Courses
POLS 1101 American National Government: 3 semester hours.
This class examines the United States political system covering not only the Constitutional basis, structure, and organization of the national government but also the interactions of individual citizens and organized groups in civil society with the institutions of government. Required for all students majoring in political science. Partially satisfies Objective 6 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su (Contingent on Summer Session demand)
POLS 1102 Introduction to Politics Critical Thinking and Analysis: 3 semester hours.
Introduction to critical thinking about politics. Students learn to comprehend and critically analyze discourse and writings on political and social issues, to identify errors in the logical presentation of facts in political discourse, to be able to demonstrate independent political judgment by formulating logically valid and factually sound arguments. Required for all students majoring in political science. Satisfies Objective 7 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su (contingent on summer session demand)
POLS 1199 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
POLS 2213 Introduction to Political Philosophy: 3 semester hours.
Examination of major thinkers and writings in political philosophy from Plato to NATO. F, S
POLS 2221 Introduction to International Relations: 3 semester hours.
Conceptual introduction to international relations, with emphasis on sovereignty, national interest, power, and balance of power. F, S
POLS 2231 Introduction to Comparative Politics: 3 semester hours.
Learn through comparison and contrast how nation-states develop distinct identities, different forms of government, and how these shape politics within a nation and relations between nations. Satisfies Objective 9 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su (Contingent on Summer Session demand).
POLS 2248 Politics and the Administration of Justice: 3 semester hours.
The criminal justice system in the United States will be examined by investigating its component parts: police, court, and correction. In addition, the problem of coordination among these agencies will be explored as will the relationship of the criminal justice network to the larger society. D
POLS 2249 Introduction to Criminal Law: 3 semester hours.
The major categories of criminal liability are studied within the context of American criminal justice. These include crimes against individuals, property, and society. Defenses available to those accused of criminal activity are also discussed. D
POLS 2250 Idaho Politics and Culture: 3 semester hours.
A survey of the political and social culture of Idaho within the context of United States West. D
POLS 2299 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
POLS 3302 Politics and Film: 3 semester hours.
Explores the ways in which politics serve as a foundation for plot devices in film. Uses current and classic films to examine how core concepts for understanding politics are found in film. D
POLS 3308 State and Local Government: 3 semester hours.
Study of the institutions of state and local government in a behavioral context. D
POLS 3319 Political Science Research Design: 3 semester hours.
This course provides an overview of the methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, used in political science research and of the fundamentals in research design to support advanced academic and professional writing and to encourage intellectual curiosity. F
POLS 3326 Recent US Foreign Policy: 3 semester hours.
Study of recent U.S. foreign policy focused on the interrelationship of domestic and foreign policies and the problems of formulating foreign policy in a democratic state. D
POLS 3350 Special Topics in Political Science: 3 semester hours.
Examine and analyze selected topics in politics. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. D
POLS 3399 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
POLS 4401 Political Parties and Groups: 3 semester hours.
The nature and development of political parties and pressure groups. S
POLS 4403 The Presidency: 3 semester hours.
Evolution and development of the office of the President; its major responsibilities in domestic and foreign affairs, with emphasis on particular power problems that confront the President. F
POLS 4404 The Legislative Process: 3 semester hours.
Nature and functions of the U.S. Congress. Topics covered: legislative campaigns, the politics of lawmaking, congressional investigations, and major problems facing the Congress. S
POLS 4405 Introduction to Public Administration: 3 semester hours.
Critical exploration into theories and practices of governance in the contemporary United States. The class is intended for all students who have interest in the nonprofit and public sectors. Topics include public service and leadership, civic engagement, and participatory democracy. D
POLS 4406 Intergovernmental Relations: 3 semester hours.
Looks at federalism from a historical perspective with a focus on the institutions developed in the United States. The role of the federal government will be considered alongside the role of the states as it was initially conceptualized and how it is practiced today. The role of local governments in relation to the states is also considered. D
POLS 4408 Urban Spaces: 3 semester hours.
Interdisciplinary survey course of urban studies. Intended for students who have interest in local and urban politics, public art, social movements, sustainability, development, and social and democratic theory. D
POLS 4409 Community Planning: 3 semester hours.
The course engages the class in discussion on planning topics ranging from the theoretical level to specific issues in planning. The course provides a firm understanding of contemporary thinking on planning issues so that current or future professional planners and academics can engage with the issues facing their community in a proactive and productive way. D
POLS 4411 American Political Theory: 3 semester hours.
Political ideas in the United States from Colonial and Revolutionary times through the controversies of the Civil War to the present. D
POLS 4412 Modern Political Analysis: 3 semester hours.
Methods of political inquiry and theories and doctrines of politics, with emphasis on modern developments. D
POLS 4418 Topics in Political Theory: 3 semester hours.
This course requires examination, analysis and investigation of selected texts and topics in political philosophy. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. D
POLS 4419 Political Research Methods: 3 semester hours.
This class investigates the theory and application of various research methods and statistical techniques common to the social sciences, with particular reference to their use in political inquiry. COREQ: POLS 4419L. D
POLS 4419L Political Research Methods Laboratory: 1 semester hour.
Application of, and practice in research methods. COREQ: POLS 4419. D
POLS 4420 Contemporary Political Theory: 3 semester hours.
Recent political philosophies and theories ranging from democratic, Marxist, and existentialist thought to Critical Theory and post-modernism. D
POLS 4421 Democratic Political Thoughts: 3 semester hours.
Historical and contemporary models of democracy as well as contemporary debates in democratic thought. Democracy is treated as a contested idea. D
POLS 4425 Topics in International Politics: 3 semester hours.
This course requires examination, analysis and evaluation of selected topics in international politics. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. D
POLS 4427 Voting and Public Opinion: 3 semester hours.
Analysis of the way citizens and government communicate with each other. Elections, public opinion, and media influence are studied. F
POLS 4428 Women and Politics: 3 semester hours.
The objective of this course is to familiarize students with a broad range of issues involving gender and politics in the U.S. and around the world including the history of women's movements, the political participation of women, voting behavior of women and men, the political divisions that exist among women, women's roles in society, and a variety of "women's issues." Because women's involvement in the political arena is informed by their roles and status in society at large, we will also discuss such topics as inequality, power, discrimination, social norms and employment practices. D
POLS 4432 Comparative Politics Change and Political Order: 3 semester hours.
An examination of political change, political order, political culture and the role of revolutionary violence. Change and order in the context of globalization is emphasized. D
POLS 4433 Politics of Developing Nations: 3 semester hours.
Study of problems in the political analysis of rapidly changing and unstable "developing" nation states with an emphasis on problems of political, economic, and social development. D
POLS 4434 Terrorism and Political Violence: 3 semester hours.
A survey of forms of domestic and transnational terrorism, other forms of political violence, and problems of counter-terrorism. D
POLS 4435 Topics in National and Regional Studies: 3 semester hours.
Surveys the political, economic, and social issues of a nation or region. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with different content. D
POLS 4436 Elite Deviance and Crime: 3 semester hours.
Explores the types of criminal behaviors engaged in by the American socioeconomic and corporate elite. The course first explores and identifies who this elite is and then examines their ideological and economic history in American society. Specific examples of elite and corporate crime are presented and discussed in class. Equivalent to SOC 4436 and SOWK 4436. F
POLS 4437 Science and Technology Policy: 3 semester hours.
Explores why science and technology are often overlooked with policy-making. Focusing on the theories of the policy-making process, the class reads scientific research to identify what is missing from the research, keeping it from becoming policy. This class is designed to help students from any discipline learn to navigate the policy-making process. D
POLS 4441 Administrative Law: 3 semester hours.
Introductory survey of the legal principles defining governmental administrative processes. Topics include judicial review, tort liability of governments and offices, rules and rule-making, due process, and the limits of administrative discretion. D
POLS 4442 Constitutional Law: 3 semester hours.
Explores the way in which the three branches interact with each other and the state governments through the lens of Supreme Court decisions. While historical cases are examined, special emphasis is put on contemporary Court decisions. F
POLS 4443 Civil Rights and Liberties: 3 semester hours.
Explores the provision of civil rights and liberties, including First Amendment freedoms and criminal rights, through the lens of Supreme Court decisions. While historical cases are examined, special emphasis is put on contemporary Court decisions. S
POLS 4444 Law and Society: 3 semester hours.
This class explores the people, politics, and social institutions which shape both law and society. Emphasis is placed on current political and social movements. D
POLS 4445 Jurisprudence: 3 semester hours.
Nature, source, and theories of law; the role of law in modern society; and the application of legal philosophy to the political system. D
POLS 4450 Special Topics in Law: 3 semester hours.
Examine and analyze selected topics in constitutional law and legal philosophy. Topics may include the constitution and foreign affairs, women and the law, law and literature, and law and film. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. D
POLS 4451 Public Organizational Theory: 3 semester hours.
Introduction to the study of complex organizations and organizational behavior in the administration of public policy. Emphasis on public and non-profit organizations. POLS 4405 recommended. D
POLS 4452 Budgeting and Finance: 3 semester hours.
This course explores the dynamics of the budget process in government as well as detailed issues in budgeting and finance. The main objective is to provide the class with a thorough analysis of budgeting terms, methods and problems. The course covers general issues in budgeting, revenues for government, economic development, and citizen participation. D
POLS 4453 Public Policy Analysis: 3 semester hours.
Theoretical and practical analyses of public policies, including theories of policy formation and their political implementation through governmental institutions. Case studies will provide the means of analyzing specific policy problems. D
POLS 4454 Public Personnel Management: 3 semester hours.
Management of public and non-profit employees. Major topics include public employee rights, affirmative action, sexual harassment, disability, the political environment of public and non-profit organizations, and the impact of professionalism, technology, and participatory democracy on the management of public and non-profit employees. D
POLS 4455 Environmental Politics and Policy: 3 semester hours.
Study of the political forces affecting environmental policy and investigation of several specific policies affecting the environment, such as: pollution control, energy production, hazardous chemicals, and the public lands. D
POLS 4456 Labor Organization: 3 semester hours.
Evolution of economic systems and labor's response to changing patterns of production is studied, and a counter perspective to traditional management views of "efficiency" is presented. Emphasis is on governmental employee unions. D
POLS 4457 Grantwriting: 3 semester hours.
Steps involved in the grantwriting process from strategic planning, research, and writing to finding appropriate grant sources. D
POLS 4458 Public Administration Ethics: 3 semester hours.
A course in applied ethics serving to educate students from a theoretical and a practical point of view. The course provides an historical and social perspective of ethics in public administration. D
POLS 4459 Public Service Internship: 1-9 semester hours.
Directed student internship related to public service in non-profits and community organizations, or state and local government. The student will be placed in a supervised position commensurate with their abilities as determined and approved by faculty in the department. Internships should be designed to complement a student's research interest and be directed toward a future project or desired field of employment. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits. Graded S/U. F, S, Su
POLS 4460 Senior Seminar: 3 semester hours.
This seminar is designed to integrate undergraduate academic experience in the major. Students will be required to do research and writing on topics encountered in their undergraduate curriculum. Required of, and open to, senior majors. F, S
POLS 4461 Non-Profit Management: 3 semester hours.
This course is designed to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the nonprofit sector, an introduction to skills essential for effectively managing nonprofit organizations, and exposure to contemporary issues and strategic opportunities.
POLS 4462 International Sustainable Development: 3 semester hours.
Introduction to the sustainable development literature and practices around the world. Upon completion, students should be familiar with the key debates within the broader sustainable development community and projects that translate ideas into actionable items.
POLS 4463 Public-Private Partnerships: 3 semester hours.
Introduction to the public administration literature covering various modes on how the public sector partners with the private sector to deliver public services and fulfill public objectives.
POLS 4464 Disaster Policy and Administration: 3 semester hours.
This course is an introduction to the policies and practices of disaster management. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the policy and management issues that arise when dealing with disasters. It includes a brief history of U.S. emergency management, an overview of current disaster policies, an understanding of disasters based on the phases of the disaster cycle, an analysis of the governmental and nonprofit actors involved in disaster management, and the politics surrounding disasters.
POLS 4465 US Political History: 3 semester hours.
Study of the political history of the United States involving a discussion of theories of popular voting behavior, critical elections, and political party systems. D
POLS 4466 Public Lands Policy: 3 semester hours.
Analysis of the historical and contemporary use and disposition of the federal public lands. The agencies that manage the public lands, major laws, and regulations and the political conflict that surrounds their use and conservation. D
POLS 4467 State and Local Administration: 3 semester hours.
Seminar in the practice and principles of state, municipal, and sub-state management. Emphasis on the evolution of interaction between different branches of sub-national government. D
POLS 4471 Historical Geography of Idaho: 3 semester hours.
Influences of geography and geology on Idaho's economic, political and cultural history. May be team taught and include field trips, discussion sections. Equivalent to GEOL 4471 and HIST 4471. D
POLS 4478 Federal Indian Law: 3 semester hours.
Examination of tribal governments; their relationship with the federal government; sovereignty, jurisdictional conflicts over land and resources; and economic development. Equivalent to ANTH 4478. D
POLS 4479 Tribal Governments: 3 semester hours.
Complex legal position of Indian tribes as self-governing entities; principles of inherent powers; governmental organization, lawmaking, justice, relation to state and federal government. Equivalent to ANTH 4479. D
POLS 4491 Seminar: 1-3 semester hours.
Research, reading, discussion, and the preparation of reports on selected topics. Ordinarily for seniors majoring in political science and having the instructor's consent. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. F, S, Su
POLS 4492 Seminar: 1-3 semester hours.
Research, reading, discussion, and the preparation of reports on selected topics. Ordinarily for seniors majoring in political science and having the instructor's consent. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. F, S, Su
POLS 4498P Professional Development Workshop: 3 semester hours.
New methods and opportunities to enhance and supplement skills. Subject to the approval of the Dean of the student's college, a maximum of eight credits earned in workshops may be applied toward a degree; students taking the courses only for personal development may choose the 0-credit option; those seeking professional development must choose a for-credit option.
POLS 4499 Experimental Course: 1-6 semester hours.
The content of this course is not described in the catalog. Title and number of credits are announced in the Class Schedule. Experimental courses may be offered no more than three times with the same title and content. May be repeated.
