BTÌìÌÃ

Return to Government, Public Service, and International Studies | Courses Index

[1] Courses in Political Science (PSCI)

1330 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Part of the lower-division BTÌìÌÃcore either as an American history and government elective or as a social science elective, a requirement for the Political Science major and minor (but not limited to majors and minors), and a prerequisite for most political science courses. An introduction to the principles and problems of American government, governing institutions, and political processes. Lecture and discussion. [ACTS: PLSC2003]

2300 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS A study of the interactions and behaviors of state and non-state actors in the international system, with particular emphasis on international security, economic security, and human society. This course is a Social Science elective in the Critical Inquiry [I] component of the LD BTÌìÌÃCore. This course is a core requirement in the Political Science (BA and BS degrees) major and minor and the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. The course is also a required course in the Cybersecurity major (BS degree) in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Cybersecurity Management major (BS degree) in the Department of Computer Information Systems and Analytics. This course is a prerequisite for all upper-division courses in the field of International Relations offered by the Department of Political Science.

2312 STATISTICAL METHODS FOR POLITICAL ANALYSIS This is a lower-division course that introduces students to descriptive and inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, and data analysis in the discipline of political science. This course is a required core course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) and International Studies (BA degree) programs. Prerequisite: Any 1000-level MATH course.

2315 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY An introduction to the major themes and methods of normative political theory. PSCI 2315 is a core, required course for the Political Science major and minor, but is open to all interested students.

2320 INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS A study of the concepts and methods of comparative politics. Special emphasis is given to comparing the types and forms of political systems and the political processes they undergo. This course is a core requirement in the Political Science (BA and BS degrees) major and minor and the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. This course is a prerequisite for all upper-division courses in the field of Comparative Politics offered by the Department of Political Science.

3300 STATE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS This course introduces students to the political processes and administrative procedures of state governments. Because state governments are “laboratories of democracy,” the course will take a comparative approach and discuss the similarities and differences among states with respect to institutional structures, laws and regulations, political cultures, histories, demographics, and economics. A requirement for the Public Administration major and minor and elective for the Political Science major and minor (but not limited to majors and minors). This course covers the American Politics subfield. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.

3305 UNITED NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS A study of the history, establishment, charter, structure, and decision-making processes of the United Nations. Students will critically analyze the role of the UN in the international system during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods, specifically in the areas of international peace and security; disarmament and arms control; human rights; humanitarian assistance and refugees; and economic and social development. This course is an elective in the International Relations subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the International Affairs & Security concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I]

3313 RESEARCH DESIGN An elective for the Political Science major and minor (but not limited to majors and minors). An in-depth examination of strategies available for performing social science research. Includes experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental, and survey research designs. Lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.

3315 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND COURTS  This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the development and impact of international law and international courts in the international political system. This is an elective course in the International Studies (BA degree) and Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I, C]

3316 CYBERSECURITY LAW AND POLICY This is an upper-division political science course that examines the issue of cybersecurity from an international relations perspective, focusing on the categories, sources, motivations, and targets of global cybersecurity threats and attacks against the United States, other countries, corporations, and organizations. The course also examines the development of national, regional, and international laws and policies to deter and respond to cybersecurity threats and attacks. The course is required in the Cybersecurity major (BS degree) in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Cybersecurity Management major (BS degree) in the Department of Computer Information Systems and Analytics. This course is an elective in the International Relations subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the International Affairs & Security concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: C]

3320 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the development and impact of environmental laws and policies at the federal and state levels in the U.S. This is an elective course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) and Public Administration (BPA degree) programs. The course is also a required core course in the Environmental Science (BS degree) program. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and PADM 2310, or consent of instructor. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I, R]

3330 POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the development and impact of political parties and interest groups in the American political system. This is an elective course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.

3336 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS A study of local governments in the U.S. and Arkansas including cities, counties, special districts, and school districts. The following challenges are examined: taxing, spending, revenue-sharing, education, policy, crime, and welfare. An elective for the Political Science major and minor in the American Politics subfield and the Public Administration major and minor (but not limited to majors and minors). Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.

3340 GOVERNMENTS AND POLITICS OF EUROPE This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the governments and political systems of countries in Europe since the end of the Cold War. This is an elective course in the International Studies (BA degree) and Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2320.

3345 WOMEN AND AMERICAN POLITICS This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the issue of women in the American political system. This is an elective course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: G]

3355 RACE AND AMERICAN POLITICS This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the issue of race in the American political system. This is an elective course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330  [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: G]

3369 CYBER CITIZENSHIP This course discusses the relationship between modern cyber technology and democratic citizenship. Modern technologies have the potential to connect people and distribute information on a scale never seen before, yet they also have the potential to isolate individuals, enhance surveillance, and spread misinformation. How should democracy deal with the digital world? This course will explore the various ways that modern technology affects the experience of citizenship. This course will count as an upper-division elective in the Political Science major under the area of Political Theory and an elective in the Cybersecurity major in the area of Cybersecurity Strategic Policy. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and PSCI 2315.

3370 ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THEORY This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the history of Western political thought from ancient Greece to the Renaissance. This course is an elective in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2315. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: R]

3371 EARLY MODERN POLITICAL THEORY This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the development of western political thought from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution. This course is an elective in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2315. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I, R]

3372 POLITICAL BEHAVIOR A study of the various techniques of empirical research in political science with particular emphasis on the analysis of public opinion, electoral behavior, and other forms of political behavior. This course is an elective for the Political Science major and minor in the American Politics subfield. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.

3375 THE JUDICIAL PROCESS This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the legal system in the United States with an emphasis on the structure of federal and state courts, court procedure, the role of lawyers and judges, and the political impact of court decisions. This course is an elective in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.

3382 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the governments and politics of countries in the developing world, including Africa, Latin America, and Asia. This is an elective course in the International Studies (BA degree) and Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2320. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: G, C]

4V99 INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (Variable credit: 1-4 credit hours.)This is an upper-division course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. With the approval of the Director of the Political Science (BA/BS degree) program or the Chair of the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies, students may enroll in this one to four credit hour course to earn academic credit for completion of an independent research project focusing on a topic in political science under the supervision of a faculty member in the department. This course may be taken up to three times for a maximum of nine credit hours. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330 and consent of program director or department chair.

4300 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: SEPARATION OF POWERS This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the Constitution of the United States with an emphasis on the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government. This is an elective course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I]

4301 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL LIBERTIES This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on the Constitution of the United States with an emphasis on the first ten amendments (Bill of Rights) and civil liberties. This is an elective course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) program. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I]

4310 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY AND GLOBALIZATION A study of the theories of international political economy and globalization. The dynamics of the global economy and the role of international financial institutions, such as the WTO, IMF, and the World Bank Group will be examined. This course is an elective in the International Relations subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the International Development & Globalization concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: Z]

4312 CHINA & INTERNATIONAL POLITICS A study of China’s position and interactions in the contemporary international political system, including an emphasis on Chinese foreign policy and China’s relations with the United States, European Union, Russia, Japan, and other major global actors. This course is an elective in the International Relations subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major. The course is also an elective in the International Affairs & Security and Regional & Cultural Studies concentrations of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: G]

4328 DYNAMICS OF DEMOCRATIZATION A comparative approach to the study of democratization including the origins and causes of democracy, the problems of democratic transition, and the conditions for democratic stability and development. This course is an elective in the Comparative Politics subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the International Development & Globalization concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2320. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: Z]

4331 AMERICAN POLITICAL THEORY An examination of the major theoretical ideas and issues of American political thought from the colonial period to the present. This course is an elective for the Political Science major and minor in the Political Theory subfield. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2315. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I, R]

4334 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY A study of the dual qualities of the American presidency focused on the institution and the occupant. The course examines key theoretical approaches to studying the U.S. Presidency, nomination, election, responsibilities and powers, and principles of contemporary executive-legislative relationships. This course is an elective for the Political Science major and minor in the American Politics subfield and an elective for the Public Administration major. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: I, C]

4335 THE AMERICAN CONGRESS A study of the U.S. Congress examining how people are nominated and run for these legislative offices, how the legislative branch is organized, and legislative procedures. This course is an elective for the Political Science major and minor in the American Politics subfield and the Public Administration major. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330.

4340 SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITCAL SCIENCE This is an upper-division course that focuses on topics in political science that are not covered in other political science courses. This course may be repeated for different special topics. Prerequisite PSCI 1330. Also, depending on the topic of the course, one of the introductory courses in political science may also be listed as a prerequisite.

4345 GOVERNMENTS AND POLITICS OF AFRICA A broad study of African traditional and modern political institutions as well as a specific examination of selected cases. This course is an elective in the Comparative Politics subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the Regional & Cultural Studies concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2320. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: G]

4348 GOVERNMENTS AND POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST A comparative approach to the study of governments and politics of the Middle East including the region’s pre-colonial and modern political institutions, political culture, and democratization process. This course is an elective in the Comparative Politics subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the Regional & Cultural Studies concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2320. [UD BTÌìÌÃCore: G]

4388 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY A study of the foreign policy of the United States since the end of World War II, with emphasis on the goals and instruments of U.S. foreign policy, as well as the individual, societal, governmental, interstate, and global influences on U.S. foreign policy decisions. This course is an elective in the International Relations subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the International Affairs & Security concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300.

4389 RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY This is an upper-division political science course that focuses on Russian foreign policies in the 21st century. The course examines the history of Russian foreign policy from 1945 to 1999, including Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War (1945-1991) and Russian foreign during the post-Cold War period (1992-2000). The course examines the domestic sources of Russian foreign policy, including geography, political culture, public opinion, system of government, and political system. The course examines the dimensions of power used in the implementation of Russian foreign policy, including diplomatic, geopolitical, economic, military, and cyber. The course examines Russian foreign policies toward other countries and regions, including Europe and the European Union (EU), the United States, China and East Asia, Ukraine and the former Soviet Republics, India and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. This course is an upper-division elective in the International Relations subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the International Affairs and Security concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. The course is also required in the Cybersecurity Strategic Policy concentration of the Cybersecurity major (BS degree) in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300.

4390 INTERNSHIP IN POLITICAL SCIENCE This is an upper-division course in the Political Science (BA/BS degree) programs. With the approval of the Director of the Political Science (BA/BS degree) program and the Internship Coordinator in the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies, students may enroll in this course to earn academic credit for completion of a professional internship in the public or private sectors, including but not limited to government agencies, political campaigns, law firms, and non-profit organizations. This three-credit hour course may be taken up to two times in the same semester or in two different semesters for a maximum of six credit hours. Prerequisite: PSCI 1330

4392 INTERNSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES This is an upper-division course in the Experiential Learning component of the International Studies (BA degree) program. With the approval of the Director of the International Studies (BA degree) program and the Internship Coordinator in the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies, students may enroll in this course to earn academic credit for completion of a professional internship in a government agency, corporation, non-profit organization, or international organization. This three-credit hour course may be taken up to two times in the same semester or in two different semesters for a maximum of six credit hours. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320.

4393 EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES This is an upper-division course in the Experiential Learning component of the International Studies (BA degree) program. With the approval of the Director of the International Studies (BA degree) program or the Chair of the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies, students may enroll in this course to earn academic credit for participation in a university-sponsored travel/study abroad program or participation in a collegiate Model United Nations conference. This three-credit hour course may be taken up to two times in the same semester or two different semesters for a maximum of six credit hours. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320.

4394 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES This is an upper-division course in the Experiential Learning component of the International Studies (BA degree) program.  With the approval of the Director of the International Studies (BA degree) program or the Chair of the Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies, students may enroll in this one to four credit hour course to earn academic credit for completion of an independent research project focusing on a topic in international affairs under the supervision of a faculty member in the department. This three-credit hour course may be taken up to two times in the same semester or two different semesters for a maximum of six credit hours. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and PSCI 2300 or PSCI 2320.

4395 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT A study of the concepts and theories of crisis, conflict, and war, as well as the techniques and theories of conflict management. This course is an elective in the International Relations subfield of the Political Science (BA and BS degree) major and minor and the International Affairs & Security concentration of the International Studies (BA degree) major and minor. Prerequisites: PSCI 1330 and 2300.