Political Science and Law (PLS)
PLS 100 - Contemporary World Forces (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,GS
Great international forces influencing the contemporary world: secular and religious nationalism, global terrorism, international conflict and cooperation, poverty, and climatic changes. Understanding and evaluating the impact of these forces on national society and world affairs.
PLS 105 - Introduction to American Government (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: SB
The American political system: constitutional principles, political processes, and governmental policy making.
PLS 182 - Fundamentals of Contemporary East Asian Civilization (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,WC
Civilization and traditional cultures of East Asia; origins of fundamental values in indigenous East Asian ways of life.
PLS 205 - Governments Around the Globe (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: SB,GP,WC
Comparative analysis of selected political systems.
PLS 207 - Introduction to Political Thought (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: HU
Recurrent concepts or issues in political thought and ways they have been treated by classic and contemporary writers. Obligation and the social contract, liberty, justice and equality, property, representation.
PLS 208 - Fundamentals of International Relations (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,GS
Fundamental issues and problems that have contributed to structuring current patterns of international relations.
PLS 209 - Scope and Methods of Political Science (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: WI
Introduction to political inquiry; research methods necessary for in-depth research.
Prerequisite: PLS 105
PLS 275 - Political Economy of the Developing World (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: MI
Survey of political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of development. Theories of development, relations between industrial and developing states, impact of domestic institutions and conditions, globalization, and international institutions on the developing world.
PLS 300 - Topics in Political Thought (3.0 hours)
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under a different topic for a maximum 6 hours credit.
Prerequisite: PLS 207.
PLS 301 - Topics in American Politics (3.0 hours)
Analysis of research, concepts, institutions, theories, and literature. Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under a different topic for a maximum of 6 hours credit.
Prerequisite: PLS 105.
PLS 302 - Topics in International Relations (3.0 hours)
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under a different topic for a maximum of 6 hours credit.
Prerequisite: 3 hours of political science.
PLS 303 - Sub-Saharan African Politics (3.0 hours)
Focuses on Sub-Saharan African politics through examination of the influence of: historical factors such as pre-colonial governance and European colonization; social factors including gender, class, religion, and ethnicity; economic factors involving natural resources and corruption; health factors including malaria, HIV, and climate change; and political factors including political parties, personal rule, and military rule. Course does not presume any preexisting knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa specifically but does require basic knowledge of comparative politics broadly.
Prerequisite: PLS 205 or consent of instructor
PLS 304 - Politics of Europe (3.0 hours)
Governmental structures, public policies, policy making processes, ideological foundations, and dynamics of political and economic change in the countries of Europe and institutions of the European Union.
Prerequisite: PLS 205.
PLS 305 - Topics in Comparative Government (3.0 hours)
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under a different topic for a maximum of 6 hours credit.
Prerequisite: PLS 205.
PLS 306 - Intelligence in International Affairs (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,GS
Development of secret intelligence practice; contemporary operations of selected intelligence organizations. Emphasis on US capabilities, counterterrorism, management and control, and tension between secrecy and democracy.
PLS 307 - Classical Political Philosophy (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: HU
Systematic political thought in Western philosophy during ancient and medieval times. Cross listed as PHL 307.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.
PLS 308 - Modern Political Philosophy (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: HU
From the beginning of the modern period through the 19th century. Cross listed as PHL 308.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.
PLS 309 - Gender and Sexuality in Political Thought (3.0 hours)
This course considers the concepts of gender and sexuality as they relate to various theories of politics. Spanning more than two millennia of western political thought from ancient Greece to modern Britain to contemporary America, the course presents a variety of perspectives including (but not limited to) Platonism, liberal feminism, utilitarianism, and Nussbaum's capabilities approach. By the end of the course, students should have a grasp of the historical significance of both gender and sexuality in political thought, as well as a sense of the different ways in which those concepts have been understood and treated in different eras and philosophical traditions.
PLS 310 - Political Behavior (3.0 hours)
Formation of opinion, perception of political events, voting behavior, and political participation; significance for democratic government.
Prerequisite: PLS 105.
PLS 311 - Political Parties (3.0 hours)
Organization and activities of modern political parties, forces shaping partisan organization and activities, and development of public policy. Emphasis on party politics in contemporary America, with attention to American political history and comparative party systems.
Prerequisite: PLS 105
PLS 312 - State and Local Politics (3.0 hours)
Political processes through which rapidly growing problems of the state and local governments are identified, fought over, and resolved.
Prerequisite: PLS 105
PLS 313 - Identity Politics (3.0 hours)
An examination of how social identities such as ideology, race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexuality influence and are influenced by politics.
PLS 314 - The U.S. Congress (3.0 hours)
Provides an advanced understanding of the American Congress and its members within the framework of social science. Discusses congressional rules and procedures, member behavior and motivation, and the role of parties and leaders. Addresses debates about the modern Congress including lack of competition for seats, polarization, redistricting, the filibuster and pork-barrel politics.
Prerequisite: PLS 105
PLS 315 - The U.S. Presidency (3.0 hours)
Provides a comprehensive, theoretical, and logical framework to analyze the presidency. Examines the institutional presidency, formal powers, and the president's role in a separated system. Explores the development of the president's power over time, and changes in vetoes, signing statements, bureaucratic management, and relationship with Congress and the courts.
Prerequisite: PLS 105
PLS 316 - Political Field Research (3.0 hours)
Examination of data-driven approaches in modern politics. Introduction to survey research design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation. Students develop, implement, and analyze an original survey project, applying quantitative reasoning to understand electoral behavior, public policy impact, and political decision-making. Focus on practical research skills for political contexts.
Prerequisite: PLS 209 or consent of the instructor
PLS 317 - International Law (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: EL,GP,GS
Nature, sources, and development of international law as it has been invoked in diplomatic practices, international adjudications, and national courts.
PLS 318 - International Organization (3.0 hours)
The analysis of major international problems of a character requiring the concerted efforts of international organization in their solutions.
Prerequisite: PLS 208 or consent of instructor.
PLS 319 - International Political Economy (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: WI
Overview of theories and issues in international political economy affecting relations among advanced industrialized countries. Development of the international political economy; institutions for its management; emerging issues and future prospects.
Prerequisite: PLS 208 or consent of instructor.
PLS 320 - Russian and Post-Soviet Politics (3.0 hours)
Analyzes Russian and post-Soviet politics through examination of: Soviet historical legacies; Russian geopolitical influence and strategy; elite formation and predispositions; interethnic relations and ethnopolitical hierarchies; and the forms and implications of "hybrid" democracy and authoritarianism in the region. The course does not assume any preexisting knowledge of Russian or post-Soviet politics but does require basic knowledge of comparative politics concepts and theories.
Prerequisite: PLS 205
PLS 322 - Latin America in the International System (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,WC
Critical analysis of the role of Latin America in world affairs and the impact of external forces on politics, society, and interstate relations. Topics include: colonialism, revolutionary change and regional stability, transition to democratic rule, impact of foreign intervention, and role of Latin America in the global political economy.
PLS 330 - European Integration (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,MI,GS
Focus on phenomenon of integration, the movement toward political, economic, and social cooperation and unity on the European continent; examination of history, evolution, current and future development of the European Communities/Union.
PLS 341 - Science and Politics of Global Climate Change (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: MI
The complex problem of global climate change will be explored by connecting knowledge and perspectives from the natural and social sciences, concentrating particularly on the links between atmospheric and terrestrial sciences and international studies/political science. Cross-listed with ENS 307.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor
PLS 342 - American Foreign Policy (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: SB
Survey of factors and forces shaping the formulation and practice of American foreign policy. Impact of domestic political factors--public opinion, the media, interest groups, and Congress--on presidential foreign policy decisions; special emphasis on contemporary issues and problems.
PLS 343 - United States-East Asian Relations (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,GS
Critical studies of US relations with China, Japan, Korea, and other selected countries of East Asia since World War II.
PLS 344 - Diplomacy in International Affairs (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,GS
Evolution of modern diplomacy, fundamentals of diplomacy theory, and contemporary use of diplomacy. Negotiation game for application of student's new knowledge of diplomatic practice.
PLS 353 - Russian Foreign Policy (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,WC
Evolution of major elements of Russian foreign policy, impact of communist past, current post-communist attitudes and policies toward the world, analysis of foreign policies of other post-Soviet Slavic states.
PLS 360 - Judicial Politics (3.0 hours)
Political behavior of American trial courts and variables connecting them to the larger political system. Examples from criminal procedure and civil justice cases. Emphasis on police and prosecutorial discretion; recruitment of judges; juries; and social function of judgments and punishments.
Prerequisite: PLS 105 or consent of instructor.
PLS 363 - Middle East Nations in International Affairs (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,GP,WC,GS
Introduction to the modern politics of the Middle East. Examination of Arab-Israeli conflict, politics of OPEC, inter-Arab rivalries, terrorism, and the impact of these issues on the role of the Middle East in international affairs. Impact of the end of the Cold War and the Gulf Wars.
PLS 380 - Washington Center Seminar (3.0 hours)
Provides credit for students participating in the seminar component of the Washington Center program in Washington, D.C.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
PLS 385 - Issues of Contemporary Asia (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,WC
Critical studies of new issues and problems in contemporary Asia: tensions between traditional Asian cultures and modern Western ideologies, Asian leadership styles, political institutions, and economic development.
PLS 407 - American Political Thought (3.0 hours)
Systematic political thought in American philosophy from colonial times to the present.
Prerequisite: PLS 207 or consent of instructor.
PLS 410 - Globalization in World Affairs (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: GP,GS
Present trends in globalization; challenges presented to nation-states in an increasingly complex international environment. Issues include economic and cultural globalization, global and regional governance.
PLS 419 - Introduction to Public Administration (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: WI
Public administration in a democratic setting: history of American PA, organization theory, public personnel, budgeting, intergovernmental relations, decision making and policy analysis, the regulatory process, and ethics in government.
PLS 459 - Constitutional Law: Institutional Powers and Constraints (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: EL
Position of the Supreme Court in American system of government as both symbol and instrument of power. Case method.
Prerequisite: PLS 105; junior standing.
PLS 460 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3.0 hours)
Supreme Court as one of the policy making agencies of the federal government. Relationship between citizen and government in civil, property, and political rights.
Prerequisite: PLS 105; junior standing.
PLS 480 - Internship in Political Science (0.0-6.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: EL
Students work with selected political agencies, to study practical political problems from the perspective of the discipline. Course may be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours. Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
PLS 483 - Reading in Political Science (1.0-6.0 hours)
Individual in-depth work on a subject approved and supervised by a PLS faculty member. For highly qualified students. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior/senior standing and consent of instructor
PLS 485 - Research (1.0-6.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: EL
Individual research for qualified students. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit.
Prerequisite: 3.2 average in student's major; junior/senior standing; consent of instructor.
PLS 490 - Directed Study and Travel Abroad: Selected Region (0.0-3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: EL
Provides academic credit to students participating in designated, short-term programs abroad. Student must participate in the designated travel program in order to receive credit for this course. Course may be repeated once providing the student participates in a different travel program.
PLS 491 - Seminar in Comparative Politics (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: WI
Seminar in Comparative Politics
Prerequisite: Senior standing; major or minor in political science. No political science major may take more than two courses in the 490 sequence.
PLS 492 - Seminar in International Relations (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: WI
Seminar in International Relations
Prerequisite: Senior standing; major or minor in political science. No political science major may take more than two courses in the 490 sequence.
PLS 493 - Seminar in Political Theory (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: WI
Seminar in Political Theory
Prerequisite: Senior standing; major or minor in political science. No political science major may take more than two courses in the 490 sequence.
PLS 494 - Seminar in American Politics (3.0 hours)
Core Curriculum: WI
Seminar in American Politics
Prerequisite: senior standing; major or minor in political science. No political science major may take more than two courses in the 490 sequence.