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Courses

Political Science (POLS)
  • POLS-Y 101 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.) 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. 
  • 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. 
  • POLS-Y 205 Elements of Political Analysis (3 cr.) Introduces the approaches and techniques used to study politics.  Includes an introduction to social science language, concepts and critical research skills.  Overview of political science research and approaches, including case study, surveys, and model-building.  Emphasizes skills such as interpreting the presentation of data in charts, graphs, and tables, and elementary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. 
  • 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. 
  • 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). 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • POLS-Y 303 Policy-Making in the US (3 cr.) Processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy in American society. 
  • POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law (3 cr.) American political powers and structures; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting American constitutional system.
  • POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (3 cr.) Extent and limits of constitutional rights; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting American constitutional system.
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • POLS-Y 310 Political Behavior (3 cr.) A research course in which students design and execute their own investigations into political phenomena. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • POLS-Y 324 Gender and Politics (3 cr.) Analysis of gender and sexual orientation 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 different genders and the impact of people with different genders or sexual orientations on the system(s). Topics vary by semester. 
  • POLS-Y 332 Russian Politics (3 cr.) Political process and government structure in the independent Russian state. Political institutions inherited from tsarist empire and USSR (1917-1991), history of political reform, Gorbachev regime (1985-1991). Political problems of ethnic conflict, creating democratic institutions, transition from socialism to market economy. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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.  
  • 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.  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. 
  • POLS-Y 373 The Politics of Terrorism (3 cr.) Examines the definition, history, logic, and political implications of terrorism. 
  • POLS-Y 375 War and International Conflict (3 cr.) 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. 
  • POLS-Y 377 Globalization (3 cr.) This course is designed to introduce you to globalization.  Amongst other topics, it examines the cultural, economic, environmental, political, security and technological dimensions of globalization.  No prior knowledge is assumed. 
  • 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.  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. 
  • 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. 
  • POLS-Y 383 Foundations of American Political Thought (3 cr.) American political ideas from the founding period to the Civil War. 
  • POLS-Y 384 Development of American Political Thought (3 cr.) American political ideas from the Civil War to the present. 
  • POLS-Y 480 Undergraduate Readings in Political Science (1-6 cr.) Individual readings and research. 
  • 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. Certain internship experiences may require research skills. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • POLS-Y 392 Problems in Contemporary Political Philosophy (3 cr.) This course will provide the opportunity for an in-depth study of some particularly important questions in contemporary political philosophy. In the process of examining contemporary literature, such as communicationism, we will shed light on questions like - has political philosophy gone silent on the critical events of our times? Subject will vary. 
  • POLS-Y 371 Workshop in International Topics (3 cr.) Title varies. Includes such topics as development of the international system, politics of food and populations, law of the sea, human rights, trade, U.S. foreign policy, United Nations issues, etc.  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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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.  May be taken for a total of 6 creidt hours under different topics.