POLSCI: Political Science

POLSCI 1014. Power & Politics in the U.S. — 3 hrs.

Politics is about the exercise of power. This course examines the basic structure, organization, and institutional powers of American government. We will also examine how diverse citizens of the U.S. are linked to government through such things as political parties, interest groups, and elections. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 1020. Political Problems in the U.S.: (topic) — 3 hrs.

This course addresses topical political problems in the U.S. with a focus on problems related to human differences and diversity. Examples of topics may include wealth and income inequality, inequities in the criminal justice system, disparities in education policy, or the partisan divide. As part of addressing these problems, the course also covers different theoretical perspectives for thinking about politics, and supports students in developing skills for critically assessing information sources. Offered on specific topics listed in the Schedule of Classes. May not be repeated on different topics. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 1024. International Relations — 3 hrs.

Survey of various approaches to international relations with special emphasis on application to historical and contemporary cases. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 1025. Global Politics — 3 hrs.

This course explores the theory, methods, and key issues of comparative and international politics, emphasizing cross-regional analysis through the use of case studies. Students will examine topics such as political culture, participation, authoritarianism and democracy, economic policies, social class, and identity-based conflict. By engaging with global political challenges, students will apply core political science concepts-ranging from institutions and behavior to ideology and policy-to understand how people worldwide navigate political power and problems. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 1040. Comparative Politics — 3 hrs.

Examination of theory, methods, and problems of comparative politics with emphasis on cross-regional analysis. Use of case studies to look at such issues as political culture, parties, participation, dictatorship and democracy, economic policies and class, and racial, ethnic or religious conflict. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 1041. Global Challenges: (Topic) — 3 hrs.

This course will help students investigate the effect of politics and power by studying how people around the world respond to political problems. Students will learn about political science concepts related to government rules and institutions, political behavior and social movements, public policy, ideas and ideology, or others and apply them to current political problems that people are wrestling with around the world. May not be repeated on different topics. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 1042. Becoming Global Citizens — 3 hrs.

A responsibility of citizens in democracies is to be politically active. How can we be politically active as citizens of the world? Without global elections, we have to find other ways of influencing the key social issues of our time. This class helps students think about how to be politically active on the most important global issues. (Variable)

POLSCI 1048. Introduction to Public Administration — 3 hrs.

Most government employees who are making decisions, running programs and spending taxpayer money are not elected officials, but public servants. The purpose of this course is to examine the role of these bureaucrats in American government by developing an understanding of the history of the system, the tension between expertise and democracy, and the related issues that affect the American people and others around the globe. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 1060. B.S. Detection — 3 hrs.

This course seeks to give students the tools to understand what is happening in the world and decide what they should do about it. It is not about what to think, but about how to think. We often talk about critical thinking but what, exactly, does that mean? This course will help students learn to slow down and critically analyze information to help them improve their understanding of current events and develop the habits of mind that contribute to a life of active citizenship. (Fall)

POLSCI 1070. Democracy — 3 hrs.

Democracy is thousands of years old--both as an idea and a practice--but people are still fighting for it in the 21st century. Why are people still willing to fight, even die, to expand and deepen democracy? This course explores this question, and addresses more specific questions such as, what enables democracies to function well? What does a healthy democracy need from citizens? Is democracy really better than alternatives such as monarchy and dictatorship? In addition to enabling students to understand theories and practices of democracy, the course will also enable students to develop some of the skills required of citizens, such as working in diverse groups to address shared problems, and deliberating about complex questions. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 2010. Analyzing Politics — 3 hrs.

Political issues can be divisive, but it is necessary to develop the skills and habits of rigorous analysis in order to understand the political phenomena around us. Students will explore various approaches to the scientific study of politics. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 2050. Introduction to Political Theory: Freedom, Justice and Power — 3 hrs.

A good politics is guided by ideals such as freedom and justice. But what do those words mean? How does power operate--either to promote or to prevent the achievement of freedom and justice for all people? Readings range from the ancient world to the contemporary, including thinkers such as Socrates, J.S. Mill, Martin Luther King Jr., and bell hooks. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 2131. American State Politics — 3 hrs.

Analysis of organization, functions, and operation of state and local governments. (Fall)

POLSCI 2147. Law, Politics, and Society — 3 hrs.

Law structures our personal, business and civic lives, and when courts resolve disputes about the law their decisions affect our politics and society. This course examines how the legal system works and explores its social and political effects. May include discussion of topics such as racial and socioeconomic barriers to access to justice, tort reform, policing strategies, and crime policy. (Spring)

POLSCI 3111. Politics and Statistics — 3 hrs.

Political science is, by definition, a science and as such is based on empirical research. The purpose of this course is to give students the necessary tools to study politics using quantitative methodology. Emphasis will be placed on the use of quantitative estimation techniques commonly used by political scientists. (Fall)

POLSCI 3112. Campaigns and Elections — 3 hrs.

Systematic examination of structure and functions of modern electoral campaigns for national, state, and local offices. (Even Falls)

POLSCI 3119. Politics of the Global Economy — 3 hrs.

Analysis of how the pursuit of power and the pursuit of wealth interact in international relations. Emphasis on trade policy, monetary and financial policies, economic development, and the politics of globalization since 1945. (Variable)

POLSCI 3120. International Security — 3 hrs.

Survey of the nature and causes of war, and the methods states use to achieve security. Examination of such issues as arms races, alliances, military technology, and military strategy and their relation to the politics of international relations. Analysis of methods for resolving conflicts and promoting peace. (Variable)

POLSCI 3121. Unconventional Warfare — 3 hrs.

Focus on terrorism, insurgency, and guerrilla warfare. Examination of theoretical, practical, and policy issues related to the law, ethics, motivations, conduct, and resolution of conflict between unequal and unlike groups. (Variable)

POLSCI 3122. Alliance Politics — 3 hrs.

Examination of military alliances and their relationship to war and peace. Topics evaluated include alliance formation, endurance, and dissolution. Emphasis placed on connecting theory to practice through the engagement of historical and contemporary cases. (Even Springs)

POLSCI 3123. Nationalism — 3 hrs.

Analysis of causes, forms, and consequences of nationalist movements. Consideration of experiences of nation-states and multi-national states. Evaluation of major theoretical approaches to study of nationalist movements and application to several specific cases. (Variable)

POLSCI 3125. Politics of International Development — 3 hrs.

Since the end of the Cold War, the international community has become more concerned with poverty, hunger, deprivation, the spread of disease and violence in all forms. This course studies the political dynamics that lead to action or that perpetuate inaction. (Variable)

POLSCI 3126. Human Rights — 3 hrs.

Examination of the origins and development of the concept of Human Rights. Review of the major challenges to global human rights, including genocide, racism, political repression, national/religion oppression, and gender discrimination. Emphasis on the international institutions, norms, and policies of states and non-state actors to define and promote human rights. (Variable)

POLSCI 3127. United States Foreign Policy — 3 hrs.

Historical and theoretical examination of the individual, domestic, and systemic factors which affect formulation of United States foreign policy. (Variable)

POLSCI 3129. Political Thought in the U.S. — 3 hrs.

Political ideals have shaped the political institutions, practices, and culture of the U.S., even though our ideals of democracy and freedom have conflicted with realities of exclusion and slavery, and the "American Dream" has at times been undermined by inequality of opportunity. This course explores these tensions, analyzing works of foundational thinkers such as Madison and Jefferson, as well as thinkers aiming to deepen our democracy in the centuries since the founding. (Variable)

POLSCI 3130. Autocratic Politics — 3 hrs.

Examination of the origins and consequences of autocracy. Emphasis placed on studying how autocratic leaders make decisions and how these decisions influence important outcomes like regime survival and state development. (Even Falls)

POLSCI 3132. Community Politics — 3 hrs.

Introduction to structure, functions, and policies of American local government in context of economic, social, and intergovernmental forces. (Variable)

POLSCI 3134. Congress: The First Branch — 3 hrs.

Congress is the first branch, by virtue of being specified in Article I of the Constitution. We will think critically about the role of Congress in the American system of government, how we get it, what it does, and what it does not do. Students will assess evidence of whether Congress can properly be viewed as broken, or not. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 1014. (Odd Falls)

POLSCI 3135. Politics in Europe — 3 hrs.

Examination of the development of European political institutions, issues, and policies. Social democracy, the European Union, and challenges to democracy are addressed. (Variable)

POLSCI 3140. Decision-Making in Nuclear Politics — 3 hrs.

Examination of how and why leaders develop nuclear weapons, weigh the consequences of nuclear use, and (sometimes) reverse their weapons programs. Emphasis placed on application of theory to real-world examples. (Even Springs)

POLSCI 3141. Constitutional Law — 3 hrs.

Analysis of U.S. Supreme Court decisions and changes in doctrine over time and the political forces affecting these changes. Emphasis on the powers and constraints of the federal government, separation of powers, and federalism. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 1014 or POLSCI 2147 or POLSCI 3146. (Fall)

POLSCI 3143. International Law — 3 hrs.

Survey of international law from its development to contemporary issues. (Variable)

POLSCI 3144. Civil Rights and Liberties — 3 hrs.

Examines the Supreme Court's role in establishing and protecting individual rights and liberties from government intrusion. Emphasis on the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Includes issues of free speech, freedom of religion, discrimination, and privacy. (Spring)

POLSCI 3145. International Organizations — 3 hrs.

Description of international governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and analysis of their roles in international politics. (Variable)

POLSCI 3146. Judicial Politics and Policy-making — 3 hrs.

Theoretical and empirical examination of the role of appellate courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court, within the American political system. Examination of theories of judicial decision making, the influence of politics on law and judges, and the impact of court decisions on public policy. (Even Falls)

POLSCI 3150. Public Opinion and Voting Behavior — 3 hrs.

Theoretical and empirical analyses of public opinion, political attitudes, political socialization, as well as voting behavior and political participation. [Same as PSYCH 3150] (Spring)

POLSCI 3151. Modern Presidency — 3 hrs.

Examination of constitutional, electoral, administrative, and political aspects of the modern American presidency as they have evolved from FDR to the present. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 1014. (Spring)

POLSCI 3153. Leadership and Management in Public Service — 3 hrs.

This course provides students the opportunity to study the political nature, characteristics and operation of American public organizations. Students will analyze the internal and external factors that explain how public organizations operate, including theories and models of leadership and internal dynamics of public organizations and their role in the American political system. (Fall)

POLSCI 3160. Classical Political Theory — 3 hrs.

The nature of justice, arguments for and against democracy, the foundations of political knowledge, and the nature of political communities, as understood by the thinkers of classical Greece. (Variable)

POLSCI 3161. Modern Political Theory — 3 hrs.

Western political thought from Machiavelli to Nietzsche, including the philosophical foundations for the American system of government (liberal and civic republican thought). (Variable)

POLSCI 3162. Power: Political Theories & Applications — 3 hrs.

This course explores contemporary theories of power and their relationships to political events and movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will complete projects to build their familiarity with a particular set of theories and the ways in which those theories respond to or inspire social and political events - from government-sponsored injustices to liberation movements. This course will enable students to develop their capacities for making reasoned judgments about politics and using theory as a tool to develop political meanings that go beyond ideology. (Variable)

POLSCI 3164. Russian Politics — 3 hrs.

Analysis of regimes and regime changes in Russia and Eurasia generally. Examination of institutions, contemporary issues, and policies in comparative context. (Variable)

POLSCI 3166. Political Parties and Interest Groups — 3 hrs.

The history and evolution of political parties and interest groups in the American political system with a focus on their impact on the policy process. This course emphasizes how changes in the political environment including the rise of Super PACs, increased polarization and the use of social media for political mobilization are influencing the role each plays in elections and policy adoption. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 1014. (Variable)

POLSCI 3170. East Asian Security — 3 hrs.

Examination of patterns of conflict and cooperation in East Asia. Primary focus placed on relations between China, Japan, Taiwan, the two Koreas, and the United States since the end of World War II. (Even Springs)

POLSCI 3172. Public Budgeting — 3 hrs.

Historical development of current budgeting practices; politics of budgetary process at federal, state, and local levels; current methods of budgeting for public agencies, focusing on integration of budgeting into program planning. (Spring)

POLSCI 3174. Management of Public Human Resources — 3 hrs.

Development of current government personnel practices; contemporary issues in personnel administration; techniques of job analysis; recruitment and selection of employees; and problems of supervision and evaluation. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 1014; POLSCI 1048. (Variable)

POLSCI 3181. Internship in Politics — 3-8 hrs.

Student serves as intern with government official or in public or private agency: (1) Federal; (2) State; (3) Local; (4) Intergovernmental; (5) Legal; (6) Interest Group; (7) International; and (8) Electoral. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 2010; 15 hours of political science; Political Science, Political Communication, or Public Administration major; junior standing and consent of department. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

POLSCI 4130/5130. Iowa Politics — 3 hrs.

Emphasis placed on the origins of Iowa's governmental structure, the three branches of government, and its unique role in presidential politics. Will examine some of the perennial issues facing the state. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Spring)

POLSCI 4142/5142. Problems in Juvenile and Family Law — 3 hrs.

Aspects of juvenile and family law; how legislature and courts have developed juvenile and family law, including marriage and divorce, adoption, and competency of minors. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 4143/5143. Citizen Participation and Civic Engagement — 3 hrs.

Introduces the key issues and problems affecting citizen participation and engagement at the community and national levels. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

POLSCI 4160/5160. Political Communication — 3 hrs.

Study of the elements of national and/or local political communication, including the rhetoric of political campaigns, and/or the rhetoric of elected officials. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Same as COMM 4216/5216) (Fall)

POLSCI 4173. Politics and Public Policy — 3 hrs.

Can we predict public policy? The short answer is "no." Public policies are the result of human decisions, a process which is not always rational. This course will examine why by focusing on biases in human decision making and how such biases can help improve our understanding of the policy process. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 1014; POLSCI 1048; junior standing. (Fall)

POLSCI 4175/5175. Women in Politics — 3 hrs.

Theoretical, historical, and empirical studies of the role of women as political actors, policy issues affecting women, and the role of gender in shaping political attitudes and perceptions, with particular emphasis on the U.S. experience. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

POLSCI 4176/5176. Topics in Public Policy — 3 hrs.

Explores the latest developments in the field of public policy research. Ongoing policy issues may be used as examples to illustrate theoretical developments or to introduce applications of course material. May be repeated under different topics. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. (Variable)

POLSCI 4177/5177. Political Psychology — 3 hrs.

Explores the connections between psychology and political phenomena, including leadership, decision making, intergroup relations, and persuasion. Prerequisite(s): junior standing. [Same as PSYCH 4177/5177] (Variable)

POLSCI 4184. Senior Seminar in Political Science — 3 hrs.

Examination of specific topics through application of theories and methods of political science analysis. Research papers required. Prerequisite(s): 24 credit hours of Political Science. (Fall and Spring)

POLSCI 4188/5188. Seminar in Public Administration — 3 hrs.

Advanced topics in public administration, such as essential and nonessential service delivery, fiscal administration, and community development. Introduces students to issues not covered in other public administration courses. Prerequisite(s): POLSCI 1048; junior standing. (Spring)

POLSCI 4189/5189. Readings in Political Science — 1-3 hrs.

May be repeated only with consent of department. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in political science; junior standing; consent of department. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

POLSCI 4198. Independent Study.

(Fall, Spring, Summer)

POLSCI 5154. Public Service Leadership and Management — 3 hrs.

This course focuses on the theories and practice of leadership and management in the public and nonprofit sectors. Particular attention will be paid to the history behind the theories and concepts used in the analysis and discussion of leadership and management to understand their development, to what degree they may be applicable to other settings, and their strengths and weaknesses. The course will enable students to understand variations in different organizational settings, alternative bases of authority, diverse communication styles, as well as the exercise of leadership and its connection with management. (Variable)

POLSCI 5171. Public Budgeting and Financial Management — 3 hrs.

This course provides students the opportunity to study the local budgetary process and to explore with the following topics: budget document and budget process; the budget cycle; operating and capital budget; evolution of budget; the balanced budget; functions of the budget office; planning, adopting, implementing and controlling the budget; performance measures for public budgeting and budgeting for capital improvements. (Variable)