POLS – Political Science
Courses Offered
Lower Division
POLS 101 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (3-0-3)(F/S)(DLS). Institutions and processes of the American political system, emphasizing social, ideological, and constitutional background.
POLS 102 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (3-0-3)(F/S). Institutions and processes of state and local government, with emphasis on the changing nature of federalism, the role of political participation, and the variation among the state polities and subnational political economies. Will no longer be offered after spring 2015.
POLS 141 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES (3-0-3)(F/S). Analysis of the main ideas shaping the politics of the modern world (e.g., liberty, equality, democracy, justice, culture) through the perspectives of different authors and schools of thought. Will no longer be offered after spring 2015.
POLS 200 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S)(CID). Students will confront the key texts in the broad subfields of the political science discipline and react to the key debates addressed in those texts and propose solutions to the issues that are traditional to political analysis.
POLS 231 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3-0-3)(F/S). Nature of relations among nations with particular reference to contemporary international issues. Analysis of the causes of war and efforts to promote peace. Study of national sovereignty and its relation to international cooperation. Will no longer be offered after spring 2015.
POLS 298 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL INQUIRY (3-0-3)(F,S). Techniques of political science inquiry, behavioral and attitudinal, using data analysis and introductory statistics.
Upper Division
POLS 300 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS. (3-0-3 )(F/S). Introduction to institutions, political culture, and political processes throughout the American regime. PREREQ: POLS 200 or PERM/INST.
POLS 305 INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S). Introduction to the cross-national analysis of the structure and functioning of various types of political systems, with special emphasis on the problem of political change. PREREQ: POLS 200 or PERM/INST.
POLS 306 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3-0-3)(F/S). Nature of relations among nations with particular reference to contemporary international issues. Analysis of the causes of war and efforts to promote peace. Study of national sovereignty and its relation to international cooperation. PREREQ: POLS 200 or PERM/INST.
POLS 315 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THOUGHT. (3-0-3)(F/S). Introduction to the issues that define political thought, such as human nature, the best way of life, and the character of government institutions. PREREQ: POLS 200 or PERM/INST.
POLS 398 ADVANCED POLITICAL SCIENCE METHODS (3-0-3)(F,S). Examination of the discipline of political science, its central problems and unifying concerns using advanced research methods and computer applications. PREREQ: POLS 298 or PERM/INST.
POLS 401 POLITICAL PARTIES, PUBLIC OPINION, AND INTEREST GROUPS (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines the functions and importance of political parties, public opinion, and interest groups within the American political system. Considers the organization and activities of political parties and interest groups. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 402 CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines the nature of electoral campaigns in the United States, including candidacy, the role of the media, how to run a campaign at the local level, and campaign finance issues. Also investigates the American electoral structure and voting behavior of the American electorate. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 403 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Theory, administrative organization, functions, and problems of governmental units. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 404 URBAN POLITICS (3-0-3)(S). An inquiry into different urban political systems and issues. Included are investigations into different governing arrangements in urban jurisdictions, including variations in electoral structures, types of governing bodies, and different government structures. Also included is an analysis of the role of political parties and interest groups, as well as urban issues such as transportation, waste disposal, service delivery, and financing. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 405 AMERICAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE (3-0-3)(F/S). Consideration of the importance and involvement of the President in the political and policy-making processes and powers of the Presidency. Presidential campaigns and elections. The role of the President as policy-maker and administrator. The effect of the personality of a President on performance in office. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 406 LEGISLATIVE BEHAVIOR (3-0-3)(F/S). Analysis of behavior of American state and national legislatures. Special consideration given to impact of constituencies, parties, interest groups, interpersonal relations, and other factors on legislators, and the role of the legislature in the American political system. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 407 AMERICAN POLICY PROCESS (3-0-3)(F/S). The process through which policy is determined, implemented, and adjusted, with emphasis on the role of administrators. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 408 AMERICAN POLITICAL ECONOMY (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Focuses on the interface between American politics and economics. Topics include: theories of the capitalist state and society, and different interpretations of American political economy through competing theoretical approaches. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 409 ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S). This course explores the political context of natural resource and environmental issues and examines how various aspects of the political process influence natural resource and environmental policy outcomes. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315 or PERM/INST.
POLS 410 (ECON 310) PUBLIC FINANCE (3-0-3)(S). A study of the role and impact of government on the functioning of the free enterprise economic system. The theory and rationale of government spending, taxing, and indebtedness will be examined, as well as the effects of government activity on allocation of resources and distribution of income. Attention will be paid to state and local problems. May be taken for either ECON or POLS credit, but not both. PREREQ: Admission to COBE or B.A. Economics major or B.A. Economics, Social Studies, Secondary Education Emphasis major or Economics, Social Science, Secondary Education Minor or Health Science Studies major, ECON 201 and ECON 202 or PERM/INST.
POLS 411 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS (3-0-3)(F/S). Interunit cooperation and conflict in the American federal system, including state-local relationships and metropolitan dispersion and integration. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 412 ETHICS IN PUBLIC POLICY (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines perspectives in moral philosophy used to assess the ethics of public policy decisions and implementation. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 413 (SOC 487) ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY AND BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURE (3-0-3)(F/S). Sociopolitical analysis of theories and concepts of complex social organizations, their application to public administration, and the inter-relationship between political science and sociological organizational theory. May be taken for POLS or SOC credit, but not for both. May be taken for POLS or SOC credit, but not for both. PREREQ: senior standing, PERM/INST.
POLS 414 COMPARATIVE STATE POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S). A comparative analysis of U.S. state political systems, with emphasis on the variation among the states within the context of a federal political system. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315 or PERM/INST.
POLS 420 COMPARATIVE FOREIGN POLICY (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Examination of foreign policies and objectives of world’s major powers, analysis of contemporary international problems, and consideration of theories of international politics. PREREQ: POLS 305 and 306.
POLS 421 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATION (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). The law of peace, international intercourse, war and threat of war, pacific settlement, and the principles and practice of international law. Historical background of international organizations, including the United Nations. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 422 POLITICS IN RUSSIA AND EASTERN EUROPE (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). A comparative analysis of the political systems of the former Soviet republics and Eastern Europe, with primary emphasis on Russia. Special attention will be given to the collapse of communism, the problem of democratization, and the transition from state to socialism to a market economy. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 423 LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Covers twentieth-century Latin American politics, focusing on regime change, economic development, and political conflict. Particular attention is paid to Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil. The last section of the course focuses on current problems and political dilemmas in the region. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306 or PERM/INST.
POLS 424 CANADIAN POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S). An analysis of the Canadian political system, with emphasis on political culture, governmental institutions and processes, and selected public policy issues. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 300 or POLS 306 or POLS 315 or PERM/INST.
POLS 425 POLITICS IN ASIA (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Political systems of selected nations in Asia. Patterns and problems of political development and modernization in the nations will be analyzed. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306 or PERM/INST.
POLS 426 EUROPEAN POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Political Systems of selected industrialized European nations, including Great Britain, France, the German Federal Republic, and the countries of Scandinavia. Analysis of patterns of political culture, political interests, political power, and selected public policy issues. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 427 POLITICS OF AFRICA (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Political systems of selected nations in Africa. Patterns and problems of political development and modernization in the nations will be analyzed. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 428 SEMINAR IN CONTEMPORARY COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Intensive study of a particular issue or problem in comparative politics. Consult current class schedule for specific selections offered each term. May be repeated. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 429 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Examines the relationship between international politics and international economics across different levels of analysis. Includes a discussion of the contending paradigms of international relations, as well as an analysis of the many relationships between/among different nation-state groupings within the world system. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 430 UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Development of diplomacy from the foundation of the republic to the present, with emphasis on emergence and continuance of United States as a world power; impact of domestic developments on formulation of foreign policies. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 431 SEMINAR IN CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3-0-3)(F/S)(Alternate years). Intensive study of a particular issue or problem in international relations. Consult current class schedule for specific selections offered each term. May be repeated. PREREQ: POLS 305 and POLS 306.
POLS 440 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3-0-3)(F/S). Genesis and development of political thought in the United States from the colonial period to the present. PREREQ: POLS 315 and POLS 300 or POLS 305 or POLS 306.
POLS 441 (PHIL 441) CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT (3-0-3)(F)(Odd years). Development of political philosophy from Socrates to Machiavelli. May be taken for either POLS or PHIL credit, but not both. PREREQ: POLS 315 and POLS 300 or POLS 305 or POLS 306.
POLS 442 (PHIL 442) MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3-0-3)(S)(Even years). Development of political thought since Machiavelli. May be taken for either POLS or PHIL credit, but not both. PREREQ: POLS 315 and POLS 300 or POLS 305 or POLS 306.
POLS 443 (PHIL 443) CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT (3-0-3)(F)(Even years). Major trends in political thought from the post-French Revolutionary era, which may include German idealism, historicism, existentialism, nihilism, and Marxism. May be taken for either POLS or PHIL credit, but not both. PREREQ: POLS 315 and POLS 300 or POLS 305 or POLS 306.
POLS 444 THE IDEAS OF AMERICA (3-0-3)(S)(Odd years). Ideas central to the American identity in comparative historical perspective. Examples include freedom, tolerance, religious liberty, community, and individual rights. PREREQ: POLS 315 and POLS 300 or POLS 305 or POLS 306.
POLS 446 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (3-0-3)(F/S). Examination of the Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, through the case method. Powers and limitations of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches and legal significance of federalism. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 315 or POLS 305 or POLS 306.
POLS 447 CIVIL LIBERTIES (3-0-3)(F/S). Examination of constitutional rights and liberties, as interpreted by U.S. Supreme Court, through the case method. Rights of free speech, press, association, religious exercise, privacy, and protection of civil rights that were denied on basis of race or gender. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 448 WOMEN AND THE LAW (3-0-3)(F/S). Examination of laws and legal issues concerning women, including equality in education and employment, family and privacy issues. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 449 LAW, POLITICS, AND SOCIETY (3-0-3)(F/S). Study of the social and political context of the American judicial system, with an emphasis on legal culture, institutions, and process in the field of civil law. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 305 or POLS 306 or POLS 315.
POLS 450 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (3-0-3)(F/S). Sources of power and duties of administrative agencies, rules and regulations made by agencies through investigation and hearings, judicial decisions and precedents relating to administrative activities. PREREQ: POLS 300 and POLS 403 or POLS 446 or POLS 447.
POLS 493 INTERNSHIP (Variable credit). Upper-division students may arrange through the department for an internship program. The legislative internship is a part of this program and application for it should be made in early October. PREREQ: Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher and upper-division standing and PERM/INST.
POLS 499 CAPSTONE RESEARCH SEMINAR (3-0-3)(F/S)(FF). Finishing foundation course that will focus on producing a final research project in each student’s area of choice. Students will develop a research question, collect evidence and data, and write and present a thesis paper. PREREQ: Senior standing in political science major and POLS 298.