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Duluth Campus

Political Science B.A.

History, Political Science & International Studies
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2024
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 35
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
This program prepares students for careers in government and business, the study of law, and graduate study in political science, domestic and international public policy, and related fields. It offers general liberal education coursework, specialized coursework for students majoring in other disciplines, and a related field for graduate students. Students have considerable flexibility in designing their major to ensure it meets personal and professional interests. Students should consult their faculty advisor to define the focus and coverage of their program, and select courses in other disciplines, including second majors and minors. Students are encouraged to acquire collateral skills in areas such as statistics, computer applications, and foreign languages. Students interested in graduate study should begin planning in their junior year. Many programs expect proficiency in statistical analysis and/or a foreign language. Honors Requirements: Departmental honors in political science will be automatically granted to any student who is a political science major graduating with a grade point average of 3.80 or higher in political science courses taken at UMD or accepted for transfer to UMD. The average will be calculated using only political science courses.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
  1. Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be awarded for the same major.
  2. Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal Education Program or its approved equivalent.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g., Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
  4. At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30 credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
  5. At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD.
  6. If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division credits in their minor field from UMD.
  7. For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
  8. The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
  9. Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University have been met.
Program Requirements
1. A second field of study (e.g. minor, major, degree) is required for this major. 2. At least 8 political science credits must be taken at UMD. 3. Global experience is a UMD goal for all students, and international study is encouraged. Talk with an academic or faculty advisor to explore academic options for fulfilling some of your degree requirements through study abroad.
Learning in Community (1 cr)
The Learning in Community requirement will be waived for transfer students with at least 30 credits taken post-high school and for UMD students who started in a UMD program where this was not required. First-year students who have completed 30 PSEO credits may request a waiver to the student’s primary college.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community (1.0-2.0 cr)
or EHS 1000 - Into the World [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
or ES 1000 - Global Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
or LING 1000 - Language and Culture in the U.S. What does it Mean to Speak American [CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
or PSY 1100 - Living Your Best Life: Applying Positive Psychology [CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
Advanced Writing (3 cr)
Take 1 course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
Core (7 cr)
POL 1011 - American Government and Politics [LE CAT6, SOC SCI] (3.0 cr)
POL 4190 - Senior Seminar (4.0 cr)
Foundations (9 cr)
POL 2700 is the preferred course for methodology. Note: One attempt of POL 1800 is applicable towards the major. If the course is taken twice the additional credits will not apply to the major, but will apply to the overall degree.
Take 3 or more course(s) from the following:
· POL 1050 - International Relations [LE CAT, GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
· POL 1500 - Introduction to Comparative Politics [LE CAT, GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
· POL 1610 - Introduction to Political Theory [LE CAT, HUMANITIES] (3.0 cr)
· POL 1800 - Mock Trial (3.0 cr)
· POL 2700 - Methodology and Analysis [LOGIC & QR] (4.0 cr)
· POL 1xxx-2xxx
Electives (15 cr)
Students must take at least 5 courses across the following lists. Four courses must be at the POL 3xxx-4xxx level. Students have the option to complete this requirement by taking all courses at the POL 3xxx-4xxx level or in combination with the optional areas listed.
Take 4 or more course(s) from the following:
· POL 3001 - American Public Policy (3.0 cr)
· POL 3015 - State and Local Government (4.0 cr)
· POL 3025 - Popular Culture and Politics [HUMANITIES] (4.0 cr)
· POL 3040 - Women and Politics (3.0 cr)
· POL 3044 - Game Theoretic Methods in Politlcal Science (3.0 cr)
· POL 3080 - Environment and Politics (3.0 cr)
· POL 3100 - Contemporary Issues in American Politics (3.0 cr)
· POL 3120 - Congress and the Presidency (4.0 cr)
· POL 3131 - Judicial Politics and Policy Making (3.0 cr)
· POL 3141 - Pol Parties & Polarization (3.0 cr)
· POL 3142 - Voting, Campaigning, and Elections (3.0 cr)
· POL 3143 - Political Psychology (3.0 cr)
· POL 3150 - American Constitutional Law I (3.0 cr)
· POL 3151 - American Constitutional Law II (3.0 cr)
· POL 3195 - Special Topics: (various titles to be assigned) (3.0 cr)
· POL 3311 - Public Opinion and Polling Methods (3.0 cr)
· POL 3400 - Contemporary Issues in World Politics (4.0 cr)
· POL 3403 - American Foreign Policy (3.0 cr)
· POL 3420 - International Organization and Global Governance (3.0 cr)
· POL 3451 - Theories of International Relations (4.0 cr)
· POL 3456 - International Security: War and More (4.0 cr)
· POL 3511 - Politics of South Asia (3.0 cr)
· POL 3515 - Theories of Comparative Politics (3.0 cr)
· POL 3517 - Western European Political Systems (4.0 cr)
· POL 3518 - Transitional Politics of Asia (3.0 cr)
· POL 3530 - Comparative Constitutional Law and Judicial Politics (3.0 cr)
· POL 3570 - Politics of Developing Nations (3.0 cr)
· POL 3575 - Latin American Politics and Development (3.0 cr)
· POL 3580 - Central American Politics (3.0 cr)
· POL 3600 - Political Concepts (3.0 cr)
· POL 3652 - Modern Political Thought (4.0 cr)
· POL 4195 - Special Topics: (various titles to be assigned) (3.0 cr)
· POL 3458 - International Negotiation & Bargaining: Negotiating Across Cultures (3.0 cr)
or INTS 3458 - International Negotiation & Bargaining: Negotiating Across Cultures (3.0 cr)
· POL 3xxx-4xxx
· Optional Lower-Division Elective
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· POL 1xxx-2xxx
· Optional Experience (consent required)
Take 0 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
· POL 3097 - Government Internship (1.0-6.0 cr)
· POL 3197 - Nongovernmental Internship (1.0-6.0 cr)
· POL 4191 - Independent Study (1.0-4.0 cr)
· POL 4910 - Teaching Assistantship in Political Science (1.0-2.0 cr)
· Optional Complementary Elective
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· AMIN 3206 - Federal Indian Policy [LE CAT8, LECD CAT08, SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
· AMIN 3230 - American Indian Tribal Government and Law [SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
· AMIN 4230 - Introduction to Federal Indian Law [SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
· BLAW 2001 - The Legal Environment [LE CAT8, HUMANITIES] (3.0 cr)
· CRIM 3324 - Sociology of Criminal Law (3.0 cr)
· CRIM 3380 - Death Penalty (3.0 cr)
· ECON 2030 - Applied Statistics for Business and Economics [LOGIC & QR] (3.0 cr)
· ECON 4213 - Mathematical Economics (3.0 cr)
· ECON 3570 - Public Finance (3.0 cr)
· GEOG 4393 - Political Geography (3.0 cr)
· HIST 3265 - The Soviet Experiment: Russia, the USSR, and Contemporary Russia [LE CAT7, LEIP CAT07, GLOBAL PER] (4.0 cr)
· HIST 3243 - Europe in Crisis in the 20th Century (4.0 cr)
· HIST 3386 - The United States and the World since 1898 (4.0 cr)
· HIST 3465 - Twentieth Century China Politics (4.0 cr)
· HIST 3615 - Modern Africa (4.0 cr)
· HIST 3726 - Modern Middle East: 18th Century-Present [GLOBAL PER] (4.0 cr)
· INTS 4100 - Seminar in International Studies (4.0 cr)
· PHIL 3231 - Law and Punishment (4.0 cr)
· PHIL 3291 - Current Social Political Philosophy (4.0 cr)
· SOC 3155 - Quantitative Research Methods and Analysis (4.0 cr)
· SOC 3156 - Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis (4.0 cr)
· WS 3100 - Feminist Thought [HUMANITIES, CDIVERSITY] (4.0 cr)
· WS 3600 - Ecofeminism: Theories and Sustainable Practices [SUSTAIN] (3.0 cr)
 
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UST 1000 - Learning in Community
Credits: 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Credit will not be granted if already received for EHS 1000.
EHS 1000 - Into the World (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitates the transition into college learning and student life at UMD and the College of Education and Human Service Professions. Introduces the promise and peril of global challenges in the 21st century and relates these challenges to local communities. pre-req: 1st semester CEHSP student
ES 1000 - Global Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. This course explores the global cultural context of sustainability while facilitating the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Examine the topic of environmental sustainability through the context of global culture and affairs. Explore different cultural approaches to solving environmental issues, compare and contrast these approaches with those taken in the US. Investigate the concept of outsourcing with respect to the peoples and ecosystems that are impacted by the practice. pre-req: less than 30 credits earned
LING 1000 - Language and Culture in the U.S. What does it Mean to Speak American (CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD while simultaneously fulfilling other core requirements. Examines the topic of Cultural Diversity in the U.S. through the context of language and dialect in American English. Explores the impact language has on the broad spectrum of American culture, and conversely, the ways in which various American cultures and their diverse heritages have influenced the many ways language is spoken in the United States. Investigates concepts of linguistic competency, perceptions and biases toward language, power structures manifested in language, and influences of class, race, ethnicity, and heritage on spoken language. pre-req: less than 30 credits
PSY 1100 - Living Your Best Life: Applying Positive Psychology (CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitate the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD; applications of positive psychology across cultures and positive behavior change; the examination of diverse perspectives in positive psychology; the promotion of student well-being, community and inclusivity, and time- and stress-management techniques. pre-req: less than 30 credits
POL 1011 - American Government and Politics (LE CAT6, SOC SCI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Principles of American national government. Survey of American governmental system, structure, operations, and services; constitutionalism, federalism, civil liberties, parties, pressure groups, and elections.
POL 4190 - Senior Seminar
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Supervised research and writing in current areas or issues of politics and political science, subject matter varying with instructor. recommended prereq: 6 cr in relevant upper division political science courses prereq: instructor consent
POL 1050 - International Relations (LE CAT, GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to contemporary international politics: levels of analysis; the international system; nation-state behavior; foreign policy decision making; economic and defense policy issues.
POL 1500 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (LE CAT, GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Survey of the politics of countries selected to reflect alternative styles of politics and forms of government; examples of Western liberal democratic, Communist and post-Communist, and Third World systems.
POL 1610 - Introduction to Political Theory (LE CAT, HUMANITIES)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to the history of political thought from a thematic perspective such as freedom and citizenship, democracy and its critics, political obligation and justice, diversity and inequality. Close attention to method of interpretation and argument.
POL 1800 - Mock Trial
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Prerequisites: Students may take this course twice for a maximum of 6 credits. Political Science majors and minors may only apply one attempt towards the major or minor. Political Science majors and minors may only take the course once.
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Mock trial covers the procedures, evidentiary rules, and functioning of the judiciary at the trial court level. Students apply their classroom training as attorneys and witnesses in American Mock Trial association sanctioned tournaments. The course increases student skills in critical thinking, analysis, and oral and written expression and argument. prereq: Students may take this course twice for a maximum of 6 credits. Political Science majors and minors may only apply one attempt towards the major or minor. Political Science majors and minors may only take the course once.
POL 2700 - Methodology and Analysis (LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Theory and methods of conducting political research: theory construction, concept formulation, survey research and sampling design, basic statistical analysis, and measurement of relationships.
POL 3001 - American Public Policy
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Approaches to policy study, context of policy process, and discussion of policy issues. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress cr or instructor consent
POL 3015 - State and Local Government
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
State and local governments in the United States; governmental institutions and processes; intergovernmental relations. Special reference to Minnesota. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3025 - Popular Culture and Politics (HUMANITIES)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Summer
Evaluation of the presentation of political institutions, officials, and policy issues in various forms of mass media and entertainment, including newspapers, magazines, films, television/cable, radio, video, podcasts, weblogs, and social media sites. How accurate are the portrayals and how effective are they at influencing attitudes, opinions, policy choices, and selection of public officials?
POL 3040 - Women and Politics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Women's political status; implications of women's role in political process; women as political actors; feminist critique and vision of politics. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3044 - Game Theoretic Methods in Politlcal Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
This course provides an overview of game theory and its applications to political science. Students introduced to game theoretic concepts such as Nash equilibrium subgame perfection, and signaling. These concepts and others can be applied to examine a variety of political phenomena, including candidate completion, fund-raising, political posturing, executive-legislative bargaining, and much more. While many applications of game theory are political in nature, some of the applications will be drawn from the world of economics and everyday life. pre-req: Minimum of 30 credits or instructor consent
POL 3080 - Environment and Politics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
American natural resource problems with special attention to conservation activities on national, state, and local levels; development of conservation agencies in Minnesota. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3100 - Contemporary Issues in American Politics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Detailed examination and analysis of important and evolving contemporary issues in state, local, and national government, law, public policy and/or public administration. Policy recommendations dealing with each issue. pre-req: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3120 - Congress and the Presidency
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Functioning and structure of the United States Congress and Presidency. Members of Congress and the Presidency: their characteristics, their selection, roles they play, how they interact with each other as well as with others in the policy-making process. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3131 - Judicial Politics and Policy Making
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
An examination of the characteristics and behavior of judicial institutions, emphasizing the interaction with other policy-makers and social and political problems. Investigates the policy roles of state and lower federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3141 - Pol Parties & Polarization
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Covers the development of political parties in the United States and the role of political parties in government. Examines the causes and consequences of political party polarization in areas like law-making, elections and representation. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3142 - Voting, Campaigning, and Elections
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Covers theories of voting, including how they explain who votes and vote choice. Examines how campaign money, policy issues, the media, and campaign advertising play a role in presidential and congressional elections. Typically offered in the fall during national election years. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3143 - Political Psychology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Study how political opinion formation and behavior of citizens and political elites is shaped by psychological factors, including personality, attitudes, values, and emotions. Study opinion formation, mass media, identity, and culture. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3150 - American Constitutional Law I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Institutional powers and civil rights: judicial review; authority of Congress and President; powers in war and foreign affairs; power of national and state governments; property rights; civil rights and equal protection (race, gender, and other groups); anti-discrimination; affirmative action. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3151 - American Constitutional Law II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Civil liberties: incorporation of the Bill of Rights; Due Process clause; freedom of religion; freedom of speech; freedom of press; privacy rights; rights of the accused; search and seizure; rights before the Courts; cruel and unusual punishment. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3195 - Special Topics: (various titles to be assigned)
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Political science topics not included in regular curriculum. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3311 - Public Opinion and Polling Methods
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Formation of public opinion; attitudes and nonattitudes; polls in the media; role of public opinion in democracy; measurement of opinion; survey methods; questionnaire construction; sampling techniques. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3400 - Contemporary Issues in World Politics
Credits: 4.0 [max 8.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Detailed examination and analysis of selected contemporary issues in world politics and international relations. Policy recommendations dealing with each issue. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent repeatable: Allow up to 2 repetitions totaling up to 8 credits.
POL 3403 - American Foreign Policy
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Pol 3403/3402
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Various influences on the making of American foreign policy; understanding why particular foreign policy choices are made and the effects of a changing international environment on American foreign policy. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3420 - International Organization and Global Governance
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Explores the role of international organizations in world politics and the evolution of global governance systems. Includes examinations of state sovereignty, methods for achieving cooperation, and whether international organizations are effective means for achieving global collective goods. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3451 - Theories of International Relations
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Historical and contemporary theories of international relations. Views of contending theorists are analyzed and assessed. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3456 - International Security: War and More
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Introduction to a variety of different aspects of International Security, including warfare, terrorism, human rights, environmental justice, and women and violence worldwide. Includes discussion of efforts to ensure and barriers to achieving international security in its various forms. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3511 - Politics of South Asia
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Comparative study of five South Asian countries (namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal). It analyzes the history and impact of colonialism in South Asia; state formations in South Asia; and controversies in recent South Asian politics over issues like globalization, democratization, religious fundamentalism, nuclearism, and gender. Policy solutions to these problems will be considered. pre-req: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3515 - Theories of Comparative Politics
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Introduces the theoretical, methodological, and substantive debates in the discipline of comparative politics. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3517 - Western European Political Systems
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Comparative analysis of development and operation of political-governmental institutions and processes in selected Western European countries: political and ideological patterns and trends; problems of democratic politics; policy issues in advanced industrial societies; and the future of the "welfare state." prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3518 - Transitional Politics of Asia
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
This class is a comparative study of the states in Asia namely India, China, Japan, and others. The class will explore the historical trajectories of these states; will study how these histories have given rise to different forms of their current state formations; will explore their contemporary political systems; economies; their socio-cultural and gender dynamics; and contemporary policy issues faced by these states. The class will also analyze the geo-strategic significance of Asia to the West/United States in the contemporary eras of globalization. pre-req: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3530 - Comparative Constitutional Law and Judicial Politics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
A cross-national examination of the intersection of law and politics in the development of constitutional law, especially in newly emerging democracies. Includes an investigation of the relationship between globalization and constitutional development and the role that law plays in social control, dispute resolution, protection of minority rights, social change, and economic development. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3570 - Politics of Developing Nations
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Nature of political development; individual and institutional causes and consequences of development; political economy of the Third World. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3575 - Latin American Politics and Development
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
A comparative examination of politics and development in the Latin American region. Topics of this course include transition to democracy, democratic consolidation, rule of law, human rights, the military and politics, women and politics, executive-legislative relations, civil society, and economic development. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3580 - Central American Politics
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Explores the history, politics, culture, and modern problems in Central America. Includes examination of the differences and similarities in colonial history among Central American countries, the role of U.S. influence on Central American politics and the economy, and legacies of civil wars. Then, it focuses on modern problems of violence against women, gangs, violent crime, and governance, and how international and local organizations and individuals can (or cannot) contribute to alleviating these problems. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3600 - Political Concepts
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Fundamental political themes and concepts in political theory, including but not limited to justice, liberty, equality, power, democracy, political obligation, and community. Perspectives of diverse political philosophies and cultures may be addressed.
POL 3652 - Modern Political Thought
Credits: 4.0 [max 12.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Advanced survey of political thought from Enlightenment to the present; course topic may include one or more of the following traditions of political theorizing: English (e.g. Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Bentham, Mill, Wollstonecraft), German (e.g. Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Habermas) or French (e.g. Montesquieu, Rousseau, Tocqueville, Foucault, Derrida). pre-req: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent repeatable: Allow up to 3 repetitions totaling up to 12 credits.
POL 4195 - Special Topics: (various titles to be assigned)
Credits: 3.0 [max 9.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Political science topics not included in the regular curriculum. prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent repeatable: Allow up to 3 repetitions totaling up to 9 credits.
POL 3458 - International Negotiation & Bargaining: Negotiating Across Cultures
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: INTS 3458/POL 3458
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Cultural understanding and misunderstanding can determine the outcome of international negotiation and bargaining. Word choice becomes particularly significant in global negotiations. In this class, we explore how international solutions in various areas, such as the environment, business, politics, and human rights, are produced through negotiation and influenced by culture, language, and behavior. pre-req: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
INTS 3458 - International Negotiation & Bargaining: Negotiating Across Cultures
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: INTS 3458/POL 3458
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Cultural understanding and misunderstanding can determine the outcome of international negotiation and bargaining. Word choice becomes particularly significant in global negotiations. In this class, we explore how international solutions in various areas, such as the environment, business, politics, and human rights, are produced through negotiation and influenced by culture, language, and behavior. pre-req: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
POL 3097 - Government Internship
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Scheduled work assignments with direct supervision in performance of governmental functions; full- or part-time employment. Only 4 cr from POL 3097 and 3197 may be applied toward the political science major. Allow up to 6 repetitions totalling up to 6 credits. prereq: minimum 60 cr earned and instructor consent
POL 3197 - Nongovernmental Internship
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Supervised, scheduled work assignments in performance of political functions in nongovernmental organizations; full- or part-time employment. Not all outside work is eligible. Only 4 cr max from POL 3097 and 3197 may be applied toward the political science major. Allow up to 6 repetitions totalling up to 6 credits. prereq: minimum 60 cr and instructor consent
POL 4191 - Independent Study
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Advanced study and research under supervision of a faculty member. Student must consult with faculty member before registration. Students can repeat this course for a maximum total of 6 credits. recommended prereq: 8 cr in political science and 6 cr in other social sciences prereq: instructor consent
POL 4910 - Teaching Assistantship in Political Science
Credits: 1.0 -2.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Practical experience in teaching beginning courses in the department. Students serve as intern teachers assisting the instructor in administration of the course. Application deadline is one week before the beginning of registration for the following semester. Students can repeat this course for a maximum total of 3 credits. recommended prereq: 90 earned or in-progress credits and political science major prereq: instructor consent; no graduate credit
AMIN 3206 - Federal Indian Policy (LE CAT8, LECD CAT08, SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: AMIN 3206/TAG 3206
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Examination of the formulation, implementation, evolution, and comparison of Indian policy from pre-colonial to self-governance. Introduces students to the theoretical approaches structuring research of federal Indian policy, views, and attitudes of the policy-makers and reaction of indigenous nations. Discussion of the policies and the impact related to those policies. prereq: minimum 30 credits; this course previously titled: Indian-White Relations; credit will not be granted if already received for 3106.
AMIN 3230 - American Indian Tribal Government and Law (SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: AMIN 3230/TAG 3230
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
American Indian tribal governments and leadership, historically and today, have aimed at the promotion and protection of the nation, overseen domestic and foreign affairs, and provided for the basic needs and desires of their citizens. This course provides students a general background of the history, development, structure, and politics associated with indigenous governments, analyzing how these institutions have been modified to meet ever-changing internal needs and external pressures. prereq: minimum 30 credits
AMIN 4230 - Introduction to Federal Indian Law (SOC SCI, CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: AMIN 4230/TAG 4230
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Federal Indian law has had a profound effect on our lives, liberties, and properties of indigenous peoples. At times, U.S. policy and Supreme Court ruling shave worked to protect aboriginal rights, while at other times they have had devastating consequences. This course examines the role of the U.S. Supreme Court as a policy-making institution in their dealings with Indigenous nations, requiring us to ask about the origins of federal judicial power and their application indigenous peoples. prereq: minimum 60 credits; credit will not be granted if already received for AMIN 3333
BLAW 2001 - The Legal Environment (LE CAT8, HUMANITIES)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to U.S. legal system and its impact on modern business operations. Ethical, economic, social, and political perspectives of legal environment. Constitutional law, administrative regulation, torts and products liability, contracts, business organizations, employment/labor law. prereq: Minimum 30 credits
CRIM 3324 - Sociology of Criminal Law
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Nature, goals, and problems in administration of the American criminal judicial process. prereq: 30 credits or instructor consent
CRIM 3380 - Death Penalty
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course provides students with a broad survey of the death penalty as a penal sanction and the controversies and issues which surround it. Key topical areas covered are history and foundations, legal landscape, execution and death penalty processes, contemporary issues including innocence, cost, discrimination and deterrence, and perspectives and voices surrounding the death penalty. prereq: 30 credits
ECON 2030 - Applied Statistics for Business and Economics (LOGIC & QR)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Introduction to modern business statistics, emphasizing problem solving applications through statistical decision making using case studies. Topics include organization and presentation of data, summary statistics, distributions, statistical inference including estimation, and hypothesis testing. prereq: minimum 30 credits, LSBE student, pre-business or pre-accounting or Econ BA major or Graphic Design and Marketing major or Graphic Design with Marketing subplan major or Econ minor or Accounting minor or Business Admin minor or Arts Administration; credit will not be granted if already received for Econ 2020, Stat 1411, Stat 2411, Stat 3611, Soc 3151, Psy 3020
ECON 4213 - Mathematical Economics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Application of fundamentals of differential and integral calculus and linear algebra to static, comparative static, and dynamic topics in microeconomics and macroeconomics. prereq: 1022, 1023, Math 1160 or Math 1296
ECON 3570 - Public Finance
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Theory and practice of determining governmental expenditures and revenues, including consideration of public goods, welfare economics, raising of revenues, debt policy, and economic stabilization. prereq: 1022, 1023
GEOG 4393 - Political Geography
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course examines the geography of social power from international geopolitics, to protest politics in public space, to theories of hetero-normativity and patriarchy. The central focus of this course is the spatial organization of politics, i.e., how people organize themselves into groups, and how those groups police themselves and vie with each other in various places and at multiple scales. prereq: Minimum 60 credits including or instructor consent
HIST 3265 - The Soviet Experiment: Russia, the USSR, and Contemporary Russia (LE CAT7, LEIP CAT07, GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
This course will cover the economic, political, social and cultural changes within the Russian empire, the Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation over the course of the 20th century and into the 21st. Topics to be covered include the Russo-Japanese War, the revolutions of 1905 and 1917, Russian Civil War, Russia's industrialization and collectivization of land, Stalinism, the Great Patriotic War, the cold War, late Soviet culture, the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russian under Yeltsin and Putin. Throughout the semester, students will be working with a variety of primary and secondary sources in different media (textual materials, visual sources, and film). Thorough written and oral assignment, student will develop their critical reading, writing and speaking skills. Credit will not be granted if already received for HIST 2265 or 2365.
HIST 3243 - Europe in Crisis in the 20th Century
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course focuses on the turbulent history of Europe in the 20th century, particularly the causes, development, and consequences of the First and Second World Wars. It will explore the world wars as global phenomena and consider the ways in which these events have shaped contemporary geopolitics and the international world order. The course will address the political, military, cultural, economic and social transformations that characterized this period and influence our society today.
HIST 3386 - The United States and the World since 1898
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Examines United States foreign relations--political, economic, social, and cultural--since 1898. prereq: students will receive credit if 3384 (only) or 3385 (only) were taken; credit will not be granted if already received for 3384 and 3385.
HIST 3465 - Twentieth Century China Politics
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Examines Chinese history from the late Qing to the present with a particular attention on the Chinese political, legal, social, and diplomatic history. Teaches the various factors that gradually influenced the historical course of China, the important roles that the West and Japan played in shaping modern China, the causes and consequences of the numerous political movements in the early stage of the People's Republic of China, and China's recent massive reform efforts to prosperity.
HIST 3615 - Modern Africa
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Africa, 1800 to present. Colonial conquest and domination, African resistance, nationalism, and problems of independence. prereq: credit will not be granted if already received for HIST 3515
HIST 3726 - Modern Middle East: 18th Century-Present (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course examines developments of politics, religion, culture in the contemporary Middle East from the eighteenth century to the present. Topics include contacts with the west, connections between modernity, democracy and Islam; gender; national identity; globalization and societal transformation in the urban Middle East.
INTS 4100 - Seminar in International Studies
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Analysis of and supervised research and writing on selected topics. prereq: Pol 1050, 60 credits including 8 upper division credits approved IntS courses and instructor consent
PHIL 3231 - Law and Punishment
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Nature of law, natural law theory, and legal positivism and their relationship to traditional and contemporary theories of punishment; deterrence, reform, retribution, rehabilitation, social defense, restitution. prereq: 1001 or SOC 1301 or CRIM 1301
PHIL 3291 - Current Social Political Philosophy
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Detailed philosophical analysis of recent writings about social and political concepts such as freedom, democracy, socialism, communism, fascism, and anarchy. prereq: 1001 or 1003 or instructor consent
SOC 3155 - Quantitative Research Methods and Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Descriptive statistics. Measures of central tendency, deviation, association. Inferential statistics focusing on probability and hypothesis testing. T-tests, Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, measures of association, introduction to statistical control. Statistical software (SPSS) used to analyze sociological data. Lab. prereq: 2155, crim major or soc major or URS major, min 30 cr
SOC 3156 - Qualitative Research Methods and Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Application of qualitative research methods to study of social structures. Emphasizes field techniques, secondary data analysis, and interpretation. Lab prereq: (2155 or anth major or urs major or cst minor), at least 60 cr or instructor consent
WS 3100 - Feminist Thought (HUMANITIES, CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Examination and analysis of central ideas and concepts within diverse feminist theories - liberal, socialist, radical, multicultural, postcolonial, ecofeminist, lesbian, maternalist, and others - historical and contemporary. Theoretical debates surrounding issues of the bases of women's liberation and oppression; the nature and construction of gender, sexuality, and the body; feminist epistemologies; and ethical issues within feminism. prereq: 1000 or 2101, 45 cr or instructor consent
WS 3600 - Ecofeminism: Theories and Sustainable Practices (SUSTAIN)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
In-depth study of ecofeminist theories that explore the interlocking oppressions of women, the earth/nature/other animals, and colonized Others. Scientific, economic, religious, philosophical issues examined. Applied ecofeminist analysis of individual, local, regional, national and transnational ethical, social and environmental issues, such as food and farming, animals, toxins, birthing and reproductive technologies, water quality, and privatization, etc. prereq: 1000 or 2101 or instructor consent