Political Science (POLS)

POLS 3301  Intro to Political Science  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course introduces students to Political Science as both a field of academic inquiry and as a practical discipline. Each of the subfields – American politics (including public law and public administration), comparative politics, international relations, and public policy – will build upon their respective theoretical and methodological foundations.

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions:

POLS 3302  Research and Analy in Pol Sci  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The practice of political science. The construction of research designs; major research tools; methods of political analysis; political science writing. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3303  American Political Thought  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course explores American political thought from the American Revolution to the contemporary era. We will focus upon a collection of American thinkers who worked at the fringes of mainstream political theory, and expanded the boundaries of thought and practice.

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305, GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3304  Legal Reasoning and Argument  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course serves as an introduction to law and public speaking, focusing on the use of legal reasoning and argument within the context of a trial court setting. This course begins with a discussion of legal and court procedure in the United States. Throughout the course of the semester, we will discuss the use and importance of logic and reasoning as well as how to speak effectively to an audience. The class will conclude with a practical application of these concepts and skills in the way of a mock trial scrimmage.

Prerequisites: GOVT 2306, GOVT 2305.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3305  Punk Music and the Self  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course explores the potential for self-creation through punk music, the role that punk plays as a politically charged subculture, and the ways that the punk scene communicates protest through fashion, music, and social engagement.

Prerequisites: GOVT 2306, GOVT 2305.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3306  The Politics of Truth  
Credits: 3 (0-0-0)
  

This course will look at the role of truth in politics and interrogates the conflict between truth and political power, specifically highlighting the individual that functions as both truth-knower and truth-teller.

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305, GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3310  American Political Institution  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Explores the structure and major issues and controversies in the study of American political institutions; topics include executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3311  Congress  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

An examination of the Congress, from formal organization, member recruitment, and theories of representation, to Congressional reform, policy-making, and interbranch relationships. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3312  The Executive  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course will cover the presidency, its constitutional basis, structure, powers, functions, and responsibilities. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3313  The Judiciary  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course will focus on the judicial system of the United States in terms of structure, function, and process. Both the federal and state levels of the judiciary will be studied, both in terms of how the operate individually and how they interact. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3315  Water Laws, Rules and Policy  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course provides an introduction to local, state, and federal rules and regulations relevant to water as a resource. Laws, rules, and policies governing water as a resource will be reviewed and evaluated, including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. Students will examine federal, state and local approaches to water allocation, pollution control, and resource management on private and public lands, and for diverse water sources, Students will explore the challenges of water management, and discuss alternative strategies for achieving sustainability, including the roles of science, sanctions, economic incentives, opinion, and other influences. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3321  Pol Theory Ancient & Medieval  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The theories of the major thinkers of the periods and of their development. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3322  Polit Theory Early Mdrn &Mdrn  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Theories of the major thinkers and the related intellectual and political movements. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3323  Conflict and Genocide  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Examining genocide as a consequence and a cause of major national and international conflict.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3324  Politics of the European Union  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3325  The Politics of Counterinsurge  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This module will explore the evolution of counterinsurgency through the lens of Britsih military deployments during the post WWII period, a sequence of conflicts that is known as "Britain's Small Wars". This course will focus on the political dimension of conflict, tracing British military history from the role of the British Army in Mandatory Palestine through to withdrawal from Camp Bastin in Afghanistan in August 2013.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3330  Foundations of Peace and Conflict Studies  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course covers issues, developments, and international relationships between state and nonstate actors as well as post-conflict resolution processes and efforts made to pursue peace. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, Math

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305, GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3335  International Human Rights  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the normative foundations of human rights, the international law of human rights, and the politics of creating and enforcing human rights standards both domestically and internationally. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, Math

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305, GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3341  International Relations  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The underlying principles governing political relations among sovereign states and the application of these principles to contemporary international problems. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 3351  Comparative Politics  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The structures, functions and processes of selected political systems. May be repeated once for credit. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

POLS 3370  Theories of International Relations  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course focuses on the major orthodox and critical theoretical approaches within international relations to examine and assess the sociopolitical structures that shape interactions between states, international organizations, and non-state actors on the global stage. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, Math

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305, GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4302  Adv Res Mtds: Rgrssn & Analys  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

In this course students will learn model building, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and prediction analysis using a statistical analysis program. Course is suitable for those interested in performing advanced data analysis. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4311  Voting Behavr and Pub Opinion  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The relation of public opinion and voting behavior to democratic government; techniques employed in analyzing political attitudes and voting behavior. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4312  Interst Group and Pol Parties  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Formation, structure and functions of interest groups and political parties within the political system. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4314  State and Local Govt and Admin  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Structure and functions of governmental institutions; administrative practices of state and local governments. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4315  Urban Politics  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

A study of urban political processes and major public problems confronting urban areas. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4316  American Political Behavior  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

An introduction to core theories and controversies about American mass political behavior; topics include electoral and non-electoral political participation, political socialization, and party identification. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4317  Nuclr Prolf/ US Non Prolf Pol  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Causes of and U.S. responses to, nuclear proliferation in Third World regions, focusing on “problem countries.” Topics include the non-proliferation regime, the “nuclear repentants,” nuclear arms control and the threat of nuclear terrorism. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4320  Terrorism & Political Violence  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Covers the relevant analytical frameworks, theories, and cases concerning terrorism, insurgency, and related forms of political violence. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4325  Technology & Politics  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

A study of technology and society from the perspective of social values, ethics, sociology, social environment, politics and economics. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4331  Constitutional Law  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course focuses on institutional power and constraints. A survey of American constitutional law, using leading cases, both historic and contemporary, of the Supreme Court of the United States. Establishment of the federal political system for which the Constitution provided and the judicial allocations of political and economic power within that system. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4332  Constitutional Law II  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

This course focuses on civil rights and civil liberties. A survey of American constitutional law using leading cases, both historic and contemporary, of the Supreme Court of the United States. Matters of rights and liberties, their recognition and definition, policies of rights developed by the Supreme Court of the United States. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4333  American Judicial Process  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The federal judicial system in terms of structure, function and process with stress on court interaction at both intracourt and intersystem levels. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4335  Nations and Nationalism  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

An examination of the key concepts and methodological approaches related to the study of the nation, of nationalisms, and the emergence of the modern state. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, Math

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305, GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4342  International Organization  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Basic features, functions and problems of international organizations through the League of Nations, the United Nations and its specialized agencies and other important regional organizations in the context of the world situation. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4343  International Law  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

An introduction to the study of international law. This course examines the definition, object and sources of international law as well as its relationship to domestic law and to the study of international relations. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4354  Govt & Politics of Latin Ameri  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The structures, functions and processes of the political systems of the nations of Central America, the Caribbean and South America. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4355  Govt and Politics of Mexico  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The structures, functions and processes of the political system of Mexico. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4361  Public Administration  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

The place of public administration in government; the relations of the bureaucracy to other government institutions and the public. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4363  Policy and Policy Making in US  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Public policy and its formation through the interaction of political groups and governmental institutions in selected areas of public policy; relevant comparisons to other national systems. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4364  Women and Politics  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Description, analysis and assessment of women's place in a democracy through a focus on women's capacity to relate to and use political power. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4366  Mass Media & Politics  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

POLS 4370  Spec Studies in Polit Sci  
Credits: 3 (3-0-0)
  

An intensive examination of special topics of study in political science. Course may be repeated once for credit when the topic of study changes. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

POLS 4371  Political Science Internship  
Credits: 3 (0-0-3)
  

This course provides students the opportunity to integrate traditional learning exercises with practical experience in one of the following areas: a political campaign, an elected official’s office, a state or city bureaucracy/agency, or a professional environment. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306 and consent of the instructor.

Restrictions: Graduate level students may not enroll.