POLI 1042 Introduction to Modern Politics

For majors only. Restricted to freshmen and sophomores only.. This course examines the politics and government of modern states, identifying what is distinctively modern (e.g., representative government, political parties), including in the survey both democratic and non-democratic nations. We will consider the nation-state itself--the most typical modern political arrangement--as well as efforts to "transcend" the nation (e.g., the European Union, the United Nations). We will examine the kinds of public policies that modern states adapt, and consider their consequences. Although this is not a class in international politics, some attention will be paid to the relations among modern states, including war and its causes.

Course overview

Department
Political Science
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Every Fall,Every Spring

Catalog details

Satisfies core
Social Science

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

  • Islamic Civilization and Societies: Departmental Foundation Courses: Two Courses — Political Science (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Political Science: Introductory Sequence — Second Introductory Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • University Core: Social Science (All undergraduates)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Official evaluation summary

4.21 / 5

Based on 472 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • David M DiPasquale
    Fall 2026, Spring 2026, Fall 2025, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 4.74/5
  • Alice Behnegar
    Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 · Official rating 3.89/5
  • Candace Hetzner
    Fall 2024 · Official rating 4.43/5
  • Dennis Hale
    Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 · Official rating 4.05/5
  • Kathleen Bailey
    Spring 2026, Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 · Official rating 4.41/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · David M DiPasquale · O'Neill Library 247 TuTh 10:30AM-11:45AM · Offered