Courses
POLS 1000. Political Science at Northeastern. (1 Hour)
Introduces first-year political science majors to the discipline, the department, and the University as a whole; familiarizes students with the skills needed for success as a university student.
POLS 1150. American Government. (4 Hours)
Analyzes the system of politics and government in the United States. Topics include the philosophical basis, historical origins, design, and functioning of the Constitution as well as formal government institutions. Examines the influence of public opinion, political behavior and participation, parties, and interest groups.
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 1155. Comparative Politics. (4 Hours)
Presents a comparative study of political organization and behavior in a range of countries beyond the United States. Topics includes political culture, political economy, governing institutions, leadership, and political participation.
POLS 1156. Recitation for POLS 1155. (0 Hours)
Provides small-group discussion format to cover material in POLS 1155.
POLS 1160. International Relations. (4 Hours)
Introduces a broad study of international relations, encompassing both theoretical perspectives and empirical knowledge. Reviews the role of states as well as international and nongovernmental organizations in dealing with security and war, terrorism, human rights, trade, globalization, and environmental protection, among other important contemporary issues.
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 1990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)
Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 2282. The Holocaust and Comparative Genocide. (4 Hours)
Examines the origins of the Holocaust, perpetrators and victims, and changing efforts to come to terms with this genocide. The Holocaust, the murder of 6 million Jews by Germans in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, is one of the crucial events of modern history. Investigates the uniqueness of the Holocaust relative to other acts of ethnic cleansing or genocide, including mass death in the New World and mass murder in Armenia, Bosnia, and Rwanda.
Attribute(s): NUpath Ethical Reasoning, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 2325. Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought. (4 Hours)
Examines the philosophers of classical Greece, primarily Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These philosophers examined the nature of the material world, of the city, and of the person. The course takes up both the moral and political writings as well as the metaphysical writings. Devotes considerable attention to major works such as Plato’s Republic. Some time is given to early Greek philosophers, to the Sophists, and to later developments. Requires written analysis of philosophical texts. PHIL 2325 and POLS 2325 are cross-listed.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGL 1102 with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1102 with a minimum grade of C
Attribute(s): NUpath Ethical Reasoning, NUpath Interpreting Culture, NUpath Writing Intensive
POLS 2328. Modern Political Thought. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to a range of authors who are considered to be most influential in shaping Western political thought and who remain highly relevant in informing contemporary political debate. Offers students an opportunity to think critically about some of the fundamental questions pertaining to political practice—the nature of ideas, institutions, and processes and how to understand and evaluate them.
POLS 2330. American Political Thought. (4 Hours)
Analyzes the fundamental ideas in U.S. political thought that have shaped U.S. political institutions and policies, including liberalism, neoliberalism, conservatism, and nationalism. Examines the historic roots of each viewpoint and their impact. Major topics may include Locke and the liberal tradition, republicanism, Puritan political thought, the American Revolution, the writing of the Constitution, the growth of federal power, executive power, judicial review, and the debate over slavery. Explores the ongoing interaction of political thought and the political process in contemporary U.S. society.
POLS 2332. Contemporary Political Thought. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to a range of positions in contemporary political theory, familiarizing them with key texts, authors, and debates, such as those concerning critiques of power, global justice, and pluralism. Explores a range of methodological and theoretical approaches associated with these texts and examines some of their implications in the assessment of modern societies, their values, and institutional arrangements. Offers students an opportunity to develop the ability to critically reflect on the nature and scope of political discourse.
POLS 2333. Politics and Film. (4 Hours)
Analyzes interconnections between politics and film. Considering film as a political tool, includes such topics as political satire, propaganda, war, censorship, and nationalism. Case examples emphasize current events and contemporary issues.
Attribute(s): NUpath Interpreting Culture, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 2340. Business and Government. (4 Hours)
Surveys the relationship between economics and politics in the United States. Considers the role of government in a market economy including the efforts to manage economic growth, prevent monopoly, promote social welfare, and balance the power of business with the demands of democracy.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 2345. Urban Policies and Politics. (4 Hours)
Analyzes the political, administrative, economic, and social dynamics of urban areas. Highlights the diversity of political institutions and practices in American cities. Introduces key policy areas at the city level such as land use, economic development, and education.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 2350. State and Local Politics. (4 Hours)
Examines the political and administrative context of the state and local government in the United States; surveys the structure, function, and politics of states and localities within the context of the U.S. federal system; and highlights the diversity of political institutions and practices at the state and local levels.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 2356. Democratic Erosion. (4 Hours)
Presents the theoretical and empirical tools to critically and systematically address the urgent political question: Is democracy under threat in the United States and around the world, or are contemporary concerns about global democratic erosion overstated? By engaging in theories of democratic consolidation and backsliding, offers students an opportunity to build an understanding of the causes, symptoms, and consequences of democratic erosion. Examines a range of country cases in comparative perspective so that students can then evaluate the robustness of democratic institutions across regions including Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the United States. Also explores the theme of democratic resilience by examining the case of India during the 1970s.
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 2357. Growth and Decline of Cities and Suburbs. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to the field of urban studies. Focuses on these central issues: how cities and suburbs evolve, what makes a city or suburb a good place to live, and how cities and suburbs are (or are not) planned. Students review the ways in which urban scholars and practitioners study cities and suburbs, their research methodologies, definition of issues, and division of labor among different disciplines. Students explore the roles of individuals, communities, the private sector, and government in planning and shaping the city.
POLS 2358. Current Issues in Cities and Suburbs. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to pressing urban issues: urban sprawl, poverty, education, transportation, economic development, and housing, through an intensive analysis of the Boston metropolitan area. The course is cotaught by university faculty and practitioners in government, community, and nonprofit organizations throughout the metropolitan area. Offers students the opportunity to analyze Boston data, go on outings to see development in progress, talk with urban practitioners about what they do, and conduct research on an urban issue of their choice.
Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 2359. Immigration Politics. (4 Hours)
Offers an overview of immigration politics from a comparative perspective. Examines the history of immigration to the United States and Europe, focusing on migration, naturalization, assimilation, and integration policies. Details the political processes that have led to different policies over time and across countries.
POLS 2362. Recitation for POLS 2358. (0 Hours)
Provides small-group discussion format to cover material in POLS 2358.
Corequisite(s): POLS 2358
POLS 2368. Music and Politics in America and Abroad. (4 Hours)
Explores the role of music in politics and the extent to which songs and their performers shape, frame, or otherwise influence political thought among audiences and listeners. Emphasizes contemporary themes and genres, with particular attention to protest songs. Examples are taken both from the United States and abroad.
POLS 2370. Religion and Politics. (4 Hours)
Explores the role of religion to domestic and international politics. Examines religion as a source of political tension and strife. Draws examples from the United States and the developing world. Covers Islamic fundamentalism in Africa and the Near East, Orthodox Jewish parties in Israel, Catholic liberation theology in Latin America, and Protestant fundamentalism and the religious right in the United States.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D- or INTL 1101 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 2385. U.S. Health and Welfare Policy. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to U.S. social welfare policy. Emphasizes contemporary debates over welfare, mental health, healthcare, education, and Social Security reform. Examines key issues and processes related to the politics, design, and implementation of public policy in the context of the American governmental system. Incorporates multiple media and methods of instruction into the course, including lectures, in-depth class discussions, and documentary films.
Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 2390. Science, Technology, and Public Policy. (4 Hours)
Considers the role of science and technology in the policymaking process, not only as a tool but also as a subject of policymaking. Cases include government involvement in innovation and economic growth, the role of the military in the development of science and technology, the governance and regulation of the effects of scientific and technological progress, public funding of science and technology, and ethical aspects of science and technology, including the emerging focus on anticipatory and participatory governance.
POLS 2395. Environmental Politics and Policy. (4 Hours)
Examines the political forces, governmental institutions, socioeconomic factors, and global trends that shape environmental policy at national and subnational levels in the United States. A spectrum of different environmental issues is discussed, with some comparison of policy activity in the U.S., other nations, and at the global level.
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 2399. Research Methods in Political Science. (4 Hours)
Examines the range of research methods and designs used in political science, based on applying the logic of social scientific inquiry. Reviews experimental research, comparative methods, case studies, interviewing, surveys, program evaluation, and other topics relevant to the discipline, as well as questions related to the practice of research ethics. Course activities include intensive writing assignments by students. Requires prior completion of at least two of the following courses: POLS 1150, POLS 1155, and POLS 1160.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGL 1102 with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1102 with a minimum grade of C
Attribute(s): NUpath Writing Intensive
POLS 2400. Quantitative Techniques. (4 Hours)
Studies methods of quantitative analysis including descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, cross-tabulation, analysis of variance, bivariate regression and correlation, and multiple regression. Examines how to generate and interpret statistical findings through use of Excel, SPSS, and/or other software programs. Uses examples from political behavior, public policy analysis, public opinion, comparative and international politics, and other areas of political and social-science inquiry to emphasize practical applications.
Prerequisite(s): MATH 1213 with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1215 with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1231 with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1241 with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1251 with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1341 with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1342 with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Analyzing/Using Data
POLS 2990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)
Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 2991. Research Practicum. (2-4 Hours)
Involves students in collaborative research under the supervision of a faculty member. Offers students an opportunity to learn basic research methods in the discipline. Requires permission of instructor. May be repeated once for up to 4 total credits.
POLS 3100. Gender, Social Justice, and Transnational Activism. (4 Hours)
Introduces key issues, themes, and debates in feminist transnational theory, practice, and activism in contemporary contexts and how it has changed under socioeconomic, political, and cultural processes of globalization. Examines differences among women relating to race, class, sexuality, national identity, and political economy in reckoning with possibilities for sustainable social justice. Students interrogate the relationship between the local and global; the production of knowledge in different regional spaces; the pragmatics of political mobilization; the varying contours of “social justice”; and other key issues. Offers students an opportunity to discuss the impact of globalization, neoliberalism, and state and intimate violence on gendered politics and relations and to contend with the politics of difference, to debate its challenges, and to imagine possible futures for transnational gender justice.
Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 3160. Campaign Strategy. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to the art of political campaigning in primary or general elections. Utilizes a case-study format to approach various aspects of campaign strategy by analyzing successful and unsuccessful campaigns.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3162. Local Campaigns and Elections. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to the politics of local campaigns and elections. Studies the history of local electoral systems. Utilizing outcomes of recent local elections, offers students an opportunity to analyze the role of voting behavior, campaign strategies, and money in shaping local campaigns and elections.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3300. The U.S. Congress. (4 Hours)
Explores the structures, dynamics, and styles inherent in public policymaking within the U.S. Congress. Focuses on elections; representations of constituents’ interests; the roles that participants play: the president, interest groups, and others; and how all of this is affected by the structure of Congress and the process embedded in the legislative body.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3302. Judicial Process and Behavior. (4 Hours)
Examines the nature of the judiciary in the United States. Focuses on courts and various aspects of the judicial process, including judicial selection, judicial decision making, the impact of judicial decisions on society, and public opinion of courts. After exploring, from various methodological perspectives, how and why courts behave as they do, the course turns its attention to questions about the role of courts in U.S. politics.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3304. Presidential Nominating Process. (4 Hours)
Offers students an in-depth examination of the process the two major American parties use to nominate their presidential candidates. Major topics include the history and evolution of the presidential nomination process; the contemporary rules regime; the behavior of candidates, voters, and the media; vice presidential selection; the role of the national conventions; and prospects for reform. Students who do not meet course prerequisites may seek permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3307. Public Policy and Administration. (4 Hours)
Analyzes the structure of and dynamics inherent in public policymaking and public administration in the United States. Introduces such concepts as problem definition, agenda development, policy formation, program implementation, and policy evaluation. Covers key issues in public administration including budgeting, personnel, and organizational design.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3309. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Public Policy. (4 Hours)
Examines the politics and public policies of the movement for equality and social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in a wide range of state and federal policy areas such as same-sex marriage, military service, family adoption rights, and employment discrimination protection. Reviews the political history of LGBT communities and the treatment of LGBT people since the 1920s in the United States and globally. Analyzes the policy debates by considering voting behavior, trends in public opinion toward LGBT issues, and the political incorporation of LGBT people in the United States and around the world. Students who do not meet course prerequisites may seek permission of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3310. Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections. (4 Hours)
Analyzes how Americans think about politics, how they vote, and how the rules of the U.S. electoral system affect electoral outcomes. Major topics include the nature and content of public opinion, mass partisanship, issues and issue voting, presidential and congressional elections, turnout and participation, campaign finance, and recent trends in U.S. electoral behavior.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3320. Politics and Mass Media. (4 Hours)
Analyzes several facets of the mass media: the role of newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet in public opinion formation; their use and effectiveness in political campaigns; their objectivity and/or bias in reporting the news; and their impact on public policymaking.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3323. Race, Inequality, and the Law. (4 Hours)
Examines the relationship between and material impact of race, public policies, and the administration of justice in the United States. Explores the ways the American legal system and political institutions have constructed and reinvented racial categories and their legal and social implications over time. Emphasizes the legacy of this legal history by examining how race and racial inequities intersect with contemporary public policy and social justice issues, including educational equity, employment discrimination, policing, and technology.
Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 3324. Law and Society. (4 Hours)
Examines the sociological understanding of legal phenomena. Places special emphasis on the role of the law in cultural and social conflicts in American society.
POLS 3405. International Political Economy. (4 Hours)
Addresses international political economy and how we can understand the phenomenon of globalization. Introduces the interaction between international politics and international economics in industrial countries and in developing countries. Covers several theoretical approaches to international political economy. Then analyzes some of the classic issue areas of international trade relations; foreign direct investment and outsourcing; the international monetary and financial system and the role of international institutions; debt and financial crises; and poverty and inequality. Concludes with analysis of how international political economy issues relate to governance, development, and the politics of economic reform.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1160 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3406. International Law. (4 Hours)
Introduces international law and how it redefines and shapes world politics. Offers students an opportunity to learn about the cornerstones of this area of the law: the state, organizations and their legal personality, diplomatic relations, treaties, extraterritorial jurisdiction, extradition, human rights and humanitarian law, the law of the sea trade/economic law, and international criminal law with a focus on the world courts. Considers the degree to which international law is pervasive in the life of individuals and states alike.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3409. Global Governance. (4 Hours)
Introduces the concept of global governance, summarizes the core architectural elements of global governance, and examines the key policy purposes and processes, as well as the principal challenges that affect international security. Prior to the creation of the United Nations, global governance hardly existed—relations among states were largely characterized by power politics, and international cooperation was circumscribed to a few areas. Since the foundation of the United Nations, ever denser networks of international regimes were formed encompassing security policy, trade, finance, environment, human rights, the oceans, and diplomacy and covering all aspects of the life of states, which affects and alters international relations.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3418. Nationalism. (4 Hours)
Explores contending theories of identity and nationalism—a powerful force in international and domestic politics. Examines topics such as the process of identity creation, the choice of national symbols, how group boundaries are established, the role of identity in conflict and state building, and the debate over nationalism’s constructed or primordial nature. POLS 3418 and CLTR 3418 are cross-listed.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Interpreting Culture, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 3420. U.S. National Security Policy. (4 Hours)
Analyzes U.S. national security policy, with an emphasis on traditional and nontraditional threats, including threats from state and nonstate actors. Studies the national security policy process with special attention to developing countermeasures as well as resilience.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3423. Terrorism and Counterterrorism. (4 Hours)
Examines some of the core debates over terrorism and counterterrorism. Topics include what constitutes terrorism, why people become terrorists, which targets they attack, whether nuclear terrorism is a serious threat, the extent to which terrorism helps the perpetrators, and their motives. From there, the course introduces the student to viable counterterrorism strategies. Permission of instructor required for students who do not meet prerequisite.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3425. U.S. Foreign Policy. (4 Hours)
Examines the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign and national security policy, with major emphasis on the period following the end of the Cold War.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3430. Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection. (4 Hours)
Explores various types of conflict settlements and their implications for peace and reconciliation. Why do civil wars break out in some places but not others? What does it take to start a revolution? Why do some conflicts last decades, and what can be done to mitigate their costs? Examines why civil conflicts begin, how they are fought, and how they end. Substantive topics include strategies of insurgency and counterinsurgency; the role of ethnicity, religion, and gender; and the relationship between economic factors and conflict. Students leverage fundamental concepts and theories in comparative politics to analyze civil conflicts in a wide range of country contexts.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions, NUpath Writing Intensive
POLS 3435. Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union. (4 Hours)
Examines contemporary political and governance issues in Europe and their impact on Europe’s present and future. In addition to considering the values and institutions underlying the European Union’s regional structure, including political, economic, military, social, monetary, and financial issues, the course also examines the issue of European identity and the impact of globalization on Europe.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 3455. Russian Foreign Policy. (4 Hours)
Presents an analysis of the goals, methods, and achievements of Russian policy in the post-Soviet era toward Eastern Europe, Western Europe, the Middle East, Central and East Asia, and the United States against the background of Soviet behavior toward these areas in the recent past.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D- or POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3465. Government and Politics in the Middle East. (4 Hours)
Examines political, economic, military, and ideological factors within the Arab states and Israel, inter-Arab politics, pan-Arabism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the great power rivalry in the region.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 3470. Arab-Israeli Conflict. (4 Hours)
Explores the history and politics of the Arab-Israeli conflict, examining the origins of the conflict, its development over time, the key events that have shaped it, and the different narratives and perceptions of these events. Offers students an opportunity to learn about the conflict from the emergence of Zionism and Arab nationalism up to present day. Emphasizes the Israeli-Palestinian dimension of the conflict.
Prerequisite(s): ENGW 1102 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1111 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1113 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1114 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3482. East Asian Politics. (4 Hours)
Examines the politics of East Asian societies as they cope with a variety of challenges. Focuses on economic development, environment, energy, and security in Japan, China, and the Koreas.
Prerequisite(s): ASNS 1150 with a minimum grade of C or POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3485. China: Governance and Foreign Policy. (4 Hours)
Focuses on China’s political system and the major issues confronted: leadership recruitment and succession, economic policies and development, class and class struggle, political culture and socialization, human rights, civil society, the media, and both internal and external security concerns. Examines how ideology, development, culture, and the pursuit of China’s national interest affect governance.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3487. Politics of Developing Nations. (4 Hours)
Examines the political, governmental, social, economic, cultural, environmental, and geopolitical dimensions of change in nations regarded as “developing” by international standards. Covers a broad spectrum of types of nations including those in Eastern and Central Europe but pays particular attention to those in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1155 with a minimum grade of D- or INTL 1101 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 3500. Sexuality, Gender, and the Law. (4 Hours)
Examines the legal regulation of gender and sexuality. Investigates concrete legal cases to study the history of constitutional interpretation and the current status of rights for women and sexual minorities. Focuses on important theoretical issues emerging in the writings of diverse feminist and queer legal scholars. Addresses debates over the value of conventional equality approaches in legal doctrine; equality vs. difference perspectives; ways in which legal language constructs gender and sexuality; the incorporation of sexuality and gender in ideologies of law; and the intersections of gender, sexuality, and race in legal doctrine and legal theory. PHIL 3500, POLS 3500, and WMNS 3500 are cross-listed.
Attribute(s): NUpath Ethical Reasoning, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 3900. Social Policy. (4 Hours)
Examines how social policy influences child, family, and community development. Provides a historical overview and a contemporary examination of many social problems, including poverty, health and mental health issues, child welfare, educational inequality, and consequences of juvenile and adult crime. Examines the policies and programs that help or hinder positive individual, family, and community development and considers the role of human service values and ethics on the American response to social policy. Offers students an opportunity to examine and critique the implementation or lack of implementation of formal social policies at the local, state, and federal level and to suggest initiatives to meet the needs of intergenerational families.
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 3990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)
Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 4500. U.S. Constitutional Law. (4 Hours)
Uses U.S. Supreme Court decisions and other reading materials to analyze theoretical, structural, and substantive issues inherent in, and relevant to, the American constitutional system.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 4505. U.S. Civil Liberties. (4 Hours)
Uses United States Supreme Court decisions and other reading material to examine the substantive and procedural guarantees of the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment and their relation to a liberal democratic society.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1150 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 4701. Political Science Senior Capstone. (4 Hours)
Integrates and assesses the concepts and skills developed by students throughout the political science curriculum, including both experiential and classroom-based components. Requires extensive reflection by students on their various educational experiences as well as research projects involving individual and group presentations. Topics include contemporary political issues and relevant literature in the discipline of political science. Consideration is also given to career options for political science students. Required for political science majors and fulfills part of the experiential education requirement.
Attribute(s): NUpath Capstone Experience, NUpath Writing Intensive
POLS 4703. Senior Thesis. (4 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to conduct a significant research project under faculty supervision on a topic within the discipline of political science. Research question is formulated and analyzed through data gathering and a review of relevant literature in political science and related fields.
Attribute(s): NUpath Capstone Experience, NUpath Writing Intensive
POLS 4910. Model United Nations. (4 Hours)
Introduces students to model simulations as a means of learning about international relations, diplomacy, and international organizations. Offers students an opportunity to conduct research and represent countries in current and historical simulations of the United Nations, U.N. organizations/agencies, regional international organizations, and joint cabinet crisis scenarios. Participating students have an opportunity to be selected for an off-campus competitive conference experience. May be repeated without limit.
Attribute(s): NUpath Difference/Diversity, NUpath Integration Experience
POLS 4915. Model Arab League. (4 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to participate in teams that research assigned nations and represent those nations in a model Arab League role-playing exercise. Students may be selected to represent Northeastern University at the regional or national Model Arab League conferences in Washington, D.C., and different states. May be repeated twice.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1160 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 4918. Model NATO. (4 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to participate in teams that research assigned nations and represent those nations in a model role-playing exercise of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Students may be selected to represent Northeastern University at the National Model NATO program in Washington, D.C. May be repeated up to two times.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1160 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D-
Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 4937. Dialogue of Civilizations: Government and Politics Abroad. (4 Hours)
Examines government and politics in another country or region of the world through faculty-led travel to that country or region. Offers students an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of government and politics by attending and participating in various educational activities in the country of study. The course begins in the United States with an introduction to the country or region and concludes with activities that facilitate reflection and learning related to the experience abroad. May be repeated without limit.
Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 4938. Dialogue of Civilizations: International Politics Abroad. (4 Hours)
Examines issues in international politics through faculty-led travel outside the United States. Offers students an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of international politics by attending and participating in various educational activities in another country. Course topics cover a range of interconnected global issues that go beyond states’ borders, possibly including armed conflict, terrorism, organized crime, poverty, environmental degradation, the spread of nuclear weapons, and others. The course begins in the United States with an introduction to the relevant topics in international politics and concludes with activities that facilitate reflection and learning related to the experience abroad. May be repeated without limit.
Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Societies/Institutions
POLS 4942. Internship in Politics. (4 Hours)
Gives students the opportunity to engage in a political or governmental internship under the supervision of a faculty member with departmental approval. Requires prior completion of 64 SH toward degree. May be repeated without limit.
Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience
POLS 4970. Junior/Senior Honors Project 1. (4 Hours)
Focuses on in-depth project in which a student conducts research or produces a product related to the student’s major field. Combined with Junior/Senior Project 2 or college-defined equivalent for 8-credit honors project. May be repeated without limit.
Attribute(s): NUpath Writing Intensive
POLS 4971. Junior/Senior Honors Project 2. (4 Hours)
Focuses on second semester of in-depth project in which a student conducts research or produces a product related to the student’s major field. May be repeated without limit.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 4970 with a minimum grade of D-
POLS 4990. Elective. (1-4 Hours)
Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 4991. Research. (4 Hours)
Offers an opportunity to conduct research under faculty supervision. May be repeated once.
Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience
POLS 4992. Directed Study. (1-4 Hours)
Offers independent work under the direction of members of the department on a chosen topic. Course content depends on instructor. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 4996. Experiential Education Directed Study. (4 Hours)
Draws upon the student’s approved experiential activity and integrates it with study in the academic major. Restricted to those students who are using it to fulfill their experiential education requirement. May be repeated without limit.
Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience
POLS 5408. International Security. (4 Hours)
Exposes students to the foundational and contemporary theories in international security and offers opportunities for application. Topics include the role of different actors and institutions; the evolution of the international system; conventional and nonconventional warfare, strategy, and tactics; and conflict negotiation. Addresses several issue areas in international security, including civil war, ethnic conflict, terrorism, civil-military relations, cybersecurity, and the role of gender.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1160 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission
POLS 5544. Seminar in Black Leadership. (4 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to conduct in-depth studies of significant black leaders—male and female—in a wide range of fields. Focuses on black leadership in the political arena as elected officials; leaders of pressure groups; leaders of protest organizations, black nationalist organizations, and feminist/womanist groups; and as advisers to political parties and presidential administrations.
POLS 5660. The Pandemic and the People: Lessons for American Democracy. (4 Hours)
Uses the pandemic and related issues as a case study to explore major public policy issues and challenges facing American democracy. Focuses on policies and challenges that have been placed in stark relief by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the pandemic through the context of a range of themes in politics, public policy, and culture. Emphasizes the U.S. experience during the pandemic but does address some international aspects.
POLS 5976. Directed Study. (1-4 Hours)
Offers assigned reading under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 6954. Co-op Work Experience - Half-Time. (0 Hours)
Provides eligible students with an opportunity for work experience. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 6955. Co-op Work Experience Abroad - Half Time. (0 Hours)
Provides eligible students with an opportunity for work experience abroad. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 6962. Elective. (1-4 Hours)
Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 6964. Co-op Work Experience. (0 Hours)
Provides eligible students with an opportunity for work experience. May be repeated without limit.
Corequisite(s): INSH 6864
POLS 6965. Co-op Work Experience Abroad. (0 Hours)
Provides eligible students with an opportunity for work experience abroad. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 7204. Seminar in Public Policy. (4 Hours)
Provides a comprehensive introduction to key theoretical perspectives in the study of public policy. Includes different perspectives on policy change, policy formation, policy design, and policy implementation. Seeks to prepare students to apply a policy theory to their own research question.
POLS 7205. Seminar in American Government and Politics. (4 Hours)
Focuses on major research approaches and corresponding academic literature in U.S. politics. Examines the scholarly analysis of key actors in U.S. politics, including the presidency, Congress, the judiciary, and political parties.
POLS 7206. Seminar in Comparative Politics. (4 Hours)
Focuses on major research paradigms within comparative politics, including political culture, structuralism, and rational choice. Examines major research fields in the discipline, including democratization, nationalism, ethnic politics, political economy, and political parties.
POLS 7207. Seminar in International Relations. (4 Hours)
Focuses on major research approaches and corresponding academic literature in international relations. Examines major fields of study, including international security, international regimes, international organizations, globalization, and international political economy.
POLS 7255. American Political Parties and Elections. (4 Hours)
Focuses on American political parties and includes analyses of party organizations and decision-making systems, leader/activist differences in policy and ideology, party reform, policy commitments, campaign finance, media, voting behavior, and an overview and assessment of contemporary elections and campaigns.
POLS 7257. The U.S. Judicial Process. (4 Hours)
Studies the judicial process in the United States, emphasizing federal courts. Focuses on theories and empirical research regarding judicial decision making, how and why judges decide what they do, and the resulting political effects.
POLS 7325. Contemporary Issues in Third World Development. (4 Hours)
Examines the major themes in development studies today. Explores approaches to the development and production, population growth, equity and poverty, rural and urban development, health and nutrition, education, and the international context of development assistance. Students considering a development administration concentration should try to take this course as their first in the field of development.
POLS 7334. Social Networks. (4 Hours)
Offers an overview of the literature on social networks, with literature from political science, sociology, economics, and physics. Analyzes the underlying topology of networks and how we visualize and analyze network data. Key topics include small-world literature and the spread of information and disease. Students who do not meet course prerequisites may seek permission of instructor.
POLS 7341. Security and Resilience Policy. (4 Hours)
Examines the post-9/11 evolution of security and the new emphasis on bolstering societal, infrastructure, system, and network resilience. Emphasizes the complex organizational; jurisdictional (international, federal, state, and local); private-sector; and civil-society issues associated with managing the risk of terrorism, cyber-attacks, and naturally occurring disasters. Topics include policy development and implementation of critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, supply chain security, disaster management, and community resilience.
POLS 7343. Counterterrorism. (4 Hours)
Examines the most important empirical and theoretical debates on counterterrorism. Analyzes the motives and strategies of key actors in the development of approaches to counterterrorism.
POLS 7344. Hard Power, Soft Power, and Smart Power. (4 Hours)
Examines different forms of power in an international context. Includes conceptual and empirical examinations of the various types of power, the actors who have power, and the contexts under which power is exercised.
POLS 7346. Resilient Cities. (4 Hours)
Examines the characteristics of resilient cities, especially those located in coastal regions. Investigates the capacity of cities to respond to major disruptions to their social and ecological systems. Includes extensive use of case studies, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as well as readings on cities and social systems. Offers students an opportunity to analyze an urban area and provide recommendations for improving its resilience. POLS 7346 and PPUA 7346 are cross-listed.
POLS 7357. International Political Economy. (4 Hours)
Addresses international political economy and how we can understand the phenomenon of globalization. Offers a graduate-level introduction to the interaction between international politics and international economics in both industrial countries and developing countries. Introduces several theoretical approaches to international political economy and analyzes some of the classic issue areas of international trade relations, such as the international monetary and financial system; foreign direct investment and multinational corporations, debt, and development; the role of international political, economic, and financial institutions; and globalization.
POLS 7362. Nationalism. (4 Hours)
Focuses on contending theories of nationalism and nationalist movements. Topics include cultural objectification and the establishment of group boundaries, ethnic elites and cultural hegemony, mass mobilization, intergroup socioeconomic disparities, nationalism and modernity, nationalist parties and their policy strategies, and the “constitution” of race, particularly in the Americas.
POLS 7366. Genocide in a Comparative Perspective. (4 Hours)
Takes an interdisciplinary approach (that is, history, political science, and sociology) to the study of genocide. Examines the meaning of the concept in historical and philosophical terms, the societal and psychological causes of genocide, and specific cases throughout history, with emphasis on more recent episodes.
POLS 7369. International Security. (4 Hours)
Examines key problems in international security that are faced by nation-states and international and nongovernment organizations. Examples include armed violence, terrorism, organized crime, nuclear proliferation, poverty, and energy security. Explores responses that include international cooperation and the establishment of international norms. Analyzes related literature and theoretical perspectives.
POLS 7376. Government and Politics of the Middle East. (4 Hours)
Examines the political and economic structures of the Arab states, Iran, Turkey, and Israel as well as inter-Arab politics and interstate conflict in the area. Emphasis is on Islam and politics, gender politics, and civil society.
POLS 7387. Global Governance. (4 Hours)
Introduces the concept of global governance and the core architectural elements of the current system of global governance. Examines the key policy purposes and tasks carried out by global governance processes.
POLS 7441. Cyberconflict. (4 Hours)
Examines the literature, policy reports, and important news stories about the domain of cybersecurity and conflict. Analyzes contending perspectives on the role and impact of cybersecurity. Utilizes social science theories and methods to explore this method of conflict.
POLS 7704. Critical Infrastructure Resilience. (4 Hours)
Explores the growing vulnerability of our human-made built environment to a range of risks. Using the new paradigm centered on the concept of resilience, examines how best to safeguard the critical foundations that provide transport, communications, water, energy, and other essential functions in the face of disasters, growing urbanization, climate change, and globalization. Identifies solutions that are scientifically credible, informed by data and sound engineering principles, while concurrently grounded in an understanding of social and policy imperatives. Offers students an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the course to a real-life example through a group project.
POLS 7962. Elective. (1-4 Hours)
Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 7976. Directed Study. (1-4 Hours)
Offers assigned reading under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 7980. Capstone Project. (4 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to complete a specialized research or applied project in political science or security studies as part of the master’s degree. Designed to meet the specific learning and research interests of the student. Learning experience is based on activities that meet agreed-upon benchmarks with the instructor and may involve activities with government or nongovernment organizations.
POLS 7983. Topical Seminar in Political Science. (4 Hours)
Examines current issues in political science. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 7990. Thesis. (4-8 Hours)
Offers thesis supervision by individual members of the department. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 8407. Internship. (4,8 Hours)
Offers work experience (at least fifteen hours per week) that includes planning, research, policy development, and other administrative aspects in a government or nonprofit organization. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 8960. Exam Preparation—Doctoral. (0 Hours)
Offers the student the opportunity to prepare for the PhD qualifying exam under faculty supervision.
POLS 8986. Research. (0 Hours)
Offers an opportunity to conduct full-time research under faculty supervision. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 9000. PhD Candidacy Achieved. (0 Hours)
Indicates successful completion of the doctoral comprehensive exam.
POLS 9986. Research. (0 Hours)
Offers an opportunity to conduct full-time research under faculty supervision. May be repeated without limit.
POLS 9990. Dissertation Term 1. (0 Hours)
Offers dissertation supervision by individual members of the department.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 9000 with a minimum grade of S
POLS 9991. Dissertation Term 2. (0 Hours)
Offers dissertation supervision by members of the department.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 9990 with a minimum grade of S
POLS 9996. Dissertation Continuation. (0 Hours)
Offers continued dissertation supervision by individual members of the department. May be repeated without limit.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 9991 with a minimum grade of S or Dissertation Check with a score of REQ