Political Science

History and Political Science Department

Sabrina DeTurk, Ph.D., Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
Anne E. Henderson, Ph.D., Chair
Jennifer L. Erdman, Ph.D.
Adam Knight, Ph.D.

Campuses

Main Campus

Summary

The Political Science curriculum offers in-depth instruction in American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Affairs.

Traditional Undergraduate

The History/Political Science Department of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business offers a Major and Minor in Political Science to traditional undergraduate students. Students in the Program may specialize in international relations, public service, law and civic engagement, or public leadership. History and political science provide an important bridge between the humanities and the social sciences. Together they invite students to develop a wide perspective on humanity and its institutions in the past, the present and the future. They also offer students a rich variety of career preparations in academic, public or private sector opportunities.

The Program of Study in Political Science is designed to introduce students to the concepts and theories for understanding a broad range of political problems and to develop analytical skills for thinking and acting responsibly in the diverse field of political affairs. The Program is particularly distinctive for its focus on the role of women in politics, as well as issues of justice and peace. It offers unique perspectives on problems of political violence, terrorism, genocide, and human rights abuses, and provides students with experiential learning opportunities to grapple with these problems in real-world contexts.

The student is encouraged to seek practical experience in politics and law through internships in federal, state and local agencies arranged through consultation with the department advisor. The Department also sponsors a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (Alpha Delta Nu) for students who meet the membership requirements for this national honor society in political science.

The emphasis throughout is to plan a program with experiences to develop the student's potential, whether her interests and talents direct her toward graduate or professional study or toward employment in the public or private sector upon graduation. Political Science graduates have earned advanced degrees at institutions such as the University of Notre Dame School of Law, University of Maryland School of Law, University of Maryland School of Social Work, The Catholic University of America and George Washington University. Graduates are employed by organizations such as Sinai Hospital, MBNA Corporation, Primerica Financial Services, Legg Mason and Catholic Relief Services.

Students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all courses taken to complete the requirements of the Political Science Major.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

POL-101: Introduction to Politics

Credits 3
Introduces students to the basic concepts of political science. Explores the major historical and contemporary belief systems and ideologies as well as major aspects of political systems. Fulfills general education requirement in thinking critically and analytically and social and behavioral science. [3 credits]

POL-102: Introduction to American Politics

Credits 3
Introduces students to the nature and structure of the American political process. It gives special attention to the presidency, the congress and the courts, as well as elections, interest groups, and foreign and domestic policy. Fulfills general education requirement in social science. [3 credits]

POL-103: Introduction to International Affairs

Credits 3
Introduces students to difference theoretical and cultural perspectives on power, conflict, human rights, globalization, and the environment. The role of international law and organizations, including the United Nations, will also be a focus of the class. Fulfills general education requirements in social science, cross-cultural studies, and intercultural knowledge. [3 credits]

POL-105: Comparative Politics

Credits 3
Analyzes political systems of a variety of rich and poor countries and democratic and non- democratic countries. Fulfills general education requirements in social science. [3 credits]

POL-200: Hrs: To Break the Killing Machine: Understanding, Preventing, and Overcoming Genocide

Credits 3
Examines the nature, causes and consequences of genocide in order to understand the possibilities and challenges of preventing genocidal violence in the future. The course introduced students to the controversies surrounding the definition and analysis of genocide. It begins with the contested question of what constitutes genocide, and how genocide stands apart from other forms of mass violence such as ethnic cleansing and massacres. The course then considers several approaches to theorizing the causes of genocide. In addition, we analyze the challenges of identifying potentially genocidal situations before the killing begins and of intervening to prevent and stop genocides. The course also studies processes of reconciliation in societies that have experienced, or teetered on, the brink of genocide. Using scholarly texts, works of fiction and films, we explore issues of causation, intervention and healing in cases including the colonial genocides of indigenous populations, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Iraqi Kurds and Darfur. Ultimately, the course asks students to decide whether genocide is an inevitable scourge of the human condition or a tragic aberration that humanly has the power to transcord. [3 credits]

POL-202: American Politics in Comparative Perspective

Credits 3
Introduces students to the nature and structure of the American political process. It gives special attention to the presidency, the congress and the courts, as well as elections, interest groups, and foreign and domestic policy. Contrasts the American system with a variety of rich and poor countries and democratic and non-democratic countries. Fulfills general education requirement in social science. [ 3 credits ]

POL-210: The Politics of Misinformation

Credits 3
Explores the political dimensions surrounding efforts to mislead. Examines the distinctions between propaganda, disinformation, and misinformation and the reasons one might have to used them to pursue their ends. The course will also examine how different political systems determine what sort of propaganda, misinformation, or disinformation is appropriate to use in different circumstances. Fulfills general education requirement in thinking critically and analytically. [ 3 credits ]

POL-217: Civic Literacy and Inclusive Governing

Credits 3
Examines citizenship at the local and state level. Students will explore their local governments while also analyzing the discrimination inherent in these systems. Students will discuss what citizenship has meant at various key moments in American history and the impact on marginalized groups. Students will also take part in a service or civic engagement project in the semester. Satisfies the General Education requirement for Social Science and Engaged Citizenship. [3 credits]

POL-219: The American Presidency

Credits 3
Examines presidential power, presidential elections, foreign and domestic policy, presidential decision-making, and relations with Congress with historic and contemporary examples. Fulfills general education requirement in Engaged Citizenship and history. [ 3 credits ]

POL-242: Fashion and Power

Credits 3
Examines fashion as a manifestation of political and social power. Beginning in the 16th century and spanning the globe, the course explores how clothing and fashion have been produced, consumed, and deployed as tools of domination, imperialism, and profit--and also of self-expression, subversion and resistance. Students will analyze fashion in relation to identity (racial, religious, gender, class, cultural); social and political status; national and global hierarchies of power; and the assertion of human and cultural rights. Fulfills general education requirement in impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]

POL-250: Political Ideologies - Communism, Fascism, and Democracy

Credits 3
Explores foundations of three prominent political ideologies, focusing on where these ideologies come from, what their adherents believe, and why they believe it. The course will also examine what actions those beliefs encourage (or demand) from their adherents. Students will also explore and analyze the role of communication and debate in society according to each ideology. Satisfies the General Education Requirement in Intercultural Knowledge and Social Sciences. [ 3 credits ]

POL-252: Latin American History and Politics

Credits 3
Analyzes the history and politics of Latin America, studying how socieities evolved from the colonial period through independence and the formation of nations, military and personal dictatorships, and the current era of imperfect democratization. The course compares how the countries of Latin America have contended with issues of power and inequality, including income disparities, racial and ethnic discrimination, forced megration, environmental injustice, patriarchal gender norms, cultural divisions, and the fole of religion. It also evaluates the complex history of Latin American countries' unequal relationship with the United States. Fulfills general education requirements in history and impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]

POL-260: The Politics of Immigration in the U.S.

Credits 3
Surveys the politics of U.S. immigration from historic, economic, security, social, humanitarian and global perspectives. Students study current immigration reform debates and examine immigration policies, including those on visas, employment and family based immigration, deportation, asylum/refugee status, naturalization, and citizenship. The course explores the relationship between immigration and assimilation, inclusion, social justice, human rights, racism, civil rights, tolerance and multiculturalism. [ 3 credits ]

POL-290: Gender in Islamic Societies

Credits 3
Examines the historical development and current realities of gender roles in Islamic societies. The course explores the political, cultural and economic diversity of gender roles in Muslim countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. It examines how gender identities have been affected over time by international developments such as colonization, democratization, the rise of fundamentalism and globalization. Students learn how Muslims of all genders have defined themselves, and been defined, in the realms of political/social activism, work, the arts and culture, and family. In addition, students critically analyze Western perceptions and sterotypes of gender roles and identities in Islamic societies. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies, gender studies, and the impact of diversity. Fulfills general education requirement in impact of diversity and intercultural knowledge. [ 3 credits ]

POL-312: Legal Reasoning

Credits 3
Introduces students to the structure of the American legal system and the sources of legal authority. Students learn how to read and analyze cases and statutes and how to communicate their analysis by writing memoranda, letters to clients and briefs. The course also includes some basic instruction in legal research and citation form. [3 credits]

POL-324: Women, Politics and the Law to Gender, Politics and the Law

Credits 3
Comparatively analyzes the changing legal and political landscape of gender in the United States and other countries. Focuses on issues related to marriage and family, gender and employment, and the intersection of race, class, gender, and politics. Studies Supreme Court decisions related to gender. Fulfills general education requirement in social science. [3 credits]

POL-325: Revolution and Terrorism

Credits 3
Traces the causes, patterns and outcomes of the French, Russian, Cuban and Iranian Revolutions, and analyzes the similarities and differences between revolutionary movements and guerrilla and terrorist groups. The course looks at the ideological, ethnic and religious terrorist groups with a special emphasis on religious terrorism and its worldwide impact. Fulfills general education requirements in history. [3 credits]

POL-344: Civil Liberties, Civil Rights

Credits 3
Introduces students to the study of civil liberties as protected by the Constitution of the United States, with a primary focus on those rights incorporated into the Bill of Rights, especially the freedoms of speech, press, association, and religion. Also addresses the rights to privacy, franchise and citizenship, due process, equal protection against race, gender, and other discrimination, and the rights of those accused or crimes and the death penalty. Confronts contemporary civil liberties issues in a post 9/11 world and the global war on terror by touching on such matters as interrogation and torture, killing and assassination, detention and trial. Provides a deeper understanding of two central questions: how the Constitution protects us from each other, and how the Constitution protects us from our government. Fulfills general education requirement in social science and Engaged Citizenship. [ 3 credits ]

POL-346: History of Middle Eastern Politics

Credits 3
Engages in a comprehensive analytical examination of Middle East politics with a special focus on four problem relationships: The Israelis and the Palestinians; the Arabs and the Persians, the Turks and the Kurds; and the Indians and the Palestinians. The role of the United States in each of these conflicts, as well as the continuing unrest in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, will be discussed. The Palestinian situation will be a topic of intense concentration. Fulfills the general education requirements in history. [ 3 credits ]

POL-351: Problems of Developing Nations

Credits 3
Introduces students to economic, political and cultural issues of development and underdevelop- ment in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The course begins by introducing multiple approaches to defining and achieving development. It then analyzes the roles tha thistory, culture, social structures, and religion play in development, and examines the impact of the global capitalist system upon development and underdevelopment in the cultures and societies of the global South. Fulfills general education requirement in Intercultural Knowledge. [3 credits]

POL-361: Methods in Political Science Research

Credits 3
Examines political science research including theory construction, data generating techniques and data analysis. Students learn to match appropriate methodologies with relevant research questions in the field. Prerequisite: MAT-215. [3 credits]

POL-370: Hrs: Model Organization of American States (OAS)

Credits 3
Prepares students to participate in the Model Organization of American States (Model OAS) competition, which takes place at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the spring. A team of 10 Notre Dame students, representing an assigned country, debates other colleges and universities from the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean on issues such as democratization, regional integration, poverty, environmental problems and human rights issues. In addition to becoming familiar with hemispheric issues, students learn leadership, cooperation, persuasion and diplomatic skills. Prerequisite: Morrissy scholar and permission. Fulfills general education requirement in social science and Engaged citizenship. [3 credits]

POL-390: Environmental Policy at the U. S. State and National Level

Credits 3
Focuses on U.S. state and national environmental policies regarding air and water pollution, use of public lands, climate change and alternative energy sources. The course will also focus on risk assessment, environmental justice issues, and new and emergent attitudes regarding them. Students will analyze the histroical development of policies as well as current and evolving politial processes and the debates surrounding them. Students will engage in a team building exercise and will participate in either a civic participation and/or a service learning project. Satisfies the General Education in Engaged Citizenship. Registration is limited to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. First year-students may register with instructor permission. [ 3 credits ]

POL-400: Topics in Political Science

Credits 1 4
Explores various topics in Political Science. Topic will change each offering of the course and will be noted. Variable credit. [ 1 - 4 credits ]

POL-401: Political and Economic Globalization

Credits 3

Introduces students to the political implications of trade, aid, investment, technology and energy relations along with their impact on relations between rich as well as poor countries. Prerequisite: POL-103 or permission. [3 credits]

POL-412: Constitutional Law

Credits 3
Examines the evolving interpretation of the provisions of the U.S. Constitution. Considers current issues and benchmark cases important to understanding Constitutional law. [3 credits]

POL-427: Study Tour

Credits 3
Combines study with travel to various parts of the world. Organized by faculty members of the department. Offered periodically in Summer and Winterim. [ 3 credits ]

POL-430: International Organizations and World Politics

Credits 3
Introduces students to past, present and future international organizations. Emphasizes evaluation of the operations of the United Nations as an arena for conflict resolution and attention to social welfare concerns in the international system. Prerequisite: POL-103. [3 credits]

POL-440: Global Issues

Credits 3
Examines five to six major topics that inter- connect or divide the contemporary world. Democracy, the global economy, religion and ethnicity, global migration, population trends, women, the environment, and technology and communication are some of the issues we visit. Prerequisite: POL-103. [3 credits]

POL-456: Senior Seminar

Credits 3
Applies ideas, methods, and approaches from history, political science, and international studies to the exploration of selected topics. Students situate their discipline within their context of related fields, while also advancing the skills necessary for professional work in their own areas. In this team-taught course, history majors address the selected topic through focusing on the history of history, the politics of history, and the art of writing history based on original sources. Meanwhile, political science and international studies major use the selected topic as a focal point for synthesizing their understanding of the diverse theories and methods of thier disciplines. All students will, in consultation with their professors, select, design and write an original research paper to be presented to the class at the end of the semester. Serves as the capstone course for history, political science, and international studies majors. Prerequisites: POL-101 or POL-103 and POL-361 for POL and INS majors; HIS-101 for History Majors. For seniors only; juniors by permission of instructor and department chair. [ 3 credits ]

POL-463: Independent Study

Credits 2 6
Focuses on an independent research project of the student's choosing with direction and guidance by a faculty member of the department. [2-6 credits]