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Political Science Courses

PolS 101 Introduction to Political Science and American Government (3 cr)

PolS C152 Politics and Pollution (1 cr)

PolS 200 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

PolS 203 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

PolS 204 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

PolS 205 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 cr)

PolS 235 Political Research Methods and Approaches (3 cr)

PolS 237 International Politics (3 cr)

PolS 275 American State and Local Government (3 cr)

PolS 299 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

PolS 331 American Political Parties and Elections (3 cr)

PolS 332 American Congress (3 cr)

PolS 333 American Political Culture (3 cr)

PolS 335 American Interest Groups & Social Movements (3 cr)

PolS 338 American Foreign Policy (3 cr)

PolS 360 Law and Society (3 cr)

PolS 364 Politics of the Environment (3 cr)

PolS 381 Western European Politics (3 cr)

PolS 400 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

PolS 403 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

PolS 404 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

PolS J410/J510 Game Theory (3 cr)

PolS J420/J520 Introduction to Asian Politics (3 cr)

PolS J423/J523 Politics, Policy and Gender (3 cr)

PolS J425/J525 History of Political Philosophy I (3 cr)

PolS J426/J526 History of Political Philosophy II (3 cr)

PolS J428/J528 American Political Thought (3 cr)

PolS J429/J529 Contemporary Political Ethics (3 cr)

PolS 430 Political Participation Internship (1-9 cr, max 9)

PolS J435/J535 Advanced Political Science and Research Methods (3 cr)

PolS J436/J536 Policy Deliberation in the New Information Society (3 cr)

PolS J437/J537 American Presidency (3 cr)

PolS J439/J539 Public Policy (3 cr)

PolS J440/J540 (s) International Organizations and International Law (3 cr)

PolS J449/J549 World Politics and War (3 cr)

PolS 451 Public Administration (3 cr)

PolS J452/J552 Administrative Law and Regulation (3 cr)

PolS J453/J553 Public Management Techniques (3 cr)

PolS J454/J554 Public Organization Theory (3 cr)

PolS 456 Tribal Governments (3 cr)

PolS 458 Management Internship (1-9 cr, max 9)

PolS 459 Legislative Internship (1-9 cr, max 9)

PolS 462 Natural Resource Policy (3 cr)

PolS J467/J567 Constitutional Law (3 cr)

PolS J468/J568 Civil Liberties (3 cr)

PolS J469/J569 The Judicial Process (3 cr)

PolS J471/J571 Intergovernmental Relations (3 cr)

PolS J472/J572 Local Government Politics and Administration (3 cr)

PolS J473/J573 Sustainable Community Development Planning (3 cr)

PolS J480/J580 Politics of Development (3 cr)

PolS J487/J587 Political Violence and Revolution (3 cr)

PolS 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

PolS 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr)

PolS 501 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

PolS 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

PolS 503 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

PolS 504 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

PolS 510 Game Theory (3 cr)

PolS J420/J520 Introduction to Asian Politics (3 cr)

PolS 523 Politics, Policy and Gender (3 cr)

PolS 525 History of Political Philosophy I (3 cr)

PolS 526 History of Political Philosophy II (3 cr)

PolS 528 American Political Thought (3 cr)

PolS 529 Contemporary Political Ethics (3 cr)

PolS 535 Advanced Political Science and Research Methods (3 cr)

PolS 536 Policy Deliberation in the New Information Society (3 cr)

PolS 537 American Presidency (3 cr)

PolS 539 Public Policy (3 cr)

PolS 540 (s) International Organizations and International Law (3 cr)

PolS 549 World Politics and War (3 cr)

PolS 552 Administrative Law and Regulation (3 cr)

PolS 554 Public Organization Theory (3 cr)

PolS 555 Seminar in Administrative Theory (3 cr)

PolS 556 Governmental Policy and Program Analysis (3 cr)

PolS 557 Governmental Budgeting (3 cr)

PolS 562 Natural Resource Policy (3 cr)

PolS 567 Constitutional Law (3 cr)

PolS 568 Civil Liberties (3 cr)

PolS 569 The Judicial Process (3 cr)

PolS 571 Intergovernmental Relations (3 cr)

PolS 572 Local Government Politics and Administration (3 cr)

PolS 573 Sustainable Community Development Planning (3 cr)

PolS 575 Public Personnel Administration (3 cr)

PolS 580 Politics of Development (3 cr)

PolS 587 Political Violence and Revolution (3 cr)

PolS 598 (s) Internship (cr arr)

PolS 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (cr arr)

Donald W. Crowley, Dept. Chair, Dept. of Political Science and Public Affairs Research (205 Admin. Bldg. 83844-3165; phone 208/885-6328).

Note: Two-semester courses in this field may be taken in either order. Students may enroll in second-semester courses without having had the first.

PolS 101 Introduction to Political Science and American Government (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. Introduction to the study of politics focusing on basic concepts, processes, and institutions; emphasis on government and politics of the U.S. examined in comparative perspective; probable topics include nature of constitutional democracy, ideology, parties and elections, and formation of public policy.

PolS C152 Politics and Pollution (1 cr)

Political, government, and administrative aspects of overcoming air, water, and other types of pollution of our environment.

PolS 200 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

PolS 203 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

PolS 204 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

PolS 205 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. Basic structures, patterns, and sociocultural environment of foreign political systems; includes case studies of the government and politics in selected countries.

PolS 235 Political Research Methods and Approaches (3 cr)

Introduction to the study of politics, including scope of the discipline, principal fields, research design, and methods of political research and analysis.

PolS 237 International Politics (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. Survey of approaches used to describe and explain conflict and cooperation among states in the international system; special emphasis on games of strategic interaction.

PolS 275 American State and Local Government (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. American state and local politics from a comparative perspective; focus on parties, interest groups, voting behavior, legislative and executive government, judiciary, intergovernmental relations, and public policies.

PolS 299 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereq: Permission

PolS 331 American Political Parties and Elections (3 cr)

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 332 American Congress (3 cr)

Roles and functions of Congress in the American political system, theories of representation, recruitment of legislators, Congressional organization and behavior, power structure, relationship to the executive, courts, interest groups, and public.

PolS 333 American Political Culture (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. Relation of public opinion and political action and affiliation to broad economic, social, religious, and intellectual developments.

PolS 335 American Interest Groups & Social Movements (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. Study of American interest groups, lobbying, campaign finance, grassroots political activism, and social movements including the American civil rights, anti-war and environmental activism movements.

PolS 338 American Foreign Policy (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. 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.

PolS 360 Law and Society (3 cr)

Overview of legal reasoning and functions of law in society; emphasis on capacity of law to affect social change as well as ways in which law responds to social change.

PolS 364 Politics of the Environment (3 cr)

Same as CSS 364. Political factors that influence formation, implementation, and impact of public policies aimed at protecting the environment.

PolS 381 Western European Politics (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. Examination of political processes in Western European parliamentary systems; topics include parties and elections, coalition formation and dissolution, public policy, and the dynamics of the European Union.

PolS 400 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

PolS 403 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

PolS 404 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

PolS J410/J510 Game Theory (3 cr)

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 J420/J520 Introduction to Asian Politics (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. 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 205. (Spring only)

PolS J423/J523 Politics, Policy and Gender (3 cr)

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. Additional projects/assignments reqd for grad cr.

PolS J425/J525 History of Political Philosophy I (3 cr)

Perennial problems of politics examined through study of seminal authors of classical antiquity (Plato, Aristotle, Cicero); medieval confrontation of theology with classical political philosophy (Augustine, Aquinas, Marsilius). Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J426/J526 History of Political Philosophy II (3 cr)

Foundations and development of modern liberalism; analysis of its characteristic goals, and democratic, socialist, and communitarian critics of the project; study of authors including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and contemporary theorists such as Rawls. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J428/J528 American Political Thought (3 cr)

Major themes and debates in the American search for political self-understanding; topics include representative democracy, religion and politics, the frontier and its legacy, and individualism vs. communitarian claims; study of original sources (Founding Fathers, Thoreau, Lincoln, Populists) and contemporary implications. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J429/J529 Contemporary Political Ethics (3 cr)

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 430 Political Participation Internship (1-9 cr, 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.

Prereq: Permission

PolS J435/J535 Advanced Political Science and Research Methods (3 cr)

Course covers advanced research design, social science quantitative methods and data collection issues. Additional projects/assignments reqd for grad cr.

Prereq: PolS 235 and Stat 251

PolS J436/J536 Policy Deliberation in the New Information Society (3 cr)

Study of how policymakers use information in the course of deliberating increasingly new and complex public policy choices, the sources of policy information and the quality of policy deliberations in government agencies and legislative institutions at the state and national level. Additional projects/assignments reqd for grad cr.

PolS J437/J537 American Presidency (3 cr)

Roles, power, and functions of the presidency; relationships with other structures and institutions in the U.S. political system. Additional projects/assignments reqd for grad cr.

Prereq: Senior standing or Permission

PolS J439/J539 Public Policy (3 cr)

Processes by which domestic policies are formulated and administered; analysis of intentional and unintentional impact of these policies on society. Additional projects/assignments reqd for grad cr.

PolS J440/J540 (s) International Organizations and International Law (3 cr)

PolS 440 same as IS 440. League of Nations, United Nations, and role of international law in international relations; the UN's contribution to international security and economic and social development. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J449/J549 World Politics and War (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. 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. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS 451 Public Administration (3 cr)

Environment of public administration, politics of organizations, public decision-making, public relations, leadership, personnel administration, financial administration, administration ethics; related topics.

PolS J452/J552 Administrative Law and Regulation (3 cr)

Legal and judicial constraints on administration action, rule-making, adjudication, and other modes of administrative action. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J453/J553 Public Management Techniques (3 cr)

Emphasizes management styles and the empirical basis for decision; focus on conflict management through control or participatory strategies, and the acquisition and analysis of management information. Additional projects/assignments reqd for grad cr.

PolS J454/J554 Public Organization Theory (3 cr)

Organization theory and behavior in public and nonprofit sector, organization structure and environment, individual behavior in organizations. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS 456 Tribal Governments (3 cr)

The Tribal Government class shall assist in developing a clear understanding of the evolution of the American Tribal governmental system and their development in the United States. The class shall provide an overview of tribes and their governing structures prior to European entry into former native territories and lands within the United States Boundary.

PolS 458 Management Internship (1-9 cr, max 9)

Directed internship in an agency of federal, state, or local government or special projects involving federal, state, or local government. One cr for each week of internship work. Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereq: Permission

PolS 459 Legislative Internship (1-9 cr, max 9)

Directed internship in a national, state, municipal, or corporate legislative body. Supervised work experience. Report required. Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereq: Permission

PolS 462 Natural Resource Policy (3 cr)

See CSS 462.

PolS J467/J567 Constitutional Law (3 cr)

The Supreme Court as a constitutional policymaker; federal jurisdiction; constitutional principles concerning judicial review, federalism, implied powers, separation of powers, and due process. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J468/J568 Civil Liberties (3 cr)

The Supreme Court and its role in protecting civil liberties; freedom of speech, press, and religion; due process, the Bill of Rights, and its application to the states; criminal justice. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J469/J569 The Judicial Process (3 cr)

Judicial and legal processes, court structure, procedures; judicial behavior and decision-making; selection of judges. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J471/J571 Intergovernmental Relations (3 cr)

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 J472/J572 Local Government Politics and Administration (3 cr)

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 J473/J573 Sustainable Community Development Planning (3 cr)

Course covers theory, methods and national and international practice of sustainable community development planning. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

PolS J480/J580 Politics of Development (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. 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.

PolS J487/J587 Political Violence and Revolution (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-d. 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.

PolS 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereq: Permission

PolS 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr)

Graded Pass/Fail.

PolS 501 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

Areas normally offered incl 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.

Prereq: Permission

PolS 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

PolS 503 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

PolS 504 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

PolS 510 Game Theory (3 cr)

See PolS J410/J510.

PolS J420/J520 Introduction to Asian Politics (3 cr)

See PolS J420/J520.

PolS 523 Politics, Policy and Gender (3 cr)

See PolS J423/J523.

PolS 525 History of Political Philosophy I (3 cr)

See PolS J425/J525.

PolS 526 History of Political Philosophy II (3 cr)

See PolS J426/J526.

PolS 528 American Political Thought (3 cr)

See PolS J428/J528.

PolS 529 Contemporary Political Ethics (3 cr)

See PolS J429/J529.

PolS 535 Advanced Political Science and Research Methods (3 cr)

See PolS J435/J535.

PolS 536 Policy Deliberation in the New Information Society (3 cr)

See PolS J436/J536.

PolS 537 American Presidency (3 cr)

See PolS J437/J537.

PolS 539 Public Policy (3 cr)

See PolS J439/J539.

PolS 540 (s) International Organizations and International Law (3 cr)

See PolS J440/J540.

PolS 549 World Politics and War (3 cr)

See PolS J449/J549.

PolS 552 Administrative Law and Regulation (3 cr)

See PolS J452/J552.

PolS 554 Public Organization Theory (3 cr)

See PolS J454/J554.

PolS 555 Seminar in Administrative Theory (3 cr)

Major writers in administrative theory and concepts such as leadership, supervision, authority, decision-making, and human relations. (Alt/yrs)

PolS 556 Governmental Policy and Program Analysis (3 cr)

Techniques used to analyze policy alternatives and to evaluate program; developing program objectives, management by objectives, productivity analysis, program evaluation, and policy analysis.

PolS 557 Governmental Budgeting (3 cr)

Theory and practice of budgeting in a political environment; focus on potentials and limitations of various budgeting systems, particular viz the federal experience.

PolS 562 Natural Resource Policy (3 cr)

Same as CSS 582. Carries no credit after PolS 462. 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 567 Constitutional Law (3 cr)

See PolS J467/J567.

PolS 568 Civil Liberties (3 cr)

See PolS J468/J568.

PolS 569 The Judicial Process (3 cr)

See PolS J469/J569.

PolS 571 Intergovernmental Relations (3 cr)

See PolS J471/J571.

PolS 572 Local Government Politics and Administration (3 cr)

See PolS J472/J572.

PolS 573 Sustainable Community Development Planning (3 cr)

See PolS J473/J573.

PolS 575 Public Personnel Administration (3 cr)

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 580 Politics of Development (3 cr)

See PolS J480/J580.

PolS 587 Political Violence and Revolution (3 cr)

See PolS J487/J587.

PolS 598 (s) Internship (cr arr)

PolS 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (cr arr)

Graded Pass/Fail.