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Political Science Courses (POLS)

2107/GOVT 2107 Federal and Texas Constitutions (1-0). A study of the United States and Texas Constitutions. Grading will be either pass or fail.
Prerequisite: By permission only. Enrollment limited to students who have already completed a minimum of 6 SCH of Political Science courses but have not satisfied the requirement for a study of the federal and state Constitutions.

2304 Introduction to Political Science (3-0). This course is an introduction to the study of political things. Students will learn the differing claims about the character of political knowledge and the various approaches and methodologies through which such knowledge is sought. Attention will be paid to the promises and limitations of applying the modern scientific method, so successful in the study of the material world, to distinctly human problems in all their complexity.

2305/GOVT 2305 Federal Government (Federal Constitution and Topics) (3-0). Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights.

2306/GOVT 2306 Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics) (3-0). Origin and development of the Texas constitution, structure and powers of state and local government, federalism and intergovernmental relations, political participation, the election process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas.

Satisfactory completion of Political Science 2305 and 2306 or equivalent credit is prerequisite to advanced political science courses (3000- and 4000- level courses).

3302 American Political Parties and Interest Groups (3-0). This course studies the development of the American political party system and organized interest groups with a focus on national and state-level organization, and their roles in campaigns, elections, public opinion, and voter mobilization. Additionally, this course will examine the influence of political parties and interest groups within our political institutions and on the policy-making process.

3304 American Political Development (3-0). This course will delve into the basic disputes over political power and its exercise in the American political system, ranging from 1776 to the present day. Using primary sources such as debates, speeches, and Supreme Court opinions, this course will move through the disputes over fundamental principles, governing institutions, civil rights and liberties, and the basic arguments regarding economic, social, and foreign policy.

3305 Public Administration (3-0). A study of the fourth branch of government; its organization, personnel, finance, and methods of policy formation, with an analysis of problems accompanying an expanding bureaucracy.

3306 Non-profit Management (3-0). Public policy continues to expand beyond the public sector with non-profit organizations increasingly administering public funds and supervising programs that impact the community and society. The course will provide students with an overview of the challenges facing non-profit management from a public policy perspective. Students will learn all aspects of the non-profit management process.

3307 The U.S. Congress (3-0). This course is an analysis of the politics and legislative process of the U.S. Congress. Topics include policy-making, recruitment, party leadership, structure and influence of the committee system, and the legislative branch’s relationship with the presidency, Supreme Court, mass media, and voters.

3308 The American Presidency (3-0). An in-depth examination of the American presidency and the Chief Executive’s formal and informal roles within the American political system. Emphasis will be given to the evolution of the presidency, its power and constraints, organization of the White House, and the dynamics of the office including presidential character, governing style, and public conceptions of the office. This course will also address the effect the mass media and public opinion has had on the presidency and how the Oval Office has responded.

3309 The Supreme Court and the Judicial Process (3-0). This course will study of the United States Supreme Court as a political and legal institution and as the third branch of the federal government as established by the U.S. Constitution. It will also cover the federal and state court systems, the processes by which they operate, and the influence they have on public policy.

3315 Political Economy of Latin America (3-0). A study of the political economy of Latin America, especially with regard to the theory and practice of how economic motives affect political decisions and how most political decisions have economic repercussions, both domestically and in Latin America. This course reviews and explores the key themes of Latin America’s relationship with the global political economy and raises questions about the nature of state action in Latin American countries.

3316 American Politics and Mass Media (3-0). This course is an overview of the influence of the mass media on the American political system. Specifically, it examines how the press defines what is newsworthy, shapes public opinion, affects the political behavior and decision-making of elected officials, and has become the “fourth branch” of government.

3317 Politics and Administrative Strategies (3-0). This course focuses on topics such as political rhetoric, strategic communications, agenda-setting, framing, priming, and selective exposure. Attention will also be given to the role of traditional and digital media in conveying political information to the public, political advertising, campaign strategies, and the management of political information during times of crisis or political scandals.

3331 American Political Thought I (3-0). This course is a study of the thought and rhetoric of American political figures during critical moments in American history from the colonial period through the Civil War. Students will examine the relationship between the political actions they initiated.

3332 American Political Thought II (3-0). This course is a study of the thought and rhetoric of American political figures during critical moments in American history from the Civil War to the present. Students will examine the relationship between the political actions they initiated.

3341 Comparative Political Systems (3-0). A comparative study of modern post-industrial societies and the third world. The course content will alternate between the analysis of the major political systems in Europe and the study of developing areas such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. (The course may be repeated once for credit when the topic varies.)

3348 Model Organization of American States (3-0). Course prepares students for participation in a Model Organization of American States simulation. Students are assigned particular countries for which they prepare position papers, resolutions and participate in a Model Organization of American States meeting in a competition against schools from Texas, Mexico and beyond. The course stresses historical and contemporary hemispheric issues and allows student to gain knowledge of contemporary Latin America.

3350 Religion and Politics (3-0). Theoretical perspectives for and against religion’s compatibility with secular democratic society are assessed. The empirical backdrop for these competing theories is scrutinized in light of select statistical evidence. The effects of religious belief on political participation rates, democratic attitudes, and trust in scientific consensus receive particular focus.

3351 International Relations (3-0). A study of international relations since World War II, which examines changing global economic and political systems and important contemporary international issues.

4301 The Constitution and Constitutional Law (3-0). This course looks at the U.S. Constitution and how it has structured political life in America for more than 225 years. Students examine the principles of separation of powers and federalism, exploring the claims of the authority of each of the three “departments of power”—legislative, executive, and judicial—as well as the division of power between the national and state governments. In addition to reading the Constitution itself, students will study the relevant opinions of the Supreme Court and other insightful or authoritative commentaries on the Constitution.

4302 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (3-0). This course studies the specific limits placed on governmental power in the “bill of rights” and other sections of the Constitution, as well as the limits derived from less specific phrases in the 14th Amendment. These rights and liberties include the freedoms of religion and conscience, speech and press, the right to keep and bear arms, the rights of property, the procedural rights of the criminally accused, as well as the rights and liberties found in the ideas of “due process” and “equal protection” of the laws. The Supreme Court and its opinions are the focus of this course, but additional commentary will also be consulted.

4311 Urban Problems and Public Policy (3-0). A study of issues and research areas in selected urban problems and the development of public policy in response to these problems.

4331 Classical Political Philosophy (3-0). A study of Greek, Roman and medieval thinkers from Socrates to Machiavelli. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Philosophy 4331.)

4332 Modern Political Philosophy (3-0). A study of modern political thought from Hobbs to Nietzsche. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Philosophy 4332.)

4333 Contemporary Political Philosophy (3-0). A study of contemporary political thinkers from the beginning of the 20th Century to the present. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Philosophy 4333.)

4334 Existentialist Approaches to Political Violence: Kierkegaard to Sartre (3-0). A survey of debate concerning political violence from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Philosophy 4334.)

4351 United States Foreign Policy (3-0). An examination of the processes of formulating and conducting United States foreign policy, the factors that influence foreign policy, and the objectives and instruments of such policy.

4353 International Relations of the Western Hemisphere (3-0). A study of the evolving international relations in the Western Hemisphere, especially with regard to political, economic, and security issues pertinent to U.S. foreign policy and foreign relations in the region.

4361 Research in Political Science: Capstone (3-0). Research in Political Science prepares students to understand different methods of conducting research and to produce original work of their own. Students will learn current trends in the discipline and complete a substantive paper using original research and ideas.

4371 Internship in Political Science. The student will be assigned to work in a unit of government. A research paper dealing with the internship experience written under the direction of a faculty member will be required.
Prerequisites: Political Science major, junior/senior status, and departmental approval.

4381 Special Topics (3-0). A course dealing with selected topics in political science. (May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.)
Prerequisite: Junior standing.

4391 Research. A specialized course which may be directed reading or research for exceptional students majoring in political science.

4671 Practicum in Politics: Washington, D.C. Internship Program. Supervised internship with government offices and agencies, including primarily congressional and legislative offices in Washington, D.C. Requires approval for participation in university program by the ASU Office of the President.