Summer Session

POL 102: Intro to American Government

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: F&4 SBC: SBS; USA

What the informed citizen and specialist should know about the organization of American government, including the Constitution and what it means today, the Congress, political parties, pressure groups, growth of the Presidency, the Supreme Court, judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, and the Bill of Rights. May not be taken for credit in addition to POL 105.

POL 103: Intro to Comparative Politics

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: F SBC: SBS

Analysis of political institutions and processes in the contemporary world, emphasizing the interaction of political structures and processes in a variety of political settings.

POL 201: Intro to Stat Methods/Pol Sci

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: Satisfaction of entry skill in mathematics requirement or SBC category QPS or MAT Plac ement Score of level 2 or higher Advisory Prerequisite: POL 101 or 102 or 103

DEC: C SBC: QPS

Elementary statistical methods in empirical political science, focusing on the analysis of public opinion, survey research designs, sampling, and probability. The course considers the application of descriptive and inferential statistics to testing hypotheses on various political issues. May not be taken for credit after any other course that satisfies the major's methodology requirement. This course has been designated as a High Demand/Controlled Access (HD/CA) course. Students registering for HD/CA courses for the first time will have priority to do so.

POL 214: Modern Latin America

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: J SBC: GLO; SBS

An introduction to the major themes in the history of modern Latin America, from the early nineteenth century to the present. Students will gain a deeper understanding of some of the central historical themes that have shaped Latin American society and politics since achieving independence, thus providing the basis for making sound observations and judgments about the political, economic, social, and cultural realities affecting Latin America today. The class advances chronologically as well as thematically, covering topics such as nationalism, political economy, U.S.-Latin American relations, revolutionary & counterrevolutionary struggle, and cultural practices. Lectures approach the hemisphere comparatively, drawing similarities and differences between different nation-states and regions. This course is offered as both HIS 214 and POL 214.

POL 216: History of US-Latin Am Relatns

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: J SBC: GLO; SBS

An examination of the impact of U.S. economic and political relations with Latin America from the mid-19th century to the present. The course considers changes in American policy toward Latin America, as well as the varying responses of Latin American nations to U.S. intervention and influence. This course is offered as both HIS 216 and POL 216.

POL 302: Politics of Latin America

Undergraduate 3 credits

SBC: GLO; SBS+

An introduction to some of the most pressing political topics in Latin America, addressing a variety of political experiences including political institutions, elections, democratic development, social dynamics, current events, and political research about the region.

POL 309: Politics in the European Union

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: U2 or higher standing Advisory Prerequisite: POL 101 and 103

DEC: I SBC: SBS+

Why the European Union was created, how its institutions have evolved over time, and where the union is going.

POL 311: Intro to International Law

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: POL 101; U2 or higher standing

SBC: SBS+

Casebook approach to standard introductory course in international law, including the following topics: state jurisdiction and responsibility, individuals, international organization, and use of force.

POL 313: Problems of Intnat'l Relations

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: POL 101; U2 or higher standing. Advisory Prereq: POL 201 or any other course satisfyin g the major's methodology requirement

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

Analysis of the international system, its characteristic forms, and the principal forces making for conflict and adjustment. Examination of some prevalent analytical concepts, of major current problems and developments, and of prospects and alternatives for the future.

POL 323: US Congress

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: U2 or higher standing Advisory Prerequisite: POL 102

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

An examination of the most powerful legislative institution in America. The historical background of Congress is examined along with its internal organization, rules, and relationship to the rest of government and to the world outside Washington.

POL 324: Amer Pol Parties & Pressr Grps

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: U2 or higher standing Advisory Prerequisite: POL 102

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

An examination of political party organization, political leadership, finance, campaign techniques, and legal controls over parties; the functions and methods of pressure groups and their interaction with policy makers; the historical origins and development of the American party system; the significance of parties and pressure groups for democratic ideology; and the problems of political leadership in a democracy.

POL 332: Politics of Criminal Due Proc

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: U2 or higher standing Advisory Prerequisite: POL 102

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

A survey of the procedural steps through which a criminal case passes commencing with the initial investigation of a crime, covering the laws and court rules governing arrest, search and seizure, bail and fair trial, and concluding with the unconditional release of an offender.

POL 344: Amer Pol Ideology & Pub Opinio

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisites: POL 102; C or higher in POL 201 or any other course satisfying the major's methodolog y requirement; U2 or higher standing

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

An examination of the nature of contemporary political ideology and public opinion in the United States. The goal is to understand political conflict and debate in the U.S. and the ways in which the public influences that debate. Major topics in public opinion include political tolerance and trust, attitudes toward women and African Americans, the role of the mass media, and the impact of political values and ideology on political campaigns and elections.

POL 346: Political Psychology

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: U2 or higher standing

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

Focus on the application of psychological concepts and measures to political behavior. Course topics include attitude measurement, stability and change, obedience to authority, learning theory, attention and problem solving, personality correlates of political activity, and stress and aggression.

POL 367: Mass Media in American Politic

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: U2 or higher standing Advisory Prerequisite: POL 102

DEC: F SBC: SBS+

Competing theories of the power of the press are tested by examining the literature on mass media effects on what the public thinks and what the public thinks about. Various explanations of why news organizations behave as they do are also assessed. Conflicts between freedom of the press and such values as privacy, national security, and the right to fair trial are discussed. The relationships between freedom of the press and the public's right to know are also explored.

POL 501: Introductory Statistics

Graduate 3 credits

Prereq: PPLMA, POLMA, PPLMA/HPHMP, PPLMA/MBXMB, or permission of instructor. Advisory Prerequisite: Some elementary mathematics/statistics background helpful

This course acquaints students with statistics. It begins with the basics of applied statistical analysis, including probability and hypothesis testing, and builds to simple regression analysis. Requires use of computer packages.