Lower-Division

Systematic introduction to the nature of politics and government, organized around the dynamic relationship between power, principle, and process in democratic politics. Provides historic and contemporary overview; explores the interactions among government, laws, and societies at the national and international levels.

Introduces key concepts in political discourse and key debates generated by contested terms such as powers, ideology, and multiculturalism. Students read from canonical texts, feminist scholarship, historical materials, and contemporary cultural and postmodernist writings.

What does a citizen do? What kind of citizen activity is appropriate to democratic aspirations? Course uses political theory to answer these questions as they relate to current and historical events, primarily in the North American context. Draws on texts ranging from Aristotle, Locke, Thoreau, Ellizon, and Ranciere, as well as present-day debates, to bear on the relationship of citizen action and identity.

Explores intellectual and empirical trends shaping the U.S. relationship with the global economy. Traces debates about liberalism and interventionism, surveys post-war American foreign economic policy and discusses varieties of capitalism emerging around the world.

Introduces the study of politics through an analysis of the United States political system and processes. Topics vary, but may include political institutions, public policies, parties and electoral politics, and social forces.

Introduces key principles for understanding state politics in California and how power is mobilized for transformative change. Analyzes distinctive features of California's political development and culture in the governance of enduring social problems and policy dilemmas.

Introduces the study of politics through the analysis of national political systems within or across regions from the developing world to post-industrial nations. Typical topics include: authoritarian and democratic regimes; state institutions and capacity; parties and electoral systems; public policies; social movements; ethnic conflict; and globalization.

Introduces social policy around the world. Some countries provide free and good-quality health and education, as well as a minimum income to all citizens. Others, instead, provide meager benefits to few citizens.

Can common global interest prevail against particular sovereign desires? Surveys selected contemporary issues in global politics such as wars of intervention, ethnic conflict, globalization, global environmental protection, and some of the different ways in which they are understood and explained.