Information found in this online edition of the 2008-09 catalog is unofficial and for informational purposes only. By authority of the dean of the College, some factual corrections to the printed version may appear here. The official document of record is the printed edition of the 2008-09 Catalog. For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Political Science

Chair: Curtis N. Johnson

Political scientists examine the theory and practice of government, law, and politics within the history of political ideas and philosophy, as well as within the context of contemporary political practices. They use the tools and methods of the social sciences to seek knowledge of political institutions and processes, and to learn how to think critically about public policies and their consequences. Political scientists attempt to evaluate how behavior (individual, group, and mass) affects political institutions, and how institutions shape and constrain political choices.

Because of their understanding and interest in political systems, students who earn degrees in political science often enter such career fields as government service, law, journalism, politics, public policy analysis, and education. Knowledge about politics often extends into other spheres, as graduates also pursue careers in medicine, business and finance, or the clergy.

Political science is often organized into fields: American government, comparative politics, political theory, public law, and international relations (covered by the Department of International Affairs). Subfields such as public administration and methodology intersect with these main areas and provide avenues for more focused and advanced specialization.

The Major Program

The political science curriculum is organized around five fields: American government, comparative politics, political theory, public law, and methodology. Courses are offered in American government and comparative politics at the introductory and advanced levels. Courses in public law, political theory, and methodology are advanced courses, normally taken after students have completed introductory courses.

Political science majors can undertake independent study under individual faculty supervision, including practical applications and experiences such as internships with elected officials, interest groups, and government agencies. The department's annual semester of study in Washington, D.C., one of the more distinguished programs of its kind in the country, includes interviews with some of America's most influential politicians and decision makers, combined with a rigorous curriculum of in-class instruction.

The political science department uses local and regional resources with visits to the Oregon state legislature in Salem and to county and city political offices in the Portland metropolitan area. Other resources include numerous governmental agencies in the Portland area, interest groups, and political movements. The political science curriculum is organized into the following concentrations:

American Government and Institutions
103 U.S. Government: National Politics
301 American Constitutional Law: Equal Protection and Due Process
302 Political Parties and Interest Groups
305 American Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
307 Government and the Economy
350 Congressional Politics
351 Presidential Politics
359 Religion and Politics

Comparative Politics
102 Comparative Political Systems
254 Comparative Nationalism
315 Transitions to Democracy
317 Southeast Asian Politics and Government
320 European Agrarian Development in Comparative Perspective
321 Problems of Communism and Postcommunism
325 Western European Politics

Political Theory
309 American Political Thought and Ideology
310 Pillars of Western Political Thought: Plato to Machiavelli
311 Pillars of Western Political Thought: Hobbes to Foucault
313 International Political Theory
402 Problems in Political Theory

Public Law, Policy, and Administration
255 Law, Lawyers, and Society
275 Gender and Politics
301 American Constitutional Law: Equal Protection and Due Process
305 American Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
353 The National Policy Process
425 Legal Regulation of American Democracy

Methodology and Thesis
201 Research Methods in Political Science
252 Public Opinion and Survey Research
400 Senior Thesis

Note: Students planning to pursue a law degree, a master's degree in public administration, or a public career will find courses in public law, policy, and administration particularly useful. Students planning to attend graduate school in political science will find courses in the other three concentrations especially useful.

Major Requirements

A minimum of 40 semester credits (10 courses), distributed as follows:

Eight courses in political science, including the following: a) Political Science 102 and Political Science 103, required of all majors, should be taken first. b) Political Science 201 (Research Methods) should be taken prior to the senior year, preferably in the sophomore year. c) Five more courses in political science, at least one course in political theory, and at least one course from the American government and institutions list above (not counting Political Science 103). One international affairs course at the 200 level or higher may be substituted for one course in comparative politics. d) Political Science 400 (Senior Thesis).
International Affairs 100.
Economics 100.
In addition, the following courses are recommended: a) For all majors: courses in European and U.S. history; macroeconomics; semester in Washington, D.C.; international political economy b) For students planning to attend law school: courses in English literature, philosophy (including logic), mathematics, history. c) For students planning to attend graduate school in political science: courses in mathematics, statistics, other social sciences. d) For students planning a career in politics, public policy, or urban planning: courses in accounting, statistics, communication, economics, and psychology.

Minor Requirements

A minimum of 20 semester credits (five courses), distributed as follows:

One course in American government and institutions selected from Political Science 301, 302, 305, 307, and 350, or a political science course taken in the Washington, D.C., program.
One course in public law, policy, and administration selected from Political Science 301 and 305.

Practicum Program

The department encourages students to take advantage of its internships or practica. Practica prospects are announced each semester. Eligibility depends only on the student's interest in working in a public or private agency that can provide an experience related to politics, law, or administration. The department usually makes practicum arrangements, but a student's relevant community associations are considered. In the past, students have worked with city governments, law firms, civil rights groups, congressional offices, planning agencies, and state administrative agencies. Students may earn up to 4 semester credits for practica.

Honors And Senior Thesis

All political science majors are required to enroll in Political Science 400 (Senior Thesis) in the senior year, normally in fall semester. Majors who have achieved a GPA of 3.500 or higher in the major and overall may be considered for honors. After the student completes and formally presents the thesis, the political science faculty determine whether to grant honors on graduation.

Resources For Nonmajors

Since political science is intrinsic to a liberal education, the department makes its courses open to all students. Political science courses guide students in using the discipline's resources and in developing descriptive, analytical, evaluative, and communicative skills needed by participants in a liberal democracy. Two courses are entrees to the field: Comparative Political Systems and U.S. Government: National Politics.

Faculty

Robert M. Eisinger, associate professor. American politics, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, research methods, religion and politics.
John Holzwarth, assistant professor. Political theory, history of political thought.
Curtis N. Johnson, Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Professor of Government. Political theory, American government, classical studies, history of political thought.
Todd Lochner, assistant professor. American constitutional law, American political systems.

POLS 102 Comparative Political Systems

Staff
Content: Introduction to the central theories used in comparative politics. An examination of the manner in which new regimes are institutionalized and the factors associated with their success or failure. Application of these insights to case studies involving six countries.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Each semester, 4 semester credits.

POLS 103 U.S. Government: National Politics

Eisinger
Content: The politics of the founding period; interactions within and among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; the federal division of institutionalized powers; public opinion, interest groups, and political parties; the policy process in areas such as defense, welfare, civil rights and liberties, international affairs.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Each semester, 4 semester credits.

POLS 201 Research Methods In Political Science

Eisinger
Content: The scope and methods of political science. Application of terms such as hypothesis, theory, validity, crosstabs, chi-square, statistical significance, regression, and correlation with an eye toward understanding rather than producing statistics. Epistemological issues raised by the behaviorist approach. Help for students choosing senior thesis topics.
Prerequisite: Political Science 103. Normally taken during junior year.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits.

POLS 244 Practicum

Staff
Content: Opportunities for well-prepared students to put academic concepts and techniques to work in the marketplace. Specific activities vary; usually involve work with a public agency or private group.
Prerequisites: Considerable preparation before enrollment. Consult instructor and obtain the department's instructions about the program well in advance.
Taught: Annually, 2-4 semester credits.

POLS 252 Public Opinion And Survey Research

Eisinger
Content: The role of public opinion in the American political process; the problem of identifying the public and the extent to which this public exercises political authority; techniques of researching public opinion. Political socialization, formation of attitudes, group differences, mass opinion, elite opinion, direct action. Research design, data collection, scaling, analysis, and interpretation of data in the context of research on polling.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Every three years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 254 Comparative Nationalism

Staff
Content: Theories of nationalism and national identity. Case studies from around the globe illustrating the process of nation-state formation. Problems of conflict in multinational states. Comparison of recent nationalist movements.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 255 Law, Lawyers, And Society

Lochner
Content: The role of law and legal institutions in the American political system. Examination of institutional actors, such as lawyers, judges, and juries, as well as an examination of discrete case studies, such as "mass torts," environmental litigation, and criminal justice policy. What features define the American legal system; how does this system compare to the legal systems of other countries; what are its respective advantages and disadvantages?
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 275 Gender And Politics

Staff
Content: Use of comparative and historical perspective to understand women as political actors. Notions of power, change, participation, politics. The suffrage struggle and the political situation in eastern and western Europe.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits.

POLS 290 The Senate: An Insider's Perspective

Eisinger, Packwood
Content: An examination of what makes the U.S. Senate a unique legislative body. Topics include the legislative process, seniority, the party caucus, the evolving constitutional functions of the Senate, institutional and structural differences between the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and specific public policies that emanated from the Senate.
Prerequisite: None.
Taught: Annually, 2 semester credits, credit-no credit.

POLS 299 Independent Study

Staff
Content: Opportunities for well-prepared students to design and pursue a substantive course of independent learning. Details determined by the student and the supervising instructor.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Taught: Each semester, 2-4 semester credits.

POLS 301 American Constitutional Law: Equal Protection And Due Process

Lochner
Content: A study of the U.S. Supreme Court and judicial review from 1787 to the present. An examination of the court's landmark constitutional decisions, as well as the theory and techniques of constitutional interpretation. The court's authority within the wider political and social context of American government, with emphasis on the court's jurisprudence in the areas of equal protection (including segregation and desegregation, affirmative action, gender discrimination, and sexual orientation discrimination) and due process (including privacy and abortion rights). Discussions of actual Supreme Court rulings, majority opinions and dissenting arguments, as well as the political and historical context of those decisions in an effort to understand how and why the Supreme Court has played such an influential role in American politics and political thought.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. Political Science 103.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits.

POLS 302 Political Parties And Interest Groups

Eisinger
Content: The structure and functioning of political parties from the local to the national level; organization, staffing, and policy development of parties. Pluralist analysis, group theory, impact of interest group activity on the American political system.
Prerequisite: Political Science 103.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits.

POLS 305 American Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties

Lochner
Content: Focus on the First Amendment, particularly free speech (including areas of national security, incitement to lawless action, individual and group defamation, indecency, and obscenity) as well as criminal defendants' rights (including Fourth Amendment search and seizure law, Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, and Eighth Amendment prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment in the context of the death penalty). Discussions of actual Supreme Court rulings, majority opinions, and dissenting arguments, as well as the political and historical context of those decisions in an effort to understand how and why the Supreme Court has played such an influential role in American politics and political thought.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. Political Science 103.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits.

POLS 307 Government And The Economy

Staff
Content: A framework for analysis of the policy-making process. History, dynamics, and trends of major U.S. economic policies. The scope of American domestic policy; subsidies and aids to business, labor, agriculture, consumers; antitrust policy and the Federal Trade Commission; public utility regulation; natural resources policies; full employment; antipoverty and defense spending.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
Taught: On Washington, D.C., program, alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 309 American Political Thought And Ideology

Johnson
Content: The evolution of political ideas and ideologies from the pre-Revolutionary era through the founding period, Civil War, early 20th century, and New Deal, up to present divisions between "liberals," "conservatives," and other contemporary political orientations. Locke, Madison, Jefferson, Lincoln, Keynes, Hayek, Harrington, others.
Prerequisite: Political Science 103 or consent of instructor.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits.

POLS 310 Pillars Of Western Political Thought: Plato To Machiavelli

Holzwarth, Johnson
Content: Political theorists and their theories--classical, early Christian, and early modern--and the potential relevance of their enterprise to ours. How we might go about our own enterprise more effectively, linking discipline and imagination. Consideration of six to eight works, in recent years including Plato's Apology, Crito, and Republic; Aristotle's Politics; works by Cicero and Polybius; Augustine's City of God; Machiavelli's Prince and Discourses; Hobbes' Leviathan; Locke's Second Treatise.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits.

POLS 311 Pillars Of Western Political Thought: Hobbes To Foucault

Holzwarth, Johnson
Content: Focus on works of Enlightenment, modern, and contemporary thinkers such as Hume's political writings, Rousseau's Social Contract, Marx's political ideas, Mill's On Liberty, Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents, Rawls' Theory of Justice, feminist theory (Okin, DiStefano, Harding, Elshtain), and critical theory (Rorty, Habermas, Foucault).
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits.

POLS 313 International Political Theory

Holzwarth
Content: Normative issues in international politics, including such topics as national sovereignty, just war theory, international intervention, human rights, cultural rights, secession and self-determination, the competing ethics of patriotism, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism. Historical approaches through such thinkers as Thucydides, Hobbes, Kant, Mill, followed by contemporary readings, including such authors as Rawls, Walzer, Kymlicka, Rorty, Nussbaum.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 315 Transitions To Democracy

Staff
Content: Analysis of different theories of democratic transitions. Cases of democratic transitions from southern and eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Factors such as role of the military, economic development, civil society.
Prerequisites: Political Science 102. Consent of instructor.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 316 Ethics And Public Policy

Holzwarth
Content: Exploration of contemporary normative issues in political theory through analysis of specific arguments surrounding controversial issues and consideration of the broader ethical frameworks within which we attempt to make decisions about them. Topics may include abortion, euthanasia, punishment and the death penalty, multiculturalism, affirmative action, women's rights, gay rights, animal rights, just war theory, social welfare.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 317 Southeast Asian Politics And Government

Staff
Content: Politics and governments of Southeast Asia, as a region and in terms of selected countries (varying from year to year) among the following: Australia, Brunei, Burma, Indonesia, Kampuchea, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. The relationships among diverse histories, colonial legacies, ethnic and religious traditions, and foreign occupations in the creation of today's political dynamics and governmental configurations.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or consent of instructor.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits. Not offered in 2008-09.

POLS 320 European Agrarian Development In Comparative Perspective

Staff
Content: The radical transformation of agriculture and agricultural societies over the last 300 years. Comparisons of Western and non-Western societies; contrasts between revolutionary and peaceful patterns of agrarian change. Origins of the state, models of social change and development, interpretations of the nature of peasant society, rural revolutions and peasant mobilization, agrarian reform attempts.
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Recommended as a sequence with International Affairs 341.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits.

POLS 321 Problems Of Communism And Postcommunism

Staff
Content: Introduction to the political, economic, and social issues that emerged during the institutionalization of communism in the Soviet Union and eastern Europe. The relationship between the institutions of communism and the challenges associated with transitions to market capitalism and democracy in postcommunist contexts.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 325 Western European Politics

Staff
Content: The politics, institutions, and policy issues of the western European states and the European Union. Comparisons with the countries seeking to join.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or consent of instructor.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 350 Congressional Politics

Eisinger
Content: Constitutional foundations and the unfolding of various concepts of legislative power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The dynamics of Congress, its staffing, and how it and individual members manage different visions of legislative power. Other branches of government examined to illuminate the functioning and malfunctioning of the legislative branch.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. Political Science 103 recommended.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits.

POLS 351 Presidential Politics

Eisinger
Content: Constitutional foundations and the unfolding of various concepts of executive power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The dynamics of the presidency and the extent to which one person can be held responsible for expanded responsibilities. The organizational models and practices of 20th-century presidents. Other branches of government examined to illuminate the functioning and malfunctioning of the executive branch.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. Political Science 103 recommended.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits.

POLS 353 The National Policy Process

Staff
Content: Theoretical foundations of national government and analysis of its congressional, presidential, administrative, and judicial structures. Specific public policies examined to understand the interaction of interest groups, political parties, research institutes, media, and public opinion with these structures.
Prerequisite: Political Science 103 or consent of instructor.
Taught: On Washington, D.C., program, alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 359 Religion And Politics

Eisinger
Content: Examination of several studies measuring religiosity and how or if religious participation affects political participation. The role of the church as a political institution. Religious leaders as political leaders. Emphasis on religion in American politics.
Prerequisite: Political Science 103, Religious Studies 101, or consent of instructor.
Taught: Every third year, 4 semester credits.

POLS 400 Senior Thesis

Eisinger, Johnson
Content: Choosing a definitive topic and narrowing it; developing a research design, doing the research, submitting drafts, revising drafts, polishing final copy. Presenting thesis to political science faculty and seniors for critique, rewrite of thesis. Final form due at end of semester.
Prerequisites: Political Science 102, 103, and 201. Normally taken during fall and spring semesters of senior year.
Taught: Annually, 2 semester credits each semester for a total of 4 credits.

POLS 402 Problems In Political Theory

Holzwarth, Johnson
Content: Advanced analysis of a specific problem, theme, or concept intriguing to political theorists. Specific content varies. Themes have included revolution, utopia, authority, the American founding, the social contract, Marx and his critics; in future may include postmodern political theory, feminist political theory, and the liberal-communitarian disputes in political theory.
Prerequisite: Junior standing; open to sophomores with consent of instructor only.
Taught: Alternate years, 4 semester credits.

POLS 425 Legal Regulation Of American Democracy

Lochner
Content: Analysis of the legal regulation of the American political system. The equal protection concept of voting rights, particularly the "One Person, One Vote" rule and the Voting Rights Act, and federal campaign finance regulation. Additional topics include the constitutional rights of political parties and the law relating to ballot propositions. Discussion of descriptive and normative issues.
Prerequisites: Junior standing or consent of instructor. Political Science 301.
Taught: Annually, 4 semester credits.

POLS 444 Practicum

Staff
Content: Same as Political Science 244 but requiring more advanced work.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Taught: Annually, 2-4 semester credits.

POLS 499 Independent Study

Staff
Content: Same as Political Science 299 but requiring more advanced work.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Taught: Annually, 2-4 semester credits.

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