2015-2016 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Courses of Instruction
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Public Health |
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PBH 252 - Occupational Health 1 course unit
From a fire in a Bangladesh garment making facility or an explosion on an oil platform to asbestos-related cancer in shipyard workers or radium poisoning in New Jersey painters, this course considers the impact of business practices on the health of workers and the environment. We will analyze several case studies that emphasize the importance of safe practices and highlight the need for federal safety regulations in the workplace. We will examine the impact of industrial operations both domestically and abroad on the environment and public health, and consider the ethical and social aspects of strategies used by big business to sell their products. Students will learn and practice key skills of research, critical analysis, and oral communication.
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PBH 325 - Introduction to Global Health 1 course unit
In this course, students are introduced to the current and emerging issues in global health, including the global burden of disease, global health systems, and the roles of nation states, international agencies, and nongovernmental organizations in promoting health.
Prerequisite(s): PBH 200, 201 Issues in Public Health
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PBH 350 - Environmental Health 1 course unit
A study of the impact of environmental quality on the health of populations, this course addresses the societal and environmental factors that increase the likelihood of exposure and disease. Topics include the potential health effects of exposure to hazardous substances in air, water, soil, and food; natural disasters; physical hazards; climate change; the impact of food production on the environment; and the built environment.
Prerequisite(s): PBH 200, 201 Issues in Public Health and at least one science course
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Physical Education |
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PED 050 - Principles of Fitness & Wellness 0 course unit
This course is designed to develop a greater understanding of fitness and wellness concepts in order to achieve the highest potential of personal well-being. It is divided into a wellness component and a fitness component. The wellness component will emphasize concepts and individual needs in order to practice behaviors that will lead to positive outcomes in the seven dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, environmental, occupational, and spiritual. Students will be introduced to various experiences addressing the cardiovascular, muscular, and flexibility components of fitness.
Meets general academic requirement PE.
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Fitness Course Emphasis on the health related components of physical fitness (cardiovascular, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition).
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PED 046 - Yoga 0 course unit
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Philosophy Introductory Courses |
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PHL 104 - Philosophy East & West 1 course unit
A comparison/contrast of some of the great systems of Eastern and Western philosophical thought. Topics will include selves and persons, immortality and reincarnation, theism and atheism, mysticism and rationalism, perception and illusion, monism and pluralism, being and nothingness.
Meets general academic requirement P or D or HU and DE.
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PHL 105 - Conduct & Character 1 course unit
An introduction to ethics through the study of leading perspectives and familiar moral issues. We engage in moral choice and action every day of our lives, but we also struggle with questions about our moral life. Among the questions the course addresses are: Is there genuine moral truth, or is it all just ‘opinion’? What is the relation of conduct to character? What standards might we use in judging conduct or character, and on what are they based? How do these various standards apply to concrete problems in contemporary life? Why should we struggle to be moral at all?
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 106 - Individual & Society 1 course unit
An introduction to the field of philosophy through an exploration of selected problems in socio-political theory with special attention to those that confront us in contemporary social life. These might include the grounds for political authority, the nature of individuals and social groups, our knowledge of the social good, and the comparative roles of reason, power, and wealth in human relations. Specific topics may vary.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 108 - Being & Knowing 1 course unit
An inquiry into the nature of reality and knowledge. What sort of thing is the universe? Is it composed solely of matter, or does it contain immaterial things like spirits? How can we tell? Is sense experience the only source of knowledge, or are there other ways of knowing? Why are we here? Were we created by God as part of a divine plan, or did we come into being as the result of purely natural processes? Is there a God? If so, what sort of being is he (she) (it)? What kind of creatures are we? Do we have a soul that will survive the death of our bodies, or will we cease to exist when our bodies die? Do we have free will? Are we masters of our destiny, or are our actions caused by forces beyond our control? We will trace the progression of philosophical thinking on these issues from their earliest formulations to the present day. Readings will include selections from both classic and contemporary philosophers.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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Logic |
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PHL 110 - Principles of Reasoning & Argument 1 course unit
A study of the principles and methods of correct reasoning. The course is designed to promote the development of skills in recognizing, analyzing, and evaluating arguments. Both deductive and non-deductive inferences will be considered; identification of common fallacies in reasoning will be emphasized.
Meets general academic requirement G or RG.
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PHL 211 - Formal Logic 1 course unit
The formal analysis and assessment of deductive arguments using modern symbolic logic, including propositional and predicate logic.
Meets general academic requirement G or RG.
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History of Philosophy |
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PHL 221 - Ancient Philosophy 1 course unit
The beginnings of western philosophy. A study of the enduring philosophical issues in the works of Plato and Aristotle with attention to their origins in pre-Socratic writings. Consideration will also be given to the development of Hellenistic thought and to the philosophical contributions of Augustine and Aquinas.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 223 - Modern Philosophy 1 course unit
European philosophical thought during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A study of some of the most important attempts to formulate a systematic world-view consistent with modern science and its implications for an understanding of persons, knowledge, and society. Included are the continental rationalists Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz; the British empiricists Locke, Berkeley, Hume; and the critical idealism of Kant.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 226 - American Philosophy 1 course unit
A survey of American philosophical thought from the Colonial era through the twentieth century with special emphasis on the moral foundations of our political system, the history and development of the women’s and civil rights movements, the transcendental themes of individualism and optimism, and the meaning and value of religious and aesthetic experience. Readings drawn from the works of Jefferson, Franklin, Thoreau, Emerson, DuBois, Stanton, King, James, and Dewey among others.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 245 - Business Ethics 1 course unit
An examination of the ethical problems encountered in business. What obligations do employers have to their employees to provide suitable working conditions, follow fair hiring and promotion procedures, etc.? What obligations do businesses have to consumers to provide product information, use fair advertising techniques, etc.? What obligations do businesses have to the public to conserve limited resources, preserve the environment, etc.?
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 246 - Environmental Philosophy 1 course unit
Examination of several theoretical approaches to the question of human relations with the nonhuman world and to associated questions about valuation, human society, and human morality. Theoretical approaches include utilitarianism, Kantianism, and right-based moralities, along with contemporary developments such as biocentrism, ecofeminism, and deep ecology. Attention is given, where possible, to non-European perspectives. Applied topics include sustainability and our responsibilities to future generations, population ethics and consumerism, animal rights, and moral issues surrounding climate change.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 249 - Neuroethics 1 course unit
Advances in neuroscience, biochemistry, and genetics have brought a new set of ethical questions to the fore. We now have the ability to not only monitor brain functioning in real time (through such devices as PET scanners and MRIs) but also to alter the structure of the brain (through drugs, surgery, implants, genetic engineering, etc.). But the brain is the seat of the mind; it directly affects how we think, feel, and act. Any change in brain structure can have a profound effect on the self. In this course we will examine the ethical implications of the new brain scanning and brain altering technologies. How should they be used? How should they be regulated? For example: If we could identify people with brain structures that are highly correlated with violent behavior, should we force them to undergo treatment? If brain scanning can reliably tell when people are lying, should that evidence be used in court? If brain-altering procedures can erase memories, increase intelligence, or alter personalities, when, if ever, should it be used?
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: any previous course in philosophy or NSC 201 Mind & Brain .
Meets general academic requirement W.
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PHL 333, 334 - Ethics 1 course unit
Examination of the theoretical structures and historical movement of predominantly western moral theories as well as of recent critical responses to traditional approaches. Perspectives typically covered include ancient and modern virtue theories, utilitarianism, Kantianism and its descendants, the critical views of Nietzsche or Marx, and contemporary Anglo-American work. Related issues, such as indeterminacy, pluralism, and the nature of moral judgment are also addressed.
Prerequisite(s): Any previous course in philosophy.
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 334.
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PHL 353 - Political Philosophy 1 course unit
An examination of central issues and concepts in political philosophy in the work of historical and contemporary thinkers. Topics may include the meaning and value of liberty, equality, and justice; competing political perspectives such as anarchism, liberalism, conservatism, fascism, etc.; debates within particular perspectives; the grounds of political legitimacy and of political obligation. Not suitable for first year students
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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Contemporary Areas and Movements |
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PHL 229 - Phenomenology 1 course unit
In the twentieth century phenomenology emerged as a new and powerful philosophical program. At its core lay the impulse to reveal the reality that gets obscured by one-dimensional activity and “everyday” thinking. The thinkers who carry out this project reveal both similarities in method and provocative variation in results. For example, some phenomenologists ground reality in the first-person experience of time, whereas others privilege the spatial experience of persons in being with others. We will examine historical and contemporary variations of phenomenology and read figures such as Edmund Husserl, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Alia Al-Saji, Lewis Gordon, and Elizabeth Grosz.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 234 - Philosophy of Religion 1 course unit
An examination of the nature of religion, the meaning of religious claims, and the justification of religious beliefs. The views of both religious adherents and critics will be studied. Primary focus will be on the twentieth century writings in the attempt to explore the possibilities of intellectually responsible religious commitment in the contemporary world.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 236 - Philosophy & the Arts 1 course unit
Art works and aesthetic objects are frequently held up as some of the most civilized and civilizing components of any society or community. Foundations preserve their contribution to identity, and heritage, museums prolong their status in cultural memory, and institutions receive and distribute funding to ensure their continued role in education and social values. Yet art and aesthetics can also serve as powerful vehicles of critique and disobedience-sometimes attacking these very foundations, museums, and institutions, in addition to government and other bodies of power -in any given community or social whole. It is this double nature of art as enacting both civility (through the aesthetic values of beauty, harmony, symmetry, and proportion) and disobedience (through the aesthetic orientations of ugliness, dissonance, the uncanny, sublimity, and incongruity) that we will explore in this course. After having initially considering some aesthetic stereotypes of beauty versus ugliness as they have been documented throughout the ages, our course will look to contemporary applications of the relationship among art, civility, and protest.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 325, 326 - Nineteenth Century Philosophy 1 course unit
European philosophical thought during the nineteenth century. A study of some significant issues and projects that emerged in the wake of Kant’s ‘critical’ philosophy and in a society increasingly shaped by scientific and industrial development. Readings will include works by Hegel, Marx, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche.
Prerequisite(s): Any previous course in philosophy.
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 326.
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Asian Philosophies |
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PHL 250 - Philosophies of India 1 course unit
A foundational course that explores the central schools of Indian philosophy. Through readings of primary texts we will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world views, styles of thinking, and cultures of South Asia. We will examine several of the most important concepts, methods, texts, philosophers, and schools of India thought. Topics will be taken from Vedas, Upanishads, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta, Jainism, Carvaka, early Buddhist thought, Madhyamaka and Yogacara Buddhist philosophies, and twentieth century appropriations and developments of traditional philosophical themes.
Meets general academic requirements P or D or HU and DE.
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PHL 251 - Philosophies of China 1 course unit
A foundational course that explores the central schools of Chinese philosophy. Through readings of primary texts we will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world views, styles of thinking, and cultures of East Asia. We will examine several of the most important concepts, methods, texts, philosophers, and schools of Chinese thinking, including Confucianism (Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Mencius, and Xunzi), Mohism (Mozi and the later Mohists), Daoism (Laozi, Zhuangzi), Legalism (Hanfeizi), the Logicians (Huizi and Gongsun Longzi), and Chinese Buddhist philosophies.
Meets general academic requirements P or D or HU and DE.
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PHL 351 - Daoist Philosophies 1 course unit
An advanced course in Daoist philosophies. In this course we shall read closely, discuss and interpret, analyze, and engage critically with the three central texts of Daoist philosophical thought: the Laozi, also know as the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching), the Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu), and the Liezi (Lieh Tzu). The course may also include the “Neo-Daoist” philosophical commentaries of Wang Bi and Guo Xiang, two influential thinkers of the Han and Jin dynasties. We shall attempt to trace the development of Daoist ideas, especially through the various schools represented in the chapters of the Zhuangzi.
Prerequisite(s): Any previous course in philosophy.
Meets general academic requirement W.
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Ethics and Social Theory |
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PHL 227 - Philosophy of Feminism 1 course unit
This course examines the historical development and current state of feminist theory as both a critical perspective and an area of systematic inquiry. We will investigate feminist models of knowledge construction, political theory, gender theory, and ethics as they intersect with each other and drive further the development of feminist theory. We will focus on postcolonial, global, and transnational feminisms.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 237 - Philosophy of Science 1 course unit
An examination of the goals, methods, and assumptions of modern science. What distinguishes scientific explanations from non-scientific ones? How are scientific theories discovered and confirmed? What criteria of adequacy are used to decide between competing scientific theories? Are all sciences reducible to physics? Has physics proven that the world does not exist independently of our consciousness? Does science give us objective knowledge of the world? Is science a religion?
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 241 - Biomedical Ethics 1 course unit
An examination of the ethical issues raised by such practices as abortion, euthanasia, birth control, life prolonging techniques, human experimentation, recombinant DNA research, and cloning. How might such practices affect the individual and society? Are such practices ethical? Do patients and/or doctors have a right to refuse treatment? What considerations are relevant in making life or death decisions? How should scarce medical resources be allocated?
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 242 - Law & Morality 1 course unit
An examination of issues at the intersection of law and morality. Readings drawn from historical and contemporary thinkers as well as from legal texts. Topics may include the legitimate extent of legal control of individuals; the relation of legal validity and moral value; the role of moral reasons in judicial decision making; the nature of legal justice; legal obligation and forms of disobedience. Not suitable for first year students.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU.
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PHL 327, 337 - Philosophy of Language 1 course unit
A study of major movements in twentieth century philosophy arising out of the study of language and meaning. This “linguistic turn” in philosophy includes logical atomism, logical positivism, ordinary language philosophy, and deconstruction. Readings will be drawn from the work of Russell, Wittgenstein, Ayer, Dummett, Quine, and Derrida.
Prerequisite(s): Any previous course in philosophy.
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 337.
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PHL 328, 338 - Philosophy of Mind 1 course unit
This course is a survey of the fundamental issues, controversies, and methods in contemporary philosophy of mind. Topics will include the relation between the mental and the physical, the problem of consciousness, perception, intentionality, mental causation, and the self. The course will also examine various methods for studying the mind, such as phenomenology, conceptual analysis, and natural scientific approaches.
Prerequisite(s): Any previous course in philosophy or NSC 201 Mind & Brain .
Meets general academic requirement P or HU (and W when offered as 338).
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PHL 331, 336 - Epistemology 1 course unit
An exploration of the nature, scope, and sources of human knowledge. When and under what conditions do people have knowledge? Do we really know the things that we think we know? Is knowledge acquired by using the senses, the intellect, or both? Although some attention will be paid to the views of historical figures, the focus of the course will be on contemporary issues. Topics may include skepticism, the problem of analyzing the concept of knowledge, theories about the nature and structure of justification, a priori knowledge, feminist theories of knowledge, and the naturalization of knowledge.
Prerequisite(s): Any previous course in philosophy.
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 336.
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PHL 332 - Metaphysics 1 course unit
An inquiry into the ultimate nature of reality and our relationship to it. What sorts of things exist? Does the world consist solely of material objects or does it also contain immaterial objects such as God, souls, or numbers? What is the relationship between the mind and the body? Do humans have free will? Can humans survive the death of their bodies? Do our best theories reveal the truth about reality or do they merely reveal the ideological biases of the dominant group? Topics may include realism vs. anti-realism; nature of space and time; persons, minds, and free will; the problem of universals; and the existence of God.
Prerequisite(s): Any previous course in philosophy.
Meets general academic requirement W.
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CUE Seminar |
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PHL 500-549 - CUE: Seminar 1 course unit
An investigation into a selected philosophical problem, text, thinker, or movement carried on by readings, discussions, and papers. The seminar is designed to provide majors, minors, and other qualified students with more than the usual opportunity to do philosophy cooperatively and in depth.
Meets general academic requirement W.
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Internship |
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PHL 960 - Philosophy Internship 1 course unit
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Physics |
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PHY 100-110 - Physics for Life 1 course unit
Physics for Life is a collection of courses that introduce students to the concepts of physics and physical science. Through in-depth study of simple physical systems, students gain direct experience with the process of science. Each course in this collection concentrates on one or more topics, including but not limited to the following: properties of matter, heat and temperature, light and color, magnets, electric circuits, fluids, and motion. These courses are designed for students who do not intend to pursue further study or a career in physics or physical sciences. The courses are not open to student who have completed PHY 121: General Physics I or PHY 122: General Physics II without permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): No mathematical preparation beyond secondary school algebra and geometry is required.
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PHY 101 - Circuits, Science, and the World 1 course unit
This course uses the study of electric circuits to introduce elements of the scientific method, including the construction of scientific models, testing of hypotheses, and problem solving with the use of a validated hypothesis. The majority of the course is conducted via guided inquiry with students largely formulating, testing, and refining their own hypotheses and very little traditional lecture. A second theme of the course is scientific literacy and how to think about scientific issues that can impact our day-to-day lives. One or more topics of current interest such as global climate change will be examined through the same lens as applied to circuits: What are the predictions of the relevant scientific models, and how well do they match the data? This course satisfies the environmental perspective for EDU certification.
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 102 - Theory to Tech 1 course unit
An activity-based course designed to allow students to investigate some of the most ubiquitous features of the natural world such as light and sound. Using both laboratory equipment belonging to the College and student purchased electronics kits, topics as diverse as color perception and audio speakers will be explored. Online tools made available on Blackboard will serve as the mechanism for students to undertake the activities, and extensive use will be made of both simulations and the mobile laboratory platform made available by the kits. Along the way, students will learn about electrical circuits, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and climate change. This course satisfies the environmental perspective for EDU certification.
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 103 - Heat, Buoyancy, and Climate Change 1 course unit
This course is a lab-based, inquiry driven introduction to concepts in physical science. The course focuses on heat, temperature, and buoyancy and their relationship to issues influencing global climate change. Students will develop fundamental scientific ideas through activities modeling scientific investigation. No mathematical preparation beyond secondary school algebra and geometry is required. This course satisfies the environmental perspective for EDU certification.
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 104 - Light, Color, & Electric Circuits 1 course unit
This course is a lab-based, hands-on introduction to basic concepts in physical science involving light, color, and electric circuits. Students will analyze simple systems in detail and through observations, develop basic physical concepts. A guided inquiry approach is utilized with an emphasis on scientific reasoning and the process of going from observations to conclusions. Students will work with different ways to represent physical ideas: in words, with diagrams, with formulas, and with graphs. Students will relate these ideas to real-world situations. Investigation of electric energy in circuits serves as a bridge to explore environmental aspects of energy usage. This course satisfies the environmental perspective for EDU certification.
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 111 - Introduction to Astronomy 1 course unit
A study of the structure, motions, and evolution of the bodies of the physical universe. Emphasis is given to understanding physical principles and the techniques used by astronomers to study the universe. Topics of special interest include the structure of the solar system, the properties of stars, stellar evolution and collapse, the structure of galaxies, and cosmology.
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 113 - Cosmology: The Scientific Exploration of the Universe 1 course unit
We are continually seeking the answers to the age-old questions about the origin, age, composition, structure, and ultimate fate of the universe. Just as the cosmos is changing, our views of the cosmos are changing as new observations and interpretations emerge. This course will examine the generally accepted cosmological models and the personalities responsible for these models from the time of the ancient Greeks up to the present. Each will be examined in light of the observational data available at the time. Primary emphasis will be given to understanding the most current observations about the universe and the prevailing inflationary Big Bang model of the universe. Offered as a course designed for Muhlenberg Scholars.
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 121 - General Physics I 1 course unit
An introductory, calculus-based physics course. Discussions, demonstrations, and problem solving are emphasized during lecture periods. The activity-based component meets in the laboratory where concepts are explored through experimentation and other hands-on activities. Follow-up discussions, demonstrations, and problem solving are emphasized during lecture periods. Topics covered include one and two-dimensional kinematics and dynamics, momentum, energy, rotational kinematics and dynamics.
Pre- or co-requisite: MTH 121 Calculus I
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 122 - General Physics II 1 course unit
Topics covered are electrostatics, dc circuits, magnetism and electromagnetic induction, wave optics, ray optics. Follows the same weekly format as General Physics I.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 General Physics I .
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 140 - The Physics of Music 1 course unit
The Physics of Music is designed for students with an interest in the phenomena of sound. This inquiry-based course offers hands-on activities to relate the physics of sound to the students’ everyday experiences of music. The theoretical principles of music, the ways composers write, the design of musical instruments, and our perceptions of music all have their foundations in physics. By studying the physical principles of simple harmonic motion, resonance, harmonic series, waveforms, Fourier analysis and electronic synthesis, we will relate the science of sound to the art of music. Does not count toward the physics major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): MUS 111 Music Theory I or permission of instructors.
Meets general academic requirement S or SC.
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PHY 213 - Modern Physics 1 course unit
An introduction to twentieth century developments in physics with an emphasis on the special theory of relativity, Rutherford scattering, introduction to quantum theory, atomic structure, and nuclear energy.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 General Physics II .
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PHY 216 - Analog & Digital Circuits 1 course unit
Through a mix of laboratory and classroom work students will build and analyze analog and digital circuits found in many scientific and computer applications. Specific topics include passive and active filters, electronic feedback, operational amplifiers, oscillators, A/D and D/A conversion, digital waveshaping, and instrumentation. This course meets in the laboratory and will be offered in alternate years.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 General Physics II .
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PHY 226 - Optics: From Lenses to Lasers 1 course unit
The student will explore the field of optics, starting with the fundamentals of waves and electromagnetic theory through geometrical and physical optics and culminating in the study of selected topics from modern optics. The modern topics may include lasers, optical data processing, holography, or nonlinear optics. This course meets for two hours, twice a week, and will be taught in a laboratory/discussion format.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 - General Physics II .
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PHY 235 - Nuclear & Particle Physics 1 course unit
Elementary particles are the building blocks of nature. The “standard model” describes the interaction of these building blocks and constitutes the most comprehensive understanding of the physical world in existence. An overview of the standard model will be presented as well as topics in nuclear physics. Discussion and hands on experience with particle detectors will be included.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 - General Physics II
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PHY 241, 242 - Thermal & Statistical Physics 1 course unit
The laws of thermodynamics, their consequences, and applications. Kinetic theory of an ideal gas and an introduction to statistical mechanics.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 General Physics II .
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 242.
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PHY 250 - Simulating Science 1 course unit
Computer simulations are an integral part of contemporary basic and applied science and computation is becoming as important as theory and experiment. The ability “to compute” is now part of the essential repertoire of research scientists. This course will introduce students to methods of computer simulation with applications to physics, biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Possible topics include chaotic dynamics (physics), how populations change with time (biology), the kinetic theory of gases (chemistry), and the change over time of pollution levels in lakes (environmental science). No programming experience is necessary. Elements of structured programming will be presented as needed.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 General Physics I .
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PHY 319 - Analytical Mechanics 1 course unit
A detailed study of the kinematics and dynamics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian formulations of classical mechanics will be considered with applications to oscillators, gravitation, projectile motion in the presence of frictional forces, and motion in electromagnetic fields. Einstein’s theory of special relativity will also be studied.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 General Physics II and MTH 122 Calculus II .
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PHY 329 - Electromagnetism 1 course unit
A study of electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrical currents, and their effects. Maxwell’s equations are derived. Vector methods are stressed and field notation is used.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 319 Analytical Mechanics .
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PHY 341 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1 course unit
Origin of quantum concepts; the wave function and its interpretation; the Schrodinger equation; treatment of the free particle; potential barriers and wells; the linear harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom. Representation of dynamical variables as operators and matrices; introduction to perturbation theory.
Prerequisite(s): PHY 213 Modern Physics and PHY 319 Analytical Mechanics .
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Political Science Required Courses in political science are numbered as follows:
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100 - 199 |
Introductory courses open to all students; required for the major. |
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200 - 299 |
Intermediate courses normally open to students beyond the first semester of college. |
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300 - 399 |
Advanced courses with previous course work in political science normally required; usually require a significant research project. |
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400 - 499 |
Seminars with intensive reading; recommended for juniors and seniors with substantial work completed toward the major; strongly encouraged for those seeking honors in political science. |
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PSC 101 - Introduction to American National Government 1 course unit
This course examines the constitutional foundations, institutions, and processes of American national government. Key issues explored include relationships between, and powers among, the main institutions of government-Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary; citizenship and political behavior; campaigns and elections; political parties; the media; interest groups; and a range of contemporary public policy issues.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 103 - Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations 1 course unit
The course provides a basic introduction to core concepts and problems in the fields of international relations and comparative government. Key issues explored in the course include how and why nation-states apply their power to act cooperatively, why they occasionally resort to violence to settle disputes, and how and why states differ in their organization and in their relationship between citizen and government.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 201 - Political Ideologies 1 course unit
An examination of the philosophical and historical foundations of major political ideologies of the modern era. Students will investigate how ideologies make claims about human nature, history, and the state; how they attempt to understand the relationship between socio-economic conditions and the state; how they envision a just political order; and how they prescribe and justify programs of action. Among the ideologies examined: liberalism, civic republicanism, conservatism, socialism, communism, anarchism, nationalism, fascism, Nazism, fundamentalism, and feminism.
Intended for those planning to major or minor in political science.
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PSC 490 - CUE: Senior Capstone Seminar 1 course unit
The CUE: Senior Capstone Seminar provides an in-depth examination of questions central to contemporary research and scholarship in Political Science. Students will examine seminal works that have significantly contributed to the field, explore contemporary theories and concepts on issues such as power, ideology, globalization, and citizenship, and develop the analytical tools of the discipline needed for advanced studies. In addition, the seminar positions students to synthesize the full range of their curricular experiences as Political Science majors and to make meaningful connections to the contemporary political world. Required of all majors; encouraged for minors.
Prerequisite(s): Minimum of two advanced classes in Political Science (300 level or above).
Must be completed during the senior year.
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American Government and Political Processes Courses in the American government and political process subfield focus on the institutions, actors, inputs, and outcomes of the American political process and the role of citizenship within the broader society.
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PSC 203, 204 - Civil Rights & Liberties 1 course unit
An examination of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments of the United States Constitution and their protection of the rights of criminal defendants.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL (and W when offered as 204).
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PSC 205 - Constitutional Law I 1 course unit
An examination of the origins of and limitations on judicial review; the constitutional sources of national authority with special focus on the nature and scope of the commerce and tax powers; the constitutional limitations on presidential and congressional power; and selected First Amendment freedoms.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 207, 208 - Constitutional Law II 1 course unit
An examination of the incorporation of the Bill of Rights; the rise and demise of substantive due process; the concept of state action; federal enforcement of civil rights; the nature and scope of equal protection of the law; and selected First Amendment freedoms.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL (and W when offered as 208).
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PSC 209 - Elections & Campaigns in the United States 1 course unit
This course examines American elections, campaigns, and voting behavior within the broader context of political representation and electoral systems. Attention is provided to the rules, strategies, and behaviors governing elections in the United States and the internal and external factors influencing the American voters’ decision-making process. Ongoing political campaigns will play a major role in this course with students engaged in numerous exercises related to the various elections taking place during the semester.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 213 - Public Health Policy 1 course unit
The course is a survey of contemporary issues related to the provision of public health policies in the United States. From disease control to the provision of health insurance, government plays a central role in the field of American health care. This course provides attention to numerous aspects of government interaction in the area of health policy, including the funding of research, regulation of pharmaceuticals, management and prevention of epidemics, and the provision of medical insurance. The class is designed for students interested in pursuing careers related to public health or with a general interest in the field. Course requirements include research projects and required service experiences in local health care locations, such as Allentown’s health department and local medical clinics. The class will also include a simulation that examines the decision making process that is used by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in addressing a potential outbreak of an infectious disease.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 216 - Environmental Politics & Policymaking 1 course unit
A study of recent and contemporary U.S. environmental policy and its formulation. The course examines the political and institutional settings and constraints on the formulation of environmental policy, including the role of the President, Congress, the courts, bureaucracy, state governments, and interest groups. Attention will also be given to theoretical issues as they arise out of, and influence, the policy making process. In addition, the course will examine the interaction of global environmental problems and domestic policy making.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 219, 220 - Public Administration & Policy Implementation 1 course unit
An examination of the theory and practice of managing the public sector with emphasis on the politics of administration, organization structures, communications, decision-making systems, budgeting processes, and personnel management.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL (and W when offered as 220).
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PSC 221 - Government Regulation of Business 1 course unit
An examination of the legal framework (the legislatures, the courts, and government agencies) and business’s major legal responsibilities as established in the following subject areas: administrative law, the Bill of Rights, antitrust, labor relations, employment discrimination, federal consumer protection, and regulation of environmental quality.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 223 - Political Organization & Democratic Voice: Parties, Interest Groups, & Citizens in U. S. Politics 1 course unit
This course examines the bonds between citizens, political elites, and political institutions in the United States with an eye toward examining opportunities for political voice in American democracy. Topics include the emergence, evolution, and impact of American political parties and interest groups; the distribution of political voice across the American citizenry; the effectiveness of political participation (both electoral and non-electoral) in shaping political outcomes; and the relationships between political organization, citizenship, and democratic accountability.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 303, 304 - Gender, Politics, & Policy 1 course unit
Gender both shapes and is shaped by politics. This course explores this fundamental proposition in the context of several primary themes, including feminist political activism in historical perspective; women in American electoral politics (both mass politics and as political elites); globalization and gender equity; and gender and public policy. A major portion of the course is devoted to considering contemporary public policy issues through the lens of gender-as it intersects with race, class, and other social divisions-focusing on policies such as welfare, sexual harassment, reproduction and women’s health, and gender discrimination in sports, education, and the military.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 101 Introduction to American National Government or WST 202 Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies , or another Women’s Studies Course, or permission of instructor.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL (and W when offered as 304).
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PSC 305 - U.S. Congress 1 course unit
This course addresses several empirical and analytical questions about Congress and the legislative process: What does Congress do? How do members of Congress get elected and stay in office? How do legislators “represent” us? How does the institution of Congress function as a lawmaking body? What really matters in congressional decision-making processes? How have Congress and congressional lawmaking changed throughout U.S. history? In brief, this course is organized around the history, members, workings, and future of the U.S. Congress.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 101 Introduction to American National Government or permission of instructor.
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PSC 309 - The American Judiciary 1 course unit
This course examines the nature and function of law as well as the organization of the American court systems and the legal process. Consideration given to developing students’ understanding of the role of the law in American society, the organization of state and federal judicial systems, the civil and criminal court processes, and judicial decision-making and policy-making process.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 101 Introduction to American National Government .
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PSC 311, 312 - The American Presidency 1 course unit
The presidency is an institution shaped by historical, systemic, and contextual factors. This course examines the intellectual and historical roots of the American presidency, its possibilities and limitations in relation to other political institutions, and its relation to the citizenry. It examines the creation of the presidency, its development as a democratic institution, the emergence of “presidential greatness” in the twentieth century, and the expansion of national administrative power. A main focus is placed on understanding changes in executive power over time, placing recent contemporary events in historical context.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 101 Introduction to American National Government or permission of instructor.
Meets general academic requirement H or SL (and W when offered as 312).
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PSC 315, 316 - Inequality & U.S. Public Policy 1 course unit
This course explores the intersection between economic and political equality. The class begins with an examination of traditional theories of inequality in the U.S. During the semester we explore ways in which our national and state governments attempt to reduce social and economic inequalities through the creation of public policies. Students research the creation of legislation and explore how politics impedes achievement of policies to reduce inequality.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 101 Introduction to American National Government or ECN 101 Principles of Macroeconomics .
Meets general academic requirement DE (and W when offered as 316).
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PSC 400 - Seminar in Urban Policy & Planning 1 course unit
This seminar is designed as an exploration of urban politics and planning in the United States. Its purpose is to provide an improved understanding of the workings of urban political systems and the mechanisms by which government attempts to manage urban environments. The course will examine both historical and contemporary aspects of urban politics with an emphasis on the evolution of governmental arrangements in the last century. It will also focus on contemporary urban problems such as transportation, housing, and crime and, finally, will examine the basic foundations of urban planning and its application throughout cities in the United States. Course limited to juniors and seniors.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 101 Introduction to American National Government and PSC 301 Political Science Research Methods .
Meets general academic requirement W.
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Comparative Politics Comparative Politics is the comparative study of political phenomena, including political institutions, behavior, and ideas in countries other than the United States. The sub-discipline studies the domestic politics of foreign nations with a focus on how power is organized and exercised.
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PSC 230, 231 - Government & Politics of Europe 1 course unit
This course introduces students to European politics in the post-Cold War era. It focuses on political, economic, and social continuity and change in Western, Southern, and East-Central European nations. Taught from a broad regional perspective, the course will analyze the role of institutions and actors in shaping the dynamic political processes in the nations of Europe. Special attention is given to their economic and political interactions and their ramifications for the European integration process.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL (and W when offered as 231).
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PSC 232 - Governments & Politics of East Asia 1 course unit
Analysis of the contemporary political systems of East Asia, primarily China and Japan, in their social and cultural settings, historical background, and dynamics of modernization.
Meets general academic requirement B or D or SL and DE.
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PSC 234, 235 - Government & Politics of Russia 1 course unit
The course evaluates in-depth the contemporary political, economic, and social changes in post-Soviet Russia. Students will analyze the challenges facing Russia’s transition to markets and democracy. We will look at how the legacy of the Soviet experience impacts the democratization and marketization processes in Russia today. Students will also study and evaluate the efficacy and viability of the new institutions regulating political and economic life in post-Soviet Russia. The course will focus on the political struggles surrounding institutional choice and policy making in contemporary Russia, and it will pay particular attention to reforms undertaken by President Vladimir Putin since 2000.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL (and W when offered as 235).
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PSC 237 - Government & Politics of Africa 1 course unit
This course will examine the domestic politics and international relations of Africa. In particular, it will explore common problems faced by these states, including the formation of viable political systems, the implementation of policies to promote economic development, and the conduct of viable foreign policies. The course will also examine the effect of historical culture, economic conditions, and colonial penetration upon the formulation and conduct of public policy in Africa.
Meets general academic requirement B or D or SL and DE.
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PSC 244, 245 - Government & Politics of Latin America 1 course unit
A study of the political processes within the Latin American region; the historical and cultural contrasts with North American-European politics; and the social, political, and economic development problems which continue to face this region. Particular attention will be given to Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and a representative number of other nations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean region.
Meets general academic requirement B or D or SL and DE (and W when offered as 245).
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PSC 246 - Developing Nations 1 course unit
A study of the politics of developing nations, their struggles to overcome poverty and underdevelopment, their efforts at nation-building, and their impact in the world. The challenges and dilemmas of modernization and contending theories about the causes of underdevelopment and appropriate development strategies will be discussed.
Meets general academic requirement B or D or SL and DE.
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PSC 248, 249 - Governments & Politics of the Middle East 1 course unit
This course will examine the domestic politics and international relations of the Middle East. In particular, the course will examine the effect of historical culture, economic conditions, and colonial penetration upon the current political conditions of the area.
Meets general academic requirement B or D or SL and DE (and W when offered as 249).
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PSC 420 - Seminar in Regimes & Regime Changes 1 course unit
The course is designed to introduce students to modern democratic, authoritarian, and totalitarian political systems (regimes). We will study how power is organized and exercised in various political systems of the world. Students will learn about institutions and processes that shape domestic politics in various regimes and that explain why and how political regimes change. The course will analyze the causes of breakdown as well as consolidation of democratic and non-democratic regimes. Iraq will be used as a case study.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies . Two additional courses in the Comparative and/or International subfields are strongly recommended.
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PSC 430 - Seminar in Comparative National Security Policy 1 course unit
This course uses a comparative approach to examine national security policy processes in the United States and a selected group of countries. Students will engage in policy analyses that examine the impact of a range of factors-including the international system, size of the state, historical and societal factors, governmental system, bureaucratic politics, and individual personalities-in determining the national security policies of these states.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies . Two additional courses in the Comparative and/or International subfields are strongly recommended.
Meets general academic requirement W.
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International Politics and Foreign Policy International Politics in the study of the interaction among nations, international organizations, and an increasing range of non-state or nongovernmental actors, such as multinational corporations, terrorist organizations, etc. International relations also seeks to explain the processes by which this wide range of actors attempt to address the increasingly broad range of security, development, and environmental issues facing the world.
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PSC 242, 243 - Introduction to Conflict & Peace Studies 1 course unit
This is an introductory course in the interdisciplinary field of conflict and peace studies which examines different approaches to conflict definition, management, and resolution. Fundamental issues of peace, war, conflict, and violence are discussed from a variety of perspectives within the political science and international studies paradigms.
Meets general academic requirement B or DE (and W when offered as 243).
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PSC 254 - Globalization & Social Justice 1 course unit
Interdependence and globalization have brought the world closer to American citizens. As their lives become more inter-connected with the dynamics of international market and political forces, the traditional distinctions between local and global concerns begin to fade. The events of September 11th, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the cycles of anti-globalization social mobilization have made us acutely aware that national security or national economic prosperity can no longer be conceived apart from the international context. As issues concerning Americans become more “intermestic”, the avenues and scope for affecting socioeconomic and political transformation also change. The course aims to further student understanding of the complex phenomenon of globalization and its impacts. We will analyze how citizens, as social actors, respond to the new challenges posed by globalization. Students will look at how issues of global socioeconomic and political justice are addressed by various citizen groups, social movements, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in areas as diverse as human rights, environmental concerns, cultural diversity, and economic welfare.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 328, 329 - International Law & Organization 1 course unit
The course will study the development and role of international law and international organizations (the United Nations, regional, and functional organizations) in the regulation of interactions among nation-states. The view of Western, communist, and less developed states toward these institutions will be examined. It will focus on issues such as the rights and obligation of states, treaty law, and the role of international organization in maintaining the peace and promoting the improvement of the physical conditions of humankind. Students will be expected to provide brief analyses of hypothetical cases in international law plus an in-depth analysis of an issue facing international organizations.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies .
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 329.
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PSC 330, 331 - Comparative & International Environmental Policies 1 course unit
The course will examine the domestic and global dimensions of environmental politics. Subjects covered will include atmospheric issues, coastal and ocean pollution and multiple resource use, land resources, biodiversity, international river systems, environmental refugees, and population. It will compare policy-making in the European Union, ASEAN, NAFTA, and the United Nations systems.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies .
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 331.
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PSC 339, 340 - Theories of International Relations
A critical analysis of the current and historical theories of international relations, including the nation-state system, balance of power, and societal and governmental factors predisposing nations to peace and war. The course will also explore emerging theories of decision-making at the national and international level as well as the growing role of transnational relations.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies
Meets general academic requirement W when offered as 340.
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PSC 341 - American Foreign Policy 1 course unit
A study of the evolving nature of the formulation and conduct of American foreign policy, including the impact of an emerging international civil society on the policy formulation process since World War II. The course will emphasize contemporary issues, such as North-South relations, defense, humanitarian intervention and disarmament, international trade, as well as emerging issues, such as international resource management, pandemic disease control, and transnational organized crime.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies .
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PSC 343 - International Political Economy 1 course unit
The course examines the complex relationship between politics and economics in the global system. Students will analyze inter-connected themes, such as the relationship between power and wealth, the politics of international trade and international monetary management, globalization’s impact on international, regional, and national economies. There is a particular focus on the theories and practice of international development.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies .
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PSC 440 - Seminar in International Studies 1 course unit
The course will focus on an emerging issue in international relations. Potential topics would include democratization, cross-cultural communications, sustainable development, regional organizations, the management of international trade, conflict resolution, peace-making efforts in selected geographic regions, etc. It will provide the students with an opportunity to engage in cooperative learning through the development of policy analyses of various aspects of selected issues in international relations.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies . Two additional courses in the Comparative and/or International subfields are strongly recommended.
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Political Theory Political theory involves the critical examination of the ideological and philosophical underpinnings of political communities, the analysis and evaluation of ideas that animate contemporary political arguments, and the interpretation of classic texts in the history of political theory.
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PSC 260, 261 - American Political Thought 1 course unit
An examination of the major political ideas and ideological arguments influencing the development of political institutions and democratic practices in the United States. Attention is given to the debates leading to the ratification of the Constitution as well as to important nineteenth and twentieth century political figures and intellectuals who challenged and reshaped our understanding of the Constitution and the American Founding. Consideration is also given to contemporary political thought such as feminism, multiculturalism, and environmentalism.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU (and W when offered as 261).
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PSC 262, 263 - Utopia & Its Critics 1 course unit
An examination of utopianism and realism as contrasting modes of political thinking. By examining the works of thinkers such as Plato, Thomas More, Bellamy, and Morris, the course will consider the meaning, justifications, and functions of utopian thought, both as a blueprint for a just society and a genre of social criticism. The course will consider anti-utopian or realist thinkers such as Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes who insist on a sober assessment of power as the basis of political and social order.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU (and W when offered as 263).
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PSC 264 - Politics & Public Space 1 course unit
This course considers how ideas about the use and meaning of public space, such as neighborhoods, city streets, marketplaces, parks, and public monuments, frame political conflicts on issues such as social justice, environmental protection, and historical preservation. We examine how laws, socio-economic forces, and cultural values give shape to public spaces and how such spaces are transformed by the political struggles over their access, control, and meaning. We consider questions such as: What is public space? How is it constructed, interpreted, and contested? Who defines the boundaries between public space and private property? Who has the right to access public space? We also consider how social-economic forces such as suburbanization, globalization, and privatization are reshaping public space.
Meets general academic requirement B or SL.
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PSC 348, 349 - Democratic Theory 1 course unit
Examines important contributions to the meaning and practice of democracy drawn from both classic and contemporary sources, including representatives of liberal, communitarian, civic republican, and Marxists traditions of thought. Among the issues considered are the nature and scope of democratic citizenship, forms of participation, civic education, deliberation and representation, issues of identity and difference, social and economic conditions needed for democratic politics, and structure of democratic institutions.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 201 Political Ideologies or PSC 260, 261 American Political Thought or PSC 262, 263 Utopia & Its Critics or any course in political philosophy offered in the Philosophy Department.
Meets general academic requirement P or HU (and W when offered as 349).
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PSC 356, 357 - War & Justice 1 course unit
This course considers the relationship between international relations, statecraft, and ethics through an examination of the just war tradition in Western political thought. The moral arguments of both ancient and contemporary theorists of just war will be examined along with their application to modern conflicts such as World Wars I and II, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations or IST 101 Introduction to International Studies .
Meets general academic requirement P or HU (and W when offered as 357).
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PSC 450 - Seminar on Modernity & Its Discontents 1 course unit
Does modernity have a future? Modern liberalism, socialism, and communism grew out of the Enlightenment faith in progress, reason, and emancipation, each promising an expansion of freedom and equality through the human mastery of nature. Yet the catastrophes of the twentieth century have revealed darker forces at work in the modern era: world wars, alienation, totalitarianism, genocide, environmental deterioration, and terrorism. This seminar considers those political and social critics who offer both a diagnosis of and a cure for modernity’s discontents. Thinkers may include Nietzsche, Marx, Henry Adams, Freud, Max Weber, Arendt, Marcuse, and Foucault. For juniors and seniors only.
Prerequisite(s): PSC 201 Political Ideologies or PSC 260, 261 American Political Thought or PSC 262, 263 Utopia & Its Critics or any course in political philosophy offered in the Philosophy Department.
Meets general academic requirement W.
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Internship |
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PSC 960 - Political Science Internship 1 course unit
Pass/fail only.
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