POLI3065WORLD WAR II (HIST3065)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
In this course, students will learn the political, social and economic factors which helped to lead to World War II, including the rise of Nazism, the impact of the Great Depression, the weaknesses of Weimar Germany, political problems in France and Poland, the rise of fascism in Italy. The course then focuses on Germany's invasions of Austria, Poland, and then the rest of Europe, including Russia, and the military resistance to these invasions. In 1941, the U.S. enters the war, and Japan's role expands, which alters the global geo-military strategic map in dramatic ways from that point until the war's conclusion in 1945. Students will learn of political leadership controversies and army decision-making on both sides, and how that affected the outcome of some of the war's most important battles (land, sea and air). Both the Pacific and Euro-Russian fronts will be covered in substantial depth in regard to military strategies, political concerns, and the leadership roles of Churchill, FDR and Stalin. The role of the SS in Germany and conquered European states will be analyzed, as will the rising importance of the concentration camps through the early 1940s and how that led to money and resources being channeled to the Jewish extermination effort instead of to the German army on the war fronts. The impact of the war on global politics will be underlined toward the conclusion of the course. Students will be expected to do extensive readings of scholarly books, articles and original, primary documents, such as letters from military generals and soldiers' letters. Evaluation will be based on quizzes, tests, research papers, as well on-line discussion forums, attendance and in-class participation. Cross-listed with HIST3065
POLI3082SOCIAL MOVEMENT AND RESISTANCE (SOCL3082)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course examines the origin, growth, and dynamics of social movements as forms of social protest and resistance against state and global injustices. Discussions include case studies of various social and political groups, non-government organizations, and liberation and revolutionary movements in the U.S. and throughout the world. Cross-listed with SOCL3082
Major Electives -- Comparative Politics: Nations and People: 3 Credits
HIST3020RUSSIA AND THE SOVIET WORLD
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A study of the emergence of imperial Russia as a European power, its expansion and industrialization, the forces which blended to bring about the Revolution of 1917, the growth and development of the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin, and the fall of communism. Special emphasis is given to Marxism as it has been put into practice in the Soviet system.
HIST3026HISTORY OF MODERN GERMANY
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A study of the impact of the French Revolution on German political and cultural life; of the growth of liberalism and nationalism; of the wars of unification, Bismarckian Germany and World War I; of the rise and fall of National Socialism and of the recovery and post-war problems.
HIST3075HISTORY OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND (POLI3075)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course examines the history of Ireland (the main focus) and of Scotland, from ancient times through the modern era, and up to the present day. The idea is to present a comprehensive portrait of Irish and Scottish cultures, social and economic developments, political conflicts, and political system changes over time. Students are expected to undertake textbook readings, exams and research paper assignments in addition to engaging in classroom activities. Cross-listed with POLI3075
POLI2045ISLAM IN THE WORLD (HIST/SOCL2045)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
In this course, the basic beliefs of Islam are reviewed, along with a brief history of Islam's overall development and its impact on the world and on various civilizations in different global regions. Islam's internal sects are analyzed, and its political impact on current politics in the world is explored. The role of U.S. foreign policy in dealing with the recent rise of Islam is also analyzed. Cross-listed with HIST/SOCL2045
POLI3035HISTORY AND POLITICS OF FRANCE (HIST3035)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
We intend for students to obtain a significant deepening of their understanding of the chronological timeline of French history, and to advance their critical thinking skills regarding the analysis of key French historical events and social processes (History program Learning Objectives #1 Chronological Thinking and #6 Contextual Comprehension). At the same time, we intend for students to demonstrate an understanding of comparative political institutions (Political Science Learning Objective #10) with particular respect to the French executive and parliamentary branches; of political parties (Political Science Learning Objective #2) with particular respect to changes over the past half-century in the leading French political parties; as well as demonstrating a greater understanding of the role of elections in democracies (Political Science Learning Objective #11), here with respect to recent French electoral events such as the 2017 presidential election.
POLI3047JEWISH HISTORY AND POLITICS (HIST3047)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will begin with the Abrahamic and Moses legends, and proceed to analyze the territorial histories of the 12 tribes of Israel and Judea in ancient times; the creation of Reform-Orthodox divisions initiated by the Greek invasions of ancient Israel; the great migration waves to the north, east and west during the Syrian and Roman conquest periods and again during the Middle Ages; the Khazar kingdom; the emergence of Yiddish-speaking culture throughout eastern and western Europe; Jewish impacts on European labor movements; the rise of the modern Secular, Reform, Conservative and Ultra-Orthodox Jewish movements; Russian pogroms and Jewish emigration to the Americas; the Holocaust and a lost civilization; Zionism and the creation of the Israeli state; Jewish unionism in America: the ILGWU; Lox, Gefilte Fish, and Jewish cultural influences (music, musicals, Hollywood, comedy, such asYehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, Leonard Bernstein, and Ben Sidrin). The special contributions to science, business and politics by Albert Einstein, Henry Kissenger, and Michael Bloomberg. Current Israeli politics and Israel-related controversies. The return of Jewish life to Western Europe. Teaching tools will include textbooks, films/videos, debates, discussions, on-line readings. Student requirements include essays, exams, quizzes, discussion contributions, essays, and research projects. Cross-listed with HIST3047
Major Electives -- Comparative Politics: World Regions: 3 Credits
HIST2000BRITAIN AND ITS EMPIRE
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course covers the early history of Britain from pre-Roman times up through and beyond the Middle Ages and explores the political, social and economic origins of the British Empire. The empire is then examined in depth at its zenith in the 19th century as it became entrenched in different world areas; we explore the impact on local peoples and nations. The course concludes with attention to the decline of the British Empire.
HIST3005CONTEMPORARY CENTRAL AMERICA
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
Through class lectures, discussions, essay tests, a term paper, assigned readings, and slide and video presentations, this class shall review the history of the five Central American nations and their relationships, political, economic, and social, with the United States. Such concepts as economic dependency, neocolonialism, developmentalism, free market economic theory, grassroots democracy, militarism, liberation theology, and socialism will be discussed in depth, along with the general history of the five countries. The problems of indigenous peoples, human rights abuses, class stratification, and recent changes in religion, including phenomenal growth of Pentecostalism, shall be emphasized. By so doing, it is hoped that the student will come to a sophisticated understanding of the contemporary crises in Central America.
HIST3027HISTORY OF MODERN EUROPE (INST3027)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A survey of the past two centuries of European history that is intended to provide global awareness and an appreciation of the accomplishments European civilization. Cross-listed with INST3027
HIST3028EAST ASIAN HISTORY (INST3028)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
An overview of the history of Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The domestic, political, social, and economic bases of the historical development of these nations will be considered. Political influences of other world powers will be considered. Cross-listed with INST3028
POLI3019HISTORY AND POLITICS OF AFRICA
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course covers the key episodes in the history of Africa from pre-colonial times, through the colonial and post-colonial periods. We examine ancient kingdoms, stateless societies, inter-cultural exchanges, ethnicity, empire-creation and state-building. British, French, Belgian, Dutch and Portuguese colonial systems in Africa are then analyzed. We proceed to look at the anti-colonial independence movements, economic development in post-colonial Africa, post-colonial state-building and political changes in present-day Africa.
POLI3045HISTORY AND POLITICS OF MID EAST(HIST3045)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course explores the peoples and history of the Middle East, from ancient times, including a procession of impressive empires, until their eventual domination by the Ottomans and finally, by British Empire. We investigate the accommodation of the British to Middle Eastern kingships and the impact of colonial state-building. We proceed to examine the establishment of the state of Israel and the evolution of Palestinian-Israeli relations over past half a century. Cross-listed with HIST3045
Major Electives -- Political Theory: 3 Credits
POLI3036HIST OF AMERICAN VALUES, BELIEFS(HIST3036)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
In this course we explore the central values, beliefs and ideas that have helped to both shape and reflect the changing history of the United States. Special attention is paid to how particularly important values and ideas reflected certain time periods in American history, and helped to make this country unique. America's values and beliefs evolved both from social changes and grassroots political movements as well as from its leaders and influential thinkers. Contemporary ideas and values in America are provided considerable attention. Cross-listed with HIST3036
POLI3070THE IDEA OF FREEDOM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
In this course, we explore the concept of freedom, with a view towards appreciating the idea of individual, social and political freedom from multiple analytical perspectives. We will also investigate how the quest for freedom can help to generate new political systems or changes in existing ones. A key goal of the course is to provoke students' creativity by having to devise their own particularistic notion of freedom, and to try to figure out ways of achieving it. At the same time, it is helpful to survey how the notion of freedom has been defined, used and critiqued by political and social thinkers. We also examine different political systems in an effort to perceive which systems have maximized or encouraged the achievement of freedom (variously defined) and which have minimized or discouraged its realization. And we spend time inquiring into the importance of freedom in the US political system today and how it is being achieved, or how it is being challenged and harmed. Students will be asked to write a series of short assignments in which they begin to develop their own notions of freedom, as well as a longer research paper which explores the potential for realizing their particularized, self-developed notion of freedom. Student evaluation will be based on those assignments and papers as well as on in-class discussion, quizzes and/or exams, and on-line discussion board participation.
POLI3072DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM (HIST3072)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
In this course, we will focus on the emergence of Democratic Socialism as a political philosophy that favors a convergence of socially progressive policies with electoral democracy and capitalism. Different political theorists – in France, England, Germany, the U.S. – devised variations on this theme throughout the mid to late 19th century and into the early 20th centuries, and these variations and differing approaches will be analyzed. In addition, the course provides attention to the development of the Democratic Socialist movement in many parts of the world as the 20th century progressed. We will explore the history of this movement as well as suggesting how the political philosophy of Democratic Socialism became modified and contextualized as the movement evolved in practice. And finally, the relatively rapid expansion of the ‘Bernista' movement in the U.S. in the 2010s will be analyzed. Student requirements include in-class discussion; tests, exams; essays; research papers; discussion board participation. Cross-listed with HIST3072
POLI3085MARXIST POLITICAL THOUGHT (HIST3085)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
Marxist Political Thought will mostly focus on the ideas, analyses and proposals contained in the writings of Karl Marx and his successors. Considering the extensive dis-information surrounding this body of knowledge, it is important for students to understand the actual notions of political change that Marx himself discussed before turning to other Marxist political theorists and to the study of Communist political movements. Such thinkers as Lenin, Trotsky, Mao, Guevara, Cabral, Marcuse, ‘Danny the Red' and others all played a large role in promoting Communist ideas and actions and it is important to consider their theoretical contributions. Some attention to Communist regimes (the Soviet Union, China, Cuba) will also be paid.
Major Electives -- Public Policy: 3 credits
INST3003INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY (ADMG3003)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
An overview of major theories of international political economy including a more detailed understanding of the fast growing economic and institutional infrastructure of the international system. Topics include the development of intergovernmental and non-governmental international organizations (IGOs and NGOs), international treaties and laws governing trade and business practices, and mechanisms for the resolutions of international disputes. Cross-listed with ADMG3003
POLI2075PUBLIC POLICY
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
In this course we study basic concepts and practices of the public policy process, from policy formulation to decision-making and implementation of policies by the government. The United States federal government is the major focus of inquiry although other governments may be referenced. This course is especially appropriate for those interested in knowing how a policy is created and how to analyze government policies.
POLI3025DEVELOPMENT: POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES (INST3025)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A study of the political, social, and economic realities of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Emphasis is placed on ecological, racial, ethnic, and population problems, as well as on the legacy of colonialism, developmentalism, and dependency. Human rights and special problems of women will also be addressed. Cross-listed with INST3025
POLI3032COMPARATIVE PUBLIC POLICY
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is an introduction to the formation and dissemination of public policy in various countries around the world. We examines the means by which political, economic, and social issues are addressed by governments. The impact of public policy decision-making is critically evaluated and compared among countries.
POLI3051DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA (HIST/SOCL3051)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course looks at the history of social, political and economic development of Southeast Asia, excluding Indochina, and focusing primarily on Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It will discuss the dependent nature of development of these countries and how such development affects the national historical experiences of these countries. Cross-listed with HIST/SOCL3051
SOCL1023GLOBAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS (SLSO1007)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is a study of current social problems that take place across the globe. It emphasizes the application of sociological concepts to the critical analysis of social issues and problems in contemporary societies throughout the world, including the US. Cross-listed with SLSO1007