graduate seminars
PLSC 407: Public Policy-Making and Implementation
Professor Tatalovich
W 4:15pm / LSC
This course will be reading intensive, and students are expected to attend class prepared to discuss the assigned materials. The coverage will focus on various theories of the policy-making process as formulated by the leading thinkers in the field, notably Theodore J. Lowi, James Anderson, Paul Sabatier, John Kingdon, and others. Some attention will be given to the work of Tatalovich on the morality policy process, here and abroad.
PLSC 430: Theories of International Politics
Professor Grigorescu
W 7:00pm / LSC
This course introduces students to some of the more frequently cited works in international relations (IR). It explores central concepts and theories employed by political scientists to explain how world politics functions. In order to illustrate various concepts and theories, the course will use examples from different areas of the world and from different moments in history. It will especially rely on examples from events that are still unfolding.
PLSC 432: Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis
Professor Schraeder
Th 7:00pm / LSC
This graduate seminar serves as an introduction to the comparative study of foreign policy. We will examine competing theoretical approaches that have been adopted to explain foreign policy phenomena at several levels of analysis: individual policymaker, the nation-state, and the international system. In short, our primary goal will be to better understand foreign policy behavior through the use of theory. Although weekly sessions will obviously vary, each class will consist of the following three components: (1) brief, 10-minute student presentations of the history and major works of the designated "scholars of the week"; (2) a short presentation by the professor on the historical evolution of the body of theoretical literature within which those scholars' works are located; and (3) a class discussion of the body of theory to be examined that week.
PLSC 449: Nineteenth-Century Political Theory
Professor Engeman
Th 4:15pm / LSC
Nineteeenth Century political philosophers developed most of the theoretical paths which shaped 20th Century thought. This course will concentrate on the major theorists of this fecund century: Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche.
PLSC 476: Data Analysis II
Professor Mahler
M 7:00pm / LSC
This is an intermediate course in the application of statistical methods to political analysis. The primary focus of the course is the theory and practice of multiple regression, the most important statistical technique in the social sciences. Among the specific topics examined are the assumptions underlying regression and the consequences of violating them; analysis of residuals; collinearity; dummy regression; analysis of variance and covariance; hierarchical regression; nonlinearity and nonadditivity; pooled cross-sectional/time series analysis; and structural equations. Emphasis throughout the course will be on practical applications and extensive use will be made of SPSS and Stata, computer programs commonly used in social science analysis. Prerequisite: the successful completion of Political Science 475, Techniques of Political Science I, or the instructor's permission.
PLSC 499: Directed Readings
Professor Schraeder / permission required
A special readings course designed for students with particular topics in mind. Interested students should discuss the proposed topic with a faculty member prior to the beginning of the semester. The Graduate Program Director's permission is required before students may register for this course.
PLSC 533: Seminar in U.S. National Security Problems
Professor Williams
T 7:00pm / LSC
This course explores the making and implementation of U.S. national security policies and the role of the military establishment in a democratic society. In addition to historical and organizational considerations, we will discuss such issues as military strategy, low-intensity conflicts, terrorism, homeland security, and intelligence operations. Classic readings in national security policy and civil-military relations will be complemented by current debates and cross national comparisons. Throughout the course we will consider the ethical and practical implications of national security policy choices. Students will prepare a paper suitable for publication in a scholarly journal dealing with the issues of this course.
PLSC 407: Public Policy-Making and Implementation
Professor Tatalovich
W 4:15pm / LSC
This course will be reading intensive, and students are expected to attend class prepared to discuss the assigned materials. The coverage will focus on various theories of the policy-making process as formulated by the leading thinkers in the field, notably Theodore J. Lowi, James Anderson, Paul Sabatier, John Kingdon, and others. Some attention will be given to the work of Tatalovich on the morality policy process, here and abroad.
PLSC 430: Theories of International Politics
Professor Grigorescu
W 7:00pm / LSC
This course introduces students to some of the more frequently cited works in international relations (IR). It explores central concepts and theories employed by political scientists to explain how world politics functions. In order to illustrate various concepts and theories, the course will use examples from different areas of the world and from different moments in history. It will especially rely on examples from events that are still unfolding.
PLSC 432: Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis
Professor Schraeder
Th 7:00pm / LSC
This graduate seminar serves as an introduction to the comparative study of foreign policy. We will examine competing theoretical approaches that have been adopted to explain foreign policy phenomena at several levels of analysis: individual policymaker, the nation-state, and the international system. In short, our primary goal will be to better understand foreign policy behavior through the use of theory. Although weekly sessions will obviously vary, each class will consist of the following three components: (1) brief, 10-minute student presentations of the history and major works of the designated "scholars of the week"; (2) a short presentation by the professor on the historical evolution of the body of theoretical literature within which those scholars' works are located; and (3) a class discussion of the body of theory to be examined that week.
PLSC 449: Nineteenth-Century Political Theory
Professor Engeman
Th 4:15pm / LSC
Nineteeenth Century political philosophers developed most of the theoretical paths which shaped 20th Century thought. This course will concentrate on the major theorists of this fecund century: Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche.
PLSC 476: Data Analysis II
Professor Mahler
M 7:00pm / LSC
This is an intermediate course in the application of statistical methods to political analysis. The primary focus of the course is the theory and practice of multiple regression, the most important statistical technique in the social sciences. Among the specific topics examined are the assumptions underlying regression and the consequences of violating them; analysis of residuals; collinearity; dummy regression; analysis of variance and covariance; hierarchical regression; nonlinearity and nonadditivity; pooled cross-sectional/time series analysis; and structural equations. Emphasis throughout the course will be on practical applications and extensive use will be made of SPSS and Stata, computer programs commonly used in social science analysis. Prerequisite: the successful completion of Political Science 475, Techniques of Political Science I, or the instructor's permission.
PLSC 499: Directed Readings
Professor Schraeder / permission required
A special readings course designed for students with particular topics in mind. Interested students should discuss the proposed topic with a faculty member prior to the beginning of the semester. The Graduate Program Director's permission is required before students may register for this course.
PLSC 533: Seminar in U.S. National Security Problems
Professor Williams
T 7:00pm / LSC