Political Science (POLS)

POLS 5078. Problems in Political Science. 1-3 Hours.

This course is designed for topics in which the subject cuts across two or more areas of concentration. The course may be taken on an individual basis with the permission of the Political Science Department Chair. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research and/or professional practice. May be repeated when topic varies. Variable Credit (1 to 3). Course Equivalents: POLS 5378
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5095. Political Science Internship. 3,6 Hours.

Students complete a 6 hour, 12 month internship. The internship is required for the MPA degree and fulfils a requirement by its accrediting agency NASPAA, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. Enrollment is by permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Credit (3 or 6). Course Equivalents: PSYC 5395 .

POLS 5301. Scope & Methods of Political Science. 3 Hours.

Students explore political science by examining the nature of politics, the nature of science, the scientific method, and the major questions and methodological trends in the discipline.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5319. Women in Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the role of women in politics, including the origins and implications of gender differences, women as political participants, women as political candidates, and women as political office holders.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5330. American Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the major debates and scholarship in the field of American politics. The course focuses on political institutions and political behavior with topics that may include Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, political ideology, attitudes and beliefs, public opinion, voting behavior, political parties, interest groups, and mass movements. Students study the classics in the American politics literature as well as current research. Students engage in research and writing.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5332. State Governments, Policies, and Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the role of state governments, policies, and politics in the American constitutional order. Topics may include federalism; state governmental structure; public policy making and public policies; elections, campaigns, and voting; political behavior; and interest groups and political parties.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5334. Judicial Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the American judicial system and American judicial politics. They study the function and operation of the judiciary, including the role and operation of the U.S. Supreme Court, the origins and function of judicial power, and methods of judicial selection.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5336. The United States Presidency. 3 Hours.

Students examine the structure, powers, and place of the presidency in the American constitutional order. Students study changes in presidential power from the founding to the contemporary era.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5337. The United States Congress. 3 Hours.

Students explore the structure, powers, organization, procedures, and operations of the U.S. Congress. Topics may include the selection of legislators; legislative leadership; the influence of lobbyists, political parties, legislative committees, and executives; legislative roles and norms; congressional elections; representation; and policymaking.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5339. American Political Parties. 3 Hours.

Students examine political parties in American politics. Topics may include party formation, ideologies, and party functions in government, elections, and organization.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5340. Political Attitudes & Behavior. 3 Hours.

Students examine individuals’ political attitudes and behaviors, including how political preferences, partisanship, ideology, and participation develop and change over time. The course explores major explanations for political behavior and may include U.S. or comparative-focused perspectives. Topics may include voting, political engagement, socialization, identity, information, and the effects of institutions and political contexts on individual behavior.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5360. Seminar in American Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine a selected topic, issue, or debate in American politics. Topics may focus on political institutions, political behavior, public policy, law, or contemporary political developments. The course emphasizes advanced understanding, critical evaluation of arguments and evidence, and the application of political science concepts to real-world political issues. The course may be repeated when the topic changes.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5362. Seminar in Political Theory. 3 Hours.

Students examine a selected topic, issue, or debate in political theory. Topics may focus on major theorists, conceptual frameworks, normative questions, contemporary debates, or applications of political thought to modern political issues. The course emphasizes advanced understanding, critical evaluation of arguments, and the application of theoretical perspectives to historical or contemporary political contexts. The course may be repeated when the topic changes.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5364. Media & Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the role and impact of the media on U.S. politics. Students study the impact of the media on campaigns and election outcomes, the media as a source of political information, the agenda setting power of the media, the role of the "free press" in a democracy, and citizens' relationship to the media.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5367. Seminar in International Relations. 3 Hours.

Students examine a selected topic, issue, or debate in international relations. Topics may focus on international conflict and cooperation, globalization, international organizations, foreign policy, security studies, political economy, human rights, or other contemporary global challenges. The course emphasizes advanced understanding, critical evaluation of arguments and evidence, and the application of international relations concepts to real-world global issues. The course may be repeated when the topic changes.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5371. Comparative Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the major theories, concepts, and methods of comparative analysis. Topics include the major concepts of comparative politics which may include: political elites, institutions, public policy, development and modernization, elections and political behavior, mass movements, and revolution and political violence.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5372. Seminar in Comparative Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine a selected topic, issue, or debate in comparative politics. Topics may focus on political institutions, regime types, development, democratization, comparative public policy, political behavior, political economy, state–society relations, or the politics of a specific region or set of countries. The course emphasizes advanced understanding, critical evaluation of arguments and evidence, and the application of comparative politics concepts to historical or contemporary political contexts. The course may be repeated when the topic changes.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5373. International Relations. 3 Hours.

Students examine the major theories, concepts, and methods of international relations. Specific topics may include conflict and cooperation; the relationship between domestic and international politics; and transnational issues and actors.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5379. Workshop in Teaching Political Science. 3 Hours.

Students examine selected approaches, strategies, and challenges associated with teaching political science or government courses. Topics may include case discussions, simulations, active-learning exercises, assessment practices, curriculum design, and strategies for teaching political concepts, current events, and civic engagement. The course emphasizes advanced understanding of political science content, effective pedagogical methods, and the application of disciplinary knowledge in educational settings. The course may be repeated when the topic changes.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5382. Seminar in Public Administration. 3 Hours.

Students examine a selected topic, issue, or debate in public administration. Topics may focus on public management, organizational behavior, public budgeting, human resources, ethics, administrative law, policy implementation, intergovernmental relations, or contemporary administrative challenges. The course emphasizes advanced understanding, critical evaluation of arguments and evidence, and the application of public administration concepts to real-world governmental and nonprofit settings. The course may be repeated when the topic changes.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5385. Public Policy. 3 Hours.

Students examine the processes of public policy formulation, governmental planning, and administrative decision-making in the United States. Topics may include how problems are defined, how policies are designed and adopted, and how implementation and evaluation occur across different institutions and levels of government. The course emphasizes advanced understanding of policy theories, the roles of various political and societal actors, and the application of analytical tools to contemporary policy issues.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 6394. Capstone. 3 Hours.

Students complete a capstone project that demonstrates the knowledge and skills gained throughout the Master of Arts program. Working with faculty guidance, students synthesize key concepts, theories, and analytical approaches from their coursework. Students may complete the capstone with a teaching focus—producing materials suitable for instruction—or with a research focus—producing an academic-style writing sample. Course Equivalents: POLS 6098.