Courses — Spring 2012

For official course schedules, restrictions, classrooms, and current enrollments, check the Registrar's schedule.
More current syllabi and course information might be available for students on my.rochester.edu.

Political Science

PSC 105 Introduction to American Politics

Valeria Sinclair-Chapman
Spring 2012 — MWF 13:00-13:50
Political Science Field: American Politics, Introductory Courses
Typically offered every year

This course will introduce students to the foundations of American government. Students will examine important political institutions and the linkage mechanisms that connect institutions, political actors, and ordinary American citizens. This course is appropriate for majors and non-majors with an interest in understanding how and why the American political system works as it does. Students will be graded on two midterms, a final exam, and short writing assignments.

PSC/IR 106 Introduction to International Relations

Hein Goemans
Spring 2012 — MWF 12:00-12:50
Political Science Field: International Relations, Introductory Courses
International Relations Track: Global Security (A)
Typically offered every year

This course provides students with the background and conceptual tools they need to understand contemporary international relations. The course will introduce students to the wide range of issues that make up the study of international relations, including the workings of the state system, the causes of international conflict and violence, and international economic relations. Students will be introduced to the literature in a broad way, to make them familiar with the main theoretical traditions in the field. Students will be asked, as much as possible, to read original texts, rather than a textbook. Time permitting, we will also examine topics of particular current interest, such as the evolving nature of power in the post-Cold War environment as well as special global challenges like nation-building and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

PSC 204 Research Design

Kevin A. Clarke
Spring 2012 — W 14:00-16:40
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
Typically offered every year

Is the mass media really biased? Does abortion lower the crime rate? Does the "No Child Left Behind" Act encourage cheating? Providing convincing answers to these hot-button political issues requires good research design. In this class, we learn the techniques behind designing research studies that allow political scientists and economists to answer exactly these kinds of questions. While PSC 200 or 201 is strongly recommended, this is not a course in data analysis or statistics. Rather, we focus on setting up problems so that data analytic techniques, when applied, provide the correct answers. We will draw examples from throughout political science as well as from Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner.

PSC 205 Introductory Statistical Methods

Curtis S. Signorino
Spring 2012 — MW 11:00-11:50
Political Science Field: Techniques of Analysis
Typically offered

How do we evaluate empirically the claims politicians make? How do we determine whether theories of political behavior are supported by evidence? In this course, students are introduced to data analysis, statistical inference, and research design, with a focus on techniques that are appropriate for political science data. Topics covered will include descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, correlation, and regression analysis. Students will be expected to participate in weekly lab sessions.

PSC 208 Undergraduate Research Seminar

Richard G. Niemi
Spring 2012 — R 14:00-16:40
Political Science Field: Individual Research
Typically offered every year

Through reading and critiquing political science research in American politics, comparative politics, and international relations, students learn how to select a research question, formulate testable hypotheses, find and evaluate relevant literature, locate or collect data that addresses their research question, analyze the data, and write a research report. The primary task for the semester is to complete a research paper on a topic the student chooses jointly with the instructor. Students work on individual or joint projects. The course is not a prerequisite for writing a senior honors thesis, though it is good preparation for doing so. With that in mind, near the end of the semester, juniors who are interested in doing an honors project during the senior year will be assisted in their efforts to identify a faculty member with whom they can work and in formulating a plan to carry out the thesis during the ensuing year.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Open to juniors and seniors (and outstanding sophomores). Past or concurrent enrollment in a techniques of analysis course (PSC 200, 201, 203, 205, ECO 230 231, or the equivalent).

PSC 212 Supreme Court in U.S. History

Joel Seligman
Spring 2012 — M 16:50-19:30
Political Science Field: American Politics
Typically offered every year

Guest Lecturer: Judge Robert Sack, U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals

This seminar will study leading constitutional law cases decided by the United States Supreme Court and their impact on the evolution of the Court, the balance of powers among our three governmental branches, relations between the federal government and the states, and individual express and implied rights. The seminar is intended to introduce students to legal reasoning and will make use of casebook and teaching methods typical of law schools.

PSC 222 The Presidency

Stuart Jordan
Spring 2012 ("W" Optional) — TR 9:40-10:55
Political Science Field: American Politics
Typically offered every 2-3 years

This course introduces the major topics and theoretical perspectives in the study of the U.S. presidency. Topics include: rationales for and effects of separation of powers; the presidency in comparative perspective; the nature and origin of the president's influence on policy; the president's role in lawmaking and the veto; presidential management of the executive branch; war powers and the president's role in national security.

PSC 236 Health Care and the Law

Spring 2012 — TR 11:05-12:20
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
Typically offered every year

This course provides an introduction to the legal foundations of health care in America. It is the responsibility of the American government to promote and protect the health and welfare of the public while respecting the interests, and upholding the rights, of the individual. The content of this course addresses how the law balances these collective and individual rights. The material covers a broad range of legal issues in health care, including autonomy, privacy, liberty, and proprietary interests, from the perspective of the provider(s) and the patient.

PSC 240 Criminal Procedure and Constitutional Principles

Edward L. Fiandach
Spring 2012 — MW 16:50-18:05
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
Typically offered every year

Through analysis of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, we examine criminal procedure as elaborated by federal and state court decisions. Topics include arrest procedures, search and seizure, right to counsel, and police interrogation and confessions. We will discuss the theoretical principles of criminal procedure and the application of those principles to the actual operation of the criminal court system.

PSC 247 Green Markets: Environmental Opportunities and Pitfalls

Lawrence Rothenberg
Spring 2012 ("W" Optional) — TR 11:05-12:20
Political Science Field: American Politics
Typically offered rarely

In recent years, there has been much discussion of the possibility of a green economy. This course examines the potential for "green markets," focusing on three drivers-social, political, and economic-that can both constrain firms and potentially condition whether issues of environment and sustainability can be exploited as a means for competitive advantage. Among issues covered will be demand and willingness to pay for green goods, the roles of NGOs and investors, regulation and its alternatives, firm reputation and product differentiation, supply chain management, and green production processes. Special attention will be given to the need of firms to deal with climate change now and in the future.

PSC/IR 255 Institutions and Underdevelopment

Avidit Acharya
Spring 2012 — TR 9:40-10:55
Political Science Field: Comparative Politics, International Relations
International Relations Track: Political Economy and Development (B)
Typically offered every year

Why are some countries so much richer than others? This course focuses on the political causes of differences in income across countries. We will address the importance of political and economic institutions, ethnic and class conflict, the role and organization of the state, and political beliefs and culture in answering the question above. We will also discuss the consequences of unequal wealth for political and economic development. Cases will be taken from Africa, East Asia and South Asia.

PSC/IR 279 War and the Nation State

Hein Goemans
Spring 2012 ("W" Optional) — W 15:25-18:05
Political Science Field: International Relations
International Relations Track: Global Security (A)
Typically offered every 2-3 years

This course examines the development of warfare and the growth of the state from the French Revolution to the end of the Second World War. We examine the phenomenon of war in its broader socio-economic context, focusing on nationalism, bureaucratization, industrialization and democratization. We will go into some detail on the two major conflicts of the twentieth century, the First and Second World Wars. Students are required to do all the reading. Every student will make a presentation in class on the readings for one class (25% of the grade), and there will be one comprehensive final (75%).

PSC 280 Political Accountability

Stuart Jordan
Spring 2012 ("W" Required) — W 14:00-16:40
Political Science Field: American Politics, Positive Theory
Typically offered every 2-3 years

This class surveys positive theories of political accountability - theories of the mechanisms that cause governments to act (or prevent them from acting) in the interests of their citizens. In the first few weeks students are trained to analyze basic principal-agent models. These models were initially developed in economics, and are now widely used in the studies of political accountability. The rest of the course is divided into two units - theories of political accountability in representative democracies, and theories of political accountability in autocracies. In addition to basic positive models, both units examine empirical studies of accountability, and problems of "reform" - i.e. the possibility of designing institutions that would improve accountability.

PSC 288 Game Theory

Mark Fey
Spring 2012 — MW 15:25-16:40
Political Science Field: Positive Theory
Typically offered every year

Game theory is a systematic study of strategic situations. It is a theory that helps us analyze economic and political strategic issues, such as behavior of individuals in a group, competition among firms in a market, platform choices of political candidates, and so on. We will develop the basic concepts and results of game theory, including simultaneous and sequential move games, repeated games and games with incomplete information. The objective of the course is to enable the student to analyze strategic situations on his/her own. The emphasis of the course is on theoretical aspects of strategic behavior, so familiarity with mathematical formalism is desirable.

PSC 291 First Amendment and Religion

Thomas H. Jackson
Spring 2012 ("W" Optional) — T 14:00-16:40
Political Science Field: American Politics, Political Philosophy
Typically offered every year

The Constitution helps define, as it perhaps reflects, American society. In this scheme, religion has a special role. It, arguably uniquely, is given both Constitutional protection (free exercise) as well as Constitutional limitation (no establishment). Religion's placement in the Bill of Rights (as a part of the First Amendment) suggests its importance (both in protection and in limitation) to the founders, and religion's role in society today remains important and controversial. This course examines the historical forces that led to the adoption of the religion clauses of the First Amendment, the subsequent development of those clauses (importantly through the close reading of key Supreme Court opinions), and religion's role in modern American society.

PSC 380 Scope of Political Science

James Johnson
Spring 2012 — M 16:50-19:30
Political Science Field: Political Philosophy
Typically offered every year

The aim of the seminar is to encourage students to examine political science in a reflective, disciplined, critical way. It is primarily designed for entering Ph.D. students, but may be appropriate for undergraduate seniors considering graduate work in political science. We use basic concepts in the philosophy of science to explore a range of specific examples of research in the discipline with the aim of discerning more clearly what it means to say that social and political inquiry is scientific.

PSC 394 Local Law and Politics Internships

Lynda W. Powell
Spring 2012 ("W" Optional)
Political Science Field: Internship
Typically offered every semester

Most internship placements are in the District Attorney's or Public Defender's offices or in the local offices of U.S. members of Congress or Senators. Other internships are available depending on student interest. Interns work 10-12 hours per week through the entire semester. Grades are primarily based on a research paper. Applicants should have an appropriate course background for the internship and at least a B average. Students must be accepted in the course before approaching an agency for an internship. Applications are available from Professor L. Powell and an interest meeting is held just before preregistration each semester.

PSC 396 Washington Semester

Spring 2012
Political Science Field: Internship
Typically offered every semester

These internships provide an opportunity to learn experientially one or more of the following: how government functions; how public policies are created, adopted and implemented; and how political campaigns work. Placements would typically be in Congress, the executive branch, party campaign committees, and possibly lobbying and advocacy groups. For applications and information, students should contact Professor L. Powell. An interest meeting is held each semester.

PSC/IR 397 European Political Internship

Lynda W. Powell
Spring 2012
Political Science Field: Internship
International Relations Track: Governance of Nations (C)
Typically offered every semester

Internships are available for students in Edinburgh, London, Brussels, Bonn, Berlin and Madrid. Internships are in English in Edinburgh, London, and Brussels: students need proficiency in the language for the latter four placements. For applications and information, students should contact the Study Abroad Office in Dewey Hall 2147.

PSC 405 Linear Models

Michael Peress
Spring 2012 — TR 15:25-16:40
Political Science Field: Techniques of Analysis
Typically offered every year

In this course, we will examine the linear regression model and its variants. The course has two goals: (1) to provide students with the statistical theory of the linear model, and (2) to provide students with skills for analyzing data. The linear model is a natural starting point for understanding regression models in general, inferences based on them, and problems with our inferences due to data issues or to model misspecification. The model's relative tractability has made it an attractive tool for political scientists, resulting in volumes of research using the methods studied here. Familiarity with the linear model is now essentially required if one wants to be a consumer or producer of modern political science research.

PSC 408 Positive Political Theory

John Duggan
Spring 2012 — MW 10:00-12:00
Political Science Field: Positive Theory
Typically offered every year

This course is part of a rigorous introduction to the main concepts and results in positive political theory. It is the second half of a two-course sequence consisting of PSC 407 and PSC 408. This course will focus on the basics of game theory, which analyzes individual behavior in strategic situations. It will also cover the mathematical tools required to express the theory. Examples and applications will be drawn from several different areas in political science, including the American Congress, voting, international relations, political economy, and law.

PSC 480 Scope of Political Science

James Johnson
Spring 2012 — M 16:50-19:30
Political Science Field: Political Philosophy
Typically offered every year

PSC 506 Advanced Topics in Methods

Kevin A. Clarke
Spring 2012 — R 15:25-18:05
Political Science Field: Techniques of Analysis
Typically offered every other year

This course is designed for graduate students intending to pursue political methodology as a major field. It covers advanced statistical methods that are not yet standard fare in political methodology courses: e.g., semiparametric methods, nonparametric regression, time-series econometrics, Bayesian methods, and ideal point estimation. Course content will vary year to year, and this semester will focus more heavily on Bayesian methods, simulation-based estimation, and ideal point estimation. As a research workshop, this course also allows students to pursue areas of individual interest in more depth, and therefore course content is determined based on the interests of both the professor and the students. Prerequisites: PSC 404, PSC 405, and PSC 505.

PSC 523 American Politics Field Seminar

Michael Peress, Lynda W. Powell
Spring 2012 — W 12:30-15:15
Political Science Field: American Politics
Typically offered every other year

This seminar will introduce you to classic as well as contemporary research in American politics. We will discuss the literature both in political institutions (e.g., Congress) and in political behavior (e.g., voting). By covering an array of topics in these areas, the course will provide a foundation for developing a comprehensive understanding of the field and the various directions in which it is now moving.

PSC 565 Comparative Political Economy of Development

Avidit Acharya
Spring 2012 — TR
Political Science Field: Comparative Politics
Typically offered every year

T 16:50-18:05, R 14:00-15:15

This course surveys selected topics in the extensive literature on political and economic development. We will focus on differences in formal and informal institutions across countries. Topics will include the determinants of economic growth, the modernization hypothesis, distributional conflict, government corruption, the success and failure of states to deliver of public goods, among others.

PSC 579 Politics of International Finance

Randall Stone
Spring 2012 — F 9:30-12:15
Political Science Field: International Relations
Typically offered every 2-3 years

This course surveys the politics of international movements of capital, focusing on money as a power resource, the evolution of international cooperation in monetary policy, international financial institutions, and the domestic politics of macroeconomic adjustment.

PSC 582 Political Economy II

Mark Fey
Spring 2012 — T 14:00-16:40
Political Science Field: Positive Theory
Typically offered every other year

This course covers much of the modern game-theoretic literature on models of voting and elections. It is meant to expose students to the techniques and models used in this line of research. Some of the topics covered include probabilistic voting, policy-motivated candidates, candidate entry, strategic voting, and issues of information in elections, including uncertainty on the part of voters and candidates, and problems associated with private information in elections. The course covers both complete and incomplete information models and thus students must have a working knowledge of Bayesian games prior to taking this course.

PSC 586 Voting and Elections

Mark Fey
Spring 2012 — T 14:00-16:40
Political Science Field: Positive Theory
Typically offered every 2-3 years

International Relations

PSC/IR 106 Introduction to International Relations

Hein Goemans
Spring 2012 — MWF 12:00-12:50
Political Science Field: International Relations, Introductory Courses
International Relations Track: Global Security (A)
Typically offered every year

IR 211 Political Economy of Africa

Subhasish Ray
Spring 2012 — TR 15:25-16:40
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
International Relations Track: Political Economy and Development (B), Governance of Nations (C)
Typically offered rarely

Political developments in Africa since the end of the Cold War have both vindicated and belied Robert Kaplan's famous prediction of a "coming anarchy" in the region. Drawing on the rich social science literature on the politics of contemporary Africa, the course will address a set of critical questions that will have important implications for the well-being of the people of the continent and the world in the twenty-first century. The central questions we will address are: Why is state failure so frequent in Africa? Why are most African countries poor? Why has Botswana, a small country in Southern Africa, been able to sustain economic growth and democratic politics since its independence? Can international aid resurrect growth and democracy on a wide scale in Africa?

IR 212 Democratization in Non-Western Societies

Subhasish Ray
Spring 2012 — TR 9:40-10:55
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
International Relations Track: Governance of Nations (C)
Typically offered rarely

This course offers a survey of the leading literature in comparative politics on the topic of democratization with a focus on non-Western societies. The central questions we will address are: Why have political protests in Egypt succeeded in triggering a democratic transition, but not in Syria? Are newly created democracies more likely to be prone to civil war and more likely to initiate inter-state war than consolidated democracies? Should the United States use its military power to promote democracies or should democracies be allowed to emerge endogenously?

IR 228 International Security

Jacqueline Hazelton
Spring 2012 — M 14:00-16:40
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
International Relations Track: Global Security (A)
Typically offered rarely

If the post-Cold War period began with the promise of a New World Order and ended in the rubble of Falluja, today the United States faces a new era of conventional and unconventional challenges. This course examines current state and non-state challenges to U.S. interests. These include the perils of unipolarity, the rise of potential peer competitors, internal conflict and terrorism, nuclear proliferation, transnational crime, and cyberwar. Students will analyze cases as well as theoretical literatures to deepen their understanding of the contemporary security issues facing the United States.

IR 230 The Tools of U.S. Foreign Policy

Jacqueline Hazelton
Spring 2012 — MWF 10:00-10:50
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
International Relations Track: Global Security (A)
Typically offered rarely

As the United States leaves Iraq and considers how to draw down its forces in Afghanistan, a debate is developing over how to shape the military and U.S. national security strategy for an uncertain future. This course analyzes the utility of the tools of U.S. foreign policy in the context of contemporary threats. Students will consider the traditional theoretical elements of Cold War security thinking, including deterrence, compellence, and defense. Students will also analyze the efficacy of other U.S. efforts, including economic and other types of sanctions; the training and arming of foreign militaries; the strengthening of weak states; counterterrorism efforts from financial interdiction to Special Forces operations; humanitarian intervention; peacekeeping operations; and cyber and space operations.

IR 232 Political Economy of Europe

Ognian Hishow
Spring 2012 — MWF 10:00-10:50
Political Science Field: Associated Courses
International Relations Track: Political Economy and Development (B), Governance of Nations (C)
Typically offered rarely

The European Communities were conceived upon a bold vision of freedom and peace. With the financial, economic and debt crisis hitting the EU, new challenges emerged. Promising cases before 2008 (Ireland) turned to problem cases. The course shall assess the Grand European Projects EMU and Europe 2020. Why do Poland and other East European entrants perform better than many old members? In this respect, enlargement fatigue makes the question about the final boundaries of the EU, as well as the resulting necessity of a sustainable neighborhood policy pressing. Here especially Russia is central. The mighty and self-confident supplier of energy is crucial for Europe's economic prosperity. But how stable is Russia, given the fact that resource abundance and hence natural capital based growth tend to produce economic slump and social tension? Finally, will the European economic and social model prove inferior to the dynamic systems of China, India, the US and other major powers? Will an aging Europe, reluctant to deregulation and flexibility, fall behind those economic centers and lose its attractiveness? Special attention will be paid to the lessons from the financial and debt crisis.

PSC/IR 255 Institutions and Underdevelopment

PSC/IR 279 War and the Nation State

Hein Goemans
Spring 2012 ("W" Optional) — W 15:25-18:05
Political Science Field: International Relations
International Relations Track: Global Security (A)
Typically offered every 2-3 years

PSC/IR 397 European Political Internship

Lynda W. Powell
Spring 2012
Political Science Field: Internship
International Relations Track: Governance of Nations (C)
Typically offered every semester