Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalogue 
    
2021-2022 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, Field IV: Comparative Politics, B.A.


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FACULTY:

Michele Leiby, Chair
Angela Bos

Ȧlvaro Corral
Erum Haider
Kent Kille
Matthew Krain
Jeffrey Lantis
Bas van Doorn
D
ésirée Weber

Political Science is concerned with the study of power, government, and the state. Power relationships among individuals, groups, nations, and their governmental and policy results are examined using a variety of political science methods, including case studies, textual analysis, field research, interviews, and statistical analysis of quantitative data.

The discipline is divided into four major fields, listed below. Students of United States national politics examine the interactions among citizens, political parties, interest groups, social movements, and government institutions in the United States. Comparative politics compares and contrasts how countries around the world (excluding the U.S.) have attempted to solve problems of governance, justice, economic development, and political stability.  International relations is concerned with patterns of conflict and cooperation among nations, countries, international organizations, and non-governmental actors such as human rights organizations, terrorist groups, and multinational corporations. Political theorists question the philosophical underpinnings of our understanding of the political world and implications for justice and the common good.

A major in Political Science provides the diverse analytical and critical skills appropriate to a liberal arts education at The College of Wooster. Political Science majors often continue their education by attending graduate school or law school. Many of our majors are employed by interest groups, government officials, research organizations, campaigns, and law and business firms in the U.S. and around the world.

Major in Political Science, Field IV: Comparative Politics


Consists of eleven courses:

Special Notes


  • The two 100-level courses should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
  • Students will be asked to confirm their concentration field when they declare their major.
  • Students who declare a concentration in Field I, II, or IV are required to take PSCI 40101, usually in the junior year. Students who declare a concentration in Field III are required to take PSCI 40102, usually in the junior year.
  • Students should consult their adviser or the chair of the department concerning which courses might best complement their chosen concentration and interests.
  • Senior Independent Study is completed in the field of concentration.
  • Students may count towards graduation as many as three additional elective courses in Political Science. Indeed, students are strongly encouraged to take additional upper-division political science courses in order to acquire depth of understanding in preparation for internships and Senior Independent Study.
  • Teaching Licensure: Interested students should consult with the chairs of Political Science and Education during their first year of study.
  • Advanced Placement: A student may receive advanced placement credit in Political Science if a score of 4 or 5 is obtained on the following AP tests:
    • United States Government and Politics Test: credit for PSCI 11000  
    • Comparative Government and Politics Test: credit for PSCI 14000  
  • Qualifying students must see the chair of Political Science. The advanced placement policy of the College is explained in the section on Academic Policies .
  • Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major or minor.

Field I: UNITED STATES NATIONAL POLITICS


Field I: UNITED STATES NATIONAL POLITICS

  • PSCI 11000.  Introduction to United States National Politics
  • PSCI 20600.  Political Parties and Elections
  • PSCI 207xx.  Issues in United States National Politics
  • PSCI 20800.  Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
  • PSCI 20900.  Latinx Politics
  • PSCI 21000.  Women, Power and Politics
  • PSCI 21100.  Congress
  • PSCI 21400.  Constitutional Interpretation and Civil Liberties
  • PSCI 215xx.  Issues in Constitutional Law and Appellate Advocacy
  • PSCI 21700.  Media and Politics
  • PSCI 21800.  Political Psychology of Mass Behavior
  • PSCI 21900.  The Voice of the People? Public Opinion and Voting Behavior

Field II: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS


Field II:  INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

  • PSCI 12000.  Introduction to International Relations
  • PSCI 22000.  Political Leadership in International Relations
  • PSCI 22100.  International Security
  • PSCI 22200.  War and Politics on Film
  • PSCI 22300.  United States Foreign Policy
  • PSCI 22400.  Comparative Foreign Policy
  • PSCI 22500.  The United Nations System
  • PSCI 22600.  International Political Economy
  • PSCI 22700.  Theories of International Relations
  • PSCI 22800.  Nationalism and Interdependence
  • PSCI 229xx.  Issues in International Relations

Field III: POLITICAL THEORY


Field III:  POLITICAL THEORY

  • PSCI 13000.  Introduction to Political Theory
  • PSCI 23100.  Modern Western Political Thought
  • PSCI 23200.  Knowledge and Power
  • PSCI 23400.  Contemporary Western Political Theory
  • PSCI 239xx.  Issues in Political Theory

Field IV: COMPARATIVE POLITICS


FIELD IV:  COMPARATIVE POLITICS

  • PSCI 14000.  Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • PSCI 24300.  Human Rights
  • PSCI 24500.  Political Violence
  • PSCI 24600.  Peace Studies
  • PSCI 247xx.  Issues in Comparative Politics
  • PSCI 24800.  Contemporary Latin American Politics
  • PSCI 24900.  The Government and Politics of Africa

 

RESEARCH AND METHODS COURSES


RESEARCH AND METHODS COURSES

  • PSCI 40101.  Research Methods and Design
  • PSCI 40102.  Research in Political Theory

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