Courses

Studies main political philosophies and political issues of Western culture, from antiquity to 20th century. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.

Highlights the development of American political theories and ideas from colonial period to present. Can also be taken for American field credit. Recommended prereq., PSCI 2004. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context or ideals and values. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Examines environmental discourses as conceptual means for theorizing environmental politics, and applies normative political theories to contemporary environmental policy issues. Considers the roles of political actors (individuals, groups, the state) in defining and addressing environmental problems on local, national, and global levels. Recommended prereq., PSCI 2004. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.

Studies theories and problems related to citizenship in the US and the EU. This includes rights and restrictions of citizenship, issues of immigration, multicultural citizenship, globalization and citizenship. In the EU the relation between member nation citizenship and EU citizenship is a special problem. Examines how the US and EU compare. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

Examines the justification and limits for moral, political, and religious pluralism. The students will be trained in the practice of dialogue. They will research the historical context of a subject that would be appropriate for a dialogue and interview members of the community who have different perspectives on the subject. Restricted to students with minimum 26 hours completed.

Intensively analyzes and discusses major theories and issues of both contemporary political thought and the history of political philosophy. The topic is announced by the instructor, but might include analysis of concepts (justice, human rights, democracy, etc.) or major theories. Emphasizes advanced discussion plus individual research. Prereq., PSCI 2004.

Examines contemporary arguments for and against liberalism. Focuses on the analysis, evaluation, and understanding of the philosophical contributions tothis debate. Gives special attention to the concepts of justice, freedom, equality, and individualism. Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior). Prereq., PSCI 2004. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior).

Broadly examines political topics as they are presented in important literary works and analyzes the possibilities involved in using the literary mode to present political teachings. Prereq., PSCI 2004. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomore, Junior or Senior) only.

Examines in depth various philosophical and legal justifications of First Amendment rights of speech, press, association, and religion. Assesses these justifications in relation to broader normative theories of liberal democracy. Prereq., PSCI 2004. Recommended prereq., PSCI 2481. Restricted to juniors/seniors. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior).

Subjects and arrangements suit individual student needs. Independent study is for upper-division students who have completed 9 credit hours of political science and who have an overall GPA of at least 3.00. Not more than 6 credit hours of independent study may be credited toward the minimum requirements in the political science major. Special independent study approval agreement form must be obtained from the department. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prereq., PSCI 2004.

Independent research in a topic of special interest. Arrangements made to suit needs of each student. Not a free option; must be approved by student's advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. Maybe repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8904.

May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Allows for intensive research in and presentation of selected topics. Introduces students to the broad context within which political ideas arise. Deals with classical and modern thought. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Familiarizes students with selected political philosophies or theories in classical or modern political thought. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

Provides an opportunity for independent research in a topic of special interest. Arrangements are made to suit the needs of each particular student. Not a free option; must be approved by student's advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 6904.

All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section.