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General Information

Undergraduate Studies

Graduate Studies

Research

Continuing Education & Training Programs

Appendix: Personnel & Enrollment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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undergrad
 Political Science


Department of Political Science
School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Professors:  G. Gerhart, E. Hill (Chair), I. Ivekovic, W. Kazziha (Graduate Coordinator), B. Korany, E. Sullivan (Provost),  D. Tschirgi
Associate Professors: S. Elmusa, T. Parfitt, C. Reed (on leave) , E. Shahin (Undergraduate Coordinator)
Assistant Professors:  J. Allain, M. Kassem, S. Khan, M. Salter
Distinguished Lecturer:  C.Doebbler

Political Science is the systematic study of structures and processes pertaining to governing, policy making, and political life. It concerns ideas about governing and political participation, about rights and duties of governors and governed. Political science includes the study of modern state, its historical evolution, variations in its present configurations, and relations between and among nations, including institutions that organize these relations. It seeks to understand relationships between politics, the economy and society. The scope of Political Science is local, national, regional, international, and global. The program at AUC includes major fields and subfields of Political Science, vis: Comparative Politics, Development, International Relations, Political Economy, Political Theory and Philosophy, and Public and International law. The Middle East, Africa, and the Third World generally are emphasized in the program. As extra curricular enhancement, the Political Science Department sponsors a Model Arab League each year in the Fall and a Model United Nations in the spring.

Bachelor of Arts

Political Science at AUC is taught as a humanistic discipline with the overall objectives of fostering understanding of the contemporary world and developing knowledge about, and an appreciation of, the complex mechanisms, authoritative structures, and the allocation of values, which characterize contemporary human communities. Political Science at AUC requires students to develop abilities of comprehension and analysis, and skills for oral and written presentations. The graduate of Political Science is thus well equipped for life in the modern world, and to follow those professions and lines of work that require independence of thought, initiative, creativity in solving problems, and continuing self development. AUC graduates of Political Science are presently found in business, journalism, research, analytic writing, and public contact work. They occupy positions in public, private, development agencies, the diplomatic service, governmental ministries and agencies, and university teaching. A significant number of past graduates have subsequently completed M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.

Students wishing to declare a major in Political Science must have taken POLS 201 or be registered in it. Students wishing to remain Political Science majors must take POLS/HIST 206 and a 300 level POLS course the following semester. Students wishing to transfer from another major after their sophomore year will be considered on a case by case basis. Junior-year (300-level) courses are required in four subfields and are prerequisite to the more advanced courses and seminars (400-level).  Each semester a selection of 300 and 400 level courses and seminars is offered from which students may choose courses to complete the requirements of the major. A total of 120 credits is required for the bachelor's degree in Political Science:

Core Curriculum (40 credits) as stated on pages 76-81

Concentration Requirements (45 credits)

POLS

201

Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr.

POLS/HIST

206

Global Politics in the Twentieth Century, 3 cr.

POLS

301-302

History of Political Theory, 3 cr.

 

308

Comparative Politics of the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

310

Introduction to Development, 3 cr.

 

320

International Relations, 3 cr.

POLS/ARBS

353

Muslim Political Thought, 3 cr.

 


Seven additional courses in political science including at least four at the 400-level, one of which must be a seminar.

Collateral Requirements (6 credits)

ECON

201

Introduction to Economics (Macroeconomics), 3 cr.

 

One additional history course


Electives (29 credits)
Students may use 15 hours of elective credit to minor in a discipline of their choice. Minoring is optional. Courses taken as collateral requirements may count towards the minor.

Specialization in International Relations

A total of 120 credits are required for the bachelor's degree in political science with specialization in international relations.

Core Curriculum Requirements (40 credits)

Concentration Requirements (45 credits)

POLS

201

Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr.

 

206

Global Politics in the 20th Century, 3 cr.

 

310

Introduction to Development, 3 cr.

 

320

International Relations, 3 cr.

 


Five courses chosen from among the following:

POLS

301

History of Political Theory, 3 cr.

 

302

History of Political Theory, 3 cr.

 

303

American Government and Politics, 3 cr.

 

305

Politics and Society in Contemporary Africa, 3 cr.

 

308

Comparative Politics of the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

322

Comparative Government and Politics: Developed Systems, 3 cr.

 

323

Comparative Government and Politics: Developing Systems, 3 cr.

 

324

Comparative Government and Politics in The Contemporary Eastern Europe and Russia, 3 cr.

 

325

Government and Politics of  Egypt, 3 cr.

 

350

Introduction to Political Economy, 3 cr.

 

401

Comtemporary Ideology, 3 cr.

 

420

Seminar in Middle East Politics, 3 cr.

 

422

Twentieth Century Egypt, 3 cr.

 

430

Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science, 3 cr.

 

431

Political Sociology, 3 cr.

 

432

Seminar: Comparative Politics and / or Policies, 3 cr.

 

438

Modern China, 3 cr.

 


Six additional courses in Political Science to be chosen from among the following:

POLS

405

International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

409

Seminar: International Organization, 3 cr.

 

411

Comtemporary Foreign Policies, 3 cr.

 

412

International Law, 3 cr.

 

413

International Financial Institutions, 3 cr.

 

414

Egyptian Foreign Policy, 3 cr.

 

415

U.S Foreign Policy, 3 cr.

 

430

Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science (depending on the nature of the topic), 3 cr.

 

439

Government and Politics in Modern Caucuses and Central Asia, 3 cr.

 

440

Seminar: Special Topics in International Relations, 3 cr.

 

472

Advanced International Law, 3 cr.

 

474

Special Topics in Public International Law, 3 cr.

 


Collateral Requirements (9 credits)

ECON

201

Introduction to Economics (Macroeconomics), 3 cr.

 


Two additional history courses chosen from among the following:

HIST

202

History of Modern American Civilization, 3 cr.

 

308

Europe in the Age of Reason, 3 cr.

 

401

Selected Topics in the History of the United States (when approved by the POLS department), 3 cr.

 

402

Selected Topics in European History (when approved by the POLS department), 3 cr.

 

356

History of the Middle East in the 20th Century, 3 cr.

 

462

Selected Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East, 3 cr.

 


Electives (26 credits)

Students may use 15 hours of elective credit to minor in a discipline of their choice. Minoring is optional. Courses taken as collateral requirements may count towards the minor.

Specialization in Political Economy

The globalization of markets, the proliferation of multinational enterprises, and the changing role of the state are critical for the understanding of contemporary politics. The undergraduate specialization in political economy aims to help the student grasp this increasingly close interconnection between politics and economics in today's world.

Requirements
Core Curriculum Requirements ( 40 credits)

Concentration Requirements (45 credits)

POLS

201

Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr.

POLS/HIST

206

Global Politics in the 20th Century, 3 cr.

POLS

310

Introduction to Development, 3 cr.

 

320

International Relations, 3 cr.

 

350

Introduction to Political Economy, 3 cr.

 

351

Theory and History of Political Economy, 3 cr.

 

425

Global Political Economy, 3 cr.

 


Five courses from the following:

POLS

402

Seminar Special Topics in Development/Political Economy, 3 cr.

 

413

International Financial Institutions, 3 cr.

 

423

Political Economy of North Africa, 3 cr.

 

424

Political Economy of the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

442

Environmental Politics, 3 cr.

ECON

224

Economic History, 3 cr.

 

239

Economic History of the Modern Middle East, 3 cr.

 


Three additional courses chosen from Political Science or Economics

Collateral Requirements (3 credits)

ECON

201

Introduction to Economics I, 3 cr.

 


Electives (32 credits)
Students may use 15 hours of elective credit to minor in a discipline of their choice. Minoring is optional. Courses taken as collateral requirements may count towards the minor.

Specialization in Public and International Law

To specialize in public and international law, Political Science majors must include among their seven concentration electives five courses chosen from the following:

POLS

412

International Law, 3 cr.

 

472

Advanced International Law (May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr.

 

473

Special Topics in Public Law (May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr.

 

474

Special Topics in International Law (May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr.

ARBS

439

Islamic ShariŽa Law, 3 cr.

 


It is anticipated that occasionally other courses offered by the Department might suitably count toward the Specialization in Public and International Law (for example, this would be true of special topics courses such as "American Constitutional Law" and "Negotiation"). On such occasions, relevant courses will be identified in the course schedule.

Specialization in Middle East Politics

To specialize in Middle East politics, Political Science majors should include among their seven political science electives four courses chosen from:

POLS

325

Government and Politics of Egypt, 3 cr.

 

354

Political and Social Thought in the Modern Arab World, 3 cr.

 

405

International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

420

Issues in Middle East Politics, 3 cr.

 

422

Seminar: Twentieth-Century Egypt, 3 cr.

 

430*

Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science, 3 cr.

 

432*

Seminar: Comparative Politics and / or Policies, 3 cr.

 


* If subject matter concerns the Middle East.

A student's program should include at least four political science courses at the 400 level, with one being a seminar related to Middle East politics.

The collateral history requirement should be 300 or 400 level course on the modern Middle East.

Minors for non-political science majors:

Political Science Minor

Requirements (15 credits): POLS 201 Introduction to Political Science and four additional Political Science courses at the 300 or 400 level.

International Relations Minor

POLS

201

Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr.

POLS/HIST

206

Global Politics in the Twentieth Century, 3 cr.

POLS

320

International Relations, 3 cr.

 


Plus two courses chosen from:

POLS

405

International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

409

Seminar: International Organization, 3 cr.

 

411

Contemporary Foreign Policies, 3 cr.

 

412

International Law, 3 cr.

 

413

International Financial Institutions, 3 cr.

 

430

Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science, 3 cr. (If the special topic is in the field of international relations)

 

440

Special Topics in International Relations, 3 cr.

 


Middle East Politics Minor

The minor in Middle East politics is open to students majoring in disciplines other than political science. It requires successful completion of five courses selected from the following, which may be taken with the consent of the instructor:

Requirements*

POLS

308

Comparative Politics of the Middle East, 3 cr.

 


and four courses selected from the following:

POLS

325

Government and Politics of Egypt, 3 cr.

POLS/ARBS

353

Muslim Political Thought, 3 cr.

POLS

354

Political and Social Thought in in the Modern Arab World, 3 cr.

 

405

International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

420

Issues in the Middle East Politics, 3 cr.

 

422

Seminar: Twentieth-Century Egypt, 3 cr.

 

430

Seminar: Special Topics (Whenever content is relevant. May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr.

 

432

Seminar: Comparative Politics and / or Policies (Whenever content is relevant), 3 cr.

 


* Prerequisites are as stated in the catalog, except that the requirement that POLS 320 be taken as a prerequisite for POLS 405 may be waived for minors with the consent of the instructor.

Political Economy Minor

The minor in Political Economy is open to students majoring in disciplines other than Political Science. It requires successful completion of :

POLS

201*

Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr.

 

350

Introduction to Political Economy, 3 cr.

 

351

Theory and History of Political Economy, 3 cr.

 

425

Global Political Economy, 3 cr.

 


Two other courses from the following:
 

POLS

402

Seminar: Special Topics in Development / Political Economy, 3 cr.

 

413

International Financial Institutions, 3 cr.

 

423

Political Economy of North Africa, 3 cr.

 

424

Political Economy of the Middle East, 3 cr.

 

442

Environmental Politics, 3 cr.

 


*POLS 201 is a prerequisite for all Political Science courses

Political Science Courses (POLS)
 

 CourseNum CourseTitle

201

Introduction to Political Science

206

Global Politics in the Twentieth Century

301-302

History of Political Theory

303

American Government and Politics

304

Bureaucracy and  Development

305

Politics and Society in Contemporary Africa

308

Comparative Politics of the Middle East

310

Introduction to Development

320

International Relations

322

Comparative Government and Politics: Developed Systems

323

Comparative Government and Politics: Developing Systems

324

Comparative Government and Politics in Contemporary Eastern  Europe and Russia

325

Government and Politics of Egypt

350

Introduction to Political Economy

351

Theory and History of Political Economy

353

Muslim Political Thought

354

Political and Social Thought in the Modern Arab World

401

Contemporary Ideology

402

Seminar: Special Topics in Development/Political Economy

405

International Politics in the Middle East

409

Seminar: International Organization

411

Contemporary Foreign Policies

412

International Law

413

International Financial Institutions

414

Egyptian Foreign Policy

415

U.S. Foreign Policy

420

Issues in Middle East Politics

422

Seminar: Twentieth-Century Egypt

423

Political Economy of North Africa

424

Political Economy of the Middle East

425

Global Political Economy

430

Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science

431

Political Sociology

432

Seminar: Comparative Politics and/or Policies

433

Individual Study and Selected Reading

435

Seminar in Political Philosophy

438

Modern China

439

Government and Politics in the Modern Caucasus and Central Asia 

440

Seminar: Special Topics in International Relations

442

Environmental Politics

455

Seminar in African Studies

460

Development Studies Seminar

472

Advanced International Law

473

Special Topics in Public Law

474

Special Topics in Public International Law

 

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