Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences
CAS PO 101 Introduction to Political Science
Overview of political science and its subfields: American politics, public policy,
comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. Focus on
core questions and issues in the discipline. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 2 (July 1-August 7):
B1 Tues./Wed./Thurs. 6-8:30 p.m. Ceren Ergenc
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CAS PO 191 Utopias and Dystopias
A study of the more famous fictitious political communities: Plato's Republic,
Machiavelli's The Prince, More's Utopia and Orwell's 1984. Issues include the
nature of the good society, the tension between political ideals and political
realities and the role of imagination in political theory and political practice.
(Summer only.) 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 2 (July 1-August 7):
B1 Tues./Thurs. 6-9:30 p.m. Teodros Kiros
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CAS PO 211 Introduction to American Politics
Undergraduate core course. Study of the national political structure;
emphasis on Congress, the executive, administrative agencies, and the judiciary.
Relations between formal institutions, parties, and interest groups. 4 cr. Tuition:
$2000
Summer 2 (June 30-August 7):
B1 Mon./Wed./Thurs. 3-5:30 p.m. Catherine Long
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CAS PO 241 Introduction to Public Policy
Undergraduate core course. Analysis of several issue areas: civil rights,
school desegregation, welfare and social policy, education and urban housing,
energy and the environment. Characteristics of policy systems in each issue
area are analyzed to identify factors which may affect the content and implementation
of public policies. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 1 (May 20-June 26):
A1 Tues./Thurs. 2-5:30 p.m. Christine Rossell
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CAS PO 251 Introduction to Comparative Politics
Undergraduate core course. Examines different patterns of political
development and contemporary politics in Western Europe, Latin America, Africa,
and the former Soviet bloc. Introduces the comparative method in political science
and competing theories of political development and political change. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 1 (May 20-June 26):
A1 Tues./Wed./Thurs. 6-8:30 p.m. Andreea Maierean
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CAS PO 271 Introduction to International Relations
Undergraduate core course. Study of basic factors in international
relations, Western state systems, balance of power, nationalism, and imperialism.
Primarily for concentrators. Meets with CAS IR 271. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 1 (May 21-June 25):
A1 Mon./Wed. 1-4:30 p.m. Chandler Rosenberger
Summer 2 (June 30-August 6):
B1 Mon./Wed. 1-4:30 p.m. Chandler Rosenberger
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CAS PO 291 Introduction to Political Theory
Examines classic and current views on the nature of authority, liberty,
and justice. Topics include civil disobedience, freedom of expression, abortion
rights, and affirmative action. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 2 (July 1-August 7):
B1 Tues./Wed./Thurs. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Leon Rozmarin
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CAS PO 300 Special Topics in American Politics
Summer 2008 Topic: Race and Politics. Examines contemporary American
politics through the lens of race. Explores conceptual and methodological issues,
while focusing on how racial identity shapes, and is shaped by, the American
political system. Topics may include group participation, political representation,
public opinion, voting behavior, the possibilities for coalition building, and
majority backlash. Consideration of the causes and consequences of mobilizing
around race and how changing patterns of political incorporation (or alienation)
of racial groups have impacted their political power. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 2 (July 1-August 7):
B1 Tues./Thurs. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Joshua Yesnowitz
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CAS PO 312 American Political Culture
An examination of how Americans think about politics--specifically,
of the values, beliefs, norms, and separate ideologies that constitute American
liberalism. Where did this political culture originate? How does it condition
political behavior and public policy? How does it differ from other political
cultures? 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 2 (June 30-August 6):
B1 Mon./Wed. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Donald Brand
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CAS PO 317 Presidential Leadership
Presidential power and functions; relations with Congress, political
party, and the public; personality and leadership; and comparative study
of selected presidents. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 1 (May 21-June 25):
A1 Mon./Wed. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Simon Sheppard
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CAS PO 324 Media and Politics in the United States
Examines changes over time in the American polity's assumptions
about what the press ought to do. In particular, relates our understanding
of the
press's role to contemporary media developments including technological changes,
corporate media ownership, and the re-amateurization of journalism. 4 cr.
Tuition: $2000
Summer 1 (May 20-June 26):
A1 Tues./Thurs. 6-9:30 p.m. Alex Whalen
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CAS PO 352 North-South Relations
Employs a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the relations between
the industrialized nations of the "North" and the developing nations
of the "South." Addresses historical and current issues in North-South
relations, including trade, investment, migration, regional economic integration,
and the environment. Meets with CAS IR 395. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 1 (May 20-June 26):
A1 Tues./Wed./Thurs. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Strom Thacker
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CAS PO 367 Introduction to Latin American Politics and International
Relations
Introduction to the patterns and complexities of Latin American politics
and foreign policies. Focuses on the distinctive Latin American political experience
and alternative explanations for it, including colonization, the international
economy, and human and material resource capacity and utilization. Meets with
CAS IR 367. 4 cr. Tuition:
$2000
Summer 1 (May 20-June 26):
A1 Tues./Thurs. 1-4:30 p.m. Carlos Blanco
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CAS PO 369 China: From Revolution to Reform
Explores the economic, political, and social upheavals that followed the Chinese
revolution in 1949 and the cause of subsequent inauguration of reform in the
late 1970s. Analyzes the tensions that brought about the 1989 upheaval in Tiananmen
Square, as well as the implications of China's emergence as an economic power.
Meets with CAS IR 370. 4 cr. Tuition: $2000
Summer 1 (May 20-June 26):
A1 Tues./Wed./Thurs. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Joseph Fewsmith
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CAS PO 376 Politics and Democracy in Spain
Prereq: sophomore standing and one semester of college Spanish. An intensive
introduction to the history and present of politics in Spain. Explores the
historical question of “nationality” and
regional nationalisms that remain one of the most important and controversial
dimensions of Spanish politics. Course takes place in Madrid and Seville, Spain
from July 2-14, 2008. Final papers are due by July 28, 2008. For further information,
contact Professor Perez at sperez@bu.edu.
4 cr. Tuition: $2000; program fee: $1100; total charge: $3100
Summer 2 (July 2-14):
B1 Twelve-day Study and Travel course in Madrid and Seville.
Travel to Spain July 2-14
Final papers due July 28
Sofia Perez
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CAS PO 548 The Politics of Education
Overview of the origins of public schooling, the purpose of public
education, and controversial educational policies and research. 4 cr. Tuition:
$2000
Summer 1 (May 21-June 25):
A1 Mon./Wed. 5:30-9 p.m. Christine Rossell
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