50641

The constitutional systems, political processes, and social problems of Latin American nations

This course surveys the role of race and ethnicity in American politics. Theories of race and identity, and political experiences and power patterns in U.S. politics are explored through political science approaches by African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans, European Americans, Indigenous/First Nation Americans, and Multiracial Americans.

Introduction to International Relations, with emphasis on International Relations theory.
Issues covered include war and conflict, international order, diplomacy, human rights,
terrorism, international political economy and environment.

This course surveys the recent phenomenon called globalization. The course analyzes competing political theories and perspectives on globalization and examines actual policies, including the possibilities and limitations that globalization offers to and imposes on everyday life.

Introduction to political theory, ancient, modern, and contemporary. An examination of the general or abstract principles of politics.

A comparative study of the constitutional principles, governmental institutions, and political problems of selected governments. This course is designed to introduce students to the central themes of comparative politics. This includes discussions of methodology, the nature of the state, political culture, democracy and political and economic development.

Introduction to United States and California government and politics, including constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. Examination of political behavior, political ideas, and public policy.

A course in practical reasoning. How to distinguish between reasons that are rational and those that are not. Methods of evaluating arguments that will lead to truth.

The philosophical tradition from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century. Emphasis on new scientific models of human knowledge and human nature formulated in reaction to scientific and social revolutions. Positions of thinkers such as Descartes, Hume, Kant on basic questions: Can anything be known with certainty? Are there any justifiable moral principles? Is there any purpose to existence?

The origins of the philosophical-scientific tradition. Early attempts at rational explanations of the natural world. Socrates and the foundations of moral criticism. Plato: His articulation of the problems of knowledge, his contributions to moral and political theory. Aristotle: His organization of scientific inquiry, formulation of ethical theory, and development of the science of logic. The philosophical tradition after Aristotle.