2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

PSCI 100 United States National Government

Identification and analysis of the principal rules, actors and institutions of national politics and explanation of their development. Required of all PSCI majors and minors. (LAC, gtP)

3

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. (LAC, gtP)

3

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. (LAC, gtP)

3

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

Sophomores or above. Learn the basic principles, processes and problems of the international political system.

3

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 260 Drug Wars

Sophomores or above. Examines international and domestic responses to illegal drug production, use, and trafficking, along with its effects on criminal networks, civil conflict, violence against women, and transnational migration.

3

PSCI 301 Electoral Politics in the United States

Sophomores or above. 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

PSCI 302 Power in America

Sophomores or above. An examination of different theories of political and economic power and their applications to the national arena with special emphasis on corporate power and policy making.

3

PSCI 303 Public Policy in the United States

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

3

PSCI 305 Politics of Education

Prerequisite: One Social Science Course. An examination of the policies adopted by the states and the national government and the roles played by interest groups and formal institutions in their formation.

3

PSCI 306 Constitutional Law

Sophomores or above. 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

PSCI 307 Social Movements in American Politics

A study of U.S. social movements from the 19th century to present, such as the populist, workers', civil rights, women's, environmental, gay, religious right; their rise, decline, and political impact.

3

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 statebuilding from constitutional origins through the 21st century.

3

PSCI 315 Comparative Public Policy

Sophomores or above. 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

PSCI 316 Latin American Politics

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

3

PSCI 317 Transitions 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

Sophomores or above. 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

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

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

3

PSCI 321 War and Peace

Sophomores or above. Examination of the causes and occasions of wars and of the peaceful resolution of international disputes.

3

PSCI 323 Politics of Religion

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

3

PSCI 325 Conflict in the Middle East

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

3

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

PSCI 328 International Law and Organizations

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

3

PSCI 331 Political Philosophy I

Sophomores or above. Analysis and evaluation of the principles and institutions proposed by major philosophers from Plato to Locke.

3

PSCI 332 Political Philosophy II

Sophomores or above. Analysis and evaluation of the principles and institutions proposed by major philosophers from Rousseau to Mill.

3

PSCI 335 American Political Philosophy

Sophomores or above. Analysis and evaluation of the principles and institutions proposed by major American philosophers from Madison to Dewey.

3

PSCI 350 Politics and Film

Co-requisite: PSCI 351. 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

PSCI 351 Screening for PSCI 350

Co-requisite: PSCI 350. Once per week screening time to complement PSCI 350.
0

PSCI 392 Internship

Prerequisite: Applicants must have nine (9) semester hours in political science and permission of instructor to enroll. Provides opportunity for field experience in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental settings. Repeatable, maximum of 13 credits.

1-13

PSCI 405 Senior Seminar in American Politics

Seniors only or permission of instructor. An in-depth analysis of select problems in American Politics.

3

PSCI 415 Senior Seminar in Comparative Politics

Seniors only or permission of instructor. An in-depth analysis of select problems in Comparative Politics.

3

PSCI 422 Directed Studies

Juniors and seniors only. 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.) Repeatable, maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

1-3

PSCI 425 Senior Seminar in International Relations

Seniors only or permission of instructor. An in-depth analysis of select problems in International Relations.

3

PSCI 435 Senior Seminar in Political Philosophy

Seniors only or permission of instructor. An in-depth analysis of select problems in Political Philosophy.

3