Political Science (POL) Undergraduate Course Descriptions
POL 101. Political Ideas and Institutions [Goal 8]
Comparative analysis of the major philosophies, institutions, and processes of government. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 111. Democratic Citizenship: American National Government. [Goal 5, Goal 9]
Understanding of U.S. institutions of government and the role of the citizen in the democratic process in the United States. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+POL 191. Introduction to Political and Legal Reasoning [Goal 2]
Introduction to critical reasoning, types of argumentation, and the proper use of authorities and evidence in the American political and legal system. Examine the differences between theoretical, policy, and legal argumentation. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+POL 192. Critical Reasoning: Issues and Events in American Politics [Goal 2]
Critical reasoning, types of reasoning, argumentation and proper use of authorities and evidence to understand contemporary issues and current events relevant to the American political and governing systems. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
POL 201. Political Science Research Methods
Introductory concepts and methods for studying government, planning research, accessing sources, presentation of research, and term papers. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: any 100-level POL course. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 251. Introduction to World Politics [Goal 8]
The nation-state: national power; and restraints on national power such as international law and organization. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 291. Pre-Law Studies
American legal system for students considering a law-based course of study or career. Can be taken P/F or for grade. 2 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 311. Minnesota Politics
Examination of formal structures, citizen participation, and major decision-making bodies. Some attention to local government. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 312. State and Local Government
Sub-national politics in its social, ideological, and federal setting. Covers both formal structure and political process. Focuses on the individual's role. Prereq.: 111 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. S.
POL 313. Metropolitan Area Government
Government forms and political activities in large urban areas. Shows relationship between politics and such problems as transportation, crime, race, metro reform. 3 Cr. F, ODD.
POL 314. Political Parties and Interest Groups in the U.S.
Role and behavior of political parties and interest groups in American politics, elections and governance. 3 Cr. S, ODD.
POL 315. Campaigns and Elections
Campaigns and elections at the national, state, and local government levels. Theoretical and applied generalizations about factors affecting elections and voting, role of political parties and interest groups, campaign finances, and campaign strategy and tactics. 3 Cr. F,EVEN.
POL 320. Women in Politics [Goal 9] (Diversity/MGM)
Politics and government affects women's lives today, women's participation in the political process in order to influence the course of public policy. Prereq.: 111 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F, EVEN.
POL 331. Governments of Western Europe
Comparison of governmental organization and processes in nations of Western Europe, United Kingdom, France, West Germany and Italy. Prereq.: 101 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F.
POL 332. Politics of Russia and the Successor States
National integration, political culture, government institutions and patterns of administration, along with the foreign policy of the nations of the former Soviet Union. Prereq.: 101 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. ANNUAL.
POL 333. Latin American Government and Politics [Goal 8]
Dilemmas of political development in Latin America with an emphasis on Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Cuba. 3 Cr. ANNUAL.
POL 334. Middle East Government and Politics [Goal 8]
Political behavior and institutions in countries of the Middle East. Prereq.: 101 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F.
POL 335. African Government and Politics [Goal 8] (Diversity/MGM)
Political behavior and institutions of Africa with emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. Prereq.: 101. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 336. Asian Government and Politics
Political behavior and institutions in countries of East and South Asia with emphasis on Communist China, Japan and India. Prereq.: 101 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F.
POL 337. Emerging Political Issues in the Nonwestern World [Goal 8] (Diversity/MGM)
Analysis of political implications of emerging issues in the nonwestern world. Prereq.: 101 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 338. Politics of Eastern Europe
Political development, national integration, political culture, government institutions and patterns of administration of the countries of East Central and South Eastern Europe. Prereq.: 101 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. Even F.
POL 339. Canadian Government and Politics
The government of Canada: its political structure, theories of politics, and political culture. Comparison with similar institutions, theories, and culture in the U.S. Special attention will be focused on the operation of the respective federal systems. Prereq.: 111. 3 Cr. S, EVEN.
POL 351. U.S. Foreign Policy
The formulation of U.S. foreign policy. Trends in foreign policy and the effects these decisions have on domestic politics. 3 Cr. S.
POL 353. Theories of International Politics
Theories and research methods relating to international politics and behavior. Major theoretical themes in current research and scholarship. Prereq.: 251 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 354. International Organizations
Examines the role of international organizations in world affairs. Prereq.: 251. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 355. International Security
Issues and theories relating to international security, the causes of war, the evolution of rules and norms regarding the use of force, theories relating to the resolution and prevention of conflicts, deterrence theory, and the security predicament in the third world. Prereq.: 251. 3 Cr. S.
POL 361. Western Political Thought
Evolution of western political thought with a particular emphasis on the modern liberal-conservative mainstream and on the attacks on this mainstream from the left and right extremes. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 362. Contemporary Political Thought
Survey of current debates and research in contemporary political theory. Emphasis on analyzing ongoing political debates from a broader theorectical perspective. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 380. Public Administration
Introduction to administrative processes with special emphasis on the political role and setting of public agencies. Prereq.: 111. 3 Cr. F.
POL 391. Introduction to Law
Origin and structure of the American legal system, including the legal profession (courts, judges, juries, attorneys), civil and criminal law, and alternative dispute resolution. 3 Cr. S, ODD.
POL 420. Senior Project
Research and writing in discipline for majors in Political Science or International Relations. Fulfills the UDWR in conjunction with the work in a concurrently enrolled course. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Coreq.: Any 400-level POL course. 1 Cr. F, S, SUM.
POL 429. Senior Seminar
Capstone course surveying major learning experience; addresses career discipline issues. Political Science majors (BA) will meet the University Upper Division Writing Requirement in this course by completing a portfolio of work, a single written paper or through multiple papers. Prereq.: 90 Cr. all 100-200 major core courses. 3 Cr. F, S.
POL 440. Special Topics
Lecture, readings, research and discussions on selected topics. May be repeated with different topics to a maximum of 12 credits. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 444. Internship
Supervised research and training opportunities provided by government agencies or political groups. Maximum of 9 credits toward major and 3 credits toward minor. Public Administration majors must take 9 credits. Public Administration majors (BA) will meet the University Upper Division Writing Requirement in this course by completing a portfolio of work, a single written paper or through multiple papers. Prereq.: permission of political science internship director. See director for specific course prerequisites. Applications must be made no later than third week of the semester prior to the semester of internship. 3-9 Cr. F, S, SUM.
POL 487. Administration of the Nonprofit Organization
Examines philosophical underpinnings, concepts and principles of nonprofit organizations, emphasizing history, philosophical foundations, and influence of government policies and internal governance. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 489. Public Management
Analysis of advanced public management techniques. Problems of implementing techniques. Practical case problem solving and class participation stressed. Limited enrollment. Prereq.: Public administration major or minor and permission of instructor. 3 Cr. S.
Political Science (POL) Courses for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Students taking the courses for graduate credit must do additional advanced reading and substantial written assignments.
POL 411/511. The Presidency
Presidential selection, the leadership role of the presidency, legislative involvement, relations with the media and the American public, the president as party leader, and relationships between members of the executive branch. Prereq.: 111. 3 Cr. F.
POL 412/512. Legislative Process
Legislative functions, elections, process, influence on decision making and problems. Prereq.: 111 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. S, ODD.
POL 413/513. Judicial Process
The structure, process and personnel of American courts with particular emphasis on the role of the U.S. Supreme Court in the American political system. Prereq.: 111. 3 Cr. S, EVEN.
POL 434/534. Politics of the Arab Peninsula [Goal 8]
Politics of traditionalism and change in the Arab Peninsula. The strategic and long standing relation between the Arab Peninsula countries and the United States. 3 Cr. F.
POL 436/536. Southeast Asian Governments and Politics [Goal 8]
Southeast Asian governmental institutions, their political processes, and recent political and economic trajectories that form the prospects of democratization in some countries and democratic consolidation in others. 3 Cr. F, EVEN.
POL 451/551. International Law
Survey of the development and contemporary application of rules and principles of international law: maritime laws, ocean resources, space, and peaceful settlement of disputes between states. Prereq.: 251. 3 Cr. F.
POL 452/552. United Nations and Regional Organization
Organization, authority, achievements and problems of the United Nations and its auxiliary components. Prereq.: 251. 3 Cr. ALT.
POL 453/553. Global Environmental Politics and Policies [Goal 10]
Impact of global environmental politics and policies on the developing world in the era of contemporary globalization. 3 Cr. F, ODD.
POL 454/554. The Politics of the Global Economy
Interaction of the nation-state and international economy explored through contending philosophies, approaches and theories (e.g. neo-realism, rational choice theory, dependency). Prereq.: 251 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. F.
POL 456/556. Terrorism, Insurgency, and World Politics
Evolution of conflict in the post Cold War; terrorist and insurgent motivations; organizations; tactics; strategies; impact of globalization on terrorism and insurgency; the response of governments and international community. Prereq.: 251. 3 Cr. S.
POL 457/557. Spies and Espionage
Structure and function of the intelligence apparatus in the United States with focus on the way the intelligence process contributes to foreign policy and national security decision making. 3 Cr. S, EVEN.
POL 458/558. Global Disaster Relief Policy
International community's response to relief needs. Roles of intergovernment organizations (UN, WHO) and NGOs: administration, funding sources and their impact on efficacy. 3 Cr. S.
POL 463/563. American Political and Legal Thought
Philosophy and theories which underlie the American political and legal systems of democratic government. 3 Cr. S, EVEN.
POL 465/565. Modern Ideologies
Fascism, communism and ideas which have contributed to democratic thought. 3 Cr. F.
POL 466/566. Health Policies and Regulations
Policy processes and outcomes. LTC regulatory policies and their impact on SNF administration. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 470/570. Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior
Nature of public opinion and major influences on it. Elections, parties, measurement, and impact. Integrated Lab. Prereq.: 111 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F, DEMAND.
POL 481/581. Administering Public Policy
Study of the initiation, content, administration and impact of selected contemporary domestic government policies: transportation, consumerism, environment, poverty. 3 Cr. S.
POL 482/582. Public Personnel Administration
Examines personnel management in the public sector including recruitment, employee rights, collective bargaining, affirmative action and employee conduct. 3 Cr. S.
POL 483/583. Managing Local Governments
Practical problems of local administration including grant applications, personnel, budgeting, public works and local renewal. Prereq.: 312 or 313 or consent of instructor. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 484/584. Public Budgeting
Budgeting in public agencies. Emphasis on budget preparation, budget politics, capital budgets, debt administration. Practical applications of budget making. 3 Cr. F.
POL 485/585. Administrative Law
Legal problems arising from use of administrative agencies; administrative procedure; judicial relief against administrative action. Prereq.: 111. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 488/588. Health Administration
Prepares students for extended care facility administrator's licensure exam. Covers laws, regulations, guidelines, regulatory management, nursing facility services, multicultural diversity in elderly care. Prereq.: instructor's permission. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
POL 491/591. Constitutional Law
Supreme Court's historical and current influence on American law and policy, focusing on the Commerce Clause and the 14th Amendment. 3 Cr. F.
POL 492/592. The Courts and Civil Rights
Supreme Court decisions concerning individual rights and liberties, particularly those in the First Amendment. Supreme Court decisions concerning discrimination, speech, religion, search and seizure, counsel and other individual rights. 3 Cr. S.
