The Political Science Department has opened new classes and there is still space available for the Fall semester.  If you are still looking for classes for the Fall check-out:

POLS 399: Latino Political Issues (co-listed as LALS 310: Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies) will meet Tues. & Thurs. from 11:00-12:15.  The class will be taught by Dr. Tricia Gray.

Course Description: By the 2000 Census Latino population growth had exceeded many expectations to become the largest minority group in the US earlier than anticipated.  Kentucky and Louisville are among the top ranked areas in the country for Latino population growth; between 1990-2006 the Latino population in the state increased by 278% increase and by 784% in the metro area. The demographic changes are affecting changes in two essential processes of the US democratic system: elections and policymaking.  This course will explore the development of Latino political power and the impacts on specific policy issues, including domestic issues like social welfare policies and political representation as well as transnational issues such as immigration, the Cuban Embargo and the war on drugs.  The required readings survey academic research on Latino politics, and the class meetings and case study projects consider current events to better understand the existing circumstances and future implications. This course will also incorporate the 2009 Book in Common, The Devil’s Highway, documentary films and several other related events on campus and in the local community.

POLS 552: Global Politics Through Film will meet Mon. 3:00-5:15 and Wed. 4:00-5:00. The course will be taught by Dr. Rodger Payne.

Course Description: What can be learned about global politics by viewing and thinking about narrative films? To answer that question, the class will be viewing feature films on Monday afternoons and then discussing them on Wednesdays. The course focuses on substantive issues more than IR theory -- nuclear deterrence, humanitarian intervention, human rights and human security, gender relations, etc. Students will not take exams, but will write a couple of short analytical or review papers through the term -- culminating in a longer research paper at the end. The instructor provides extensive feedback and typically allows rewrites of papers in classes at the 500 level. All of the paper assignments tie to film texts. No textbooks with substantive international relations content are required, though students will read a short book on writing about film. The class members will read two or three short international relations (IR)-related pieces each week.

For a list of other classes with open seats, please refer to the Class Schedule (http://htmlaccess.louisville.edu/classSchedule/setupSearchClassSchedule.cfm)