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Courses
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Most summer courses are offered online. Please visit our online courses page.
We are offering a comparative policy course IN PERSON this summer (dates June 28-August 5, 10am-1pm in the Campus Center):
|
Subject |
Catalog Number |
Description |
Enrollment |
Credits |
Instructor |
Gen Ed |
Major Fulfillment Category |
Course Description |
| POLISCI | 385H | Comparative Public Policy | 25 | 3 | Michael Hannahan | None |
CP |
Explores policy through three discussions sections: 1) Iraq; 2.) Pakistan; and 3.) Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Includes in-person discussion with students from each country. More about this class. |
To view additional summer courses,click here....
This list is a DRAFT, and courses listed here are subject to change. Please keep visiting for updates to this list. For course descriptions and availability, visit SPIRE. Independent studies, practicum and internship options are not listed.
Remember that we also offer fall classes online. Please visit our online courses page.
Political Science Fulfillment Key:
Intro = Introductory
AP = American Politics
CP = Comparative Politics
IR = International Relations
PT = Political Theory
IE = Integrative Experience (gen ed)
| Course Number | Subject | Catalog | Sec | Comp- onent |
Title |
Enroll- |
Credits | Instructor | Gen Ed Category | Political Science Category | Meeting Times | Course Description |
| 35663 | POLISCI | 101 | A | LEC | Intro to Am Politics | 225 | 4.00 | Ray LaRaja | SB | Intro | Mon, Wed, Fri 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM | Introduction to and overview of American government...Read More |
| 38357 | POLISCI | 101 | B | LEC | RAP Intro to Am Politics | 25 | 4.00 | Micah Mintz | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM | Introduction to and overview of American government...Read More |
| 35664 | POLISCI | 111 | A | LEC | Comparative Politics | 216 | 4.00 | Amel Ahmed | SB | Intro | Mon, Wed, Fri 12:20 PM - 1:10 PM | An introductory exploration of political systems in several nation states in various parts of the world...Read More |
| 35623 | POLISCI | 111 | B | LEC | RAP Comparative Politics | 25 | 4.00 | Alper Yagci | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM | An introductory exploration of political systems in several nation states in various parts of the world...Read More |
| 35671 | POLISCI | 121 | A | LEC | World Politics | 300 | 4.00 | Vincent Ferraro | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Introduction to the principles and practices of international relations in the political, military...Read More |
| 35672 | POLISCI | 162 | 01 | LEC | Intr Constitutnl Law | 100 | 4.00 | John Brigham | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Introduction to the American constitution as law. The importance of the text and the traditions...Read More |
| 35698 | POLISCI | 171 | A | LEC | Intro to Political Theory | 54 | 4.00 | Barbara Cruikshank | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM & discussion | Introduction to the Western tradition of political theory; focus on particular problems and issues...Read More |
| 35621 | POLISCI | 171 | B | LEC | RAP- Intro to Political Theory | 25 | 4.00 | Andres Henao-Castro | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM |
Introduction to the Western tradition of political theory; focus on particular problems and issues...Read More |
| 35706 | POLISCI | 181 | A | LEC | Controversies Pub Pol | 216 | 4.00 | John Hird | SB, U | Intro | Mon, Wed 1:25 PM - 2:15 PM | Introduction to contemporary public policy issues and debates...Read More |
| POLISCI | 181H | LEC | Controversies Pub Pol | 4.00 | Maryann Barakso | SB, U | Intro | Mon, Wed 8:40 AM - 9:55 AM | Introduction to contemporary public policy issues and debates...Read More | |||
| 35712 | POLISCI | 203 | 01 | LEC | Amer Pol Thought | 162 | 4.00 | Roberto Alejandro | HS | AM or PT | Mon, Wed 12:20 AM - 1:10 PM | Origin and evolution of political ideas and ideals that have shaped the American constitutional system...Read More |
| 35619 | POLISCI | 245 | 01 | LEC | Gov&Pol Engl Spk Crb | 25 | 3.00 | Carlene Edie | CP | Tues, Thurs 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM & discussion | Focus on the English-speaking Caribbean, formerly the British West Indies: Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana...Read More | |
| 35673 | POLISCI | 255 | 01 | LEC | Amer Foreign Policy | 216 | 4.00 | Dianne Pfundstein | IR | Tues, Thurs 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM |
Principles of American foreign policy with an emphasis on the historical, political...Read More | |
| 38016 | POLISCI | 271 | 01 | LEC | Modern Political Theory | 25 | 3.00 | Nicholas Xenos | PT | Mon, Wed 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM |
Reading of selected political theorists from 16th to 19th centuries...Read More | |
| 38017 | POLISCI | 277 | 01 | LEC | S-Making a Global World |
150 | 4.00 | MJ Peterson |
HS |
IR |
Mon, Wed, Fri 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM | An overview of how the world went from being a set of very distinct regions in 1400 to the highly connected world of today... Read More |
| 38290 | POLISCI | 291A | 01 | LEC | Intro to Comparative Political Economy | 54 | 3.00 | Regine Spector | CP | Mon, Wed 1:25 PM- 2:15 PM |
This course introduces core political economy concepts from both classical and modern thinkers, while engaging contemporary debates about the relationship between states and markets... Read More | |
| 39580 | POLISCI | 297ML | 01 | LEC | MA Legislature: Campaign to State House | 25 | 3.00 | Aaron Vega | AM | Mon 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
This course offers an overview of the life of a legislator, from the campaign trail to the State House. Students will share in the insight, information, and experience of newly elected State Representative Aaron Vega...Read More | |
| 39505 | POLISCI | 297S | 01 | LEC | Power | 3.00 | Angelica Bernal | PT | Tues, Thurs 1:00 M - 2:15 PM | Power is a central feature of political life and one of the key concepts of political science. But what is power?...Read More | ||
| 35628 | POLISCI | 310 | 01 | LEC | Race & Politics | 4.00 | Tatishe Nteta | AM | Tues, Thurs 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM |
This course explores both the historical and contemporary role(s) of race, ethnicity, and immigration...Read More | ||
| 35690 | POLISCI | 343 | 01 | LEC | Gov&Pol East Africa |
25 | 3.00 | Carlene Edie | CP | Tues, Thurs 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM |
Comparative analysis of the politics of change in Tanzania and Kenya. Economic dependency... Read More | |
| 35705 | POLISCI | 356 | 01 | LEC | International Law |
30 | 3.00 | MJ Peterson |
IE | IR |
Mon, Wed, Fri 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM |
Development of basic rules of public international law. Topics include sources of evidence...Read More |
| 38019 | POLISCI | 359 | 01 | LEC | International Political Economy | 50 | 4.00 | Kevin Young | IR | Mon, Wed 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM | The roles of intergovernmental organizations in the management of shared problems...Read More | |
| 35633 | POLISCI | 362 | 01 | LEC | Pol Law & Jud Behavior | 40 | 3.00 | Matt MacWilliams | AM | Mon, Wed, Fri 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM | The workings of the American judicial system within context... Read More | |
| 38023 | POLISCI | 365 | 01 | LEC | Bill of Rights and Equal Protection | 25 | 3.00 | John Brigham | AM | Tues, Thurs 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM | Development and application to the states and the federal government...Read More | |
| 38024 | POLISCI | 376 | 01 | LEC | What is Politics? | 25 | 4.00 | Frederic Schaffer | PT | Wed 5:45 PM - 8:15 PM | ||
| 39747 |
POLISCI | 391E | 01 | LEC | Rules of War |
25 | 4.00 | Charli Carpenter | IR | Tues 4:00-6:30 PM | This course evaluates the role of international ethical norms in regulating the practice of organized political violence. Read More | |
| 40340 | POLISCI | 391NS | 01 | SEM | Global Politics of Climate Change: North-South Relations | 20 | 3.00 | Mukul Sanwal | Tue, Thu 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM | |||
| 38294 | POLISCI | 391PL | 01 | LEC | Political Organizations | 25 | 3.00 | Maryann Barakso | AM | Mon, Wed 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM | In this class we will examine the changing role and significance of interest groups...Read More | |
| 40252 | POLISCI | 392SH | 01 | LEC | Sports, Policy and Politics | 20 | 4.00 | Elizabeth Sharrow | AM | Tues, Thurs 9:30-10:45 AM | Where are politics in the spaces we go for leisure and play? ...Read More
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| 40254 | POLISCI | 395S | 01 | LEC | History of U.S. Social Policy, Politics of Gender, Race, and Class | 20 | 3.00 | Elizabeth Sharrow | AM | Tues, Thurs 9:30-10:45 AM | What are the problems associated with developing equitable and just policy? ...Read More
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| 40342 | POLISCI | 397E | 01 | LEC | Indigenous Rights & Social Movements | 25 | 3.00 | Angelica Bernal | PT | Tues, Thurs 4:00-5:15 PM | This course is an introduction to the contemporary indigenous struggle in Latin America... Read More |
|
| 35600 | POLISCI | 399J | 01 | LEC | Interpretation & Analysis POLS | 25 | 3.00 | JYWriting | Tues, Thurs 8:00-9:15 AM |
Practice and examine the types of writing used by citizens, policy advisers... Read More |
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| 35609 | POLISCI | 399J | 02 | LEC | Interpretation & Analysis POLS | 25 | 3.00 | JYWriting | Mon, Wed, 4:40 PM - 5:55 PM | Practice and examine the types of writing used by citizens, policy advisers... Read More | ||
| 35624 | POLISCI | 399J | 03 | LEC | Interpretation & Analysis POLS | 3.00 | JYWriting | Mon, Wed, 8:40 AM - 9:55 AM | Practice and examine the types of writing used by citizens, policy advisers... Read More | |||
| 35655 | POLISCI | 499C | 01 | LEC | Capstone | 20 | 4.00 | Dianne Pfundstein | Tu, Thur 1:00 PM -2:15 PM |
Courses listed here are subject to change. For course descriptions and availability, visit SPIRE. Independent studies, practicum and internship options are not listed.
Political Science Fulfillment Key:
Intro = Introductory
AP = American Politics
CP = Comparative Politics
IR = International Relations
PT = Political Theory
IE = Integrative Experience (gen ed)
We are also offering several ONLINE courses in the Spring. Please visit our online courses page.
| Course Number | Subject | Catalog | Sec | Comp- onent |
Title |
Enroll- |
Credits | Instructor | Gen Ed Category | Political Science Category | Meeting Times | Course Description |
| 17299 | POLISCI | 101 | A | LEC | American Politics | 216 | 4.00 | Tatishe Nteta | SB | Intro | Mon, Wed 12:20PM -1:10PM & discussion |
Introduction to and overview of American government. Emphasis on understanding American political institutions...Read More |
| 24177 | POLISCI | 101H | B | LEC | American Politics-Honors | 20 | 4.00 | Raymond La Raja | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 2:30 PM-3:45 PM |
Introduction to and overview of American government. Emphasis on understanding American political institutions...Read More |
| 17303 | POLISCI | 111 | B | LEC | Comparative Politics | 216 | 4.00 | Amel Ahmed | SB G | Intro | Tues, Thurs 2:30-3:20PM & discussion | An introductory exploration of political systems in several nation states in various parts of the world...Read More |
| 17310 | POLISCI | 121 | A | LEC | World Politics | 300 | 4.00 | Vincent Ferraro | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Introduction to the principles and practices of international relations in the political, military,...Read More |
| 25023 | POLISCI | 121 | B | LEC | World Politics | 30 | 4.00 | Nicklaus Laverty | SB | Intro | Tues, Thurs 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Introduction to the principles and practices of international relations in the political, military,...Read More |
| 24232 | POLISCI | 162 | 01 | LEC | Intro to Constitional Law | 108 | 4.00 | John Brigham | SB |
Intro |
Tues, Thurs 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM | Introduction to the American constitution as law. The importance of the text and the traditions...Read More |
| 21466 | POLISCI | 171 | A | LEC | Intro to Political Theory | 108 | 4.00 | Roberto Alejandro | SB | Intro | Mon, Wed 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM & discussion |
Introduction to the Western tradition of political theory; focus on particular problems and issues...Read More |
| 20875 | POLISCI | 201 | 01 | LEC | American Politics Through Film |
216 | 4.00 | Michael Hannahan | HS | AP | Tues, Thurs 4:00 PM -4:50PM & discussion |
Motives used to explore the development of American politics in the 20th century...Read More |
| 21239 | POLISCI | 203 | 01 | LEC | Amer Pol Thought | 108 | 4.00 | Angelica Bernal | HS | AP or PT | Tues, Thurs 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM & discussion | Origin and evolution of political ideas and ideals that have shaped the American constitutional system...Read More |
| 17348 | POLISCI | 255 | A | LEC | Amer Foreign Policy | 102 | 4.00 | Jon Western | IR | Mon, Wed 2:30PM-3:20PM |
Principles of American foreign policy with an emphasis on the historical, political...Read More | |
| 24241 | POLISCI | 271 | 01 | LEC | Modern Political Thought | 25 | 3.00 | Roberto Alejandro | PT | Tues, Thurs 2:30PM-3:20PM |
Reading of selected political theorists from 16th to 19th centuries...Read More | |
| 20906 | POLISCI | 277 | 01 | LEC | S-Making a Global World |
150 | 4.00 | MJ Peterson |
HS |
IR |
Tues, Thurs 2:30PM-3:45PM | An overview of how the world went from being a set of very distinct regions in 1400 to the highly connected world of today... Read More |
| 22818 | POLISCI | 280 | B | LEC | Public Policy | 54 | 4.00 | Dean Robinson | SB | AP | Tues, Thurs 1:00PM- 2:15PM |
Focus on how public policies are made in the U.S., including the role of citizens...Read More |
| 24245 | POLISCI | 291F | 01 | LEC | Politics of Food | 75 |
3.00 | Nicholas Xenos |
PT or CP | Tues, Thurs 2:30PM - 3:45PM |
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| 24247 | POLISCI | 297P | 01 | LEC | Intro to Legal Reasoning |
25 | 3.00 | Diane Curtis | AP | Tues, Thurs 1:00PM-2:15PM |
An introduction to the type of legal reasoning and analysis practised in the American judicial system...Read More | |
| 24781 | POLISCI | 297WH | 01 | LEC | Women & Politics in the USA |
25 | 4.00 | Maryann Barakso | AP |
Tues 4:00PM-6:30PM |
This course examines women's political incorporation in the United States primarily, but not exclusively, with respect to electoral politics...Read More | |
| 21913 | POLISCI | 305 | 01 | LEC | Congress & Legislative Process |
25 | 3.00 | Bruce Desmarais | AP | Tues, Thurs 9:30AM-10:45AM |
Analysis and evaluation of the U.S. Congress, its structure, procedures, and norms...Read More | |
| 24248 | POLISCI | 329 | 01 | LEC | Political Psychology | 54 | 4.00 | Tatishe Nteta | AP | Mon, Wed 10:10AM- 11:00AM & discussion | An introduction to the field of political psychology. It focuses primary attention on psychological explanations of individual political attitudes and actions...Read More | |
| 22434 | POLISCI | 345 | 01 | LEC | Rvltn Ntlsm Impr Carib | 25 | 3.00 | Carlene Edie | CP | Mon, Wed, Fri 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM | Focuses on four countries often denied a Caribbean identity Cuba, Puerto Rico...Read More | |
| 21240 | POLISCI | 346 | 01 | LEC | Government & Politics of West Africa | 25 | 3.00 | Carlene Edie | CP | Mon, Wed, Fri 1:25 PM - 2:15 PM |
Comparison of political economy of four former British colonies of West Africa... Read More | |
| 24252 | POLISCI | 350H | 01 | LEC | Diversity & Politics-Honors |
20 | 4.00 | Rahsaan Maxwell | CP | Tues, Thurs 2:30 PM -3:45PM |
This course analyzes the multiple ways in which immigration, immigrant incorporation, and ethnic diversity shape politics...Read More | |
| 24254 | POLISCI | 357 | 01 | LEC | International Organizations |
25 | 3.00 | MJ Peterson | IR | Tues, Thurs 2:30PM-3:45PM |
The roles of intergovernmental organizations in the management of shared problems...Read More | |
| 24255 | POLISCI |
359 | 01 | LEC | International Political Economy |
25 | 4.00 | Kevin Young | IR | Tues, Thurs 11:15AM - 12:30PM |
Study of the political management of international economic relations...Read More | |
| 17346 | POLISCI | 361 | 01 | LEC | Civil Liberties | 65 | 3.00 | Sheldon Goldman | AM | Tues, Thurs 11:15AM - 12:30PM |
Development of constitutional law in the civil liberties sphere. First Amendment freedoms...Read More | |
| 17347 | POLISCI | 361 | 02 | LEC | Civil Liberties | 65 | 3.00 | Sheldon Goldman | AM | Tues, Thurs 1:00PM-2:15PM | Development of constitutional law in the civil liberties sphere. First Amendment freedoms...Read More | |
| 23038 | POLISCI | 374H | 01 | LEC | Issues in Political Theory-Honors | 20 | 3.00 | Nicholas Xenos | PT | Mon, Wed 5:15PM-6:30PM | Rigorous consideration of topics of current and continuing importance to the study of political theory...Read More | |
| 24732 | POLISCI | 375 | 01 | LEC | Feminist Theory and Politics |
25 | 3.00 | Claire Brault | PT | Wed 3:35PM - 6:05PM | A theoretical consideration of different feminisms including liberal-feminism, socialist-feminism...Read More | |
| 24733 | POLISCI | 383 | 01 | LEC | Energy Policy | 25 | 3.00 | Regine Spector |
IE | CP | Tues, Thurs 9:30-10:45AM | What is energy? How does energy impact politics and everyday lives in energy-rich and energy-important countries?...Read More |
| 24782 | POLISCI | 391A | 01 | LEC | Life Beyond UMass: Workshop on Professional Development | 25 | 1.00 | Sam Fayyaz | --- | Tues, 4:00-5:15PM *or* Thur 4:00-5:15PM | ||
| 24288 | POLSCI | 391AB | 01 | LEC | Central Asia and the World | 25 | 3.00 | Regine Spector |
CP | Tues, Thurs 1:00PM-2:15PM | The course provides a foundation to evaluate debates about current trends and developments in post-Soviet Central Asia...Read More | |
| 24256 | POLSCI | 391E | 01 | LEC | Rules of War | 25 | 3.00 | Charli Carpenter | IR | Tues, 4:00PM-6:00PM | This course evaluates the role of international ethical norms in regulating the practice of organized political violence...Read More | |
| 25857 | POLISCI | 391GH | 01 | LEC | Investigating Interest Group Power in US Politics | 25 | 4.00 | Maryann Barakso | AP | Mon, Wed 8:40AM - 9:55AM | In this hands-on research course, students will question the role and influence of interest groups in American politics today...Read More | |
| 24257 | POLSCI | 394Ti | 01 | LEC | Technology, Power and Governance | 25 | 3.00 | Jane Fountain | IE | IR or AP | Tues, Thurs 2:30PM -3:45PM | Examines power and uses of digital technologies in national, transnational and global governance...Read More |
| 21241 | POLISCI | 394Di | 01 | LEC | Protest and Dissent | 25 | 3.00 | Barbara Cruikshank | IE | PT | Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:45AM | This course explores ideas and practices of political protest and dissent through a range of cases drawn from around the globe and utilizing the comparative method...Read More |
| 24734 | POLISCI | 394Ei | 01 | LEC | Health and Political Inequality | 25 | 3.00 | Dean Robinson | IE | AP | Tues, Thurs 9:30AM-10:45AM | This course will try to demonstrate that, far more than anything else, political decisions shape the health profile of the nation, and largely explain the persistent health disparities...Read More |
| 24289 | POLISCI | 394Li | 01 | LEC | Language of Politics | 25 | 3.00 | Frederic Schaffer | IE | CP | Tues, Thurs 1:00PM- 2:15PM | This course examines the multiple roles that language plays in politics...Read More |
| 24290 | POLISCI | 397BP | 01 | LEC | The Body Politic | 25 | 3.00 | Diane Curtis | AP or PT | Tues, Thurs 11:15AM - 12:30PM | Interdisciplinary exploration of how American political and legal power is exercised upon and through the human body...Read More | |
| 24258 | POLISCI | 397CL | 01 | LEC | Corporate Lobbying/Global Econ | 25 | 3.00 | Kevin Young |
IR | Tues, Thurs 9:30AM -10:45AM | ||
| 25350 | POLISCI | 397D | 01 | LEC | ST- Argumentation and Debate | 25 | 3.00 | Casey Stevens | --- | Tues, Thurs 9:30AM-10:45AM | 'Argumentation & Debate' aims at equipping students with the tools and techniques for constructing persuasive arguments....Read More | |
| 24259 | POLISCI | 397E | 01 | LEC | ST- Indigenous Rights and Social Movements | 25 | 3.00 | Angelica Bernal | PT | Tues, Thurs 1:00PM-2:15PM | ||
| 24784 | POLISCI | 397PH | 01 | LEC | The Politics of Resistance in Iran | 25 | 4.00 | Sam Fayyaz |
CP | Tues, Thurs 2:30PM - 3:45PM |
This course will examine the dynamics of political protest in contemporary Iran (pre and post-revolutionary era)...Read More | |
| 25381 | POLISCI | 397WP | 01 | LEC | War and American Political Development | 25 | Melinda Tarsi | AP | Tues, Thurs 4:00PM -5:15PM | An analysis of the role of war in American political development and how America's involvement in military conflicts... Read More | ||
| 21117 | POLISCI | 399J | 01 | LEC | Interpretation & Analysis POLS | 25 | 3.00 | JYWriting | Tues, Thurs 8:00-9:15 AM |
Practice and examine the types of writing used by citizens, policy advisers... Read More |
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| 21118 | POLISCI | 399J | 02 | LEC | Interpretation & Analysis POLS | 25 | 3.00 | JYWriting | Mon, Wed, Fri 10:10AM - 11:00AM |
Practice and examine the types of writing used by citizens, policy advisers... Read More | ||
| 21119 | POLISCI | 399J | 03 | LEC | Interpretation & Analysis POLS | 25 | 3.00 | JYWriting | Mon, Wed, Fri 3:35PM-4:25PM | Practice and examine the types of writing used by citizens, policy advisers... Read More |
All winter courses are offered online. Please visit our online courses page.







