Political Science (PO)

Analysis of structure, process and behavior in the New Hampshire state and American national government. Actual performance is evaluated in the light of the promise of democracy. Not open to students who have earned credit in PO 1020.

Are we progressing towards a more peaceful world, or repeating past mistakes? Do international organizations, trade, and democracy facilitate cooperation? Studies relations between states and non-state actors, identifying patterns and causes of action. A first step in understanding how world politics influence us. It examines historic and contemporary issues, including human rights, terrorism, trade, the environment, diplomacy, and security. Falls. (GACO)

This course teaches the skills necessary for careers related to the political science major. Includes a survey of political science careers, disciplinary history, the scientific method, an overview of disciplinary subfields, and key concepts. Falls Even.

Analysis of the nature of bureaucracy; recruitment, training, management and organization of civil servants; public unionism, problems of communication, allocation of resources and public budgeting process, administrative law; problems of public support. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 2020. (DICO)

Introduction to the primary concepts and methodology of political science and comparative politics. Explores the similarities and differences of the governments of contemporary states. Structures and functions of modern national governments are examined in relation to dynamic political forces and institutions in multiple regions of the world. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 1010 or PO 3510. Springs.

Introduces students to the current political landscape, the main actors of the contemporary Middle East. Examines the history and culture of the region as well as its economics and politics. Explores important questions, including Islamic Fundamentalism, terrorism, and democracy. Looks into relationship between the Middle Eastern countries and societies and the rest of the world, specifically the United States. Falls Odd. (GACO)

Topics in political science not normally covered in depth in other political science courses. May be repeated with a different topic for no more than 12 credits.

A study of the methodological and research techniques of political science, with particular focus on analysis of public policy. Explores approaches such as individualistic-psychological, rational, game theory, and techniques such as research design, survey research, quantitative analysis, and case study methods. Discusses principles and assumptions of political inquiry and the devices for gathering and analyzing data. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3680 or PO 3660. Fall of even years. (WRCO)

Prerequisite(s): (PO 1020 or PO 1025) and (MA 2300 or SS 3700 or SS 3705).

A study of the methodological and research techniques of political science, with particular focus on analysis of public policy. Explores approaches such as individualistic-psychological, rational, game theory, and techniques such as research design, survey research, quantitative analysis, and case study methods. Discusses principles and assumptions of political inquiry and the devices for gathering and analyzing data. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3060. (TECO) (WRCO)

Politics and process in the Presidency and Congress. The evolution of the branches in terms of their power and the interactions between them. How are members elected, in which ways do members define and perform their duties, and why do the branches sometime fail to perform as expected? Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3590 or PO 3600. Spring 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2023.

Prerequisite(s): PO 1020 or PO 1025.

Introduces students to origins, functions, structure, and issues facing contemporary UN. Combines both knowledge and simulated debates of issues including development, terrorism, environment, relationship between the US and the UN. Includes role-playing; extends students’ knowledge of international politics while developing proficiency in public speaking, policy formulation, diplomacy and conflict resolution; preparation for career in public policy or international affairs. Springs Even. (GACO)

The nature, functions, organizations, and activities of political parties and interest groups as well as the processes of nomination, campaigns, and elections in the American political systems. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3120. (TECO)

Introduces students to the origins, functions, structure, and issues facing the contemporary UN. Combines both substantive knowledge and simulated debates of major issues in the UN agenda, including genocide, economic development, terrorism, environment, etc. Looks into relationship between the US and the UN. Includes role-playing; opportunity to extend students’ knowledge of international politics while developing proficiency in public speaking, policy formulation, parliamentary procedure, diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution; preparation for career in public policy or international affairs. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3250. (GACO) (INCO)

An introduction to the politics of Latin America. Explores contemporary trends in the region and provides a basis for understanding the unique political institutions, power relations and cultural diversity of selected countries. Emphasis on trends such as democratization, development and U.S. relations exposes students to important contemporary issues and controversies. Not open to students who have earned credit in PO 3300. Offered according to demand. (GACO) (WRCO)

Examines the roles of women as policy makers and the impact of policy on women. Using case studies and biographies, focuses on women chief executives, government officials and leaders of political organizations around the globe. Uses class discussions, readings and other materials to explore women's political participation in several regions and allow us to analyze how the policies of national governments and international organizations affect women. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3355. Offered according to demand.

Introduces students to the current political landscape, the main actors of the contemporary Middle East. Examines the history and culture of the region as well as its economics and politics. Explores important questions, including Islamic Fundamentalism, terrorism, and democracy. Looks into relationship between the Middle Eastern countries and societies and the rest of the world, specifically the United States. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3500. Falls. (GACO) (INCO)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

Investigation of American courts with emphasis on the Supreme Court as it applies constitutional principles to conflict over personal rights. Major opinions of the Supreme Court provide most of the textual material. The Court is viewed as a highly political body with the task of resolving our most difficult social conflicts. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3630.

Questions relating to the world role of the United States including what that role should be and how it is played. Includes further discussion of the balance of means against ends and the relationship between domestic politics and foreign policy. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3650. Offered according to demand.

This course is an upper-level survey on the causes of war and human conflict, including international/global, domestic institutional, and psychological explanations. Heavy emphasis on performative learning and evaluation through simulation. Springs Even.

A survey of major schools of political thought from ancient to modern times. Students are expected to reflect systematically on such issues as human nature, the role of the state, our relation to the state and principles of good government. Not open to students who have earned credit for PO 3810. Offered according to demand.

Students engage in work programs and thereby apply knowledge gained from major and minor course areas or concentrations in Political Science. Qualifications to be an intern are determined by the supervising faculty member. Once placed, student interns have both an immediate supervisor and a supervising professor in Political Science. Repeatable for a maximum of 12 credits. With permission.

Prerequisite(s): signature of the faculty supervisor.

Background in political science through reading and research, supplementing previous course work in the field. A research paper, periodic conference and an oral examination may be required. Consent required of the instructor who will supervise the independent study and the Department Chair.