Introductory Courses Taught

Syllabi for courses available upon request.

Introduction to Politics

Course Description:

This course aims to give you a sense of the scope of the field, major issues and controversies, and basic information about politics in its various forms. In the United States Political Science is often divided into five main sub-fields:
• Political Theory (the study of the classical writers on politics over the centuries);
• American Politics (the various elements of the political system of the United States);
• Public Policy (the study of what governments do to respond to the needs and demands of their citizens);
• Comparative Politics (how the political systems of countries other than the United States function);
• International Relations (interactions among governments and supra-national organizations in the international system).

While we will be addressing issues in each of these sub-fields, we will also focus on larger and broader encompassed by political science. In an increasingly complex and uncertain world, it behooves all of us to become as well informed as possible on the theory and practice of politics at home and abroad. This class is designed to help you begin to achieve this objective by giving you a solid base upon which you can build a body of knowledge towards becoming an informed and involved citizen in your own country, and in the larger world.

Required Readings:

1. Robert Garner, Peter Ferdinand and Stephanie Lawson (2016). Introduction to Politics, 2nd Edition. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press
2. The New York Times and The Economist.

3. Various assigned book chapters and journal articles.

Introduction to Comparative Politics

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to comparative politics and is designed to familiarize you with the field here in the United States. The course involves both cross-national studies and the study of political systems in various countries. The course has been divided into two parts. First, we will examine some of the key concepts that Comparative Politics encompasses. We will explore what a state is and what different regime types it can take on. We will examine what the differences are between democratic and authoritarian regimes. Specific elements of democratic regimes will be discussed more in-depth, such as: electoral systems, party systems, and constitutional systems. To conclude this section, we will briefly discuss some of the theoretical developments in the field of Comparative Politics.

Part two of the course will shift gears and apply these concepts to different country studies (eight in all). We will begin by examining consolidated democracies, both European and non-European: Great Britain, France, Germany, and Japan. Then two transitional democratic regime swill be explored: Russia (probably unsuccessful at this point) and Poland (succesful). Finally, the last two country studies will focus on authoritarian regimes: China and Iran.

The objectives of this course are:

1. To learn the differences between autocratic and democratic regimes.
2. To differentiate different democratic designs from one another.
3. To learn how geography can impact political development.
4. To learn about current developments from around the world.
5. To begin to familiarize students with some of the theoretical debates within comparative politics.

Required Readings:

1. Patrick H. O’Neil (2015). Essentials of Comparative Politics, 5 Edition. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

2. Patrick H. O’ Neil, Karl Fields and Don Share (2015). Cases in Comparative Politics, 5 Edition. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

3. Patrick H. O’ Neil and Ronald Rogowski (2013). Essential Readings in Comparative Politics, 4 Edition. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Introduction to International Relations

Course Description:

This course is meant to be an introduction to international relations. It is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the behavior of states and other actors in today's world, introduce key global issues, give an overview of global economics, and acquaint students with some classic writings on international relations.

The first part of the course gives a quick overview of how the Westphalian system came to be, the Cold War and its impact, and the theories that have been used to explain the behavior of states in the international system.

Part two explores certain international relations topics: the proliferation of WMDs, refugees, terrorism, organized crime, theories of international political economy, the international trade system, resource politics and its implications, and the importance of international organizations,.

The course concludes by examining some of the classical writings of international relations theory. Authors covered include classical Greek thought (Aristotle, Aristophanes, Thucydides), Machiavelli, Hobbes, Clausewitz, Marx, Lenin, Wallerstein, Wilson, Waltz, Fukuyama and Huntington.

The objectives of the course are:

1. To provide students with an understanding of the main debates taking place within the field;

2. To familiarize students with some of the major writings on international relations theory;

3. To teach students to critically evaluate world events.

Required Readings:

1. Stephen L. Spiegel, Elizabeth G. Matthews, Jennifer M. Taw, Kristen P. Williams (2013). World Politics in a New Era, 6th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press
2. (2008). Classic Readings in International Relations [series]. Western World. New York, NY: Penguin Custom Editions

3. The New York Times and The Economist.

4. Various assigned book chapters and journal articles.