Courses+PSCI 101. Government of the United States • 3 credits
Introduction to the Constitution, presidency, congress, courts, and citizen participation in the U.S. political system. The course emphasizes the connection between governmental institutions and our lives as individuals, citizens, and members of various communities. This course satisfies requirements for a teacher's certificate in Iowa and Illinois.
+PSCI 102. Current Issues in American Politics • 3 credits
Introduction to politics, political theories, and public policy by exploring current issues in American politics. An overview of U.S. governmental institutions, forms of political participation, and the Constitution is also provided to link current events to better understand the American political process.
+PSCI 103. Politics in Film • 3 credits
The portrayal of government through film productions with a focus on American politics. Comparison and contrast of politics as presented in movies with the "political science" approach to understanding government and politics.
PSCI/ORGL 104. Organizational Leadership • 3 credits
An introduction to the multi-faced concept of leadership studies. Examines historical and contemporary leaders, their behaviors, and styles. Leadership issues unique to minority and women leaders are also explored.
+PSCI 110. Law and Society • 3 credits
A study of the nature of law and its place in the development of Western political and social life. Careful attention is paid to American civil, criminal, and constitutional law, and we end with an examination of the contemporary legal profession for students interested in law school. Foundation course for Pre-Law Studies Interdisciplinary Minor.
+PSCI 120. Introduction to Political Thought • 3 credits
This course is designed to provide students inside or outside the political science major with an introduction to of the field of political thought. Students will explore fundamental political concepts including justice, citizenship, law, constitutional design, democracy, and leadership through the lens of some of the greatest political thinkers.
+PSCI 130. Global Issues • 3 credits
Introduces students to a wide range of current global issues including international conflicts, terrorism, nuclear weapons, human rights, population, poverty, trade, energy, globalization, and the environment. The worldwide implications of these issues will be considered, as well as their effects on local communities, such as the Quad Cities.
+PSCI 199/299/WI-399. Special Topics • 3 credits
Advanced study of a topic not part of regular course offerings. Possible topics include (but not limited to): Afro-American Political Thought; Women in Politics; Comparative Government; and Research Methods. Topics will be announced each semester the course is offered. Note: Only PSCI 399 qualifies as a writing intensive course.
+PSCI 301. Campaigns and Elections • 3 credits
Examination of the U.S. political campaign process including organizational and political communications. Voting behavior and forms of political participation including the political party are examined in this context. Special focus on recent Presidential elections.
+PSCI 304. Civil Liberties and the U.S. Constitution • 3 credits
Survey of the U.S. Constitution and its application through leading decisions of Supreme Court. Focus on the development of judicial power, limitations on governmental powers, human rights, civil rights, and personal freedoms.
+PSCI 305. Mock Trial • 1 credit
Preparation for mock trial competition. Focus on judicial procedure and the court system, legal argumentation and rhetoric, and courtroom performance.
PSCI 306. Model United Nations • 1 credit
Preparation for model United Nations conference. Model United Nations is an annual conference at which key activities of various United Nations bodies are simulated. It is open to all majors.
+PSCI 307. Law and Political Thought • 3 credits
Roots of legal theory and practice in the ideas of great political thinkers from Plato to Montesquieu, with a particular focus on the development of the Anglo-American legal system. Prerequisite: PSCI 120.
+PSCI 308. Leadership in Political Thought • 3 credits
The theory and practice of leadership as developed in the writings of key political thinkers from Aristotle to Nietzsche, including case studies of exemplary statesmanship. Prerequisite: PSCI 120.
+PSCI 309. International Politics • 3 credits
Among the topics discussed in this course are how foreign policies are made and implemented, the international economy, diplomacy, international law and organization, power, interdependence, arms races, terrorism, and war. This course is designed to touch upon a wide variety of topics that make up international politics.
+PSCI 313. U. S. Foreign Policy • 3 credits
This course is designed to improve students' understanding of the formation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy after WW II. First, the course explores various philosophical and theoretical frameworks of American foreign policy. Second, the course examines significant political, economical, social, and institutional factors (e.g., the international system, the Presidency, the Congress, the State Department, the intelligence community, the media, and the public and the interest groups) that have traditionally shaped American foreign policy. Finally, the course discusses the most significant contemporary issues of US foreign policy.
PSCI 316. International Law • 3 credits
This course is designed to convey information about international legal institutions and the body of international law itself (the rules governing intervention and the use of armed force, uses of the oceans, expropriation of property, etc.) and to provide an understanding of the role of international law in affecting relationships among states and individuals. Prerequisite: 100 level PSCI course or instructor permission.
PSCI 319. Comparative Politics • 3 credits
This course introduces students to the analysis of politics in countries other than the United States. It compares and contrasts the structure of political institutions, the characteristics of main political actors, and types of political systems, from pluralist democracy to totalitarianism and points in between. The course explores the interconnection between politics and economics with special focus on differences in the role of the state (or government) on economic development. Prerequisite: 100 level PSCI course or instructor permission.
PSCI 340. Independent Study • 1-3 credits
Directed individual research on topic.
PSCI 351. Internship in Pre-Law • 3 credits
Approved by instructor before registering and by department chair. Directed internship in political or public service. Pass/Fail/ Prerequisites: Upper level political science or public administration major. Permission of the instructor.
PSCI 353. Internship • 3 credits
Directed internship in political or public service. Open to upper-level political science and pre-law students on arranged basis. Credit is in addition to 27 credit minimum required for major. Regular grade or pass/no pass option.
PSCI 360. Administrative Law and Regulations • 3 credits
Examination of administrative law, regulatory practices, policies, and issues. Impact of administrative law and regulatory policy on politics, the policy process, and the implementation of law. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, or permission of the instructor.
PSCI 365. Urban Politics • 3 credits
Environment and structure of urban governments from the political machine to the present. Problems faced by city residents and their attempt to influence government responses are identified. The role of leadership, civic, engagement, and social capital in shaping urban political, social, and economic environments is emphasized.
PSCI 370. Public Administration • 3 credits
Examines the classics of public administration to help attain a working knowledge of organizational behavior. Prerequisites: PSCI 101 or permission of the instructor.
PSCI 375. Environmental Social Politics • 3 credits
Using sociological and political perspectives, this course examines the interactions between the physical environment in which we live and the human society we have created. We analyze the social causes and consequences of contemporary environmental problems as well as the social and political responses to these problems. There is a special focus on urban environmental issues. Throughout the course we will survey theoretical concerns as they relate to various topics within sociology and political science.
PSCI 380. Public Policy Analysis • 3 credits
Advanced coursework in public policy research. Student will develop a research design for the systematic study of a contemporary public policy issue. Major theories of politics and research methods in political science applied as foundations for systematic analysis of American government and public policy.
WI-PSCI 400. Research in Political Science (Capstone) • 3 credits
Research in political science employing methodology of legal studies, political thought, or empirical social science. Students develop one project over the semester and provide constructive feedback on one another's work. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 304, 307 or 308, 380.
PSCI 401. Leadership Theory • 3 credits
Analysis of contemporary theories and practices of leadership. Emphasis on application of theoretical concepts to actual leadership situations. Comparison and contrast of leadership theory in the context of political, public, non-profit, and private organizations.
+STAT 213. Applied Statistical Reasoning for the Science • 3 credits
Cross-disciplinary course on how and why scientists use statistics to describe and interpret information they gather. Topics include descriptive statistics and basic inferential statistics. Prerequisites: Introductory course in major; MATH 151 or passing grade on screening test.
