This course develops an understanding of: 1) strategy and its relationship to national security policy and 2) American national security issues and the process of creating and implementing American national security policies. A primary theoretical and practical consideration is the relationship between the use of force and diplomacy. Among the specific issues are: the nuclear world, the U.S. defense posture, military interventions, and the broadening definition of security.

Field experience in a governmental or nongovernmental organization at the local, state, national, or international level. Arrangements must be made through the political science department. Open to juniors and seniors with at least a 3.2 GPA. Permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee of the department is required prior to the internship.

Designed to meet special interests of students and instructors in exploring issues in political science. Upon satisfying eligibility requirements set forth by departmental guidelines (in departmental office and online), students must have the approval of a faculty sponsor. Students submit the form and all supporting evidence by mid-semester prior to the planned semester of independent study for departmental approval. Does not meet the major's four field-course requirement; maximum of eight (8) credits can be counted toward the non-field major requirements.

This seminar explores the comparative politics of selected countries and conflicts in the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. We focus on understanding the causes and consequences of popular uprisings, civil wars, and protracted conflicts. The class is taught through discussion, with students taking active, participatory roles. Themes include changing forms of governance, changing practices of warfare, gender and minority rights, economic and environmental problems, protest and activism, state-society relations, and migration and refugees. Students read memoir, journalistic accounts, and theoretical articles in comparative politics to understand important developments. Specific country and issue cases change each year; recent seminars have addressed Israel-Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. Writing, reading, and discussion intensive class. Designed as follow-on course to POLT 559, Comparative Politics of the Middle East, counts as capstone course for the Middle East Minor.