Bates Courses outside of the Politics Curriculum that Can Count Toward the Politics Major

The Politics Major permits 1 Bates course that is not explicitly crosslisted with Politics to count toward the Major. Doing so permits students to explore topics that overlap with concerns within political inquiry.

The following courses can be counted toward Category 4 of the major (Any 2 courses regardless of their “major focus area” tag).  They may only be counted toward that Category and not applied to either Category 1 (5 courses including thesis in the student’s Major-Focus Area—where all courses must be taken at Bates) or Category 2 (3 courses explicitly outside of the Major-Focus Area whereby both course tags are not the student’s Major-Focus Area).

AF/AM 227. #BlackLivesMatter.

This course examines the history of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It examines invisibility and spectacle in black death, voyeurism, and the destruction of the black body in the new public square. Is it true that black lives are more easily taken and black bodies destroyed with less legal consequence than others? What are the ways in which black lives do not matter? This course analyzes media coverage and debates on social media about black death. Students place these discussions in conversation with the critique of race and racialized violence offered in literature, music, film and social theory. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 29. (Africana: Gender.) C. Shepard.

EUSO 290. Political Sociology

This course offers an in-depth examination of core issues in political sociology. Attention turns to the formation of nation-states, nationalism, postcolonialism, neoliberalism and welfare states dynamics, international organizations, social movements and revolutions, democracy and regime change, violence, power, and related topics. Students encounter a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches, with empirical analyses focusing on case studies from across the globe. Recommended background: one or more courses in the social sciences. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 29. F. Duina.

EDSO 380. Education, Reform, and Politics

The United States has experienced more than three centuries of growth and change in the organization of public and private education. This course examines 1) contemporary reform issues and political processes in relation to school, research, legal, policymaking, and student/family constituencies and 2) how educational policy is formulated, implemented, and evaluated. The study of these areas emphasizes public K–12 education but includes postsecondary education. Examples of specific educational policy arenas include governance, school choice (e.g., charter schools, magnet schools, and vouchers), school funding, standards and accountability, and college access. A thirty-hour field experience is required. Prerequistes(s): EDUC 231. Enrollment limited to 18. (Community-Engaged Learning.) M. Tieken.

EUSO 395Q-Populism in the Age of Globalization

Populist movements and parties have gained power and prominence in recent years. Often defying traditional left-right distinctions, they have in many cases adopted anti-globalization, nationalist or nativist, and anti-elitist positions. They have enjoyed electoral and other successes in Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia, and Africa. This course examines the causes of their rise, nature of their rhetoric and policies, and profound impact on cultural, political, economic and other social processes and dynamics. Prerequisite(s): SOC 103, 290, 395A, or one course in politics. New course beginning Fall 2019.

INDS 302. Black Feminist Activist and Intellectual Traditions

This junior-senior seminar examines the intersections of gender with black racial and ethnic identities as they have been and are constructed, expressed, and lived throughout the African/Black diaspora. Special attention is given to the United States but substantial consideration is given to Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The course combines approaches and methodologies employed in the humanities, social sciences, and arts to structure interdisciplinary analyses. Using Black feminist (womanist), critical-race, and queer theories, students examine African-descended women’s histories, activism, resistance, and contributions to culture, knowledge, and theorizing. Prerequisite(s): one course in African American studies, American studies, or gender and sexuality studies. Crosslisted in African American studies, American studies, and gender and sexuality studies. Enrollment limited to 15. S. Houchins.

 PHIL 258. Philosophy of Law

What is law? What is the relationship of law to morality? What is the nature of judicial reasoning? Particular legal issues include the nature and status of liberty rights (the right to privacy including contraception, abortion, and homosexuality), the legitimacy of restrictions on speech and expression (flag burning and racist hate speech), and the justification of the death penalty. Readings include traditional and contemporary legal theory, case studies, and court decisions. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 29. Normally offered every year. D. Cummiskey.

PHIL 268. Capitalism and Its Critics

Some consider a capitalist economy an environment ideally conducive to human flourishing, while others consider it a significant threat. Debates over the merits of capitalism have raged among philosophers for generations. This course considers some of capitalism’s most able defenders, as well as some of its most incisive critics. The course also examines some hybrid views, which attempt to harness capitalism’s capacity for good, while mitigating its ability to harm. Enrollment limited to 29. P. Schofield.

PHIL 324C. Liberty, Equality, and Community

Liberty and equality are the central values of contemporary political philosophy. These values, however, seem inevitably to conflict. Unlimited freedom leads to inequalities and remedies for inequalities restrict liberty. This seminar focuses on competing accounts of the proper balance between liberty and equality. In particular, students focus on John Rawls’ theory of justice and competing theories of justice, including utilitarian liberalism, Nozick’s libertarian theory, communitarian theories, feminist theories, and multicultural approaches. Prerequisite(s): PHIL 255, 256, or 257. Enrollment limited to 15. [W2] D. Cummiskey.

PSYC s35: Political Psychology

Students in this course engage with issues at the intersection of the fields of political science and psychology. In particular, students examine the relevance of psychological processes to such topics as the evaluation of electoral candidates, what it means to identify as politically conservative or liberal, media effects (including social media), race and politics, foreign policy, and political reasoning. In addition to frequent readings (including empirical reports utilizing quantitative analyses), course participants also engage with relevant multimedia content, including podcasts and videos. Prerequisite(s): one of the following: DCS 105; ECON 250; MATH 233; PLTC 218; PSYC 218; or SOC 205 or 206. M. Sargent

SOC 395A. European Integration: Politics, Society, and Geography

The European Union (E.U.) represents one of the most remarkable achievements of the contemporary world. This seminar first reviews the history and structure of the E.U. It then examines a series of topics related to the political, social, and geographical dimensions of European integration. These topics include the drivers of integration, the transformation of domestic policies and institutions, the demands of E.U. law, the rise of a European identity, the consequences of expansion in Eastern and Central Europe, the salience of regions, and the E.U. on the international scene. Comparisons with South America’s Mercosur conclude the seminar. Students are exposed to numerous theoretical tools and methodologies, including institutionalism, rational choice theory, intergovernmentalism, and comparative methods. Prerequisite(s): one course in sociology or politics, or EUS 200. Enrollment limited to 15. [W2] F. Duina.