Courses

    Emphasizes interrelations among levels and branches of government, formal and informal institutions, processes, and behavior. Approved for GT-SS1. Meets MAPS requirement for social science: general or U.S. history. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies or United States context.

    Studies main political philosophies and political issues of Western culture, from antiquity to 20th century. Approved for GT-SS1. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: ideals and values.

    Most countries confront a variety of common political problems, including how to gain popular support, what kinds of political institutions are most appropriate, and how to distribute burdens and benefits to different segments of the population. Concentrates on learning how to compare different political systems and provides illustrative examples from several countries in both the industrialized and nonindustrialized world. Approved for GT-SS1. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

    Offers subjects not covered by existing courses. Offered when department approves a special topic. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics.

    Introduces quantitative research methods used in political science. Focuses on basic tools of analysis: data collection, processing, and evaluation, with special attention to survey techniques. Includes elite and case study analysis; aggregate, cluster, and content analysis; and the use of computers in political research. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: quantitative reasoning and mathematical skills.

    Studies policymaking processes in American government, factors shaping public decision, and issues and questions relevant to political inquiry.

    Teaches a systematic general framework for the analysis of environmental policy issues. Analyzes the interaction of environmental sciences, ethics, and policy across a range of environmental policy problems. Stresses critical thinking and practical applications. Recommended prereq., ENVS 1000.

    Introduces the field of international relations, with general survey of the theories, histories, and problems of historical and contemporary relations among state and nonstate actors. Approved for GT-SS1. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

    Covers basic legal concepts and processes emphasizing the American system. Gives special attention to political functions of law. Recommended as preparation for PSCI 4241 and 4251. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

    Covers constitutional and institutional foundations and historical development of the presidency; roles, powers, selection, recent modifications, and institutionalization. Uses lectures and class discussion. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Introduces students to the subjects, techniques, and findings of Political Science research on campaigns and elections. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of voting, campaign effects, partisan coalitions, electoral rules, campaign finance, and the policy impact of elections. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

    Examines the development of Russian politics from the late Soviet period to the present. Topics covered include political culture, democratic transition, economic reform, and social problems in Russia. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

    Highlights the practice of party politics in the United States, including the nature, structure, organization, and functions of political parties and interest groups. Analyzes interest group politics and political behavior. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Stresses different perspectives on Latin American politics and understanding key political actors and processes. Country focus varies. Prereq., PSCI 2012, IAFS 1000, IAFS major, Latin American studies major, or instructor consent. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Provides intensive examination of the role of Congress in American government, including congressional elections, representation, the organization of Congress, and congressional policy making. Examines larger context of congressional politics, including political parties, the president, and interest groups. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

    Examines measurement of public opinion and evaluation of its impact on governmental policy formation, including survey research techniques. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Examines Latin American politics with particular focus on women's participation in social movements, war, revolution, and elections. Compares women's and men's politics and activism and examines changing gender and sexuality policies, gender relations, and the differential impact of political, economic, and social changes on men and women. Recommended prereq., WMST 2600 or PSCI 3032. Same as WMST 3650. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    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 (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Examines politics in the American states from a comparative and historical perspective. Considers major political actors---interest groups, citizens (direct democracy), and political parties, as well as central institutions, in the state political arena. Also focuses on major state public policy concerns. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Studies and evaluates alternative theoretical frameworks for the analysis of revolution and political violence. Theoretical material is firmly couched in case situations, such as ethnic, class, colonial, urban, racial, and religious conflicts. Prereq., PSCI 1101, 2012, or IAFS 1000. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) 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.

    Examines the structure of political, social, and economic influence in urban areas. Focuses on the relationship of the political system to governmental, social, and economic institutions and the contemporary policy processes in American cities. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Surveys historical and contemporary forces shaping politics in Southeast Asia. Gives special attention to comparative political economy, including development strategies and transitions to democracy. Prereqs., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    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.

    Analyzes post-independence and post-Cold War change in sub-Saharan Africa and provides intensive case studies of selected countries exemplifying each type with South Africa seen as a special case. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Pages