Wellman Hill Grant Reminders...
As you're preparing for the winter break, we want to remind you that applications for Wellman Hill Summer Internship Grants are due on February 12, 2021. You'll find detailed information and the online application on the program's website.

Wellman Hill Grants are made possible by a generous gift from Elizabeth Hill (B.A., M.A. 1997) to honor her grandfather, Wellman Hill. They are intended to encourage Political Science majors to pursue and accept public service internships. Please note that the program requires that students find their own internships, and some deadlines are fast approaching. The winter break is the perfect time to conduct an internship search. 

For questions about the Wellman Hill program, please don't hesitate to contact Professor Posner.
 

Spring 2021 POSC Classes...
As we are approaching the end of the semester, we wanted to remind you of some of the wonderful classes our Political Science faculty are teaching next semester. Here are a few:
 

POSC 322: Political Movements and Political Participation
Professor Beckwith

Political Movements and Political Participation is concerned with the variety of ways citizens engage in collective activism in the United States and across national boundaries, and with the conditions under which citizens identify common concerns and join together in political movements to bring about change. The course begins with an examination of three general bodies of theory and research on political movements: resource mobilization, political opportunity structures, and cultural framing. We will also investigate frameworks of political participation for understanding the relationships among different expressions of collective activism and representation. In the context of these sometimes competing theories, we will consider 1) the conditions under which political movements are likely to emerge, as well as the circumstances in which collective political action is precluded; 2) how citizens come to recognize collective grievances and shared political identities; 3) the strategies and tactics of organized movements, and their likelihood of political success; and 4) the relationship between political movements, political parties, and the state. Offered as POSC 322 and POSC 422.
 

POSC 328: Topics in Civil Liberties
Professor Tartakoff

Rights of the accused as outlined in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments. Topics covered are (1) arrests, searches, and seizures, (2) the privilege against compelled self-incrimination, (3) the rights to counsel, confrontation, and jury trial, and (4) the prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments. Case-specific approach but presents interplay of history, philosophy, and politics as background of each topic. Offered as POSC 328 and POSC 428.

POSC 373: Politics of the European Union
Professor Posner

The evolution of the European Union ranks among the most significant developments in contemporary European and international history. It is an extraordinary illustration of successful cooperation among sovereign countries and a fascinating laboratory for political scientists and others interested in the building of polities, markets and societies. Yet scholars have disagreed about nearly every important aspect of its origins, nature and implications; and with the United Kingdom's departure (Brexit), the pandemic and its consequences, democratic backsliding (in some member states) and other crises, they are arguing about whether and how the EU can endure recent and future challenges. The seminar's readings, discussions and written assignments will introduce students to the main debates and cover past and ongoing developments. Offered as POSC 373 and POSC 473.
 

POSC 386: Making Public Policy
Professor White

Politics is about who wins, who loses, and why. Policy, by contrast, is often depicted as more "neutral;" policies are the means through which political decisions are carried out. In this class, we examine the notion that policy is the rational, impartial counterpart to the political arena. We will ask: How are public policies made? Why do some issues make it on to the agenda, while others do not? Can we separate facts from values, or are both always contested? We will examine how decision-making in a group introduces distinct challenges for policymaking. The course focuses on widely applicable themes of policymaking, drawing on both domestic and international examples. Offered as POSC 386 and POSC 486.

Next week, we will continue to feature more Spring 2021 classes!