University Catalog 2024-2025

Political Science (PS)

PS 201  American Politics and Government  (3 credit hours)  

Analysis of American political institutions and processes, including the constitution, political culture, campaigns and elections, political parties, interest groups, the media, the president, congress, the federal courts, and public policy. Discussion of contemporary and controversial issues in American politics. Emphasis on placing current issues in comparative and historical perspective where relevant.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 202  State and Local Government  (3 credit hours)  

State and local governments within the context of the American federal system. Special emphasis on federalism, the constitutional/legal relationships between state and local governments, and the institutions, organizational forms, and political processes in American state and local government.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 203/PA 203  Introduction to Nonprofits  (3 credit hours)  

Development of nonprofit organizations and the contributions of nonprofits in the U.S., other countries, and the international community; political, social, and economic roles of nonprofits; nonprofit governance; partnerships with government and other nonprofits; types of organizations in the nonprofit sector; contemporary policy issues. Service project with minor transportation costs.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 204  Problems of American Democracy  (3 credit hours)  

Political problems in America from the perspective of political theory. Democracy, economics and politics, racial and sexual equality, civil disobedience, and individual freedom.

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 231  Introduction to International Relations  (3 credit hours)  

Evolution of relations among nations and of the roles of the United Nations and other international institutions, including changes in the world political system since the end of the cold war.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 236  Issues in Global Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Selected problems facing the world community, related political issues, and international responses to them, including international trade, economic development, wars, arms control, terrorism, ethnic conflict, human rights, status of women, population growth, food security, and environmental degradation.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course is offered alternate years

PS 241  Introduction to Comparative Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Introductory comparative analysis of a selected variety of political systems always including some developed democracies, some communist states and some developing countries. A minimum familiarity with the American political system is assumed.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 298  Special Topics in Political Science  (1-6 credit hours)  

Experimental course at the freshman and sophomore levels.

PS 301  The Presidency and Congress  (3 credit hours)  

Historical development, selection, and internal organization of the presidency and congress. Discussion of the relations between the branches and the influence of public opinion, interest groups and parties on the federal government. Analysis of the legislative process.

Prerequisite: PS 201

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 302  Campaigns and Elections in the US Political System  (3 credit hours)  

Campaigns and elections in the United States with emphasis on presidential and congressional primary and general elections. Development of theoretical propositions concerning how and why people vote, how and why candidates campaign, and behavioral reasons underlying candidates' successes and failures. Special emphasis on the role of the mass media in the electoral process.

Prerequisite: PS 201

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 303  Race in U.S. Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Race in American politics with emphasis on the African-American political experience: civil rights legislation, voting rights, political representation, campaigns and party politics, survey attitudes, and public policies including affirmative action.

Requisite: Sophomore Standing or Above

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

PS 305  The Justice System in the American Political Process  (3 credit hours)  

Criminal justice process and civil justice system in the American judiciary, including court organization and legal professionals such as police, attorneys and judges; formulation and implementation of policies by law enforcement and the courts; impact of political system upon police, attorneys and judges; interaction between public and legal professionals in judicial decision making. Students who have successfully completed PS 306 or PS 311 may not receive credit for PS 305.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 306/WGS 306  Gender and Politics in the United States  (3 credit hours)  

This course explores the role of gender in contemporary American politics. The course examines the historical course of gender politics to see how we have arrived at the present state. It investigates the activities that women and men play in modern politics-voting, running for office, serving in office, etc., and how women and men perform these activities in different ways. The course also focuses on major areas of public policy that affect women and men in different ways.

Prerequisite: PS 201

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 307  Introduction to Criminal Law in the United States  (3 credit hours)  

Principles underlying the criminal law in the United States and classification of crimes, criminal act, factors affecting criminal responsibility and various types of offenses. Observation of state and federal court sessions.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 308  Supreme Court and Public Policy  (3 credit hours)  

The role of the Supreme Court in American politics, with emphasis on the use of litigation as a form of political activity. Readings include relevant court cases as well as descriptions of the Supreme Court in action.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 309  Equality and Justice in United States Law  (3 credit hours)  

Equality and justice in American law; federal and state court interpretation of constitutional and statutory law. Topics include racial justice; prisoners' rights and just punishments; nontraditional families and reproductive technologies; gay rights; immigration law; criminal justice practices.

GEP Social Sciences, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

PS 310  Public Policy  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to public policy formulation and analysis, including agenda-setting strategies, problems of legitimation, the appropriations process, implementation, evaluation, resolution, and termination.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course is offered alternate years

PS 312/PA 312  Introduction to Public Administration  (3 credit hours)  

Administration in city, state and national governments: effectiveness and responsiveness, involvement in policy areas, and issues of ethics and responsibilities.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course is offered alternate years

PS 313  Criminal Justice Policy  (3 credit hours)  

This course covers the basic policies and controversies in criminal justice in the United States. The course will explore how criminal justice policies get made, why they get made, how well or poorly they work, and what we can do better. The course will examine primarily longstanding areas of policy debate, e.g., illegal drugs, prisons, capital punishments, etc., but we will also pay attention to policy debates in the news. The course will also pay special attention to the intersection of race and social class with our modern criminal justice policies.

P: PS 201

GEP U.S. Diversity, GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

PS 314  Science, Technology and Public Policy  (3 credit hours)  

Technological innovation and scientific discovery since World War II have led to profound social, political, and economic change. This course explores some of the opportunities and challenges these advances have created and the ways in which society and government seek to limit their negative effects while maximizing gains and promoting further innovation.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 315  Administration of Justice  (3 credit hours)  

Politics and administration in the American system of justice. Examination of "Justice" and how it is administered in the American political and criminal justice systems through empirical and philosophical lenses.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 320  U.S. Environmental Law and Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Emergence of the environment as an issue in United States politics. Law and policy pertaining to air and water pollution, land-use, water, energy, toxic substances, and wilderness. Roles of national and state governments, scientists, corporations, and citizens groups in addressing environmental problems

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 325/PSY 325  Introduction to Political Psychology  (3 credit hours)  

This interdisciplinary course explores the psychological factors determining political behavior among individuals and groups. Areas to be covered include rationality, heuristics, biases, updating, learning, motivated reasoning, images, stereotypes, perceptions, emotions, morality, personality, values, groups, national groups, reputation, revenge, and violence. Specifically, the approaches and explanations of political psychology will be applied to explain the behavior of political leaders, individuals, groups, and social movements in the context of ethnic international conflict, terrorism, nationalism, media, voting, and conflict resolution. A goal of the course is to strengthen students' understanding of the psychological mechanisms affecting people's political behavior regardless of ethnic, religious, racial, or ideological differences.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 331  U.S. Foreign Policy  (3 credit hours)  

The content, formulation, and execution of U.S. foreign policy during the postwar period, with concentration on major issues and trends, the instruments for implementing foreign policy, and analysis of the policy-making process.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Summer

This course is offered alternate years

PS 332  Causes of War and Peace  (3 credit hours)  

Questions of war and peace are at the very heart of the study of international relations. The objective of this course is to diagnose the causes of war. Why do wars begin? Is war a permanent fixture of human civilization or can it be eradicated? What do we need to know to prevent wars and maintain peace? This course covers the major international relations theories that explain war and peace, and explores the biases, misperceptions, security dilemmas, decision-making blunders, and pathological thinking that have led organized groups of people to kill one another. In the process, we will examine some of the most important wars of the past century, including World War I, World War II, and several Cold-War and post-Cold War conflicts. We will also consider whether and how the nature of war has changed in recent years and what the future of war is likely to be.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 335  International Law  (3 credit hours)  

Usefulness and limitations of international law, including obligations and immunities of sovereign states, non-state actors, peaceful settlement of disputes, human rights, laws of war, and recent international war crimes tribunals. Emphasis on individual case decisions in U.S. and international courts.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 336  Global Environmental Politics  (3 credit hours)  

International politics, laws, and policies pertaining to global environmental problems in the realms of population, pollution, climate change, biological diversity, forests oceans, and fisheries.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 339  Politics of the World Economy  (3 credit hours)  

Politics of international trade and payments, including barriers to trade, dispute settlement, multinational corporations, financial crises, international economic institutions and the problems of economic underdevelopment.

GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 341  European Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Comparative analysis of the interests, institutions and processes that determine political stability and economic security in Europe, including the political and economic development of Europe, the role of parties and party politics, the institutions and politics of the European Union.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 342  Politics of China and Japan  (3 credit hours)  

Politics, public policy, and foreign affairs of China and Japan.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 343  Government and Politics in South Asia  (3 credit hours)  

Survey of government structures, politics, foreign policies and economic policies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Democratization; religious, ethnic and sectarian conflicts; nuclear proliferation; Kashmir conflict; and economic development.

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 345  Governments and Politics in the Middle East  (3 credit hours)  

Historical, geographic, religious, and political-economic factors of the Middle East. Particular attention is given to the internal politics of selected countries, as well as issues of international concern.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 353  Issues in Latin American and Caribbean Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to the major issues affecting political and economic development and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

GEP Social Sciences

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 361  Introduction to Political Theory  (3 credit hours)  

Nature and purpose of politics, as treated by such writers as Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, Machiavelli, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche.

GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 362  American Political Thought  (3 credit hours)  

American ideas and institutions as viewed from the perspective of great American political thinkers, such as Frederick Douglass, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Henry David Thoreau, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Malcolm X.

GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 371  Research Methodology of Political Science  (3 credit hours)  

Research methods in social science and quantitative analysis in political science and public policy including research design, data collection, statistical analysis and computer applications.

Prerequisite: ST 311 or (ST301 and ST302)

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 391  Internship in Political Science  (1-6 credit hours)  

Internship in a governmental agency, interest group, or like organization involves seminar or formal report. Individualized/Independent Study and Research courses require a Course Agreement for Students Enrolled in Non-Standard Courses be completed by the student and faculty member prior to registration by the department.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 398  Special Topics in Political Science  (3 credit hours)  

For topics not part of regular course offerings, or offering of new courses on a trial basis. May be taken up to three times provided the topics are different.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 401  American Political Parties  (3 credit hours)  

Political Parties are the central linkage mechanism of American Government. They serve to connect the desires and viewpoints of ordinary Americans to actual governing in Washington and statehouses. The course will explore the structure of the party system in America, how it compares to other countries, and the struggle of third parties in America. The course will also explore political parties as organizations working towards electoral victory. The course will examine parties as changing coalitions of voters and place our current partisan polarization in context. The course will conclude by examining how all these aspects of contemporary political parties come together to shape modern American politics and policy.

Prerequisite: PS 201

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 402  American Presidency  (3 credit hours)  

The American presidency focuses on theories of presidential power and character (from Aristotle to James David Barber), critical qualities that determine success or failure, the cultural phenomena of the highest office, and the historical records of post-war presidents. The seminar specifically examines two presidents (one R, one D) in terms of issues of character, leadership, communication, crisis management, retrospective impact and charisma.

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 403  Southern Politics  (3 credit hours)  

An introduction to southern politics and the scientific study of southern politics that includes an examination of the historical, social, economic, and political forces that created modern southern politics. Includes a discussion of fundamental divisions within American politics (e.g. race and ethnicity, class, religion, gender, etc.) and their significance for southern politics and an assessment of the distinctive southern contribution to national political institutions and policymaking.

P: PS 201

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 409/AFS 409  Black Political Participation in America  (3 credit hours)  

African American political participation in the United States; political culture, socialization, and mobilization, with a focus on the interaction between African Americans and actors, institutions, processes, and policies of the American political system.

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 411  Public Opinion and the Media in American Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Nature, content, origins, and effects of public opinion in the American political system; role of the mass media in articulating and shaping public opinion; issues concerning measurement of public opinion.

Prerequisite: PS 201

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 418/WGS 418  Gender Law and Policies  (3 credit hours)  

Law and policy pertaining to contemporary gender issues. Examination of agenda setting, policy formation, implementation, judicial interpretation and evaluation of selected issues, such as reproductive policies, equal employment and sexual abuse.

Prerequisite: 3 hours of Political Science

GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 431  The United Nations and Global Order  (3 credit hours)  

United Nations in contemporary world politics. Functions and operation of central organs, commissions, and specialized agencies. Role in addressing global issues including peacekeeping, arms control, human rights, economic and social development, and environment.

Prerequisite: PS 231 or PS 236 or PS 335

GEP Global Knowledge

PS 432/SOC 432  Violence, Terrorism, and Public Policy  (3 credit hours)  

The course examines interpersonal and group violence in contemporary societies and the causes for its occurrences. Specific forms of violence that will be examined include domestic violence, gangs, homicide, and terrorism, domestically and internationally. Throughout the course students will use data to critically evaluate policies and practices to prevent and control violence and will examine potential solutions to the problems of violence.

Prerequisite: SOC 300 or PS 371

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 433  Global Problems and Policies  (3 credit hours)  

Critical analysis of issues and events in world politics, including terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering, transmission of infectious diseases, democratization, globalization and economic development.

Prerequisite: PS 231 or PS 236 or PS 241

GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 437  U.S. National Security Policy  (3 credit hours)  

Formulation and implementation of United States national security policy, including its military, political and economic dimensions. Historical evolution of US policy primarily from the end of World War II through the end of the Cold War and to itscontemporary context.

Prerequisite: PS 331

PS 441  Politics and Policies of the European Union  (3 credit hours)  

The European Union constitutes the most prominent experiment in peaceful international cooperation in world history. We consider the historical background against which the EU was created and examine the evolution of the EU over time. We investigate the way in which the EU is organized (i.e. its institutional structure), as well as its policies, its political economy, its relationship with the member states, and its role in international politics. Finally, we explore various theories that seek to explain the integration process and outline different 'visions for Europe.'

P: PS 231 or PS 236 or PS 241

GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Fall and Summer

PS 443/PS 543  Seminar in Latin American & Caribbean Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Comparative political development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Emphasis on democratization and implications for US foreign policy. Credit cannot be given for both PS 443 and PS 543

Prerequisite: Six hours of Political Science including PS 231

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 445/PS 545  Comparative Systems of Law and Justice  (3 credit hours)  

Legal culture and administration of justice in various countries and in the U.S. Emphasis on the impact of legal ideology on crime, political justice, police administration, corrections and judicial process. Credit will not be given for both PS 445 and PS 545

Junior standing or above

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 462  Seminar in Political Theory  (3 credit hours)  

A special area in political theory through selected texts, independent research, and seminar reports. Topics vary from year to year, such as ancient and modern political thought, democratic theory, and political theory in literature.

Prerequisite: PS 361 or Consent of Instructor

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 463  Public Choice and Political Institutions  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of public choice approach to political science. Analysis of political institutions and how they modify human behavior and influence political and policy outcomes. Fulfills department's undergraduate senior seminar requirement.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or Senior standing, Political Science Majors, 12 hours of Political Science Courses

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 464  The Classical Liberal Tradition  (3 credit hours)  

Analysis of the genesis and development in Europe and North America of liberal ideas such as natural rights, individual liberty, democracy, economic liberalism, religious pluralism, and the rule of law with a particular emphasis on important documents, thinkers, events, and leaders.

Prerequisites: PS 201 or PS 361 or PS 362

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 471  Public Opinion Research Methodology  (3 credit hours)  

Survey research methodology in public opinion polling, campaign management, media and market research, needs assessment and program evaluation. Topics include questionnaire design, survey sampling, computer applications, and data analysis. Individualized/Independent Study and Research courses require a Course Agreement for Students Enrolled in Non-Standard Courses be completed by the student and faculty member prior to registration by the department.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 490  Readings and Research in Political Science  (1-6 credit hours)  

Extensive readings or research in political science under direct faculty supervision. Individualized/Independent Study and Research courses require a Course Agreement for Students Enrolled in Non-Standard Courses be completed by the student and faculty member prior to registration by the department.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 492  Honors Readings and Thesis in Political Science  (1-6 credit hours)  

Independent reading and preparation of an honors thesis in political science. Individualized/Independent Study and Research courses require a Course Agreement for Students Enrolled in Non-Standard Courses be completed by the student and faculty member prior to registration by the department.

Prerequisite: Admission to Honors Program

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 498  Special Topics in Political Science  (3 credit hours)  

Seminar on special topics in PS. Fulfills PS seminar requirement for some or all PS major concentrations depending on course topic. Check with your PS advisor for details.

Prerequisite: Six hours of Political Science and PS 371 (or equivalent)

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 502  The Legislative Process  (3 credit hours)  

The formulation of public policy from institutional and behavioral viewpoints. Important current legislative problems at congressional and state legislative levels selected and serve as basis for analyzing legislative process.

Prerequisite: Advanced Undergraduate standing including 12 hrs. of PS, Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 506  United States Constitutional Law  (3 credit hours)  

Basic constitutional doctrines, including fundamental law, judicial review, individual rights and political privileges and national and state power. Special attention given to application of these doctrines to regulation of business, agriculture andlabor and to rights safeguarded by First, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution.

Prerequisite: 12 hours of PS or Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 507  Civil Liberties In the United States  (3 credit hours)  

Leading constitutional cases in civil liberties and individual rights along with writings of leading commentators.

Prerequisite: 12 hours of PS or Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 530  Seminar In International Relations  (3 credit hours)  

May be taken for up to six hours credit. In-depth examination of a topic within larger field of international politics to be selected by instructor for each semester from subjects pertaining to interstate relations, international law and organization, regional politics, foreign and security policy or global issues. Students undertake substantial independent research project.

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 531  International Law  (3 credit hours)  

Sources and subjects of international law, domestic and international jurisdictions, judicial settlement, legal and illegal uses of force and substance of law in selected policy areas.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or Advanced Undergraduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 532  Seminar in Global Governance  (3 credit hours)  

The politics of global governance, with emphasis on the role of intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, international regimes, and supranational institutions, and the comparative analysis of different governance structures. Includes study of the mechanisms of international cooperation between states and their citizens in a variety of issue areas, such as trade, money, development, humanitarianism, the environment, human rights, and security. Graduate standing.

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 533  Global Problems and Policy  (3 credit hours)  

International policy processes and policy responses to problems of global scope including role of international law. Consideration given to economic development, human rights and other policy problems selected for specific semesters. Independent research on a global policy problem of student's choice.

Prerequisite: Advanced Undergraduate standing including 12 hours of PS program, Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 534  The Politics of Human Rights Policies  (3 credit hours)  

Human rights policies and politics within the modern global society; the interplay of international organizations, governments and non-governmental actors in promoting and undermining international human rights; examines how domestic politics, sovereignty, cultural norms, religion, geo-political competition, past colonialism, and economic considerations affect efforts to address human rights violations in different countries; human rights issues such as genocide, humanitarian intervention, women and gender issues, refugees, transitional justice or reconciliation, ethnic/racial divisions, human trafficking, etc. Graduate standing.

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 536  Global Environmental Law and Policy  (3 credit hours)  

International organizations, laws and policies addressing global environmental problems including: population growth, atmospheric pollution, climate change, use of oceans, forests and biodiversity. Relationship between environment and Third World economic development.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Summer only

PS 539  International Political Economy  (3 credit hours)  

Politics of international trade and payments, with special emphasis on international and domestic determinants of protectionism, international and national political institutions, multinational corporations, debt crises, and dilemmas of economic underdevelopment.

Prerequisite: Advanced Undergraduate standing, Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate years

PS 540  Seminar In Comparative Politics  (3 credit hours)  

This seminar opens with a survey of the problems and methods of comparative political analysis, after which students assigned a specific, limited subject to be examined within framework of a systematic, analytical scheme appropriate to topic. Specific topics drawn from subjects of political ideologies, political groups, political elites and decision-making institutions and processes.

Prerequisite: One course in comparative politics and one course in PS methodology

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 541  Political Islam  (3 credit hours)  

Explores the diversity of movements, organizations, and political parties that fall within political Islam, from the extremist, violent fringe to democratically functioning groups. Begins with an overview of the interaction of religion and politics before defining political Islam and exploring major groups practicing it. The course provides a comparative perspective on Islam's interactions with the political realm, as well as a study of the role it plays in promoting or hindering democratic development.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

PS 542  European Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Analysis of political institutions and processes in selected European states and the European community and major social, economic and political issues confronting European societies.

Prerequisite: Nine hours of PS program, Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 543/PS 443  Seminar in Latin American & Caribbean Politics  (3 credit hours)  

Comparative political development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Emphasis on democratization and implications for US foreign policy. Credit cannot be given for both PS 443 and PS 543

Prerequisite: Six hours of Political Science including PS 231

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 544  Contemporary African Politics  (3 credit hours)  

A survey of key themes, trajectories, and trends in contemporary African politics. It analyzes political and economic development on the continent since the dawn of independence in the late 1950s. Although largely focused on Sub-Saharan Africa, the course will nevertheless touch upon linkages and connections with North Africa as well as diasporic influences and inspirations especially in the pan-African struggles for independence and the forging of new sovereign nation-states.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 545/PS 445  Comparative Systems of Law and Justice  (3 credit hours)  

Legal culture and administration of justice in various countries and in the U.S. Emphasis on the impact of legal ideology on crime, political justice, police administration, corrections and judicial process. Credit will not be given for both PS 445 and PS 545

Junior standing or above

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 546  The Politics of East Asia  (3 credit hours)  

This course examines the history and key theoretical and policy debates on the politics of East Asia, which in this course includes China, Japan, two Koreas, and Taiwan. Yet, other countries in and beyond the region (the United States, Russia, Southeast Asian nations) and their relations with the five states are an integral part of the course. The class comprises three parts. Part I introduces the modern history of East Asia. Part II examines the contemporary governments of East Asia, including their political systems and the main debates surrounding their politics. Part III focuses on interstate relations of East Asia and Pacific, comprising a series of topics that are both timely and heatedly debated among intellectuals and policymakers. While these topics are mostly country/countries-specific, they together are important in understanding the regional dynamics of East Asia.

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 547  Russian Politics  (3 credit hours)  

The course investigates the principal political and societal actors in today's Russia, as well as the key trends in Russia's domestic and foreign policy.

Typically offered in Spring only

PS 560  Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy & Process  (3 credit hours)  

Policy and processes associated with global nuclear nonproliferation efforts. Special emphasis on the history of the development of the global nonproliferation regime, current challenges, and future threats.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 561  Nuclear Strategy and Nonproliferation  (3 credit hours)  

No understanding of world politics is complete without an accounting of the role of nuclear weapons. Observers have credited the nuclear revolution with everything from responsibility for the longest period without a great-power war in modern history to bringing humanity to the precipice of annihilation. This course gives students an understanding of the role that nuclear weapons have played in world politics over the past seven decades. The course explores the ways these weapons have been incorporated into military force structures; the roles they have played in military strategy; and the effort to control their spread, limit deployments and stockpiles, avoid nuclear war, and prevent nuclear terrorism. This course will be of use to graduate students with an interest in international relations, foreign policy, and national security. No prior background in international security or nuclear policy is required.

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 571  Research Methods and Analysis  (3 credit hours)  

A survey of methods used in behavioral research as applied to field of political science: elements of empirical theory, research design, measurement of variables, sampling procedures, data courses, techniques of data collection, statistical analysis, qualitative methodologies and presentation of research findings.

Prerequisite: Advanced Undergraduate standing including 12 hours of PS program, Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Fall only

PS 585  Constitutional and Legal Principles for Police Supervisors  (3 credit hours)  

Intensive look at the constitutional underpinnings and restrictions on laws and government agency policies impacting police agencies. Specific constitutional protections relating to interrogation and search of employees, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and drug testing. Legal risks and liabilities facing police managers and how to reduce these risks.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 590  Special Topics  (1-6 credit hours)  

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

PS 598  Special Topics In Political Science  (1-6 credit hours)  

Detailed investigation of a topic. Topic and mode of study determined by student and a faculty member.

Prerequisite: Six hours of PS program or graduate student standing.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

PS 610  Special Topics  (1-6 credit hours)  

Detailed investigation of a topic. Topic and mode of study determined by student and a faculty member.

Prerequisite: Six hours of PS program or graduate student standing.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring