Department of Political Science

Content: This course is designed specifically for students in their first year of the Ph.D. program. It provides an introduction to the discipline, the philosophy of science and research design.

POLS 508: Data Analysis

Reinhardt, MW 10:15-11:30, MAX: 12

Content: This course is designed to introduce students to quantitative empirical research. The primary objective is to give students some basic skills in conceiving and conducting statistical analysis for their own research, in addition to becoming more informed readers of the research reported in the major social science journals. Our approach will emphasize practice (e.g., preparing a dataset, choice of an appropriate statistical procedure, analysis of data, diagnostics, interpretation, presentation) as opposed to theory (mathematical derivations and proofs). Statistical topics covered include measures of central tendency and dispersion, bivariate analysis (crosstabs, correlation, t-tests), and multivariate regression. Assignments will involve the use of statistical analysis software (Stata) on data sets provided by the instructor or, alternatively, on a data set the student may wish to provide.

Texts: Statistics textbook

Particulars: Homework; midterm exam; final exam; and one short research paper (9-12 pages).

POLS 510: World Politics

Reiter, Tu 1:00-4:00, MAX: 12

Content: This is the introductory course to international relations for political science graduate students. The emphasis is theoretical, covering issues such as international conflict, decision-making, trade, and system structure. The class uses a discussion format.

Particulars: One exam; several short papers. All students other than political science graduate students must receive permission from the instructor.

POLS 520: Comparative Government & Politics

Staton, Th 9:00-12:00, MAX: 12

Content: This course provides an introduction to the dominant questions, theories and empirical research in comparative politics. The traditional approach to comparative politics involves developing and testing theories of political phenomena that vary across nation-states; however, comparative politics also contains research seeking to explain political phenomena that vary only within a particular state. Consequently, while we will review cross-national research, we will not limit ourselves to such analyses. Substantive topics include democracy and development, democratic performance, political order and conflict, culture, political institutions, elections, parties, representation, accountability and political economy.

Particulars: Course requirements include student-led discussions of theoretical arguments and/or competing empirical tests, and active participation in seminar meetings.

POLS 540: American National Government

Abramowitz, M 1:00-4:00, MAX: 12

Content: General survey of "classic" and recent research on American politics. Topics will include U.S. political culture, public opinion, political parties and elections, interest groups, Congress, and executive branch politics. Various theoretical perspectives on American politics will be considered, including pluralism and its critics and rational choice theory.

Particulars: Students will present a literature review paper and lead a class discussion on one of the major topics for the course during the second half of the semester.

POLS 571: Longitudinal Data Analysis

Beardsley, Th 1:00-4:00 MAX: 12

Content: This course will explore a variety of techniques for modeling social science data which contains a temporal component. Topics will include time-series analysis, pooled time-series cross-sectional models, and models for panel data, including models for discrete dependent variables.

Particulars: Prerequisites: Familiarity with basic differential and integral calculus, linear algebra, and OLS/GLS regression.

POLS 585: Variable Topics Seminar

Topic title: How to Do Experiments in Political Science

Gillespie, TT 2:30-3:45, MAX: 4

Content: Have you ever wondered if you could do experiments in political science? Well, you can! In this course, students will gain an understanding of the historical and methodological significance of experiments in political science. Using the work of Harold Gosnell, Samuel Eldersveld, Paul Sniderman, Shanto Iyengar, Donald Kinder, Donald Green, Alan Gerber and others, students will learn the utility of field-, survey-, and laboratory- based experimental methods to answering critical political science questions. They will then put this knowledge to practice as they conduct their own experiments for a final project. Past projects have included voter mobilization experiments, and this semester, we will consider the role social networking sites (such as Facebook and MySpace) play in influencing political behavior.

POLS 585: Variable Topics Seminar

Topic title: Interdisciplinary Human Rights Perspective
[Same as GH 590 and LAW 819]

Davis/Evans/Queen W 1:00-4:00 MAX: 6

Content: This graduate seminar, open to students from the Graduate School, the Law School, and the School of Public Health, examines the theory and practice of global human rights from an interdisciplinary perspective. In addition to issues of the history, origins and legitimacy of universal human rights, the seminar will discuss standards, institutions and processes of implementation. The seminar will also examine human rights across a variety of substantive issues areas, including: conflict; development; globalization; social welfare; public health; and rights of women and other vulnerable groups.

Particulars: Evaluation will be based on seminar participation, a series of short thought papers and major research paper. Students will also make brief presentations of their final papers.

POLS 585: Variable Topics Seminar

Topic title: Politics, Governance & Development
[Same as ANTH 585]

Doner/Knauft, W 5:00-8:00, MAX: 6

Content: The study of development is complex, and “development” itself, is multifaceted, contingent on context, and frequently contested. Even economists, often the most confident of social scientists, are increasingly cautious about previously robust generalizations concerning development. The international aid community, which has frequently allocated resources in the hope of stimulating development in less advantaged countries, finds in retrospect that many of its initiatives have failed or been highly equivocal. This graduate seminar is designed to recognize but not get bogged down in these issues.

The seminar will consider the relationship between the material outcomes and social impacts of economic development; its political, governmental, and institutional context; and the degree to which economic development is or can be sustained over time. In this regard, the seminar considers what may be taken as the objective conditions of economic development as well as the political institutions and cultural forms through which economic development is variously achieved or not, asserted, and contested. The seminar considers economic development both as a real, ascertainable process and also as a condition of social, political, and ideological aspiration and assertion. Neither of these processes subsumes the other; their variable relationship is itself important.

Particulars: Students are expected not only to come prepared to discuss the assigned reading but also to use the seminar to initiate or develop their own research project. In addition to theoretical and empirical engagement, this requires engaging issues of methodology. Students will be graded on seminar participation, reaction papers, and on a final research project or draft research proposal.

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The Department of Political Science, 327 Tarbutton Hall, 1555 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-727-6572 phone, 404-727-4586 fax
For web comments or questions, contact polisci@emory.edu. Last update November 4, 2009