1. THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
3 hrs.
A survey of the politics and processes of American government at the national level:
the constitutional foundations of American government; national institutions, chiefly
the presidency, Congress and Supreme Court; and the political forces that shape American
government, including elections, parties and interest groups. Prereq.:
none.
65. COMPARATIVE POLITICS 3 hrs.
This introductory course encourages stu-dents to look at politics in other countries
from a comparative perspective. Basic topics in the field include the origins
of states, political culture, types of political regimes, political institutions,
causes of revolution, the roots of democracy and political development. The
study of a few select countries and regions helps to illustrate these concepts.
Prereq.: none.
75. WORLD POLITICS 3 hrs.
An introductory survey of the field of international relations, covering differing
national perspectives on current issues, current trends in the evolution of the international
system, sources of conflict, international political economy, and the roles of international
law and international organizations. Prereq.: none.
101. WASHINGTON SEMESTER 15-16 hrs.
Twelve to 15-hour semester course of study through American University in Washington,
D.C. Students may pursue a variety of courses of study together with an internship
in the Washington area. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*109. TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
3 hrs.
Units of study focusing on special issues, problems or developments in international
relations. Prereq.: POLS 075 or instructor consent.
*112. WOMEN IN POLITICS 3 hrs.
Examination of the role that women play in American politics, the changes in that
role over time, and the obstacles yet confronting women who aspire to political careers.
Analysis of selected contemporary issues of special importance to women in politics.
Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructorís consent.
*113. THE AMERICAN ELECTORAL PROCESS
3 hrs.
Examination of the role of elections in the American political system. Focus on voting
behavior, the influence of money and campaign strategy. Special attention to the
impact of the mass media. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*114. PUBLIC OPINION 3 hrs.
Examination of the origins and effects of public opinion. Exploration of the processes
of socialization and political learning. Focus on the impact of opinions on the political
activity of citizens and on governmental actions. Special attention to public opinion
polling. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*115. PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION AND ELECTION
POLITICS 3 hrs.
An in-depth study of the presidential campaign process, with special attention to
the way parties nominate candidates in the U.S. Focus is on how presidential selection
fits into the party system and how the process of selection affects the kind of presidents
we get and how they are able to govern. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*116. MEDIA AND MODERN POLITICS
3 hrs.
Examination of the impact of the mass media, especially television, on American politics.
Exploration of how the organization and broadcast patterns of the media affect political
change. Focus on how these patterns affect the public, the president and Congress.
Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*117. RACE AND AMERICAN POLITICS
3 hrs.
Contemporary American national politics has been profoundly influenced by race-related
issues, including busing, urban problems, and affirmative action. This course
will acquaint students with how political scientists analyze the effect of race on
American politics. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*119. TOPICS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND
POLITICS 3 hrs.
Units of study focusing on special issues, problems, or developments in American
government and politics. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*121. THE UNITED NATIONS AND
GLOBAL SECURITY 3 hrs.
Students explore the record of UN efforts to promote international peace and security,
human rights, and economic and social well-being. Students also examine a variety
of proposals for UN reform. Prereq.: POLS 75 or instructor consent.
*122. MODEL UNITED NATIONS
1 hr.
Preparation for participation in one of the regional Model UN events held in the
Midwest each spring. This course centers around assignments and activities designed
to prepare Drakeís Model UN team for participation in this event. Prereq. or coreq.:
POLS 121 or instructor consent.
*123. GRASSROOTS GLOBALISM
4 hrs.
This course examines the role that transnational social movements (TSMs) play in
world politics with respect to such issues as human rights, peace, the environment,
development, labor and gender. TSMs are political networks of non-governmental organizations
and activists that focus on specific issues and span two or more countries. TSMs
seek social change consistent with core principled ideas. As the international role
of such networks have grown in recent decades, so has the need for us to understand
their origins, practices, impact and potential. Participants in this course will
be required to complete 20 hours of service learning outside of regular class hours.
Previous completion of POLS 075 is recommended, though not required.
*124. REVISITING THE VIETNAM WAR
3 hrs.
The Vietnam War was perhaps the most controversial international engagement in American
history. This course treats Vietnam as a case study in the making of U.S. foreign
policy. Our central concern will be to answer the question: What went wrong? We will
examine the war through the eyes of various parties to the conflict: American policy-makers,
military leaders, common soldiers, anti-war activists, public opinion and the Vietnamese
themselves, both allies and adversaries. Previous completion of POLS 075 is recommended,
though not required.
*125. PEACEBUILDING AND POST-CONFLICT
JUSTICE 3 hrs.
This course will address national and international efforts to promote justice and
to establish the rule of law at the end of violent conflicts between and within nation-states.
We will explore a variety of mechanisms for pursuing peacebuilding and post-conflict
justice, including trials, war crimes tribunals, truth and reconciliation commissions,
and reparations. Prereq.: POLS 075 or instructor consent.
*128. NATIONALISM AND POLITICS IN EASTERN EUROPE 3 hrs.
Analysis of nationalism in its various forms: ethnic, religious, civic and political;
and discussion of its influence on the development of new governments in several
formerly communist, Central and Eastern European nations. Prereq.: POLS 65, 75 or
Instructor consent.
* 129 TRANSITIONS TO DEMOCRACY 3 hrs.
Examination of the theories and practices of democratic governments and governments
transitioning to democracy. Why do so many countries want to become democratic now,
and will these new democracies last? Major paper. Prereq.: POLS 65, 75 or Instructor
consent.
*130. STATE GOVERNMENT &
ADMINISTRATION (PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION *130) 3 hrs.
The structure and functions of the states in the federal union; their relations to
the national government; state constitutions; political parties; and the administration
of the main state functions. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*132. IOWA STATE GOVERNMENT
AND ADMINISTRATION (PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION *132) 3 hrs.
The structure and functions of the government and administration of the state of
Iowa; its relations with the national government, other states and local governments
of Iowa; the state constitution; political parties and elections; and the administration
of the main state functions. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
145. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
(PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 120) 3 hrs.
The theory and practice of governmental administration in the American federal system.
*151. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
3 hrs.
Analysis of the role of the presidency in the American political system. Topics include
presidential elections, institutional design and management, presidential policy
success, and historical trends in the relationship between the presidency and the
legislative and judicial branches of government. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor
consent.
*152. CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE
PROCESS 3 hrs.
Examination of the U.S. Congress in terms of its functions as both a lawmaking institution
and a representative institution. Attention to the legislative process, congressional
elections, party leadership, and executive-legislative relations. Prereq.:
POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*153. JUDICIAL POLITICS 3 hrs
An examination of the role of the federal judiciary in American government.
Topics include the design and structure of the American courts, judicial selection,
judicial decision-making, the implementation of judicial decisions and the interaction
between the courts and the political environment. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor
consent.
*155. AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY 3 hrs.
Critical examination of contemporary public-policy issues in the United States with
emphasis on the dynamics of issue development, political culture, basic institutions,
processes, and contemporary problems. Special attention to the various models
of the policy process. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*156. ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND
POLICY (cross-listed with ENV 150) 3 hrs.
Analysis of the relationship between political and economic forces and environmental
con-trol of such problems as the population explosion, air-water pollution, nuclear
contamination, urban congestion, and rural deterioration. Prereq.: POLS
1 and/or ENV 35-56, or instructor consent.
*160. MODERN EUROPEAN POLITICAL
SYSTEMS 3 hrs.
Comparative analysis of the political structures, cultures and institutions of government
in selected European nations. The course also examines the European Union, supra-national
and multi-national governance and other issues influencing politics in contemporary
Europe. Prereq.: POLS 065 or instructor consent.
*161. POLITICS IN RUSSIA AND THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION 3 hrs.
Survey of the evolution of the political system in the former U.S.S.R. from its revolutionary
origins to its demise in 1991, followed by exploration into the nature and causes
of the systemís failure and the problems and issues attending reconstitution of political
authority. Prereq.: POLS 065 or instructor consent.
*164. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
IN LATIN AMERICA 3 hrs.
Contemporary analysis of Latin American political systems. Emphasis on political
and economic development, democratization, political culture and relations with extra-regional
actors. Prereq.: POLS 065 or instructor consent.
*165. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
OF DEVELOPING NATIONS 3 hrs.
This course uses a comparative approach to analyze the structures, processes and
problems of political systems in developing countries. Particular attention is given
to Africa and to theories of political development. Prereq.: POLS 65 or instructor
consent.
*166. COMPARATIVE POLITICAL
PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS 3 hrs.
Examination of the role of citizen organizations in Western democracies. Exploration
of the role of political parties and interest groups in political processes and their
effects on policy outputs. Prereq.: POLS 1 or POLS 065 or instructor consent.
*168. POLITICS AND PARLIAMENTS 3 hrs.
Examination of similarities and differences among such parliamentary systems as those
in Britain, Canada, Australia, and India; exploration of contrasts between parliamentary
and presidential forms of government, using simulations and case studies. Prereq.:
POLS 65 or 075 or instructor consent.
*169. TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 3 hrs.
Units of study focusing on special issues, problems or developments in comparative
government and politics. Prereq.: POLS 65 or instructor consent.
*170. INTERNATIONAL LAW 3 hrs.
Examination of extent to which international law governs interactions among states
in contemporary world politics. Exploration of fundamental principles of international
law and their possible erosion in recent decades as a result of growing support for
new international legal norms such as human rights. Prereq.: POLS 75 or instructor
consent.
*171. POLITICAL INTEGRATION
OF EUROPE 3 hrs.
Examination of Europeís various attempts at unification since W.W. II, with special
emphasis on both the role of individual member states within the European Union and
the role of the EU as an international organization operating within the international
community. Prereq.: POLS 65 or 075 or instructor consent.
*172. INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL
ECONOMY 3 hrs.
Exploration of the political dimensions of international economic relations. Topics
include international trade and monetary affairs; multi-national corporations; north-south
relations; Third World debt; and the foreign economic strategies of various states.
Prereq.: POLS 75 or instructor consent.
*173. HUMAN RIGHTS AND WORLD
POLITICS 3 hrs.
Examination of the politics of human rights and the changing nature of sovereignty
in the international system. Special attention to major threats to human rights in
the contemporary world, and to cultural and political obstacles to international
consensus on human rights norms and the appropriate mechanisms for their implementation.
Prereq.: POLS 075 or instructor consent.
*175. PEACE AND WORLD ORDER 3 hrs.
Examination of a variety of competing arguments regarding the state of world order
after the end of the Cold War. Exploration of major theoretical and conceptual questions
in the study of world politics. Consideration of the question of whether peace should
be defined narrowly as the mere absence of war and violent conflict or more broadly
to include the achievement of social and economic justice. Prereq.: POLS 75
or instructor consent.
*176. GENDER AND WORLD POLITICS 3
hrs.
Examination of the way considerations of gender challenge traditional approaches
to the study of world politics, with special attention to national security, war
and peace, human rights, and economic development. A large part of the course focuses
on how women have been affected by global politics. Prereq.: POLS 075 or instructor
consent.
177 Model European Union 1hr.
The POLS 177 course is a multi-university simulation experience to accompany POLS
171 European Integration. The course/lab entails going to the Midwest Model European
Union Simulation in Indianapolis at IUPUI for three days in April (exact dates change
every year). Students may take the course more than once for credit. Prereq.: POLS
171 or 160 or instructor consent.
*179. AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
3 hrs.
An analysis of patterns and trends in recent American foreign policy and an examination
of the process of foreign policy formulation, including the roles of the president,
Congress, the bureaucracy, the military, pressure groups, public opinion and other
forces. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*180. CLASSICAL POLITICAL THEORY
3 hrs.
Reading of original texts in Western political thought, from ancient to early modern
times. Special attention to Plato, Aristotle and Machiavelli, with a focus on the
contrast between ancient and modern conceptions of politics. Prereq.: POLS
1 and sophomore standing or instructor consent.
*181. MODERN POLITICAL THEORY
3 hrs.
Reading of original texts in Western political thought, from early modern to contemporary
times. Special attention to Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Marx and Mill, with a
focus on the contrasts among modern liberalism, conservatism and radicalism. Prereq.:
POLS 1 and sophomore standing or instructor consent. POLS 180 recommended.
*185. AMERICAN POLITICAL THEORY 3
hrs.
Examination of the main currents and issues of American political thought from the
Founding period to the present. Special attention to topics such as constitutionalism,
representation, majority rule and individual rights, and liberalism and conservatism.
Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*186 POLITICS AND RELIGION 3 hrs.
After some attention to the political behavior of religious groups in America, this
course explores the important theoretical question of whether a truly secular society
is possible. Specifically, does a political-legal system have the capacity to be
neutral regarding religious belief, or does it always and necessarily constitute
the establishment of a set of religious beliefs? In what sense and to what extent
is it legitimate to appeal to religious doctrine and belief when engaged in political
argument? Prereq.: POLS 001 or instructor's consent.By design this course counts
as a political-theory course for undergraduate Politics majors and minors, and as
an elective for non-majors or non-minors interested in taking it.
*189. TOPICS IN POLITICAL THEORY
3 HRS.
Units of study focusing on special issues, problems, or developments in political
theory. Prereq.: POLS 1 or instructor consent.
*190. SEMINAR IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
3 hrs.
Through a semester-length focus on a specific topic in American constitutional law,
the course explores the nature of law, constitutional theory and interpretation.
Recent topics have included the right to privacy and freedom of religion. Students
may repeat the course for credit when-ever a new topic is offered. Prereq.:
POLS 1 and junior standing or instructor consent.
191. SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLITICS
3 hrs.
Taught by various members of the Department on a rotating basis during the fall semester
only, this senior capstone seminar seeks to integrate and reflect on previous coursework
in politics. Students will explore the nature of politics through a focus on
the theories, concepts, and tools of sophisticated polit-ical analysis. Prereq.:
prior completion of all Politics subfield requirements, and senior standing or instructor
consent.
192. SENIOR SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS THEORY 3 hrs.
An examination of contending theories in the field of international relations. Compares
realist, liberal and globalist approaches to understanding international conflict.
Considers relevance of various theoretical arguments to the analysis of contemporary
events and trends. Prereq.: POLS 75 and senior standing.
193-194. INTERNSHIP IN POLITICS
1-3, 1-3 hrs.
Individualized experience in government/politics accompanied by directed reading,
research and reports. Limited admission. Prereq.: Instructor consent.
199. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN
POLITICS 1-3 hrs.
Directed individual study in areas related to the studentís needs or interests.
May be repeated once. Prereq.: Consent of department.