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Courses

Political Science (POLS)
  • POLS-Y 580 Research Methods in Political Science (3 cr.) Foundations of political research; alternate research strategies; problems of measuring political variables; design of research to test hypotheses.
  • POLS-Y 642 Comparative Federalism (3 cr.) A course that places federalism in its comparative context. Assessing theories and models of federalism in North America, Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.
  • POLS-Y 630 State Executive Politics (3 cr.) A course that examines the role of governors in state politics. Includes the study of leadership and the relationship between the executive and other elements of government at the sub-national level.
  • POLS-Y 640 State Parties and Interest Groups (3 cr.) An examination of political parties and interest groups, their roles in government, and their structure and organization.
  • POLS-Y 880 Thesis M.A. (1-4 cr.) Credit hours for thesis research and writing.
  • POLS-Y 620 State Politics (3 cr.) An examination of the institutions and processes by which state governments carry out their responsibilities. Includes the study of executives, legislatures, parties, and elections at the state level.
  • POLS-Y 622 Urban Politics (3 cr.) An examination of the structure of—and the problems and challenges faced by—the governments of cities and metropolitan areas. Includes study of leadership, citizen participation, intergovernmental relations, and urban policy.
  • POLS-Y 624 Indiana Politics (3 cr.) This seminar reviews contemporary scholarship on the development context, structure, and operation of Indiana government and politics. It places Indiana politics into both a historical and comparative perspective to see how Indiana politics have changed over time and how they compare to politics in other states.
  • POLS-Y 881 Internship in Political Science (3 cr.) A course in which students complete an internship for credit with a government (or related) institution. RISE=E
  • POLS-Y 570 Introduction to the Study of Politics (3 cr.) Problems of graduate study and professional scholarship; central organizing concepts and the use of theory in political science and related disciplines; specialized areas of research and scholarship in political science; conditions of scientific inquiry and methodological problems in the study of political phenomena; central importance of theory in explanation.
  • POLS-Y 575 Political Data Analysis I (3 cr.) Basic quantitative analysis techniques applied to political science data: principles of measurement, tables, graphs, probability distributions, nonparametric statistics, matrix algebra, Markov chains, correlations and simple regression, tests of significance. Computer processing of data and applications of bivariate statistics to problems in political science emphasized.
  • POLS-Y 336 Southeast Asian Politics (3 cr.) Covers the governmental organization, and the political behavior and traditions, of countries in the Southeast Asian region. Addresses regional issues of political and economic development, and international issues regarding the relationship of the region to the rest of the world. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 661 American Politics (3 cr.) Illustrative topics: the presidency, legislative process, political behavior, political parties and representation, political socialization, comparative state politics, urban politics, interest group politics.
  • POLS-Y 680 Readings in Political Science (1-4 cr.) Individual readings and research.
  • POLS-Y 644 Political Communication (3 cr.) Our course will examine the public communication involved in various political contexts. We will consider the communication involved in political campaigns, advertising, and oratory; social media, technology, and popular culture; the news, framing, and political media; citizenship, public deliberation, and decision making in what some argue is a divided political culture. We will read and discuss state of the art research in political communication and meet individuals who are currently working in a communication capacity in public political campaigns.
  • POLS-Y 657 Comparative Politics (3 cr.) (The focus may be on one or more political systems within regions indicated.) Illustrative topics: political elites and social stratification, comparative administration and public policy, cross-national analysis, West Europe, East Europe, comparative Communist systems, Russia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America, East Asia, comparative development strategies.
  • POLS-Y 101 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.) For any student interested in better understanding the political world in which we live. The course explains some fundamental political concepts such as power, conflict, authority, and governments. It may also include an overview of the major subfields of political science: comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public policy. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics (3 cr.) 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. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 205 Elements of Political Analysis (3 cr.) An introduction to techniques used by people interested in the systematic study of political science. The course includes an introduction to the quantitative analysis of political data. PUL=1B
  • POLS-Y 211 Introduction to Law (3 cr.) An introduction to law as an aspect of government and politics, and as a means for dealing with major social problems. Students will study legal reasoning, procedures, and materials, and may compare other nations legal systems. The course usually includes a moot court or other forms of simulation. PUL=2
  • POLS-Y 213 Introduction to Public Policy (3 cr.) Studies the processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy with particular reference to the United States. The course will identify key policy actors, analyze the process of policy making, and critically assess selected policy issues (such as foreign, defense, economic, welfare, and environmental policy). PUL=2
  • POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory (3 cr.) An introduction to major ideas and theories in Western political thought, including theories of democracy and the analysis of conflict and cooperation. The course also addresses the attempts made by prominent political philosophers--from Aristotle and Plato to Locke, Marx, and Rawls--to understand and describe the nature of politics. PUL=6
  • POLS-Y 217 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 cr.) A course that introduces students to the major political systems of the world. Students will look at different system types; examine in depth particular countries as case studies such as Britain, Russia, and Mexico; and compare executives, legislatures, elections, political parties, interest groups, and key areas of public policy. PUL=5
  • POLS-Y 219 Introduction to International Relations (3 cr.) An introduction to the global political system and issues that shape relations among countries. The course looks at problems of conflict resolution, the role of international law and organizations, the challenges of poverty and development, and the other major policy issues over which nations cooperate, argue, or go to war. PUL=5
  • POLS-Y 301 Political Parties and Interest Groups (3 cr.) 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. PUL=1C
  • POLS-Y 303 Policy-Making in the US (3 cr.) Processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy in American society. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law (3 cr.) Nature and function of law and judicial process; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting the American constitutional system. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (3 cr.) Nature and function of law and judicial process; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting the American constitutional system. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 306 State Politics in the United States (3 cr.) Comparative study of politics in the American states. Special emphasis on the impact of political culture, party systems, legislatures, and bureaucracies on public policies. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 307 Indiana State Government and Politics (3 cr.) Constitutional foundations, political development, organizational and functional process and growth, and current problems of Indiana government. Readings, case studies, problems. PUL=3; RISE=S
  • POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics (3 cr.) 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. PUL=2
  • POLS-Y 309 American Politics through Film and Fiction (3 cr.) Recurrent themes of politics are explored in depth by means of novels, short stories, and films. Subject matter varies by semester--check class schedule for current semester. PUL=1C
  • POLS-Y 310 Political Behavior (3 cr.) A research course in which students design and execute their own investigations into political phenomena. PUL=1C
  • POLS-Y 313 Environmental Policy (3 cr.) Examines the causes of environmental problems and the political, economic, social, and institutional questions raised by designing and implementing effective policy responses to these problems. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 317 Voting, Elections, and Public Opinion (3 cr.) 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. PUL=1C
  • POLS-Y 318 The American Presidency (3 cr.) This course examines the evolution of the presidency and its impact on the rest of the American political system. Students will study presidential selection, succession, and powers, the president's relationship to the rest of the government, and the legacy of presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 319 The United States Congress (3 cr.) This course offers students the opportunity to study the legislative branch of American national government. It includes the structure and processes of the Senate and House of Representatives; the role of parties, interest groups, and lobbyists; the legislative process; and the relations of Congress with the other branches of government. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 320 Judicial Politics (3 cr.) 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. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 321 The Media and Politics (3 cr.) Examines the contemporary relationship between the media and politics, including politicians' use of the media, media coverage of governmental activities, and media coverage of campaigns and elections. Course focuses primarily on the United States, but includes comparative perspectives. PUL=1C
  • POLS-Y 324 Women and Politics (3 cr.) 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 system(s). PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 332 Russian Politics (3 cr.) 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 transition from socialism to market economy. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 335 West European Politics (3 cr.) Development, structure, and functioning of political systems, primarily in Britain, France, Italy, and Germany. Political dynamics of European integration. PUL=5
  • POLS-Y 337 Latin American Politics (3 cr.) 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. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 338 African Politics (3 cr.) 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 and network of international relations. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 339 Middle Eastern Politics (3 cr.) 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.  PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 351 Political Simulations (1-3 cr.) A course tied to simulations of political 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. PUL=3; RISE=E May be repeated for credit.
  • POLS-Y 360 U.S. Foreign Policy (3 cr.) Analysis of institutions and processes involved in the formation and implementation of American foreign policy. Emphasis is on post-World War II policies. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 373 The Politics of Terrorism (3 cr.) Examines the definition, history, logic, and political implications of terrorism. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 375 War and International Conflict (3 cr.) This course examines the causes and effects of war and international conflict, historically and comparatively. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 377 Globalization (3 cr.) A course that investigates the economic, environmental, financial, political, security, and technological aspects of globalization. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 380 Selected Topics in Democratic Government: (variable title) (3 cr.) An examination of basic problems and issues in the theory and practice of democratic government. Specific topics vary by semester. PUL=3 May be repeated once for credit.
  • POLS-Y 381 Classical Political Thought (3 cr.) An exposition and critical analysis of the major political philosophers and philosophical schools from Plato to Machiavelli. PUL=6
  • POLS-Y 382 Modern Political Thought (3 cr.) An exposition and critical analysis of the major philosophers and philosophical schools from Machiavelli to the present. PUL=6
  • POLS-Y 383 Foundations of American Political Thought (3 cr.) American political ideas from the founding period to the Civil War. PUL=6
  • POLS-Y 384 Development of American Political Thought (3 cr.) American political ideas from the Civil War to the present. PUL=6
  • POLS-Y 480 Undergraduate Readings in Political Science (1-6 cr.) Individual readings and research. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 481 Field Experience in Political Science (3-6 cr.) Faculty-directed study of aspects of the political process based on field experience. Directed readings, field research, research papers. PUL=3; RISE=E
  • POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar (3 cr.) Open only to senior majors. Research paper required. Seminar sessions arranged to present papers for evaluation and criticism by fellow students. Subject matter varies by semester. PUL=4
  • POLS-Y 498 Readings for Honors (1-6 cr.) P: Open only to senior majors in the department who have at least a 3.3 grade point average within the major; approval of department is required.  Course involves an intensive individual program of reading and/or research. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 390 Political Communication (3 cr.) Provides an opportunity to studey, understand, and participate in political communication. Topics covered include the rhetoric of politics, campaign discourse, political advertising, the role of the media in public opinion, the impact of new technology, and the place of interpersonal communication. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 392 Problems in Contemporary Political Philosophy (3 cr.) An extensive study of one or more great philosophical thinkers, movements, or problems. Subject will vary. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 371 Workshop in International Topics (3 cr.) Variable topics course in International Politics.  Recent topics included human rights, the Isreali-Palestine conflict, and political idealogies in the modern world. PUL=3 May be repeated once for credit.
  • POLS-Y 325 African American Politics (3 cr.) Examines the African American political condition, with special emphasis on political thought and behavior. Analyzes not only how the political system affects African Americans, but also the impact African Americans have on it. Themes for this course may vary. PUL=2
  • POLS-Y 350 Politics of the European Union (3 cr.) Study of the politics of the European Union (EU). Assesses past and present dynamics of economic and political integration in Europe, the structure and work of EU institutions, and EU public policies such as the Single Market, the common currency, common foreign and security policy, and trade. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 367 International Law (3 cr.) 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. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 370 The Politics of Isalm (3 cr.) This course will examine the principles of the politics of Islam, its impact on contemporary world politics, and its impact on selected national and regional politics around the world. PUL =5
  • POLS-Y 388 Marxist Theory (3 cr.) Origin, content, and development of Marxist system of thought, with particular reference to philosophical and political aspects of Russian Marxism. PUL=3
  • POLS-Y 394 Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.) Place of theory and method in examining public policies in relation to programs, institutional arrangements and constitutional problems with particular reference to American political experience. PUL =3
  • POLS-Y 406 Problems in Political Philosophy (3 cr.) Centers on conflicting interpretations of justice, liberty, and equality, as well as certain problems of democracy, including the tension between majority rules and minority rights, and the correlation of rights and duties. Topics vary. PUL = 2 May be taken for a total of 6 creidt hours under different topics.