Political Science (POL)

POL 5003. Political Inquiry. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An introduction to investigation and analysis in Political Science. A major objective is for students to learn how to frame a question, formulate a hypothesis, and review and apply the relevant literature. The course provides an introduction to research design and qualitative research methods, and may include questions in the philosophy of science and other methodological and theoretical questions central to political science. Same as GLA 5003. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5003 and GLA 5003. Course Fee: GL01 $90; STLF $18.48.

POL 5013. Research Methods. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a basic working knowledge of the empirical, quantitative approaches/techniques social scientists use in understanding social/political phenomena. The conceptual focus will be on classic hypothesis testing. The class will culminate with multiple regression analysis and its extensions. Students will be given an opportunity to learn how to read the empirical, quantitative primary political science literature, and conduct a statistical analysis of a question in political science. Same as GLA 5013. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5013 and GLA 5013. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5023. Political Economy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Analysis of the interplay of politics and economics in the domestic and international arenas. Divergent theoretical perspectives and their basis in the work of classical and contemporary political economists and social theorists. Topics may include the politics and economics of international trade, technology policy, educational reform, industrial restructuring, privatization, environmental policy, and labor-market policy. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5033. Political Communications and Behavior. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of major theories and research dealing with human behavior and interaction in politics, drawing on the literature of political sociology, political communications, political anthropology, and political psychology. Professional applications such as public opinion polling, political journalism, public relations, campaign management, political advertising, and political consulting are considered. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5043. International Relations and World Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces both academic discussions and real-world practices that have defined and continue to define international relations. It thus provides students with the opportunity to analyze theories and issues of world politics, discover how major theoretical paradigms and methodological approaches have been used to study this field, and discuss how it might change in a world of advancing globalization. Topics may include security, economics, the environment, and human rights as well as the theories, history and development of the field as such. Same as GLA 5043. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5043 and GLA 5043. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5063. Political Philosophy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

A broad survey of central political issues and thinkers. Students will be introduced to the philosophies of thinkers such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Marx. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5093. Politics of U.S. National Security Policy Making. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of the political dynamics of national security decision making, placing particular emphasis on executive branch leadership and coordination with other institutions of government. Discussion of the history and politics, evolution, and institutional roles of the U.S. national security system. Includes discussion of policy initiatives, institutional decision making settings, constitutional and statutory controls on institutional powers, and policy outcomes. Course may explore a sample of major national security decisions in terms of political characteristics and principles. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5103. Topics in American Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of an individual topic or set of issues in American politics. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5113. Latino/a Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the role of the Latino electorate in shaping state and national politics. Topics may include the political histories of various Latino national origin groups, public policy issues that concern Latinos, the successes and failures of Latino empowerment strategies, and the electoral impact of Latino votes. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5133. Gender and Elections. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines gender dynamics in electoral politics, asking what barriers women as candidates and minorities may face when running for office. It is designed to provide students with a critical examination of gender in the political system. Still too often political scientists have equated gender with biological sex, downplaying the variety of ways in which gender issues shape American politics. The central premise of this course is that politics cannot be fully understood without including gender as an analytic construct. This course sets out to discover how gender "matters" in U.S. politics. (Formerly POL 5123. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5133 and POL 5123.) Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5153. American Government and Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of the major issues, problems, and processes of American government and administration. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5163. American Political Development. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course presents a macropolitical perspective on American politics. It introduces students to debates in political science about change and development in political authority relations since the founding of the Republic. Topics may include the nature of regimes and regime change; the relationship between ideology and political culture; developments in institutional authority and in the balance of power among institutions such as the three branches of government, federal and state authority, and the military; continental development; the emergence of the regulatory state; the United States as a world power; and the representative process and forms of popular organization. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5183. Congress. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The study of the U.S. Congress. Topics may include Congressional procedure and policymaking, representation, and elections. The course also considers the various approaches used in the scholarly study of Congress, including behavioral, rational choice, and historical methods. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5193. Presidency. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the origins and development of the presidency, the relationship of the institution of the presidency with major actors in the governmental process, and the modern practice of presidential leadership in the United States. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5203. Topics in Political Theory. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of an individual topic, theorist, or set of issues in political theory. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5213. Seminar in American Political Thought. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Consideration of American political thinking and its impact from the colonial era to the present with an emphasis on primary sources. Readings may include diverse works of a political, judicial, philosophical, theological, and literary nature. May be organized chronologically or topically. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5233. Political Creativity. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines significant cases of institutional change and development. The course begins with a focus on theoretical debates about political innovation and institutional explanations of politics. We will review the debate about how institutions create political order and constrain individual action as well as leading critiques of order and constraint. We will consider how individual creative action is inseparable from the practice of politics and government. Individual action is partly about leaders and entrepreneurs, but innovation is also about other dimensions of political order which are subject to order-changing actions of a non-individualistic kind, involving embedded cognitive schemas, deliberative procedures and social learning, and historical conjunctures in which individual and collective agents create opportunities in concrete circumstances. Various cases will be taught in different semesters from the U.S. and other countries, such as race relations, political revolutions, policy innovations of various kinds, negotiation of equity commitments, post-crisis reconciliation exercises, and leadership. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5273. Contemporary Political Theory and Social Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores contemporary social policy from a normative perspective. Topics may include the nature of a just educational system; justice of universal health care; normative issues relating to reproduction and genetic technologies; social security reform; the proper role of the state in regulating and supporting families; and other policy topics. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5303. Topics in Comparative and International Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of an individual topic or set of issues in comparative and/or international politics. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5333. European Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of the political systems and links between civil society and political institutions in several European nations in the post-WWII era. This course will focus on domestic politics, and will also introduce the European Union. Topics may include political institutions, policy processes, political representation, and public opinion in the European countries. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5363. Mexican Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on Mexico’s political and economic development, including the interaction between the state and civil society and the current challenges of the state. The course includes a historical overview of the development of Mexican national politics, institutions and the economy, and the emergence of civil society. Specific topics may include guerrilla movements, drug dealing, and U.S.-Mexico relations. Course Fee: GL01 $90; STLF $18.48.

POL 5413. Seminar in Political Psychology. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The study of psychological theories of political phenomena at individual, small group, organizational, and nation-state levels. Topics may include political socialization, personality and political leadership, the social psychology of mass participation, rational choice and symbolic politics paradigms of political behavior, psychological models of international conflict, and models of political cognition. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5423. Data Science for Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to provide students with skills in data analysis relevant for working in politics, government, and the private sector. Topics the course may cover include methods for collecting, organizing and analyzing Big Data and data visualization techniques. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5433. Electoral Behavior. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of political science theory and research on elections and voting behavior in the United States and other countries. Topics may include electoral cycles and realignment patterns; the impact of media coverage and campaign tactics on opinions, turnout, and electoral outcomes; and the sociodemographic and psychological variables influencing voting and nonvoting. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5463. Lobbying and Government Relations. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course is explores both theoretical and practical themes related to the efforts of interest groups to shape the policy making process. Special focus is placed on the inner workings of legislatures at local, state, and national levels with the objective of increasing the governmental relations effectiveness of public interest groups, businesses, trade organizations, bureaucratic agencies, and unions. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5503. Law and Courts. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examination of the role of courts in American politics and administration. May focus on American constitutional development, constitutional and legal interpretation, or judicial politics and behavior. May also incorporate a comparative perspective on the role of courts in constitutional systems. (Formerly titled "Constitutional Law and Judicial Decision-Making.") Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5563. Seminar in Jurisprudence. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examination of the philosophical and historical foundations of law. Topics may include theoretical accounts of the nature of law; competing theories of justice; problems of legal obligation and civil disobedience; and judicial modes of interpreting and applying law. Authors may include Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, Hobbes, Austin, Holmes, Frank, Hart, Oakeshott, Rawls, Finnis, Dworkin, and Posner. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5603. Geopolitics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course investigates the links between political power and the effects of space and geography (both human and physical). It examines seminal works on geopolitics from political science, international relations, and geography. It thus provides students with the opportunity to study factors that are relevant for explaining conflict and cooperation in global politics such as access to and management of scarce resources, the ability to project or contain power, and the development of local, national and global economies. Further topics may include security and geopolitics, geopolitics and globalization, great power politics and deterrence, collective identities, as well as critical geopolitics. Same as GRG 5603 and GLA 5603. Credit can only be earned for one course: POL 5603, GRG 5603, or GLA 5603. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5623. Federalism. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The administrative and political effects of the division of authority among coordinate units of government. Federal-state, state-local, local-federal, state-state, local-local, and governmental-nongovernmental relations are examined. (Formerly titled "Intergovernmental Relations in the United States.") Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5703. American Foreign Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course analyzes the domestic and international factors that affect American foreign policy, including explanations that focus on psychology, bureaucratic politics, lobbying organizations, public opinion, and national culture. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5713. Comparative Political Systems. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Comparative analysis of theories and issues pertaining to political institutions and processes in post-industrial, developing, and transitional systems. Topics may include state theory, nationalism, new institutionalism, political economy, party systems, politics of contention, regional integration, and the internationalization of public policy. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5723. International Organizations. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of international political and economic organizations, as well as major issues involving them. Topics may include alliance systems, regional development, common markets, peacekeeping, international conferences, United Nations, IMF, World Bank, and regional organizations. Same as GLA 5723. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5723 and GLA 5723. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5733. Political Actors and Systems in Latin America. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An examination of politics in Latin America. The course centers the analysis around two axes: the interplay between civil society and the state and patterns of inter-American relations. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5773. Foreign Policy Analysis. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course will compare worldviews, institutional processes, policies, and outcomes in foreign policymaking. Cross-national and thematic comparisons will be used to examine the foreign policies of major actors in international security, international organization, economic competition, and humanitarian issues. Regional comparisons may focus on political and economic issues in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and/or Latin America. Same as GLA 5773. Credit cannot be warned for both POL 5773 and GLA 5773. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5783. Global Security. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course critically examines circumstances and issues leading to violence and war and the conditions necessary to return to stability and security in the world community. Topics may include causes of intra- and interstate war, dynamics and implications of militarization and securitization, deterrence, nuclear and conventional weapons, terrorism, cybersecurity, and strategies for conflict prevention and resolution. Same as GLA 5783. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5783 and GLA 5783. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5793. International Political Economy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course analyzes the interaction of politics and economics in the international arena, with a focus on international trade, investment, monetary, and financial relations. Topics may include the role of international economic institutions (such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization), regional integration, foreign debt, dependency and development, structural change in international economics, and critiques of economic globalization. Same as GLA 5793. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5793 and GLA 5793. Course Fee: GL01 $90; STLF $18.48.

POL 5853. Economic Geography. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An advanced examination of the location of economic activities, their causes, and consequences. Includes the principles and practices of manufacturing and agricultural location and their impact on political subdivisions and economies; trade areas for retail and service activities; the role of transportation; the economic impact of globalization on local areas; and community economic base and shift-share analysis applied to local economies, with implications for planning and public administration. (Same as GRG 5303. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5853 and GRG 5303.) Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5873. Governance in a Globalized World. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the structures, actors and processes of providing order and rules in the international system. This includes both state and non-state actors, public and private institutions, as well as the many ways in which they interact in managing common affairs. Topics include, but are not limited to, key debates among different theoretical and analytical approaches as well as systems of rule-making in areas of security, development, trade and finance, human rights and the environment. Same as GLA 5873. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5873 and GLA 5873. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5883. Global Development and Human Rights. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides understanding of the principles and theories of development and human rights as applied in global contexts. It considers development, human rights and issues of social justice as they encounter economic, political, and social realities of conflict and governance. Topics may include sustainable development, the role of colonialism and race, politics of financial and trade institutions, rights and capabilities of indigenous people, environmental challenges, and effectiveness of global and local regimes in balancing development and individual rights. Same as GLA 5883. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5883 and GLA 5883. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5893. Human Rights and Humanitarian Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The course introduces students to the interdisciplinary study of human rights and humanitarianism in global contexts. It addresses the history of human rights and humanitarianism, principles and motivations for humanitarian action, humanitarian organizations and human rights advocacy, humanitarian crises and need for humanitarian interventions. It also explores ethical, political, and legal issues of human rights and humanitarian action. Same GLA 5893. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5893 and GLA 5893. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5903. Seminar in Political Geography. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Investigates the role of the political state in society and the evolution of state organization from classical times to the present. Topics may include centrifugal and centripetal forces, geopolitics, territorial morphology, boundaries, core areas, and emerging supranationalism. (Same as GRG 5903. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5903 and GRG 5903.) Course Fee: GL01 $90; STLF $18.48.

POL 5953. Terrorism. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to advanced theories and issues of contemporary terrorism and the use of physical and psychological violence to impact policies and behavior. Students will analyze and evaluate domestic and global terrorist incidents and consider the underlying ideological and non-ideological factors promoting this specific form of violence. Topics may include identification, comparison and understanding of various definitions of terrorism and perpetrators of these acts, state responses to terrorism, strategies developed by policy-makers to prevent their reoccurrence, and cyberterrorism. Same as GLA 5953. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5953 and GLA 5953. Course Fee: GL01 $90; STLF $18.48.

POL 5973. International Politics and Cyber Security. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses emerging international relations, policy, doctrine, strategy, and operational issues associated with Computer Network Attack (CNA), Computer Network Defense (CND), and Computer Network Exploitation (CNE)—collectively referred to as cyber warfare. It provides students with a comprehensive perspective and enhances their knowledge of cyber warfare conducted by both state and non-state actors, as well as deterrence of cyber-attack. Same as GLA 5973. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5973 and GLA 5973. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5983. Deterrence and Coercion in International Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This seminar examines the major schools of thought regarding the causes and application of deterrence of state and non-state actors in international politics. Emphasis is placed on the political variables that influence effective conventional and nuclear deterrence of great power adversaries such as the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and Russia and China today. Similarly, the causes of coercion and its application to historical and present cases, such as China, are addressed, with a focus on the political variables that impact effective coercive strategies. Same as GLA 5983. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5983 and GLA 5983. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 5984. Cyber Warfare and International Politics. (4-1) 4 Credit Hours.

This course addresses at the graduate level emerging international relations, policy, doctrine, strategy, and operational issues associated with Computer Network Attack (CNA), Computer Network Defense (CND), and Computer Network Exploitation (CNE)—collectively referred to as cyber warfare. It provides students with a comprehensive perspective and enhances their knowledge of cyber warfare conducted by both state and non-state actors, as well as deterrence of cyber-attack. May not be repeated for credit. This course will have a required lab hosted by Computer Science. Course Fee: GL01 $120.

POL 5993. Globalization and Protest Politics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This seminar examines the workings of democratic politics and international institutions against the background of the failures of globalization to bridge the gap between economic affluence, political change, and the advancement of the human condition. It studies evolving theoretical perspectives and topics pertaining to the global dynamics of liberalism and democracy, markets and state capitalism, social movements and protest behavior, nationalism and cosmopolitanism, and great power politics and institutionalism, among others. Same as GLA 5993. Credit cannot be earned for both POL 5993 and GLA 5993. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 6893. Research Proposal. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Permission from the Subfield Advisor, course instructor, and Graduate Advisor of Record. A course to assist students in developing a research proposal for a study in Political Science to be accomplished as either the Master’s Research Project or the Master’s Thesis. As part of this course, students will explore research questions and theoretical and methodological assumptions that characterize subfields in Political Science. Specific attention will be given to framing research questions, identifying an appropriate research methodology, organizing work tasks and timelines for completion, developing the relevant literature, and drafting a research proposal. Successful completion of this course requires passing an oral comprehensive examination that will include a defense of the research proposal conducted by a Research Project or Thesis committee. Same as GLA 6893. Students must complete this course before enrolling in POL 6993 or POL 6983. (Formerly titled "Master’s Thesis Proposal.") Course Fee: GL01 $90; STLF $18.48.

POL 6951. Independent Study. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) from the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fee: GL01 $30.

POL 6952. Independent Study. (0-0) 2 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) from the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fee: GL01 $60.

POL 6953. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) from the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 6961. Comprehensive Examination. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisites: Approval of the Faculty Subfield Advisor, Graduate Advisor of Record, and the student’s Comprehensive Examination Committee. Students will select fields of study and prepare for examination under faculty supervision. Students will designate an exam committee and exam chair in the semester prior to enrollment. Enrollment is required each term in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. May be repeated once during a different semester. Credit earned in POL 6961 may not be counted toward the Master’s degree. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination). Course Fee: GL01 $30.

POL 6963. Internship. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Practical experience in a workplace setting in which classroom knowledge of political institutions, processes, and public policy can be deepened and applied. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 6 hours. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 6966. Internship. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.

Practical experience in a workplace setting in which classroom knowledge of political institutions, processes, and public policy can be deepened and applied. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 6 hours. Course Fee: GL01 $180.

POL 6973. Special Problems. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Problems courses may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 6981. Master's Thesis. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisites: POL 6893 or permission from the Graduate Advisor of Record and Thesis Chair. Thesis research and preparation. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master's degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the thesis. Enrollment is required each term in which thesis is in progress. Course Fee: GL01 $30.

POL 6983. Master's Thesis. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: POL 6893 or permission from the Graduate Advisor of Record and Thesis Committee. Thesis research and preparation. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the thesis. Enrollment is required each term in which the thesis is in progress. Course Fee: GL01 $90.

POL 6993. Master's Research Project. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: POL 6893 and permission from the Graduate Advisor of Record and Research Project Committee. Research project and preparation. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 3 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the research project. Course Fee: GL01 $90.