2007-08 - Pitzer College

208 POLITICAL STUDIES
POLITICAL STUDIES
AP Credit: AP courses in the field of politics and government with a score of 5 may be
counted toward graduation, but not toward fulfilling the requirements of the major.
Requirements for Combined Major (Political Studies/Economics)
Students who wish to combine a major in Political Studies with a major in Economics
must meet all requirements for the Political Studies major with the exception that the
student needs to complete a total of eight (8) courses and a senior seminar in either
Political Studies or Economics. Combined majors with other fields will be arranged on a
case-by-case basis.
Political Studies
10. Introduction to Political Studies. An introduction to the study of politics and its sub
fields of political philosophy, comparative politics and policy, and international and
global affairs. Concepts examined include human nature and power, community and the
state, citizenship and rights, authority and legitimacy, freedom and equality, democracy
and justice. The course explores how different peoples, classes, cultures, and nations
organize themselves politically for common purposes and for addressing conflicts. Web
materials will be used to address contemporary political issues. Required of Political
Studies majors; also serves as an appropriate course for other students interested in
politics. Fall, S. Snowiss.
20. Congress and the Presidency. The major goal of the course is to provide a detailed
introduction to how the U.S. national government works. Congressional topics include
the committee system, constituent relations, policy-making, the budget, and recent
reforms. Presidential topics include the rise of the modern presidency and its problems,
presidential character, domestic and foreign policy-making, and leadership. Note: the
course requires one week of evenings (legislative simulation) after Spring break. Spring,
D. Ward.
30. Comparative Politics. This course provides an introduction to comparative political
analysis. The central focus is on how the formation of nation states and modern
economies has impacted peoples in diverse settings. Empirically the course covers seven
countries in which Pitzer has had External Studies programs: Turkey, Ecuador,
Venezuela, China, Nepal, Italy, and Botswana. The theoretical/analytic framework to be
used in the course is derived from Stein Rokkan’s analysis of state formation, nationbuilding
and mass politics. Fall, N. Boyle.
40. Global Politics. (Formerly Political Studies 46, cannot be taken again for credit)
Introduction to the field of global politics. The course examines the relations among
nation-states in global affairs and the roles played by international organizations and
other actors in managing global conflict and cooperation. Topics include the causes and
consequences of war, the management and impact of global economy, and efforts to
promote justice and human rights within and among nation-states and their peoples.
Spring, T. Ilgen.
50. Introduction to Political Philosophy. The study of political philosophy focuses on
broad assumptions concerning human nature and the character of community
organizations that regulate activities and promote happiness. These assumptions,
structures and goals vary through time and across cultures. This class examines the texts
of major theorists representing Western and Non-Western political thought and compare
their arguments concerning the nature of freedom, justice, equality, authority, and
responsibility among other fundamental concepts. Fall, S. Snowiss.
60. Introduction Public Policy. This course provides an overview of the processes and
politics of policy-making in the United States. We will explore normative issues of equity
and efficiency, consider advantages and disadvantages of policy-making in different
venues (courts, legislatures, bureaucracies) and explore the different perspectives on the
policy-making help by various actors. Spring, R. VanSickle-Ward.
70. Research Methods in Political Studies. This course explores the methods employed
in political science research. The two primary goals of the course are: (1) to provide new
analytic tools that will help in the critical evaluation of social science material, and (2) to
improve students’ ability to pose and answer research questions on their own. Fall, R.
VanSickle-Ward.
Envs 90. Economic Change and the Environment in Asia. (See Environmental Studies
90) M. Herrold-Menzies. [not offered 2007-08]
Post 91/Econ 91. Statistics. An introduction to the statistical tools used in the quantitative
analysis of economic and political relationships. Topics include probability theory,
statistical estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Spring, L. Yamane.
93. Policy Analysis. In this course, we will examine the foundations of policy analysis
and some fundamental issues in research design. We will also consider some
fundamental statistical techniques and their applications in the policy analysis process.
Students will review selected examples of policy analyses and also will have
opportunities to apply various techniques to existing data sets. Each student will do a
policy analysis as a term project. [not offered 2007-08]
IIS 100.Study Abroad Colloquium. (See International Intercultural Studies 100). Fall,
C. Brandt, J. Lehman.
Comparative Politics
101. The U.S. Electoral System. Electoral behavior is the area in which the study of
politics has had the greatest success in joining the scientific community. This course
acknowledges that success by conducting an empirical examination of the electoral
system, including the historical origins of the two-party system, critical realignments of
party coalitions, theories of voting, the incumbency effect, campaign finance, the
economy’s impact on electoral choices, third parties, primaries, voter turnout, issues and
candidate evaluation, and the prospects for electoral reform. D. Ward. [not offered 2007-08]
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