Department of Political Science
https://www.uvm.edu/cas/polisci
Harold Lasswell, one of the founders of political science as an academic discipline, defined the field as the study of "who gets what, when and how." As the role of the state has grown — in the economy, education, environment, health, culture, international interactions, and many other fields — understanding governance and the political process has become essential to explaining modern life.
The academic field of political science is divided into four subfields: American politics, political theory, international relations, and comparative politics (the study of the domestic politics of countries other than the United States). At the University of Vermont, students can take courses in all four subfields from experienced teachers who are also leading scholars in their areas of research. Whether students are interested in American politics, law, women's issues, environmental politics, political theory, international relations, or the politics of different world areas, they will find members of the department teaching courses and doing cutting-edge research in their fields of interest.
Courses
POLS 021. American Political System. 3 Credits.
Institutions, processes, and problems of American government.
POLS 030. Politics of Environmentalism. 3 Credits.
The phenomenon of global environmentalism--critics, connections with other social movements, and significance for sustainability governance, global politics, and the domestic politics of industrial democracies, autocracies, and developing countries. The role of politics in any potential achievement of protection, preservation, and improvement of the human habitat.
POLS 041. Intro to Political Theory. 3 Credits.
Examination of basic problems in political philosophy, e.g. morality and law; punishment; freedom; equality; obligation and disobedience.
POLS 051. Intro International Relations. 3 Credits.
Examines the major theories of international relations, important concepts in the study of international relations (such as the balance of power and democratic peace theory), dilemmas leaders face when formulating foreign policies, and current international events.
POLS 071. Comparative World Politics. 3 Credits.
An examination of questions such as why some countries are democratic and others authoritarian, and why some countries are poor and others wealthier. The course considers important political questions like these through the study and comparison of domestic politics across countries.
POLS 091. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 094. LASP Seminar Pol. Science. 3-4 Credits.
Seminar for students enrolled in the Liberal Arts Scholars Program for Social Science Scholars. Course explores political science perspectives and methods for understanding critical social problems. May be repeated for credit with different content. Co-requisite: Enrollment in Liberal Arts Scholars Program for Social Science Scholars.
POLS 095. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Introductory courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
POLS 096. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Introductory courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
POLS 097. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 119. D2: LGBT Politics and History. 3 Credits.
This course explores the history, strategies, conflicts, and issues surrounding the various movements advancing the claims of LGBT rights, as well as the roles LGBTQ people play as participants in American politics and culture. Prerequisite: POLS 021, GSWS 001, or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: GSWS 105.
POLS 120. The Politics of Sex. 3 Credits.
The evolution of sexual politics within the United States. Includes examinations of shifting debates over marriage, reproduction, abortion, LGBT rights, sex education, and teen sexuality. Prerequisite: POLS 021 or GSWS 001. Cross-listed with: GSWS 155.
POLS 121. Law & Politics. 3 Credits.
Examination of the U.S. courts focusing on the legal and political factors that influence court action, and judicial action that affects public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 122. Constitutional Law:Gov Powers. 3 Credits.
Emphasis on developing skills of legal analysis. Historical origins and general principles of constitutionalism. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 123. The Vermont Political System. 3 Credits.
Analysis of the political processes and institutions of governance in Vermont in the context of the federal system and other American states. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 124. The Presidency. 3 Credits.
The functions and activities of the president and staff. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 125. Political Parties & Elections. 3 Credits.
Analysis of U.S. political parties and elections, including partisan realignments throughout history, campaign technology, and voting for president and Congress. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 127. The Congressional Process. 3 Credits.
Organization, procedure, and behavior of the chambers of the U.S. Congress. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 129. D1:Const Law:Civil Rights Amer. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of role of judiciary in enforcing 14th Amendment's "Equal Protection Clause. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 137. Politics and Media. 3 Credits.
The role of the media in politics, including how media presentation and interpretation of events affect public opinion, political institutions, and public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 138. Const Law: Civil Liberties. 3 Credits.
Investigation of the Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment, rights of the accused, and the right to privacy. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 139. Public Policy:Tools&Processes. 3 Credits.
Examination of public policy process with particular focus on tools used to fashion public policy such as contracts, regulations, legislation, and presidential orders. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 140. American Political Thought. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the main currents of political thought in America today (including liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, and more), considering their moral and philosophical foundations and investigating them in historical perspective. Prerequisite: Minimum Sophomore standing.
POLS 141. History of Political Thought. 3 Credits.
Development of Western political thought from Plato to Aquinas. Prerequisite: POLS 041.
POLS 142. History of Political Thought. 3 Credits.
Modern political thought from Machiavelli to Nietzsche. Prerequisite: POLS 041.
POLS 147. 20thC Political Thought. 3 Credits.
This course examines selected major works by the leading political thinkers of the twentieth century. Prerequisite: POLS 041.
POLS 148. Democratic Theory. 3 Credits.
This course explores the nature of democracy. Students will examine both recent debates in democratic theory and classical sources of democratic ideas. Prerequisite: POLS 041.
POLS 149. Intermediate Political Theory. 3 Credits.
Intermediate courses on topics in political theory beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisite: POLS 041.
POLS 150. International Security. 3 Credits.
Theoretical and empirical examination of the security of the international system and the states within it, with particular emphasis on 21st century security challenges. Prerequisite: POLS 051.
POLS 154. Internatl Political Economy. 3 Credits.
Examination of the major theories in international political economy. Specific topics include trade, finance, development, foreign direct investment, and the multinational corporation. Prerequisite: POLS 051 or EC 011.
POLS 157. D2:Int'l Politics Middle East. 3 Credits.
Survey of the politics of the Middle East since World War II. Includes sessions on specific countries, discussions of topics ranging from democratization to terrorism to social media use, and debate on current policy dilemmas in the region. Prerequisite: POLS 051. Cross-listed with: GRS 157.
POLS 159. Int'l Environmental Governance. 3 Credits.
Examination of official and informal processes and institutions that have developed among, across, and beyond nation states for global environmental governance. Prerequisite: POLS 051.
POLS 162. D2:Global Gender Inequality. 3-4 Credits.
Examination of the causes of dramatic variations in the status of women in different countries. Exploration through individual research projects that use the scientific method. May not be taken for credit concurrently with, or following receipt of, credit for POLS 094: Global Gender Inequality. Prerequisite: POLS 051 or POLS 071.
POLS 167. D2:Terrorism&Counterterrorism. 3 Credits.
Overview of scholarly research on terrorism and counterterrorism efforts, engagement with debates on the appropriateness of the term terrorism, information on terrorist movements (both historical and contemporary), and a discussion of policy responses to terrorism. Prerequisite: POLS 051. Cross-listed with: GRS 167.
POLS 172. Politic&Society in Russian Fed. 3 Credits.
Examines the nature of politics and the development of post-Soviet social and economic institutions in Russia. Prerequisite: POLS 071.
POLS 174. D2: Latin American Politics. 3 Credits.
Comparative examination of selected Latin American political systems. Prerequisite: POLS 071 or HST 063 or SPAN 145 or SPAN 146.
POLS 176. D2:Govt & Politics of Japan. 3 Credits.
Institutions, processes, and problems of government in Japan. Prerequisite: POLS 071.
POLS 177. D2: Pol Systs of Trop Africa. 3 Credits.
Development of differing political systems in African countries located south of the Sahara and north of South Africa. Prerequisite: POLS 071, or one course in African Prerequisite: POLS 071, or one course in African Studies.
POLS 180. SU:Comparative Envir Pol. 3 Credits.
The politics of environmentalism and sustainability from a cross-national perspective, covering social mobilization and nonstate actors, party politics, institutions and governance, policy development, and the role of culture, values, and knowledge in the convergence and divergence of political response. Prerequisite: POLS 071.
POLS 181. Fund of Social Research. 4 Credits.
Introduction to research methods in social science. Includes examination of research design, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and the presentation and theoretical interpretation of research findings. Prerequisites: STAT 051 or STAT 111 or STAT 141 or higher; three hours of Sociology or Political Science; minimum Sophomore standing. Cross-listed with: SOC 100.
POLS 182. Ancient Law. 3 Credits.
Comparative study of three major ancient legal systems and their roles in their respective societies: ancient Near East (Sumerian to Hittite), Greek, and Roman. Prerequisite: Three credits in Classics, History, Philosophy, or Political Science. Cross-listed with: CLAS 147, HST 147.
POLS 189. Politics of Climate Warming. 3 Credits.
The political responses to continuing and accelerating human disruption of the climate. The implications of this disruption for practical domestic and global governance and the challenges it poses for our understanding of politics, policy, democracy, and governance. Prerequisite: POLS 021.
POLS 190. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 191. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 192. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 195. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
POLS 196. Intermediate Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
POLS 197. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 198. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 228. Congress & Foreign Policy. 3 Credits.
Congress's role in foreign policy making, emphasizing congressional action in the post-Vietnam period. Prerequisite: POLS 021, three hours at the 100-level.
POLS 230. VT Legislative Research Srvc. 3 Credits.
Involves students in policy research for the Vermont State Legislature on a wide range of topics, including the environment, health, and welfare. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
POLS 235. Gender and Law. 3 Credits.
Examination of the interaction between gender and law in American society. Topics covered include workplace law, family law, and personal autonomy. Prerequisites: POLS 021, three hours at the 100-level. Cross-listed with: GSWS 258.
POLS 237. Pol Effects of Entertain Media. 3 Credits.
Investigates the relationship between popular film, TV, books, and/or video games and people's perspectives on politics. Prerequisite: POLS 021; three hours of Political Science at the 100-level; minimum Junior standing.
POLS 241. Justice & Equality. 3 Credits.
Examination of contemporary normative theories of distributive justice and equality. Prerequisites: POLS 041 and three hours at the 100-level, or PHIL 140, PHIL 142, PHIL 143, or PHIL 144.
POLS 245. Ethics and Public Policy. 3 Credits.
Over the course of the semester, we explore some of the most difficult moral questions that confront citizens and policymakers today. Topics include the ethics of war and torture, abortion and euthanasia, hate speech, immigration, and other related issues. Prerequisite: POLS 041, PHIL 010, PHIL 141, or SOC 101.
POLS 246. Global Justice. 3 Credits.
Addresses normative political theory that asks what obligations, if any, citizens and their states have internationally. Topics include human rights, immigration, global poverty, humanitarian military intervention, and more. Prerequisite: POLS 041.
POLS 270. D2: Mexican Politics. 3 Credits.
An in-depth examination of the Mexican political system. Topics will include an overview of Mexican history, one-party authoritarian rule, democratization, and political economy. Prerequisites: POLS 071 and three hours at the 100-level; or appropriate International Studies background.
POLS 291. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 292. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 293. Senior Honors Seminar I. 3 Credits.
Examination of major contemporary research topics in political science. Admission by invitation only.
POLS 295. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Advanced courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
POLS 296. Advanced Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Advanced courses or seminars on topics beyond the scope of existing departmental offerings. See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
POLS 297. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
POLS 298. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.