Graduate Courses Offered in Political Science (POLS)

6010.    Introduction to Public Administration (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Examines the constitutional, institutional, political, and social environment in which public administration occurs and introduces students to the important theories, concepts, functions, and issues in the discipline of public administration.
6060.    Applied Research and Program Evaluation (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
The application of scientific research methods to administrative problems, including practical methods of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data. Content will include theory and basic techniques underlying quantitative and qualitative analysis of public programs.
6100.    Politics of Education (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Reviews relationships among citizens, interest groups, political institutions, and public policy for education, including the impact of local, state, and national institutions on educational policy and practice. May be taught concurrently with POLS 4100.
6110.    Seminar in American Government (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
A systematic examination of functions, problems, and issues within the political and constitutional framework of selected areas of American government.
6130.    Seminar in State and Local Government (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
A systematic examination of functions, problems, and issues within the political and constitutional framework of selected areas of state and local government.
6160.    Seminar in Intergovernmental Relations (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Selected areas of intergovernmental systems are examined with emphasis on the practical operation of government in American Federalism.
6200.    U.S. Foreign Policy (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
An examination of the American diplomatic experience and foreign relations from the Revolution to the present.
6250.    National Security and Domestic Policy (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
An analysis of concepts of national security, national interest, self-defense, and self-determination and how these concepts are affected by domestic policy decisions.
6300.    Problems in Metropolitan Politics (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Focuses upon selected problems of metropolitan areas and their possible resolution through public policy.  May be taught concurrently with POLS 4300.
6350.    Area Studies (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
An in-depth analysis of the political environment, institutions, and processes of government in a geographical area selected by the instructor.  May be repeated with focus in another area.  May be taught concurrently with POLS 4350.
6450.    Comparative Government and Politics (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
An examination of the institutions, political processes, functions, and problems of major contemporary political systems from a comparative perspective.  May be taught concurrently with POLS 4450.
6500.    Southern Politics (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Examines the nature of the political process in the South, with emphasis on the extent to which the Southern political process is both similar to and distinct from the American political process as a whole.  May be taught concurrently with POLS 4500.
6540.    American Chief Executive (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Surveys the development and operation of the American presidency and state gubernatorial offices. May be taught concurrently with POLS 4540.
6550.    Problems in Contemporary International Politics (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Analyzes current problems and conflicts in international relations, such as terrorism, globalization, and the use of force.
6650.    Seminar in Political Theory (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
The problems of scope and methods of inquiry in the fields of political theory, with intensive research in selected topics.
6660.    Democracy and Democratization (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
The roots, development, and major components of the democratic idea, the variety of modern democratic practice, as well as the spread of democracy in the modern world and its effects on international politics.
6670.    Seminar in International Politics (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
In-depth research on concepts and topics of international relations under the supervision of the instructor, with results presented in a seminar setting.
6750.    Seminar in Constitutional Law (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Selected areas of constitutional law, with readings in depth in relevant cases and constitutional theory.
6800.    Voting Behavior (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Analyzes the personal, social, and constitutional basis of the behavior of electorates.  May be taught concurrently with POLS 4800.
6810.    Political Behavior (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Surveys the personal and social basis of political participation, political choice, and political leadership. May be taught concurrently with POLS 4810.
6840.    Politics and the Mass Media (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Examines the ways in which modern mass media have altered the dynamics of democratic politics in the United States.  Specific topics include the role of the media in electoral campaigns and how the news influence public opinion and policy makers.  May be taught concurrently with POLS 4840.
6850.    Seminar in International Law and Organization (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
A systematic analysis of international law and organizations, and their relevance and effectiveness in resolving conflict among states.
6860.    Political Psychology (3).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Examines the psychological foundations of individual political behavior.  Applies various social-psychological paradigms to the study of public attitudes, mass and elite behavior, social conflicts, and foreign policy making.  May be taught with POLS 4860.
6962.    Directed Readings in Political Science and Public Administration (1-6).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Credit to be arranged and consent of instructor required for enrollment.
6972.    Special Problems in Political Science and Public Administration (1-6).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Advanced research in specific areas of political science as arranged with the instructor.
6982.    Comprehensive Examination (0).  Pr.: graduate standing.
Students are eligible to register for the comprehensive if they meet the following criteria:
  1. Formal admission to the graduate program ("GR" entry).
  2. Completion (with recorded grades, not "I's") of 30 hours of degree courses, including all core courses.
  3. A 3.0 graduate GPA (based on a 4.0 scale).
Should a student fail the examination, the exam may be retaken only one more time.  The retake can be taken no earlier than the next term's scheduled exam date. Students retake only the section(s) failed.

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Last modified: January 22, 2004