Political Science (POLS)
Political science is the systematic study of all aspects of collective decision-making in human society. This includes questions of right and wrong, law, power and justice. Political scientists explore and analyze politics in the United States (American politics and policy), politics in other societies around the world (comparative politics), interactions and processes at the global level (international politics) and questions of political fairness (political theory).
For undergraduates, the study of political science, like other programs for the bachelor of arts degree, is intended to contribute to the acquisition of skills and knowledge that form the foundation of a liberal arts education. The study of political science provides a background for careers in public service, law, journalism, international organizations, political consulting, teaching or business.
Course Areas
| Core Courses (Required for Major) | ||
| POLS 120 | Comparative Politics | 1 |
| POLS 140 | American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 170 | International Politics | 1 |
| POLS 210 | Political Theory | 1 |
| Comparative | ||
| POLS 211 | Politics of the Developing World | 1 |
| POLS 212 | Politics of India/South Asia | 1 |
| POLS 213 | Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 220 | British Political System | 1 |
| POLS 221 | Political Economy of the European Integration | 1 |
| POLS 223 | European Politics | 1 |
| POLS 224 | Government and Politics of the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 225 | Chinese Politics | 1 |
| POLS 226 | East Asian Politics | 1 |
| POLS 228 | Globalization and its critics | 1 |
| American | ||
| POLS 231 | American Public Policy | 1 |
| POLS 233 | The Politics of College | 1 |
| POLS 235 | Media and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 236 | Campaigns and Elections | 1 |
| POLS 238 | Women and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 240 | The American Congress | 1 |
| POLS 241 | Constitutional Law: Civil Rights | 1 |
| POLS 242 | Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | 1 |
| POLS 243 | The American Presidency | 1 |
| POLS 244 | American Judicial Politics | 1 |
| POLS 246 | Race Ethnicity and American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 247 | Religion and Constitutional Law | 1 |
| POLS 248 | Political Psychology | 1 |
| Political Theory | ||
| POLS 252 | The Ethics of Immigration | 1 |
| POLS 253 | American Political Thought | 1 |
| POLS 256 | Topics in Social and Political Ethics | 1 |
| POLS 257 | Ethics and Public Policy | 1 |
| POLS 259 | Philosophy of Race | 1 |
| POLS 260 | Topics in Legal Thought | 1 |
| POLS 263 | Race and Ethnicity in American Legal Thought | 1 |
| POLS 266 | Nationalism | 1 |
| POLS 267 | Philosophy of Revolution | 1 |
| POLS 268 | Democracy: Ideal and Reality | 1 |
| POLS 269 | Feminist Political Theory | 1 |
| International | ||
| POLS 270 | Politics of Sustainable Development: The Past, Present, and Future | 1 |
| POLS 271 | American Foreign Policy | 1 |
| POLS 272 | U.S. National Security Policy | 1 |
| POLS 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| POLS 276 | Foreign Policy Analysis | 1 |
| POLS 277 | International Political Economy | 1 |
| POLS 278 | International Law | 1 |
| POLS 280 | War | 1 |
| POLS 281 | Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| POLS 282 | European Security | 1 |
| POLS 283 | East Asian International Relations | 1 |
| POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| POLS 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| POLS 286 | Nonstate Actors in International Relations | 1 |
| POLS 287 | U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 288 | French Foreign Policy Since 1945 | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| Seminars | ||
| POLS 350 | Seminar in Comparative Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| POLS 353 | Comparative Ethnic Politics | 1 |
| POLS 355 | Close and Contested Elections | 1 |
| POLS 356 | Nationalism, Nature & the Future | 1 |
| POLS 360 | Seminar in Political Theory | 1 |
| POLS 362 | American Constitutional Theory | 1 |
| POLS 364 | Justice and Public Policy | 1 |
| POLS 370 | Seminar in American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 371 | Minority Politics | 1 |
| POLS 372 | Polarization in America | 1 |
| POLS 373 | Public Opinion | 1 |
| POLS 375 | Analyzing Legislatures | 1 |
| POLS 380 | Seminar in International Politics | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process | 1 |
| POLS 382 | U.S.-China Relations | 1 |
| POLS 388 | Gender & International Relations | 1 |
| POLS 389 | Human Rights | 1 |
| POLS 393 | International Environmental Aid | 1 |
| General and Cross-Subfield | ||
| POLS 290 | Topics in Politics | 1 |
| POLS 291 | Environmental Policy and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 292 | Political Economy of Growth | 1 |
| POLS 296 | Quantitative Methods | 1 |
| POLS 297 | Qualitative Methods | 1 |
| POLS 396 | Independent Study | .5-1 |
| POLS 397 | Honor Thesis | 1 |
Major in Political Science
A major in political science consists of a minimum of nine courses. A core of four courses is required to provide a grounding in the traditional subfields of the discipline, and so should be taken at the outset of study in the major. One course in political science methods must be taken before the senior year. Three electives and one 300-level seminar must also be taken. Among the three electives and the one 300-level seminar, students must take courses from at least two subfields.
| POLS 120 | Comparative Politics | 1 |
| POLS 140 | American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 170 | International Politics | 1 |
| POLS 210 | Political Theory | 1 |
| One course in Political Science Methods (to be taken prior to senior year) | ||
| POLS 296 | Quantitative Methods | 1 |
| or POLS 297 | Qualitative Methods | |
| At least three electives | 3 | |
| 1 300-level seminar 1 | 1 | |
- 1
If taken during the senior year or the second semester of the junior year, the 300-level seminar will satisfy the Culminating Experience requirement of the CASCC. Note that POLS 396 Independent Study and POLS 397 Honor Thesis are not seminars and do not fulfill the 300-level seminar requirement for the major.
In putting together their academic program, students intending to major in political science should plan to complete the core courses in each subfield before electing other 200-level courses within the same subfield. A core course may be a prerequisite for some courses. Successful completion of the appropriate core course is also a prerequisite for all seminars. In addition, permission of the seminar instructor may be required at the time of registration.
The political science department encourages study abroad and participation in other approved off-campus programs. Up to two course credits earned off campus may be used to meet the major’s elective requirements. (This limit does not apply to courses offered by Bucknell-administered programs.) Students planning to undertake off-campus or nontraditional study should consult closely with their adviser. Students seeking transfer credit toward the major for an off-campus internship or other nontraditional programs must get departmental approval in advance.
Qualified juniors are invited to pursue honors in political science by writing and defending an honors thesis in their senior year. Interested juniors should consult with their adviser, the department chair or with another member of the department no later than the spring of the junior year. The University Honors Council established the basic requirements and procedures for honors theses. Interested students also may pursue independent study (POLS 396 Independent Study) under a plan worked out with a member of the department and approved by the department chair.
The College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum requires that all students in the College of Arts & Sciences receive instruction in writing, speaking and information literacy in their major discipline. Students majoring in political science receive instruction in these areas through the required core courses, electives and/or a seminar. The College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum also requires students to complete an approved Culminating Experience in the major. Political science majors will meet this requirement by taking at least one 300-level seminar in the senior year or second semester of the junior year.
Subfield coursework is distributed as follows:
American Politics
| POLS 140 | American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 231 | American Public Policy | 1 |
| POLS 233 | The Politics of College | 1 |
| POLS 235 | Media and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 236 | Campaigns and Elections | 1 |
| POLS 238 | Women and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 240 | The American Congress | 1 |
| POLS 241 | Constitutional Law: Civil Rights | 1 |
| POLS 242 | Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | 1 |
| POLS 243 | The American Presidency | 1 |
| POLS 244 | American Judicial Politics | 1 |
| POLS 246 | Race Ethnicity and American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 247 | Religion and Constitutional Law | 1 |
| POLS 248 | Political Psychology | 1 |
| POLS 370 | Seminar in American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 371 | Minority Politics | 1 |
| POLS 372 | Polarization in America | 1 |
| POLS 373 | Public Opinion | 1 |
| POLS 375 | Analyzing Legislatures | 1 |
Comparative Politics
| POLS 120 | Comparative Politics | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Politics of the Developing World | 1 |
| POLS 212 | Politics of India/South Asia | 1 |
| POLS 213 | Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 220 | British Political System | 1 |
| POLS 221 | Political Economy of the European Integration | 1 |
| POLS 223 | European Politics | 1 |
| POLS 224 | Government and Politics of the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 225 | Chinese Politics | 1 |
| POLS 226 | East Asian Politics | 1 |
| POLS 228 | Globalization and its critics | 1 |
| POLS 350 | Seminar in Comparative Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| POLS 353 | Comparative Ethnic Politics | 1 |
| POLS 355 | Close and Contested Elections | 1 |
| POLS 356 | Nationalism, Nature & the Future | 1 |
International Politics
| POLS 170 | International Politics | 1 |
| POLS 270 | Politics of Sustainable Development: The Past, Present, and Future | 1 |
| POLS 271 | American Foreign Policy | 1 |
| POLS 272 | U.S. National Security Policy | 1 |
| POLS 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| POLS 276 | Foreign Policy Analysis | 1 |
| POLS 277 | International Political Economy | 1 |
| POLS 278 | International Law | 1 |
| POLS 279 | Military and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 280 | War | 1 |
| POLS 281 | Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution | 1 |
| POLS 282 | European Security | 1 |
| POLS 283 | East Asian International Relations | 1 |
| POLS 284 | International Relations of Europe | 1 |
| POLS 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| POLS 286 | Nonstate Actors in International Relations | 1 |
| POLS 287 | U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East | 1 |
| POLS 288 | French Foreign Policy Since 1945 | 1 |
| POLS 289 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 1 |
| POLS 380 | Seminar in International Politics | 1 |
| POLS 381 | Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process | 1 |
| POLS 382 | U.S.-China Relations | 1 |
| POLS 388 | Gender & International Relations | 1 |
| POLS 389 | Human Rights | 1 |
Political Theory
| POLS 210 | Political Theory | 1 |
| POLS 252 | The Ethics of Immigration | 1 |
| POLS 253 | American Political Thought | 1 |
| POLS 256 | Topics in Social and Political Ethics | 1 |
| POLS 257 | Ethics and Public Policy | 1 |
| POLS 259 | Philosophy of Race | 1 |
| POLS 260 | Topics in Legal Thought | 1 |
| POLS 263 | Race and Ethnicity in American Legal Thought | 1 |
| POLS 266 | Nationalism | 1 |
| POLS 267 | Philosophy of Revolution | 1 |
| POLS 268 | Democracy: Ideal and Reality | 1 |
| POLS 269 | Feminist Political Theory | 1 |
| POLS 360 | Seminar in Political Theory | 1 |
| POLS 362 | American Constitutional Theory | 1 |
| POLS 364 | Justice and Public Policy | 1 |
General & Cross-subfield
| POLS 290 | Topics in Politics | 1 |
| POLS 291 | Environmental Policy and Politics | 1 |
| POLS 292 | Political Economy of Growth | 1 |
| POLS 296 | Quantitative Methods | 1 |
| POLS 297 | Qualitative Methods | 1 |
| POLS 393 | International Environmental Aid | 1 |
| POLS 396 | Independent Study | .5-1 |
| POLS 397 | Honor Thesis | 1 |
Minors in Political Science
Five minors are available in Political Science.
Open-topic courses (POLS 290 Topics in Politics) may be counted toward a minor where the topics are appropriate. Off-campus and nontraditional courses in Political Science may be used as one of the non-specified courses in a minor. Credits earned in Political Science by AP or CLEP examination do not count toward a minor.
American Politics Minor
Five courses in political science including:
| POLS 140 | American Politics | 1 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 2 | |
| American Public Policy | ||
| Media and Politics | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Women and Politics | ||
| The American Congress | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| American Judicial Politics | ||
| Race Ethnicity and American Politics | ||
| Religion and Constitutional Law | ||
| Political Psychology | ||
| Seminar in American Politics | ||
| Minority Politics | ||
| Public Opinion | ||
| Analyzing Legislatures | ||
Comparative Politics Minor
Five courses in political science including:
| POLS 120 | Comparative Politics | 1 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 2 | |
| Politics of the Developing World | ||
| Politics of India/South Asia | ||
| Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| British Political System | ||
| Political Economy of the European Integration | ||
| European Politics | ||
| Government and Politics of the Middle East | ||
| Chinese Politics | ||
| East Asian Politics | ||
| Seminar in Comparative Politics | ||
| Politics of Economic Development | ||
| Comparative Ethnic Politics | ||
| Close and Contested Elections | ||
| Nationalism, Nature & the Future | ||
International Politics Minor
Five courses in political science including:
| POLS 170 | International Politics | 1 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 2 | |
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| U.S. National Security Policy | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| Foreign Policy Analysis | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| International Law | ||
| War | ||
| Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution | ||
| European Security | ||
| East Asian International Relations | ||
| International Relations of Europe | ||
| The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | ||
| Nonstate Actors in International Relations | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East | ||
| French Foreign Policy Since 1945 | ||
| The Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| Seminar in International Politics | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process | ||
| U.S.-China Relations | ||
| Gender & International Relations | ||
| Human Rights | ||
Political Theory Minor
Five courses in political science, including:
| POLS 210 | Political Theory | 1 |
| Select at least two of the following: | 2 | |
| Topics in Social and Political Ethics | ||
| Ethics and Public Policy | ||
| Topics in Legal Thought | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in American Legal Thought | ||
| Nationalism | ||
| Democracy: Ideal and Reality | ||
| Seminar in Political Theory | ||
| American Constitutional Theory | ||
| Justice and Public Policy | ||
General Political Science Minor
Five courses in Political Science, including one course from each of the four subfields/minors listed above.
- DLO 1: Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental political processes, institutions, behavior and ideas; and familiarity with major theories, methods and concepts in political science and its four major sub-fields.
- DLO 2: Demonstrate proficiency in thinking systematically about political interactions in national, global and international contexts.
- DLO 3: Demonstrate proficiency in thinking systematically about the ethical dimensions of politics.
- DLO 4: Write effectively, engage in intellectually grounded oral debate and form and express cogent arguments.
- DLO 5: Synthesize, analyze, and critically evaluate major arguments in the discipline, assess original and secondary sources of argumentation and evidence, and apply scholarly findings to new situations.
- DLO 6: Demonstrate continuing engagement in public affairs on local, national and/or international levels.
- DLO 7: Gain intellectual skills for graduate work and employment.
Courses
POLS 120. Comparative Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Politics and policy outside the United States; concepts for the comparison of political systems. Democracy, Third World politics, revolution, political stability and change, international effects on political processes. Not open to students who have taken POLS 205.
POLS 140. American Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
A critical examination of the principles, structures, and processes that shape American politics. An emphasis on political behavior and institutions with applications to contemporary political issues.
POLS 170. International Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to major dynamics of international politics; the international system, decision making, perceptions, cooperation, conflict, and policy instruments, such as diplomacy and war. Analysis is linked to specific international events and issues.
POLS 1NT. Political Science Non-traditional Study. .5-2 Credits.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:Varies
Non-traditional study in Political Science. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
POLS 210. Political Theory. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Examination of the moral dimensions of politics. Authors include Plato, Aristotle, Milton, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Marx. Major concepts include justice, freedom, rights, and authority.
POLS 211. Politics of the Developing World. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the politics of low and middle-income countries in the Global South and their interactions with the rest of the world. It draws principally on the experiences of countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa as it explores such critical topics as democracy, poverty, inequality, social movements, conflict.
POLS 212. Politics of India/South Asia. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course provides an introduction to the major contemporary political issues and trends in the region of India/South Asia. Themes will include colonialism, nationalism, economic growth and development, democracy vs. authoritarianism, religious fundamentalism, and ethnic conflict. Crosslisted as IREL 212.
POLS 213. Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course addresses people's gendered political, social, and economic circumstances in global perspective, with a focus on women as a group. Topics may include: theories of gender, politics, and power; intersectionality; the public / private divide; gendered political interests; gender and political candidacy; gender and leadership; etc.
POLS 219. Latin American Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The dynamics of politics in Latin American social, economic, and cultural context, with use of general comparative concepts of politics.
POLS 220. British Political System. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
Structure and functioning of Britain's political institutions, and the social and constitutional contexts in which they operate. For Bucknell in London.
POLS 221. Political Economy of the European Integration. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to core issues and theories related to the economic and political processes of European integration. Offered through Bucknell in London. Crosslisted as ECON 226.
POLS 223. European Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
Comparative analysis of institutions and policy-making in European political systems, including the European Union.
POLS 224. Government and Politics of the Middle East. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course provides students with an understanding of the domestic political systems of the region. More specifically, the course tries to explain the lack of democracies in the region. We examine such topics as state formation, persistence of authoritarianism, economic development, culture, Islamic challenge, and prospects for democratization.
POLS 225. Chinese Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines China's rich political history, its dynamic economic and social changes, its lasting political culture, its enduring struggle for modernization, and its evolving relations with the rest of the world. Crosslisted as EAST 269 and IREL 225.
POLS 226. East Asian Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course surveys political history, political institutions, economy, and society of major countries in East Asia, with focus on the continuity and changes in politics and policies of China, Japan, and Korea. Crosslisted as EAST 226 and IREL 226.
POLS 228. Globalization and its critics. 1 Credit.
Lecture hours:3
This course will focus on socio-economic changes and challenges that the developing world faces in today's globalized world. This course is designed to provide an in-depth inter-disciplinary perspective on globalization and its impact.
POLS 231. American Public Policy. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Course introduces students to theories of the policy-making process in America, and also provides an overview of the major policy areas in American politics.
POLS 233. The Politics of College. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A survey of higher education policy and campus politics in the United States. Ideas to be discussed include: national- and state-level education policy, college affordability and debt, student learning and the purposes of college education, new and non-traditional models of education, and controversies surrounding the political environment on college campuses.
POLS 235. Media and Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the role of the news media in American politics. Ideas to be discussed include: the relationship between elected officials and the media, campaign advertising and media coverage of elections, and the role of the media in shaping public opinion and public policy.
POLS 236. Campaigns and Elections. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
This course explains and evaluates the impact of elections on American politics. It is focused on three central objectives: improving students’ understanding of the American electoral process; familiarizing students with the current electoral cycle; and improving students’ ability to analyze the role of elections in American politics.
POLS 238. Women and Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
An analysis of women and politics generally with specific focus on feminism and its relationship to political discourse and political action. Crosslisted as WMST 238.
POLS 240. The American Congress. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Examination and evaluation of representative government in America. Detailed investigation of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Prerequisite: POLS 140 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 241. Constitutional Law: Civil Rights. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An introduction to civil rights under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, focusing on discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, class, and alien status.
POLS 242. Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Examination of civil liberties policy in the U.S. through a study of U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
POLS 243. The American Presidency. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Origins and development of the presidency and an analysis of the sources and nature of executive power in American national government.
POLS 244. American Judicial Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Survey of the process and substance of policymaking in the Federal court system, with an emphasis on Supreme Court decision making and on the policy impact of court decisions.
POLS 246. Race Ethnicity and American Politics. 1 Credit.
Lecture hours:3
Looks at the connections between race, ethnicity and power through various forms of political behavior including electoral, policymaking, and citizen participation. Explores mutually constitutive relationship between politics and race.
POLS 247. Religion and Constitutional Law. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the developing relationship between religion and American constitutional law, focusing on historic documents and Supreme Court decisions relating to the First Amendment. Crosslisted as RELI 280.
POLS 248. Political Psychology. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Analysis of the ways in which citizens form, update, and act on political preferences. Topics include: political socialization, evolutionary psychology, voting, civic participation, and social movements.
POLS 252. The Ethics of Immigration. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An examination of opposing positions within the primary ethical debates over immigration, including the right to immigrate, a state's right to exclude, the definition of and responsibility for refugees, amnesty and sanctuary for undocumented immigrants, the right to postcolonial immigration, preferences for skilled immigrants, and the brain drain.
POLS 253. American Political Thought. 1 Credit.
Lecture hours:3
An exploration of American political thought from the colonial era to present. Readings will be drawn from the dominant political ideas of elites and popular political thought from below. Students will engage with canonical texts, as well as equally important, but historically marginalized and excluded voices of American political life.
POLS 256. Topics in Social and Political Ethics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Study of the types of arguments and analysis used in social and political ethics, in part through an examination of social issues.
POLS 257. Ethics and Public Policy. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An examination of competing ethical arguments regarding contentious issues in public policy, such as same-sex marriage, abortion, immigration, racial reparations, capital punishment and war.
POLS 259. Philosophy of Race. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Critical examination of the nature and meaning of "race" in terms of conceptual analysis, experience, social constructionism, feminism, class, ethnicity, politics, colonialism, violence, and redress. Crosslisted as CBST 229 and POLS 229.
POLS 260. Topics in Legal Thought. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
Subjects will vary, e.g., morality and the legal process; religion and law; contemporary jurisprudence.
POLS 263. Race and Ethnicity in American Legal Thought. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An examination of legal theories on race and ethnicity, including race-based citizenship, affirmative action, school desegregation, busing, voting rights, racial gerrymandering, tribal sovereignty, and immigration.
POLS 266. Nationalism. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Examination of the theory and practice of nationalist movements in Europe, the United States, India and the Middle East.
POLS 267. Philosophy of Revolution. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
An exploration and analysis of the concept of revolution in political philosophy from modernity to the present day, examining ways that political philosophers have sought to make revolution unnecessary as well as how and why they have emphasized its necessity. Crosslisted as PHIL 276.
POLS 268. Democracy: Ideal and Reality. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the ideal of democracy as rule of the people, the constraints facing this ideal in modern mass societies, and the prospects of realizing this ideal through radical institutional and social transformation.
POLS 269. Feminist Political Theory. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An examination of how various feminist ideas, commitments and critiques alter how we understand fundamental concepts and problems in political theory, such as the nature of justice, the function of political community, the foundation of rights, the definition of freedom and who is deserving of political rule.
POLS 270. Politics of Sustainable Development: The Past, Present, and Future. 1 Credit.
Offered Summer Session Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will cover the politics of sustainable development. Topics include understanding and defining sustainable development, global inequality, history of growth and development, health and education, colonialism, urbanization, resource depletion, climate change, and protecting biodiversity.
POLS 271. American Foreign Policy. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Analysis of American foreign policy institutions and decision-making processes; examination of the history and of current issues and problems of U.S. foreign policy.
POLS 272. U.S. National Security Policy. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The evolution of U.S. national security policy since World War II. Topics include defense in the nuclear area, strategic doctrine, arms control, WMDs budgeting, policy making.
POLS 274. Human Rights in International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course helps students understand what human rights are, why they are violated, and what the state system can do to help stop them from being violated. Students will also explore other debates within the field, like issues with universality and the hierarchy of rights.
POLS 275. Global Governance. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the rationales, processes, and institutions of multilateral governance in a globalized world. We examine the U.N. nongovernmental organizations, conflict resolution, economic development, environment, human rights, and international law. Not open to first-year students. Crosslisted as IREL 275.
POLS 276. Foreign Policy Analysis. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course is designed to introduce students to the theories that have been developed to explain foreign policy processes and foreign policy behavior. The course will also examine and discuss the foreign policies of specific international actors. Crosslisted as IREL 276.
POLS 277. International Political Economy. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the politics of international economic relations including trade, finance, and development. Crosslisted as IREL 277.
POLS 278. International Law. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The nature, historical development, and sources of international law; substantive and procedural international law and its role in international relations. Crosslisted as IREL 255.
POLS 279. Military and Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A common assumption of any state is that the military is subordinate to civilian control; however, many individuals cannot explain why that is the case. This class helps students better understand the theoretical reasons why it is considered "good" for militaries to be subordinate and what happens when subordination fails.
POLS 280. War. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course focuses on the causes of wars. Theories from many disciplines are examined in relation to interstate wars. Applying these theories to different wars, through the use of case studies, will comprise a large part of the course.
POLS 281. Peace Studies: Conflict Resolution. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Topics examined include pacifism, conflict resolution techniques and approaches, and finally actual case studies to illustrate peacemaking in two contexts: interstate wars and internal or civil strife. Crosslisted as IREL 231.
POLS 282. European Security. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
European security issues, including NATO enlargement, the military campaigns in the Balkans, the Iraq War, terrorism, and ballistic missile defense. Crosslisted as IREL 282.
POLS 283. East Asian International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course offers an overview of international relations in East Asia, with focus on political, economic, and social interactions among major states in the region. Crosslisted as EAST 248 and IREL 283.
POLS 284. International Relations of Europe. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the foreign policies of European countries, individually and collectively through the European Union, toward each other, regional and global intergovernmental organizations and other regions/countries. Crosslisted as IREL 218.
POLS 285. The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course will examine the emergence of the New Left, the production of regional spaces, the impact of the BRICS and South-South cooperation in Latin America. Crosslisted as IREL 285.
POLS 286. Nonstate Actors in International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the role nonstate actors (such as nongovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, violent nonstate actors, and individuals) can and do play in various substantive areas of international relations. Crosslisted as IREL 286.
POLS 287. U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East. The focus is on the economic, security, and political interests of the United States in the region. Major topics include: Cold War, Arab-Israeli conflict, energy security, Islamic threat, war on terror, and promotion of democracy.
POLS 288. French Foreign Policy Since 1945. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Analysis of French foreign policy, institutions, and decision-making processes in the Fourth and Fifth Republics. Current issues and problems of French foreign policy. Offered through Bucknell en France.
POLS 289. The Arab-Israeli Conflict. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the roots and transformation of the conflict, role of outside actors, and how it can be resolved.
POLS 290. Topics in Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Attention will focus on specific thinkers, problems, concepts, or issues of recurring and continuing significance in political analysis. Topics will vary.
POLS 291. Environmental Policy and Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
An introduction to understanding the role of political institutions, stakeholders, and policy processes (in the U.S. and internationally) in addressing environmental problems. Crosslisted as ENST 245.
POLS 292. Political Economy of Growth. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
We will study how institutions affect the immediate determinants of economic growth. Topics include population growth, microfinance, democracy, geography, international trade, culture, and foreign aid.
POLS 296. Quantitative Methods. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to the tools used in basic quantitative political methodology. Students will learn to understand and apply a variety of statistical methods and research design that are essential for political science and public policy research.
POLS 297. Qualitative Methods. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to various qualitative methods of inquiry and research design in Political Science, such as focus groups, case studies, interview techniques, interpretive approaches, and critical argumentation.
POLS 2NT. POLS Non-traditional Study. 1-2 Credits.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Non-traditional study in Political Science. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
POLS 350. Seminar in Comparative Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics. Prerequisite: POLS 120 or POLS 205 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 352. Politics of Economic Development. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course critically engages the tools, concepts, and theories that are used to examine the politics of economic development in poorer countries. Prerequisite: POLS 120 or POLS 205 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 353. Comparative Ethnic Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines core topics and theories concerning the relationship between ethnic identity and politics using a comparative lens on cases outside of the United States. Prerequisite: POLS 120 or POLS 205.
POLS 355. Close and Contested Elections. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Course material includes the study of electoral rules worldwide, including social and political consequences of these rules. It examines the role of elections in both democratic and non-democratic systems, and then turns to a series of case studies of contemporary close and contested elections in varying contexts.
POLS 356. Nationalism, Nature & the Future. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the geographies and politics of nationalism, the ways in which nature is nationalized, the construction of nature in environmental contestations and reactions to nationalism, and the intersection of nationalism with other social constructions. Prerequisite: POLS 120 or POLS 205.
POLS 357. Petroleum Putinism & Plutonium. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course explores the role of nationalism, alongside ideas about energy and nature, in the Russian state’s current & historical colonial relationships with neighboring countries, Central Asia and Indigenous communities of Siberia. Topics include Russian imperial/Soviet state extractivist economics, Russian/regional pipeline and petro politics, social resistance and climate change futures. Crosslisted as ENST 357 and RUSS 357.
POLS 360. Seminar in Political Theory. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics. Prerequisite: POLS 210 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 362. American Constitutional Theory. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A careful analysis of theories of American constitutional democracy, focusing on the role and legitimacy of judicial review within the democratic political system. Prerequisite: POLS 210 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 364. Justice and Public Policy. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An examination of competing theories of justice and the application of these theories to various issues in public policy, such as taxation, welfare, health care, education, immigration, and foreign aid. Prerequisite: POLS 210 or permission of instructor.
POLS 370. Seminar in American Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Selected topics. Prerequisite: POLS 140 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 371. Minority Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how minority groups operate within the U.S. political system.
POLS 372. Polarization in America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Examination of empirical research on the role of parties and the causes and consequences of political polarization in American politics. Prerequisite: POLS 140 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 373. Public Opinion. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Theoretical and quantitative approaches to the study of public attitudes in the United States. Prerequisite: POLS 140 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 375. Analyzing Legislatures. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An in-depth examination of American legislative politics through empirical social-science research methods. Prerequisite: POLS 140.
POLS 380. Seminar in International Politics. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics. Prerequisite: POLS 170 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 381. Arab-Israeli Conflict, Peace Process. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the failures/successes of the peace process among Israel, the Arab States, and the Palestinians. Special focus is on Oslo peace process, outstanding issues, and the involvement of outside actors, particularly the role of the U.S. Prerequisite: POLS 170 or permission of instructor.
POLS 382. U.S.-China Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Through tracing the evolution of U.S.-China relations from the 18th century to the present, this course discusses major issues and challenges between the two countries. Future trends of the relationship will also be explored. Prerequisite: POLS 170. Preference given to POLS/IREL/EAST seniors. Crosslisted as EAST 382 and IREL 482.
POLS 388. Gender & International Relations. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course helps students understand feminism as a major critical perspective to International Relations. Topics include re-understanding the formation of the state system, conflict and security, and international political economy. Prerequisite: POLS 170 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 389. Human Rights. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The seminar will study human rights, primarily from an international perspective, including self-determination, cultural rights, ethnic and racial rights, women's rights, religious rights, and lesbian and gay rights. Preference given to international relations majors. Crosslisted as IREL 415.
POLS 393. International Environmental Aid. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This advanced seminar focuses on an applied and critical examination of international aid for solving environmental problems. It explores topics including: theories of international relations, environmental politics, and development; how international organizations, states, and non-governmental actors relate, and problem-solving case studies. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ENST 393.
POLS 396. Independent Study. .5-1 Credits.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Open to qualified students who wish to pursue individual programs of advanced study in political science. Prerequisites: approval of a proposal submitted to the department, normally at least two weeks prior to registration and permission of the instructor.
POLS 397. Honor Thesis. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Independent research on some topic approved as honors work by the department and Honors Council. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
POLS 3NT. POLS Non-traditional Study. 1-2 Credits.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:Varies
Non-traditional study in Political Science. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
Faculty
Professors: Christopher Ellis, Michael R. James (Interim Chair Spring 2024), Scott R. Meinke, Zhiqun Zhu
Associate Professors: Courtney Burns, John A. Doces, R. Douglas Hecock (Chair Fall 2023), David Mitchell, Christina Xydias
Assistant Professors: Katherine Bermingham, Soundarya Chidambaram, Kelly Stedem
Visiting Assistant Professor: Yongkwang Kim