Courses in Political Science

POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics (3 cr)

Introduction to the nature of government and dynamics of American politics. Origin and nature of the American federal and state systems and their political party base.
Offered fall, spring, and summer semesters.

POLS-Y 105 Introduction to Political Theory (3 cr)

History of political philosophy, including relationships between rules and ruled, nature of authority, social conflict, character of political knowledge, and objectives of political action.
Offered fall and summer semesters and online.

POLS-Y 107 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 cr)

Study of foreign political systems of countries. Similarities and differences among types of political systems; stability and change in politics.
Offered spring and summer semesters and online.

POLS-Y 109 Introduction to International Relations (3 cr)

Introduction to the study of international relations. Topics include causes of war and peace, patterns of conflict and cooperation, as well as international organizations, political economy, law, and policy problems.
Offered every other spring semester and online.

POLS-Y 200 Contemporary Political Topics (3 cr)

Extensive analysis of selected contemporary political problems. Topics vary from semester to semester and are listed in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated once for credit.
Offered as needed.

POLS-Y 205 Analyzing Politics (3 cr.)

Introduces the approaches and techniques used to study politics. Includes an introduction to social science language, concepts, and critical research skills. Overview of political science research approaches, including case study, surveys, and model-building. Emphasizes skills such as interpreting the presentation of data in charts, graphs, and tables, and elementary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
Offered Fall semesters and online.

POLS-Y 212 Making Democracy Work (3 cr)

This course discusses analytical and theoretical aspects of “Democracy” in United States. Students will look at the Amendments to the United States Constitution.
Offered spring semesters and online.

POLS-Y 303 Policy Making in the United States (3 cr)

Processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy in American society.
Offered occasionally and online.

POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law (3 cr)

Nature and function of law and judicial process; selected Supreme Court decisions and interpreting the American constitutional system.
Offered fall semesters.

POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (3 cr)

Offered spring semesters and online.

  • Suggested prerequisite: Y304 before Y305

POLS-Y 307 Indiana State Government and Politics (3 cr)

Constitutional foundations, political development, organizational and functional process and growth, and current problems of Indiana government as the focal point for understanding the role of states as instruments of social policy. Readings, case studies, and problems.
Offered fall semesters.

POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics (3 cr)

Political behavior in modern American communities; emphasizing the impact of municipal organization, city officials and bureaucracies, social and economic notables, political parties, interest groups, the general public, and protest organizations on urban policy outcomes.
Offered occasionally.

POLS-Y 316 Public Opinion and Political Participation (3 cr)

Determinants of voting behavior in elections. The nature of public opinion regarding major domestic and foreign policy issues; development of political ideology; other influences on the voting choices of individuals and the outcomes of elections; relationships among public opinion, elections, and the development of public policy.
Offered every other spring semester.

POLS Y 318 The American Presidency (3 cr.)

Examines the role of the president in American politics. Topics include the multiple roles of the president, the growth of presidential power, and presidential policy-making. Also covers the relationship between the president and Congress and the Supreme Court, as well as a discussion of the American presidential system in comparison to other executive structures.
Offered every other fall semester and online.

POLS Y 319 The United States Congress (3 cr)

This course focuses on the US Congress as both a lawmaking body and as the institution responsible for providing
representation to American citizens. The course is examines congressional campaigns, as well as congressional policy-making. Topics include candidate emergence, incumbency, parties, campaign finance, law-making processes, chamber differences, decision-making and participation, and the role of outside groups and individuals in the policy-making process.
Offered every other spring semester.

POLS-Y 320 Judicial Politics (3 cr)

This course studies the American judicial system, the foundations of law, and the many assumptions behind conceptions of the judicial authority. It will delve into federal and state court organization, the selection of judges and the role of other players in the legal system. It will also cover civil and criminal trial procedure as well as the various factors that influence judges’ decision-making. Students should come away with a better understanding of how our court system operates and the philosophy underlying specific legal practices.
Offered occasionally.

POLS-Y 324 Gender and Politics (3 cr)

Analysis of women in contemporary political systems, domestic or foreign, with emphasis on political roles, participation, and public policy. Normative or empirical examination of how political systems affect women and the impact women have on
the system(s).
Offered every other spring semesters.

POLS-Y 325 African American Politics (3 cr)

Examines the black political condition, with special emphasis on political thought and behavior. The course analyzes not only how the political system affects blacks, but also the impact blacks have on it. Themes for this course may vary.
Offered occasionally.

POLS-Y 338 African Politics (3 cr)

Explores politics in Sub-Saharan Africa. Examines relevance of "traditional" political systems; impact on colonialism; building new nations and states; authoritarian regimes; process of democratization; management development; role of international actors, including the United States, Unites Nations, World Bank, and non-governmental organizations; and globalization.

POLS-Y 340 East European Politics (3 cr)

The study of the evolution of the governmental and political processes in the states of Eastern Europe. Traditional, ideological, and political aspects of the individual communist societies will be discussed, with special emphasis on ideological differentiation and nationalism.
Offered occasionally.

POLS-Y 345 Comparative Revolutions (3 cr)

Analysis of major modern revolutions. Focus on the social, economic, gender and political causes of revolutions; the rise of revolutionary movements; and the strategies for gaining and consolidating power.
Offered every other fall semester.

POLS-Y 346 Politics in the Developing World (3 cr)

Analyses of political actors and political processes in developing countries. Ethnic, regional, religious, class conflict in the process of political change; the role of political parties, peasantry, organized labor, business elites, the military, coalitions, ideologies, and political leadership; socioeconomic issues and public policy formation.
Offered occasionally.

POLS-Y 384 Developments in American Political Thought (3 cr)

Even before the establishment of the United States as a nation, the idea of America occupied a unique position in European political thought. The entire world was in the image of America. The Democratic Dream was the dream of all revolutionary and freedom loving people. There is now a clash between the traditional vision of America as a land of opportunity and a disillusioned view that dismisses this vision as a false hope. This course examines the meaning of the American experience in light of this tradition.
Offered every other spring semester.

POLS-Y 401 Psychology & Politics of Hate (3 cr)

What are the primary causes of hate? What political processes create, perpetuate or magnify hatred? What psychological principles create, perpetuate or magnify hatred? How can hatred be countered? How are personal attitudes, group identity and international terrorism linked?
Offered spring semesters (online only).

POLS-Y 481 Field Experience in Political Science (Variable)

Provides students with hands-on experience in political science. Placement locations could include, but are not limited to, the mayor or city clerk's office, the police or sheriff’s department, political party or campaign offices, legislative offices, non-profits, and law firms.

Requires instructor permission.
Offered as needed.

POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar (3 cr)

Requires instructor permission.
Offered as needed.

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