Undergraduate Program Chair: Charles Lipson, P 418B, 702-8053,
clipson@uchicago.edu

Undergraduate Secretary: Mimi Walsh, P 401, 702-3040,
m-walsh@uchicago.edu

Web: political-science.uchicago.edu

Program of Study

The academic discipline of political science contributes to a liberal education by introducing College students to concepts, methods, and knowledge that help them understand and judge politics within and among nations. A B.A. degree in political science can lead to professional or graduate school in various disciplines, or contribute to careers in fields such as government, journalism, politics, education, business, and law.

Program Requirements

Courses. A political science major requires completion of twelve courses. In addition to political science courses (meaning those that are offered by faculty in the department), students may choose from the list at the end of this section: "Approved Courses from Outside Political Science" (and also available on the Web site above). Other on-campus courses outside political science may be considered on a case-by-case petition basis (see "Courses Taken Outside the Department of Political Science" below). However, a student can have no more than three petitions approved. Prior approval of the program chair is required. For students choosing to write a B.A. paper, two of the twelve courses in the major will be associated with the B.A. Paper: PLSC 29800 (B.A. Colloquium); and PLSC 29900 (B.A. Paper).

Course Distribution. The Department of Political Science believes that an undergraduate education in politics should include some familiarity with theoretical approaches to politics, with the politics of one's own country, with the politics of other countries, and with politics among nations. Of the political science courses required, at least one course must be taken in three of the following four subfields. To identify the subfields, refer to the boldface letter at the end of each course description.

A.  Empirical and Normative Political Theory: the history of ancient and modern political philosophy, the history of American political thought, and several varieties of contemporary political theory

B.  American Politics and Public Policy: American political institutions, behavior, opinions, development, and public policy

C.  Comparative Politics: the politics of particular foreign countries and regions and the comparative study of particular political phenomena such as leadership or state formation

D.  International Relations: theoretical approaches to the study of politics among nations, the international relations of particular regions, the foreign policies of particular countries, and such topics as international political economy and military security

Summary of Requirements

                                12      political science courses (at least one each in three of four subfields)

                                  -      fulfillment of the writing requirement

                                12

Summary of Requirements for students writing B.A. papers

                                10      political science courses (at least one each in three of four subfields)

                                  1      PLSC 29800 (B.A. Colloquium)

                                  1      PLSC 29900 (B.A. Paper)

                                12

Grading. Two of the required courses in political science may, with consent of instructor, be graded P/F.

Reading and Research Course. For students with a legitimate interest in pursuing a program of study that cannot be fulfilled by means of regular courses, there is the option of devising a reading and research course (PLSC 29700), to be taken individually and supervised by a member of the political science faculty. PLSC 29700 (Independent Study/Reading Course) requires the approval of the political science program chair and the prior consent of the instructor with whom the student would like to study. This is a general reading and research course for independent study not related to the B.A. paper or B.A. research. Please note that only one PLSC 29700 course may count toward requirements for the major.

Writing Requirement. Students are required to write one substantial paper (twenty or more pages) in one of the courses they take to meet requirements for the major. Students can meet this requirement with a twenty-page paper written for any class in the major or, with consent of instructor, extend a shorter paper to meet the twenty-page requirement. Students should inform the instructor of their intent to fulfill the writing requirement before eighth week of the quarter. A form certifying the successful completion of this requirement is available in the departmental office. This requirement is waived if the student writes a B.A. paper.

Third Year. During Autumn Quarter of their third year, prospective political science majors should watch for announcement of a required meeting with the program chair. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the political science program and provide information about its requirements.

For students choosing to write a B.A. paper, a second meeting is required in the Spring Quarter. This second meeting will focus on methods for doing research in political science. By the end of the eighth week of the Spring Quarter, all students choosing to write a B.A. paper must have chosen a faculty adviser and received written approval from the faculty adviser and the preceptor for the B.A. paper proposal. A copy of the approved proposal must be filed with the department (P 401). Students not in residence in the Spring Quarter of their third year should correspond with the program chair about their plans for the B.A. paper before the end of the Spring Quarter.

The B.A. Paper Colloquium (PLSC 29800). Students who choose to write a B.A. paper (and all those applying for honors) are required to participate in the B.A. Paper Colloquium in the Autumn and Winter Quarters of the senior year. The colloquium, which may be organized along methodological or field lines, is designed to help students carry out their B.A. paper research. It meets weekly in autumn and biweekly in winter. The final grade for the colloquium will reflect the grade assigned by the B.A. preceptor based on the student's contribution to the colloquium. Please note that registration for PLSC 29800, which is required for those writing B.A. papers, is limited to either the Autumn or Winter Quarter of the fourth year, but that attendance is required in both quarters.

The B.A. Paper (PLSC 29900). During their senior year, students who choose to write a B.A. paper (and all those applying for honors) must register with their B.A. paper faculty adviser for one (and only one) quarter of PLSC 29900. The final grade for the course will be based on the grade given the B.A. paper by the faculty adviser. The final deadline for submission of non-honors B.A. papers is Friday of eighth week of the quarter in which the student expects to graduate (see honors deadline below). This deadline represents a final, formal submission; students should expect to submit and defend substantial drafts much earlier. One copy of the B.A. paper must be submitted to the department office (P 401) for delivery to the appropriate faculty adviser. The B.A. paper minimum page requirement is thirty-five pages. Students who choose to write a B.A. paper need not fulfill the third-year writing requirement.

NOTE: A request to use a single B.A. paper for two majors requires the approval of both program chairs on a form available from the student's College adviser. To be considered for honors in political science, however, the department requires that at least two members of the political science faculty evaluate the paper.

Honors. Students who have done exceptionally well in their course work and who write an outstanding B.A. paper are recommended for honors in political science. A student is eligible for honors if the GPA in the major is 3.6 or higher and the overall GPA is 3.0 or higher at the beginning of the quarter in which the student intends to graduate. Students who wish to be considered for honors are required to register for PLSC 29800 (B.A. Colloquium) and PLSC 29900 (B.A. Paper). To be considered for honors, students must submit two copies of their B.A. paper by Friday of the fifth week of the quarter in which they expect to graduate. Students who apply for honors and write a B.A. paper need not fulfill the writing requirement.

Courses Taken on Campus in other Departments. Students may count three courses outside the Department of Political Science toward requirements for the political science major. These courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis, by formal petition to the program chair in advance of registration. Such courses must have political science content and deploy methodology relevant to the study of political science. Petitions should include the name of the course instructor, the course title, and the course number. The course syllabus should be attached to the petition, which should present a clear, complete statement of the student's request and the student's reasons for the request.

Transfer and Foreign Study Credit. Transfer students who wish to apply credit to their political science major for course work taken at another institution should petition the program chair shortly after matriculation. Students who wish to receive credit for courses taken elsewhere, after they enter the College, must petition the program chair for approval in advance of registration. Students who wish to receive credit for courses taken abroad should petition the program chair within one quarter of their return.

Students are required to take at least seven of twelve or six of ten substantive courses required for the major in residence at the University of Chicago from among those courses recognized by the department as political science courses. "Substantive" courses are classroom courses with syllabi, taken for a grade. PLSC 29700 also counts as a substantive course.

Faculty

D. Allen, C. Boix, J. Brehm, C. Cohen, D. Drezner, J. Grynaviski, M. Harris-Lacewell,
G. Herrigel, C. Larmore, J. Levy, C. Lipson, P. Markell, J. McCormick, J. Mearsheimer,
L. Medina, E. Oliver, J. Padgett, R. Pape, G. Rosenberg, W. Sewell, B. S. Silberman,
D. Snidal, S. Stokes, C. Sunstein, R. Suny, N. Tarcov, L. Wedeen, A. Wendt, D. Yang,
I. Young

Courses: Political Science (plsc)

Boldface letters in parentheses refer to the course distribution areas noted in the preceding Program Requirements section.

21005. Democracy and National Security. This course tackles the following question: What does democracy mean for national security? We begin with long-standing normative debates over whether democracy makes a state more or less secure. We then engage a number of empirical debates that tease out how democracy can make states more or less secure (democratic peace, imperial overstretch, crisis resolve, military effectiveness, war on terror). Finally, we conclude with two important questions: First, how has the idea that democracy makes states more secure become commonplace? Second, is a "realist" foreign policy incompatible with democracy? J. Schuessler. Autumn, 2004. (D)

21105. Political Participation and Democracy in the United States. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to political participation in American politics. Topics include three models of political participation: socioeconomic status (SES) model, rational choice model, and civic voluntarism model; individual-level determinants of participation (e.g., education, income, occupation); and structural-level determinants (i.e., mobilization, legal and institutional factors, sociogeographical context, interpersonal networks, social capital, media and Internet). We conclude with a discussion on the relationship between political participation and democracy. S. Ha. Spring, 2005. (B)

21205. Theory and Practice of Diplomacy. This course introduces a key element of international relations: diplomacy. We analyze diplomacy's role in the international system through the major theoretical lenses of IR. We then explore some of the major practices that characterize diplomacy. We also take a closer look at some important empirical cases of diplomacy in international crises. L. Viola. Spring, 2005. (D)

21305. Humanitarian NGOs and International Ethics. (=HMRT 12305) This course examines international humanitarian NGOs (e.g., Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam) from the perspective of political theory and international ethics. We also situate humanitarian NGOs in the context of debates in international ethics about responsibility for global poverty. Other topics covered include the ethics of fund raising, humanitarian military intervention, "rights-based" aid provision, and cultural relativism. Readings pair work in contemporary political theory, philosophy, and ethics with accounts of aid provision by aid workers, journalists, aid recipients, and others. J. Rubenstein. Spring, 2005. (A)

21400. World Politics in the Nineteenth Century, 1814 to 1914: A History. This course provides an overview of major developments in nineteenth-century history: wars, revolutions, diplomacy, economic development, imperial expansion, and international trade and investment. In short, it surveys the history of modern inter-state relations in the nineteenth century. It covers the period from the Napoleonic Wars and Congress of Vienna (early 1800s) through the origins of World War I. The course covers key elements of international history needed for further study of international politics and IR theory. The course extensively uses multimedia presentations to show maps, historical events, and national leaders. Besides diplomatic relations among the Great Powers, the course examines long-term trends in economic development and military force. Specific topics include the settlement after the Napoleonic Wars, the failed revolutions of 1848-49, European imperialism, the industrial revolution, and the origins of World War I. C. Lipson. Autumn, 2004. (D)

22100. African-American Politics. This course explores both the historical and contemporary political behavior of African Americans, examining the multitude of ways in which African Americans have engaged in politics and political struggle in the United States. An analysis of difference and stratification in black communities and its resulting impact on political ideologies and mobilization is a crucial component of this course. We consistently seek to situate the politics of African Americans in the larger design we call American politics. C. Cohen. Winter, 2005. (B)

22500. Law and Society. (=LLSO 24001) This course examines the myriad relationships between courts, laws, and lawyers in the United States. Issues covered range from legal consciousness to the role of rights to access to courts to implementation of decisions to professionalism. G. Rosenberg. Spring, 2005. (B)

22515. The Political Nature of the American Judicial System. (=LLSO 24011) PQ: PLSC 28800 or equivalent. This seminar introduces students to the political nature of the American legal system. In examining foundational parts of the political science literature on courts conceived of as political institutions, we focus on the relationship between the courts and other political institutions. Questions include: Are there interests that courts are particularly prone to support? What effect does congressional or executive action have on court decisions? What impact do court decisions have? Although the answers are not always clear, students should complete the seminar with an awareness of and sensitivity to the political nature of America's legal system. G. Rosenberg. Winter, 2005. (B)

22700. Happiness. (=GNDR 25200, HUMA 24900, PHIL 21400) For course description, see Philosophy. B. Schultz. Spring. (A)

22710. Electoral Politics in America. This course explores the interactions of voters, candidates, the parties, and the media in American national elections, chiefly in the campaign for the presidency, both in nominating primaries and in the November general election. We examine how voters learn about candidates, how they perceive candidates, how they come to turn out to vote, and how they decide among the candidates. We discuss the strategies and techniques of electoral campaigns, including the choices of campaign themes and the impact of campaign advertising. We consider the role of campaign contributors and volunteers, the party campaign organizations, campaign and media polls, and the press. Finally, we assess the impact of campaigns and elections on governing and policymaking. M. Hansen. Autumn, 2004. (B)

23110/33100. Gender and "Development." (=GNDR 23501) This course analyzes issues of gender and development studies. Questions include: How does the gender division of labor between unpaid household labor and paid employment intersect with government policies and actions of international organizations in less developed countries? What is the gendered construction of piece work in the home, and of factory work in export processing zones? What are the attitudes of governments in less developed countries and in developed countries toward sex work, sex tourism, and sex trafficking? How do structural adjustment programs condition the lives of women and relations between men and women? I. Young. Winter, 2005. (A)

23300. Springtime for Hitler and Germany: The Advocates of the Aesthetic State. This course introduces the idea of the aesthetic state and the rise of political modernism. Readings include texts by Benjamin, Mussolini, Marinetti, Schmitt, Rosenberg, and Hitler. The aim of the course is to try to make sense out of the rise of politics for politics' sake in the first half of the twentieth century. B. Silberman. Winter, 2005. (A)

23400/32800. Capitalism in Modern Europe. (=HIST 23300/33300) This course investigates the emergence of capitalism in Europe and the world as a whole between the early sixteenth and the late eighteenth centuries. We discuss the political and cultural, as well as the economic, sources of capitalism; and we explore Marxist, neoclassical, and cultural approaches. W. Sewell. Winter, 2005. (C)

25000/35100. Comparative Politics of Latin America. This course introduces major theories of Latin American political and social change, as well as the political systems of three countries. We focus on the determinants and dynamics of regime change in Latin America. We first read general studies of modernization and political change and then focus on these issues as they worked themselves out in Chile, Mexico, and Nicaragua. S. Stokes. Spring, 2005. (C)

25300/36300. American Political Parties. This course introduces the nature and function of American political parties. We concentrate on two main themes. First, we explore the origins of the American party system. Specific topics include the origin of America's ambivalence toward political parties, the emergence of parties in the United States, and the institutional foundations of America's two-party system. Second, we investigate the role that political parties play as intermediary institutions between the public and their elected officials. Our studies focus on the role of political parties in the organization of elections and the government. More advanced topics include political realignments, divided government, and the decline of parties hypothesis. J. Grynaviski. Spring, 2005. (B)

25900/35600. Japanese Politics. This course surveys major aspects of Japanese politics: party politics, bureaucracy, the diet, and political behavior in Japan after World War II. B. Silberman. Autumn, 2004. (C)

26400. Islamic Politics. L. Wedeen. Winter, 2005. (C)

27215/52315. Machiavelli's Political Thought. (=LLSO 28200) This course is devoted to the political writings of Niccol˜ Machiavelli. Readings include The Prince, Discourses on Livy, Florentine Histories, and the "Discoursus on Florentine Affairs." Themes include the relationship between the person and the polity; the compatibility of moral and political virtue; the utility of class conflict; the advantages of mixed institutions; the principles of self-government, deliberation, and participation; and the meaning of liberty and the question of military conquest. J. McCormick. Spring, 2005. (A)

27500/37500. Organizational Decision Making. This course is an examination of the process of decision making in modern complex organizations such as universities, schools, hospitals, business firms, and public bureaucracies. The course also considers the impact of information, power, resources, organizational structure, and the environment, as well as alternative models of choice. J. Padgett. Autumn, 2004. (B)

27600/37600. War and the Nation-State. The aim of this course is to examine the phenomenon of war in its broader socioeconomic context during the years between the emergence of the modern nation-state and the end of World War II. J. Mearsheimer. Winter, 2005. (D)

27815/38415. Politics and Public Policy in China. This course offers a historical and thematic survey to Chinese politics in the twentieth century. Particular attention is given to the formation of the party-state, the imposition of central planning, the Great Leap forward, the Cultural Revolution, reform and liberalization, and China's role in the world in the post-cold war era. The discussion is framed in terms that allow comparison with other countries. D. Yang. Autumn, 2004. (C)

27900. American Foreign Policy. The study of foreign policy lies on the fault line between international relations, domestic politics, and policy analysis. In analyzing the foreign affairs of the United States, there is the added tension of pursuing the national interest versus advancing our nation's ideals. This course surveys the contending theories explaining U.S. foreign policy. It then examines significant episodes of the past century to identify the important factors and trade-offs affecting U.S. policymakers. D. Drezner. Spring, 2005. (D)

28300. Seminar on Realism. The aim of this course is to read the key works dealing with the international relations theory called "realism." J. Mearsheimer. Spring, 2005. (D)

28610. Psychoanalysis, Buddhism, and the Emotional Life. Using abstract theories and empirical studies, we investigate the sources of human thinking and behavior as they relate to political action, conflict, and organization. Topics include the inevitability of conflict, the dynamics of obedience and authority, the function and organization of political attitudes, the variety in styles of political thinking, the sources of stereotypes and intolerance, the role of emotions in political life, and non-Western understandings of human consciousness and political action. E. Oliver. Spring, 2005. (B)

28900/39900. Strategy. This course is about American national security policy in the post-cold war world, especially the principal issues of military strategy that are likely to face the United States in the next decade. The course is structured in five parts: (1) examining the key changes in strategic environment since 1990, (2) looking at the effects of multipolarity on American grand strategy and basic national goals, (3) focusing on nuclear strategy, (4) examining conventional strategy, and (5) discussing the future of war and peace in the Pacific Rim. R. Pape. Spring, 2005. (D)

29000/39800. Introduction to International Relations. This course introduces the main themes in international relations, including the problems of war and peace, conflict and cooperation. We begin by considering some basic theoretical tools used to study international politics. We then focus on several prominent security issues in modern international relations, such as the cold war and post-cold war world, nuclear weapons, nationalism, and terrorism. We also deal with economic aspects of international relations, such as globalization, world trade, environmental pollution, and European unification. C. Lipson. Autumn, 2004. (D)

29400/39400. International Relations: Perspectives on Conflict and Cooperation. (=INST 29400, SOSC 20400) For course description, see International Studies. J. Mitzen. Autumn. (D)

29500/39500. International Relations: Transnationalism in a Postcolonial World. (=INST 29500) For course description, see International Studies. L. Wedeen. Winter. (D)

29700. Independent Study/Reading Course. PQ: Consent of faculty supervisor and program chair. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. This is a general reading and research course for independent study not related to the B.A. paper or B.A. research. Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29800. B.A. Paper Colloquium. PQ: Required of fourth-year political science majors who plan to write a B.A. paper. Students participate in both Autumn and Winter Quarters but register only once (in either the Autumn or Winter Quarter). The colloquium, which may be organized along methodological or field lines, meets weekly in the Autumn Quarter and biweekly in the Winter Quarter to provide students with a forum within which research problems are addressed, conceptual frameworks are refined, and drafts of the B.A. paper are presented and critiqued. Autumn, Winter.

29900. B.A. Paper. PQ: Required of fourth-year political science majors who write a B.A. paper. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. This is a reading and research course for independent study related to B.A. research and B.A. paper preparation. Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring.

31100. Urban Ethics. This course explores the idea of citizenship in its original meaning of the duties and habits of a city-dweller. We read key texts in ethical philosophy (Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Emerson, Dewey, Taylor) and draw on them to think about questions such as: How should one respond to a beggar? What should we think of prostitution? Is driving an SUV a moral issue? How should one respond to rudeness from a person of another race or ethnicity? What ethical issues are involved in playing the lottery? Should one report drug use/drug dealing to the police? D. Allen. Winter, 2005. (A)

32700. Machiavelli on War. (=FNDL 29300) For course description, see Fundamentals. N. Tarcov. Spring, 2005. (A)

33600. Plutarch's Lives. (=FNDL 29001) For course description, see Fundamentals. R. Lerner, N. Tarcov. Autumn, 2004. (A)

Approved Courses from Outside Political Science

Students may draw on the following courses to count toward political science courses required for the program. Some courses may not be offered every year and others will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For updates, visit political-science.uchicago.edu or the department office.

ENST 21800. Economics and Environmental Policy. (B)

ENST 23500. Political Sociology. (B)

ENST 24100. The Environment in U.S. Politics. (B)

ENST 24400. Is Development Sustainable? (B)

ENST 24700. Environmental Policy. (B)

ENST 24900. Global Environmental Politics. (C)

GNDR 27700. Pragmatism, Feminism, and Democracy: Dewey and Addams. (A)

HIST 21500. John Locke in Historical Context. (A)

HMRT 20100. Human Rights I: Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights. (A)

HMRT 20200. Human Rights II: Historical Underpinnings of Human Rights. (A)

HMRT 20300. Human Rights III: Contemporary Issues in Human Rights. (A)

HMRT 20500. Human Rights and International Relations. (D)

LLSO 24300. American Laws and the Rhetoric of Race. (B)

PBPL 22100. Politics and Policy. (B)

PBPL 22300. Problems of Public Policy Implementation. (B)

PBPL 24800. Urban Policy Analysis. (B)

PBPL 25300. Social Welfare in the United States. (B)

PBPL 25800. Public Choice. (B)

PBPL 26200. Field Research Project in Public Policy I. (B)

PBPL 26300. Field Research Project in Public Policy II. (B)

PBPL 27900. Global-Local Politics. (B)

RLST 36000. Machiavelli e Guicciardini. (A)

SALC 20700. Critics of Colonialism: Gandhi and Fanon. (A)

SOCI 21800. Social and Political Movements. (B)

SOCI 23100. Revolutions and Rebellions in Twentieth-Century China. (C)

SOCI 23500. Political Sociology. (B)

SOCI 24000. Sociology of National Identity and Nationalism. (C)

SOCI 25100. Urban Structure and Process. (B)

SOCI 25500. Survey Research Overview. (A)

SOCI 26900. Globalization: Empirical/Theoretical Elements. (C)

SOSC 20600. Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences. (A)