Political Theory
Political theory is concerned mainly with the foundations of political community and organizations. It concentrates on humanity and the moral functions of political association. To clarify these concepts, political theorists draw on enduring political works from ancient Greece to today and on various works by ethical thinkers. Political theory likewise concentrates on empirical research study into the way political institutions function in practice. Here political theorists subject beliefs about political life discovered in crucial political works to re-examination in the light of ongoing human habits. In either case, political theory looks for to eventually deepen political thinking and to stimulate citizens to accountable and imaginative political action.POL S 201, Intro to Political Theory, offers students with a summary of the main lines of thought in political theory. Advanced courses focus on offered ideas, subjects, and thought in political theorizing.
Comparative PoliticsComparative politics is a broad field with a range of approaches and goals. Some scholars and scientists compare modern political systems in order to judge which types best provide particular worths: order, equality, freedom, or financial security and well-being for their residents. Others recommend that the main purpose of comparative politics is to offer an understanding of how and why different societies establish various type of political institutions. Still others use comparative politics as a way of finding basic laws and theories that will explain human political habits and its irregularity.
Comparative politics courses are of two standard types. One offers contrasts of a particular set of issues or organizations in a variety of different nations. Esen Ermiş Ertürk The 2nd type provides thorough analyses of the basic political organizations and procedures of a single nation or group of nations in a world region.
Most students will wish to begin their study of relative politics with the Intro to Comparative Politics (POL S 204), which integrates the 2 main methods by including relative conversations of specific problems, concerns, procedures, and institutions in a wide array of political settings along with thorough readings and lectures on a few of the major nations in the modern world. International Relations
The field of global relations is interested in developing an understanding of why states and non-state worldwide stars, like the United Nations and international corporations, connect as they do. Global relations is a varied field both in terms of what kinds of behavior are studied and how they are studied. International conflict, especially war, continues to be an essential focus of the field. Why do wars start? Who wins and why? How can wars be prevented? What is the role of international law and companies? As the world has ended up being more interdependent, scholars have actually ended up being more knowledgeable about the value of worldwide economic activity. As an outcome, scholars are examining world trade, interactions, advancement, foreign financial investment, and worldwide finance. How states make foreign policy choices is another important location of research study. National security policy, nuclear deterrence, arms control and defense costs decisions are common examples of foreign policy choices. POL S 203, International Relations, introduces the trainee to International politics. This is the foundation for a variety of offerings at the 300 and 400 levels, such as American diplomacy, international environmental politics, worldwide political economy, and global conflict.American Government and Politics Trainees of American government and politics seek an understanding of politics as practiced in the United States. In addition to courses on the American presidency, the U.S. Congress, and the courts, the department offers specialized courses on such subjects as the political role of mass media, the politics of race and ethnic culture, constitutional law, policy formation, state politics, and American political idea.
A few of the broad questions that concern students in this field are: How and why did American political institutions, concepts, and practices develop as they have? How does one set about examining them? Are American political institutions, ideas and practices special, or are they similar to other societies? How might American politics be enhanced? POL S 202, Introduction to American Politics, is advised preparation for most other courses in American Politics. To acquire first-hand experience with the American political system, trainees are motivated to get involved in scholastic internships in Washington D.C., Olympia, or Seattle. Political Methodology
The subfield of political approach is worried about the philosophical bases of government, social science, empirical research study design and analysis, and practical field research experience.
Courses in the political method field cover philosophical issues concerning the possibility of a science of politics, the similarities and differences between government and other social sciences, alternative modes of description, and the reality of understanding claims. They likewise take a look at the formula of experimental and non-experimental research study styles for making causal inferences about political processes and habits and explore the. usage of stats, mathematics and computer systems for the analysis of political information produced by such research study styles. Trainees are also supplied an opportunity to carry out private and group research study projects through workshops. The political methodology professors have present research study and teaching interests in such varied subjects as mass media, feminist theory, language politics, political economy, reasonable option theory, and public law.
