Political Science (POLS)
POLS Y103 Introduction to American Politics (3 cr.)
An introduction to the nature of politics and government and the dynamics of American politics. The course includes an analysis of the origin and nature of the American federal system, its political party base, and its major institutions.
POLS Y200 Contemporary Political Topics (3 cr.)
An extensive analysis of selected contemporary political problems. Topics vary from semester to semester and
are listed in the Schedule of Classes.
POLS Y205 Elements of Political Analysis (3 cr.)
An introduction to the major approaches to and techniques of the systematic study of politics. Includes an introduction to the analysis of quantitative data. Required for majors.
POLS Y218 Comparative Politics: Europe and Canada (3 cr.)
A comparative analysis of four European countries and Canada – four seasoned democracies and Russia whose political system is still influx. Emphasis is placed on the political heritage of these countries, their governmental institutions, electoral systems, political party systems and decision-making processes.
POLS Y301 Political Parties and Interest Groups (3 cr.)
A presentation of the nature of political parties, social movements, and interest groups and their relationship to the process of representation. The course also includes a discussion of the structure and organization of and membership in these groups. Theories about political party activity and behavior are also evaluated.
POLS Y302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society (3 cr.)
Examines public bureaucracy, with special emphasis aupon the United States as a political phenomenon engaging in policy making and in the definition of the terms of policy issues. Considers the role of bureaucratic instruments in promoting social change and in responding to it.
POLS Y303 Formation of Public Policy in the United States (3 cr.)
An analysis of the processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy with emphasis on Congressional policy-making, oversight, fiscal control, and political setting.
POLS Y304 American Constitutional Law I(3 cr.)
A study of the nature and function of law and the judicial process. An analysis of selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting the U.S. Constitution of major importance.
POLS Y305 American Constitutional Law II(3 cr.)
A further study of the nature and function of law and the judicial process with an analysis of other important selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting the U.S. Constitution.
POLS Y307 Indiana State Government and Politics (3 cr.)
A study of the constitutional foundations, political development, organization, accomplishments, and current problems of Indiana government.
POLS Y308 Urban Politics (3 cr.)
An analysis of political behavior in modern American urban communities. The course emphasizes the impact of municipal organization, city officials and bureaucracies, social and economic notables, political parties, interest groups, the general public, and protest organizations on urban policy outcomes.
POLS Y312 Workshop in State and Local Government (3 cr.)
An intensive study of administration problems such as financial administration, public health, and welfare.
POLS Y316 Public Opinion and Political Participation (3 cr.)
A study of the nature of public opinion and its impact on major domestic and foreign policy issues, of mass political ideology, of voting behavior and other forms of political participation, and of political culture.
POLS Y318 The American Presidency (3 cr.)
An analysis of the development of the Presidency and its relationship to the American political system. The course also offers a study of presidential personalities and roles, with emphasis on political leadership, and of problems of the contemporary Presidency.
POLS Y319 The United States Congress (3 cr.)
A study of the role of Congress in American national politics with emphasis on constitutional powers, organization, historical development, reform, Congressional-executive relations, policy-making, oversight, and fiscal control.
POLS Y335 Western European Politics (3 cr.)
Development, structure, and functioning of political systems, primarily in France, Italy, and Germany. Political dynamics of European integration.
POLS Y360 United States Foreign Policy (3 cr.)
Analysis of institutions and processes involved in the formation and implementation of American foreign policy. The course also offers an overview of major post-World War II U.S. foreign policies.
POLS Y362 International Politics of Selected Regions (3 cr.)
The region studied will vary with the instructor and the year. However, Latin America is often the region selected. Current information may be obtained from the Political Science faculty.
POLS Y366 Current Foreign Policy Problems (3 cr.)
An analysis of foreign policy issues and options facing the United States. Such issues and options may include totalitarianism, imperialism, terrorism, containment, diplomacy, preventive actions, and others.
POLS Y372 The Analysis of International Politics (3 cr.)
An analysis of the nature and attributes of the nation-state and of international systems. The course also includes an analysis of nationalism, imperialism, the causes of war, sovereignty, international law, international organizations, and major international issues.
POLS Y381 History of Political Theory I(3 cr.)
This course is not a history of political theory per se. Rather, it is an intensive study of selected works in ancient and medieval political philosophy including Plato’s The Republic, Aristotle’s Politics, Cicero’s The Commonwealth, and St. Thomas Aquinas’ The Laws.
POLS Y382 History of Political Theory II(3 cr.)
Similarly to Y381, this course is an intensive study of selected works in political philosophy of the so-called modern philosophers. These include Nicolo Machievelli’s The Prince, Thomas Hobbes’ The Leviathan, John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Treatise on the Origins of Inequality Among Men and The Social Contract, and Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto.
POLS Y383 American Political Ideas I(3 cr.)
American political ideas from the colonial period to the founding period.
POLS Y384 American Political Ideas II(3 cr.)
American Political ideas from the founding period to the present.
POLS Y394 Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
A study of the place of theory and method in examining public policies in relation to programs, institutional arrangements, and constitutional problems. Particular reference to American political experience.
POLS Y398 Internship in Urban Institutions (3 cr.; 6 cr. max.)
This option, which requires the permission of a political science faculty, provides opportunities for students to observe and participate directly in the policy-making process of urban institutions requiring the assistance of para-professionals. Research and written reports are required. Evaluations will be made by both the agency and the faculty advisor. Students working in city and county institutions may repeat the course for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
POLS Y401 Topics in Political Science (3 cr.)
Topic varies with the instructor and year; consult the Schedule of Classes for current information.
POLS Y480 Undergraduate Readings in Political Science (1-6 cr.) Individual readings and research. No more than 6 credit hours total may be taken. May be taken only with consent of instructor.
POLS Y481 Field Experience in Political Science (1-6 cr.)
Open to junior or senior majors only. Political science project approved by a faculty member. Faculty-directed study of aspects of the political process based upon field experience. Directed readings, field research, research paper.
POLS Y490 Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 cr.)
Required for majors in political science. Research paper on a selected topic approved by a political science faculty member required.
POLS Y496 Foreign Study in Political Science (3 cr.)
This course involves planning of research project during year preceding summer abroad. Time spent in research abroad must amount to at least one week for each credit hour granted. Research paper must be presented by end of semester following foreign study.
POLS Y499 Honors Thesis (3cr.)
Requires the approval of a political science faculty and departmental honors advisor.
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