Course Information

POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT


Course: FP130
Title: U. S. GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Basic concepts of American democracy, the Constitution, political process, structure and functions of national government and factors influencing its operation; emphasis on legal and ethical demands placed on government officials, both civilian and military, as defined by the Constitution and statute.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: None.
Course: FP130X
Title: U. S. GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: The basic concepts of American democracy and the Constitution placed in a comparative context for midshipmen from foreign countries.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: This version of FP130 is for foreign nationals.
Course: FP210
Title: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Approaches to analysis of international relations; nature and evolution of international political systems; foreign policy decision making; roles of non-state actors; diplomacy and war; Third World economic development; and international institutions.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP220
Title: POLITICAL SCIENCE METHODS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: A discussion of the philosophy of science for the political scientist; instruction in research methods with emphasis on scientific method and quantitative techniques.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP230
Title: INTRO TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Introduces midshipmen to the study of politics in other societies. A course in comparative politics offers students a basic framework for analyzing other political systems. Key theoretical concepts, analytical tools and seminal works in the field are introduced to lay the foundation for advanced area studies coursework.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP310
Title: INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STRATEGIC STUDIES
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Examination of the global international system from the strategic perspective to enhance our understanding of the processes and dynamics of global changes and their impact on professional careers in the naval service.
Offered: Spring
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP311
Title: ETHICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: At the outset, the focus is on a study of the dominant theories of international relations, particularly Bismarkian realism and Wilsonian idealism. Then, using historical and fictional cases, passages from literature, and guest speakers, this course explores case studies that illustrate the ethical dilemmas that arise in the relations between states. By contrast with courses that treat ethical issues for an individual, this course deals with the acts of states and of other groups such as insurgency movements, non-governmental organizations, and international affiliations.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP313
Title: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Effects of information technology on both the national and international political systems; emphasis on changed weaponry, the vulnerability of cyberspace and other aspects of the information revolution on the relations among nations.
Offered:
Requisites: Prereq: FP210.
Course: FP314
Title: FORMULATION OF U. S. FOREIGN POLICY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Case study-based review of the content, formulation and execution of U.S. foreign policies since World War II, including decision-making processes, administration of policy and development of current policies.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP322
Title: COMPARATIVE EUROPEAN POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Study of foreign and domestic policy issues and processes of major European political systems as well as NATO, the European Union, and the U.S.-European relationship.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP323
Title: COMPARATIVE LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Social, economic and political environments; regimes and government institutions and interest groups, political parties, students, church and armed forces; theories of Latin American political behavior with country case studies.
Offered: Fall
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP324
Title: LATIN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Latin American international subsystem; foreign policy making of Latin American states, United States, Europe, Japan and others; roles of non-state actors; international institutions; diplomacy and violence; and application of international theory.
Offered: Spring
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP325
Title: AMERICAN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: The theories and practices of Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, Calhoun, Martin Luther King and other seminal American political thinkers; special emphasis on societal progress and public policy ambiguity under the banner of Liberty and Equality.
Offered: Spring
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP326
Title: AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: An examination of the presidential selection process and of the nature of presidential power in both the domestic and international spheres, with a focus on the ways in which they are both enhanced and constrained by other actors in the political system, including Congress, the judicial branch, the bureaucracy, the media, and the public.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP328
Title: LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Decision making in the U.S. Congress; constituencies and elections, role of party and committees, and interaction with executive and judicial branches, bureaucracy, interest groups and other actors.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP335
Title: NON-DEMOCRATIC POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Examination of modern totalitarian and authoritarian regimes as distinct forms of political organization.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP340
Title: MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT AND IDEOLOGY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Introduces students to the main components of contemporary political ideas and principles. The course distinguishes among philosophical arguments, ideological convictions, and social movements. It emphasizes that during the twentieth century this distinction has blurred, resulting in highly popularized ideology disguised as philosophy. During this course, important concerns about basic political values, the nature of justice and the distribution of wealth along with central concepts like equality, liberty and rights are considered in light of topical issues. Though a logical sequel to the required FP430 (Political Philosophy) course, this course is open to any student interested in exploring contemporary political arguments and proposals. Readings range from the extremes of anarchism to debates about feminism and environmentalism.
Offered: Fall
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP341
Title: POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Introduction to psychological concepts and approaches used to analyze politics. Topics covered include acquisition of personal political attitudes and beliefs; the dynamics of public opinion; theories underlying PsyOp (Psychological Operations), riots, revolutions and wars; and psychological sources of effective and defective decisions in small group settings such as juries, military commands and policy settings.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP345
Title: ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND SECURITY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: This course examines the major environmental problems currently influencing U.S. domestic and environmental security policies. It explores major theories about the relationships among environmental, demographic, and political conflicts and provides a broad overview of what is known and still unknown. Public policy controversies related to global warming, pollution, degradation and future scarcity of land, air, ocean, fresh water resources and biodiversity are examined in some detail. Enduring and novel ethical issues about how to promote the rights of humans and other species are covered in discussions and debates. Special emphasis is placed on DOD environmental programs and the legal responsibilities and obligations of naval officers in implementing U.S. environmental security policies. Each midshipman will chose a specific environmental security issue and learn to complete a policy evaluation.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP350
Title: POLITICAL ECONOMY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: This course provides an understanding of the collective action taken by the state and the economy where individuals engage in self interested behavior. It deals with how the state uses power to make decisions about who gets what, when, and how; and how scarce resources are allocated and distributed through the market process. Topics include: the structure of political economy, state-market tensions, economic nationalism, Democracy and Capitalism, and International Trade and Finance.
Offered: Fall
Requisites: Prereq: FP130, FP210.
Course: FP355
Title: CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: An examination of the interplay between civilians and the military in a liberal democratic society. The course blends of theory, practice, policy, sociology, history and political philosophy to examine the relationship of the professional military to the society which it serves. Employs a comparative approach with emphasis on case studies.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP356
Title: CONFLICT AND PEACEMAKING
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: This seminar focuses on examining, discussing, and learning how to think critically about the nature of conflicts and the art of peacemaking in the post-Cold War world. It includes lectures, problem-centered learning approaches and discussion sessions. Interactions with experts and a visit to a foreign embassy assist midshipmen in gaining a perspective on conflict management and peacemaking.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP357
Title: POLITICS OF CHINA AND JAPAN
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: An examination of the Chinese/Japanese political system with emphasis on the dynamic interaction of traditional and Marxist ideological forces.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP358
Title: POLITICS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: This course presents a survey of Southeast Asian politics, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. Democratization, political economy, the role of Islam, maritime piracy, and security issues will be examined.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP360
Title: MIDDLE EAST INT'L POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: FP360 addresses central issues pertinent to the Middle East such as the sources of conflict in the region, political and economic factors that promote peace and stability, the role of international organizations, and the role of non-state actors. The course also reviews the region's colonial past along with domestic circumstances that affect the influence of the Middle East on global affairs. A careful look at the Bush Doctrine and the rise of terrorism are included. The course counts as an FPSI elective.
Offered: Spring
Requisites: Prereq: FP130 and FP210 (or permission of department chair).
Course: FP365
Title: AFRICAN COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Analysis of political trends and constitutional development of African political systems; their relations with one another and outside world; attention directed to U.S. security interests in Africa.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP367
Title: POLITICS OF RUSSIA AND THE CIS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: The development and disintegration of the contemporary Russian political system.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130 (FP210 highly recommended).
Course: FP368
Title: COMPARATIVE ASIAN POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Systematic comparative approach to the study of political systems in East and Southeast Asia (with country cases selected from the Koreas, Taiwan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam); theoretical emphasis on ethnic conflict, economic development and democratization.
Offered: Spring
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP369
Title: MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Comparative analysis of domestic politics, political economy, the role of religion, foreign policies, and elements of international relations of Middle Eastern political systems; theoretical emphasis on ethnic conflict, conflict resolution and democratic development.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP370
Title: FOREIGN POLICY OF RUSSIA AND CIS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Discussion of geopolitical, ideological, institutional, cultural and economic factors affecting foreign policy decision making in Russian and other members of Commonwealth of Independent States; regional and global issues of security, democracy and free market economics.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130 (FP210 highly recommended).
Course: FP371
Title: ASIAN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Analysis of interstate relations of selected East and Southeast Asian states; concentration on regional organizations, security alliances and bilateral arrangements.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP372
Title: POLITICAL PARTIES, CAMPAIGNS AND INTEREST GROUPS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Study of dynamics of group politics in the U.S. political system; emphasizes roles played by parties, interest groups, public opinion and elections in the U.S. political process.
Offered: Fall
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP375
Title: POLITICS AND THE MEDIA
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: A comprehensive analysis of how print, electronic and computer-based mass media choose, cover, and disseminate information about American politics and government. Analysis of contemporary media from the perspective of subjects, disseminators and consumers of the news.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP384
Title: POLITICS OF IRREGULAR WARFARE
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Theoretical, historical and policy examination of low-level political-military confrontation; viewed from several perspectives, such as revolutionary, policy-making, military and nation-state; focus on U.S. response to LIC.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130, 2/C.
Course: FP397
Title: CRIMINAL LAW AND JUSTICE
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: An examination of both (1) the criminal justice system and the requirements of due process as mandated by the Constitution (double jeopardy, coerced confessions, plea bargaining, etc.) and (2) the criminal law -- the nature of criminal intent, the criminal act, the defenses (self-defense, insanity, etc.) as illustrated in such common law felonies as murder, rape, robbery, and battery.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130, 2/C.
Course: FP403
Title: ADVANCED RESEARCH SEMINAR IN WASHINGTON
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Intensive hands-on introduction to unique research resources of Washington, D.C., such as Library of Congress computer system, Federal Elections Commission Data Base and others; research design, field trips to Washington for data base use and elite interviewing.
Offered: Spring
Requisites: Prereq: 1/C FPS major.
Course: FP407
Title: INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Examination of nature, significance and development of intelligence including collection, counterintelligence, clandestine and covert action and evaluation; includes current issues and case studies.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130, FP210, and 1/C or 2/C standing.
Course: FP408
Title: INTERNATIONAL LAW
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Survey of public law of nations including jurisdiction, citizenship, nationality, human rights, and treaty law. This course places special emphasis on the law of the sea, the law of war, and the legal issues involving the use of force by states.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP210.
Course: FP413
Title: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: FEDERAL SYSTEM
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: An analysis of key Supreme Court decisions interpreting the power of the judiciary, the executive and congress under the Constitution; nation-state relations; the commerce power; economic liberties.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP414
Title: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL LIBERTIES
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: An analysis of leading Supreme Court decisions in the areas of speech, press, and religion; equal protection of minorities and women; privacy.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP420
Title: PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Analysis of U.S. public policy toward social and economic problems, including nature of social choice; survey of selected policy areas, such as health care, education, housing and economic and social welfare.
Offered: Spring
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP421
Title: NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Examination of interaction of domestic and foreign political and military considerations in the formulation and execution of national security policy; use of case studies and review of current strategic policies.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130, FP210.
Course: FP430
Title: POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Study of Western political philosophy, with emphasis on roots of democracy and the meaning of justice; explores relationship between individual and society, as well as the sources of a state's power and authority; examines works of major thinkers from Plato to the present.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010, Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130, FP210.
Course: FP437
Title: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: International organizations in world politics; attention given to control of conflict and violence, economic cooperation and management of global resources; major focus on the United Nations; discussion of selected regional issues and other organizations.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130 and FP210.
Course: FP440
Title: POLITICS OF CENTRAL EUROPE
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: Analysis of the politics of Eastern Europe from a comparative prospective; the struggle for national identity and economic development in the post-communist environment.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP130.
Course: FP450
Title: INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: This course examines the histrical and theoretical foundations of contemporary international political economy. It explores the evolving association between government and economics stressing the roles of mercantilism, liberalism and globalization. It explores the political and economic influence of US national agencies as well as international organizations during the latter half of the 20th century.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP210 or instructor permission.
Course: FP471
Title: CAPSTONE SEMINAR
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: The capstone seminar in Political Science provides a directed research experience designed to pull together key elements of the area of concentration. Midshipmen prepare a comprehensive research paper that demonstrates their mastery of substantive knowledge and competence in applying writing and research skills.
Offered: Fall, Spring
Requisites: Prereq: 1/C FPS majors only.
Course: FP480
Title: IT RESEARCH SEMINAR (FP)
Credits: 3-0-3
Description:
Offered:
Requisites:
Course: FP500
Title: HONORS ADVANCED RESEARCH DESIGN
Credits: 2-0-2
Description: Advanced research techniques: individual design guidance with special reference to advanced statistical techniques as well as methodological approaches. Literature review and presentation to the faculty.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FPS 2/C honors students only. Honors Director permission required.
Course: FP505
Title: HONORS SENIOR SEMINAR
Credits: 3-0-3
Description: An advanced research seminar to carry out the research to culminate in a senior honors thesis.
Offered: Fall 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: FP500, 1/C FPSH major.
Course: FP510
Title: HONORS SENIOR THESIS
Credits: 3-2-4
Description: An advanced research seminar allowing students to complete the research that will culminate in their senior honors thesis.
Offered: Spring 2009-2010
Requisites: Prereq: 1/C FPSH major.