Political Science (POLS)
POLS 1101 American National Government (3 credits)
General Education: American Experience, Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
This class will introduce students to the fundamentals of the American political system. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
POLS 2000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 2030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 2040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 2050 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
General Education: International, Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Basic structures, patterns, and sociocultural environment of foreign political systems; includes case studies of the government and politics in selected countries. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 2080 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3 credits)
This course will introduce students to the practice and diverse products of political philosophy or normative political theory. Unlike theories in other areas of Political Science, which are typically focused on attempts to provide explanations and predictions regarding empirical phenomena, political philosophy is focused more on normative questions regarding how we ought to arrange our political affairs and how we ought to understand key morally laden concepts, such as obligation, rights, justice, and equality.
POLS 2090 Introduction to American Politics and Policy (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to American politics using public policy as a lens. The basic goals of this course are to explain how American political institutions and the electorate shape public policy and vice versa. Students receive training in policy analysis. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 2350 Political Research Methods and Approaches (3 credits)
Introduction to the study of politics, including scope of the discipline, principal fields, and methods of political research and analysis. Discussion of literatures reviews, scientific hypotheses, and research designs. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 2370 Introduction to International Politics (3 credits)
General Education: International, Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Examination of approaches used to study conflict and cooperation among states in the international system. Survey of select issues in international politics (e. g. trade, international law and human rights). Typically Offered: Fall.
POLS 2990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged Graded Pass/Fail.
Prereqs: Permission
POLS 3070 Institutions of the European Union (3 credits)
General Education: International, Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Cross-listed with FLEN 3070
An examination of the history, evolution, policy output of selected issue areas, and current functioning of the European Union. Students receive training in policy analysis. Typically Offered: Fall.
POLS 3310 American Political Parties and Elections (3 credits)
General Education: Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Development and present character of American political parties and of electoral system, functions of parties in periods of relative consensus and of critical choice regarding fundamental principles, party reform, and future prospects for party system.
POLS 3320 American Congress (3 credits)
General Education: Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
This class investigates the roles and functions of Congress in the American political system. Students explore theories of representation, recruitment of legislators, Congressional organization, and legislative power structures. Typically Offered: Spring (Even Years).
POLS 3330 American Political Culture (3 credits)
General Education: American Experience, Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Relation of public opinion and political action and affiliation to broad economic, social, religious, and intellectual developments.
POLS 3360 Political Research Methods and Approaches II (3 credits)
Course covers advanced research design, social science quantitative methods and data collection issues.
Prereqs: POLS 2350
POLS 3380 American Foreign Policy (3 credits)
General Education: International, Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Analysis of how key decision makers, such as the President and Congress, convert inputs from the international, national, and societal systems into foreign policy outputs. Students receive training in policy analysis. Typically Offered: Fall.
POLS 3520 Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (3 credits)
Cross-listed with PHIL 3520
This course will introduce students to the topics and methods of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). The approach will be interdisciplinary, with the aim of investigating and illustrating how and why these three disciplines are indispensable to addressing both the normative and factual issues each poses on its own. The course will cover basic methods in rational choice theory, game theory, social choice theory, and political philosophy to explore problems pertaining to decision-making, coordination, cooperation, and justice. The texts will include both traditional and contemporary writings on these issues.
POLS 3640 Politics of the Environment (3 credits)
Cross-listed with NRS 3640
Political factors that influence formation, implementation, and impact of public policies aimed at protecting the environment.
POLS 3810 European Politics (3 credits)
General Education: International, Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Examination of political processes in European parliamentary systems; topics include parties and elections, coalition formation and dissolution, public policy, and the dynamics of the European Union. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 3840 African Politics (3 credits)
Cross-listed with IS 3840
Exploration of the politics of African countries, beginning with the historical roots of colonialism and decolonization, but concentrating on contemporary issues of state building, war and conflict, development, democratization, and international and regional relations.
POLS 3850 Political Psychology (3 credits)
General Education: International
The main goal of this course is to provide students with a general understanding of the cognitive biases that influence the choices and behavior of individuals in the realm of global politics. Topics include but are not limited to: loss aversion, personality and beliefs, group influence, analogical reasoning, and emotion. Substantive examples will be drawn from research in International Relations and Comparative Politics. As such, the course will cover the psychology of international conflict, civil war, voting behavior, and public opinion. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 4000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 4030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 4040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 4100 Game Theory (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 5100
The study of strategic interaction in which an outcome depends upon an individual's own decision and the choices made by others; introduction to the basic tools of game theory used to conceptualize and model political problems as games, including situations involving conflict, cooperation, contracts between agents and principals, coordination, and bargaining. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 4200 Introduction to Asian Politics (3 credits)
General Education: International
Joint-listed with POLS 5200
This course will offer both a country-based and thematic survey of political systems and issues in Asia. Countries to be covered will include (but not be limited to) China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Pakistan. The course will also cover topics such as democratization, economic development, and the changing Asian security environment. Additional projects and/or assignments required for graduate credit. Recommended Preparation: POLS 2050. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 4230 Politics, Policy and Gender (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 5230
Examination of the gendered social construction of political processes, outputs, and public policy formation on the national and international level. Study of the historical evolution of women’s participation in American politics as well as other countries. Analysis of the politics of gendered representation and political leadership in American politics and elsewhere. Typically Offered: Fall (Even Years).
POLS 4270 Contemporary Political Philosophy (3 credits)
Cross-listed with PHIL 4270
This course will introduce students to major themes and topics in contemporary political philosophy. Students will study several of contemporary political philosophy's most important “-isms,” including liberalism, republicanism, socialism, anarchism, and fascism. Students will then focus on topics of particular importance to contemporary democracy; possible topics include the value of democracy, the nature of justice in democracy, and both the institutional and non-institutional structures that undergird democracy. Typically Offered: Fall (Odd Years).
POLS 4290 Contemporary Political Ethics (3 credits)
Cross-listed with PHIL 4290
Joint-listed with POLS 5290
Current controversies concerning status and substance of ethical claims about deception, violence, coercion, and economic justice in politics and public action. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 4300 Political Participation Internship (1-9 credits, max 9)
Directed student internship as a participant-observer in the political process, work during a campaign with a candidate, party, or interest group. Graded Pass/Fail.
Prereqs: Permission
POLS 4370 American Presidency (3 credits)
Roles, power, and functions of the presidency; relationships with other structures and institutions in the U. S. political system. Discussion of literature reviews, scientific hypotheses, and research designs. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 4390 Public Policy (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 5390
Processes by which domestic policies are formulated and administered; analysis of intentional and unintentional impact of these policies on society. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 4400 (s) International Organizations and International Law (3 credits)
Cross-listed with IS 4400
This course examines the cooperative efforts among states and other international actors, focusing on the creation and evolution of international law and the building of international organizations. It concentrates on the international community’s attempts to cooperate in the areas of peace and security, human rights, global trade, and environmental protection. Students receive training in policy analysis. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 4410 Genes and Justice: Comparative Biotechnology Policy Formation (3 credits)
General Education: International
Cross-listed with PHIL 4410
Joint-listed with POLS 5410
This course introduces students to the basic theoretical, ethical, and practical issues surrounding the rise and regulation of recent biotechnological and biomedical advances, including genetically modified animals and plants in agriculture, stem cell research and cloning in biomedical research, and reprogenetics in medically assisted reproductive technology. Students will learn about theoretical and ethical frameworks to investigate questions of domestic and international policy making and the task of governing modern biosciences, including food safety, fair-trade, consumer well-being, informed choice in medical treatment, conservation, biodiversity, and sustainability. Recommended Preparation: PLSC 2070 or 3 credits of another science course or 3 credits of political science
POLS 4420 Policy in Practice (3 credits)
This course focuses on students developing the practical skills involved in policy analysis: research, effective communications, and decision-making. Various public policy issues will be explored. The course will culminate in students applying their research, analytical, and communication skills to a state or community issue. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 4490 World Politics and War (3 credits)
General Education: International
Joint-listed with POLS 5490
A critical analysis of several competing theories that explain why wars occur; some focus on the attempts to control and eliminate warfare as a tool of international diplomacy.
POLS 4510 Public Administration (3 credits)
Environment of public administration, politics of organizations, public decision-making, public relations, leadership, personnel administration, financial administration, administration ethics; related topics.
POLS 4520 Administrative Law and Regulation (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 5520
Legal and judicial constraints on administration action, rule-making, adjudication, and other modes of administrative action. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 4590 Legislative Internship (1-9 credits, max 9)
Directed internship in a national, state, municipal, or corporate legislative body. Supervised work experience. Report required. Graded Pass/Fail.
Prereqs: Permission
POLS 4620 Natural Resource Policy (3 credits)
Cross-listed with NRS 4620
Joint-listed with NRS 5820, POLS 5620
Political and institutional context for making natural resource policy; emphasis on interaction between private and public sectors and the federal, state, and tribal governments, including an examination of topical issues in natural resource politics.
POLS 4670 Constitutional Law: Institutional Powers and Constrains (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 5670
This course focuses on institutional powers and constraints. Specifically, it examines the constitutional provisions defining the structure, function, and operation of the federal government and the role of the United States Supreme Court in interpreting them. This course analyzes the Supreme Court as a policy-making institution and critically assesses key constitutional principles. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 4680 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (3 credits)
General Education: American Experience
Joint-listed with POLS 5680
This course studies individual rights in constitutional law, including the Bill of Rights and related Amendments expanding and protecting key constitutional provisions from impairment by the states. Students will critically analyze Supreme Court decisions and decision-making processes involving core freedoms. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 4710 Federalism in Practice (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 5710
Analysis of fiscal and administrative interdependencies among governmental units in the U. S. , with an emphasis on public policies. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 4720 Local Government Politics and Administration (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 5720
Politics, structure, and problems of American cities and other local governments; focus on the urban political economy, the fiscal and social challenges, and the links between public and private sectors; changing social and political functions of American cities and metropolitan fragmentation. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 4740 Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3 credits)
In this course, students will investigate the factors that influence public opinion and political behavior in the context of American politics. Students will develop basic skills related to data interpretation and the application of empirical findings to real-world political phenomena. Includes discussion of literature reviews, scientific hypotheses, and research designs. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 4800 Politics of Development (3 credits)
Cross-listed with IS 4800
Joint-listed with POLS 5800
Role of the state in development, political economy of change, transition to democracy in the Third World, problems of ethnic conflict, overpopulation, and poverty. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 4810 China's National Security: Challenges and Statecraft (3 credits)
This course examines China's evolving national security interests, the key actors shaping and executing its security policies, and the factors influencing China's strategic behaviors both domestically and internationally. It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and analytical tools needed to assess how the U. S. should approach and respond to China across a range of issue domains, from tech competition to maritime confrontation. Typically Offered: Fall.
POLS 4860 Authoritarian Regimes (3 credits)
This course explores the strategies employed by authoritarian leaders to maintain power, examines whether and how authoritarian leaders behave differently from their democratic counterparts in international conflicts, and analyzes transitions into and out of autocratic systems. Recommended preparation: POLS 2050 or POLS 2370. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 4870 Political Violence and Revolution (3 credits)
General Education: International
Joint-listed with POLS 5870
Survey of the dominant theories attempting to understand the conditions under which humans rebel against their government; from political demonstrations and riots to terrorism to revolution; special emphasis given to the revolutions in Iran and Vietnam. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 4900 Senior Experience (3 credits)
General Education: Capstone Experience
Required of all political science majors; capstone course devoted to mastery of inquiry in political science research; topics will vary.
Prereqs: Senior standing and 24 credits in political science
POLS 4980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 4990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Graded Pass/Fail.
Prereqs: Permission
POLS 5000 Master's Research and Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged Graded Pass/Fail.
POLS 5010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)
Areas normally offered include U. S. politics, U. S. foreign policy, African and Asian politics, community power and politics, U. S. political thought, public law, public administration, and political development. One 2-day field trip is authorized for the seminar in public administration.
Prereqs: Permission
POLS 5020 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 5030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 5040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 5100 Game Theory (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4100
The study of strategic interaction in which an outcome depends upon an individual's own decision and the choices made by others; introduction to the basic tools of game theory used to conceptualize and model political problems as games, including situations involving conflict, cooperation, contracts between agents and principals, coordination, and bargaining. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 5200 Introduction to Asian Politics (3 credits)
General Education: International
Joint-listed with POLS 4200
This course will offer both a country-based and thematic survey of political systems and issues in Asia. Countries to be covered will include (but not be limited to) China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Pakistan. The course will also cover topics such as democratization, economic development, and the changing Asian security environment. Additional projects and/or assignments required for graduate credit. Recommended Preparation: POLS 2050. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 5230 Politics, Policy and Gender (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4230
Examination of the gendered social construction of political processes, outputs, and public policy formation on the national and international level. Study of the historical evolution of women’s participation in American politics as well as other countries. Analysis of the politics of gendered representation and political leadership in American politics and elsewhere. Typically Offered: Fall (Even Years).
POLS 5290 Contemporary Political Ethics (3 credits)
Joint-listed with PHIL 4290, POLS 4290
Current controversies concerning status and substance of ethical claims about deception, violence, coercion, and economic justice in politics and public action. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 5350 Advanced Political Science and Research Methods (3 credits)
Course covers advanced research design, social science quantitative methods and data collection issues.
POLS 5390 Public Policy (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4390
Processes by which domestic policies are formulated and administered; analysis of intentional and unintentional impact of these policies on society. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 5410 Genes and Justice: Comparative Biotechnology Policy Formation (3 credits)
Joint-listed with PHIL 4410, POLS 4410
This course introduces students to the basic theoretical, ethical, and practical issues surrounding the rise and regulation of recent biotechnological and biomedical advances, including genetically modified animals and plants in agriculture, stem cell research and cloning in biomedical research, and reprogenetics in medically assisted reproductive technology. Students will learn about theoretical and ethical frameworks to investigate questions of domestic and international policy making and the task of governing modern biosciences, including food safety, fair-trade, consumer well-being, informed choice in medical treatment, conservation, biodiversity, and sustainability. Recommended Preparation: PLSC 2070 or 3 credits of another science course or 3 credits of political science
POLS 5490 World Politics and War (3 credits)
General Education: International
Joint-listed with POLS 4490
A critical analysis of several competing theories that explain why wars occur; some focus on the attempts to control and eliminate warfare as a tool of international diplomacy.
POLS 5520 Administrative Law and Regulation (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4520
Legal and judicial constraints on administration action, rule-making, adjudication, and other modes of administrative action. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 5550 Public Administration Theory (3 credits)
Major writers in public administration theory and concepts such as leadership, supervision, authority, decision-making, and human relations.
POLS 5560 Governmental Policy and Program Analysis (3 credits)
Techniques used to analyze policy alternatives and to evaluate program; developing program objectives, management by objectives, productivity analysis, program evaluation, and policy analysis.
POLS 5570 Governmental Budgeting (3 credits)
Theory and practice of budgeting in a political environment; focus on potentials and limitations of various budgeting systems, particular viz the federal experience.
POLS 5580 Research Methods for Local Government and Community Administration (3 credits)
This course will provide research tools to students interested in local and community administration. Topics will include research design, inferential statistics, regression analysis, binary dependent variable modeling with application to policy analysis and performance measurement, and program evaluation.
Prereqs: STAT 2510
POLS 5590 Field Based Research (3 credits)
This course gives in-service MPA graduate students the opportunity to conduct applied research under faculty supervision. Research projects will be selected according to the needs of the agency, student interest, and with faculty approval.
POLS 5620 Natural Resource Policy (3 credits)
Cross-listed with NRS 5820
Joint-listed with NRS 4620, POLS 4620
Political and institutional context for making natural resource policy; emphasis on interaction between private and public sectors and the federal, state, and tribal governments, including an examination of topical issues in natural resource politics.
POLS 5650 Local Government Law (3 credits)
The course examines the major legal issues involving local government, including tax and spending, public employment contracts, delivery of services and tort liability. Also covered are the relationship problems such as inter-local conflicts and the manner in which state governments and the federal government impact local government. This course also will provide practical instruction on the functions and procedures of municipal governing bodies, municipal courts, and planning and zoning boards.
POLS 5660 Local Economic Development (3 credits)
Local economic development (LED) is an essential dimension of communities’ wellbeing. This course focuses on local economic development theories, analytical tools, and strategies and their application including analysis of local economy and formulation of local economic development plan. It prepares students interested in a career position in local economic development or in local government and nonprofit fields in general.
Prereqs: Graduate standing
POLS 5670 Constitutional Law: Institutional Powers and Constraints (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4670
This course focuses on institutional powers and constraints. Specifically, it examines the constitutional provisions defining the structure, function, and operation of the federal government and the role of the United States Supreme Court in interpreting them. This course analyzes the Supreme Court as a policy-making institution and critically assesses key constitutional principles. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Varies.
POLS 5680 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4680
This course studies individual rights in constitutional law, including the Bill of Rights and related Amendments expanding and protecting key constitutional provisions from impairment by the states. Students will critically analyze Supreme Court decisions and decision-making processes involving core freedoms. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 5700 Public Sector Contract Management (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the practices that are employed to solicit and manage government contracts, the importance of successfully managing contractual relationships with vendors, and about contract dispute resolution. It also contains a general introduction to contract law. Typically Offered: N/A.
POLS 5710 Federalism in Practice (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4710
Analysis of fiscal and administrative interdependencies among governmental units in the U. S. , with an emphasis on public policies. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 5720 Local Government Politics and Administration (3 credits)
Joint-listed with POLS 4720
Politics, structure, and problems of American cities and other local governments; focus on the urban political economy, the fiscal and social challenges, and the links between public and private sectors; changing social and political functions of American cities and metropolitan fragmentation. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.
POLS 5750 Public Personnel Administration (3 credits)
Personnel administration in public agencies; history of the personnel and merit systems; recruitment; selection, training, and evaluation of administrators; collective bargaining and political activity in public service; personnel administration and democracy.
POLS 5800 Politics of Development (3 credits)
Joint-listed with IS 4800, POLS 4800
Role of the state in development, political economy of change, transition to democracy in the Third World, problems of ethnic conflict, overpopulation, and poverty. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 5870 Political Violence and Revolution (3 credits)
General Education: International
Joint-listed with POLS 4870
Survey of the dominant theories attempting to understand the conditions under which humans rebel against their government; from political demonstrations and riots to terrorism to revolution; special emphasis given to the revolutions in Iran and Vietnam. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Typically Offered: Spring.
POLS 5980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 5990 (s) Research (1-16 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged
POLS 6000 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (1-45 credits, max 99)
Credit arranged. Graded Pass/Fail.