• POLS 3580: Costa Rica

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This is a community engaged learning abroad course (CELA) to explore the power of community engagement in an international context. We will utilize the history, culture, and the civic issues affecting Costa Rica, including sustainability, as a living learning journey. The course is composed of weekly on-campus classes and a one week intensive in-country experience in Costa Rica over spring break in March. This is a collaboration between The Lowell Bennion Community Service Center, Learning Abroad, the Department of Political Science, Undergraduate Studies, and the Monteverde Institute. Central to the course is the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of community-based experiential learning. We will consider and discuss civic leadership, environmental sustainability, community health, and collective impact to better understand people, systems, and places away from home.
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• POLS 3640: Pol of Authoritarianism

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  In the 1990s, autocracy seemed like a thing of the past. The collapse of the USSR alongside the democratization of countries in Western Europe, Latin America, South East Asia and Africa seemed to suggest the world would soon be inhabited by vibrant democracies. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In countries like North Korea, Saudi Arabia, or Cuba democratization did not even start; in countries like Russia, Nicaragua and, more recently, Egypt it was short-lived; countries like Belarus and Mozambique never moved past holding flawed elections; and countries like Hungary and Venezuela'thought to be solid democracies' have turned into dictatorships. What explains the stubborn persistence of authoritarianism across the world? In this class we will answer that question. Using examples from all over the world, we will discuss what an authoritarian regime is (and what it is not), why and how do authoritarian regimes come about, and how they survive. We will talk about the use of congress, courts, and elections to solidify authoritarian politics as well as the opportunities these provide to oppose them. In that process we will learn about the role of politicians, political parties, public opinion, social movements, and the international community in strengthening or weakening dictatorships.
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• POLS 3660: Pol of Authoritarianism

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  In the 1990s, autocracy seemed like a thing of the past. The collapse of the USSR along side the democratization of countries in Western Europe, Latin America, South East Asia and Africa seemed to suggest the world would soon be inhabited by vibrant democracies. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In countries like North Korea, Saudi Arabia, or Cuba democratization did not even start; in countries like Russia, Nicaragua and, more recently, Egypt it was short-lived; countries like Belarus and Mozambique never moved past holding 'awed elections; and countries like Hungary and Venezuela'thought to be solid democracies'have turned into dictatorships. What explains the stubborn persistence of authoritarianism across the world? In this class we will answer that question. Using examples from all over the world, we will discuss what an authoritarian regime is (and what it is not), why and how do authoritarian regimes come about, and how they survive. We will talk about the use of congress, courts, and elections to solidify authoritarian politics as well as the opportunities these provide to oppose them. In that process we will learn about the role of politicians, political parties, public opinion, social movements, and the international community in strengthening or weakening dictatorships.
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• POLS 3680: Globaliz & World Pol

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This course will use theoretical and empirical study to understand the normative and ethical implications of globalization.
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• POLS 3700: Urban Politics

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This course explores different theories of political power in U.S. cities. It examines the roles of officials (elected and appointed), political parties, neighborhood organizations, elites, interest and ethnic groups, as well as external forces on the city. What is the promise and reality of democracy and freedom in city settings? Does the city negotiate challenges of diversity better than other forms of political community?
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• POLS 3777: Politics and Film

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  The course explores important contemporary political themes through the medium of film. Themes may include the founding of policies, terrorism, race relations, sexual oppression, exploitation in sports, the relationship between war and class, ethics in government, environmental activism, national liberation, patriotism and dissent. The course will explore the nature of film and filmmaking to understand films both in terms of their narrative powers and their capacity to create emotional reactions in their audiences. The course will draw on lesser known independent films as well as those made by major studios and internationally recognized directors. Students will learn how to write critically and creatively about film.
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• POLS 3780: Cuba: Comm & Change

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This is a community engaged learning abroad course (CELA) in which we explore the power of community engagement in an international context. We will utilize the history, culture, and civic issues affecting Cuba as a living learning journey. The course is composed of weekly class meetings, readings, discussions, and a week-long community engagement experience in Havana, Cuba. The course is the result of collaborative efforts between The Lowell Bennion Community Service Center, Learning Abroad, the Departments of Political Science, Public Administration, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Havana, Cuba. Central to Cuba: Complexity, Community & Change is the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of community-based experiential learning. We will consider and discuss civic leadership, community health, systems ecology, and collective impact to better understand how the activities and impacts of traveling and tourism affect quality of life, culture, and community in a historically isolated Latin American country. This course examines the current political, economic, social, and environmental issues in Cuba. Despite the evolving diplomatic relations with the U.S, there remain many misconceptions regarding the internal and external dynamics of Cuba. Through in-class and in-country discussions and activities we will analyze various historical and contemporary perspectives regarding Cuba and the Cuban Revolution.
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• POLS 3827: Lab for Social Change

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This intensive seminar will survey some of the most salient social issues of the day. Students will have the opportunity to learn from top scholars studying these issues and to interact with local community leaders engaged in finding solutions. Students will select a pressing contemporary social issue, provide an independent assessment of that issue, and present ideas for addressing the issue.
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• POLS 3910: Political Forum Series

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  The purpose of the Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum Series is to expose students to important ideas and perspectives from academics, policy makers, diplomats, politicians, public servants, writers, and observers on relevant local, national and international affairs. Students determine which speakers and topics they are interested in and what times are convenient. Students will have the opportunity to explore their own interests and possible career paths through attending lectures, regular reading of major newspapers, reflective writing, and discussion sessions.
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• POLS 3960: Special Topics

  1.00 - 3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  Topic to be specified when course is offered.
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