2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

144 POLITICAL SCIENCE216/316 Comparative Politics:Communism in Transition -The Former Soviet Union (3)Examines Russia and the former Soviet Union. Thesetransitional regimes offer excellent opportunities to studythe problems and prospects for radical economic andpolitical reform and the hazards of reactionism in societiespreviously dedicated to Communist economic systems andnon-democratic, non-parliamentary political systems. Wefocus particular attention on the challenges posed byrebellious national groups and chronic economic crisis.Also, we examine the relationship of ideology togovernment policy and the ways in which those regimeshave reinterpreted such traditional Western political valuesand institutions as constitutionalism, the rule of law,natural and civil rights, participatory democracy, and therepresentation of interests.217/317 Comparative Politics:Asian Pacific Rim (3)(H)Examines political systems and the dynamics of politicalchange in the eleven East and Southeast Asian nations ofthe Pacific Rim, a region that has assumed a commandingpresence in world politics and the world economy.Normally included are Japan, China, and selected nationsfrom among Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia,Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.218/318 Comparative Politics: South Asia (3)The confrontation of Western political forms withtraditional non-Western and pre-colonial cultures andalternative strategies for political and economicdevelopment highlight this analysis of the politics ofnation-building in the South Asian portion of the ThirdWorld. India and Pakistan are the main cases to be studied,although examples may be taken from Iran, Afghanistan,and perhaps Bangladesh and Malaysia as well. Offered fallof odd-numbered years.220/320 Comparative Politics:Latin America (3)Examines major problems of political and economicmodernization by considering Latin American politicalsystems in their various approaches to development. Focusis on key examples of the successes and failures of thevarious developmental strategies: e.g., Cuba, Chile, Peru,Brazil, and Mexico. Further, the impact of United States’policies upon the region as a whole receives specialattention. Identical to SPAN 220/320. Offered eachspring.228/328 Comparative Politics: China (3)The political system and the dynamics of politicalchange in China are examined.229/329 Comparative Politics:SE Asia & Japan (3)The political system and the dynamics of politicalchange in Japan and selected Southeast Asian nations areexamined.237/337 American Legislative Process (3)Deals with structure and function of law making inCongress and the state legislatures, including considerationof such topics as: committees, representation, policymaking, leadership and interest group influence. We alsoexamine the impact of Congress and state legislatures onvital issues of public policy ranging from foreign policy tourban policy, or from taxation to energy policy. Finally, therole of party politics and campaigns in the legislativeprocess are considered. Offered on demand.238/338 Comparative Politics of theMiddle East and North Africa (3)Offers students a basic understanding of broad trends ofsocial change, state building and economic development inthe modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA) duringthe post World War I period. The class attends todistinctions across MENA states along these three majordimensions, with special attention to public and privateresponses to modernization, democratization andglobalization. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.239 American Political Thought (3) (V)Focuses on major ideas shaping American institutions ofgovernment and politics from the founding generation tothe present. The writings of many different individualsrelating to such issues as: slavery and race; capitalism andsocial justice; and feminist political theory are evaluated.Readings include the Federalist Papers, selections fromDemocracy in America, works by Malcolm X, Dr. MartinLuther King, and Betty Friedan.240/340 German Cinema:Art and Politics (3)Identical to GER 240/340.(A) W250 Introduction to InternationalPolitical Economy (3)(S) WOffers an overview of the political institutions andconflicts that structure our contemporary internationaleconomy. Class readings and discussions examine majorissues at the center of current political science research,policy debate and popular political discourse. In particular,we examine postwar systems of international trade andfinance, as well as divergent policy goals of states andsocieties of the North and South. Offered fall of evennumberedyears.265 Research Methods (3) (E) WIntroduces the political science major to the methods ofpolitical research. Students learn how political scientistsknow what they know, and how they gain tools with which