Political Science

PSCI 1000  INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE (3 credits)

This course introduces students to political ideas, behaviors, processes, institutions, and issues on a national and global level.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course and Social Science General Education course

PSCI 1100  INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the foundational principles, institutions, processes, and policies of national government in the United States.

Distribution: Social Science General Education course and U.S. Diversity General Education course

PSCI 2000  INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL INQUIRY AND WRITING (3 credits)

This course introduces students to how political scientists conduct inquiry into political questions and how they write about the results of their investigations for various kinds of audiences. Students will learn the basics of quantitative and qualitative research methods in political science, will learn how to use the library and other available sources of information, and will produce the various kinds of writings by which political scientists communicate their findings to the public, to other scholars, and to political and governmental actors.

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or PSCI 1000 preferred. ENGL 1150 required and ENGL 1160 recommended.

Distribution: Writing in the Discipline Single Course

PSCI 2110  INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY (3 credits)

An introduction to the formation and evaluation of public policy, with particular focus on the stages of public policy development.

Distribution: Social Science General Education course

PSCI 2120  INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP (3 credits)

This course introduces students to civic leadership in a public setting, including theories of leadership, models of leadership, cases of success and failure, and the inherent tensions among democracy, leadership, and administration.

Distribution: Social Science General Education course

PSCI 2130  AFRICAN POLITICS (3 credits)

African Politics examines the socio-cultural and economic environments which characterize political life in contemporary Africa. This course examines contemporary African politics and government in post-independence Africa, and the pre-colonial political and economic systems which influence contemporary African politics. The course assesses the various approaches used to study the political development of the African continent; examines the processes, features, and institutions of the African states; addresses key and persistent issues about African politics; and examines dimensions of social change and political reform. (Cross-listed with BLST 2130).

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 2150  CAREERS IN LAW AND POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to a diversity of career paths in both the public and private sector that are available in the fields of law and politics, and the motivations, qualifications, and expertise necessary for each.

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1000 or PSCI 1100 is recommended. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

PSCI 2180  INTRODUCTION TO LAW (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the foundations, principles, functions, institutions, processes, issues, and fields of law with a special emphasis on the American political and legal systems.

Prerequisite(s): Not open to non-degree graduate students.

Distribution: Social Science General Education course

PSCI 2210  INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to historical and contemporary questions and major theoretical approaches to world affairs through examination of the international system in terms of the economic, military, and political forces between states, international organizations, and transnational actors.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course and Social Science General Education course

PSCI 2310  INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the nature and scope of politics, the foundations of political thought, and competing traditions of political theory through the ideas of major political philosophers, the interpretation of their ideas, and the possible application of their ideas today.

Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course

PSCI 2500  INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and theoretical approaches used to study political institutions, processes, and public policies in different country settings. This course also illustrates the rich diversity of political life and the importance of global political and economic change.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course and Social Science General Education course

PSCI 3000  QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the techniques that political scientists use to answer research questions with quantitative data, as well as issues of research design, hypothesis formation, and causation. The course emphasizes the methods used to collect, analyze, and extract information from data using statistical computer software. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8005)

Prerequisite(s): MATH 1120, MATH 1130, MATH 1530, MATH 1220 or MATH 1310 or permission of department.

PSCI 3010  URBAN POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the development, powers, forms of government, and functions of cities and their suburbs as well as the problems faced by elected officials, business and community leaders, and citizens in the urban setting. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8015)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3040  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF NEBRASKA (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the development, structures, functions and public policies of the government of the state of Nebraska. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8045)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor. .

PSCI 3050  STATE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the development, structures, functions and public policies of states. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8055)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3100  LGBT POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political struggle for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) equal rights in the United States using a model of political empowerment, which may be applied for all minority or identity groups and social movements, generating operationalized measures of progress toward the loci of political power. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8105, WGST 3100, WGST 8105)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 is recommended.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3120  THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS (3 credits)

This course will provide a historical and contemporary survey of the African American political experience in the United States, from the passage of the 15th Amendment in the late 1800s, to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and continuing into the 21st century. Students will examine the evolution of the Black political experience, with emphasis on the fight against enslavement, segregation, lynchings and mass incarceration, and the long struggle of African Americans against institutional and structural racism in the American political system. (Cross-listed with BLST 3120)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1000 or PSCI 1100

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3130  WOMEN AND POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to women's political participation, including holding elective office, socialization, the feminist movement and its opposition, and public policies with particular impact on women. The focus is on contemporary perspectives on women in American political ideas and behavior. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8135, WGST 3130, WGST 8135)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 is recommended.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3140  LATINO/-A POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the dynamism and growth of the role of Latinos, as a group of political actors, in the United States. This course provides students with an exposure to and understanding of various concepts and dimensions of this phenomenon, including historical and contemporary Latino political thought and the efforts to increase political empowerment (representation and participation) and influence through grassroots, social, and political movements. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8145, LLS 3140, LLS 8145)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 is recommended.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3150  ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS AND THE NEW MINORITY POLITICS (3 credits)

This course will be devoted to a broad discussion about the emergence of Asian Pacific Americans by birth and immigration, the fastest growing minority in the U.S., as a significant factor in American politics. (This course fulfills the department's American politics requirement).

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or by professor's permission.

PSCI 3160  POLITICAL PARTIES (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the origin, development, structure, and functions of political parties in the United States as political organizations, coalitions of voters, and governing coalitions that seek to hold office and influence public policy. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8165)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3170  INTEREST GROUPS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the theories, formation, organization, and activities of interest groups and their impact on public policy, particularly through their role in campaigns and elections and lobbying. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8175)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3180  CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the evolution and modern application of campaigns and elections in the United States through examination of campaign management and campaign strategy in congressional and presidential elections. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8185)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3210  GEOPOLITICS OF CENTRAL ASIA AND SOUTH ASIA (3 credits)

This course will focus on the geographic area of Central Asia-South Asia (CASA) and provide students with opportunity to understand the dynamics that made this region a traditional contest area between regional and global powers for centuries. Central Asia-South Asia region is home to successful democracies, a monarchy, and dictatorships. This course is designed to help students analytically assess the geopolitical variables concerning the CASA region and the players involved. Post 9/11 developments in Afghanistan have brought the whole region once again to the forefront of geopolitical struggle between global and regional players, thus reigniting the struggle of the New Great Game in the region. These multiple elements of regional, development, stability and instability will be discussed in in this course.

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor. Recommended: INST 2130: Introduction to International Studies.

PSCI 3220  INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the history, principles, structures, and processes developed to organize and legitimize peaceful reconciliation of the differences of nation-states and to advance their mutual interests in the contemporary global political and economic system. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8225)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3230  GENDER AND GLOBAL POLITICS (3 credits)

This seminar introduces students to gender politics in comparative and international politics. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8235, WGST 3230, WGST 8235)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 is recommended.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3240  THE POLITICS AND PRACTICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to human rights issues across the globe and explores the theoretical foundations of human rights as well as human rights institutions and transitional justice. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8245)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of the instructor.

PSCI 3250  GLOBAL SECURITY ISSUES (3 credits)

This course introduces students to issues of national and international security that cross boundaries and threaten all countries including issues such as climate change, environmental deterioration, population and demographics, gender issues, disease and public health, the media, asymmetrical warfare, drugs/organized crime, and cyberthreats. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8255)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior status or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3260  UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the analysis of foreign and defense policy processes in the United States, including the role of the President, Congress, Departments of State and Defense, the intelligence community, and other actors/factors affecting policy formulation and implementation. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8265)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3340  AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the ideals, ideologies, identities, and institutions of American political thought from the country's origins to the present. Topics to be covered may include the political thought of the early American settlers and of the founding generation, the debates over the creation and implementation of the Constitution, the 19th century arguments over slavery, the rise of progressivism, the New Deal and its critics, and contemporary American conservatism and liberalism. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8345)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or PSCI 2310 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 3410  LAW AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY (3 credits)

Law and the Black Community provides an in-depth examination of the racialized American legal process as it pertains to and affects African Americans in the U.S. From the formation of the U.S. Constitution to present day, this course analyzes intersections of race, law, politics and culture, and explores the administration of justice and Black experiences through a critical legal perspective. (Cross-listed with BLST 3410, CRCJ 3410).

Prerequisite(s): BLST 1000 or CRCJ 1010 or Junior standing or instructor permission

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3450  AFRICAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (3 credits)

African Economic Development critically examines historical, political, and socioeconomic forces that have shaped African economies. Students taking this course will learn about the evolution of the modern economic systems, methods of production, distribution and exchange which affect African economies. The course examines the historical impact of colonialism, capitalism, and imperialism on the displacement of ancient trade routes and markets throughout the African continent; the historical impact of these foreign colonial states and tools on the development of contemporary African private sectors, economic institutions, and global competition; and contemporary strategies of economic development, regional cooperation, and international trade, particularly as they affect Sub-Saharan Africa. (Cross-listed with BLST 3450).

PSCI 3500  EUROPEAN POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political institutions, processes, and public policies of the states of Europe, including the European Union. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8505)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior status or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3510  IMMIGRATION LAW AND LATINOS (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the U.S. Immigration laws with an emphasis on Latino migration. In analyzing Latino migration, we will look at the push and pull factors of migration, the channels available for lawful migration, and the impact immigrants have in our society. (Cross-listed with LLS 3510).

PSCI 3580  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF RUSSIA AND THE POST-SOVIET STATES (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political cultures, institutions, processes, and public policies of Russia and the states of the former Soviet Union. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8585)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior status or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3640  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF CHINA AND EAST ASIA (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political cultures, institutions, processes, policies, and other characteristics of China and neighboring states, with reference to other major powers engaged in the region. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8645)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3660  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF JAPAN AND EAST ASIA (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political cultures, institutions, processes, policies and other characteristics of Japan and neighboring states, with reference to other major powers engaged in the region. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8665)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3680  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICA (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political institutions, processes, and public policies of the states of Latin America. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8685, LLS 3680, LLS 8685)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior status or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3700  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST (3 credits)

This course introduces students to government and politics in the contemporary Middle East, including considerations of state formation, authoritarianism and democratization, state-society relations, religion, culture, gender, and economy.(Cross-listed with PSCI 8705)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 3910  SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (1 credit)

This course introduces students to a specialized subject matter in the field of political science not covered in existing courses. This course may be repeated for different topics up to a maximum of six credit hours.

PSCI 3920  SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (2 credits)

This course introduces students to a specialized subject matter in the field of political science not covered in existing courses. This course may be repeated for different topics up to a maximum of six credit hours.

PSCI 3930  SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3 credits)

This course introduces students to a specialized subject matter in the field of political science not covered in existing courses. This course may be repeated for different topics up to a maximum of six credit hours.

PSCI 4030  THE PRESIDENCY (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the development and modern application of presidential leadership through examination of presidential selection, presidential decision-making, the relationship of the presidency with other governmental and non-governmental actors, and the role of the presidency in making public policy.(Cross-listed with PSCI 8036)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4040  CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the development of the Congress and modern application of the legislative process through examination of congressional elections, congressional leadership, congressional decision-making, legislative rules and procedures, the relationship of the Congress with other governmental and non-governmental actors, and the role of the Congress in making public policy. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8046)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4050  THE JUDICIAL PROCESS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the administration of law in federal and state courts with respect to the organization of the courts, judicial selection, judicial powers, judicial decision-making, judicial policy-making, the bar, and reform movements in the pursuit of justice. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8056)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4100  MONEY IN AMERICAN POLITICS (3 credits)

This course surveys facts and scholarship about two types of money in American politics: money as a political resource and money as policy. As a political resource, money is critically important for candidates to win elections, for interest groups to exert influence on government, and for policy expertise from civil society to inform government policy. As policy itself, in history or in modern times money has lain at the heart of policy debates like the creation of a national bank, gold and silver as legal tender, and financial regulations, as well as perennial governmental processes like federal budgeting and appropriations and the selection of congressional party leaders. This course trains students to comprehend, analyze, critically evaluate, and build on key research on these topics. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8106).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 is a strongly recommended prerequisite.

PSCI 4110  POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the role of human thought, emotion, and behavior in politics through examination of the psychological factors that motivate political elites and the mass public. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8116, PSYC 4110, PSYC 8116)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4120  PUBLIC OPINION AND POLLING (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the origins, nature, measurement, and consequences of public opinion on policymaking. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8126)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of the instructor.

PSCI 4130  BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION (3 credits)

Brown v. Board of Education traces the educational history of African Americans from segregation to desegregation to re-segregation. This course will review the legal cases before and after the Supreme Court's Brown decision, their aftermath, and the effects on educational policies and practices. (Cross-listed with BLST 8716, BLST 4710, PSCI 8136).

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing OR senior standing or permission of instructor.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4140  CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL RIGHTS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the history, principles, and judicial interpretation of key constitutional provisions and federal statutes regarding civil rights in the United States. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8146)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4150  LAW AND THE COURTS: MOCK TRIAL (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the American legal system, including its courtroom aspects, through preparation of and participation in a mock trial case.

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

PSCI 4160  LAW AND THE COURTS: MOCK TRIAL PRACTICUM (1-3 credits)

This course introduces students to the American legal system through participation in mock trial competition.

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 4150 or junior standing or permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

PSCI 4170  CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: FOUNDATIONS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the principles, design and operation of the American constitutional system with emphasis on analysis of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention, and the Federalist Papers. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8176)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor

PSCI 4180  CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: THE FEDERAL SYSTEM (3 credits)

This course introduces students to American constitutional law as it relates to issues of federalism, the relation of the nation and the states, and separation of powers, the relation of the three branches of the national government. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8186)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4190  CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL LIBERTIES (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the philosophy, history, and development of the personal liberties guaranteed by the Constitution including freedom of speech, religion, assembly, petition, and the right of privacy, primarily through examination of Supreme Court decisions. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8196)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4200  INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF EAST ASIA (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the international politics of East Asia with an emphasis on the contemporary relations among major East Asian states (China, Japan, the Korean peninsula) and the United States. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8206)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4210  INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST (3 credits)

This course focuses on the international politics of the Middle East region, specifically looking at conditions for peace and causes of war. It examines how the international system, domestic politics, ideologies, and leaders influence international politics in the Middle East. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8216)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4240  INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION (3 credits)

This course introduces students to different approaches to peace, their basic assumptions, and their application to current conflicts. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8246)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior status or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4250  INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the United States intelligence services, and their relation to broader U.S. national security policy. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8256)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor

PSCI 4260  INTERNATIONAL LAW (3 credits)

The course introduces students to the general principles of international law, including the key actors, the creation and sources of international law, the interpretation of international law by courts and tribunals, and its enforcement. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8266)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior status or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4270  GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to issues of global environmental politics and policy, including the science behind issues such as climate change, how environmental policy is made at the national and international levels, and what role politics plays in determining environmental resource use. (Cross-listed with ENVN 4270, PSCI 8276)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4280  INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF LATIN AMERICA (3 credits)

Analysis of the role of Latin American states in the international political arena. Emphasis upon developing, applying and testing an explanatory theory of international politics through the study of the inter-American system: the regional, institutional and ideological environment, power relations, policies and contemporary problems. (This course fulfills the department's international politics requirement). (Cross-listed with PSCI 8286, LLS 4280, LLS 8286)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior standing or permission of the instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4290  INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SUSTAINABILITY (3 credits)

This course introduces students to different concepts of international development through the lens of sustainability. The course explores a broad range of activities related to international development, including international aid, trade, philanthropy, interventions in conflict, peacebuilding, public health, human rights, social justice, and the environment. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8296, CACT 8306)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4310  CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 credits)

This course introduces students to key works representative of premodern political thought. Authors examined may include Plato, Aristotle, Xenophon, Cicero, Augustine, and Aquinas.(Cross-listed with PSCI 8316).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2310 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4320  EARLY MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 credits)

This course introduces students to key works of the 16th through mid-18th centuries. Authors examined may include Machiavelli, Hobbes, Hume, Smith and Montesquieu. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8326)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2310 or junior standing or permission of instructor

PSCI 4330  LATE MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 credits)

This course introduces students to key texts of the mid-18th through 19th centuries. Authors to be examined may include Rousseau, Burke, Mill, Tocqueville, Marx, and Nietzsche. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8336)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2310 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4340  CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 credits)

This course introduces students to leading works of contemporary political thought, including Marx, Spencer, Dahl, Rawls, feminism, and rational choice. The theories, their interrelationships, the theorists, and the manifestations of these works will be discussed and analyzed. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8346)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2310 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4350  DEMOCRACY (3 credits)

A basic study of theory, practice and practitioners of political democracy, its roots, development, present application and problems and future. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8356)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior standing or permission of instructor is required.

PSCI 4360  AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES (3 credits)

An analysis of various types of authoritarian regimes, their differences from democratic governments, and the causes of their establishment, maintenance, and failure. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8366).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or equivalent is recommended.

PSCI 4370  GENERALS AND POLITICIANS: CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to civil-military relations and military politics across the globe. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8376).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior standing or permission of the instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4380  TOPICS IN POLITICAL THEORY (3 credits)

This course will conduct an in-depth exploration of an important issue, movement, thinker, or work in political theory. The particular subject matter will vary and will be chosen by the instructor.

Prerequisite(s): Junior, or permission of instructor.Junior, or permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

PSCI 4430  INDIAN GAMING (3 credits)

This course will be an in depth study of the history and development of Indian Gaming law and policy. (Cross-listed with NAMS 4140).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100, or junior standing, or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4440  FEDERAL INDIAN LAW (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of tribal legal authority as it exists within federal law. It includes traditional North American tribal governance and leadership practices. Key topics include the federal-tribal trust relationship, Indian treaties, federal Indian policies and case law, and 20th Century establishment of modern tribal governments and courts. (Cross-listed with NAMS 4440).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100, or junior standing, or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4450  CONTEMPORARY TRIBAL NATION BUILDING (3 credits)

This course applies traditional North American tribal governance and leadership beliefs and practices in a critical examination of contemporary tribal governments, tribal courts and programs, and tribal leaders. This course challenges students to assess present tribal governments and leaders concerning their effectiveness in meeting the needs of tribal people today. (Cross-listed with NAMS 4240).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100, or junior standing, or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4470  SOUTH AFRICA & THE SOCIO POLITICS OF APARTHEID (3 credits)

South Africa and the Socio Politics of Apartheid examines the lived experiences of South African people under the Apartheid system, and their long struggle against European colonial oppression and racial segregation throughout the 20th century. Students will examine the laws, tools, and strategies that developed and sustained Apartheid, and the anti-Apartheid movements and international pressure that led to its repeal and South African democratic elections. (Cross-listed with BLST 8476, BLST 4470, PSCI 8476, SOC 8476, SOC 4470).

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4500  GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF GREAT BRITAIN (3 credits)

A comprehensive study of contemporary British politics and government. Emphasis will be focused on the formal institutions and informal customs and practices of the British political system. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8506).

Prerequisite(s): Junior

PSCI 4520  POLITICS OF FRANCE (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political heritage of France, contemporary political institutions and problems, and political and policy responses to these problems. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8526)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or junior standing or permission of instructor.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4550  POLITICAL VIOLENCE, INSURGENCY, AND TERRORISM (3 credits)

This course is a survey on the types of violence used within a political context, focusing on its causes, forms and consequences. Specifically, this course details why and how violence occurs, and its impact on institutions and the people operating within that system. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8556).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or PSCI 2500

PSCI 4620  ISLAM AND POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the interaction between religion and politics in the Muslim world, covering various political ideologies in the Muslim world and different experiences of Muslim-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Indonesia, and Egypt. It will also analyze mainstream and radical transnational Islamic movements. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8626)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2210 or 2500 is recommended.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

PSCI 4630  ASIAN POLITICS (3 credits)

This course provides students with a broad understanding of Asian Politics with a focus on Northeast Asia (Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Taiwan) and some emphasis on Southeast Asia (Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). Students in this course will investigate these Asian societies and discuss their shared history as well as their common political themes, patterns, and connections. Students will explore state institutions, political parties, and state-society relations through the overarching themes of development, democracy, and nationalism. Specific themes include the economic rise of East Asian states, the emergence and development of democracy in the region, and the persistence of authoritarianism. By the end of the course, students will be able to describe, explain, and critically evaluate from a social science perspective the principal political features and processes of these Asian societies and develop their own research projects based on a topic discussed in the course. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8646).

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 or equivalent is recommended.

PSCI 4710  COMPARATIVE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION (3 credits)

Comparative International Development and Innovation will analyze the rise and fall of civilizations from a historical and theoretical perspective in a comparative manner. The course will address issues concerning political, social, economic, and environmental change in national, and international contexts. Among its major emphases are state institutions, economic growth, entrepreneurship, and the transformation of social structure and culture. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8716, ENTR 4710, ENTR 8716).

PSCI 4770  POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY (3 credits)

This course explores political sociology, focusing on political processes and power. Political sociologists investigate relationships between political institutions and various other institutions, including but not limited to the economy, education, media, and religion, and the impacts that these relationships have on society and the individuals that comprise the society. This course will explore the concepts, theories, and knowledge that comprise this field such as power, legitimacy, the state, networks, stratification, and collective action. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8776, SOC 4770, SOC 8776).

Prerequisite(s): SOC 1010, junior standing or permission of instructor

PSCI 4820  POLITICS AND FILM (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the analysis of politics and film, focusing on how politics is portrayed in film and the politics of film making. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8826)

PSCI 4900  READINGS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (1-3 credits)

This course provides students an opportunity to study an advanced and specialized subject matter in the field of political science not covered in existing courses. The student must be capable of pursuing a highly independent course of study, which must be approved in consultation with the instructor in advance. This course may be repeated for different topics up to a maximum of six credit hours.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

PSCI 4910  POLITICAL SCIENCE INTERNSHIP (1-6 credits)

This course offers students an opportunity to experience the resolution of public issues through direct involvement in career-oriented policy organizations. The host organization must be approved in advance in consultation with the internship coordinator. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

PSCI 4920  ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (1-3 credits)

This course introduces students to an advanced and specialized subject matter in the field of political science not covered in existing courses. This course may be repeated for different topics up to a maximum of six credit hours. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8926)

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor.

PSCI 4950  SENIOR ASSESSMENT IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (0 credits)

This zero-credit-hour course is used to assess the knowledge and skills that are imparted by the Political Science program to its students. Seniors must enroll in the class, take the major field test, and submit a writing assignment from one of their upper level political science courses. Because this is a 0 credit course, these items will not be graded, but they will be scored for purposes of program assessment.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing. Permission of Department Chair required.

Distribution: Writing in the Discipline Single Course