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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) |
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POLS |
201 |
Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr. |
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POLS/HIST |
206 |
Global Politics in the Twentieth Century, 3 cr. |
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POLS |
301-302 |
History of Political Theory, 3 cr. |
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308 |
Comparative Politics of the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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310 |
Introduction to Development, 3 cr. |
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320 |
International Relations, 3 cr. |
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POLS/ARBS |
353 |
Muslim Political Thought, 3 cr. |
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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) |
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ECON |
201 |
Introduction to Economics (Macroeconomics), 3 cr. |
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One additional history course |
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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) |
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POLS |
201 |
Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr. |
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206 |
Global Politics in the 20th Century, 3 cr. |
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310 |
Introduction to Development, 3 cr. |
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320 |
International Relations, 3 cr. |
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Five courses chosen from among the following:
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POLS |
301 |
History of Political Theory, 3 cr. |
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302 |
History of Political Theory, 3 cr. |
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303 |
American Government and Politics, 3 cr. |
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305 |
Politics and Society in Contemporary Africa, 3 cr. |
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308 |
Comparative Politics of the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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322 |
Comparative Government and Politics: Developed Systems, 3 cr. |
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323 |
Comparative Government and Politics: Developing Systems, 3 cr. |
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324 |
Comparative Government and Politics in The Contemporary Eastern Europe and Russia, 3 cr. |
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325 |
Government and Politics of Egypt, 3 cr. |
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350 |
Introduction to Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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401 |
Comtemporary Ideology, 3 cr. |
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420 |
Seminar in Middle East Politics, 3 cr. |
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422 |
Twentieth Century Egypt, 3 cr. |
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430 |
Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science, 3 cr. |
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431 |
Political Sociology, 3 cr. |
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432 |
Seminar: Comparative Politics and / or Policies, 3 cr. |
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438 |
Modern China, 3 cr. |
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Six additional courses in Political Science to be chosen from among the following:
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POLS |
405 |
International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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409 |
Seminar: International Organization, 3 cr. |
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411 |
Comtemporary Foreign Policies, 3 cr. |
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412 |
International Law, 3 cr. |
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413 |
International Financial Institutions, 3 cr. |
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414 |
Egyptian Foreign Policy, 3 cr. |
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415 |
U.S Foreign Policy, 3 cr. |
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430 |
Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science (depending on the nature of the topic), 3 cr. |
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439 |
Government and Politics in Modern Caucuses and Central Asia, 3 cr. |
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440 |
Seminar: Special Topics in International Relations, 3 cr. |
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472 |
Advanced International Law, 3 cr. |
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474 |
Special Topics in Public International Law, 3 cr. |
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Collateral Requirements (9 credits)
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ECON |
201 |
Introduction to Economics (Macroeconomics), 3 cr. |
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Two additional history courses chosen from among the following:
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HIST |
202 |
History of Modern American Civilization, 3 cr. |
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308 |
Europe in the Age of Reason, 3 cr. |
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401 |
Selected Topics in the History of the United States (when approved by the POLS department), 3 cr. |
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402 |
Selected Topics in European History (when approved by the POLS department), 3 cr. |
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356 |
History of the Middle East in the 20th Century, 3 cr. |
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462 |
Selected Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East, 3 cr. |
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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) |
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POLS |
201 |
Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr. |
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POLS/HIST |
206 |
Global Politics in the 20th Century, 3 cr. |
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POLS |
310 |
Introduction to Development, 3 cr. |
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320 |
International Relations, 3 cr. |
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350 |
Introduction to Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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351 |
Theory and History of Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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425 |
Global Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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Five courses from the following:
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POLS |
402 |
Seminar Special Topics in Development/Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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413 |
International Financial Institutions, 3 cr. |
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423 |
Political Economy of North Africa, 3 cr. |
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424 |
Political Economy of the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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442 |
Environmental Politics, 3 cr. |
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ECON |
224 |
Economic History, 3 cr. |
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239 |
Economic History of the Modern Middle East, 3 cr. |
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Three additional courses chosen from Political Science or Economics
Collateral Requirements (3 credits) |
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ECON |
201 |
Introduction to Economics I, 3 cr. |
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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: |
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POLS |
412 |
International Law, 3 cr. |
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472 |
Advanced International Law (May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr. |
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473 |
Special Topics in Public Law (May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr. |
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474 |
Special Topics in International Law (May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr. |
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ARBS |
439 |
Islamic ShariŽa Law, 3 cr. |
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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: |
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POLS |
325 |
Government and Politics of Egypt, 3 cr. |
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354 |
Political and Social Thought in the Modern Arab World, 3 cr. |
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405 |
International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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420 |
Issues in Middle East Politics, 3 cr. |
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422 |
Seminar: Twentieth-Century Egypt, 3 cr. |
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430* |
Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science, 3 cr. |
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432* |
Seminar: Comparative Politics and / or Policies, 3 cr. |
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* 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 |
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POLS |
201 |
Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr. |
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POLS/HIST |
206 |
Global Politics in the Twentieth Century, 3 cr. |
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POLS |
320 |
International Relations, 3 cr. |
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Plus two courses chosen from:
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POLS |
405 |
International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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409 |
Seminar: International Organization, 3 cr. |
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411 |
Contemporary Foreign Policies, 3 cr. |
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412 |
International Law, 3 cr. |
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413 |
International Financial Institutions, 3 cr. |
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430 |
Seminar: Special Topics in Political Science, 3 cr. (If the special topic is in the field of international relations) |
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440 |
Special Topics in International Relations, 3 cr. |
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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* |
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POLS |
308 |
Comparative Politics of the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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and four courses selected from the following:
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POLS |
325 |
Government and Politics of Egypt, 3 cr. |
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POLS/ARBS |
353 |
Muslim Political Thought, 3 cr. |
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POLS |
354 |
Political and Social Thought in in the Modern Arab World, 3 cr. |
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405 |
International Politics in the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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420 |
Issues in the Middle East Politics, 3 cr. |
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422 |
Seminar: Twentieth-Century Egypt, 3 cr. |
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430 |
Seminar: Special Topics (Whenever content is relevant. May be taken more than once for credit if content changes), 3 cr. |
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432 |
Seminar: Comparative Politics and / or Policies (Whenever content is relevant), 3 cr. |
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* 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 : |
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POLS |
201* |
Introduction to Political Science, 3 cr. |
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350 |
Introduction to Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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351 |
Theory and History of Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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425 |
Global Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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Two other courses from the following:
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POLS |
402 |
Seminar: Special Topics in Development / Political Economy, 3 cr. |
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413 |
International Financial Institutions, 3 cr. |
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423 |
Political Economy of North Africa, 3 cr. |
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424 |
Political Economy of the Middle East, 3 cr. |
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442 |
Environmental Politics, 3 cr. |
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*POLS 201 is a prerequisite for all Political Science courses
Political Science Courses (POLS)
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