Return to Majors

Interdepartmental Major in Political Science and Economics

Purpose
The interdepartmental major in political science and economics explores important issues arising in both the public and private sectors and provides students with the basic theoretical tools necessary to investigate these issues. Note: Any economics course may be replaced by the honors equivalent. Also, students in the Liberal Arts and Management Program may substitute approved sections of L316 (LAMP Junior Seminar) for E370.

Requirements
Students must meet the following course requirements for a total of 42 credit hours:

1. Math requirements: M118 and M119, M211. (These courses do not count toward the 42 credit hours required for the major.)
2. Political Science Y204, Y391, Y303 or Y394, and at least 9 credit hours in political science in any of the following courses: Y302, Y343, Y346, Y350, Y376, Y481, Y499, or preapproved sections of Y200, Y396, or Y401. A list of preapproved sections of Y200, Y396, and Y401 is available each semester in the Departments of Political Science and Economics.
3. Economics E201, E202, and E321. Either E308 or E361 and E362. At least 6 credit hours in economics courses in preapproved sections of E309 or courses numbered above E321, with at least 3 of these 6 credit hours from a course numbered above E321, excluding E370. A list of preapproved sections of E309 is available each semester in the Departments of Political Science and Economics.
4. Statistics requirement: ECON E370 or POLS Y395.

1. Students meeting requirements 1-4 (above) with a total of 39 credit hours will be allowed to use 3 credit hours toward the major from pre-approved sections of COAS E104 (Topics) courses. A list of pre-approved sections of COAS E104 (Topics) is available each semester in the Departments of Economics and Political Science.
2. No more than 6 credit hours of honors thesis credit (3 credit hours from ECON E499 and 3 credit hours from POLS Y499) may be counted toward the major.
3. A maximum of 3 credit hours of POLS Y484 (for teaching interns only) may be counted toward the major. No Y481 credit may count toward the major.

Return to Majors

Interdepartmental Major in Political Science and Philosophy

Requirements
Students must take a minimum of 42 credit hours, with a minimum of 18 credit hours in each department. Students must also complete the degree requirements in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Political Science

1. At least 18 credit hours, with no more than two 100-level courses counted in political science.
2. At least one 300-level course in each of the following areas:
1. American Politics (Y301-Y320, Y324-Y326, Y390, Y394).
2. Comparative Politics or International Relations (Y331-Y372, Y374-Y376).
3. At least two 300-level courses in political theory selected from Y379, and Y381 through Y388.
4. Y396 Seminar in Political Science.

1. At least 18 credit hours, with no more than one 100-level course counting toward the minimum and with at least 12 credit hours at or above the 300 level.
2. At least one course above the 100 level in each of the following three areas:
1. Ethics and value theory
2. History of philosophy
3. Epistemology and metaphysics
3. One of the following logic courses: P150 or P250.

Return to Majors

Return to Top

Minors

Minor in Political Science
Interdepartmental Minor in Political Science and Economics

Return to Top

Minor in Political Science

Requirements
Students must complete the following:

1. A total of 15 College of Arts and Sciences credit hours, of which at least 9 shall be at the 300 level.
2. At least two courses in one of the following blocks of courses and at least one course from one of the other two blocks.
1. American politics, public policy, law, and administration (Y301 through Y320, Y324 through Y326, Y373, Y390, Y394).
2. Comparative politics or international relations (Y331 through Y372, Y374 through Y376).
3. Political theory and methodology (Y379, Y381 through Y388, Y391).
3. Only three hours of credit in Y481 may be counted toward the minor.
4. At least 9 credit hours of the above courses must be taken in residence at the Bloomington campus.

Return to Minors

Interdepartmental Minor in Political Science and Economics

The interdepartmental minor in economics and political science introduces students to important issues arising in both the public and private sectors.

Requirements
Students must meet the following course requirements for a total of 18 credit hours:

1. Political Science Y204, Y391, and 3 credit hours from Y302, Y343, Y346, Y350, Y376, or preapproved sections of COAS E104 (Topics), Y200, Y396, or Y401. A list of preapproved sections is on file each semester in the Departments of Economics and Political Science.
2. Economics E201-E202 or S201-S202, and 3 credit hours from selected sections of Topics E104, or E308, or from preapproved sections of E309. A list of preapproved sections is available each semester from the Departments of Economics and Political Science.

Return to Minors

Return to Top

Departmental Honors Program

The Department of Political Science makes a special effort to give outstanding students opportunities appropriate to their abilities and interests. In addition to a number of topics courses and small seminars, the department offers a formal program leading to a B.A. with honors.

Admission to the program usually occurs at the end of the sophomore year. Students are eligible to apply if they have completed at least 9 credit hours in political science, including at least one 300-level course, with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in political science and a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 in university courses. Applicants must complete an application and meet with the faculty honors director to discuss the student's proposed program. To attain a degree with honors, students must:

1. Present an acceptable honors thesis and defend it before a faculty committee. There are two paths to the thesis:
1. The student must take 1-3 credit hours of Y480 (usually in the second semester of the junior year) followed by 3-12 hours of Y499 over one or two semesters (usually in the senior year). Total amount of credit to be determined by the chairperson of the student's honors committee.
2. The student arranges with a faculty member to enroll in a graduate seminar. The paper for that seminar serves as the basis for the honors thesis and the instructor becomes the chairperson of the student's honors committee.
2. During the fall semester of the year in which the thesis is being completed and defended, the student must enroll in the "Honors Proseminar" section of Y480 (1 credit hour). The honors thesis will be written under the direction of a faculty supervisor (chairperson of the student's honors committee) and at least one additional committee member.

Return to Top

Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis

The Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis develops courses that provide students with an opportunity to relate theoretical analysis of contemporary policy issues to empirical field research. Students in both graduate and undergraduate courses participate in the design and implementation of small-scale, policy-relevant research projects. These projects help students gain practical experience in reasoning through policy problems, in conducting research, and in analyzing data. Students may also use data collected in these studies for their own research, such as class assignments and honors theses. High-quality work may be considered for publication in the workshop publication series. The subject matter of the courses varies from year to year, but a consistent theme is the comparative study of alternative institutional arrangements for dealing with public sector problems.

In addition to the development of specific courses, the workshop holds weekly colloquia where faculty and students at Indiana University and guest speakers address theoretical and policy problems of mutual interest. Reprints of recent studies in the workshop's publication series are available to students without charge.

Further information, including listings of current course offerings and publications, is available from the Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis at 513 N. Park Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, (812) 855-0441.

Return to Top

Course Descriptions

Y100 American Political Controversies (3 cr.) S & H Introduction to current or past American political controversies. The course content presents multiple sides of complex issues. Topics vary from semester to semester. The course may be repeated once for credit; however, the course may be counted only once toward a political science major.
Y101 Principles of Political Science (3 cr.) S & H Introductory survey of the discipline of political science: integrates basic elements of American politics, political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. Intended especially for actual or prospective majors.
Y102 International Political Controversies (3 cr.) S & H Introduction to current or past controversial issues in international and comparative politics, presenting multiple sides of complex issues. Topics vary from semester to semester. The course may be repeated once; however, it may be counted only once toward a political science major.
Y103 Introduction to American Politics (3 cr.) S & H Introduction to the nature of government and the dynamics of American politics. Origin and nature of the American federal system and its political party base. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
Y105 Introduction to Political Theory (3 cr.) A & H Perennial problems of political philosophy, including relationships between rulers and ruled, nature of authority, social conflict, character of political knowledge, and objectives of political action. Credit not given for both Y105 and Y215. I Sem., II Sem.
Y107 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 cr.) S & H Similarities and differences in political processes, governmental institutions, and policy issues across major contemporary states. Cases for comparison include industrial democratic (such as Western Europe and the United States), communist (such as the former Soviet Union and China), and developing countries. Credit not given for both Y107 and Y217. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
Y109 Introduction to International Politics (3 cr.) S & H Causes of war, nature and attributes of the state, imperialism, international law, national sovereignty, arbitration, adjudication, international organization, major international issues. Credit not given for both Y109 and Y219. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
Y200 Contemporary Political Problems (3 cr.) S & H Extensive analysis of selected contemporary political problems. Topics vary from semester to semester and are listed in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated once for credit. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
Y204 Political Theory and Policy Analysis (3 cr.) S & H Introduction to political science; examines the foundations of political theory, elements of political analysis, and the relationship of structure and strategy to political choice. Theory developed as a mode of reasoning about contemporary policy problems and for more advanced study in politics, law, and public affairs.
Y205 Elements of Political Analysis (3 cr.) S & H Introduction to the major approaches to and techniques of the systematic study of political science. Includes introduction to analysis of quantitative political data.
Y210 Honors Seminar (3 cr.) S & H Intensive examination of selected political topics for freshman and sophomore honors students. Emphasis on critical discussion and preparation of brief papers. May be repeated once for credit.
Y211 Introduction to Law (3 cr.) S & H An introduction to law as a method for dealing with social problems and as an aspect of the social and political system. An introduction to legal reasoning, procedures, and materials. Usually includes comparison of U.S. to other societies' approaches to law. Mock court situations usually included.
Y212 Making Democracy Work (3 cr.) A & H Nature and justifications for democratic politics and the problems confronting democracy today. Demise of liberalism in America; rise of identity politics and its significance; racial inequality and the problems of deliberative democracy; problems of political alienation and participation.
Y280 Political Science Laboratory (1 cr.) Offered concurrently with Y205 or a 300-level political science course. Information on topic and course affiliation available in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated twice for credit.
Y301 Political Parties and Interest Groups (3 cr.) S & H Theories of American party activity; behavior of political parties, interest groups, and social movements; membership in groups; organization and structure; evaluation and relationship to the process of representation.
Y302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society (3 cr.) S & H Examines public bureaucracy, with special emphasis on 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.
Y303 Formation of Public Policy in the United States (3 cr.) S & H Processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy in American society.
Y304-Y305 American Constitutional Law I-II (3-3 cr.) S & H Nature and function of law; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting American constitutional system.
Y306 State Politics in the United States (3 cr.) S & H Comparative study of politics in the American states. Special emphasis on the impact of political culture, party systems, legislatures, and bureaucracies on public policies.
Y307 Indiana State Government and Politics (3 cr.) S & H Constitutional foundations, political development, organizational and functional process and growth, and current problems of Indiana government. Readings, case studies, problems.
Y308 Urban Politics (3 cr.) S & H Political behavior in modern American communities; 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.
Y311 Democracy and National Security (3 cr.) S & H Analysis of fundamental tensions between democratic values and the requirements of national security. Topics include how public opinion affects foreign policy, civil-military relations, legislative oversight of intelligence operations, effects of interventions and wars on democracy abroad and at home, and debates over the morality of U.S. security policies.
Y313 Environmental Policy (3 cr.) S & H Examines the processes of social decision reconciling human demands on the natural world with the ability of nature to sustain life and living standards. Analyzes the implications for public policies in complex sequential interactions among technical, economic, social, and political systems and considers the consequences of alternative courses of action.
Y315 Political Psychology and Socialization (3 cr.) S & H Analysis of the relationship between personality and politics. Use of major psychological theories and concepts to understand the attitudes and behavior of mass publics and political elites.
Y317 Voting, Elections, and Public Opinion (3 cr.) S & H Determinants of voting behavior in elections. The nature of public opinion regarding major domestic and foreign policy issues; development of political ideology; other influences on the voting choices of individuals and the outcomes of elections; relationships among public opinion, elections, and the development of public policy. Credit not given for both Y316 and Y317.
Y318 The American Presidency (3 cr.) S & H Examination of the American presidency both in historical setting and in contemporary context. Topics such as presidential elections, roles and resources of the president, structures and processes of the presidency, presidential leadership and behavior, relationships of the presidency and other participants in policy making.
Y319 The United States Congress (3 cr.) S & H Evolution and development of the contemporary Congress. Topics such as electoral processes; organizational structures and procedures of the Senate and House of Representatives; involvement of Congress with other policymaking centers; lawmaking, representative, and oversight activities of the national legislature.
Y320 Judicial Politics (3 cr.) S & H Examines the American judicial system in the contemporary context. Analysis of the trial and appellate courts with a focus on the United States Supreme Court. Topics include analyses of the structure of the judicial system, the participants in the system, and the policy making processes and capabilities of the legal system. The course concludes with an assessment of the role of courts in a majoritarian democracy.
Y324 Women and Politics (3 cr.) S & H Analysis of women in contemporary political systems, domestic or foreign, with emphasis on political roles, participation, and public policy. Normative or empirical examination of how political systems affect women and the impact women have on the them. Topics vary semester to semester. May be repeated once for credit with a different topic.
Y325 Black Politics (3 cr.) S & H Examines the black political condition, with special emphasis on political thought and behavior. The course analyzes not only how the political system affects blacks, but also the impact blacks have on it. Themes for this course may vary.
Y326 American Social Welfare Policy (3 cr.) S & H Values and social welfare policy. Development, current status, politics, and proposals for reform of social security and private pensions, income maintenance policy, health care, and housing. The future of the welfare state.
Y331 British Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSB Governmental structure and political behavior of contemporary Britain, with emphasis on process and policies.
Y332 Russian Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Political process and government structure in the Russian state. Political institutions inherited from tsarist empire and the Soviet state (1917-1991), history of subsequent political reform. Political problems of ethnic conflict, creating democratic institutions, and of transition from socialism to market economy.
Y333 Chinese Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Influence of revolutionary traditions, ideology, and organization on contemporary policy issues in the People's Republic of China. Analysis of Chinese Communist Party and bureaucracy; leadership and participation; social equality and economic growth.
Y334 Japanese Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Political development of Japan, with emphasis on changing attitudes toward modernization; cultural and sociological factors affecting the functioning of contemporary political institutions; and the implication of Japanese experience in modernization of other developing societies.
Y335 Western European Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSB Development, structure, and functioning of political systems, primarily in France, Italy, and Germany. Political dynamics of European integration.
Y337 Latin American Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Comparative analysis of political change in major Latin American countries, emphasizing alternative explanations of national and international developments; examination of impact of political parties, the military, labor and peasant movements, Catholic Church, multinational corporations, regional organizations, and United States on politics; public policy processes in democratic and authoritarian regimes.
Y338 African Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Politics in contemporary sub-Saharan Africa. Topics include processes of nation building, dependency, and underdevelopment; role of political parties, leadership, ideology, and military rule; continuing relevance of colonial heritage and traditional culture; network of international relations; and special situation of South Africa.
Y339 Middle Eastern Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Political culture and change in selected Middle Eastern and North African countries. Topics include political elites, traditional cultures, modern political ideology, institutions of political control, conflict management, and social reform policies.
Y340 East European Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSA The study of the evolution of the governmental and political processes in the states of Eastern Europe. Traditional, ideological, and political aspects of the individual communist societies will be discussed, with special emphasis on ideological differentiation and nationalism.
Y342 Topics on the Regional Politics of Africa (3 cr.) S & H Problems of political development within regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Political party organization and tactics, recruitment of political and administrative leadership, tactics of voluntary associations, patterns of international relations. May be repeated once for credit with consent of instructor and departmental undergraduate advisor.
Y343 Development Problems in the Third World (3 cr.) S & H Alternative explanations of underdevelopment and competing strategies for development. Domestic and international issues in development processes. Emphasis on problems of poverty, inequality, and dependency in contexts of economic growth and stagnation. Comparative cases: Africa, Asia, Latin America.
Y345 Comparative Revolutions (3 cr.) S & H Analysis of major modern revolutions. Focus on the social, economic, and political causes of revolutions; the rise of revolutionary movements; and the strategies for gaining and consolidating power. Credit not given for both Y230 and Y345.
Y346 Comparative Politics in Developing Countries (3 cr.) S & H Analyses of political actors and political processes in developing countries (African, Asian, Latin American). Ethnic, regional, religious, class conflict in the process of political change; the role of political parties, the peasantry, organized labor, business elites, the military, coalitions, ideologies, and political leadership; socioeconomic issues and public policy formation.
Y347 German Politics (3 cr.) S & H, CSB Survey of the German political system including governmental institutions, the origins and role of political parties, opportunities for citizens to participate in politics, and current political culture. Special attention is paid to the question of how well Germany's democracy functions after experiencing several regime changes.
Y350 European Integration (3 cr.) S & H Study of the politics of the European Community. Assesses the process and dynamics of economic and political integration in Western Europe, the structure and work of EC institutions, and public policies of the EC.
Y351 Political Simulations (1-3 cr.) A course tied to simulations of international organizations such as the European Union, the United Nations, or the Organization of American States. May be taken alone or in conjunction with related political science courses. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credit hours.
Y352 The Holocaust, Genocide, and Political Responsibility (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Examination of the political meanings of the Holocaust and its consequences for genocide at different times and places. Focus on individual, collective, and national responsibilities for the Holocaust and genocide from the vantage of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. Concludes by applying the themes of the Holocaust to contemporary examples of genocide.
Y353 Women and Politics in Comparative Perspective (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Exploration of how different social, economic, and political practices have influenced the construction of gender and sexuality outside of the United States. Examines the interplay between gender relations and characteristics of public and private institutions. May be repeated, with a different topic, for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Y360 United States Foreign Policy (3 cr.) S & H Analysis of institutions and processes involved in the formation and implementation of American foreign policy. Emphasis is on post-World War II policies.
Y361 Contemporary Theories of International Politics (3 cr.) S & H Theories used in the study of international politics: systems theory, field theory, conflict theory, alliance and coalition theories, balance-of-power theories, and an introduction to game and bargaining theory.
Y362 International Politics of Selected Regions (3 cr.) S & H The region studied will vary with the instructor and the year. Current information may be obtained from the Department of Political Science. May be repeated once for credit, with permission of the departmental undergraduate advisor.
Y363 Comparative Foreign Policy (3 cr.) S & H Comparative analysis of the factors that influence foreign policy and the foreign policy process with a special emphasis on the contrast between large and small powers. Particular attention is paid to the super powers and a small number of other states. Classroom simulations are often central to the course.
Y366 Current Foreign Policy Problems (3 cr.) S & H Critique of foreign policy issues: communism, containment, imperialism, and others. Research papers and classroom presentation for critical discussion.
Y367 International Law (3 cr.) S & H Sources and consequences of international law; relationship to international organizations and world order; issues of national sovereignty, human rights, conflict resolution, international property rights, world trade, environmental change, and other topics.
Y368 Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy (3 cr.) S & H R: Y332. Behavior of Russia and USSR in world affairs from October Revolution to present. Emphasis on impact of domestic politics, economic performance, and changing international environment.
Y372 The Analysis of International Politics (3 cr.) S & H R: Y109 or equivalent. Introduction to the systematic study of international politics, focusing on the major approaches of decision making (microanalysis) and the international system (macroanalysis) and on a number of specific methodologies, such as game theory, content analysis, simulation, and quantitative/statistical techniques.
Y375 War and International Conflict (3 cr.) S & H The nature of war. Theories and evidence on the causes of war. Discussion of the ways in which war has been conceived and perceived across time and of methods employed to study the phenomenon of war.
Y376 International Political Economy (3 cr.) S & H Theories about the interaction between the international economic and political systems are the subject of this course. Works from each of the main traditions—liberal, Marxist, and statist—will be assigned. Specific topics covered will include (among others): the politics of trade, aid, foreign investment, and international monetary affairs; theories of dependency and imperialism; the politics of international competition in specific industries; the stability/instability of international economic regimes.
Y379 Ethics and Public Policy (3 cr.) A & H Examines questions at the intersection of ethics and public policy. What morally problematic means are justified in pursuing political ends? What should be the ends of public policy? What are the moral responsibilities of public officials when they try to answer the first two questions? Uses ethical theory to examine concrete cases in public policy and concrete cases to test the adequacy theory.
Y381 History of Political Theory I (3 cr.) A & H, CSA An exposition and critical analysis of the major political philosophers and philosophical schools from Plato to Machiavelli.
Y382 History of Political Theory II (3 cr.) A & H, CSB An exposition and critical analysis of the major political philosophers and philosophical schools from Machiavelli to the present.
Y383 American Political Ideas I (3 cr.) A & H American political ideas from the colonial period to the founding period.
Y384 American Political Ideas II (3 cr.) A & H American political ideas from the founding period to the present.
Y385 Russian Political Ideas (3 cr.) A & H Historical roots of contemporary Russian political culture. Critical study of major political thinkers from Radishchev to present, including Karamzin, Decembrists, Chaadaev, Slavophiles, narodnik movement, bolshevism, Trotsky, political dissent in former USSR.
Y388 Marxist Theory (3 cr.) A & H Origin, content, and development of Marxist system of thought, with particular reference to philosophical and political aspects of Russian Marxism.
Y391 Political Decision Making (3 cr.) S & H Survey of formal models of decision making in the political process: strategy, bargaining, and coalitions. Theories of rational choice in politics. Applications of game theory to the study of politics.
Y394 Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.) S & H Place of theory and method in examining public policies in relation to programs, institutional arrangements, and constitutional problems. Particular reference to American political experience.
Y395 Quantitative Political Analysis (3 cr.) N & M P: MATH M118 or A118 or equivalent. Introduction to methods and statistics used in political inquiry, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, sampling, statistical inference and hypothesis testing, measures of association, analysis of variance, and regression. Credit given for only one of the following: POLS Y395, CJUS K300, SOC S371, ECON E370 or S370, MATH/PSY K300, K305, or K310, ANTH A306, or SPEA K300.
Y396 Seminar in Political Science (3 cr.) Open to junior and senior political science majors only. Readings and discussion of selected problems; research paper ordinarily required. Seminar divided into sections to allow student to select area of study. May be repeated once for credit.
Y401 Topics in Political Science (3 cr.) S & H Topic varies with the instructor and year; consult the Schedule of Classes for current information. May be repeated once for credit.
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.
Y481 Field Experience in Political Science (1-6 cr.) P: Junior or senior standing, 15 credit hours of political science, and project approval by instructor. Faculty-directed study of aspects of the political process based on field experience. Directed readings, field research, research papers. Certain internship experiences may require research skills. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Y484 Practicum (1-6 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Faculty-directed participation in the various aspects of academic teaching and research. Students will assist a faculty member in such activities as directing simulations, grading, teaching discussion sections, doing research. Individual assignments will vary by instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Y496 Foreign Study in Political Science (3-8 cr.; once only) P: Consent of instructor. 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.
Y499 Honors Thesis (1-12 cr.) P: Approval of instructor and departmental honors director. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours.

Return to Top