Politics
Courses
POLS 121: Introduction to American Politics and Policy
Credits 3POLS 180: Islam
Credits 4POLS 242: Intermediate American Public Policy: Race, Social Insurance, and Security
Credits 4This course examines the theoretical underpinnings of public policy. It also familiarizes students with the tools of policy analysis, ranging from descriptive and inferential statistics to cost-benefit analysis to policy history. Finally, the course provides a deep dive into three or four substantive domestic policy debates as we try to better understand the problems and solutions in each area. (A.R.T.S Designation: A)
POLS 292: FCNL Spring Lobby Weekend
Credits 1POLS 302: Geneologies of Nationalism in the Muslim MENA
Credits 4POLS 303: Human Rights in the Muslim World
Credits 4This course is motivated by several questions to which students will be trusted to develop their own answers. Questions include: What is Islam? What are human rights? How do Muslims embody human rights? How much variation is there in how Muslims articulate and enact human rights? Prerequisite: An Earlham Seminar and POLS 111.
POLS 305: Frenemy Politics: Conflict
Credits 3POLS 322: Climate Policy & Energy Policy
Credits 3POLS 326: Science & Technology Policy: Nukes, Jets, Space Exploration & Pandemic
Credits 3POLS 327: Urban Politics, Policy & Sustainability
Credits 3POLS 329: Social Science Research Method
Credits 3POLS 333: Gender & Sexuality in the Muslim Middle East & North Africa
Credits 4POLS 339: Approaching Political Puzzles
Credits 3POLS 341: Political Parties & Elections
Credits 3POLS 342: The American Presidency: Leadership and Power
Credits 3POLS 346: Constitutional Law I
Credits 3POLS 351: Democracy and Democratization
Credits 3Though Comparative Politics has been trying to understand why and how countries democratize for many years, the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa offer fresh opportunities to test old theories and develop new ones. In this course we will analyze definitions of democracy and various hypotheses that can help explain the timing of transitions from authoritarian rule, and why attempts at democratization succeed or fail, using examples from the Arab Spring and elsewhere. (Subfield Designation: CP) (A.R.T.S Designation: A)
POLS 352: Africa & the World: Development, Conflict and Cooperation
Credits 3Investigates the unique situation of African countries in terms of economics and international relations, with a focus on development (economic and human development) and conflict and cooperation both on the continent and between the region and the rest of the world. Taking a thematic approach, the course offers an overview of the central debates on these crucial questions and invites students to focus on how all these issues play out in one country of their choice. (Subfield Designation: IR) (A.R.T.S Designation: S)
POLS 355: Politics of the Developing World
Credits 3What can developing countries do to promote economic growth and good governance? While development questions often focus on the relationship between the international donor community and aid recipients, looking at political and economic progress from a domestic perspective can be enlightening, as there is arguably greater space for reform in a domestic system than an international one. This course uses the tools of comparative politics to explore governance and economic management in the developing world, focusing on positive steps that countries can take to improve the lives of their citizens. (Subfield Designation: CP) (A.R.T.S Designation: S)
POLS 358: Contemporary Chinese Politics
Credits 3This course provides students with a broad introduction to China's politics in the modern period. The focus will be on a wide array of topics ranging from communist revolution, economic development, political reform, social movement, and environmental policy to religion and foreign policy under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This course covers both the Mai and the post-Mai eras in the history of CCP rule.
POLS 359: African Democracy & Dictatorship
Credits 3POLS 362: Modern Political Theory
Credits 3POLS 364: Power, Politics, Theory
Credits 3POLS 365: Topics in Political Theory
Credits 3POLS 366: African American Political Thought
Credits 4POLS 367: Non-Western Political Theory
Credits 3POLS 368: Chinese Political Thought
Credits 3POLS 369: Politics of Authoritarianism
Credits 3POLS 371: Theories of International Relations
Credits 3POLS 377: Politics of Global Inequality
Credits 4POLS 378: International Political Economy
Credits 3POLS 484: Faculty/Student Collaborative Research
Credits 1 3POLS 488: Senior Seminar
Credits 3Designed to bring together both the substantive and methodological diversities of the discipline of Politics in an intensive, collegial format. Seminar topics vary. Students produce a final project that serves as the comprehensive examination for majors. Students must have taken at least 8 courses required for completion of a major in politics, public policy, or international studies before enrolling in this course.