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Politics
From the 2001-2002
Undergraduate College Catalog
Chair: George Jarnis
Professors: John Ambacher, George Jarnis, Elaine Storella
Assistant Professor: Douglas Telling
Instructor: Daniel Breen
Pre-Law Advisor: John Ambacher
The General Education Requirements
All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of twelve
(12) courses. See page 32 of the College catalog. General Education Goal 11 (Study
of the Constitutions) is covered in courses required of Politics majors. While
majors may take general education courses from other departments that fulfill
Goal 11, they are not required to do so.
POLITICS MAJOR
Departmental Requirements for Politics Major:
The Politics major consists of twelve (12) courses and one (1) required/related
general education course. All students majoring in Politics must take two (2)
specified introductory level courses; three (3) intermediate level courses from
a specified list; and seven (7) courses which constitute a concentration.
Introductory courses
62.110
Introduction to American Politics
62.120
Introduction to World Politics
Intermediate courses
American Field (select one)
62.223
Bureaucratic Politics and Power
62.224
Public Leadership
International Field (select one)
62.235
British Politics
62.245
Comparative Politics: Europe
Political Theory (select one)
62.211
Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order
62.212
Political Theory: Age of Ideology
Required/related course
All Politics majors must take 43.117
Introduction to Statistics.
Students majoring in Politics should complete 62.110
Introduction to American Politics and 62.120
Introduction to World Politics during their freshman year. All above courses
must be completed prior to the end of the sophomore year.
Concentration courses: Students in the Politics major must complete a concentration
in American Politics, Public Administration or American Legal Studies. Each
concentration consists of seven (7) specified politics courses.
CONCENTRATION IN AMERICAN POLITICS (POA)
American Government (select three)
62.315
Judicial Politics and Policy
62.325
Public Management
62.326
Political Parties and Interest Groups
62.327
Elections and Campaign Strategy
62.337
Legislative Politics and Policy
62.341
The Presidency: Politics and Administration
62.342
Formation and Conduct of U.S. Foreign Policy
Policy and Politics (select one)
62.328
Public Budgeting and Management
62.329
Public Policy Analysis
Law, Theory and Politics (select one)
62.330
American Political Thought
62.316
U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics
Electives (select two)
Must be from courses offered by the Politics Department. At least one (1)
of these courses must be at the 300 level.
CONCENTRATION IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (POP)
Public Management (all four)
62.325
Public Management
62.328
Public Budgeting and Management
62.329
Public Policy Analysis
62.335
Public Personnel Management
American Institutions and Policy (select two)
62.315
Judicial Politics and Policy
62.337
Legislative Politics and Policy
62.341
The Presidency: Politics and Administration
62.342
Formation and Conduct of U.S. Foreign Policy
Elective (select one)
Any other 300-level course offered by the Politics Department.
CONCENTRATION IN AMERICAN LEGAL STUDIES (POL)
The concentration in American Legal Studies is designed to provide undergraduate
students with a structured program of study of the American legal system and
its interaction with the political culture and governmental institutions of
American society. The role and the function of the judiciary, the legal community
as well as public agencies will be examined within the context of the legal
system. Internship opportunities will be a component of the concentration. The
concentration should be of interest to those planning careers in the law, public
policy, or governmental service.
Required course:
62.250
American Legal System
Select any five of the following courses:
52.230
Law and Society
62.211
Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order
62.315
Judicial Politics and Policy
62.316
U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics
62.325
Public Management
62.329
Public Policy Analysis
62.337
Legislative Politics and Policy
62.495
Internship
One elective:
Any other 300-level politics course
MINOR IN POLITICS (5 courses)
62.110
Introduction to American Politics
Four (4) other courses above the 100 level acceptable for the major
MINOR IN LAW AND POLITICS (5 courses)
The minor in Law and Politics is designed to provide undergraduate students
with a structured program of study in judicial and governmental processes. U.S.
public policy is constrained by our legal system, and conversely, our legal
system is sometimes modified by political interests. This program will focus
on the interaction of law and politics.
Core course
62.250
American Legal Systems
Select four (4) courses:
62.211
Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order
62.315
Judicial Politics and Policy
62.316
U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics
62.331
International Law I
62.332
International Law II
62.450
Internship in the Judicial System
Politics Courses Appropriate for General Education (Gen.Ed.)
Course
Descriptions
From the 2001-2002
Undergraduate College Catalog
62.110 Introduction to American Politics (Gen.Ed. Goals 10,11)
An introduction to American governmental institutions and the political process. Among the topics included are the political culture and socialization, political participation, the media, social movements and minority politics, and interest groups and political parties. This course fulfills the requirement to study the federal and Massachusetts constitutions.
Note: Credit will not be given for this course after completing 62.101 Introduction to American Politics I, 62.102 Introduction to American Politics II, or 62.103 Survey of American Politics.
62.120 Introduction to World Politics (Gen.Ed. Goal 13)
An introduction to the theory and substance of world politics. Concentration on the rise and nature of the modern state system, study of the roles played by international law, diplomacy, and international organizations, and an analysis of the impact on the international system of the transition from a Euro-centered system to a more truly global one.
62.210 Public Leadership (Gen.Ed. Goal 14)
A study of leadership within governmental institutions, public, non-profit, and community organizations. The course analyzes leadership styles and behavior in an attempt to discover those factors associated with effective leadership in various settings and under different conditions.
62.211 Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order (Gen.Ed. Goal 11)
An historical approach to the study of the ideas of justice, law, and order as they evolved in Western tradition from Hammurabi's code and Plato's Republic in ancient times to such twentieth- century analyses as John Rawls' A Theory of Justice. This course integrates information from the disciplines of politics, history, and philosophy. It also fulfills the requirement to study the federal and Massachusetts constitutions.
62.212 Political Theory: Age of Ideology (Gen.Ed. Goal 8)
An historical approach to the study of nineteenth and twentieth-century ideologies including such "isms" as conservatism, liberalism, socialism, totalitarianism, ethnic nationalism, and religious fundamentalism. Lectures, discussions, and written assignments focus on analyzing primary sources in terms of historical context and political consequences.
62.223 Bureaucratic Politics and Power
An introduction to bureaucratic organizations servicing the public sector. The course analyzes the politics and power of governmental bureaucracies and discusses their substantive impact upon individuals and societal policy. Topics include the growth of bureaucratic authority and power, organizational behavior, administrative leadership, decision making, the politics of budgeting, and administrative accountability and responsibility.
62.235 British Politics
A study in depth of the British Cabinet system, Parliament, parties and electoral processes; considerable emphasis is placed on the role exercised by the individuals and groups that constitute Britain's political elite and upon the unique characteristics of British political culture.
62.245 Comparative Politics: Europe (Gen.Ed. Goals 14, 15)
An integrative study of the history, political institutions and public policies of Western Europe in the post-World War II period. Initially, the country-by-country approach focuses on the "Big Four": the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy. To a lesser extent, "smaller" nations like Sweden and the former Yugoslavia are included. International organizations such as NATO and the European Union are also considered.
62.250 American Legal Systems (Gen.Ed. Goal 11)
A study of the origins and essentials of the common law, statutes, constitutions, and court decisions in the United States. Emphasis is on legal reasoning and case analysis to promote legal problem-solving skills. Topics include criminal law and procedures, property law, contract law, and the law of torts. This course fulfills the requirements to study the federal and Massachusetts constitutions.
62.313 American Political Thought
A focus on the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in an attempt to understand American political thought in terms of "national mythology." Readings are primary sources.
62.315 Judicial Politics and Policy
The roles of judges, lawyers, law enforcement officials, and litigants in the judicial system. The process used to make legal decisions and the effect of these decisions will be examined. Finally, the courts' relations with other political institutions are analyzed.
62.316 U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics
A study of the role of judicial supremacy, judicial restraint, and judicial activism in the American political system and the processes by which they have evolved.
62.324 Urban Politics
A study of the structure, nature and effects of the urban political system. The scope of the course focuses upon the urban environment, political participation, the structure of government and the allocation of goods and services in urban areas. Emphasis is placed on the "urban crisis," the resolution of urban conflicts, and the making of public policy. The course investigates the reform movement and the major strategies for changing urban government.
62.325 Public Management
A study of organizational management, administrative behavior, and public policy issues. The course is structured around the case method approach. Students' participation in the form of role playing and game simulation is highly emphasized.
62.326 Political Parties and Interest Groups
An analysis of the characteristics, roles, and status of American political parties and interest groups. Attention is focused on the strengths and weaknesses of the party system and alternative forms of political organization.
62.327 Elections and Campaign Strategy
An analysis of the changing nature of electoral politics resulting from such factors as the decline of parties, reforms, finance laws, the media, and voting behavior. The course focuses upon the techniques of campaign management to include strategy, fund raising, the media, polling, and the new technology. Students participate in a campaign and conduct an election survey.
62.328 Public Budgeting and Management
In the present context of resource scarcity and cutbacks in government spending, an examination of reform-oriented budgeting practices and techniques with an emphasis on effective resource allocation and management control in public and non-profit organizations. Course topics include contracting, leasing and procurement practices, analytical techniques, performance measurement, and evaluation design. Particular emphasis is given to the development of program/grant proposals and location of funding sources.
62.329 Public Policy Analysis
An analysis of the policy process emphasizing the response of officials to problems, available policy alternatives, the way officials choose and implement programs and the effect of these programs. A substantive topic is used to illustrate the basic concepts and principles of the public policy process.
62.331 International Law I
A basis for understanding the characteristics and functions of law in interstate relations, including study of the sources and evidences of international law; analysis of the relationship of international law to domestic legal systems; consideration of the legal character of statehood; examination of the role of international law in the settlement of international disputes; and study of the legal effect of treaties and the processes by which they are made, suspended, and terminated.
62.332 International Law II
The conclusion of the survey initiated in International Law I including the following topics: jurisdiction of states over territory, persons, vessels, maritime areas and air space; jurisdictional immunities of states, diplomats, and international organizations; state responsibility for treatment of aliens; legal effects of the use of force in interstate relations; and legal aspects of international organization and of other avenues of international cooperation.
62.335 Public Personnel Management
A focus on organizational theory, organizational structure, staffing, job classification, unionism, collective bargaining, and personnel productivity and performance evaluation with respect to public sector management. Managerial tools related to recruitment, personnel supervision, organizational control, and leadership are emphasized. Case studies, role playing, and simulation are used to engage the student in the practical application of theories and practices of personnel management.
62.337 Legislative Politics and Policy
An examination of the selection, organization and decision-making processes found in Congress and the state legislatures. The relationship of the legislature to the President, bureaucracy, interest groups, and judicial branch also are discussed. Students participate in a simulation of the process by which bills are enacted into law.
62.341 The Presidency: Politics and Administration
A description and analysis of the President as a major actor in the American political system. It investigates the political stakes, strategies, and resources of the President with respect to other political actors and institutions. The course focuses upon the sources and limitations of Presidential power and the nature of Presidential decision making.
62.342 Formation and Conduct of U.S. Foreign Policy
An analysis of the principal decision-making processes that affect, and have affected, the formulation and implementation of American foreign policy since World War I. Emphasis is on the major agencies and institutions responsible for the formulation and execution of American foreign policy decisions. A case study approach is followed.
Prerequisite: Basic course requirements of Politics majors outlined above.
62.450 Internship in the Judicial System
A supervised internship experience in the judicial system combined with an authorized field study assignment of a minimum of ten hours per week for the semester. Does not count toward the Politics major.
Prerequisite: 62.250 American Legal Systems and permission of instructor. For details see Chair of the Politics Department one semester prior to registration.
62.490 Independent Study
A politics major whose quality point average in the major is no less than 3.0 and who has completed at least six courses in the Department of Politics may apply to the Department for a course in Independent Study under the supervision of a member of the Department. This application should be made no later than the end of the third week of the preceding semester. The application must include a detailed proposal outlining either an extensive reading program or a research project. The Department will respond to the application usually within four weeks.
62.495 Internship
A supervised work experience in politics or government combined with a field study assignment.
Prerequisite: a 3.0 or better quality point average in the major plus completion of six courses in the Department. See Department Chair for details of specific requirements one semester prior to registration.
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