Examination of modern totalitarian and authoritarian regimes as distinct forms of political organization. Introduces students to the main components of contemporary political ideas and principles. The course distinguishes among philosophical arguments, ideological convictions, and social movements. It emphasizes that during the twentieth century this distinction has blurred, resulting in highly popularized ideology disguised as philosophy. During this course, important concerns about basic political values, the nature of justice and the distribution of wealth along with central concepts like equality, liberty and rights are considered in light of topical issues.
Readings range from the extremes of anarchism to debates about feminism and environmentalism.
Introduction to psychological concepts and approaches used to analyze politics. This course examines the major environmental problems currently influencing U.S. domestic and environmental security policies. It explores major theories about the relationships among environmental, demographic, and political conflicts and provides a broad overview of what is known and still unknown. Public policy controversies related to global warming, pollution, degradation and future scarcity of land, air, ocean, fresh water resources and biodiversity are examined in some detail. Enduring and novel ethical issues about how to promote the rights of humans and other species are covered in discussions and debates.