Political Science

PLSI 100 Understanding Politics (Units: 3)

Concepts and principles of political thought, action, and institutions.

Course Attributes:

• D1: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

PLSI 103 The Politics of Protest and Resistance (Units: 3)

The history of protest, how power has been resisted, protested and altered, the resources such movements can draw on and limitations?

PLSI 105 Principles of Government and Politics (Units: 3)

The individual's role in government and politics as active agents rather than observers, citizens rather than subjects, and the means for engaging in broad political questions and one's own position. Exploration of the various political relationships that define and motivate individuals.

PLSI 106 Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy: Introduction to Political Economy (Units: 3)

Political-economic approaches to the analysis of questions each society must solve: governance, production, allocation, distribution, freedom, and equity. The development of contemporary market vs. non-market organization, political direction of economic activity, and political-economic struggles.

Course Attributes:

• D1: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

PLSI 150 Contemporary Moral/Political Issues (Units: 3)

Theories of the good life, of ethics, of rights, and of justice, through the examination of contemporary moral issues: capital punishment, affirmative action, abortion, racial and sexual equality, privacy, pornography, and environmental protection.
(This course is offered as PHIL 150 and PLSI 150. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• C2: Humanities
• Social Justice

PLSI 200 American Politics (Units: 3)

Governmental institutions, politics, and issues in the U.S. and California in historical, social, and cultural perspective.

Course Attributes:

• U.S. Govt CA State Local Govt
• D3: Social Sciences: US CA Gov

PLSI 216 The 2016 Presidential Election: Issues and Analysis (Units: 2)

Public issues in the Presidential election race. Topics may include, but are not limited to: health care and insurance, the economy, international affairs and the wars in the Middle East, the environment and climate change, same-sex marriage, free trade, and education. Experts on political campaigns will discuss the polls, media, the campaign, campaign financing regarding the Presidential contest, and how the Presidential race will impact Congressional and State races. (CR/NC grading only)

PLSI 250 Comparative Politics (Units: 3)

Governmental institutions, political processes, socio-economic development and issues in countries around the world.

PLSI 275 Introduction to Political Theory (Units: 3)

Competing traditions of political theory: the foundation of political thought; the nature and scope of politics.

PLSI 276 Public Lecture Series in Politics (Units: 2)

Public lecture series on current issues within the behavioral and social sciences. Course is designed for the general community and student body. May be repeated when topics vary. (CR/NC grading only)

PLSI 300 Scientific Inquiry in Political Science (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: PLSI 200 or equivalent; a course in critical thinking recommended.

Introduction to empirical research in political science. Topics include the philosophy of science, research design, and inferential statistics. Classwork, 3 units; laboratory, 1 unit.

PLSI 319 Cases in Comparative Politics (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of country case studies to be used as a basis for understanding broader themes of comparative politics. [Formerly PLSI 253]

Course Attributes:

• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

PLSI 320 Political Forum (Units: 2)

Prerequisite: PLSI 200 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Focus on one or more political issues that are current and illuminate important aspects of American politics. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated on advisement when topics vary.

PLSI 321 Development and Foreign Policy--Africa (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214.

A comparison of the foreign policies of various African nation-states; in particular, a consideration of those policies as expressions of national frameworks, ideological perspectives, etc.
(This course is offered as I R 321 and PLSI 321. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 322 Latin American Policy Analysis (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent.

Examination of the international relations and foreign policy-making systems of Latin American nations and an analysis of selected foreign policy problems facing Latin American decision-makers with oral and written reports.
(This course is offered as I R 322 and PLSI 322. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 325 Chinese Foreign Policy (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent.

Examination of China's international relations and the actors involved in constructing it. Analysis of the factors influencing China's participation in international affairs. Assessment of the international realm's effect on Chinese foreign policy.
(This course is offered as I R 325 and PLSI 325. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 328 Domestic and Foreign Policy: Post-Communist Regions (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214.

Development and subsequent dynamics of what used to be called the Soviet Bloc. Analysis of current relations in light of events in the post-World War II period.
(This course is offered as I R 328 and PLSI 328. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 329 U.S.-Japan Politics (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent; or consent of instructor.

In the postwar period, U.S.-Japan relations have moved from the periphery of international politics to the center, yet our understanding of this development has lagged behind. The origins of the trade deficit, competition, and related economic and security questions.
(This course is offered as I R 329 and PLSI 329. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 342 Strategy and War (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214.

War as an instrument of national policy. Causes of war and classical and modern strategies for winning it from Clausewitz to Herman Kahn. Strategic theory, games, deterrence, guerrilla warfare, counter-insurgency, weapons technology, and the political consequences of preparedness.
(This course is offered as I R 342 and PLSI 342. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 351GW Political Theory: The Classical Tradition - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division Political Science majors; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better; or consent of instructor.

Nature of the state, power and authority, forms of government, law and justice, leadership and citizenship, as presented in the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and Machiavelli. (ABC/NC grading only)

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 352 Political Theory: Reformation to Nineteenth Century (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Political obligation, sovereignty, liberty, equality, property, and revolution, as presented in the works of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, and Tocqueville.

PLSI 353 Political Theory: The Twentieth Century (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Changing nature of political theory since the mid-19th century; the impact of sociology, psychology, and existentialism on political speculation. Technology, totalitarianism, and the crisis of the modern political order.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 353GW Political Theory of the Twentieth Century - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

Changing nature of political theory since the mid-19th century; the impact of sociology, psychology, and existentialism on political speculation. Technology, totalitarianism, and the crisis of the modern political order. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 354 Politics, the Environment, and Social Change (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PLSI 200 or consent of instructor.

Political impact of environmental problems and the challenges they present for American and international policy-making, values, and institutions.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Justice

PLSI 355 Politics and Ethics of the Consumer Society (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Politics and ethics of consumption-oriented society; nature of industrial society; its structures, values, and consumption practices.
(This course is offered as PLSI 355 and PHIL 355. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Environmental Sustainability
• Social Justice

PLSI 356 Political Theories of Neoliberalism (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Analysis of the theoretical and practical dimensions of neoliberalism; focus on political ramifications of neoliberalism, how it operates and how it can be resisted.

PLSI 357GW Political Movements: Lessons from Freedom Summer - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

Examination of origins, strategies, theory and outcomes of the Civil Rights Movement in terms of their relevance to social and political social activism today. (ABC/NC grading only)

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 360 Development of American Political Thought (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PLSI 200.

Political theories associated with movements in the development of the U.S. Persisting and recurring problems in political thought.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 360GW Development of American Political Thought - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

Political theories associated with movements in the development of the U.S. Persisting and recurring problems in political thought. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 362 Domestic & Transnational Sources of US Foreign Policy (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: ENG 214 or equivalent, I R 310 or PLSI 200, or consent of instructor.

The role of domestic and transnational actors in making US foreign policy. Examination of American culture, media, interest groups, social movements, corporations, and lobbies on policy outcomes. Transnational influences on US foreign policy. Impact of international events on Americans.
(This course is offered as I R 362 and PLSI 362. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 371 Marxist Political Theory (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214.

Examination of the development of Marxist thought and its application; the writings of Karl Marx and its effect on Western and world thought since the 19th century in such diverse fields as political economy, sociology, philosophy, historiography, aesthetics, and numerous others.

PLSI 372 Critical Political Theory (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214.

Focus on the critical tradition in political theory that responds to and differentiates itself from classical and modern canonical texts.
(This course is offered as PLSI 372, HUM 372, and I R 372. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 373 Essentials of California Politics (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Basics of California state and local politics for students from out of state (including international students) who have satisfactorily completed a course that fulfills the US government requirement, but not the California State and local government requirement. [Formerly PLSI 273]

Course Attributes:

• Calif State & Local Govt

PLSI 381 Political Theories of Sexuality (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

The ways political theory has conceived of, engaged with, and deconstructed notions of gender and sexuality. Twentieth century thought destabilized the concept of gender even as it produced a new "identity:" queerness.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

PLSI 382 Politics and Literature (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.

Examination of political themes in classical drama and contemporary novels. Possible authors include Sophocles, Shakespeare, Coetzee, and Tabucchi.

PLSI 386 Introduction to Critical Social Thought (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

The tradition and development of critical social thought in interaction with social-economic, political conditions from Kant, Hegel, and Marx in the 19th century to 20th century Marxism, phenomenology, and feminism.
(This course is offered as CST 300 and PLSI 386. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

PLSI 387 Non Western Comparative Political Thought (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent.

Comparative political thought as a site for interdisciplinarity across comparative studies, political theory, and philosophy. Central debates include the role of global citizenship, global culture, cross-cultural philosophical analysis, human and civil rights.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 387GW Non Western Comparative Political Thought - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division Political Science major; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

Comparative political thought as a site for interdisciplinary across comparative studies, political theory, and philosophy. Central debates include the role of global citizenship, global culture, cross-cultural philosophical analysis, human and civil rights. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 388 Politics and the Popular (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Examine the relationship between political theory on one hand, and experienced, common sense, and tradition, on the other. Do these forms need to be theorized into coherent ideology? What are the dangers of doing so?

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

PLSI 389 Latin American Revolutionary Societies (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Revolution implies a dramatic break with the past, but revolutions actually develop slowly over time, calling upon shared histories that inspire and impede change. Examination of the extent to which Latin American revolutions lived up to the goals that they set down.

PLSI 392 Latin American Political Thought (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Introduction to some of the most influential Latin American political thinkers including Bolivar, Marti, and Mariategui. Exploration of whether we can speak of Latin American political thought and what sort of silences doing so may entail.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 392GW Latin American Political Thought - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 with grade of C- or better or equivalent.

Introduction to some of the most influential Latin American political thinkers including Bolivar, Marti, and Mariategui. Exploration of whether we can speak of Latin American political thought and what sort of silences doing so may entail. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 393 Anarchist Political Theory (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Analysis of the basic theories and practices of anarchism from its classical to its contemporary forms. Focus on the relationship between theory and practice and the question of process and organization.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

PLSI 394 Political Theories of Work, Labor and Free Time (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing

Examination of the tension between the desire to work and to be free from work looking at texts from liberalism, Marxism, feminism and critical theory. Questions to explore include the following: Has this tension always existed and how might it be overcome? Where and when did people begin to prioritize paid work over all else? What constitutes "work" and who decides? Is work different than labor?
(This course is offered as PLSI 394 and LABR 394. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 395 Political Theories of Pedagogy and Community Activism (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Exploration of the connection between radical pedagogy and activism from a political theory perspective.

Course Attributes:

• Social Justice

PLSI 401 The Political Economy of Sub-Saharan Africa (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or the consent of instructor.

Examination of the politics surrounding issues of development, aid, and the effects of globalization on Sub-Saharan African countries. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC)

PLSI 404 Politics of China (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Contemporary government and politics of the People's Republic of China with modest concern for the way the past has shaped the present. Main focus is on political institutions and political processes.
(This course is offered as PLSI 404 and I R 404. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 405 The Politics of Fascism and Communism in 20th Century Europe (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor

Examination of the social, political and economic conditions that led to the development of fascism and communism in Europe during the 20th century. Focus on how and whether these conditions reflect on our contemporary situation today. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC)

PLSI 406 Radical Right Politics: The Rise of Far-Right Political Parties in Contemporary Europe (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Highlight the potential causes and implications of the rise in far-right political parties across Europe since 2008. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC)

PLSI 407 Politics of Russia (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Contemporary government and politics of Russia, the way the past has shaped the present. Political institutions, political processes, and ideologies.
(This course is offered as PLSI 407 and I R 407. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 408 Mexican Politics and Society (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Peoples, politics, and cultures of Mexico; implications of rapid change in Mexico for California and the U.S. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as LTNS 670 and PLSI 408. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

PLSI 409 Russia and World Order (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Introduction to theories of world order and Russia's role in it. Review of historical and contemporary foundations for understanding world order. Discussion of Russia's role in various regional and global settings. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
(This course is offered as I R 409 and PLSI 409. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 410 Middle East Politics (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Government and politics of the Middle East and North Africa. Comparative political institutions, ideology, political culture, political economy, social movements, regional conflicts, and international relations.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 411 East Asian Politics (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Government and politics of East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). Systematic comparison of nations utilizing common themes: political development, political institutions, political economy, political change.
(This course is offered as PLSI 411 and I R 411. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 412 South Asian Politics (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent.

Political development in the South Asian states; political institutions and processes; parties and election; leadership; current policies and problems.
(This course is offered as PLSI 412 and I R 412. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• Global Perspectives

PLSI 415 Politics of India (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent.

Contemporary government and politics in India, with attention to social and historical factors, political institutions, processes, and ideologies. Some focus on political economy and foreign policy issues.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 415GW Politics of India - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division Political Science major; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better; or consent of instructor.

Contemporary government and politics in India, with attention to social and historical factors, political institutions, processes, and ideologies. Some focus on political economy and foreign policy issues. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 416 Ethnicity and Nationalism (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent.

Issues and problems raised by the phenomena of ethnicity and nationalism, ethnic conflict, and efforts at conflict resolution in a comparative context.
(This course is offered as PLSI 416 and I R 416. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 417 Gender, Equality, and Politics: A Comparative Perspective (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of gendered nature of political representation, employment, and welfare state policy in post-industrialized nations. Emphasis on different political and social arrangements that European governments and social movements have developed to accommodate the growing demand for gender equality.
(This course is offered as PLSI 417 and I R 417. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 418 Political Transitions in East & Southeast Asia (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of political transition theories and divergent patterns of political transition in East and Southeast Asia. Exploration of controversial issues associated with political transition and the prospects for democracy in these regions.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 418GW Political Transitions in East & Southeast Asia - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division Political Science major; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

Examination of political transition theories and divergent patterns of political transition in East and Southeast Asia. Exploration of controversial issues associated with political transition and the prospects for democracy in these regions. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 419 Comparative Political Economy (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Interplay between politics and economics and the interaction between states and markets. Comparison of major competing ideologies and modes of political economy in developed, developing, and communist/post-communist world with particular emphasis on Asian political economies.

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 420 State-Society Relations in the Middle East (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

State-society relations in the Middle East and North Africa in a comparative perspective. How different social groups interact with state to shape policies, influence political discourse, and pursue political goals. Sources of authoritarian rule and prospects for democratization.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 420GW State-Society Relations in the Middle East - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

State-society relations in the Middle East and North Africa in a comparative perspective. How different social groups interact with state to shape policies, influence political discourse, and pursue political goals. Sources of authoritarian rule and prospects for democratization. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 424 Social Movements (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.

Examines social movements and political action in comparative perspective. An examination of origins, tactics, and outcomes of social movements. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as PLSI 424 and SOC 424. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 425 Imagining Power in the Middle East (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; PLSI 410, PLSI 420, or equivalents; or consent of instructor.

Through film, literature, autobiography, and other forms of documentation and imagination, examines varying conceptions of power in Middle East countries. Topics include political, military, ideological, economic power; colonialism, independence, equality, nation-building, uprising, and revolution.

Course Attributes:

• Global Perspectives

PLSI 430 Israeli Democracy: Politics, Institutions, and Society (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.

Knowledge of Israel's political system, its origins, its formal structure, the way it functions, and its main attributes in comparison to other democratic political systems. Ideology, state and religion, and civil liberties.
(This course is offered as JS 430, I R 430, and PLSI 430. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives

PLSI 431 Constructing Kurdistan (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; PLSI 250 or PLSI 410 or HIST 605 or I R 323 or I R 324 or MEIS 300; or consent of instructor.

Examines Kurdish nation- and state-building efforts in Iraq and Turkey in the 20th and early centuries. Includes introduction to theories on nationalism, state formation, social movements, and ethnic conflict.
(This course is offered as PLSI 431 and MEIS 431. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• Global Perspectives

PLSI 435 Politics of Global Finance and Crisis (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

The development and role of late 20th and early 21st century financial technologies in modern market crises. Research and critical analysis of 21st century finance capitalism. Political and financial interactions, including limits and possibilities for controlling financial behavior.
(This course is offered as PLSI 435, I R 435, and FIN 435. May not be repeated under alternate prefix.)

PLSI 460 Topics in American Politics (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Exploration of a specific area of American politics ranging from political institutions such as Congress, the Presidency, and the Courts,to voting, political parties, the media and other critical aspects. May be historical or contemporary. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

PLSI 461 Voting Behavior, Campaigns, and Elections (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of the instructor.

Examination of voter behavior, including the decision to vote, the choice of candidates, and partisan identification. Investigation of political science literature on campaign dynamics and strategy.

PLSI 462 Applied Public Opinion Research (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214.

Public opinion research: data collection, survey construction, data management, data analysis, and data communication. [CSL may be available]

PLSI 463 The Politics of Immigration in the United States (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of immigration policy and politics in the United States. Topics include causes of migration, development of federal, state and local policy, immigrant political participation and incorporation.

Course Attributes:

• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

PLSI 465 Reason, Passion, and Political Behavior (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of the cognitive processes involved in the formation of political beliefs, and their link to political behavior. Emphasis on the connection of theoretical models with politics focusing on campaigns and voter choice.

PLSI 466 Black Lives Matter: Race and Social Movements (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.

Subordinate status of African/Americans and others in the U.S.; nexus between power, racism, and violence. Strategies for social change in terms of leadership, organization, and movements.
(This course is offered as PLSI 466 and AFRS 466 [formerly ETHS 466]. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Social Justice

PLSI 467 Politics and Community Organizing (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of the instructor.

An overview of the role that community organizing has played throughout US history; and critical examination of the current state of community organizing today. [Formerly PLSI 390]

PLSI 473 California Politics and Government (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Policy-making and exercise of power within federal framework. State and local issues and institutions. [CSL may be available]

Course Attributes:

• Calif State & Local Govt
• Social Justice

PLSI 475 San Francisco Political Issues (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Political mobilization and governance. Electoral processes. Economic, ethnic, and cultural conflicts. May be repeated with consent of the instructor. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as PLSI 475 and USP 485. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 477 Congress and the Presidency (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Structure, roles, and functions of the legislative and executive branches of national government. Legislative-executive policy controversies.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 477GW Congress and the Presidency - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

Structure, roles, and functions of the legislative and executive branches of national government. Legislative-executive policy controversies. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 478 Judicial Process (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: ENG 214, PLSI 200, PLSI 275, or equivalents.

Leadership and power in Supreme Court decision-making. Principles and meaning of the U.S. Constitution governing the powers and relationships of the branches and levels of the American political system. [Formerly PLSI 551]

Course Attributes:

• Social Justice

PLSI 480 Introduction to Urban Policy and Analysis (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Political and institutional settings for policy making. Concepts and techniques of policy, planning, and administration.
(This course is offered as PLSI 480 and USP 480. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 485 Political Sociology (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; completion of GE Areas A and B4; or consent of instructor.

Examination of the social dimensions of power, particularly those embedded in institutions of the state. Exploring relations between state and society, social movements, political organization and civic participation, political culture, voting behavior, and citizenship.
(This course is offered as SOC 485 and PLSI 485. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 492 Research Methods (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Problem formulation; research design; data collection, organization, and analysis; introduction to computer generated analyses; report writing and presentation; applied research. Classwork, 3 units; laboratory, 1 unit.
(This course is offered as USP 492 and PLSI 492. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 493 Data Analysis (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PLSI 492/USP 492 or equivalent.

Statistical analysis for politics, public policy, administration, and urban studies. Uses, interpretation, and limitations.
(This course is offered as PLSI 493 and USP 493. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 500 Labor and Government (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Exploration of labor-government relations at local, state, and national levels. Consideration of labor's political action in relation to legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and in the electoral process; examination of government's responses as they protect or restrict labor's interest.
(This course is offered as LABR 500 and PLSI 500. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 512 Urban Politics and Community Power (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Political dynamics in the contemporary metropolitan context; bases and distribution of power in urban and suburban areas. Intergovernmental relations and urban political power.
(This course is offered as PLSI 512 and USP 512. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 513 Politics, Law, and the Urban Environment (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Law and the legal system as mechanisms for regulating urban development and protecting the environment; intervention in development and land use; environmental decay, conservation of open space, other related resources. Lecture, 3 units; activity, 1 unit.
(This course is offered as USP 513, GEOG 668, and PLSI 513. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 544 Women in the World (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing and ENG 214.

Analysis of women's roles in political, social, and economic development of selected nations and in international relations; effect of global movement for women's rights. Case studies of female leaders and their impact on world affairs.
(This course is offered as I R 544 and PLSI 544. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

PLSI 552 Individual Rights and the Constitution (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PLSI 478 or consent of instructor.

Principles and meaning of the U.S. Constitution controlling the relationships between the individual and government.

Course Attributes:

• Social Justice

PLSI 553 Legal Issues (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PLSI 478 or consent of instructor.

Judicial decision-making, influence on the formulation of public policy, political influence on the judiciary, individual rights, the impact of decisions, legal reform.

PLSI 554 Separation of Powers and Federalism (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PLSI 478 or consent of instructor.

Leading Supreme Court decisions establishing the powers and limits on power of the Federal Courts, Congress, the President, and the States under the U.S. Constitution.

PLSI 560 Urban Poverty and Policy (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.

Nature and causes of urban poverty. Theories of poverty and their policy implications. Role of education, employment and family status; gender and race; metropolitan location; global economic restructuring; anti-poverty policies and proposals; development of policy alternatives. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as USP 560 and PLSI 560. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Social Justice

PLSI 561 Jurisprudence (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PLSI 478 or consent of instructor.

Philosophy of law. Relationship between law, morality, social and political institutions. Various schools of jurisprudence.
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

PLSI 561GW Jurisprudence - GWAR (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Upper division Political Science majors; ENG 214 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better.

Philosophy of law. Relationship between law, morality, social and political institutions. Various schools of jurisprudence. (ABC/NC grading only)
This course has a GWAR approved format (noted by a GW suffix that follows the course number) and a non-GWAR format (no suffix). Students who complete the course in one format may not repeat the course under the other format. Students who complete the non-GWAR formatted course will not receive GWAR credit.

Course Attributes:

• Graduation Writing Assessment

PLSI 570 Urban Health Policy (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; ENG 214 or equivalent.

Political economy of urban health system. Critical review of urban health policy; analysis of alternatives. Politics of health care reform. Particular needs of women and communities of color.
(This course is offered as USP 570, LABR 570, and PLSI 570. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 580 Housing Policy and Planning (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

Social, economic, and technical aspects of urban housing; market analysis, housing production, tenant/landlord relations, finance, government regulation, subsidies.
(This course is offered as USP 580 and PLSI 580. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

• UD-D: Social Sciences
• Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
• Global Perspectives
• Social Justice

PLSI 600 Washington, D.C. Internship (Units: 9)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; concurrent enrollment in a course in the major area of study; or consent of instructor.

Offers extensive exposure to selective aspects of the federal decision-making process. The Washington Center offers 35 hrs./week placement with weekly seminars and assemblies.

PLSI 603 Public Service Internships (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; concurrent enrollment in PLSI 604; consent of instructor.

Fieldwork in approved public, private, non-profit, or political organization under supervision of organization staff and faculty coordinator. May be repeated on advisement. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as PLSI 603 and USP 603. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 604 Internship Seminar (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; concurrent enrollment in PLSI 603.

Analysis of internship experiences. May be repeated on advisement. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as PLSI 604 and USP 604. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 605 Senior Seminar in Applied Research Methods (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Political Science majors; all core courses in Political Science and a GWAR in the major.

Culminating experience focusing on advanced applied research methods, including research design and data analysis. Using skills students obtained in empirical methods they will apply those to address a research question on American politics they choose and develop. Lecture, 1 unit; laboratory, 3 units.

PLSI 606 Senior Seminar in American Politics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Political Science majors; all Political Science core courses, a GWAR in the major,

Focus on the specialization and particular interests of the Professor in question in the field of American politics. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

PLSI 607 Seminar in Comparative Politics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Political Science majors and minors; PLSI 250.

Focus on the specialization and particular interests of the Professor in question in the field of Comparative politics. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated on advisement when topics vary.

PLSI 608 Seminar in Political Theory (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Political Science majors and minors; PLSI 275.

Focus on the specialization and particular interests of the Professor in question in the field of political theory. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

PLSI 609 Seminar in Public Law: Legal Issues (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Political Science majors and minors; PLSI 478.

Critical review and synthesis of Public Law, focusing on legal issues. Topic to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

PLSI 610 Judicial and Legal Internship (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; interview required; concurrent enrollment in PLSI 611; consent of instructor.

Fieldwork in approved legal and judicial organizations under supervision of judges, lawyers, legal organization staff, and faculty coordinator. May be repeated for a total of 6 units on advisement.

PLSI 611 Judicial and Legal Internship Seminar (Unit: 1)

Prerequisite: Require concurrent enrollment in PLSI 610.

Analysis of internship experiences. May be repeated for a total of 2 units on advisement.

PLSI 612 Senior Seminar Study Abroad: At Beijing University (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing and consent of instructor.

Opportunity to enhance academic learning with study at Beijing University.

PLSI 620 Pre-law Peer Advising (Units: 2-4)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing; GPA of 3.0 or better; consent of instructor.

Law school admission procedures and LSAT; opportunities for financial aid of law-related careers; courses and events relevant to legal issues and legal service opportunities. May be repeated for a total of 8 units.

PLSI 660 The Roles of Nonprofit Organizations in Urban Life (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to senior Social Work majors.

Analysis of non-profit organizations in social services: the arts, housing, environmental and community advocacy. The role of the board, laws, consumers and donors, income, volunteers, and decision-making. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
(This course is offered as S W 660, PLSI 660, and USP 660. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 685 Projects in the Teaching of Political Science (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisites: Senior standing; PLSI 100, PLSI 200.

Reading and discussion in the teaching of political science. Responsibilities include working with supervising faculty member in preparing course materials, tutoring students, and conducting small discussion sections. (Students may earn a maximum of 4 units toward the baccalaureate degree for any course(s) numbered 685 regardless of discipline.)

PLSI 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor, major adviser, and department chair.

Supervised study of a particular problem selected by the student with the advice of the instructor. Enrollment by petition.

PLSI 700 Research Methods (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

Introduction to methodologies that pertain to designing a research project in political science. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

PLSI 708 College Teaching of Political Science (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Classified graduate standing.

Planning and teaching of college-level political science courses. Supervised experience to be evaluated through examination of contemporary literature and practice.

PLSI 740 Seminar in American Politics (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

American government and politics: political parties, interest groups, presidency, legislative assemblies, judiciary, electoral behavior, and political opinion.

PLSI 742 Public Opinion, Elections, and Media (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Seminar seeks to evaluate key elements of the transformation of American politics by focusing on recent developments in political science that model contemporary public opinion, electoral and media processes. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

PLSI 743 Racial Politics and American Democracy (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

How immigration impacts the practice of racial and ethnic politics in the U.S. Focus on Asian Americans, Blacks, and Latinos.

PLSI 744 U.S. Supreme Court in the Making of Public Policy (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Focus on the political and policy-making powers of the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include political jurisprudence, constitutional and statutory interpretation, the selection process, the decisional process, appellate process, and the impact of Supreme Court decisions.

PLSI 745 Post Civil Rights Period in American Democracy (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

The substantive theoretical and methodological problems associated with the study of racial politics in the literature of political science. A particular focus is that of analyzing Black politics in the post civil rights era.

PLSI 746 Urban Politics and Power (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Urban politics including competing theories of power, racial and ethnic politics in the urban context, and various issues that concern cities, such as globalization, gentrification, and governance.

PLSI 760 Seminar in Comparative Politics (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Modernization and political development, development theory, bases of political power, and role of the state.

PLSI 762 Asian Transitions from Communism (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Comparative study of the political economy of transitions from communism in Asia, communist and the post-communist states--China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

PLSI 763 Comparative Welfare States (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of empirical and theoretical materials on the origins, developments, achievements, recent changes, and problems of the welfare state in Western Europe and the U.S. with an emphasis on class, gender, race analysis. (AB/NC grading only)

PLSI 764 Democracies and Democratization (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Theoretical and empirical analyses of the relationship between state and society in selected third world nations.

PLSI 765 Social Movements of the Islamic World (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Examines social movements in different Muslim countries and societies, with an emphasis on the Middle East. Topics include social movement theory and comparative case studies of 20th and 21st century religious and national movements.

PLSI 766 State-Society Relations in the Non-Western World (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

State-society relations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, and elsewhere. Development of the modern state; how states and societies interact; how social groups limit and empower states.

PLSI 767 Indian Politics Seminar (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Contemporary government and politics in India. Analysis of political institutions and processes, patterns of political mobilization and change. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

PLSI 768 The Politics of Dissent in Comparative Perspective (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in political science or consent of instructor.

Exploration of political dissent; study of theories and cases concerning everyday forms of resistance, collective action, protest, social movements, political violence, and revolution. Particular but not exclusive emphasis on cases in the Middle East and North Africa.

PLSI 769 China's Environmental Crisis (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Crisis state of the environment in the largest country, by population, and second largest economy in the world: China; focus on different Chinese environmental problems from the most recent literature available.

PLSI 780 Seminar in Political Theory (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Literature of political thought. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

PLSI 781 Practicum in Teaching in Political Science In Higher Education (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Classified graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

Focus on pedagogical techniques to be used by teaching assistants in higher education, as well as for possible work teaching in higher education after receiving the M.A.

PLSI 782 Colonialism, Gender and Scientific Racism (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Intellectual history of scientific racism, colonial regimes, and gendered oppression. Impact of colonialism on contemporary identities and contemporary approaches to knowledge; in particular, the museum, the household, the body, mission schools, and new forms of work.

PLSI 783 Postmodern Political Theory (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Intensive introduction to postmodern political theory. Starting with Nietzsche, examines the role of contemporary philosophy in terms of critique of grand narratives, the deconstruction of the subject, history and politics itself. (AB/NC grading only)

PLSI 785 Seminar on Rawls (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Study of the work of John Rawls, arguably the most influential western political theorist of our time; focus on his major work, A THEORY OF JUSTICE, as well as his final work, JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS: A RESTATEMENT. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

PLSI 786 Great Theorists: Walter Benjamin (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Walter Benjamin, one of the premier thinkers of the 20th century, and a major influence on figures such as Hannah Arendt, Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault and others. To thoroughly examine Benjamin is to make inquiries into the basis of thought for the previous century as well as our own.
(This course is offered as PLSI 786, GER 786, and HUM 725. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

PLSI 896EXM Culminating Experience Examination (Units: 0-3)

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, committee chair, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.

Enrollment in 896EXAM required for students whose culminating experience consists of an examination only. Not for students enrolled in a culminating experience course numbered PLSI 898. (CR/NC, RP)

PLSI 898 Master's Thesis (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy (ATC) for the master's degree and consent of candidate's committee chair, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies.

PLSI 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-4)

Prerequisite: Consent of graduate major adviser, supervising faculty member, and department chair.

Study is planned, developed, and completed under the direction of a member of the departmental faculty. Open only to graduate students who have demonstrated ability to do independent work. Enrollment by petition.