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Course Descriptions—Government and Politics (GVPT)

GVPT 100 Introduction to Political Science (3)

A survey of the basic principles of political science. Topics include the relationship of political science to the other social sciences; the concepts of modern democracy, political ideology, and political socialization; the function of public opinion, mass media, interest groups, and political parties; the basic institutions of government and the separation of powers; and the role of international relations and globalization.

GVPT 101 Introduction to Political Theory (3)

An introduction to political philosophy. Discussion covers the classic contrast between the philosophies of Plato and Machiavelli concerning the problem of justice and power and the philosophical foundations of liberalism, socialism, and conservatism. Topics also include the political ideas of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mills, Karl Marx, and Edmund Burke.

GVPT 170 American Government (3)

A comprehensive study of government in the United States, including the basic principles of American government and political culture and a cross-cultural examination of institutions, processes, and public policies.

GVPT 200 International Political Relations (3)

A study of the major factors underlying international relations, the methods of conducting foreign relations, the foreign policies of the major powers, and the means of avoiding or alleviating international conflicts. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GVPT 200 or GVPT 300.

GVPT 210 Introduction to Public Administration and Policy (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. An introduction to the study of the administrative process in the executive branch. The concepts and principles of administration are examined, then placed in the context of their relationship to public policy. Analysis covers organizational structure and theory and the behavior of participants in the administration of policy.

GVPT 240 Political Ideologies (3)

A survey and an analysis of the leading ideologies of the modern world. Topics include anarchism, communism, socialism, fascism, nationalism, and democracy.

GVPT 280 Comparative Politics and Government (3)

An introduction to some of the major theories and issues in the study of comparative politics. Focus is on examining how different political systems (e.g., democratic or authoritarian) operate. The major forms of government in the world are compared.

GVPT 282 The Government and Politics of the Third World (3)

A study of how the internal politics of Third World nations develop. The governmental institutions, processes, and problems of the Third World are evaluated in light of the socioeconomic environments that are common to most of the states of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

GVPT 306 Global Political Economy (3)

A study of the relationship between political and economic processes in international affairs. Discussion covers the effect of globalization on the global environment, the economy, world peace, the power of the nation-state, and inequality between nation-states.

GVPT 308 Human Rights in the World (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A study of the principles and practices governing human rights from the beginning of mankind to the modern international conventions and U.N. declarations. The present international and national push for human rights and emancipation is analyzed and discussed. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GVPT 308 and GVPT 399Y.

GVPT 399L Japanese Politics in the Modern World (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A study of key features of the Japanese political system, focusing on political institutions and processes. Themes include party politics, bureaucratic power, the role of the Diet, the state’s role in the economy, and the domestic politics of foreign policy.

GVPT 400 Business and Politics (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A study of the inner workings of key political, social, and economic institutions in American society and their effect on individuals, business, and government. Topics include central issues facing contemporary society; the powers of government and business; government regulations affecting business, the consumer, the workplace, and the environment; and business and government in the world economy.

GVPT 401 Problems of World Politics (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. An examination of the changing face of international affairs in a post–Cold War world and the role of the United States in the evolving international order. Focus is on the roles of key international institutions, states, nonstate actors, and globalization in the evolution of global relations since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Discussion also covers various influences on contemporary affairs, including migration, disease, economic development, and terrorism.

GVPT 402 International Law (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. An in-depth study of international law and how it relates to issues as diverse as putting food on the table to the prosecution of war criminals. Emphasis is on recent and contemporary trends in the field. The relationship of law to other aspects of international affairs is analyzed as well.

GVPT 403 Law, Morality, and War (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. An exploration of the complex theoretical and practical connections between the existence of law, the conduct of war, and the status of morality regarding the violence of war in international relations and politics. Discussion covers the legal and moral problems posed by contemporary warfare: the meaning of constitutional and international law in the context of the resolution of disputes, the failure of law in mediating conflict, the necessity of military intervention to ameliorate or end conflicts, and the tension between those who would punish war crimes and those who hope to reconcile adversaries.

GVPT 404 Democratization (3)

Prerequisite: GVPT 100 or GVPT 170. An examination of the process and prospects of democratization. Topics include concepts of democracy and how they have changed over time, as well as the conditions under which democracy historically has developed and thrived. Focus is on the process of global democratization, with special attention to gains and failures in the past three decades.

GVPT 405 Defense Policy and Arms Control (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A survey of contemporary issues of military strategy and international security. The processes of formulating defense-related political and economic policy are examined. Topics include nuclear war and conventional (limited) warfare, insurgency by guerrillas, arms control and disarmament, and the possibilities for moderation of war.

GVPT 406 Global Terrorism (3)

(Formerly GVPT 401A.) An examination of the development of global terrorism and its impact on modern civilization, particularly the threat of terrorism upon the international community since the attacks of September 11, 2001. Topics include the definition of terrorism; the historical antecedents of modern terrorism; the motivations, organizations, and support networks of terrorists; and the linkages of state terrorism to global terrorism. Survey covers Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GVPT 401A or GVPT 406.

GVPT 407 State Terrorism (3)

(Formerly GVPT 401B and GVPT 401C. Not open to students who have completed GVPT 401B or GVPT 401C.) An examination of the use of terror and political violence by governments, against their own citizenry or against other nations, in the furtherance of national goals. Focus is on regimes that employ terrorism as a means of governance. Topics include the historical antecedents of modern state terrorism beginning with the Reign of Terror; the political climate conducive to state terrorism; the institutionalization of state terror; and the role of rituals, propaganda, and show trials in state terrorism. Survey covers Europe, the Far East, Latin America, and the Middle East.

GVPT 408 Counterterrorism (3)

(Formerly GVPT 399H.) An examination of the prevention, detection, handling, and investigation of terrorist attacks. Focus is on the interlocking nature of effective security procedures and investigative techniques and methodologies used before, during, and after real or abortive terrorist incidents. Topics include the role of the media, both in covering and in investigating terrorist events, and the emerging constitutional and sociopolitical dilemmas for democracies, such as the threats to privacy and individual rights posed by the emergence of highly sophisticated terrorist tactics. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GVPT 399H or GVPT 408.

GVPT 409 Terrorism, Antiterrorism, and Homeland Security (3)

(Formerly GVPT 498X.) An examination of the impact of terrorism upon the homeland security of the United States, especially since the attacks of September 11, 2001. Topics include the antecedents of modern homeland security, the changing face of terrorism in the United States, the threat of weapons of mass destruction and cyberterrorism, the concept of homeland security within a federal system, the establishment of a federal agency for homeland security, the impact of the National Strategy for Homeland Security upon the federal system, civil liberties and the Patriot Act, intelligence and civil rights, and critical infrastructure protection. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: GVPT 409 or GVPT 498X.

GVPT 411 Public Personnel Administration (3)

A survey of components of public personnel administration. Topics include the development of the merit civil service, the personnel agency, classification, recruitment, examinations and techniques of administering them, promotion, service ratings, training, discipline, employee relations, and retirement.

GVPT 413 Governmental Organization and Management (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A study of the theories of organization and management in U.S. government. Topics include new trends, experiments, and reorganization.

GVPT 414 Administrative Law (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A study of the discretion exercised by administrative agencies. Their functions, their powers over persons and property, their procedures, and judicial sanctions and controls are analyzed.

GVPT 431 Introduction to Constitutional Law (3)

A systematic inquiry into the general principles of the constitutional system, using case studies. Topics include the separation of powers, federal/state relations, and other fundamental features of the American Constitution.

GVPT 433 The Judicial Process (3)

An examination of judicial organization in the United States at all levels of government. Emphasis is on legal reasoning, legal research, and court procedures.

GVPT 434 Race Relations and Public Law (3)

A political and legal examination of rights protected by the Constitution as they affect racial minorities. The constitutional powers of the federal courts, the executive branch, and Congress to define, protect, and extend those rights are probed.

GVPT 436 The Legal Status of Women (3)

An examination of judicial interpretation and applications of common, statutory, and constitutional laws as they affect the status of women in American society.

GVPT 443 Contemporary Political Theory (3)

Prerequisite: GVPT 100. A survey of the principal political theories and ideologies from Karl Marx to the present.

GVPT 444 American Political Theory (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100 or GVPT 170. A study of the development and growth of American political concepts from the colonial period to the present.

GVPT 451 Foreign Policy of Russia and Post-Soviet States (3)

An overview of the foreign policy of Russia and several other former Soviet republics. Emphasis is on the development of contemporary Russian foreign policy. The impact of the Soviet legacy on other post-Soviet republics and the dynamics of their relations with the outside world are examined.

GVPT 457 American Foreign Relations (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A study of the principles and machinery of American foreign relations. Emphasis is on the conduct of the U.S. Department of State and the Foreign Service. Analysis covers the major foreign policies of the United States.

GVPT 460 State and Local Administration (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100 or GVPT 170. A study of the administrative structure, procedures, and policies of state and local governments. Focus is on the state level and on intergovernmental relationships. Illustrations are drawn from Maryland governmental arrangements.

GVPT 473 Legislature and Legislation (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. A comprehensive study of the organization, procedures, and problems involved in legislation. Opportunities for contact with Congress and with the legislature of Maryland are provided.

GVPT 475 The Presidency and the Executive Branch (3)

Recommended: GVPT 100 or GVPT 170. An examination of the various roles of the president in the political process of the United States. The president’s involvement in legislative matters, the president’s function in the executive branch, and the president’s role in his or her political party are assessed.

GVPT 480 Comparative Political Systems (3)

A study of major political institutions—such as legislatures, executives, courts, bureaucracies, public organizations, and political parties—along functional lines.

GVPT 484 Government and Politics of Africa (3)

A comparative study of the governmental systems and political processes of selected countries of Africa. Special emphasis is placed on the problems of postcolonial nation building, political culture, and the nature and role of the military.

GVPT 486A Internship in Government and Politics Through Co-op (3)

Prerequisite: Formal admission to the Co-op program (program requirements are listed on p. 247). Recommended: GVPT 100. An opportunity to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in government and politics. At least 12 hours per week must be devoted to new tasks for a minimum of 180 hours during the Co-op session; four new tasks must be delineated in the Learning Proposal; and the course requirements must be completed. May be repeated upon approval of a new Learning Proposal that demonstrates new tasks and objectives related to government and politics and that continues to advance application of academic theory in the workplace. Students may earn up to 15 credits in all internship coursework through Co-op toward a first bachelor’s degree and up to 9 credits toward a second bachelor’s degree. Co-op credits may not be used for general education requirements and, unless otherwise specified, no more than 6 Co-op credits may be used in the academic major and minor (combined).

GVPT 486B Internship in Government and Politics Through Co-op (6)

Prerequisite: Formal admission to the Co-op program (program requirements are listed on p. 247). Recommended: GVPT 100. An opportunity to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in government and politics. At least 20 hours per week must be devoted to new tasks for a total of 300 hours during the Co-op session; five to eight new tasks must be delineated in the Learning Proposal; and the course requirements must be completed. May be repeated upon approval of a new Learning Proposal that demonstrates new tasks and objectives related to government and politics and that continues to advance application of academic theory in the workplace. Students may earn up to 15 credits in all internship coursework through Co-op toward a first bachelor’s degree and up to 9 credits toward a second bachelor’s degree. Co-op credits may not be used for general education requirements and, unless otherwise specified, no more than 6 Co-op credits may be used in the academic major and minor (combined).

GVPT 487 Government and Politics of Southwest Asia (3)

A comparative examination of the politics of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—three nations that share a common history but emerged from independence movements to develop differently. Discussion addresses religious conflicts; colonial experiences; nationalist ideologies; and the consequences of economic, political, and cultural globalization.

GVPT 498 Advanced Topics in Government and Politics (1-3)

Recommended: GVPT 100. In-depth study of topics of specialized interest.