Catalog

PSCI 1970-3. Legal Rights of Students. Focuses on educational law and legal rights of students. Restricted to students in the Sewall Residential Academic Program.

PSCI 1101-3. The American Political System. Emphasizes interrelations among levels and branches of government, formal and informal institutions, processes, and behavior. Meets MAPS requirement for social science: general or U.S. history. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies or United States context.

PSCI 2481-3. Introduction to the Legal Process. 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.

PSCI 3011-3. The American Presidency. 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.

PSCI 3021-3. U.S. Campaigns and Elections. 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.

PSCI 3031-3. Political Parties and Interest Groups. 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.

PSCI 3041-3. The American Congress. 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.

PSCI 3051-3. Public Opinion and Political Behavior. Examines measurement of public opinion and evaluation of its impact on governmental policy formation, including survey research techniques and field work in opinion sampling. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 3061-3. State Government and Politics. 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.

PSCI 3071-3. Urban Politics. 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 or 2111. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

PSCI 3091-3. Politics of Social Movements. Examines theoretical and empirical research on social movements from a U.S. perspective. Considers why social movements arise, who participates in them, the tactics they employ, obstacles they face, and their political impact. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 3101-3. Black Politics. Examines structure of political, social, and economic influence in urban areas. Focuses on the relationship of political processes to governmental, social, and economic institutions and contemporary policy processes in American cities. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Restricted to sophomores/juniors/seniors. Same as ETHN 3012. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity or contemporary societies.

PSCI 3171-3. Government and Capitalism in the United States. Examines competing theoretical approaches to questions related to origins, development, and purposes of modern government in the United States; particular attention paid to impact of transformations in the underlying structure of the capitalist economy. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

PSCI 3191-3. National Security Organization and Policy Making. Analyzes how the American governmental and political system is structured to define, select, and implement national security policies. Examines roles of the president, Congress, bureaucracy, interest groups, and other actors. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 3261-3. The Judicial System. Examines principal actors in the legal system (police, lawyers, judges, citizens) and roles they play in the political process. Also examines differential treatment of varying economic groups. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 3271-3. Law and Society: The Interaction between Legal Institutions and Human Behavior. Examines relationship between human behavior and legal system, looking closely at the voluntary relationship between the citizen and the state, the use of law to balance economic liberty and equality, support for civil liberties, and procedural, distributive, and retributive justice. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 3301-3. Gender, Sexuality and U.S. Law. Contemporary and historic overview of U.S. courts’ treatment of sex and gender. Using the case method, examines policy issues including, but not limited to: same sex marriage and civil unions; privacy; affirmative action; abortion; reproductive technologies; and discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation in education and in the workplace. Prereq., WMST 2000 and PSCI 1101. Same as WMST 3300. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

PSCI 4021-3. Legislatures and Legislation. Focuses on the structure and organization of legislatures and process of statute lawmaking. Recommended prereq., PSCI 1101. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

PSCI 4081-3. Icons of the American Republic. Examines the founding period of the United States through the events, political concepts and individuals depicted in the art exhibited in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The course includes a visit to the U.S. Capitol Building, the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, the floor of the U.S. Senate, and an exploration of the legislative process. Prereq., PSCI 1101 or 2012 or 2223 or 2004. Restricted to students with a minimum 3.4 GPA and 60 credit hours completed.

PSCI 4111-3. Urban Problems and Public Policies. Critically examines public policies designed to deal with major social, economic, and political problems facing contemporary American cities. Emphasizes evaluation of urban programs in welfare, education, crime, housing, and urban economic vitality. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 4131-3. Latinos and the U.S. Political System. Examines the political status and activities of Mexican Americans and other Latino groups (Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans) in the U.S. Also covers Latino political attitudes and behaviors; Latino efforts to influence the major national, state, and local institutions of the American government; and public policy concerns of Latinos. Recommended prereq., PSCI 1101. Restricted to sophomores/juniors/ seniors. Same as ETHN 4136. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

PSCI 4161-3. Political Rights and Political Morality. Examines the place of rights in American politics. Analyzes the central role political morality plays in the resolution of conflicting and competing rights. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 4221-3. Political Psychology. Examines the psychological foundations of political decision-making among citizens and elites. Considers the role of political psychology in explaining political behavior and outcomes at the individual and collective level. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 4241-3. Constitutional Law 1. Focuses on the nature and scope of American constitutional principles as developed by the U.S. Supreme Court: federalism, jurisdiction of the federal courts, separation of powers, the taxing power, and the commerce power. Involves the case method. Prereq., PSCI 1101 and junior or senior standing.

PSCI 4251-3. Constitutional Law 2. Continuation of PSCI 4241. Emphasizes war power, powers of the president, citizenship, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil War amendments. Involves the case method. Not open to freshmen. Prereq., PSCI 1101 or instructor consent.

PSCI 4341-3. Political Communication, Persuasion, and Public Policy. Addresses the idea of political communication as a central aspect of policymaking and how the inability to develop persuasive political arguments in particular circumstances invites policy failure. Examines aspects of political communication as it applies to citizens, political decision makers, and specific public policies. Prereq., PSCI 1101 or instructor consent. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

PSCI 4701-3. Symbolic Politics. Introduces uses and abuses of symbols as instruments and indicators of political change. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Recommended prereq., junior or senior standing.

PSCI 4721-3. Rethinking American Politics. Examines the political history and development of the United States of America. Looks at the particular policy choices we have made and examines the future political agenda. Prereqs., junior or senior standing and PSCI 1101 recommended.

PSCI 4731-3. Progress and Problems in American Democracy. 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. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

PSCI 4751-3. The Politics of Ideas. 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. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

PSCI 4761-3. Rethinking Political Values. Encourages intellectual discipline and critical thinking by examining pressing political values from multiple analytic perspectives. Enables students to participate in oral and written discussions. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

PSCI 4771-3. Civil Rights and Liberties in America. 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. Prereq., PSCI 2481. Restricted to juniors/seniors.

PSCI 4841 (1-3). Independent Study in American Politics. 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.

PSCI 5901 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Not a free option; must be approved by the student’s advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 7901.

PSCI 6901 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. 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.

PSCI 6951 (1-4). Master’s Thesis. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

PSCI 7011-3. Seminar: American Politics. 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. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7021-3. Latinos and U.S. Politics. 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.

PSCI 7031-3. Seminar: Political Attitudes and Behavior. 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.

PSCI 7051-3. Seminar: The United States Congress. Comprehensively examines literature and selected research topics concerning the United States Congress. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7071-3. Seminar: Behavioral Study of Public Law. 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. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required. Formerly PSCI 7077.

PSCI 7091-3. Politics of Social Movements. 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.

PSCI 7111-3. Seminar: American Political Institutions. 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 of the major research topics on the presidency, Congress, the judiciary, and the bureaucracy. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7121-3. Black Leadership and Public Policy. 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.

PSCI 7141-3. The Political Economy of American Politics. Intensive examination of pluralist, voter-centered, rational choice, and neo-Marxist literature on the American state. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7151-3. American Subnational Politics and Government. 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.

PSCI 7901 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Same as PSCI 5901.

PSCI 8901 (1-3). Graduate Research Project. Same as PSCI 6901.

PSCI 8991 (1-10). Doctoral Dissertation. 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.

PSCI 2012-3. Introduction to Comparative Politics. 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 arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 3032-3. Latin American Political Systems. 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.

PSCI 3042-3. Latin American Economic Development. Stresses political and economic development in Latin America, as well as interactions with the international economy. Prereq., PSCI 2012, IAFS 1000, or instructor consent. Recommended prereq., PSCI 3032.

PSCI 3052-3. Women and Politics in Latin America. Examines ways Latin American women have engaged in politics and their participation in social movements, war, peace processes and elections. Focuses on why women “do politics” in certain ways, the role of the State in women’s politics, the (dis)advantages of various political strategies, and how political, economic and social changes have affected women’s political opportunities and interests. Prereq., WMST 2000 or instructor consent. Recommended prereqs., WMST 2400, 2600, 3600, or 3730. Restricted to juniors/seniors. Same as WMST 3650.

PSCI 3062-3. Revolution and Political Violence. 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.

PSCI 3072-3. Government and Politics in Southeast Asia. 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.

PSCI 3082-3. Political Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa. 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.

PSCI 4002-3. Western European Politics. Comparatively analyzes development of the political systems and processes of European democracies. Emphasizes contemporary institutions, decision making patterns, and policy issues. Special attention to challenges of welfare systems. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 4012-3. Global Development. Analyzes development theory, case studies in development strategies, and the problems and promises of development: specifically issues of gender, environment, labor, corruption and poverty. The primary focus is on explanations for variation in level of development over time and across countries. Prereq., PSCI 2012, ECON 2020, IAFS 1000, or one upper-division PSCI course. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 4022-3. Chinese Foreign Policy. History of China’s external relations and theories of foreign policy decision making. Explores two vital bilateral relations (Sino-U.S. and Sino-Japanese) and several key issues (like Taiwan) in China’s 21st century foreign policy. Prereq., PSCI 2012.

PSCI 4052-3. Chinese Politics. Explores the politics of 20th century China to speculate on China’s future in the 21st century. Begins with an extensive look at the political history of the People’s Republic, before turning to social, cultural, economic, and political issues today. Concludes with an examination of Chinese foreign policy, with a focus on Sino-American relations. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000.

PSCI 4062-3. The Emerging Democracies of Central and Eastern Europe. Studies developments in the former Soviet satellites and Yugoslavia, their governmental organizations, and their relation to the former Soviet Union and the West. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 4092-3. Comparative Urban Politics. Comparatively analyzes major urban systems in different political/economic settings and Third-World countries. Gives special attention to political and economic factors shaping urbanization processes and distinctive policy issues in these different settings. Prereqs., PSCI 1101 and 3071 recommended.

PSCI 4122-3. The Military in Politics: Latin America and the U.S. Analyzes the causes and consequences of military intervention in politics, contrasting patterns of civil-military relations, and the problem of democratic control of the armed forces. Focuses on the Latin American military, with secondary attention to U.S. military. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000, and PSCI or ROTC major.

PSCI 4252-3. Politics of Ethnicity and Nationalism. Analyzes ethnic identity as a factor in contemporary politics. Deals extensively with the role of ethnic groups in political mobilization, the development of national collective consciousness, nation building, and international relations. Explores the influence of religion, language, history, culture and class on ethnic group formation and behavior. Prereq., PSCI 2012.

PSCI 4272-3. The Political Economy of Advanced Industrial Democracies. Considers how political power is used to achieve economic ends and to shape the operations of market economies. Focuses on economic conflicts as political contests, and explores how politics shapes the course of economic development as well as the basis of social and political life. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000. Recommended prereq., ECON 2020. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 4282-3. Legal Systems. Compares criminal justice systems around the world in order to see how each functions and how each system reflects political and historical traditions, including the civil law tradition that dominates Europe and South America, the common law system that exists in the United States and in most English-speaking countries, and the criminal justice system in Japan. Prereq., PSCI 2012.

PSCI 4732-3. Critical Thinking in Development. Exposes students to current issues in the political economy of development. Subjects range from globalization, democratization, and economic development. Specifically, the course explores the international and domestic determinants of economic development with special reference to currency markets, foreign direct investment, trade, and democratization. Prereqs., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000, ECON 2010 and 2020, and one upper-division PSCI course. Same as INVS 4302. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 4792-3. Issues in Latin American Politics. Studies several Latin American countries in some depth including history and contemporary politics. Teaches students to listen to and evaluate different sides of political controversies, and critically evaluate arguments. Prereqs., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000, and junior or senior standing.

PSCI 4842 (1-3). Independent Study in Comparative Politics. Subjects chosen and arrangements made to suit 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. Special independent study approval agreement form must be obtained from the department. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or IAFS 1000.

PSCI 5902 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Not a free option; must be approved by the student’s advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 7902.

PSCI 6902 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Guides independent research on 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. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8902.

PSCI 6952 (1-6). Master’s Thesis. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

PSCI 7012-3. Seminar: Comparative Political Systems. Discusses current literature on comparative politics including theoretical and methodological issues. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent. required.

PSCI 7022-3. Seminar in Political and Economic Development. Covers domestic political and economic development in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, as well as interactions with the global economy. Includes defining, explaining, and prescribing policies for successful development, and comparing the experiences of developing and industrialized countries. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7032-3. Seminar: Latin American Politics. Stresses intensive study of the political process in Latin America with special emphasis on democratization. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7062-3. The Politics of Ethnicity. Explores the political aspects of pluralism, ethnonationalism, separatism, and related phenomena. Examines theories of ethnic mobilization, conflict, and accommodation in the context of political development and nation building. Includes cross-polity comparisons and case studies of multiethnic societies in the developed and developing world. Prereq., at least one course in comparative politics. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7082-3. Subordinate Protest and Democratization. Considers traditional studies of democratic development and democratization. Topics covered include the definition of democracy, characteristics, dilemmas, and limitations; the classical European view of democratization; democratic and nondemocratic characteristics of different social classes; contributions to democracy made by the popular classes; and transitions to democracy and subordinate groups and protest in the democratization process. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7092-3. Comparative Human Rights and Repression. Provides students with an understanding of human rights and repression in a comparative perspective. Deals extensively with conceptual issues, theoretical explanations, and diverse techniques of studying the subject. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7112-3. Seminar: Comparative Political Parties and Interest Groups. Critically examines topics relating to social forces, parties, and interest groups. Analyzes concepts, theories, and case studies with particular emphasis on Western political systems. Also examines party systems in comparison and the role of groups and the determinants of group politics. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7132-3. Comparative Political Economy. Explores the relationship between economics and politics in developed and developing countries. Gives students an historical overview of 20th century economic trends and covers scholarly approaches to topics such as political and economic institutions, economic ideas and interests, the political causes of growth and equality, globalization and the welfare state, and varieties of capitalism. Recommended prereq., PSCI 7012. Restricted to graduate students.

PSCI 7142-3. The Political Economy of the Democratic Welfare State. Advanced seminar that examines the structure of political and economic relations in several advanced democracies. Specifically examines a series of historical, institutional, and cultural theories that purport to explain these differences. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7152-3. Seminar in Chinese Politics. A comprehensive introduction to the study of Chinese politics is provided. It begins with China’s revolutionary heritage, before turning to state-society relations in China today. Concludes with China’s external relations. Will China be a status quo or a revisionist power in the 21st century? Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7902 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Same as PSCI 5902.

PSCI 8902 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Same as PSCI 6902.

PSCI 8992 (1-10). Doctoral Dissertation. 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.

PSCI 2223-3. Introduction to International Relations. 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 arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 3123-3. War, Peace, and Strategic Defense. Analyzes employment, or the threat of employing force, in securing American interests in the post-Cold War world. Gives special attention to utilities claimed for nuclear weapons, and alternatively, to weapons control and disarmament. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

PSCI 3143-3. Problems in International Relations. Analyzes the various theoretical and policy challenges facing the post-Cold War world, with an emphasis on examining alternative conceptions of and approaches to such challenges. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

PSCI 3163-3. American Foreign Policy. Examines foundations, assumptions, objectives, dynamics, and methods of U.S. foreign policy since WWII. Gives special attention to domestic and external problems of adapting U.S. policy to the changing world environment. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: United States context.

PSCI 3193-3. International Behavior. Presents alternate theoretical frameworks for the explanation of international processes. Applies theories of conflict behavior and social organization to problems of war and peace. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

PSCI 4173-3. International Organization. Analyzes international organizations to determine whether they are an effective instrument for achieving peace and security and for the promotion of human welfare. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

PSCI 4183-3. International Law. Investigates the body of law that regulates relations between nation states and provides a framework for the solving of common problems. Explores its nature and effectiveness as well as its adaptability to a changing environment. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

PSCI 4193-3. International Political Economy. Analyzes issues at the intersection of international politics and international economics. Utilizes theories and concepts from both economics and political science to understand issues in trade, finance, development and migration. Prereq., PSCI 2223. Recommended prereq., ECON 1000.

PSCI 4213-3. Europe in the International System. Covers European and Atlantic regionalism. Discusses such communities as the Council of Europe, NATO, EFTA, and OECD, and provides a detailed examination of the European Union. Looks at theories of integration, problems of partnership and interdependence, rival nationalisms and strategic doctrines, and problems of the post-Cold War era. Prereq., PSCI 2223.

PSCI 4703-3. Alternative World Futures. Aims to help students think about the future of the world in a systematic way. Focuses on alternative projections and policies dealing with major problems. Prereq., PSCI 2223 and junior or senior standing.

PSCI 4783-3. Global Issues. Studies the principal issues confronting humanity that affect stability and survivability and their economic, social, and political implications. Prereq., PSCI 2012 or 2223. Restricted to seniors.

PSCI 4843 (1-3). Independent Study in International Relations. Subjects chosen and arrangements made to suit 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 average 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 2223.

PSCI 5903 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Not a free option; must be approved by the student’s advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 7903.

PSCI 6903 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. 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. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8903.

PSCI 6953-4. Master’s Thesis. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

PSCI 7013-3. Seminar: International Relations. Reviews salient literature on international relations, and subsequent presentation and critical discussion of analytical studies. Allows students wide latitude in substantive and methodological approaches. Emphasizes changing trends and efforts to understand the bases for cooperation and conflict. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7023-1. Foreign Policy. Examines sources of foreign policy in terms of international pressures, economic interests, bureaucratic politics, cognitive process, public opinion, elections, congress, and presidential leadership. Examines uses and limitations of economic statecraft, military intervention, and current foreign policy issues. Recommended prereq., PSCI 7013.

PSCI 7043-3. Seminar: Problems of International Organization. Studies selected problems concerning administration and operation of public international organizations, including the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Considers decision making, executive leadership, internal organization, personnel policies, coordination of activities, and financing. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7053-3. War and Peace. Provides systematic treatment of theories, concepts, and data addressing the conditions and processes of international conflict, violence, and stability, with attention to historical and contemporary cases. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7073-3. Seminar: Global Political Economy. Introduces graduate students to concepts, theories, and data used to study the global system from a political-economic framework. Examines world systems analysis, regime change theory, and dependency theory with respect to operation of the exchange and power relationship within the contemporary world system. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7113-3. Advanced Readings in International Relations. Provides an advanced readings course for international relations graduate students. Acts as a capstone course for those preparing to take the PhD comprehensive exams, and is intended to provide in-depth knowledge about core areas of international relations scholarship. Prereq., PSCI 7013. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7123-3. Seminar: Conflict Behavior—The Politics of Violence. Surveys historical, theoretical, and empirical analyses of violent conflict behavior, including causes and consequences of riots, terrorism, revolution, international war, and intervention. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7333-3. Globalization and Democratization: An Introduction. Introduces research on globalization and democratization from an interdisciplinary perspective. Examines ongoing interdisciplinary research on the global political economy. Students learn about ongoing research, critique current efforts, and design their own research project. Prereq., graduate standing in PSCI, ECON, GEOG, or SOCY. Same as GEOG 5332, SOCY 6031, and ECON 8333.

PSCI 7903 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Same as PSCI 5903.

PSCI 8903 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Same as PSCI 6903.

PSCI 8993 (1-10). Doctoral Dissertation. 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.

PSCI 2004-3. Survey of Western Political Thought. 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.

PSCI 3054-3. American Political Thought. 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.

PSCI 3064-3. Environmental Political Theory. 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.

PSCI 4024-3. Senior Seminar in Political Theory. 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.

PSCI 4704-3. Politics and Language. Explores the use of language in politics. Examines in depth the political nature and meaning of language, including its significance, philosophy, and practice. Prereq., PSCI 2004. Restricted to junior/seniors.

PSCI 4714-3. Liberalism and Its Critics. Examines contemporary arguments for and against liberalism. Focuses on the analysis, evaluation, and understanding of the philosophical contributions to this debate. Gives special attention to the concepts of justice, freedom, equality, and individualism. Prereq., PSCI 2004. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

PSCI 4734-3. Politics and Literature. 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. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

PSCI 4774-3. Liberal Democracy and the First Amendment. 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.

PSCI 4844 (1-3). Independent Study in Political Theory. 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.

PSCI 5904 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Not a free option; must be approved by the student’s advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

PSCI 6904 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. 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. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8904.

PSCI 6954-4. Master’s Thesis. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

PSCI 7004-3. Seminar: Political Theory. 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.

PSCI 7024-3. Seminar: Selected Political Theories. Familiarizes students with selected political philosophies or theories in classical or modern political thought. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 8904 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Same as PSCI 6904.

PSCI 8994 (1-10). Doctoral Dissertation. 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.

PSCI 2075-3. Quantitative Research Methods. 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. Prereq., PSCI 1101, 2223, or 2012 (formerly PSCI 2074). Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: quantitative reasoning and mathematical skills.

PSCI 3105-3. Designing Social Inquiry: An Introduction to Analyzing Political Phenomena. This course is designed to survey the wide range of research designs and methods employed in political science research, including normative analysis, interpretive analysis and causal analysis. It will provide an introduction to students planning to write honors theses and will be useful for any student planning to do research in political sciences as part of a senior seminar or capstone course. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: quantitative reasoning and mathematics.

PSCI 3225-3. Rationality, Democracy, and Public Policy. Focuses on the rational choice approach to understanding social decision making. Examines possibilities for choosing rational courses of social action and concrete problems of rational decision making. Prereqs., PSCI 1101 or 2012. Restricted to sophomores/juniors/seniors.

PSCI 5905 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Not a free option; must be approved by the student’s advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 7905.

PSCI 6905 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Offers the opportunity for 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. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8905.

PSCI 6955-4. Master’s Thesis. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

PSCI 7075-3. Introduction to Professional Political Science. Introduces graduate students to intellectual foundations and historical development of political science; epistemologies, subfields, intellectual approaches, methodological strategies of the discipline; and ethics and norms of professional conduct. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7085-4. Introduction to Political Science Data Analysis. Provides intensive experience with quantitative techniques commonly employed in political science research; builds on a review of multivariate regression, inferential statistics, and causal modeling. Students undertake substantive research projects, requiring lab instruction in the use of the computer in quantitative applications of political science research. Prereq., graduate standing.

PSCI 7095-3. Advanced Political Data Analysis. Provides advanced training in empirical and analytic methods of political analysis. Covers general multivariate linear (regression) model as employed in political science. Also covers a variety of dynamic approaches to empirical analysis (stochastic models, time series, and simulation). Restricted to graduate students. Prereq., instructor consent.

PSCI 7145-3. Basic Formal Methods in Political Science. Introduces the application and role of models in political science (domestic and international politics), in areas such as voting, committees, power, decision making, and war and peace. Models include applications of set theory, elementary probability, games, and systems analysis. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7905 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Same as PSCI 5905.

PSCI 8905 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Same as PSCI 6905.

PSCI 8995 (1-10). Doctoral Dissertation. 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.

PSCI 2106-3. Introduction to Public Policy Analysis. Studies policymaking processes in American government, factors shaping public decision, and issues and questions relevant to political inquiry.

PSCI 3206-3. The Environment and Public Policy. Considers constitutional, political, and geographic factors in development of public policy affecting the use of natural resources and management of the environment; organization, procedures, and programs for use of natural resources; and administration of environmental policies. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Restricted to sophomores/juniors/seniors.

PSCI 4716-3. Selected Policy Problems. Integrates general principles of policy inquiry with documents and other literature on specific problems in public policy, in order to evaluate courses of action. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different topics. Prereq., PSCI 1101. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

PSCI 5906 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Not a free option; must be approved by the student’s advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 7906.

PSCI 6906 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Provides the opportunity for independent research in topic of 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. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as PSCI 8906.

PSCI 6956 (1-4). Master’s Thesis. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

PSCI 7016-3. Introduction to the Policy Sciences. Provides an introduction to the policy sciences as a distinctive tradition within the policy field. Emphasizes the use of conceptual tools to improve analysis of complex problems. Teaches problem solving framework that students apply to an issue of their choice. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required. Same as ENVS 5710.

PSCI 7026-3. The Problem Orientation. Teaches basic problem solving framework for policy analysis. Emphasizes applications to develop policy recommendations for issues selected by students. Includes group projects. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required. Same as ENVS 5720.

PSCI 7036-3. Introduction to the Policy Sciences: The Decision Process. Provides policy sciences frameworks for analyzing policy processes and designing political strategies to influence those processes in the direction of the preferred alternative. Emphasizes applications to problems selected by students for term projects. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required. Same as ENVS 5730.

PSCI 7046-3. Seminar: Urban Public Policy. Focuses on formulation, revision, and outcomes of public policy in American urban communities. Also uses some comparative Canadian and European literature. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7056-3. Readings in Public Policy. Explores diverse approaches to policy choice, change, and learning processes. Overviews literature on policy determinants and typologies, policy subsystems, innovation and diffusion, agenda setting, implementation, problem definition and social construction, policy design, institutional analysis, and policy and democratic values. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7116-3. Context-Sensitive Research Methods. Prepares students to conduct research on topics where data is not obvious or not easily available. Encompasses variations in context and setting as part of data observations. Methods include interviewing protocols, interpretive methods, cluster analyses, case study methodologies, and textual analyses. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required. Same as ENVS 5740.

PSCI 7906 (1-3). Topics in Political Science. Same as PSCI 5906.

PSCI 8906 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Same as PSCI 6906.

PSCI 8996 (1-10). Doctoral Dissertation. 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.

PSCI 2028-3. Special Topics. 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.

PSCI 4008-3. Political Science Honors Thesis. Involves writing an honors thesis. Prereq., PSCI 4718.

PSCI 4028-3. Special Topics. Offers subjects not covered by existing courses. Offered when the department approves a special topic. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics.

PSCI 4718-3. Honors Political Science Seminar. Involves writing and discussion of selected topics in political science. Critically reviews the major methodological and conceptual features of the discipline. Students begin their honors papers in the seminar. Prereq., GPA of at least 3.50. Generally offered in fall term only. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: critical thinking.

PSCI 4848 (1-3). Independent Study. Subjects chosen and arrangements made to suit 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 average 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.

PSCI 4938-6. Internship in Government. With instructor’s assistance, students secure an internship with a political or governmental organization. In addition to the internship, the class consists of regular seminars, course readings and assignments, and individual conferences with the instructor. Student pursues an academic research project and writes an original research paper. Instructor approval required in semester preceding internship. Contact instructor prior to early registration. Prereq., PSCI 1101.

PSCI 6908 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Same as PSCI 8908.

PSCI 6948 (1-3). Master’s Degree Candidate.

PSCI 6998-3. Master’s Degree Candidate.

PSCI 7008-1. Teaching Political Science 1. First of two courses designed to prepare graduate teachers in the essentials of political science teaching and provide a background in theories of political science teaching and practical skills development in discipline-specific education. Restricted to graduate students or instructor consent required.

PSCI 7028-1. Teaching Political Science 2. Second course designed to train graduate teachers in the essentials of political science teaching and provide a background in theories of political science teaching and practical skills development in discipline specific education. Prereqs., PSCI 7008 and completion of comprehensive examinations.

PSCI 7108 (1-3). Special Topics. Various topics not normally offered in the curriculum. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.

PSCI 7908 (1-3). Topics in Political Science.

PSCI 8908 (1-3). Graduate Research Topic. Same as PSCI 6908.