Political Science Course Descriptions
AMERICAN POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT
100. ORIENTATION TO THE MAJOR.
An introduction to the department, its faculty and courses, exploring different perspectives of a contemporary political event. (1). (Z grade)
101. INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS.
Constitutional principles of U.S. governmental framework. Political participation, electoral processes, political institutions. (3)
300. JUDICIAL PROCESS.
Jurisprudence; actors and institutions of legal systems; civil and criminal processes; contemporary socio-legal issues. (3)
303. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.
Historical and comparative analysis of the presidency and other chief executive offices; functions, powers, relations with other political institutions. (3)
304. AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
Politics, processes, and structures of U.S. Congress; congressional elections and behavior of individual members of Congress. (3)
305. JUDICIAL BEHAVIOR.
An analysis of judicial decision making, its influences and impact in trial and appellate courts in state and federal systems. (3)
306. CONST. LAW I: SUPREME COURT & CONST.
Judicial review; inter-institutional relations; federalism; interstate commerce, taxing and spending, contract clauses, substantive due process. (3)
307. CONST. LAW II: CIVIL LIB & CIVIL RIGHTS.
American legal and political freedoms; judicial policy making; criminal justice; civil rights. (Same as AAS 308). (3)
308. VOTING AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.
Explanations of voter turnout; sociological, psychological, and economic perspectives on voter behavior. Prerequisite: Pol 251. (3)
309. PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY.
The formation and structure of political attitudes and mass belief systems; measurement of political opinions; social and psychological influences on opinion. Prerequisite: Pol 251. (3)
310. POLITICAL PARTIES.
Nature of the organization and operation of political parties in elections, the mass public, and as institutions. (3)
311. POLITICAL COMMUNICATION.
An examination of American political communication. The role of the media, speechwriters, politicians, and the public in developing and transmitting political symbols and rhetoric. (3)
312. INTEREST GROUPS.
An examination of the theory, operations, influences, and differences of organized interests. (3)
316. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS.
Role of state and local governments in the U.S. federal system; structure and functioning of governmental operations. Prerequisite: Pol 251. (3)
317. MISSISSIPPI POLITICS.
Analysis of contemporary Mississippi politics and government. (3)
318. POLITICS OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH.
An analysis of Southern politics that focuses on the region’s unique political history, its transformation during the 20th century, and its importance to national politics. (3)
319. MINORITY POLITICS.
Studies of place of minorities in American politics. Examination of definitions of minority groups and minority politics; major American minority groups; and issues of conflict between minorities and the majority. Some comparative material also included. (3)
320. AFRICAN AMERICAN POLITICS.
Overview of issues in African American politics. Focuses on issues that affect African American political participation. (Same as AAS 320). (3)
365. COURT ADMINISTRATION.
Analysis of modern management of trial and appellate courts at state and federal levels. (3)
367. POLICY ANALYSIS.
Concepts, processes, methodologies, and issues involved in the application of systematic analysis to public policy. (3)
COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
102. INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS.
Examination of non-American political systems, their significant political institutions, and their political behavior. (3)
321. POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICA.
A comparative survey of Latin American democracies focusing on several key themes; political culture and participation, political groups, government structures and policy making. (3)
322. POLITICS OF WESTERN EUROPE.
Analysis of the political systems and governmental processes of major Western European societies. (3)
323. POLITICS OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.
Analysis of the political systems of sub-Saharan Africa and their development from the interaction of African and European social forces. (Same as AAS 315). (3)
324. POLITICS OF CHINA.
Analysis of China’s political, economic, and social transitions. (3)
325. POLITICS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA.
Analysis of current systems of government and politics in Asian countries. (3)
326. POLITICS OF RUSSIA.
Basic principles, institutions, practices, and processes. (3)
329. TRANSITIONS TO DEMOCRACY.
An analysis of the theories, problems, and cases of transition and consolidation of democracy across the world. Review of theoretical approaches to and problems with the process of democratic transition and consolidation. (3)
340. POLITICS OF EAST ASIA.
Analyzes the political institutions, processes, and developments of political systems in East Asia. Specific attention to China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Taiwan, as well as the relations among these nations. (3)
341. GERMAN POLITICS.
An examination of institutions, systems of representation, and public policy in West and East Germany 1945-1990, and in reunited Germany since 1990. (3)
342. POLITICS OF MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
Analysis of the political, economic, and social development in Mexico and the Central American countries. (3)
343. COMPARATIVE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.
Analysis of the central institutions of democratic governments and their politics. (3)
344. POLITICS OF ADV. INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES.
An analysis of major issues and theories concerning advanced industrial societies, i.e., origins and initial institutional accommodations of social cleavages in the 19th century, postwar innovations, and challenges to postwar arrangements. Focuses on Europe, Japan, and United States. (3)
345. POLITICS OF SOUTH AMERICA.
Analysis of the political, economic, and social development in South American countries. (3)
346. WOMEN AND WORLD POLITICS.
A comparative analysis of women’s political roles in countries around the world. (Same as G St 344). (3)
348. MIDDLE EAST POLITICS.
Power and politics in the Middle East (3)
382. COMPARATIVE LEGISLATIVE BEHAVIOR.
Comparative study of some of the important structures, functions, and processes of legislatures and legislative-like institutions in both western and non-western societies. (3)
383. COMPARATIVE ETHNIC POLITICS.
The course is an examination of ethnic issues in various political settings. The central question revolves around how nations address ethnic problems. Case studies will include European and non-European nations. (3)
384. WESTERN SOCIAL MOVEMENTS.
An analysis of theoretical issues concerning the emergence and impact of social movement in the context of the civil rights movement, feminism, ecology, and peace movements. (3)
386. EUROPEAN POLITICAL ECONOMY.
Political strategies and policies that underlie development of economic prosperity and political stability in Europe. (3)
387. POLITICAL ECONOMY OF EAST ASIA.
Analyzes political and economic impacts of development strategies in open economies of East and Southeast Asia. (3)
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
103. INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
Factors determining the conduct of international relations; foreign policy objectives and methods of achieving them; power politics versus collective security. (3)
331. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
Development of international organization; emphasis on the structure and functions of the United Nations; important specialized and regional organizations. Prerequisite: POL 251.
332. ETHNIC CONFLICT AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.
A study of the sources, consequences of ethnic conflict, and international terrorism. (3)
334. POLITICS OF THE WORLD ECONOMY.
Major issues and events in the politics of modern international economic history. Contending theoretical perspectives and political-economic systems are introduced. Prerequisite: Pol 103. (3)
336. POLITICAL ECONOMY OF INT’L DEV.
Introduces major approaches in political economy of development, trade, foreign aid, debt, privatization, and high technology. Integrates approaches in international relations with problems of political economics. (3)
337. ASIA IN WORLD AFFAIRS.
19th century contacts between Asia and the West; the changing image of Asia; developments following World War II; Asia’s challenge to the modern world. (3)
338. FORMULATION OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.
The mechanisms and institutions involved in foreign policy formulation, including the impact and interaction of both governmental and nongovernmental groups. Covers the various modes of influence utilized in foreign policy and the current behavioral literature relevant to the policy-making process. (3)
339. INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT.
Analysis of constraints and options regarding the use of military force. Subjects include possible forms of nuclear and limited war, escalation models and coercive bargaining techniques. (3)
361. STRATEGIC CHOICE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
Analysis of international conflict and cooperation using a rational, strategic decision-making approach. (3)
363. WAR IN WORLD POLITICS.
Issues surrounding international conflict in the causes, conduct, and consequences of war. Prerequisite: Pol 103. (3)
364. COMPARATIVE FOREIGN POLICY.
Examination of foreign policies in the context of specific nations, including the external and internal factors that shape foreign policy. Prerequisite: Pol 103. (3)
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
251. INTRO TO POLITICAL SCIENCE METHODS.
Analysis of the basic conceptual tools and quantitative techniques used in political science. (3)
352. QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN POL SCI.
Applications of advanced statistical methods in political research. Prerequisite: Pol 251. (3) Honors, Internships, Colloquia, and Individual Study
380. TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE ABROAD.
Students do departmentally approved course work at a foreign university. May be repeated with permission of the chair of the Department of Political Science. (1-6)
389. INTERNSHIP IN GOVERNMENT.
Internship in an approved agency or branch of government; book reports and written reports on internship required. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3-6). (Z grade)
390. HONORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.
Selected topics and issues. (3)
398. SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.
Specific topic will vary. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (3). (Z grade)
399. READINGS AND RESEARCH IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.
May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1-3)
401. SENIOR SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS.
Reading and writing intensive seminar in American politics. Content varies. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: political science major and junior standing required. (3)
421. SENIOR SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS.
Reading and writing intensive seminar in comparative politics. Content varies. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: political science major and junior standing required. (3)
431. SENIOR SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS.
Reading and writing intensive seminar in international politics. Content varies. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: political science major and junior standing required. (3)
490H. DIRECTED READINGS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.
Directed readings in political science toward completion of honors thesis. Prerequisite: honors students only. (3)
491H. DIRECTED RESEARCH IN POLITICAL SCIENCE.
Directed research in political science toward completion of honors thesis. May be repeated once for credit with permission of department chair. Prerequisite: honors students only. (3)
492. MOCK TRIAL.
Intercollegiate competition to develop and improve critical thinking and speaking skills in a courtroom setting. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits. Prerequisite: consent of department chair. (1). (Z grade)
497. WASHINGTON POLICY PROCESS.
Readings and research on the development of public policy at the national level. May not be repeated for credit. (Same as PPL 497). (3)
