Currently Offered Courses - Spring 2023

PS 100 - Intro to Political Science

Surveys the major concepts and approaches employed in the study of politics. Credit is not given for both PS 100 and PS 200.

PS 101 - Intro to US Gov & Pol

Examines the organization and development of national, state, and local governments in the U.S.; the federal system; the U.S. Constitutions; civil and political rights; the party system; and the nature, structure, powers, and procedures of national political institutions. This course may require limited participation as a subject in research.

PS 125 - Washington Experience

An examination of political Washington and policymaking. Through visits to think tanks, nonprofit organizations and agencies we will examine the policymaking world in Washington and get to know different participants in this process, what they do, and how they interact and work to affect policy and express their ideas. This course is a required component of the Illinois in Washington Program. Prerequisite: Acceptance to and enrollment in the Illinois in Washington Program.

PS 199 - Undergraduate Open Seminar

May be repeated.

PS 201 - US Racial & Ethnic Politics

Examines efforts by racial and ethnic communities to organize politically and by society to allocate resources based on race or ethnicity. Topical focus includes African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and white ethnics. The primary goal of the course is to develop a more comprehensive understanding of racial and ethnic politics by identifying commonalities and differences among these groups and their relationship to the state. Same as AAS 201, AFRO 201, and LLS 201.

PS 220 - Intro to Public Policy

Surveys the policy process including adoption, implementation, and evaluation. Topics may include reviews of substantive policy issues such as crime, energy, environment, poverty, foreign policy, civil liberties, or economic regulation. Prerequisite: PS 100 or PS 101, or consent of instructor.

PS 224 - Politics of the National Parks

Examines the politics of national parks in the United States, including creation of parks, local support or opposition to parks, and park policy as well as policy questions such as the value of wilderness ecosystem management, endangered species protection, and role of parks in national identity and remembrance of events such as the Civil War, the Indian wars, or the civil rights movement. Same as RST 224. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 10 hours.

PS 225 - Environmental Politics & Policy

Examinations of the political, economic, ecological, and cultural trade-offs between the use and the preservation of the environment, with particular emphasis on the preservation of land and water resources in national parks, forests, and other reserved lands. Same as RST 225.

PS 230 - Intro to Pol Research

Surveys the principles that guide empirical research in political science; emphasizes definition of research problems, principles and practices of measurement, use of data as evidence, and data analysis. Prerequisite: PS 100 or PS 101, or consent of instructor.

PS 241 - Comp Politics in Dev Nations

Provides comparative and historical insights into the problems affecting the developing world by examining social, economic and political changes in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

PS 270 - Intro to Political Theory

Introduces the nature, structure, and purposes of political theory; examines major works on the problems of political order, obedience, justice, liberty, and representation to distinguish and clarify different theoretical approaches.

PS 273 - Environment and Society

Same as ESE 287, GGIS 287 and NRES 287. See NRES 287.

PS 280 - Intro to Intl Relations

Structure and processes of international relations, trends in international politics, and the future of the international system. Credit is not given for both PS 280 and PS 281.

PS 300 - Special Topics

Selected readings and research in political science. See Class Schedule for current topics. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite: Six hours of political science, or consent of instructor.

PS 301 - The US Constitution I

Analyzes issues related to judicial interpretation of the constitution; the separation of governmental powers; federalism; checks and balances among the three branches of the national government; and the jurisdiction of federal courts. Prerequisite: PS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 302 - The US Constitution II

Analyzes issues involved in free speech, freedom of religion, rights of the criminally accused, and government's responsibility to protect persons from discrimination based on race or sexual preference. Pays special attention to the role of law and judges. Prerequisite: PS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 305 - The US Supreme Court

Examines how the modern Supreme Court resolves major issues in American constitutional politics. Prerequisite: PS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor; PS 301 or PS 302.

PS 316 - Latina/Latino Politics

Examines the role of Latino electorates in shaping state and national politics. Reviews the histories of Latino national origin groups, examines public policy issues of concern to Latinos, successes and failures of Latino empowerment strategies, and the electoral impact of Latino votes. Focus will be primarily on Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans and an assessment of the degree to which their political agendas are likely to merge over the coming years. Same as LLS 316. Prerequisite: PS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 320 - Public Opinion

Examines the nature of public opinion in contemporary American politics. Considers the extent to which public opinion is organized by ideology, values, party identification and other group-related identities. Will analyze both the sources and consequences of public opinion and the nature of public support for democracy and democratic institutions. Will investigate the relationship between public opinion and policymaking. Prerequisite: PS 101.

PS 321 - Principles of Public Policy

Examines different approaches to evaluating the performance of public sector organizations, including private sector accountability principles. Focuses on how to improve the performance of governmental agencies, as well as corporate social responsibility. Same as ACCY 321, ACE 321, and BADM 303. Prerequisite: PS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 344 - Government and Politics of Japan

This course will examine a range of topics relevant to understanding the development of Japanese politics in the postwar era. A central theme of the course will be to understand the processes of continuity and change through various lenses, including but not limited to history, culture, and institutions. Same as EALC 344. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 355 - Democratization

Examines the global process of democratization, with special attention to gains and failures in selected areas since 1974. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 357 - Ethnic Conflict

Explores the bases of nationalist and ethnic identities across a variety of different national and cultural contexts, and how these are related to conflict at the intrastate and interstate levels. Consideration is given to the characteristics and patterns of ethnic conflict with special emphasis on how and when ethnic tensions become manifested in violent conflict. The course concludes with consideration and evaluations of various domestic and international approaches to conflict management and resolution. Same as GLBL 357. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 358 - Comparative Political Behavior

Examines themes of political behavior such as political participation, electoral politics, political culture, and contentious politics from a cross-national perspective. Prerequisite: PS 240, or PS 241, or six hours of Political Science credit.

PS 370 - Justice in the Law

Explores fundamental questions about the ideal of a just society. Introduces students to the close connection between theories of justice and legal reasoning used by courts. Court cases and topics include enforcing sexual morality, protecting free expression, religious liberty, regulating labor markets, guaranteeing the rule of law, ensuring equal opportunities through schools and elections, establishing group rights, and regulating reproductive rights.

PS 376 - American Political Theory

Surveys American political thought from colonial times to the present. Prerequisite: PS 270, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 381 - International Relations of East Asia

Examines the salient issues and dynamics that structure the international relations of East Asia, which includes China, Taiwan, Japan, and the two Koreas. This course examines both theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding the dynamic, yet stable nature of East Asian international relations. The central theme of this course is to examine whether the region is moving towards increasing conflict or cooperation. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, or at least six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.

PS 392 - Intl Organizations&Regionalism

Examines regionalism and regional international organizations and their consequences for multilateralisim cooperation, and conflict. Prerequisite: PS 280

PS 398 - Strategic Interntl Relations

Examination of basic concepts and tools for analyzing foreign policy and understanding international politics and economy. Simple game-theoretic models will be used to explore the logic and the mechanisms behind key policy issues in international economy, cooperation, security, and institutions. Prerequisite: PS 280 or PS 281; or six hours of Political Sciences credit; or consent of instructor.

PS 411 - Campaigning to Win

Same as CMN 424. See CMN 424.

PS 413 - Sex, Power and Politics

Same as GWS 478. See GWS 478.

PS 418 - Language & Minorities in Europe

Same as EURO 418, FR 418, GER 418, ITAL 418, LING 418, SLAV 418, and SPAN 418. See FR 418.

PS 480 - Energy and Security

Same as GLBL 480 and NPRE 480. See NPRE 480.

PS 482 - Civil Wars

Civil war is the most prevalent, deadly form of violence in the international system. What causes these internal conflict to break out, and what can be done to end them? This course examines the causes, conduct, and management of violent internal conflict, focusing on factors such as inequality, ideological extremism, and state weakness, which contribute to conflict risk, and international peacekeeping, mediation, and negotiation, which may facilitate conflict settlement. 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. Prerequisite: PS 100 and one of PS 180, PS 280, or PS 281, or consent of instructor.

PS 490 - Individual Study

Special topics not treated in regularly scheduled courses; designed primarily for juniors and seniors. 1 to 4 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Evidence of adequate preparation for such study; consent of faculty member supervising the work; and approval of the department head.

PS 491 - Internship

Students follow a program of study and research related to an approved internship under the direction of the internship director and/or a faculty sponsor. Consult departmental undergraduate advisor or internship director. 0 to 6 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. Approved for Letter and S/U grading. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 undergraduate hours. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours completed, one year in residence at an institution of higher learning, minimum 2.5 grade point average, coursework related to the internship, and acceptance to the internship director or undergraduate director and by faculty sponsor. Students enrolled in internship courses may not register for more than 18 hours total for all courses during the semester of the internship course.

PS 492 - UG Research Assistance

Assist departmental faculty in on-going research. Topics and nature of assistance vary. Capstone paper required. 0 to 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 6 hours. Credit is not given for more than nine hours toward completion of the political science major from any combination of PS 490, PS 491, and/or PS 492. Prerequisite: Evidence of adequate preparation for such study; consent of faculty member supervising the work; and approval of the department head.

PS 494 - Junior Honors Seminar

Research, reading, and discussion in selected topics and works in literature of political science. A major research project is required in preparation for PS 495. 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Credit is not given for non-honors courses and honors seminar on the same topic. Prerequisite: Admission to Political Science Honors Program or consent of department.

PS 496 - Senior Honors Thesis

2 to 6 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Written consent of instructor of department approval; open only to seniors whose major is political science and who have a general University grade point of 3.0.

PS 511 - Proseminar Pol Behavior I

Introduces interdisciplinary approaches to the analysis of political behavior; formation of opinions, interests, roles, and beliefs.

PS 514 - Founds of Organizational Behav

Same as BADM 510, PSYC 553, and SOC 575. See BADM 510.

PS 522 - Research Design and Techniques

Provides an overview of research techniques for answering questions of concern in political science; indicates the range of available tools; discusses problems in concept formation; and presents current methods of concept measurement. Prerequisite: PS 521 or consent of instructor.

PS 531 - Quant Pol Analysis II

Second class in inferential statistics, emphasizing the linear model and assumptions behind linear models. Prerequisite: PS 530 or consent of instructor.

PS 534 - Modeling Heterogeneity

Same as PSYC 548. See PSYC 548.

PS 549 - Topics in Comparative Politics

Selected research topics designed for graduate study in Comparative Politics. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours.

PS 582 - Intl Political Economy

Comprehensive introduction to major traditions in contemporary thought on the political structure and workings of the global economy. Presumes background knowledge pertaining to the workings of the international economy and its institutions as well as familiarity with the assumptions and approaches of classical I. P. E. thought and International Relations theory. Prerequisite: PS 580.

PS 590 - Research in Selected Topics

Research in selected topics by arrangement with the instructor.

PS 596 - Evaluating New Research

Accompanies the Politics Workshop, which brings in speakers from outside the department to present their research. The goal is to expose graduate students to the practice of engaging critically with research presentations from all fields of political science. Students will learn "best practices" in providing feedback about ongoing research projects. They will have the opportunity to utilize these skills both in class discussions and as discussants for the speakers in the Workshop 2 graduate hours. No professional credit. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated for up to 4 graduate hours in separate semesters. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in political science required.

PS 597 - Preparing Future Faculty

Provides graduate students an insight on the responsibilities and expectations of academic faculty. Core responsibilities - research, teaching and service - required of faculty is discussed, along with important resources and strategies to aid students in obtaining a faculty appointment and plotting a successful career path. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated in separate terms.

PS 598 - Dissertation Design Seminar

Addresses the basic steps involved in the development of a dissertation proposal; aims to facilitate the completion of the dissertation proposal for students who have passed the qualifying examinations. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: Successful completion of required qualifying examinations.

PS 599 - Thesis Research

Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated.