Catalog 2011 - 2012

An introduction to the institutions of the American government and political system, including political parties, the media and interest groups.

A survey examination of the actors and issues in global politics. Emphasis is placed on conceptual, analytical, and theoretical foundations of the field.

This course considers select global issues that currently challenge the international community. Each class session will cover a different issue and look at the debates surrounding them. Often referred to as "transnational issues," or issues too vast and complex for a single country to resolve, the course topics include global population trends, water scarcity, oil supplies, global food production, climate change, drug trafficking, human trafficking, internet freedom, immigration, refugee crises, nuclear proliferation, religious extremism, terrorism, superpower rise and decline, and other topics. This non-lecture course will emphasize student-driven discussion based on set of common readings. This course is open to all students.

This course will introduce students to the nature and causes of poverty in some of the world's poorest countries. Examples of some successful poverty alleviation policies will be included.

A study of international diplomacy through simulation exercises of the United Nations and related international organizations. Topics will vary according to the current agenda of international policy making. As international issues can range from terrorism and war to climate change and health care students from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to enroll. May be repeated for credit. Only three credits of POE-199 and POE-399 (Model United Nations II) will count toward a major in the Political Economy department.

An introductory exploration of the problem of social order through the eyes of select modern thinkers. Emphasis is placed on the problems of international order and development. Perspectives from bio-politics, biogeography, political culture, rational choice, and various theories of international political economy are considered. Readings include works by Adam Smith, Alexis de Tocqueville, Sigmund Freud, Frans de Waal, Clifford Geertz, Kenneth Waltz, Francis Fukuyama, Jared Diamond, and others.

An introductory examination of the legal process and the role of law in society.

An introduction to the public policy process and the analysis of specific public policies.

An introduction to the major themes of political philosophy.

An examination of the trends and dilemmas related to American foreign policy. Emphasis is on America's foreign policy style as a superpower from World War II to the present as well as debates over America's interests, obligations, and policy options.

Prerequisites: MAT-123.1 or MAT-149

An introduction to classical political economy philosophies and the economic principles that were developed in response to such philosophies. These principles will be used to promote understanding of how economic considerations constrain and influence political decisions and processes.

An introduction to scientific inquiry, search strategies for acquiring data, political science methods for evaluating data and statistical techniques for analyzing data. Students pursuing a major or a minor in Political Economy or International Political Economy must complete the introductory core before enrolling in this course.

Prerequisites: Permission

Study of selected areas of politics and economics not available in the regular curriculum. See course listed below.

This course examines American political leadership through the use of political biographies of U.S. presidents and other significant personalities as they interact with great political events to better understand what is entailed in political leadership. Course includes readings from political biographies such as Edmund Morris's Theodore Rex ; Doris Kerns Goodwin's No Ordinary Time and Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln ; David McCullough's John Adams and Truman ; Robert Caro's The Years of Lyndon Johnson ; Lou Cannon's President Reagan: The Role of a Life ; and others.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

An examination of the principles of American constitutional law concerning allocation of powers through the study of Supreme Court decisions, the role of the judicial branch and judicial review, separation of powers, congressional and presidential powers and federalism.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

An examination of the principles of American constitutional law concerning civil liberties and civil rights through the study of Supreme Court decisions: due process, rights of the accused, equal protection, freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

Prerequisites: POE-263 or ECO-271 and ECO-272

Students pursuing other majors must have attained junior standing and have permission of instructor. An examination of the characteristics of underdeveloped nations, what factors contribute to their relative poverty, particular development problems they face, and policies for alleviating these problems.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

An examination of the issues and strategies employed in presidential elections. Emphasis will be placed on decision making and problem solving in a small-group environment.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

The concept of democracy has been evaluated and debated since the early days of the Greek city states. What is meant by democracy? What are the criteria necessary for the establishment and execution of a viable democracy? Throughout his career, Robert Dahl has explored these issues. This course will examine the meaning of democracy as formulated by Dahl in his writings. We will discuss Dahl's writings in detail and explore our own views of democracy. We will also closely examine the writings of Peter Bachrach, a continuing critic of Robert Dahl. The success of this course will depend upon the participation of the students involved and their dedication to examining the concept of democracy through directed readings and in-depth class discussion.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

An examination of the legislative process within the United States with special emphasis on the unique characteristics of the U. S. Congress and the Idaho State Legislature.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

The course will concentrate on the institution of the presidency and how it interacts with other entities and the formal and informal powers available to the president.

Prerequisites: Permission

A study of politics, personalities, and institutional norms of the Supreme Court, primarily through role playing and intensive research, writing, and oral argument.

This course will examine the arguments made by both proponents and opponents of the constitution and determine their applicability to current political debates.

An examination of macroeconomic policy in the United States from the perspective of the policy process. The course will include study of the Federal Reserve Board, the budget making process of the Congress and executive branches, and macroeconomic theories.

Prerequisites: POE-263 or ECO-271 and ECO-272

An evaluation of economies from an historical, evolutionary perspective. Emphasis is given to the evolution of the 19th century laissez faire market economy and the 20th century variations, which have evolved in countries such as France and Japan.

Prerequisites: POE-263 or ECO-271 and ECO-272

An evaluation of alternative types of economies such as those of Sweden, the European Union, China and the transforming Central and East European nations.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

This course will focus on the conceptual foundations of policy analysis as they relate to the area of environmental policy. Students will focus on both substantive environmental policies and methods for analyzing those policies. Special emphasis will be made on economic techniques of policy analysis.

The study of ethical issues and practical politics through movies and documentary films.

Prerequisites: Permission

A study of selected works of ancient, medieval, modern or contemporary political philosophy. Topics will vary from year to year. See courses listed below.

Prerequisites: Permission

An examination of the political philosophy of Nietzsche through reading and class discussion. This is a seminar type course where students are expected to lead discussions and develop a personal understanding of the material with limited help from the professor.

Prerequisites: Permission

An examination of relational feminist political philosophy through reading and class discussion. Students will be required to lead class discussions.

Prerequisites: Permission

In this one credit course, we will read and discuss texts dealing with relational feminist political philosophy. Students will be responsible for leading class discussions.

Prerequisites: POE-120

An examination of the common and unique problems facing countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Identifies the strategies used by governments to improve economic conditions and consolidate political processes.

A comparative study of governments and political activity. Industrial democracies, transitional democracies, and various forms of authoritarian rule are examined. Case studies are drawn from Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

The study of sub-national governmental units with a special emphasis on Idaho politics.

A study of political and economic change in the People's Republic of China since 1949. The themes of revolution, reform, growth and stability are explored through an examination of changing state policies and their political, economic, and social effects.

An examination of the world's first Asian industrial superpower. Explores the political economic roots of Japan's political economy with consideration of cultural influences, economic nationalism, democratization, and foreign relations.

This course examines political and economic development in one of the world's most diverse and economically dynamic regions. Students explore how the region has transitioned from a Cold War battlefield to a post-Cold War marketplace. Topics range from the Vietnam War, the Cambodian genocide, and military rule in Myanmar (Burma) to rapid economic growth in Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. Major themes cover economic development, globalization, agrarian change, democratization and human rights.

Prerequisites: POE-263 or ECO-271 and ECO-272.

A review of the principles of international trade, the institutions that govern trade, the economic and political aspects of economic integration, and the impact of trade on the development of nations.

An analysis of the distinction between public and private economic issues. A detailed discussion of the appropriateness of governmental intervention in the economy. Emphasis will be placed on discussion of readings and group assignments.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

An exploration of how politics and economics intersect in the global arena. Considers key institutions and the role of state and transnational actors in facilitating and undermining economic and political development. Examines the rise of globalization including its empirical and moral dimensions.

Prerequisites: Junior standing

A discussion-based course covering topics in renewable and nonrenewable resource use, sustainable yields in fisheries, transportation issues, management of endangered species, and land-use management (e.g., urban sprawl). Primary focus will be on issues of regional significance (e.g., conservation of Pacific salmon stocks, water-use management). Economic concepts covered include market failure, cost-benefit analysis, monetary evaluation of the environment, and sustainable economic development.

Prerequisites: Permission

This course is designed to facilitate student participation in National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference each spring. The NMUN is held in New York City and part of the conference takes place at the United Nations itself. Students will prepare to represent The College of Idaho at the conference. Course content will be based on the country assignment for the NMUN conference. May be repeated for credit. Only three credits of POE 199 (Model United Nations I) and POE-399 will count toward a major in the POE department.

Prerequisites: POE-263 or ECO-271 and ECO-272

Study of selected areas of politics and economics not available in the regular curriculum. See courses listed below.

Prerequisites: POE-263 or ECO-271 and ECO-272

The political economy aspects of selected domestic issues will be analyzed. These issues will include (but not be limited to) the federal budget deficit, health care, immigration, minimum wage, social security, subsidies to private firms, environmental protection, and technological development.

Prerequisites: Permission

Students will research, write and present a scholarly paper on the topic of their choosing. The Department must approve the topic.

Prerequisites: Permission

A research paper for students pursuing a major or minor in Politics and Economics or International Political Economy. See independent study guidelines.

Prerequisites: Permission

A supervised internship designed to provide practical experience in the field of Politics and Economics or International Political Economy. Periodic reports and papers may be required. See internship guidelines.

Prerequisites: Complete the introductory core of the Political Economy major.

Advanced study in political/economic theory involving intensive reading, writing, and discussion.

Prerequisites: Complete the introductory core of the International Political Economy major.

A reflective survey of international political economy. The ideas and theories of classic and modern thinkers in the field will provide a springboard for student discussion, research and writing.