Curriculum

130.INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS(1 course)
This course introduces students to the structures and processes of international politics and surveys the major global issues of our time. The course focuses on the functions of the modern nation-state system and the patterns of conflict and cooperation in contemporary international relations. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of how the international political system works and to help them develop their own perspective on global issues. Fall and Spring semesters.

150.COMPARATIVE POLITICS(1 course)
This course introduces students to the comparative study of a variety of political systems. The course focuses on comparative analysis of various aspects of political systems, including: historical legacies; political culture and society; political institutions and parties; citizen participation and group formation; leadership and policy-making. Political systems are also evaluated in terms of their performance in economic development, political stability and political change. Countries studied include: Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, India, Mexico and Nigeria. SOSCI, Fall semester.

250.THE POLITICS OF DEVELOPING NATIONS(1 course)
This course examines important features of politics, economics, society and culture in developing nations and focuses on common problems associated with political modernization, economic development and social change in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Through comparative analysis, the course also attempts to develop generalizations about key problems and prospects in various regions of the developing world, such as East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Prerequisite: Either POL-130 or POL-140 is recommended. NWEST, Fall semester. (Not offered, 2000-2001)

260 . ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS (1 course)
This course is an introduction to the theories, themes, selected issues, and contending viewpoints of environmental politics, from both a domestic and international perspective. By the end of the semester, course participants will appreciate how the environment has become "politicized" and the conflict over it pluralized; recognize the major actors in the policymaking process, their positions, and their strategies; understand the potential and limits of conflict and cooperation among these competing actors; and realize what can and is being done as part of this process. Fall semester, odd years.

335.INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS(1 course)
This course focuses on the role played by international organizations in world politics. Most attention is given to international governmental organizations, such as the United Nations, the European Community, and other regional organizations. Non-governmental organizations from multinational corporations to the International Red Cross are discussed as well. The course investigates the extent to which all of these organizations contribute to the development of a peaceful and just world community of nations. Students do a term project as well as smaller papers on the readings. Prerequisite: POL-130 recommended. Spring semester.

340.ISSUES FOR AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY(1 course)
Students will develop a term project on a foreign policy issue of their choice, as well as discuss the central dilemmas and assumptions about U.S. foreign policy in the present and near future. The purpose is to help students clarify their own substantive views on the major foreign policy issues for our time. The course, therefore, has a substantive focus more than a focus on how foreign policy is made. Fall semester.