Spring 2027 Courses

Undergraduate Courses

Please view the Moravian University Course Catalog for a complete listing of the Political Science department course offerings.

Important note about special topic courses.

The department encourages students to take special topic (ST) courses. All special topic courses are eligible for credit with regard to political science major and minor requirements.

ST: American politics and political theory courses are eligible for Track 1 credit.
ST: Comparative politics and international relations courses count for Track 2 credit.

Special topic courses are not automatically assigned to the corresponding requirement. Advisors request a course substitution by emailing the registrar. If your special topic courses require a transcript adjustment, please contact your advisor.

POSC Spring 2027 course schedule

Introductory Courses for LinC credit - M3, M4, M5

100- Level Courses

POSC 110 A & B: American Political System

Operation of American political processes and governmental institutions. Political culture of American democracy, political philosophy of the Constitution, relationship between organization of the economy and political power, linkages between mass public and governing elites, and operation of institutions of national government. (M4) (PTK: Scientific Process) (TAGS: Equity and Inclusion) (TAGS: Quantitative Reasoning)

POSC 115 A: Introduction to International Politics

This course is meant to acquaint students with the analytical approaches, concepts, processes, issues, and actors in world politics. The class is anchored in class discussion and exchange of ideas. We will study the continuum of theoretical traditions and analytical approaches used in the study of international relations/world politics/international politics, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and feminism. We will explore the roles of key actors in global politics including governments, international institutions, and a variety of non-state actors. Additionally, we will examine key global issues such as global security, war and peace, human rights, global economics and trade, poverty and development, and environmental issues. The course will draw on historical and contemporary cases to help students draw connections between theories and world events and to be equipped with how to best explain and understand the world (M4) (PTK: Global Connections) (TAGS: Public Speaking)

POSC 125 A: Introduction to Comparative Politics

In this course, students will be introduced to analytical tools that can be used to explore how politics operate of the United States. We will begin by addressing fundamental "what" questions about the concept of the state, democracy, and political identity. From there, we will examine "why" and "how" questions through comparative perspectives. Some of the questions we will explore include: Why are some countries democratic and peaceful while others are authoritarian and conflict-prone? How does democracy affect power distribution among political actors? What is the impact of political identities based on race/ethnicity/gender and religion on domestic politics? Upon completing the course, students will better understand the differences between strong and weak states, how politics are organized in democracies and non-democracies, and the political significance of various forms of identities. (M5) (PTK: Social Systems) (TAGS: Equity and Inclusion) (TAGS: Intercultural and Linguistic Competencies)

Advanced Courses

200-Level courses

POSC 241 A: International Security

This course provides students an understanding of the traditional and non-traditional discourses surrounding security affairs and conflict internationally, transnationally and sub-nationally. We will explore realist, liberal, constructivist, critical, and feminist understandings of international security affairs in the areas of great power conflict, terrorism, revolutionary war, internal conflict, and civil-military relations. We will also examine other non-traditional security areas such as environmental degradation, resource/livelihood conflicts, global pandemics and economic woes that threaten the physical safety of individuals and groups. Prerequisite: POSC 110 or POSC 115 or POSC 120 or POSC 125 or POSC 127. (Track 2 credit)

POSC 291 A: ST: Quantitative Political Analysis

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the quantitative methods and statistical tools used in political science research, focusing on the application of these methods to analyze political phenomena. The course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in data analysis, statistical reasoning, and the use of statistical software to address complex research questions in political science and public policy. Students will explore various types of political data, including survey data, electoral data, and policy data, to understand and interpret political behavior, public opinion, electoral outcomes, and policy impacts. Throughout the semester, students will engage with a range of quantitative techniques, from basic descriptive statistics to advanced inferential methods such as regression analysis and Monte Carlo simulations. The course places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, requiring students to work with real-world datasets to develop practical skills in data manipulation, visualization, and analysis using R, a powerful and flexible statistical programming language widely used in political science. By the end of this course, students will be able to critically evaluate quantitative research in political science literature and effectively communicate their findings through written reports and presentations. This course is ideal for students seeking to deepen their understanding of quantitative methods and for those planning to pursue advanced studies or careers in political analysis, policy analysis, public opinion research, or related fields. Prerequisites: POSC 110 or POSC 115 or POSC 125 or SOC 115 or COMM 111 or COMM 155. (Track 1 credit)

300-Level Course

POSC 396 A: ST: Dictators and Dictatorships

This course delves into the study of authoritarianism, focusing on dictators and dictatorships from a comparative political science perspective. Students will explore the formation, consolidation, and collapse of dictatorships, while comparing various regime types such as personalist, military, and single-party systems. Case studies from different regions - including Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe - will be examined to draw broader conclusions about the conditions that give rise to dictatorships and the impact they have on societies. Through a writing-intensive approach, students will engage with key concepts in authoritarianism, including the role of ideology, coercion, propaganda, and institutional strategies of control. Additionally, the course will explore how dictatorships respond to internal and external pressures, including civil society resistance and international interventions. Prerequisite: (including class standing or courses) POSC 125, POSC 115, POSC 110, and POSC 120. (WI) (Track 2 credit)

Introductory Courses for LinC credit - M3, M4, M5

100- Level Courses

POSC 110 A & B: American Political System

POSC 115 A & B: Introduction to International Politics

POSC 120 B: Introduction to Political Thinking

How can we ask better political questions and provide better political answers? This course introduces students to the habits of mind of famous thinkers across the centuries: Plato, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, de Tocqueville, Students for a Democratic Society, and Hannah Arendt. Topics include personal choice, democratic citizenship, justice, and totalitarianism. (M3) (PTK: Humanistic Inquiry) (TAGS: Critical Reading) (TAGS: Equity and Inclusion)

POSC 125 A & B: Introduction to Comparative Politics

Advanced Courses

200-Level courses

POSC 228 A: African Politics

This course provides an understanding of politics and policy in Africa that is devoid of common stereotypes. Students will gain an appreciation of the many success stories on the continent and of the lingering challenges. We will draw from a variety of readings, books, articles, reports, documentaries and news reports. Topics to be discussed include the colonial state; the postcolonial state; elections, democratization and political change; political economy and development; gender and politics; religion and politics; ethnicity and politics; conflict and violence; African international relations. Prerequisites: POSC 110 or POSC 115 or POSC 120 or POSC 125 or POSC 127 or instructor permission. (Track 2 credit)

POSC 245 A: The Politics of the Middle East

This course aims to demystify "the Middle East." The long history of the western colonial encounter with this region has not only helped "create" the modern Middle East but generated conceptual frameworks that serve colonial practices at the expense of a humane understanding of the region's people, politics, history, and culture. The course aims at achieving such understanding. To get there, the course examines common preconceptions about the region that often end up framing Muslims and Arabs as exotic or hostile other and obstruct a more humane understanding. The rest of the course is divided into four segments: (1) an examination of anti-colonialism as expressed in politics of resource nationalism in the case of modern Iran, (2) a critical look at the "oldest wound" in the heart of the region, namely the Question of Palestine, (3) an evaluation of the "war on terror" since 9/11 with special attention paid to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and (4) a consideration of the question of the Arab revolutions in the context of the "Arab Spring" with attention to developments in Egypt, Syria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. (M5) (Track 2 credit)

POSC 295 A: ST: Public Opinion

The course will address current debates within the realm of political behavior research, such as the effects of media on public perception and the importance of public sentiment in the democratic process. This course provides a comprehensive analysis of public opinion within the context of American politics, focusing on its quantitative measurement and significant impact on political behavior and societal norms. Students will explore the psychological and sociological dynamics that contribute to the formation of public opinion, including the influence of media, cultural factors, and individual identity. Emphasis will be placed on the quantitative methodologies used in assessing public opinion, ranging from traditional polling techniques to advanced statistical analysis, highlighting the inherent challenges and potential biases encountered by researchers. Through both historical and contemporary case studies, participants will examine the role of public opinion in shaping key political events and movements in American politics, illustrating how it mirrors and molds societal values. By integrating theory with empirical research, the course aims to provide students with the analytical skills necessary to critically assess and contribute to the evolving discourse on public opinion and its influence on American political life. (M4) (Track 1 credit)

300-Level Course

POSC 355 A: WI: Utopias, Dystopias, Manifestos

This course introduces students to visionary political writing, including Thomas More's Utopia, Theodore Herzl's The Jewish State, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel's The Communist Manifesto, and Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower. We will think about political theorists as writers and also engage in original writing. The work of this course culminates in the creation of original student political visions. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher, and Political Science 120 or permission of instructor. Writing-intensive. (U2)