Currently Offered Courses - Fall 2023
Surveys the major concepts and approaches employed in the study of politics. Credit is not given toward graduation for both PS 100 and PS 200.
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.
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.
Introduction to the politics of globalization; identification of the principal actors, properties, and patterns of the politics of globalization that distinguish global politics from other forms of politics between and within groups, communities, states, and international organizations.
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.
Examines how religion and politics influence each other in the United States, both historically and in contemporary society.
Examines the role of American Indians and Indian law in the US political system. Beginning with the core concept of sovereignty, the course then looks at Indian political mobilizations, tribal political economy, tribal governance, relations between tribes and states and between tribes and the federal government, and laws governing religious freedom and environmental issues. Same as AIS 214.
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.
Introduces strategic models of political behavior and their implications for our understanding of politics. Uses simple models, inspired by game theory, to examine fundamental political questions.
Surveys the basic concepts and principles of political analysis from a comparative perspective.
From the Civil Rights Movement and the Arab Spring, to anti-femicide activism and gun rights advocacy, ordinary people have risen up and shaped history. Why do social movements emerge despite risks of repression? How do people overcome barriers to collective action? How do their strategies for organizing resistance differ, and with what consequences? This course is designed to answer these questions and others by examining the causes, dynamics, and consequences of organized resistance.
Examines the political status and roles of women. Topics include women's political behavior; feminist and anti-feminist politics; and contemporary legislative and public policy issues, such as educational equity, equal rights legislation, and health care delivery for women. Same as GWS 272.
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.
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.
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.
Introduction to the study of courts and judges as political institutions and actors. Focuses primarily on federal courts in the United States, but also covers courts in the American states. Addresses topics such as how judges are selected; who or what determines which cases are heard; the influence of ideology and the law on judges' decisions; the relationships that exist between the courts in the judiciary; the role of the president and the Senate in judicial decisions; and judges' decisions that run contrary to the public's wishes. Prerequisite: PS 101.
Surveys the origins and evolution of state government in the United States. Topics include history, structure and dynamics of state governments, laws and the judiciary, state legislatures, political parties, organized interests, bureaucracies, demographic change and electoral patterns, and political conflicts, and coalitions. Prerequisite: PS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Examines the processes of mass-mediated political communication in democratic societies. Special emphasis will be given to the role of news media in democratic theory, factors shaping the construction of news such as journalism routines, media economics, and the strategic management of news by political elites. Same as CMN 325 and MACS 322.
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.
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.
Examines the nature of law, law makers, and law appliers; the determinants of law-making; and the societal impact of law. Prerequisite: PS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Examines political and legal policies related to electoral representation including constitutional protections of voting rights and related topics such as a gerrymandering, vote counting, majority minority districts, and the Voting Rights Act. Prerequisite: PS 101 or six hours of Political Science or consent of instructor.
Examines the biological processes that underlie political attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, we will take theories from behavioral and molecular genetics, psychophysiology, neuroscience, and evolutionary psychology and apply them to political attitudes and behaviors. Topics will include how evolutionary adaptations shape political life, how genes affect political traits, the effects of physiological differences on how people experience the political world, and what political insights can be drawn from studying differences in brain structures and functioning. Prerequisite: PS 101.
Examination of the conceptual issues associated with citizenship and immigration, considering current political debates from a variety of perspectives: empirical, historical, and normative. Focuses on the United States but will also examine the immigration and citizenship processes of other nations as well. Among topics considered: why people migrate; consequences of migration; efforts to integrate immigrants; public opinion, citizenship traditions and rationales; membership; belonging, and national identify; post national citizenship. Prerequisites: PS 101, 6 hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Analyzes the relationship between political attitudes and public opinion formation. The course also discusses political participation, political tolerance, and attitudes toward political leaders. Prerequisite: POLS 101, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Introduces the government and politics of modern China. Same as EALC 343. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
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.
Examines the major governmental systems of continental Europe; the evolution, structure, and functioning of the political institutions of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Examines the origin and development of Latin American political institutions. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Examines the government and politics of postwar East Asia by covering themes and topics relevant to the region. The countries covered include the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of China (or Taiwan). Given the multifaceted and diverse nature of the region, the course explores various topics, both independently and comparatively. Topics include the region's history, democratic consolidation, economic development, and political institutions. In addition to addressing theoretical and empirical questions, current events shaping the region will be discussed. Same as EALC 359. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, or at least six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Examines theories of the nature and conditions of democracy; compares and analyzes contemporary democratic institutions. Prerequisite: PS 270, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Examines visions of the future drawn from science fiction literature as a way to engage with political and social theory and to cultivate the political imagination. Prerequisite: Six hours of political science credit or consent of instructor.
Surveys American political thought from colonial times to the present. Prerequisite: PS 270, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Examines conceptual linkages between international relations and domestic politics. Emphasizes theoretical explanations of and empirical evidence for these linkages. Prerequisite: PS 280 or PS 281, or six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
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.
Considers the history of the European Union and its current functions and operations. Focuses on the ongoing process of political and cultural integration. Consists of sections in Illinois and abroad, interacting extensively via the worldwide web. Same as EURO 385, FR 385, and GER 385. Prerequisite: PS 240 or PS 241, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor; cross-listings require language training appropriate for enrollment in the respective overseas programs.
Considers the major foreign policy decisions currently confronting the United States government: analyzes their background, principal issues, and alternative actions, as well as the policy formulation process. Prerequisite: PS 280 or PS 283, six hours of Political Science credit, or consent of instructor.
Practical introduction to the study of international organizations, consisting of three parts: academic modules in Urbana-Champaign; guest lectures and site visits in Vienna, Austria, and field trips TBA; and a final research paper based on fieldwork in Vienna, extending into late June. Enrollment requires prior admission to the Vienna Diplomatic Program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Provides an advanced overview of methodological issues in political science especially identification of research questions and design of research strategies in political science appropriate for a senior thesis. Requires completion of a substantial research proposal. 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. Credit is not given for more than six hours towards any combination of PS 495 and PS 496. Neither PS 495 nor PS 496 counts towards the 30 hours required for completion of the political science major. Prerequisite: Admissions to Political Science Honors Program or consent of instructor.
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.
Selected research topics designed for graduate study in American Politics. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours.
Introduction to data analysis and inferential statistics, including data collection, analysis and interpretation, sampling, and measures of statistical association and significance. Also introduces statistical software.
Select topics in inferential statistics, including models for limited dependent variables. Topics vary by semester and may include spatial econometrics, bootstrap models, ecological inference, and causal inference. Prerequisite: PS 531 or consent of instructor.
Examines the roles of domestic and international factors, modes of transition, institutional choices and economic reforms in the transition from authoritarian rule. Comparisons are made of cases in Southern and Eastern Europe, Latin America, East Asia, the former Soviet Union, and others. Prerequisite: Completion of PS 540 or PS 541 is recommended.
Examines major theories and approaches to the study of international relations.
Research in selected topics by arrangement with the instructor.
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.