid human population growth is a recent phenomenon. At the beginning of the 20 th century, total world population was less than two billion; in 2011, world population passed the seven billion mark. The largest cohort in world history has now entered its childbearing years, and as a result, world population is expected to exceed 9 billion by mid-century. Nearly all of the increase will occur in the poorest countries of the world, where we can expect to see more political upheaval, environmental degradation, and risks to human health. We also examine the policies and politics surrounding human population growth. We look particularly, but not exclusively at U.S. policies regarding population assistance to other nations. We also consider the policies of other economically developed countries as well as multinational organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, population policies. We discuss the different policy tools that are used to address population growth: family planning programs, improving the status of women, economic development, education, and mandatory fertility control and what we know about the effectiveness of each. We also discuss the role of abortion. CRN POLS Pro-Sem in Latin American Politics, W, 4:00-6:30pm, NIEDZWIECKI This course addresses the main theoretical debates surrounding the study of Latin American politics and development. We will discuss both historical and contemporary issues, analyzing methodological strategies developed for the study of Latin America and comparative politics more generally. In addition, we will use case studies to build on empirical knowledge that will serve as the basis for evaluating concepts and theories. By engaging in intensive study of relevant literature, this course aims to provide a foundation for fostering original research questions and innovative theoretical approaches that can contribute to Latin American scholarship. To achieve this, seminar discussions will be mostly led by students, who are expected to prepare for and actively participate in each meeting. Discussion leaders will focus on the main theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions (and shortcomings) of the readings. The rest of seminar participants will come prepared to contribute with their own critical comments and engage in the conversation started by discussion leaders. CRN POLS Pro-Sem in International Relations, F, 2:30-5:00pm, POWERS CRN POLS Pro-Sem in Public Policy, R, 11:30am-2:00pm, MCFARLANE Public policy focuses on the public and its problems. As such, the academic study of public policy is concerned with how issues and problems come to be defined and constructed as well as how they are placed on the public agenda. This class focuses upon both theories of the policy process as well as the practice of policy analysis. While these two themes may appear discordant, both concerns are very much at the core of current developments in public policy subfield of political science. This course emphasizes policy theories that have been developed within political science, but also examines interdisciplinary applications in policy analysis. CRN POLS Introduction to Empirical Research, R, 2:30-5:00pm, STANLEY In the graduate Political Science curriculum at UNM, POLS 580 is taken during the third semester and serves to prepare students to complete their second year conference ready paper. The goal of the course is to step back from the quantitative methods and sub-field content courses you have received so far, and look at a broader range of questions about research design and strategies for drawing causal inferences on political questions. Readings address methodological debates and distinct methodological communities within the discipline, and explore general best practices for various kinds of research programs. The focus is on providing you with tools to identify and implement research designs appropriate to the questions that you are interested in. Assignments are all intended to prepare you for the second year paper by breaking down the research process into manageable stages. Students will

8 also provide one another with critical feedback on writing assignments, thereby improving your own skills and versatility through exposure to different research problems and methods. CRN POLS Statistics for Social Research, T, 3:00-5:30pm, BUTLER (Lab component meets W, 11:00am-12:00pm) The scientific study of politics relies heavily---though not exclusively---on the statistical analysis of data to ascertain whether a theoretical argument is supported by real-world evidence. Is there really a difference in income levels between two groups? Does level of education really affect voting behavior? Important questions could be endlessly debated by just looking at the data. Statistics provide a more decisive arbiter of these questions. This course is an intensive introduction to statistics and the scientific study of politics. Students will learn about the scientific method, data management, descriptive statistics, data presentation, statistical inference, and a variety of methods of testing theoretical arguments against data.