UMass Amherst Department of Political Science

Courses

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Summer Courses (in-person)

Most summer courses are offered onlinePlease 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
Fulfilled

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....

 

 

Fall 2013

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 onlinePlease 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-
ment

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

 

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

 

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

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   

 

 

Spring 2013

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-
ment

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
 
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

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

 

Winter Courses

All winter courses are offered online. Please visit our online courses page.

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