Course Description: A comprehensive introduction to the American political system. Political foundations, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federal Constitution period; Federalist, pluralist, and Democratic foundations of the American political style, political parties, the electoral system; pressure groups and public opinion; the Congress and the legislative-representative function; the contemporary presidency and the executive branch; the Supreme Court and judicial politics. The course also examines the policymaking process generally with reference to current political and governmental issues both throughout and at the conclusion of the course.
Course Delivery- Hybrid: As stated in the syllabus "In accordance with recommended social distancing practices on campus, this course will be taught in a hybrid format- online lectures and in-person meetings. Between August 21 and September 18, I will hold class online via Zoom. My Personal Meeting ID is 727-578-5459 and Passcode is 581522. The “waiting room” will open ~10 minutes before our scheduled start time. These class meetings will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Between September 21 and November 20th, I will teach class in person, in our assigned room (University Hall 220) every Wednesday while our Monday and Friday sessions will be held online. Wednesdays’ in-person sessions will be livestreamed via Zoom and archived on Blackboard. Lastly, from November 23 – December 4, we will return to the online-only format. Technology permitting, remote students will be able to engage with their in-person classmates if/when they are unable to come to the in-person class. Please note, the hybrid format is subject to infection rates in the Columbus and Delaware areas as well as OWU’s ability to respond and contain Covid-19 cases on campus. I reserve the right to make changes to the hybrid format. You will be notified of any changes to class sessions 12-36 hours in advance of said change."
Course Description: A comprehensive introduction to the American political system. Political foundations, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federal Constitution period; Federalist, pluralist, and Democratic foundations of the American political style, political parties, the electoral system; pressure groups and public opinion; the Congress and the legislative-representative function; the contemporary presidency and the executive branch; the Supreme Court and judicial politics. The course also examines the policymaking process generally with reference to current political and governmental issues both throughout and at the conclusion of the course. Honors.
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: Students in Global Issues will examine the evolving dynamics of the international system at an introductory level. This discussion focuses on facilitating international governance and cooperation relative to major contemporary international issues. The class examines the positive effects and challenges posed by the new distribution of power in the international system. Finally, we consider the quest for international peace and security. We will use these three major issue areas to introduce some of the critical issues facing a new generation of political science and global civic engagement. F., S.
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: A general comparative overview of the world's political systems. This overview consists of two parts. First, students will assess how countries differ in terms of their political systems, governmental structures, patterns of political behavior, political culture, and patterns of political change. Second, the class will examine attempts to conceptualize and explain such differences. Rather than proceeding country-by-country, this course is organized around topics that are central to the field of comparative politics. However, students will gain some country-specific knowledge. Diversity.
Course Delivery- Hybrid: I plan to meet in the classroom (or possibly outside when possible) at the scheduled times. There will be some lecture and discussion of class materials (pretty similar to normal). However, I will post my lecture PowerPoints on Blackboard before class, and I plan to have a Bb discussion board for each class day. For most, if not all class days, all students will write a short response on the materials for that topic. We will discuss this further in class, and those who can't come to class will, instead, carry on the discussion on the message boards. I also plan to have a synchronous Zoom meeting once a week with students who cannot make it to class.
Course Description: The rise of China on a global scene is arguably one of the most significant current issues in the study of international relations and many experts believe U.S.-China relations have shaped and will continue to shape the architecture of the 21st century world. The first part of the course covers the historical and theoretical lessons of the rise and fall of great powers and applies them to the rise of China. It explores major factors and variables that drive the rise of a new great power and why a rising power challenges (or does not challenge) the existing international order under what conditions. And then it examines main driving forces behind the rise of China and whether China will challenge the existing international order from historical and theoretical perspectives. The second part examines U.S.-China relations and various issues between the two great powers. It briefly explores the history of U.S.-China relations and then discusses major current issues between the two powers including trade conflicts, the South China Sea dispute, the Taiwan issue, North Korea's nuclear crisis, human rights, energy, climate change, and military competition or arms race.
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: An examination of the pursuit of political equality in the United States. The course focuses primarily upon the post- 1945 experiences of several groups: women, African Americans, Hispanics and, more recently, to a lesser extent upon the efforts by gays and lesbians, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. A thorough examination is undertaken of (a) the place of equality in the U.S. political ideology and beliefs; and (b) the various strategic environments and the choices made by these groups and their elites to obtain their respective objectives.
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: An overview of the political science discipline focusing on definitions of the discipline, epistemologies of the discipline, the function of concepts and concept-building, modes of advancing and verifying theoretical propositions, and techniques used to provide data out of which theoretical propositions are constructed. Through these foci, a series of themes emerges: the interrelationship between subject matter and method, the consequently changing character of the discipline, the scientific aspects of political science, the role of creativity in advancement of the discipline, and the essential task of theory-building.
Course Delivery- Hybrid: As stated in the syllabus - "In accordance with recommended social distancing practices on campus, this course will be taught in a hybrid format- online lectures and in-person meetings. Between August 21 and September 18, I will hold class online via Zoom. My Personal Meeting ID is 727-578-5459 and Passcode is 581522. The “waiting room” will open ~10 minutes before our scheduled start time. These class meetings will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Between September 21 and November 20th, I will teach class in person, in our assigned room (Elliott Hall 205) every Wednesday while our Monday and Friday sessions will be held online. Wednesdays’ in-person sessions will be livestreamed via Zoom and archived on Blackboard. Lastly, from November 23 – December 4, we will return to the online-only format. Technology permitting, remote students will be able to engage with their in-person classmates if/when they are unable to come to the in-person class. Please note, the hybrid format is subject to infection rates in the Columbus and Delaware areas as well as OWU’s ability to respond and contain Covid-19 cases on campus. I reserve the right to make changes to the hybrid format. You will be notified of any changes to class sessions 12-36 hours in advance of said change. My office hours (Tuesdays 12:30-3pm and by appointment) are also subject to the hybrid nature of the courses this semester. This means I will hold remote office hours between 8/21 and 9/18; in-person office hours (with remote accommodations) 9/21-11/20; and return to remote office hours 11/23-12/4. I will use Zoom for remote office hours as well. More details about scheduling remote appointments will come later."
Course Description: This course focuses upon environmental policies. It concentrates upon the interrelated matters of how environmental matters become, and are shaped as, political issues, the extent to which they do so, how environmental issues become a part of the political agenda, the political economy cleavage lines associated with environmental political issues, the institutional factors involved in making environmental policies, and the nature of the feedback process across time in environmental politics. While the majority of attention is on environmental politics and policies in the context of U.S. politics, selected examination will cover international and comparative materials.
Course Delivery- Fully Remote: Students will engage in some of the most critical and challenging issues confronting our planet and our country regarding the environment, especially how that has been impacted by the COVID crisis. Lectures will be delivered online, with direct interaction from students on viewing with the professor. We will have occasional open live sessions fro discussion. Also, Professor Kay will be on campus and will be meeting individually with each individual student outdoors to review their goals, work and successes.
Course Description: This course will examine the variety of contentious actions that people participate in, ranging from peaceful protests to revolutions and other major episodes of political violence. Geographically, we will consider protest and political violence ranging from Latin America and other developing regions to post-industrial democracies such as the United States. We will also address three important analytical issues. First, we will analyze why people take the often risky step of opposing authority, and why people in other situations fail to resist. Second, we will examine why some movements and challenges are successful while others fail. Finally, we will address the government's responses to such challenges. (Group I) (Diversity)
Course Delivery- Hybrid: I plan to meet in the classroom (or possibly outside when possible) at the scheduled times. There will be some lecture and discussion of class materials (pretty similar to normal). However, I will post my lecture PowerPoints on Blackboard before class, and I plan to have a Bb discussion board for each class day. For most, if not all class days, all students will write a short response on the materials for that topic. We will discuss this further in class, and those who can't come to class will, instead, carry on the discussion on the message boards. I also plan to have a synchronous Zoom meeting once a week with students who cannot make it to class.
Course Description: This course examines the political systems, social groupings and economic development of Latin America. It will examine the numerous differences in the countries of the region, while keeping in focus the common characteristics that unite them. The class will discuss who the important political actors are and the various "rules of the game" for governing. The class will also discuss the role of the military in politics, political instability and revolution, competing approaches to economic development, the wave of democratization that has swept the region, and the characteristics and prospects of these emerging in democracies. Students will have the opportunity to become knowledgeable about particular countries in Latin America, while also gaining a broader perspective of common problems and issues facing the region. R-option.
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: An analysis of law and courts. Basic types, functions and determinants of law as well as major issues in jurisprudence. Organization and basic functions of American courts and theories of judicial decision making. The role of trial courts in criminal and civil procedures and the role of appellate courts in overseeing the activities of trial courts. The impact and role of courts in American politics. Particular focus on the roles of judges, attorneys, prosecutors, juries, police and interest groups in the judicial process. Prerequisite: none. F.
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: The relationship between public policymaking and the American federal system is explored from many vantage points. Emphasis is placed on the roles of local, state, and federal agencies in the operation of complex government programs in such policy areas as the environment, transportation, health care, social welfare, and education. The course also includes an examination of the major state and local government institutions (e.g., legislatures, governorships, municipalities). The political and governmental differences between inner cities, suburbia, and rural areas are frequently examined. Group I
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: This course examines voting behavior, campaigns, and elections within the context of democratic politics. In a democracy, the consent of the governed is fundamental. Candidates for public office make their case to the people during the campaign season, and the people then vote their preferences on Election Day. Thus, voting, campaigns, and elections are inherently linked as the means through which the consent of the governed is achieved. In this course, we will explore the various factors that influence the electoral process. This includes the study of campaigns (presidential and congressional), candidate strategy and behavior, campaign advertising, and campaign finance. We will also address voter choice, including ideology and partisanship, as well as influences on political participation. Attention will also be given to recent developments in the current political environment. Fall Group I Writing Option
Course Delivery- Hybrid: As stated in the syllabus - In accordance with recommended social distancing practices on campus, this course will be taught in a hybrid format- online lectures and in-person meetings. Between August 20 and September 18, I will hold class online via Zoom. My Personal Meeting ID is 727-578-5459 and Passcode is 581522. The “waiting room” will open ~10 minutes before our scheduled start time. These class meetings will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Between September 21 and November 20th, I will teach class in person, in our assigned room (University Hall 220) every Tuesday while our Thursday sessions will be held online. Tuesdays’ in-person sessions will be livestreamed via Zoom and archived on Blackboard. Lastly, from November 23 – December 4, we will return to the online-only format. Technology permitting, remote students will be able to engage with their in-person classmates if/when they are unable to come to the in-person class. Please note, the hybrid format is subject to infection rates in the Columbus and Delaware areas as well as OWU’s ability to respond and contain Covid-19 cases on campus. I reserve the right to make changes to the hybrid format. You will be notified of any changes to class sessions 12-36 hours in advance of said change.My office hours (Tuesdays 12:30-3pm and by appointment) are also subject to the hybrid nature of the courses this semester. This means I will hold remote office hours between 8/21 and 9/18; in-person office hours (with remote accommodations) 9/21-11/20; and return to remote office hours 11/23-12/4. I will use Zoom for remote office hours as well. More details about scheduling remote appointments will come later. Both in-person classes and in-person office meetings will adhere to the WE ARE OWU mnemonic – Wear your face covering. Evaluate your health daily. | Avoid unnecessary travel. Remain six feet apart. Engage your peers in protecting our community. | Observe group sizes of (25) or fewer. Wash your hands frequently. Use Kindness.
Course Description: International politics from the point of view of the international system and the nation-state. Topics include introduction to the major theoretical concepts of international relations, security studies, international political economy, and contemporary global politics. Consideration is given to both the history of international politics and using theoretical concepts to assess current and future global trends. Fall Group I Writing Option
Course Delivery: Fully Remote
Course Description: An overview of the domestic and international sources of American foreign policy. This course provides a detailed overview of the historical legacy of previous international experiences that shape contemporary foreign policy decision-making. Detailed study is given to the political and constitutional setting of foreign policymaking in Washington D.C., the bureaucratic role of institutions like the Department of State and Department of Defense, and the range of policy options available to decision-makers. Students examine the range of long-term strategic choices available to the United States as it continues to struggle with its post-Cold War grand strategy. (Group I)
Course Delivery- Fully Remote: Students will engage in some of most critical and challenging issues confronting our nation, especially in this election season and the global challenges of COVID. Lectures will be delivered online, with direct interaction from students on viewing with the professor. We will have occasional open live sessions for discussion. Also, Professor Kay will be on campus and will be meeting individually with each individual student outdoors to review their goals, work, and successes.
Course Description: This course examines the sources and nature of American political thought, tracing its origins to the religious traditions of early settlers, as well as classical liberal and republican theory. Emphasis is on the character of American ideology and democracy, the relationship between religion and politics, as well as contemporary critiques of the American political system.
Course Delivery: