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College Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Courses
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Physical Education |
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PE 57 - Indoor Soccer (Futsal)
Fundamental skills of indoor soccer are introduced. Skills will be developed using exercises, small-sided games and other methods. Rules and strategy will be introduced and when possible, full-sided games will be incorporated into each session. There is an emphasis on teamwork and enjoyment of the game. Spring only. (1 Credits)
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PE 60 - Sport Spectating
(1 Credits)
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PE 61 - Water Polo
(1 Credits)
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PE 70 - American Football: Philosophy and Fundamentals
This course is for individuals interested in learning the fundamentals for playing and coaching football. Students will learn the skills and techniques that are needed for each position on the field. Students will also learn defensive, offensive, and special team philosophies and schemes. This course will mainly be spent in the classroom, with some time spent on the football field for demonstrations and observation of practice. Spring only. (1 Credits)
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PE 71 - Taking Charge of Your Emotional Well-Being
This course will provide strategies that enables students to grow in their belief in themselves, and in their mastery of the seven non-cognitive competencies associated with success. Through this course students will discover their unique capabilities that will be the cornerstone of progress in the face of challenges. Students start with learning to understand the importance of exploring who they are now and who they are becoming as a critical component of student success. They also learn to recognize the unwelcome influence of self-doubt, how it can shape their feelings, emotions and beliefs, and begin to update their self-talk using cognitive re-framing, mindfulness and other activities backed by the latest research in neuroscience. From there, students will explore each of the steps that lead to creating their personal game plan for successfully navigating the various challenges of school and life. Offered occasionally. (1 Credits)
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Physics |
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PHYS 111 - Contemporary Concepts
This course is specifically designed for the liberal arts student who desires an essentially non-mathematical, yet wholly faithful, acquaintance with the fundamental concepts of contemporary physics. Topics include special relativity, curved space-time and black holes, the Big Bang universe, light, quantum theory, and elementary particles. These are presented so as to demonstrate the power of “pure thought” and scientific creativity at its best. The underlying assumption of the course is that physics approached as a way of thinking can be vitally relevant and challenging to students of all intellectual persuasions. Three lectures per week in fall and spring. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 112 - Cosmos: Perspectives and Reflections
This course seeks to acquaint students with recent advances in cosmology, particle physics, nuclear fusion, semiconductors, and genomics. Most of these topics will be presented by experts from major universities and national laboratories. S/SD/N grading only. Alternate years. (2 Credits)
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PHYS 113 - Modern Astronomy I
This course discusses topics of current interest in astronomy and the physical concepts that lead to our understanding of the Universe. There are three main sections: the Solar System, Celestial Light and Stars, and Galaxies and the Universe. Lectures include the formation of the sun and planets, properties of stars and stellar remnants (like black holes and supernovae), characteristics of our Milky Way and other galaxies, and the formation and fate of the Universe. Prerequisite(s): Basic algebra and trigonometry are recommended. Every year. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 114 - Modern Astronomy II
This survey course is a two-semester sequence (PHYS 113 in the fall semester and PHYS 114 in the spring semester). These courses will cover various topics of interest in astronomy, including: Planets (both within the Solar System and the exploding field of extrasolar planets); the birth life, and death of stars; exotic remnant objects (e.g., white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes); galaxies (including our own Milky Way and external systems); cosmology and the fate of the universe; the “unseen 95%”: dark matter and dark energy; astrobiology and the question of life in the universe. The dramatic change between stellar and galactic physical scales will mark the boundary between the material in the courses. These courses are ideal for students who are curious about the nature of the universe and their place within it. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 113 or permission of instructor. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 120 - Astronomical Techniques
This laboratory course provides active exercises in astronomical measurement techniques, including telescope and other observations of the night sky (as weather permits). The course is ideal for students who desire hands-on observing experience to complement PHYS 113 , or as a background for advanced observing projects. Prerequisite(s): concurrent or previous registration in PHYS 113 or PHYS 226 . Every year. (2 Credits)
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PHYS 126 - Introductory Physics I
Mechanics, heat and sound, including laboratory experiments and demonstrations. This course does not use calculus, has no prerequisites, and is appropriate for students pursuing pre-med or for students looking to satisfy a science distribution requirement. This course does not count toward the physics major or minor. This course is not appropriate for students who intend to major in physics, chemistry, or biology with the biochemistry emphasis. Fall semester only. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 127 - Introductory Physics II
Electricity and magnetism, light and optics, including laboratory experiments and demonstrations. This course does not use calculus, and is appropriate for students pursuing pre-med or for students looking to satisfy a distribution requirement. This course is not appropriate for students who intend to major in physics, chemistry, or biology with the biochemistry emphasis. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 126 or PHYS 226 . Spring semester only. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 130 - Science of Renewable Energy Cross-Listed as ENVI 130
This is a course on the current status of the most promising alternative and renewable energy options from a primarily scientific and technological perspective. Current methods of electricity generation and transportation energy sources will be briefly reviewed (fossil fuels, nuclear fission, and hydroelectric), including discussion of their limitations and environmental consequences. The focus of the course will be on understanding the scientific basis of alternative and renewable energy sources, and their promise and technological challenges for wide scale implementation. Biofuels, wind, photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, hydrogen, nuclear fusion, and geothermal will be considered in depth. Every year. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 194 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 226 - Principles of Physics I
A study of motion, including Newton’s Law of Motion, conservation of energy and momentum, rotational kinematics and dynamics, oscillations, waves in elastic media and thermal properties of matter. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and PHYS 221 . Prerequisite(s): Concurrent or previous registration in MATH 135 or ; or a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement AB or BC Calculus exam. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 227 - Principles of Physics II
A study of electric charge and currents, electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, and geometrical and physical optics. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and PHYS 222 . Prerequisite(s): and ( may also be taken concurrently). Every semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 294 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 331 - Modern Physics
This course provides an introductory treatment of the exciting foundations of modern microscopic physics, including special relativity, quantum theory, atomic structure, nuclear structure and elementary particles. The primary goal of the course is to build the solid theoretical foundation in microscopic physics necessary for advanced studies in nearly all science disciplines. In addition to the theoretical treatment of the topics there will be laboratory exercises, which recreate the spirit and excitement of the pioneering experiments. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 227 . Fall semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 334 - Optics
Principles of optics and wave phenomena, including the fundamental properties of light, geometrical optics, polarization, interference and diffraction. Laboratory includes basic optical experiments and an independent project. Recent independent projects have included: holography, fiber-optics communications, microwave optics and telescope building. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 227 or consent of instructor. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 340 - Digital Electronics Cross-Listed as
A survey of fundamental ideas and methods used in the design and construction of digital electronic circuits such as computers. Emphasis will be on applying the theoretical aspects of digital design to the actual construction of circuits in the laboratory. Topics to be covered include basic circuit theory, transistor physics, logic families (TTL, CMOS), Boolean logic principles, combinatorial design techniques, sequential logic techniques, memory circuits and timing, and applications to microprocessor and computer design. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): MATH 137 and permission of instructor. Offered alternate spring semesters. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 348 - Laboratory Instrumentation
This course is an introduction to laboratory methods that are useful in experimental physics and other laboratory-based disciplines, with an emphasis on computer interfacing techniques. Topics will include basic analog electronics, fundamental instrumentation such as analog-digital converters and digital oscilloscopes, and computer interfacing using LabView. Student will design and construct several significant computer interfacing projects throughout the semester. Since this course provides the foundation for advanced experimental work and research, students should take this course in their sophomore or junior year. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 227 . Spring semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 350 - Energy and Sustainable Design Cross-Listed as ENVI 350
This course provides an in-depth treatment of the science and engineering the transition to a sustainable, renewable, and carbon-free energy economy. The first part of the course will be a survey of the electric power grid transition to wind, solar, storage and other renewable technologies. The focus of the course will examine carbon-free and sustainable practices and technologies in the built environment including electrification of transportation and heating, distributed energy and energy storage, micro grids, efficiency, water and waste management, and sustainable building design practices. An important theme of the course will be the implications of deep electrification, where the energy economy is based almost exclusively on electrical energy generated by carbon-free and renewable resources. Lab time will be used for local field trips, computer simulations, and laboratory demonstrations/experiments. Three lectures and one two hour lab per week. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics preparation though elementary calculus (equivalent to MATH 135 ) Alternate fall semesters. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 370 - Computational Physics
This course introduces students to coding and computational methods, focusing on developing computation-based skills that are critical for practicing physicists. Students process experimental data using statistical tools, study the implications of realistic physical models using a toolbox of numerical methods, and visualize information in meaningful formats.
The course starts with an introduction to coding (in Python) and a survey of data manipulation tools (e.g., reading, writing, analyzing statistically, etc.). The focus is on skills that help students in labs, research, and anywhere else they need to extract physical insight from data. After the introduction to data analysis, the course transitions into a survey of numerical techniques which facilitate quantitative analysis of theoretical models describing complex physical phenomena, thereby creating a bridge between experimental/observational and theoretical physics.
The lab provides hands-on experience in the application of computational skills discussed in lecture to realistic physical models drawn from a wide range of physics subdisciplines. Projects in the lab are implemented using Jupyter notebooks, via the Google Colaboratory environment. Students write documentation in Latex and Markdown. No previous experience with any of these is assumed. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 331 Spring semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 394 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 440 - Observational Astronomy
This is an upper-level course for physics and astronomy majors that covers techniques of astronomical data acquisition and analysis. The class is divided roughly equally between optical and radio techniques. Students complete observational projects using both the Macalester Observatory and national telescope facilities. Lectures are supplemented by a required 3-hour analysis session that meets once per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 113 and PHYS 120 ; or PHYS 113 and a lab-based upper-division natural science course (e.g., PHYS 331 , CHEM 311 ). Alternate years, spring semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 443 - Electromagnetic Theory
This course treats the interactions between electrical charges in free space by developing the concepts of potential, electric and magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction. Maxwell’s equations are developed and used to derive the properties of plane electromagnetic waves in free space. Special emphasis is placed on boundary value problems and other useful mathematical techniques. Three lectures, 1 one-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 227 and . Fall semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 444 - Electromagnetic Radiation
This course extends the treatment of PHYS 443 to the electromagnetic properties of matter, especially the solid state, and the properties of electromagnetic waves and radiation. The treatment of electromagnetism within the special theory of relativity is also covered. Three lectures, 1 one-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 443 . Alternate years, spring semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 460 - Astrophysics
This course covers advanced topics in astrophysics. It includes spectroscopy of stars, the interaction of light and matter in stellar atmospheres and interstellar medium, nucleosynthesis and the interior of stars, the structure of the Milky Way galaxy and the evidence for dark matter, properties and the formation of different types of galaxies, large-scale structure of the Universe, and observational tests of cosmology. Three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 113 and PHYS 331 , or consent of the instructor. Alternate years, spring semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 461 - Mechanics
The fundamental principles of classical mechanics are discussed and applied to problems of contemporary interest. Topics include: charged particle motion in electromagnetic fields, oscillations and resonance, central force motion including the Kepler problem and Rutherford scattering, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of classical dynamics, symmetry and conservation laws, non-inertial reference frames, rigid body dynamics and applications, and an introduction to non-linear dynamics. Three lectures, problem discussions, and 1 one-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 227 and . Spring semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 468 - Statistical Mechanics
This course explores the equilibrium and kinetic properties of many-particle systems such as gases, liquids, and solids. The fundamental notions of entropy, temperature, and the Boltzmann relation are rigorously derived from statistical mechanics, and are used to develop other thermodynamic ideas such as chemical potential and free energy. The theory is applied to classical and quantum systems, including photon gases (black-body radiation), Bose-Einstein condensation, fermion systems such as metals and neutron stars, classical ideal gases, vibrations in solids (phonons), chemical reactions, semiconductors, and transport phenomena. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 331 and MATH 237 . Spring semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 481 - Quantum Mechanics
The course rigorously covers many fundamental concepts of non-relativistic quantum mechanics, including the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and Pauli exclusion principle, single- and multi-particle stationary states in one, two, and three dimensions, and quantized angular momentum and spin. Schrodinger equation solutions for atomic and nuclear systems are studied, using differential equation, matrix, and perturbation techniques. Three lectures, 1 one-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 331 and . Fall semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 482 - Advanced Quantum Mechanics
This course continues the rigorous study of non-relativistic quantum mechanics started in PHYS 481 . Time independent perturbation theory, the variational method, and the WKB approximation are applied to physical systems. Time dependent perturbation theory is developed to investigate emission and absorption of radiation. Entangled states, the EPR paradox, and Bell’s theorem are discussed. Three lectures, 1 one-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 481 . Alternate spring semesters. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 488 - Senior Research
Students in the major concentration in physics select a subject for independent investigation and preparation of a senior thesis. Independent reading and experimentation by arrangement. Prerequisites: senior standing and departmental approval of the project prior to registration. Prerequisite(s): senior standing and departmental approval of the project prior to registration. Every year. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 489 - Physics Seminar
(1 Credits)
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PHYS 494 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 611 - Independent Project
Independent reading and experimentation by arrangement. Prerequisite(s): The department chair must approve a written proposal prior to registration and permission of instructor. Every semester. (1 Credits)
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PHYS 612 - Independent Project
Independent reading and experimentation by arrangement. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair. Every semester. (2 Credits)
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PHYS 613 - Independent Project
Independent reading and experimentation by arrangement. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair. Every semester. (3 Credits)
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PHYS 614 - Independent Project
Independent reading and experimentation by arrangement. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 621 - Internship
Prerequisite(s): Junior and senior students with declared majors in Physics. Special arrangements must be made well in advance of the normal registration period. Departmental approval and permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (1 Credits)
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PHYS 622 - Internship
Prerequisite(s): Junior and senior students with declared majors in Physics. Special arrangements must be made well in advance of the normal registration period. Departmental approval and permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (2 Credits)
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PHYS 623 - Internship
Prerequisite(s): Junior and senior students with declared majors in Physics. Special arrangements must be made well in advance of the normal registration period. Departmental approval and permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (3 Credits)
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PHYS 624 - Internship
Prerequisite(s): Junior and senior students with declared majors in Physics. Special arrangements must be made well in advance of the normal registration period. Departmental approval and permission of instructor. Work with Internship Office. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 631 - Preceptorship
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (1 Credits)
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PHYS 632 - Preceptorship
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (2 Credits)
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PHYS 633 - Preceptorship
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (3 Credits)
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PHYS 634 - Preceptorship
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Work with Academic Programs. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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PHYS 641 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the seniors honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair. Every semester. (1 Credits)
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PHYS 642 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the seniors honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair. Every semester. (2 Credits)
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PHYS 643 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the seniors honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair. Every semester. (3 Credits)
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PHYS 644 - Honors Independent
Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the seniors honors project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and department chair. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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Political Science |
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POLI 100 - Foundations of US Politics
This course introduces the constitutional framework, political culture, branches of government, political behavior, and nongovernmental institutions (e.g. political parties, media, or interest groups) that dynamically shape American politics. Approaches vary by instructor, potentially including some mix of simulations, class debates, offsite observations, and comparative and critical examinations, but share a common set of objectives: 1) cultivating a broad and conversational understanding of key ideas, issues, and problems particular to American politics through classic and contemporary readings; 2) stimulating further inquiry into how American politics works and why it matters and 3) developing students’ own reasoning, critical thinking, writing, and public speaking skills. This course is principally designed for beginning political science majors and non-majors who have not taken an AP course in US Government and Politics. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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POLI 120 - Foundations of International Politics
This course has three broad goals. The first is to develop the foundational knowledge and conceptual literacy necessary to engage with International Relations’ multidimensional concerns. These include issues such as world order, power, hierarchy, political violence, international law, development, religion, human rights, gender, humanitarianism and international organizations (such as the United Nations). The second is to introduce students to the different perspectives or intellectual frameworks for making sense of international relations (also known as global or world politics), including realist, liberal, constructivist, historical materialist, postcolonial and feminist approaches. The third is to encourage students to reflect on some of the ethical issues inherent in both the study and practice of international politics. Emphasis will also be placed on developing a range of critical, analytical, research and writing skills required for the further study of international politics. The course is thus intended to prepare students for advanced work in the field, although it is also appropriate for those merely seeking to satisfy an interest in the study of global politics. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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POLI 140 - Foundations of Comparative Politics
In Comparative Politics we use comparison to analyze political outcomes within and across countries, Why do Mexican presidents exercise strong centralized authority while Brazilian presidents must contend with powerful governors? Why do Muslims and Hindus fight in some Indian states but not in others? Why does Rwanda have such a high proportion of female legislators whereas the U.S. has such a low proportion? When confronted with large-scale protests in their cities, do state security forces in China, Russia, and the United States respond with similar methods or do they differ? Through comparative analysis, students will learn to describe diverse political institutions, to propose explanations for divergent outcomes, and to evaluate scholarly and popular arguments about politics. (4 Credits)
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POLI 141 - Latin America Through Women’s Eyes Cross-Listed as and
Latin American women have overcome patriarchal “machismo” to serve as presidents, mayors, guerilla leaders, union organizers, artists, intellectuals, and human rights activists. Through a mix of theoretical, empirical, and testimonial work, we will explore issues such as feminist challenges to military rule in Chile, anti-feminist politics in Nicaragua, the intersection of gender and democratization in Cuba, and women’s organizing and civil war in Colombia. Teaching methods include discussion, debates, simulations, analytic papers, partisan narratives, lecture, film, poetry, and a biographical essay. This class employs an innovative system of qualitative assessment. Students take the course “S/SD/N with Written Evaluation.” This provides a powerful opportunity for students to stretch their limits in a learning community with high expectations, but without a high-pressure atmosphere. This ungraded course has been approved for inclusion on major/minor plans in Political Science, Latin American Studies, and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. (4 Credits)
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POLI 160 - Foundations of Political Theory
An examination of the evolution of influential political concepts and theories from ancient cultures to the present day, by those writing in/from/to the West. Introduction through textual analysis to historical and contemporary understandings of key terms such as authority, legitimacy, liberty, republicanism, democracy, revolution and “the good.” Additionally, the course provides an introduction to political theory methods of analysis and critique, through the development of skills in reading, critical thinking, and writing. Every year (4 Credits)
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POLI 194 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
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POLI 200 - Women and American Politics
This course examines the evolutionary role of women in politics as voters, citizens, candidates, and leaders from the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 to the present. Drawing from a variety of theoretical perspectives, we examine women’s historical and contemporary roles in U.S. politics, investigate and debate a variety of public policy issues of particular concern to women, and explore the intersection of race and gender in U.S. politics. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 202 - US Campaigns and Elections
Analysis of institutions and procedures such as parties and elections, and also informal activities such as social movements, interest groups, and community action. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 203 - Politics and Inequality: The American Welfare State Cross-Listed as AMST 203
The readings and assignments in this course are designed to help students understand how social policies and programs contribute to Americans’ lived experiences. We will examine various theoretical justifications for the policies that constitute the American welfare state, then confront and dissect major strands of the American social safety net to better understand how political institutions and policy mechanisms contribute to both diversity and inequality in individuals’ social, economic and political outcomes (based in race, class, gender, dis/ability, region, political jurisdiction, etc.). Alternate spring semesters. (4 Credits)
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POLI 204 - US City and Metro Politics
Students are introduced to the issues and challenges confronting American cities today, and the public policy options and remedies city governments employ to address urban problems. Using a historical approach, we trace the origins of machine politics and campaigns against their rule, the evolution of the “urban crisis” of the twentieth century, and the rise of the fragmented urban metropolis. Next, we explore how persistent economic and racial segregation, interurban rivalries, fiscal constraints, and identity politics shape power relationships and local governmental capacities to deliver services and revitalize neighborhoods. Along the way, in simulated challenges, we ask students to present and defend their own policy proposals to urban problems (e.g. fair elections, downtown development, affordable housing, urban sprawl) and, in a longer research paper, investigate how one or two cities have struggled with or successfully addressed an urban challenge. Prerequisite(s): POLI 100 recommended. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 205 - US Politics and Policymaking
The course examines the American public policy process through a case study apparoach. Attention wil be paid to issues of policy formation and implementation with a forcus on the role and interaction of national and state institutions. The United Sates government is a large, complex system of multiple institutions that share power and authority and govern across multiple issue dimensions. To understand the policy process in this context we will 1) Discuss foundational theories of the policy process; 2) Examine several case studies designed to engage these theories and debate their practical application, and 3) Become “experts” in a particular policy area as each student prepares a presentation on that topic and presents politically viable solutions. This course will focus on writing for a variety of audiences and leave students well-prepared to apply for policy-oriented scholarships, fellowships and jobs. Fall semester. (4 Credits)
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POLI 206 - US Constitutional Law and Thought
An exploration of the structure of the American Political System as seen through the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. The central topics include the development of the federal-state relationship, the separation of powers in the national government, the limits of government power over the economy, and the role of the judiciary. This course takes in the sweep of American history from 1789 to the present. Prerequisite(s): POLI 100 recommended. Altenate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 207 - US Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
An examination of civil liberties and rights in the U.S., focusing on the cases decided by the Supreme Court. Central topics include the First Amendment freedoms of speech, press, and religion; privacy and reproductive freedom; and the Fourteenth Amendment protection of equality as it affects discrimination, affirmative action, and voting rights. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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POLI 212 - Litigation and Public Policy in the U.S.
This course explores the significance, possibilities and limits of litigation as a way of shaping public policy and society. Focusing mainly in the American context, the course connects two areas of interest: the use of litigation as a strategy for rights movements (from the NAACP to contemporary movements such as gay rights) and the use of class action lawsuits and tort law to compensate people for injuries, especially in matters affecting public health (e.g. asbestos, tobacco). The course gives special emphasis to the work of lawyers and the role of the legal profession. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 215 - Environmental Politics/Policy Cross-Listed as
This course provides an introduction to the field of Environmental Politics and Policy. Using a comparative approach, the course engages the meaning and development of environmental governance. We will explore the tandem rise of the modern environmental movement and profound new environmental legislation in the U.S. and internationally. Topics investigated will include: deforestation, hazardous wastes, climate change, population growth, and loss of biodiversity. Offered yearly. (4 Credits)
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POLI 216 - Legislative Politics
This course explores legislative politics through a combination of academic theory and focused field experiences. Each student must simultaneously enroll in a credit-bearing internship at the Minnesota State Legislature. The class examines the basic structures, players and forces that shape legislative decision-making, the motivation or individual legislators, and their interactions with other political actors and institutions. Prerequisite(s): POLI 100 recommended. Course not available to First Year students. Every spring. (4 Credits)
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POLI 220 - Foreign Policy: The Evolution of China’s Grand Strategy, 1950-2050 Cross-Listed as ASIA 220
An exploration of US foreign policy as it relates to a country or region of pressing interest or particular significance in global political life. For the next several years, the focus of the course will be on the foreign policy challenges posed by a “rising” China. It is organized around the following questions: What are the cultural, political, economic and strategic interests shaping the evolution of Chinese foreign policy? What is China’s “peaceful rise” policy? What are the systemic implications of this policy? What are the implications of China’s rise for US regional and global interests? And how should the US respond to the rise of China as a regional and global great power? Prerequisite(s): POLI 120 recommended, but not required. Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 221 - Global Governance
This course is designed to introduce students to global governance. It begins with a discussion of the concept of global governance. It then turns to some of the central features of contemporary global governance, including the changing status of the state and of international/world organizations and the role of global civil society. The emphasis here is on how patterns of global governance have changed and are changing and on the implications of these changes for democracy, social justice, etc. The remainder of the course focuses on the areas of international peace and security, human rights and international humanitarian law, and economic governance. By addressing such topics as the International Criminal Court and the role of the IMF and the World Bank in economic development, these parts of the course highlight the contested nature of global governance in each of the three issue areas. Prerequisite(s): POLI 120 recommended. Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 222 - Regional Conflict/Security
This course is intended to introduce students to the military, political, economic, cultural and/or diplomatic dimensions of various regional conflicts or “security complexes.” The specific region to be covered will vary from year to year, but it is expected that regions of pressing interest or greater significance to international peace and security will be covered most regularly. This course is designed for political science majors, but is also suitable for others who need to fulfill a distribution requirement in the social sciences or who simply want to satisfy an interest in a specific regional conflict or international politics/security more generally. Prerequisite(s): POLI 120 recommended. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 242 - Political Economy of Development
The leaders of NGOs, governments, and social enterprises recognize that problems such as poverty, pandemic disease, and inequality almost always have political causes and consequences. People with a background in Political Economy of Development are in high demand for their expertise on achieving positive outcomes for humanity and the environment. Few topics in Political Science have more direct relevance to policy-making and matters of “real-world” urgency. This course will provide you with knowledge that you can apply, if you wish, to a variety of roles in the development sector. By the end of the semester, you will complete a portfolio of assignments that simulate the kinds of projects you would do as a professional development analyst, Foreign Service officer, impact evaluator, or social entrepreneur. This class emphasizes practical skills but also covers theories and philosophies of development. Readings, discussions, and activities will help you grapple with (but not necessarily answer) the following questions: What defines someplace as more “developed” than someplace else? What explains variation in development? Does social science hold the key to good development policies? What can I personally do to improve the world? Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 245 - Latin American Politics Cross-Listed as LATI 245
Comparative study of political institutions and conflicts in several Latin American countries. Through a mix of empirical and theoretical work, we analyze concepts and issues such as authoritarianism and democratization, neoliberalism, state terror and peace processes, guerrilla movements, party systems, populism, the Cuban Revolution, and U.S. military intervention. Themes are explored through diverse teaching methods including discussion, debates, simulations, partisan narratives, lecture, film, and poetry. This class employs an innovative system of qualitative assessment. Students take the course “S/SD/N with Written Evaluation.” This provides a powerful opportunity for students to stretch their limits in a learning community with high expectations, but without a high-presure atmosphere. This ungraded course has been approved for inclusion on major/minor/concentration plans in Political Science, Latin American Studies, and Human Rights and Humanitarianism. Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 246 - Comparative Democratization Cross-Listed as LATI 246
This course focuses on theories of democratic breakdown, regime transitions, and democratization in Southern Europe, Latin America, and Post-Communist Europe. Some of the cases we will study include Pinochet’s coup and Chile’s return to elections, the end of the South African apartheid regime, and Russia’s post-Cold War shift toward both democratic elections and new strands of authoritarianism. Building on the literatures on transitions, consolidation, civil society, and constitutional design, the course culminates in an examination of democratic impulses in Iran and the Middle East. Themes are explored through diverse teaching methods including discussion, debates, simulations, partisan narratives, lecture, film, and poetry. Prerequisite(s): POLI 140 or POLI 141 recommended. Offered every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 247 - African Politics
This course will help you answer questions about politics and economics in Sub-Saharan Africa. For example: Why have the “artificial” borders of African states hardly changed since independence? Why do many new African democracies revert to authoritarianism? Why is poverty so widespread in Africa? By the end of the semester, students who invest an honest effort in the assignments and actively participate in class will be able to: describe political institutions and behaviors in diverse African contexts; use social scientific methods to propose explanations for variation in outcomes such as democracy, war, and economic growth; evaluate and critique arguments about African politics in popular discourse; and enter into conversations with professionals in a variety of fields, including government, international NGOs, and academia. Prerequisite(s): POLI 140 is recommended as a prerequisite. (4 Credits)
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POLI 250 - Comparative-Historical Methods for Social Science Cross-Listed as SOCI 275
This course introduces students to comparative and historical methods used in the social sciences, most prominently but by no means exclusively in sociology and political science. Comparative-historical researchers use huge comparisons to understand big structures and large processes that have immense importance for social life. The course addresses questions such as: How do social scientists gather and analyze evidence about macrosocial phenomena? What types of logic guide the definition and selection of cases? In addition, we learn about analytical choices facing comparative-historical researchers, including different methods of comparison and analysis of historical evidence. Beyond reading and discussing material about comparative-historical methods, we will analyze examples of research and apply lessons we learn to gain more familiarity with using comparative-historical methods. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 252 - Water and Power Cross-Listed as GEOG 252 and ENVI 252
This course develops an interdisciplinary approach to studying water resources development, drawing from geography, anthropology, history, politics, hydrology, and civil engineering. With a focus on large river basins, the course examines historical and emerging challenges to the equitable and sustainable use of transboundary waters. After first exploring the history of American water development, we will turn our attention to issues around sanitation, food production, gender and privatization in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Prerequisite(s): ENVI 220 or ENVI 232 Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)
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POLI 260 - Contemporary Political Theory
Transition in the nature of domination from manifest coercion to cultural hegemony. The course will focus on critical theory, principally Marcuse and Habermas, but will also consider Marx, Weber, Freud, Gramsci, Lukacs and Foucault. Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 261 - Feminist Political Theory Cross-Listed as WGSS 261
Analysis of contemporary feminist theories regarding gender identity, biological and socio-cultural influences on subjectivity and knowledge, and relations between the personal and the political. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 262 - American Political Thought
Taking a chronological tour of American political ideas, this course explores the continuities and conflicts in political discourse in the United States from a wide range of authors and perspectives. Canonical figures such as the Puritans, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Abraham Lincoln construct political authority in their respective periods, against a diverse backdrop of thinkers presenting competing visions and claims. Some of the authors include: Henry David Thoreau, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass, Edward Bellamy, W.E.B. DuBois, John Dewey, Martin Luther King Jr., and a range of contemporary authors representing evolving feminist, environmentalist, and conservative political thought. Assignments vary, but include efforts both to put thought in a historic context and develop the connections between traditions of thought and present-day concerns. Prerequisite(s): POLI 100 recommended Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 265 - Work, Wealth, Well-Being
Wealth has held an allure for many modern thinkers; the creation of a wealthy society often associated with “civilization” itself. The relationships among work, wealth and well-being are a perennial concern and have been central to the study of political economy, since its inception in the mid- to late-18th century. How does work produce wealth for the individual and for society? How, or when, does individual and social wealth translate into individual and/or social well-being? And, how does the character of work affect individual well-being or happiness? This course will examine the answers given to these questions (and myriad corollary questions) by writers within the political economy tradition. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 266 - Medieval Political Thought
This course deals with the political thought of Latin Christendom (Western Europe) during the later Middle Ages (c. 1050 - c. 1550). This body of thought is worthy of sustained study for two reasons. First, it is one of the glories of human civilization. In seeking to answer the timeless question “how we should live our lives as individuals” and “how we should live together in peace and justice” late medieval political thinkers produced a body of political thought second to none in the history of human philosophical speculation. Second, late medieval political thought is worthy of study because it gave rise to many of the concepts that continue to shape our collective lives today (including state sovereignty, separation of church and state, constitutionalism, just war, property rights, “the people,” nationalism, democracy, rule-of-law, and human rights). Indeed, it is impossible to really understand contemporary political life without delving deeply into the way in which late medieval thinkers engaged with the big political issues of their day. The main goal of this course is to provide a solid introduction to the political thought of this crucially important era in human history. In it, we will critically examine the relevant works of thinkers such as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, John of Paris, Marsilius of Padua, Bartolus of Sasseferato, and Baldus de Ubaldi. To the extent that they shed light on late medieval thought, we will also touch on classical political theorists such as Aristotle and Cicero as well as Muslim and Jewish thinkers such as ibn Sina, Moshe ben Maimon, and ibn Rusd. (4 Credits)
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POLI 267 - Liberal and Conservative Political Theory
This course deals with the liberal and conservative currents(s) running through the Western tradition of political thought from the time of the French Revolution to today. Its main goal of to provide a solid introduction to these two bodies of philosophical speculation. Through a close reading of texts and commentaries, we will critically (though empathetically) examine the relevant works of thinkers such as John Locke, Thomas Paine, Edmund Burke, John Stuart Mill, John Henry Newman, Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley Jr., Leo Strauss, John Dewey, Friedrich von Hayek, Irving Kristol, Michael Oakshott, and Alasdair MacIntyre. The focus of our inquiries will be upon topics such as “how should I lead my life?” (ethics), and “how should we lead our lives together?” (politics). Important secondary goals of the course include: familiarizing students with the various “languages” or “idioms” of conservative and liberal political thought; helping students understand the great political debates between conservative and liberals; applying both conservative and liberal political frames/concepts to a range of contemporary “hot-button” social and political issues. As an intermediate-level offering, this course is designed primarily for Political Science majors and non-majors in cognate fields (such as Philosophy) who have some experience in the discipline. The course has no pre-requisites, however, and is therefore suitable for all students seeking to satisfy an interest in liberal and conservative political thought. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 268 - Contemporary Social and Political Philosophy Cross-Listed as PHIL 321
This course will focus on some central topics in contemporary Anglo-American (or “analytic”) social and political philosophy. Likely topics would include an examination of John Rawls’s theory of justice and the work of critics of that theory, the value of equality, and issues about global justice. Prerequisite(s): A 100- or 200- level Philosophy course. Every other year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 269 - Empirical Research Methods
This course will equip you with the skills and intuition to think about politics in a more critical and organized way. You will practice the scientific method - identifying a problem worthy of study, developing testable hypotheses, designing a research strategy, gathering data, analyzing data, and interpreting your results - and contemplate the philosophical conundrums that underlie our efforts to describe, explain, and interpret complex phenomena. Empirical Methods: The department requires its majors to take one course in empirical research methodology before their senior year. In addition to this course, there are a number of other courses that fulfill this requirement, including: POLI 272 , SOCI 269 , SOCI 270 , SOCI 275 . In some cases, research methods courses taken in other social science disciplines may be used to fulfill this requirement following approval by the political science department chair. Every semester. (4 Credits)
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POLI 272 - Persuasion and Political Change
A study of how presidents, politicians, and social movement activists worldwide use language and persuasive symbols to increase their influence and bring about social and political change. Students complete a semester-long project in which they analyze a significant political text utilizing descriptive-analytic, historical-contextual, critical, and interpretive research methods. This course is well-suited for students wanting to undertake a significant research project and develop their skills in academic writing. It fulfills the department’s research methods requirement. Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 274 - Spinoza’s Eco-Society: Contractless Society and Its Ecology Cross-Listed as ENVI 274 and GERM 274
All readings and class taught in English; no pre-knowledge required. Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) has been called the “savage anomaly” of the Enlightenment because his philosophy enables an alternative or ‘hidden’ modernity based on the interdependence of beings rather than their hierarchy. Ever more political theorists, environmentalists, and ecologists are turning to Spinoza’s vision of a nonhierarchical union of nature and society that rejects anthropocentrism as the promise for a more equitable and sustainable life. In this course we shall focus on the foundation of Spinoza’s unconventional thesis: his intertwined conceptions of the human being as part of nature-as opposed to the prevailing notion of the human as an autonomous “imperium” in, yet above, nature-and of society as a continuation of nature-as opposed to the dominant theories of the “social contract” that ground society on its break with, or repression of, nature (Grotius, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant). We shall examine Spinoza’s entailed radical revision in understanding both the “political” and the “environment.” Beyond Spinoza’s Ethics and his Theologico-Political and Political treatises, we shall read major commentators on Spinoza’s ethical and political theory and on his role in environmental ethics and Deep Ecology. Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)
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POLI 276 - Marx, the Imaginary, and Neoliberalism Cross-Listed as GERM 276 , MCST 276 , and RELI 276
All readings and class taught in English; no pre-knowledge required. Marx’s contribution to the theorization of the function of the imaginary in both the constitution of subjectivity and the mechanisms of politics and economy-usually referred to as ideology-cannot be overestimated. The first part of this course traces Marx’s gradual conceptualization of the imaginary throughout his work-as well as further Marxist theoreticians, such as Louis Althusser, Étienne Balibar, and Slavoj Žižek-while exploring how the imaginary enabled Marx’s discovery of three further crucial concepts: structure, the unconscious, and the symptom, all of which are central in the analysis of culture and ideology. In the second part of the course, we shall focus on the logic and mechanisms of power in contemporary neoliberalism, including the claim that today Marx’s theory is no longer relevant (readings will include Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, Maurizio Lazzarato, McKenzie Wark). Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)
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POLI 277 - Metaphysics in Secular Thought Cross-Listed as GERM 277 and RELI 277
All readings and class taught in English; no pre-knowledge required. A widespread tendency in contemporary Western societies is to associate metaphysics with religion, if not with what is often dismissively called the “irrational.” This course will dismantle this myth by reading closely European philosophy and political theory, mostly since the seventeenth century, in their relation to theology and their reception by twentieth-century critical theory. This will allow us to examine the ways in which secular thought emerges not as an alternative to metaphysics-something which thought cannot supersede anyway-but rather as a different way of dealing with the very same metaphysical questions and issues that concern religion, from the meaning of life to the imminence of death, and from (actual or imagined) guilt to the hope for redemption. We shall endeavor to identify the similarities and differences between the ‘secular’ and the ‘religious’ ways, including their respective relations to rationality and their functions in ideology. Readings may include: Aristotle, Talal Asad, George Bataille, Walter Benjamin, Kenneth Burke, Richard Dienst, Emile Durkheim, Michel Foucault, Sigmund Freud, Peter Harrison, Jacques Lacan, Karl Marx, Marcel Mauss, Carl Schmitt, Baruch Spinoza, Alberto Toscano, Max Weber, Slavoj Zizek. Occasionally. (4 Credits)
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POLI 278 - Marx, Religion, and Biopolitical Race Cross-Listed as GERM 278 , MCST 278 , and RELI 278
All readings and class taught in English; no pre-knowledge required. In this course we shall examine the relation of religion to both capital and the modern forms of political power (what Michel Foucault termed biopolitics or biopower), as well as the biopolitical formations of race and racism as means for sustaining power-while discovering the enduring pertinence of Marx’s work in theorizing the above issues. Biopower emerges gradually in secular capitalist modernity as a form of power that legitimizes itself not through its right to “take life” (as in traditional forms of sovereignty) but through its obligation to protect and enhance life. Yet, albeit “secular,” biopower is a form of “pastoral power” (Foucault). We shall explore: the interconnectedness of modern biopower and religion; Marx’s critique of the dominant (Enlightenment) critique of religion and his thesis that the secular state presupposes religion; the colonial and racial constructions of religion; racial capitalism; the biopolitical constructions of race in its relation to social class and other forms of domination; and anti-racist criticisms of both Foucault and Marx. Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)
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POLI 285 - Ethnicity and Nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe Cross-Listed as INTL 285
This course explores ethnic nationalism’s causes and consequences in Eastern Europe. Drawing on several disciplines, we begin by examining the core concepts and theories in the contemporary study of nationalism. We then explore both the historical roots of Eastern European nationalisms, and their implications for democracy, minority inclusion, regional stability, and European integration. (4 Credits)
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POLI 290 - Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellowship
In his 40-year career at Macalester, Professor Chuck Green functioned as a one-man `leadership academy,- inspiring and guiding students to make the transition from detached observers to engaged citizens. Through his teaching, mentoring, and example, Professor Green instilled in students a sense of confidence and optimism about their ability to engage proactively in the world. The Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellowship honors this legacy. Students with sophomore or junior standing may apply for this seven-month fellowship that includes a spring seminar and a full-time, fully-funded summer field experience. Chuck Green Fellows will study democratic engagement in social and organizational change, identify a client organization working for the public good with whom the student can analyze and address a problem, and then work with that client on a mutually agreed-upon solution. The Fellowship culminates in the early fall with an event in which Fellows, faculty, and clients have an opportunity to reflect on the fellowship experience. The Fellowship counts as an intermediate course and fulfills the practicum requirement of the political science major. Contact the political science department for a full description and application. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Every spring. (4 Credits)
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POLI 294 - Topics Course
Varies by semester. Consult the department or class schedule for current listing. (4 Credits)
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POLI 300 - American Government Institutions
Analysis of the formal institutions of American governance, including the U.S. Congress, Presidency, federal courts, and the bureaucracy. The course relies on extensive role playing to equip students with a hands-on understanding of the procedures utilized by all three branches of government, the complexity of public policy decision making, and the motivations and resources of various governmental actors. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing or permission of instructor. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 301 - Law, Economy, and Identity
This seminar-style course explores vital questions in America’s political development, focusing particularly on the moments with questions of law and the identity of people have been contested around economic issues. Topics vary but may include the evolution in property rights for women, the law of slavery, the legal status of Native Americans, and the evolution of welfare rights. The course employs tutorials, in which students tackle key questions through essays, which are then discussed in small groups in the instructor’s office. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing or permission of instructor. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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POLI 315 - Advanced Topics in Policy: US Education Politics and Policy Cross-Listed as EDUC 315
This advanced research seminar explores K-12 education politics and policy in the United States. We will consider institutions and structures, explore education policy issues and debates, survey and weigh competing theoretical ideas, and engage in discussions and activities designed to challenge our thinking and understanding of the educational landscape. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing; previous coursework in American politics or public policy as well as research methods is recommended but not required. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing; previous coursework in American politics or public policy as well as research methods is recommended. Alternate spring semesters. (4 Credits)
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POLI 320 - Global Political Economy Cross-Listed as INTL 320
Traces the evolution of (global) political economy as a peculiarly modern way of understanding and organizing (global) social life. Particular attention will be paid to how the distinction between the political and the economic is drawn and implemented in interconnected ways within nation-states and in international society. Course includes a detailed study of one of the key components of the international political economy: international trade, international finance, technological processes, etc. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing or permission of instructor. Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 321 - International Security
This is a course designed to introduce students to global or world security studies as an academic field. It begins with a discussion of the various theoretical approaches to the study of international security (including traditional, critical and subaltern approaches). It then proceeds to explore a number of issues that are currently of interest to specialists in the field. While not an exhaustive survey, this course provides a solid introduction to the contemporary study of international security. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing or permission of instructor. Every year. (4 Credits)
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POLI 322 - Advanced International Theory
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of international relations theory as an academic discipline. It is intended to prepare students for graduate work in the field, but should be appropriate for those merely seeking to satisfy an interest in international relations theory. The course is intended primarily for advanced political science majors and non-majors in cognate fields who have significant experience in the discipline. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore-standing or permission of instructor. Alternate years. (4 Credits)
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