Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

PSCI 100 United States National Government

Identification and analysis of the principle rules, actors and institutions of national politics and explanation of their development.
3

Course Attribute

LAB1-Soc&BehSci-EconorPoli Sys and GT Economics & Political Sys

PSCI 105 Fundamentals of Politics

An introduction to political ideals, with emphasis on concepts of freedom, citizenship, justice, and power; attendant focus on ideologies (from democracy to fascism) and contributions of ancient and modern worlds.
3

Course Attribute

LAB1-Soc&BehSci-EconorPoli Sys and GT Economics & Political Sys

PSCI 110 Global Issues

An introduction to the major issues facing the global community such as terrorism, environmental depletion and pollution, immigration, pandemics, economic integration, and regional and international security.

3

Offered

Generally offered Fall, Spring, and/or Summer - Check with department/school for next offering

Course Attribute

LAB1-Soc&BehSci-EconorPoli Sys and LAIS-International Studies and GT Economics & Political Sys

PSCI 200 Introduction to Comparative Politics

A survey of the concepts and approaches used to study government and politics in countries around the world. Students will become acquainted with politics in different countries around the world.
3

PSCI 203 Colorado Politics

Examination of Colorado state and local politics including the institutions and processes of policy making from a comparative perspective.
3

PSCI 207 Women and Politics

Examination of the women's movement and its development including the strategies and tactics employed and the ends sought.
3

PSCI 208 Introduction to Public Administration

Learn history and theory of public administration. Public policy process, administrative execution, organizational mission and external pressures on administrators analyzed. Emphasize case studies, decisions and impact on citizens.
3

PSCI 210 European Politics

An examination of various aspects of European politics using examples from Western and Central Europe. It covers the European Union's functions and its relationship with member countries.
3

PSCI 215 Post-Communist Russian Empire

An examination of the politics of the former Communist states in the area including Russia and of relations among the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
3

PSCI 220 Introduction to International Relations

Learn the basic principles, processes and problems of the international political system.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 230 The Evolution of the Modern State

An examination of the historical development of the modern state, its accompanying social structures and intellectual foundations, from the Renaissance to the late-twentieth century.
3

PSCI 240 Globalization

Analysis of the political, social and economic aspects of globalization and its bearing upon developments in the modern world in general and the late twentieth century in particular.
3

PSCI 270 Nationalism, Ethnicity and Race

An examination of the politics of nationalism, ethnicity, and race in the modern world. Topics include ethnic conflict, the origins of nationalism, new nationalist movements, and the colonial origins of racialized difference.

3

Offered

Generally offered Fall - Check with department/school for next offering

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

Course Attribute

LAB1-Soc&BehSci-EconorPoli Sys and LAMS-Multicultural Studies and GT Economics & Political Sys

PSCI 286 Value Issues in Political Economy

A study of the political and economic viewpoints on key value issues in society, exploring the influence of seminal thinkers.
3

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: PSCI 286 and MIND 286

Course Attribute

LAB1-Soc&BehSci-EconorPoli Sys and GT Economics & Political Sys

PSCI 296 Study Abroad Experience

An experiential approach to learning about the politics, society, history and culture of another country. Students engage with the local community through assignments, field trips and meetings with practitioners.
3

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course may be repeated 1 time

PSCI 301 Electoral Politics in the United States

An examination of the process for the nomination and election of national officials. What are the roles of the electorate, interest groups, political parties and the media.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 302 Power in America

An examination of different theories of political and economic power and their applications to the national arena with special emphasis on corporate power and policymaking.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 303 Public Policy in the United States

American public policy in the areas of health care, transportation, education, housing, labor-management relations, income maintenance and taxation.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 306 Constitutional Law

An analysis of Supreme Court decisions regarding civil liberties and relations among the branches of the national government and between the national and state governments.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 309 American Political Development

Examination of the changing contours of American national government focusing on political economy, social policies, race, and political culture; the dynamics of state building from constitutional origins through the 21st century.
3

PSCI 315 Comparative Public Policy

Cross-nationally compare public policy in such areas as education, transportation, taxation, population and income maintenance. Identify and explain differences and similarities across policy areas within one country and cross-nationally.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 316 Latin American Politics

An examination of the dynamics of Latin American politics in terms of its domestic, regional, and international aspects.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 317 Dictatorship to Democracy

Examination of why and how countries in various regions of the world have moved from bureaucratic authoritarianism and military rule to democratic forms of government.
3

PSCI 318 The Politics of the Developing States

Analysis of the politics of the developing states from a comparative and historical perspective. Emergence of a Third World and domestic politics of selected states will be examined.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 319 Asian Politics

Examination of economic development, domestic politics and international security issues affecting Asian nations, such as India, China and Japan.
3

PSCI 320 American Foreign Policy

Analysis of American foreign policy with emphasis on the Twentieth Century and of the process by which policy is made.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 321 War and Peace

Examination of the causes and occasions of wars and of the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 323 Politics of Religion

An examination of the relationship between religion and politics in a comparative context spanning different world religions and historical periods.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 325 Conflict in the Middle East

Examination of the principal governmental and nongovernmental actors and their policies in the Middle East and relations among them.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 326 International Political Economy

An examination of the dynamics of the global economy, including trade, capital movements and investment, and the politics of international economic competition and integration.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 327 Politics of Migration

An examination of the politics of migration, including the causes and effects of migration, refugees and forced migration, global governance of migration, the politics of citizenship and immigration, and regional migration patterns that affect global and national affairs.

3

Offered

Generally offered Fall, Spring, and/or Summer - Check with department/school for next offering

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 328 International Law and Organizations

An examination of international organizations, e.g., U.N. and O.A.S., and international agreements concerning the environment, health, finance, trade, etc.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 331 Political Philosophy I

Analysis and evaluation of the principles and institutions proposed by major philosophers from Plato to Hobbes.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 332 Political Philosophy II

Analysis and evaluation of the principles and institutions proposed by major philosophers from Rousseau to Freud.
3

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 335 American Political Thought

Analysis and evaluation of the principles and institutions proposed by major American philosophers from the framers of the Constitution to the present.

3

Offered

Generally offered Fall, Spring, and/or Summer - Check with department/school for next offering

Class Restriction

Include Sophomore and Junior and Senior

PSCI 350 Politics and Film

This course examines perennial questions concerning the problems of truth, global identity, nationhood, culture, the individual, and political life through the lens of world cinema.
3

Corequisites

PSCI 351

PSCI 351 Screening for PSCI 350

Once per week screening time to complement PSCI 350.
0

Corequisites

PSCI 350

PSCI 392 Internship

Provides opportunity for field experience in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental settings.
1-13

Prerequisites

9.0 Credit Hours in PSCI

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 13 credit hours

PSCI 405 Senior Seminar in American Politics

An in-depth analysis of select problems in American Politics.
3

Class Restriction

Include Senior

PSCI 415 Senior Seminar in Comparative Politics

An in-depth analysis of select problems in Comparative Politics.
3

Class Restriction

Include Senior

PSCI 422 Directed Studies

Credit counts toward major, students must have taken two courses in the elective group of proposed directed study. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.)
1- 3

Special Notes

Maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

Class Restriction

Include Junior and Senior

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

PSCI 425 Senior Seminar in International Relations

An in-depth analysis of select problems in International Relations.
3

Class Restriction

Include Senior

PSCI 435 Senior Seminar in Political Philosophy

An in-depth analysis of select problems in Political Philosophy.
3

Class Restriction

Include Senior