Courses
Social Sciences
Political Science (POLS)
- POLS-T 385 Politics, Psychology, and Power (3 cr.) This multidisciplinary course explores the insights that psychology can offer political scientists about the study of power, as well as the insights that political science can provide concerning the power dynamics at work in the study and practice of psychology as a discipline.
- POLS-T 388 Qualitative Research Methods (3 cr.) This course introduces students to qualitative methodological techniques and theories. Students will review the fundamentals of the scientific method, develop their ability to create quality research designs, and learn how to choose the most appropriate research method(s) for a given project. Methods and topics to be discussed include the case study approach, path dependence, process tracing, counterfactuals, causality, and historical analysis.
- POLS-T 389 Politics and Theatre (3 cr.) Theatre provides important political spaces - public spheres - in which political questions are articulated and political struggles are acted out. This course examines the multi-faceted relationship between politics and theatre and the many political ends theatre can serve. The course explores the use of theatre as a medium of entertainment, as state propaganda, as a tool of democratic civic education, and as a mode of political resistance.
- POLS-T 390 Theories of Power (3 cr.) This course explores various theories of and perspectives on the concept of power. Course readings include the works of mainstream political scientists involved in the dimensions of power debates of the 1960s-70s, modern political theorists like Machiavelli and Marx, and contemporary theorists such as Hannah Arendt and Michel Foucault. The course also explores the possibilities for resistance that exist within power structures, drawing on contemporary political struggles for examples.
- 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, its political party base, public policy, and law.
- POLS-Y 105 Introduction to Political Theory (3 cr.) Perennial problems of political philosophy, including relationships between rulers and ruled, nature of authority, social conflict, law and morality, economic issues, and democracy.
- POLS-Y 106 The Game of Politics (3 cr.) This course will introduce students to the study of politics through the use of historical role playing games. Two to three games from the Reacting to the Past program will be played each semester. Students in a game will be assigned roles and game objectives: they will need to think strategically, form alliances with other students, and articulate their positions persuasively in order to achieve their goals.
- POLS-Y 107 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 cr.) Examines countries around the world to investigate fundamental questions about politics. Topics include democratic development, promotion of economic prosperity, maintenance of security, and management of ethnic and religious conflict. Critical thinking skills encouraged. Cases for comparison include advanced industrialized democracies, communist and former communist countries, and developing countries.
- POLS-Y 109 Introduction to International Relations (3 cr.) Causes of war, nature and attributes of the state, imperialism, international law, national sovereignty, arbitration, adjudication, international organizations, major international issues.
- POLS-Y 199 Careers for Political Science Majors (3 cr.) The major objectives of this course is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree in political science to understand their career opportunities and to build a toolkit for career success. The course addresses the nature and acquisition of skills with a political science major and how to harness those for career success. Students will also learn more about their own strengths and areas targeted for growth. Students will become familiar will resources in the community and on campus to gain skills and learn about job prospects. By the end of the course, students will understand the value of and procedures for developing a career plan and attaining a job. Students will have a portfolio they can build upon as they move through their undergraduate career, which will include a LinkedIn profile, resume, and cover letter.
- POLS-Y 200 Contemporary Political Problems (1-6 cr.) Topics vary from semester to semester and are listed in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated once for credit, up to maximum of 12 units.
- POLS-Y 205 Analyzing Politics (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 301 Political Parties and Interest Groups (3 cr.) Examination and evaluation of the behavior of political parties, voters, and interest groups and of other institutions and procedures by which Americans try to control their government.
- POLS-Y 302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society (3 cr.) Examines public bureaucracy as a political phenomenon engaging in policy making and in defining the terms of policy issues; places special emphasis on the United States. Considers the role of bureaucratic instruments in promoting social change, and in responding to it.
- POLS-Y 303 Formation of Public Policy in the United States (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 103. Processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy in American society.
- POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 103. Nature and function of law and the American court system; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting American constitutional system.
- POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 103. Nature and function of law and the American court system; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting the 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 317 Voting,Election and Public Opinion (3 cr.) Determinants of voting behavior in elections. The nature of public opinion on 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.)
- POLS-Y 319 The United States Congress (3 cr.) Evaluation and development of the contemporary Congress. Examines such topics as electoral process, organizational structures and procedures of the Senate and House of Representatives, involvement of Congress with other policy-making centers, law-making and oversight activities of the national legislature.
- POLS-Y 324 Women 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 335 West European Politics (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 107 Examines different political systems in Europe. Highlights democratic alternatives in institutions and processes of liberal democracies.
- POLS-Y 337 Latin American Politics (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 107 and POLS-Y 109. Analysis of political change in major Latin American countries, emphasizing alternative explanations of national development; brief historical overview with examination of the impact of political culture, the military, labor, political parties, peasant movements, the Catholic Church, multinational corporations, and the United States on politics and the study of public policy processes in democratic and authoritarian regimes.
- POLS-Y 349 Comparative Public Policy (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 107 Investigates public policies and policy making among advanced industrial democracies from a comparative perspective. Usually covers policy areas such as immigration, health care, education, and taxation.
- POLS-Y 351 Political Simulations (1-3 cr.) P: Permission of instructor. A course tied to simulations of international organizations such as the United Nations, the League of Arab States, or the European Union. May be taken alone or in conjunction with related political science courses. Repeatable for credit up to 3 units.
- POLS-Y 354 Nationalism in Europe (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 107 and/or POLS-Y 109. Examines the politics surrounding ethnicity, ethnic minorities, and nationalism in Europe. Covers both indigenous and immigrant groups.
- POLS-Y 360 United States Foreign Policy (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 103 and POLS-Y 109. 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 369 Introduction to East Asian Politics (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 107. This course examines the political diversity in Asia, a region of growing global importance, by exploring governing structures and processes, political culture and ideologies, and the forces shaping them. Case studies may include China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and India.
- POLS-Y 376 International Political Economy (3 cr.) R: ECON-E 200 and POLS-Y 107 or POLS-Y 109. Study of how the international political system determines the nature of international economic relations. Focus is on the following: (1) trade and monetary regimes, (2) the role of multinational corporations; (3) global action, (4) relations between wealthy countries, and (5) relations between wealthy and poor countries.
- POLS-Y 379 Ethics and Public Policy (3 cr.) This course examines the ethical responsibilities of public officials in democratic societies. It explores such topics as the meaning of moral leadership, the appeal to personal conscious in public decision making, and the problem of "dirty hands" among others. A special concern is how institutional arrangements affect moral choices.
- POLS-Y 384 Developments in American Political Thought (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 105. Study of the development of American political thought from colonial times to the contemporary period. This course will explore such topics as the nature and evolution of American liberalism, capitalism, and egalitarianism.
- POLS-Y 387 Research Methods in Political Science (3 cr.) This course focuses on basic concepts of social science research. Students will become familiar with research techniques necessary for systematic analysis of social service systems, trends in social issues, and program effectiveness. This course must be taken from an IU Southeast faculty member.
- 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 392 Problems of Contemporary Political Philosophy (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 105. 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? Repeatable for credit up to 6 units.
- POLS-Y 401 Studies in Political Science (2-3 cr.) Topic varies with the instructor and year. Consult the Schedule of Classes for current information. Repeatable for credit up to 6 units.
- POLS-Y 402 Politics of the Budgetary Process (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 302. Examines the interactions among the legislative, executive, and administrative aspects of the budgetary process in national, state, and local governments. Emphasis placed on the politics of the budgetary process.
- POLS-Y 403 Legal Issues in Public Bureaucracy (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 302. Study of the legal framework of public bureaucracies, their powers, functions, and roles. Analyzes relevant cases in which basic principles are identified and synthesized along with other elements of public law.
- POLS-Y 404 Political Issues in Public Personnel Administration (3 cr.) R: POLS-Y 302. Examines the political framework in which public agencies hire, train, motivate, promote, and discipline their employees. Also examines the historical legal development of public personnel management.
- POLS-Y 471 Terrorism (3 cr.) This course will focus on the problems in defining terrorism; the causes of terrorism; the nature of terrorist organizations (resources, structure, methods, goals); the media and terrorism; and policies and policy responses to terrorism. The course will focus on both domestic (within the United States) and international case studies of terrorism.
- POLS-Y 480 Undergraduate Readings in Political Science (1-6 cr.) P: Written consent of Instructor. Individual readings and research. Repeatable for credit up to 6 units.
- POLS-Y 481 Field Experience in Political Science (1-6 cr.) P: Junior or senior standing, 15 credit hours of political science, and project approved by instructor. Faculty-directed study of aspects of the political process based on field experience. Directed readings, field research, and research papers. Certain internship experiences may require research skills. Repeatable for credit up to 6 units.
- POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 cr.) P: Senior standing, POLS-Y 103, and POLS-Y 389. Research paper required. Seminar sessions arranged to present papers for evaluation and criticism by fellow students. Subject matter varies by semester. Repeatable for credit up to 6 units.
- POLS-Y 498 Honors Readings in Political Science (1-6 cr.) P: Authorization of Instructor. To be taken in conjunction with advanced political science courses to meet the requirement of Political Science Honors Program. Repeatable for credit up to 6 units.
- POLS-Y 499 Reading for Honors (1-12 cr.) P: Approval of instructor. Individual readings and research for students admitted to the Political Science Honors Program. Repeatable for credit up to 12 units.
- POLS-Y 661 AMERICAN POLITICS (3 cr.) Topic varies. Illustrative topics: the Presidency, legislative process, political behavior, political parties and representation, political socialization, comparative state politics, urban politics, interest group politics. Course is repeatable.