Courses

    Closely examines the various understandings of democracy, the arguments for and against democracy, and the progress of and prospects for democratic politics in the United States. Particular attention is paid to economic, social, and political developments in the United States that affect popular sovereignty, political equality, and liberty. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Examines theoretical arguments and case studies of interactions of ideas, interests, and institutions in policymaking. Analyzes processes through which ideas come to the public agenda, how institutional settings shape those ideas, and why some ideas and interests are more successful. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
    Implementation of rights and liberties in America. Examines fundamental issues of free speech, press, association, and religion along with rights to due process and equal protection under the law. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).

    Subjects are chosen and arrangements are made to suit the needs of each student. 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. A special independent study approval agreement form must be obtained from the department. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

    Independent research in a topic of special interest. Arrangements are 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. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8901. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
    Core field seminar for students of American politics. Course work emphasizes the diversity of contemporary research on American political history, political institutions, and political behavior. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Examines in depth the theoretical and empirical literature assessing the political situation and activities of Latinos (Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and others) in the U.S. Stresses original research. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

    Provides an intensive examination of topics in political attitudes and behavior such as political participation, ideology, voting, and elite behavior. Reviews methodology of behavioral research and introduces ICPSR data archive and computer-based research. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

    Comprehensively examines literature and selected research topics concerning the United States Congress. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

    Provides an intensive, critical examination of theoretical and substantive literature dealing with the behavior of the primary actors in the legal system--police, lawyers, judges, and citizens. Emphasizes empirical approach and quantitative methods. Requires research papers. Formerly PSCI 7077. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Examines theoretical and empirical research on American social movements. Emphasizes the role of movements as political actors and their ability to bring about changes in public policy and national political institutions. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

    Intensive examination of the structure and rules of different political institutions in the United States. Explores both the changing approaches to the study of American political institutions as well as many ofthe major research topics on the presidency, Congress, the judiciary, and the bureaucracy. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    Examines the writings of African American political leaders, public policy critics, and politicians who have influenced black politics and society since 1900. Explores the ideas and leadership of W.E.B. Dubois, E. Franklin Frazier, Martin Luther King Jr., and others. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

    Provides a comprehensive overview of the issues and literature concerning American "Subnational" politics. Considers three bodies of literature: American federalism and intergovernmental relations, state politics, and urban/local politics. Also examines a number of policy issues. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

    Explores cutting-edge debates in election law. Studies different perspectives on the current controversies in the field, in addition to select opportunities to engage scholars directly about their work. Develops students' understanding of the law of democracy, exposing students to some of the best scholarship, and improving students' ability to evaluate and critique legal scholarship. Recommended prereq., PSCI 7011. Same as LAWS 8205.

    Addresses four broad questions: Who is a citizen of the United States? Who else can come to this country? When and why can noncitizens be forced to leave? Who has the authority to answer these questions? These questions prompt us to examine the history of U.S. immigration, the constitutional-statutory-regulatory framework that governs immigration and citizenship law, and the federal agencies that administer it. Also addresses contemporary challenges to, and assertions of, immigrants' rights. Same as LAWS 7615. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    This co-taught colloquium will expose students to highly prominent scholars conducting research on current topics at the intersection of race, social science, and the law, including racial profiling, hate crime, and affirmative action. Students will complete a final paper satisfying the CU Law seminar requirement. Same as LAWS 8645.

    Not a free option; must be approved by the student's advisor and program chair. Does not count as seminar. Not more than 6 hours of independent study may be credited toward PhD degree in political science. Special independent study approval agreement form must be completed by student and signed by faculty advisor. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

    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 6901. Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students only.

    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.

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