Political Science
Graduate Faculty
Ali Abootalebi, Ph.D.
Rodd Freitag, Ph.D.
Margaret Gilkison, Ph.D.
Ming-Li Hsieh, Ph.D.
Eric Kasper, Ph.D.
Mia Kelly, Ph.D.
Damir Kovacevic, Ph.D.
Adam Kunz, Ph.D.
Justin Patchin, Ph.D.
Geoffrey Peterson, Ph.D. (Chair)
Jason Spraitz, Ph.D.
Amber Wilson, Ph.D.
Courses in Political Science are offered as electives for programs in other disciplines. All 500- and 600-level graduate courses include requirements or assignments which differentiate them from their companionate 300- and 400-level undergraduate offerings. Students who have taken a course at the 300- or 400-level may not include that course at the 500- or 600-level in a graduate program, except in the case of special topics courses when the topic is not the same as that taken at the undergraduate level.
POLS 501 State and Local Politics (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 110 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 301. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
A critical examination of federalism, localism, intergovernmental finance, intergovernmental relations, state and local institutions, and state and local elections.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 509 Classical Political Thought (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 309. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
Study of major political thinkers from the ancient and medieval periods, with emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 514 The Idea of Tolerance in the Western Political Tradition (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 314. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
Historical and philosophical consideration of the development of the idea of tolerance in the western political tradition, with emphasis on major philosophical defenders and critics of the ideal of an open, tolerant society, and on the American experiment in political, religious, and cultural tolerance.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 521 Politics of the Middle East (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 321. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
Introduces students to social, economic, political, and cultural aspects of life in the Middle East by focusing on specific topics such as Religion and Politics, Nationalism, Peace and Conflict, Western Influence.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 522 Politics of Russia (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 322. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
A study of the transitions taking place in Russia covering subjects such as the Soviet past, nationalism, leadership, political institutions, and relations with the other former Soviet republics.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 523 Politics of Eastern Europe (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 323. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
An examination of political, economic, and cultural transitions in Eastern Europe. Topics covered include political-historical context, democratic institution building, market economic development, political cultural orientation, international organizations, and ethnonational conflict and conflict resolution.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 524 Politics of Asia (3 crs)
Prerequisite: One course in POLS or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 324. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
This course addresses political, economic, and social dimensions of contemporary Asian politics. The countries examined from a comparative perspective are China, North Korea, South Korea, India, and Indonesia.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 525 Model United Nations (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 325. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
A study of the institutional foundation and the contemporary role of the United Nations as a global intergovernmental organization in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to global conflicts and the promotion of cooperation among global actors.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 530 U.S. Foreign Policy (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 122 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 330. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
A study of the principal theoretical approaches to the conduct of U.S. foreign policy and the major foreign policy issues facing the United States.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 532 International Conflict (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 122 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 332. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
Examines the main theories and concepts used to understand and explain international and civil conflict. The course will also provide an analysis of the principle techniques and practices of conflict resolution.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 534 International Political Economy (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 122 or ECON 103 or ECON 104 or ECON 201 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 334. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
International political economy is the simultaneous study of power and wealth at the international level, or it is the study of political foundations of international economic interactions and vice versa.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 536 Arab-Israeli Conflict (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 336. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
This course examines the political, socioeconomic, cultural, and historical roots of the conflict between Arab States/Palestinian Arabs and the state of Israel. Both regional and international aspects of the conflict are fully discussed.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 544 Media and Politics (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 110 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 344. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
The course examines the symbiotic relationship between the media and political actors. The course will look at how the media influences the political agenda, how politicians manipulate the media, and the impact of political advertising.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 545 Film and Politics (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 345. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
An examination of how film delivers both implicit and explicit political themes and messages, with a focus on the areas of plot, characterization, symbolism, and cinematic techniques.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 551 Women and Politics (3 crs)
• Cross-listed with WGSS/POLS 351/551. Credit may only be earned in one of these courses.
Analysis of women's roles and participation in politics: as citizens, voters, candidates, and officeholders. The impact of feminism and the women's movement on issues and policymaking.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 595 Directed Studies (1-3 crs)
Consent: Department Consent Required
• Cross-listed with POLS 395.
Study of a political problem or topic.
Repeat: Course may be repeated
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
POLS 603 U.S. Constitutional Principles - Powers of Government (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 110 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 403. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
American constitutional principles as interpreted by the Supreme Court; the constitutional structure of the U.S. government. Emphasizes powers of Congress, President, Judiciary; principles of federalism and separation of power. Focus on study of Supreme Court cases.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 604 U.S. Constitutional Principles - Civil Liberties (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 110 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 404. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
American constitutional principles concerning the relations between individual and government. Emphasizes freedom of speech, press, religion; separation of church and state; and equality. Focus on study of Supreme Court cases.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 605 U.S. Constitutional Principles - Due Process and Criminal Law (3 crs)
Prerequisite: POLS 110 or consent of instructor.
• Cross-listed with POLS 405. Credit may not be earned in both courses.
American constitutional principles concerning the criminal process and criminal law. Emphasizes the rights found in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments and theories of due process and incorporation from the Fourteenth Amendment.
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3
Lab/Studio Hours: 0
POLS 691 Special Topics - Advanced Political Problems (1-3 crs)
• Cross-listed with POLS 491.
Selected political problems and issues affecting our political system. Examples: racism, poverty, radicalism, pluralism. Completion of a semester's work in fewer weeks is possible with extra classes per week.
Repeat: Course may be repeated
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option
POLS 795 Research Paper (1-2 crs)
Repeat: Course may be repeated
Grading Basis: PR Only Grade Basis
POLS 797 Independent Study (1-3 crs)
Consent: Department Consent Required
Individual project under the direction of a faculty member.
Repeat: Course may be repeated
Grading Basis: No S/U Grade Option