Course information contained within the Bulletin is accurate at the time of publication in August 2023 but is subject to change. For the most up-to-date course information, please refer to the Course Catalog.
POLS 0825. Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences. 4 Credit Hours.
Psychological, political, social, and economic arguments and knowledge frequently depend on the use of numerical data. A psychologist might hypothesize that I.Q. is attributable to environmental or genetic factors; a politician might claim that hand gun control legislation will reduce crime; a sociologist might assert that social mobility is more limited in the United States than in other countries, and an economist might declare that globalization lowers the incomes of U.S. workers. How can we evaluate these arguments? Using examples from psychology, sociology, political science, and economics, students will examine how social science methods and statistics help us understand the social world. The goal is to become critical consumers of quantitative material that appears in scholarship, the media, and everyday life. NOTE: This course fulfills the Quantitative Literacy (GQ) requirement for students under GenEd and a Quantitative Reasoning (QA or QB) requirement for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed
SOC 0825,
SOC 0925,
POLS 0925,
PSY 0825, or
ANTH 0825.
Course Attributes: GQ
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (MATH 0701, MATH 0702, 'Y' in MC3, 'Y' in MC4, 'Y' in MC5, 'Y' in MC6, 'Y' in MC3A, 'Y' in MC6A, 'Y' in MC3S, 'Y' in MC3D, 'Y' in MC3O, 'Y' in MC3T, or 'Y' in MC6T)
POLS 0829. The History & Significance of Race in America. 3 Credit Hours.
Why were relations between Native Americans and whites violent almost from the beginning of European settlement? How could slavery thrive in a society founded on the principle that "all men are created equal"? How comparable were the experiences of Irish, Jewish, and Italian immigrants, and why did people in the early 20th century think of them as separate "races"? What were the causes and consequences of Japanese Americans' internment in military camps during World War II? Are today's Mexican immigrants unique, or do they have something in common with earlier immigrants? Using a variety of written sources and outstanding documentaries, this course examines the racial diversity of America and its enduring consequences. NOTE: This course fulfills the Race & Diversity (GD) requirement for students under GenEd and Studies in Race (RS) for students under Core. Duplicate Credit Warning: Students may take only one of the following courses for credit; all other instances will be deducted from their credit totals: African American Studies 0829, Africology and African American Studies 0829, Anthropology 0829, Geography and Urban Studies 0829, History 0829, Political Science 0829/0929, Sociology 0829, 0929, 1376, 1396, R059, or X059.
Course Attributes: GD, SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0832. Politics of Identity in America. 3 Credit Hours.
Gay or straight. Black or white. Male or female. What do these different group identities mean to Americans? How do they influence our politics? Should we celebrate or downplay our diversity? This course explores how we think about others and ourselves as members of different groups and what consequences it has for how we treat one another. Our fundamental social identities can be a source of power or of powerlessness, a justification for inequality or for bold social reform. Students learn about the importance of race, class, gender and sexual orientation across a variety of important contexts, such as the family, workplace, schools, and popular culture and the implications these identities have on our daily lives. NOTE: This course fulfills the Race & Diversity (GD) requirement for students under GenEd and Studies in Race (RS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies 0832/0932, History 0832, Political Science 0932, Sociology 0832 or Women's Studies 0832/0932.
Course Attributes: GD, SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0859. The Making of American Society: Melting Pot or Culture Wars?. 3 Credit Hours.
Terrorism, illegal immigration, gay marriage, religious conflict, political in-fighting, corporate corruption, racial animosities, civil liberties assaults, media conglomeration, Wal-Mart goes to China and the rich get richer. America in the 21st century is a contentious society. How did we get to this place in time? Examine what makes American society distinctive from other advanced industrial democracies as we study the philosophical origins of America, the development of social and economic relationships over time, and the political disputes dominating contemporary American life. The course relies heavily on perspectives from History, Sociology and Political Science to explain the challenges facing contemporary American society. NOTE: This course fulfills the U.S. Society (GU) requirement for students under GenEd and American Culture (AC) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following:
AMST 0859, History 0859,
PHIL 0859, or SOC 0859.
Course Attributes: GU, SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0862. Development & Globalization. 3 Credit Hours.
Use historical and case study methods to study the differences between rich and poor nations and the varied strategies available for development in a globalizing world. Examine the challenges facing developing countries in historical and contemporary context and analyze the main social, cultural, and political factors that interact with the dynamic forces of the world economy. These include imperialism/colonialism, state formation, labor migration, demographic trends, gender issues in development, religious movements and nationalism, the challenges to national sovereignty, waves of democratization, culture and mass media, struggles for human rights, environmental sustainability, the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, and movements of resistance. NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: History 0862,
GUS 0862,
POLS 0962, or
SOC 0862/0962.
Course Attributes: GG, SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0864. War and Peace. 3 Credit Hours.
Total war, weapons of mass destruction, genocide. These were not solely inventions of the 20th century nor are they the natural consequences of a violent human nature. Leaders, armies, and the strategies they pursue are rooted in their social and political context. Weapons are the products of not merely technological but also historical and cultural development. Battles occur on a political and historical terrain. Learn how ancient ideology, medieval technology, modern propaganda, and more have changed how humans wage war and make peace. NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed History 0864/0964.
Course Attributes: GG
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0866. World Affairs. 3 Credit Hours.
We live in a global age when events beyond our borders significantly affect our lives. Sharpen your understanding of international developments, including wars, economic globalization, wealth and poverty, the spread of democracy, environmental degradation, and global pandemics. This course offers an introduction to the study of world affairs that gives you the conceptual tools to deepen your understanding of how major historical and current trends in the world affect your life and that of others around the globe. Readings include historical documents, classic texts in the study of international relations, and current perspectives on the state of the world from multiple disciplinary perspectives. NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: History 0866, GUS 0866 or
POLS 0966.
Course Attributes: GG
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0868. World Society in Literature and Film. 3 Credit Hours.
Learn about a particular national culture - Russian, Indian, French, Japanese, Italian, for example, each focused upon in separate sections of this course - by taking a guided tour of its literature and film. You don't need to speak Russian, Hindi, French or Japanese to take one of these exciting courses, and you will gain the fresh, subtle understanding that comes from integrating across different forms of human expression. Some of the issues that will be illuminated by looking at culture through the lens of literature and film: Family structures and how they are changing, national self-perceptions, pivotal moments in history, economic issues, social change and diversity. NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: Arabic 0868/0968, Asian Studies 0868, Chinese 0868/0968, English 0868/0968, French 0868/0968, German 0868/0968, Hebrew 0868, Italian 0868/0968, Japanese 0868/0968, Jewish Studies 0868, Korean 0868,
LAS 0868/0968, Political Science 0968, Russian 0868/0968, or Spanish 0868/0968.
Course Attributes: GG
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0878. Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders in the United States: Race, Diversity, and Identity. 3 Credit Hours.
Who are Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the American context? How have AAPIs shaped the making of state and society in the United States in terms of culture, law, economics, and politics? What major crises and historical events have generated racism and racialized stereotyping against AAPI communities? How have AAPI minorities mobilized against exclusion, racism, and marginalization to advance new interests and goals, especially when juxtaposed with other minority groups and social forces? What is the future of AAPIs in America? This course introduces students to the tapestry of AAPI experiences in America. It recovers their importance through lectures and discussions, based upon careful analysis of written texts and creative materials.
Course Attributes: GD
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0925. Honors Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences. 4 Credit Hours.
Psychological, political, social, and economic arguments and knowledge frequently depend on the use of numerical data. A psychologist might hypothesize that I.Q. is attributable to environmental or genetic factors; a politician might claim that hand gun control legislation will reduce crime; a sociologist might assert that social mobility is more limited in the United States than in other countries, and an economist might declare that globalization lowers the incomes of U.S. workers. How can we evaluate these arguments? Using examples from psychology, sociology, political science, and economics, students will examine how social science methods and statistics help us understand the social world. The goal is to become critical consumers of quantitative material that appears in scholarship, the media, and in everyday life. NOTE: This course fulfills the Quantitative Literacy (GQ) requirement for students under GenEd and a Quantitative Reasoning (QA or QB) requirement for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed
SOC 0825,
SOC 0925,
POLS 0825,
PSY 0825, or
ANTH 0825.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: GQ, HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (MATH 0701, MATH 0702, 'Y' in MC3, 'Y' in MC4, 'Y' in MC5, 'Y' in MC6, 'Y' in MC3A, 'Y' in MC6A, 'Y' in MC3S, 'Y' in MC3D, 'Y' in MC3O, 'Y' in MC3T, or 'Y' in MC6T)
POLS 0929. Honors: The History & Significance of Race in America. 3 Credit Hours.
Why were relations between Native Americans and whites violent almost from the beginning of European settlement? How could slavery thrive in a society founded on the principle that "all men are created equal"? How comparable were the experiences of Irish, Jewish, and Italian immigrants, and why did people in the early 20th century think of them as separate "races"? What were the causes and consequences of Japanese Americans' internment in military camps during World War II? Are today's Mexican immigrants unique, or do they have something in common with earlier immigrants? Using a variety of written sources and outstanding documentaries, this course examines the racial diversity of America and its enduring consequences. NOTE: This course fulfills the Race & Diversity (GD) requirement for students under GenEd and Studies in Race (RS) for students under Core. Duplicate Credit Warning: Students may take only one of the following courses for credit; all other instances will be deducted from their credit totals: African American Studies 0829, Africology and African American Studies 0829, Anthropology 0829, Geography and Urban Studies 0829, History 0829, Political Science 0829, Sociology 0829, 0929, 1376, 1396, R059, or X059.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: GD, HO, SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0932. Honors Politics of Identity in America. 3 Credit Hours.
Gay or straight. Black or white. Male or female. What do these different group identities mean to Americans? How do they influence our politics? Should we celebrate or downplay our diversity? This course explores how we think about others and ourselves as members of different groups and what consequences it has for how we treat one another. Our fundamental social identities can be a source of power or powerlessness, a justification for inequality or for bold social reform. Students learn about the importance of race, class, gender and sexual orientation across a variety of important contexts, such as the family, workplace, schools, and popular culture and the implications these identities have on our daily lives. NOTE: This course fulfills the Race & Diversity (GD) requirement for students under GenEd and Studies in Race (RS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies 0832/0932, History 0832, Political Science 0832, Sociology 0832, or Women's Studies 0832/0932.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: GD, HO, SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0962. Honors Fate, Hope, and Action: Globalization Today. 3 Credit Hours.
Use historical and case study methods to study the differences between rich and poor nations and the varied strategies available for development in a globalizing world. Examine the challenges facing developing countries in historical and contemporary context and analyze the main social, cultural, and political factors that interact with the dynamic forces of the world economy. These include imperialism/colonialism, state formation, labor migration, demographic trends, gender issues in development, religious movements and nationalism, the challenges to national sovereignty, waves of democratization, culture and mass media, struggles for human rights, environmental sustainability, the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, and movements of resistance. (This is an Honors course.) NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following:
SOC 0862/0962, History 0862,
POLS 0862, or
GUS 0862.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: GG, HO, SI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 0966. Honors World Affairs. 3 Credit Hours.
We live in a global age when events beyond our borders significantly affect our lives. Sharpen your understanding of international developments, including wars, economic globalization, wealth and poverty, the spread of democracy, environmental degradation, and global pandemics. This course offers an introduction to the study of world affairs that gives you the conceptual tools to deepen your understanding of how major historical and current trends in the world affect your life and that of others around the globe. Readings include historical documents, classic texts in the study of international relations, and current perspectives on the state of the world from multiple disciplinary perspectives. (This is an Honors course.) NOTE: This course fulfills the World Society (GG) requirement for students under GenEd and International Studies (IS) for students under Core. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: GUS 0866, History 0866 or
POLS 0866.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: GG, HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1002. Careers in Political Science. 1 Credit Hour.
This course is designed to introduce Political Science students to the wide range of career options available to them, as well as to provide them the information, tools, and resources needed to help them succeed after graduation. Students will be introduced to both the skillsets every student needs to succeed (resumes, interviewing, networking and the job hunt), as well as introduction to the various post-graduation paths available to the political science major. Because there is significant overlap in course content, students will receive credit for only one of these courses:
CLA 1002,
CJ 1002,
ENG 1801,
HIST 1012,
NSCI 1002,
POLS 1002,
PSY 1002,
SOC 1002.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1101. The American Political System. 3 Credit Hours.
An introduction to American politics. Focuses on the values, institutions, and processes of politics and government in the United States. Introduces the concepts and techniques of political science. NOTE: (1) This course is required of all Political Science majors. (2) This course can be used to satisfy the university Core American Culture (AC) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.
Course Attributes: AC
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1201. Foreign Governments and Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course considers the values, institutions and processes of politics and government in selected developing and developed countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. NOTE: (1) For both non-majors and majors. (2) This course can be used to satisfy the university Core International Studies (IS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.
Course Attributes: IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1301. International Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course is an introduction to the nature of the international system, the determinants and instruments of foreign policy, and the problems of international conflict and cooperation. NOTE: This course can be used to satisfy the university Core International Studies (IS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.
Course Attributes: IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1911. Honors Introduction to American Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
An introduction to American politics. Focuses on the values, institutions, and processes of politics and government in the United States. Introduces the concepts and techniques of political science. NOTE: This course can be used to satisfy the university Core American Culture (AC) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: AC, HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1921. Honors Foreign Governments and Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course considers the values, institutions and processes of politics and government in selected developing and developed countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. NOTE: (1) For both non-majors and majors. (2) This course can be used to satisfy the university Core International Studies (IS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1931. Honors International Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course is an introduction to the nature of the international system, the determinants and instruments of foreign policy, and the problems of international conflict and cooperation. NOTE: This course can be used to satisfy the university Core International Studies (IS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 1996. Honors Introduction to Political Philosophy. 3 Credit Hours.
Honors seminar focusing on an introduction to the ideas and arguments of several political philosophers, such as Aristotle, Plato, Hobbes, and Marx, as well as an exploration of how such ideas relate to the contemporary world.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2000. Special Topics. 3 Credit Hours.
Topics vary from semester to semester. Please check with the faculty advisor for a course description and topic.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 2101. American Federalism. 3 Credit Hours.
Federalism in its modern form is perhaps the single most important theoretical contribution the American system of government has made to the history of political thought. This course will examine this concept, its manifestation, and the effect this federal practice has had on the American political system.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2102. American State and Local Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course considers government and politics of subnational units including states, counties, cities, towns, and townships in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Further topics include the relationship of state and local policy to citizens, other governmental units, and the American political system.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2103. Making Public Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines selected policy areas in a variety of national settings and the relationship of political cultures and policymaking structures to policy outputs. NOTE: Students will receive credit only once for either
POLS 2103 or
PLCY 2103. This course was previously titled "U.S. Public Policy Making"; students who received credit under the former title will not earn additional credit.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2107. Capital Internship Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
This is a required course for students accepted into the Pennsylvania Capital Semester program. Class lectures and readings will focus on the larger private and governmental context for organizations where interns are placed, specifically the interaction between the state executive branch; legislature and the legislative process; news media, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, lobbying or trade associations; and local economic development organizations. Guest lecturers, who are experts in their fields, will be invited to speak on course topics.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in POLS 1101.
POLS 2108. Local Government and Community Advocacy. 3 Credit Hours.
Philadelphia is utilized as a case study to understand the nature of government and community advocacy and conflict. The class opens with an introduction to the different issues of local government, transitions to a discussion of the organization of Philadelphia local government and its politics, and ends with an analysis of the legislative and budget processes. At the conclusion of the semester, students will engage in an active learning project that illustrates Philadelphia’s public policy process.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2140. Special Topics in Urban Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Specific topics rotate from semester to semester. See Political Science faculty advisor (and notation on the Course Schedule) for specific information.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 2201. Comparative Politics: Developing Nations. 3 Credit Hours.
This course describes and analyzes political patterns in the Third World. It provides a descriptive overview, analyzes domestic political trends within the context of the global system, and reviews current trends.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2211. Contemporary Politics of Europe. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the institutions established in West European nations intended to preserve social stability, produce economic prosperity, and guarantee democracy, asking whether these goals are complementary or contradictory. A country-by-country examination of post-war political development in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. Emphasis on the political problems of the present. Accordingly, the course closes with an examination of the European integration process and the sweeping changes of East Europe affecting all of Europe.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2212. Eastern Europe, Russia and the West. 3 Credit Hours.
Study of the relationships between western nations and the changing politics of Eastern European nations.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2231. Comparative Political Systems in Latin America. 3 Credit Hours.
A comparative consideration of selected Latin American political systems. Note: Students will receive credit only once for either
POLS 2231 or
LAS 2231.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2232. Cyberpolitics. 3 Credit Hours.
New information and communication technologies allow for unlimited and unprecedented access to people and information all over the world. In this course we will study whether or not these new technologies (Internet, mobile social media, etc.) are also a tool for: 1) the revitalization or weakening of democracy in the developed world; 2) regime change, namely, transitions to or from democracy; 3) economic development; and 4) waging wars. We will be studying Internet and mobile technology usage in the U.S., Mexico, Egypt, Russia, the EU and Kenya, among others. Formerly known as "The Politics of New Information Technologies"; students who took this course under that title will not earn additional credit for "Cyberpolitics."
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2255. Comparative Public Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
The seminar will focus on the factors that explain political outcomes and their consequences in comparative perspective. Three basic issues we explore are: 1) How do policies differ?; 2) Why do policies differ?; and 3) What impact do the different policies have? Scholars have divergent views regarding which factors account for different policies and analyses of their impact is regularly colored by ideological position that may or may not have anything to do with the real policy goals. The topics that we will study include: What is the role of political leaders during transitions to democracy or during the passage of difficult legislation in democratic polities? Under what circumstances can a corrupt polity be prosperous and an honest one poor? Is there a relationship between religion and a country's economic success? Are diamonds and oil a blessing or a curse for a country's economy? Why did some mature economies respond differently to the global financial crisis of 2007-2009? Some of the countries we will be studying include: Chile, England, France, Spain, Singapore, United States, and Venezuela.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2301. Theories of War and Peace. 3 Credit Hours.
This course explores the problem of war and peace from both empirical and theoretical perspectives. Sources of war and peace studied include: the balance of power, deterrence, arms races, misperception, hegemony, nationalism, international institutions, democracy, law, and economic interdependence.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1301 or POLS 1931)
POLS 2311. Post-Cold War Security. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines the debate over the changing meaning of security and the contemporary international security environment. Topics include: the nature of security, the international environment, postmodern terrorism, information warfare, global economic instability, the persistence of American hegemony, quasi-states, and the possible demise of the nation-state.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1301 or POLS 1931)
POLS 2314. Politics of International Law. 3 Credit Hours.
Formerly known as POLS 3396, International Legal Order. Students who have received credit for POLS 3396 will not earn additional credits for this course.
The historical development of international law in its relation to the evolution of the world political system, with analysis of issues of the contemporary world order such as warfare, political and economic development, human rights, and the environment.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2321. Politics of the Global Economy. 3 Credit Hours.
This course studies competing explanations for the evolution and operations of the international political economy from the origins of the industrial era in the late 18th century through the "information economy" of the 21st. It focuses on four functional areas: international trade in goods and services, the management of currency exchange and international monetary policy, the pattern and flow of investment capital, and the pattern and structure of global production.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1301 or POLS 1931)
POLS 2331. International Organization. 3 Credit Hours.
This course considers the development and current roles of regional and universal international organizations with an emphasis on the United Nations. The major international conflicts of recent decades in the organizational context will also be examined.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1301 or POLS 1931)
POLS 2341. U.S. Foreign Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
Analysis of U.S. foreign policy from three perspectives: (1) competing explanations for patterns, tendencies and events in U.S. foreign policy; (2) history of U.S. foreign policy from independence to the end of the Cold War, (3) issues in contemporary U.S. foreign policy in light of the first and second-hand perspectives.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1301 or POLS 1931)
POLS 2351. Japan and the Changing World Order. 3 Credit Hours.
This course looks at Japanese politics from a variety of perspectives within the comparative framework of other nations and their political development within a changing global order. Note: This course is cross-listed with Asian Studies 2351. Students may only receive credit once for these courses:
ASST 2351 or
POLS 2351.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2431. Modern Political Philosophy. 3 Credit Hours.
Close study of works by one or more modern political philosophers, stressing their relevance to an understanding of contemporary politics.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2432. American Political Thought. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines significant political ideas from the American colonial period to the present and the influences of these ideas on contemporary American political institutions.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2441. Democracy, Capitalism, and Socialism. 3 Credit Hours.
An examination of some of the major political ideologies dominant in the 20th century and of the tensions and points of convergence between and among them.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2496. Introduction to Political Philosophy. 3 Credit Hours.
Reading of selected works by several classical and modern political philosophers, such as Aristotle, Hobbes, and Marx; study of their relevance to contemporary political issues. NOTE: Capstone writing course in the major.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 2503. Evidence and Knowledge. 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts that underlie the evaluation of empirical evidence. The focus will be on the design of research, rather than the analysis of data. Major themes covered in the course include: measurement, causality, uncertainty, the scientific method, and the methodological debates that animate political science research.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1101, POLS 1911, POLS 1201, POLS 1921, POLS 1301, POLS 1931, or POLS 1102)
POLS 2996. Honors: Introduction to Political Philosophy. 3 Credit Hours.
Honors seminar focusing on an introduction to the ideas and arguments of several political philosophers, such as Aristotle, Plato, Hobbes, and Marx, as well as an exploration of how such ideas relate to the contemporary world.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3082. Independent Study. 3 Credit Hours.
Students must make arrangements to work with a political science faculty member, and seek the approval of the undergraduate chair before enrolling under this course number.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3101. The American Presidency. 3 Credit Hours.
The role of the chief executive, the American presidency, in the political process.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3102. The Legislative Process. 3 Credit Hours.
Covers the legislative process of both the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. Includes the lawmaking process, legislative organization, leadership and policymaking, lobbying and elections, and the careers and characteristics of legislators.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3103. The American Supreme Court. 3 Credit Hours.
An examination of judicial decision making and the interrelationships between the Court and other aspects of the political process.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3105. American Party System. 3 Credit Hours.
The evolution and organization of political parties in the United States, including nominating systems, campaigns, election laws, types of ballots, and electoral reform techniques.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3107. State Politics and Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines the American states from a comparative and historical perspective. The role of the states in relation to the federal government will also be an important theme. The class will consider the central institutions of the states, including governors, legislatures and courts, as well as political parties, interest groups and the media. The course will also focus on several areas of public policy in which the states play a pivotal role.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in POLS 1101.
POLS 3111. Media and the Political Process. 3 Credit Hours.
This course considers the relationship between the mass media and American politics, government regulation of the mass media, media coverage of public affairs, political effects of entertainment programming, and the uses and influence of the media in the election process. Both print and broadcast media will be considered.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3112. American Public Opinion. 3 Credit Hours.
Topics for study include: development of public opinion and political ideology in the U.S.; the social psychology of political attitudes; the role of the mass media and the news in the formation of political opinion; and the influence of public opinion upon government policy.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3113. Campaigns, Elections, and the Media. 3 Credit Hours.
Role of elections in contemporary American society. Special attention to parties and mass media as participants in campaigns and to factors affecting voting behavior of the mass public and the linkages voting provides between the public and policy formation.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3121. American Constitutional Principles I. 3 Credit Hours.
Constitutional bases of American system of government as interpreted primarily by reading and analyzing Supreme Court opinions and understanding them in their political, economic, and historic context. Course focuses largely on how constitutional meaning is determined, and judicial development of national powers of judicial review, the power to regulate commerce, separation of powers, federalism, taxation, powers of the President, and foreign affairs and war powers.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in POLS 1101.
POLS 3123. American Constitutional Principles II: Civil Rights in America. 3 Credit Hours.
Civil rights in America, including the Constitutional protections of freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3124. Politics of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines the emergence and development of the movement to secure rights for gays, lesbians and bisexuals; how gays, lesbians and bisexuals are socially constructed and the influence this has on political discourse; how political issues that are relevant to the lives of gays and lesbians reach the political agenda; and the patterns of conflict and cooperation that exist among actors in and outside of government over issues such as employment discrimination, marriage, child adoption, and military service. Note: Prior to Summer 2019, this course was offered as "Politics, Rights, and Sexual Orientation." Students who earned credit for this course number under that title will not earn additional credits under the new title "Politics of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity."
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3125. Interest Group Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Over the past 30 years, the system of interest group representation in Washington has witnessed a rapid expansion. Conventional wisdom views these groups as obstructions to American democracy, but limiting their freedoms threatens "government by the people." Cases to be studied may include: senior citizen groups, the farm lobby, the Christian Coalition, the unemployment workers movement, and the power of business in America.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3131. Urban Politics and Problems. 3 Credit Hours.
This course presents an overview of the politics of urban areas: electoral politics, government structure, race, finance, education, housing, neighborhoods, and economic and historical forces on politics in urban areas.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3133. Popular Culture and the City. 3 Credit Hours.
This course will examine how the city is depicted in films and literature, exploring such prominent political topics as anti-urbanism; political machines, corruption, and reform; industrialization and immigrant life; post-industrialism and urban decline. Attention will also be given to the physical city and spatial use as expressions of dominant political and cultural values.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3134. The Politics of Inequality. 3 Credit Hours.
Who are the poor? Should they be helped? Who should help them? These questions are complicated because people are more aware of the individual costs of taxation than they are of the collective benefits of an educated work force. This course will evaluate how the U.S. government has traditionally divided the poor between the deserving and the undeserving poor and which groups have been left out and why.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3151. Public Policy Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
This course considers selected contemporary public policy issues. The course begins with an examination of the national political-economic context within which major policy issues arise and then turns to the analysis of the roots and policy alternatives on several major issues. Issues may concern health, energy, education, employment, welfare, and the regulation of business. NOTE: Students will receive credit only once for either
POLS 3151 or
PLCY 3151.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3152. U.S. Environmental Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
An analytical examination of the development and execution of governmental policies in such areas as air and water pollution control, control of atomic energy, and planning of space exploration program.
Course Attributes: SF, SS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3153. The Politics of Poverty. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines the nature and causes of poverty, the impact of public opinion and racial attitudes on poverty and welfare, the role of government officials in shaping anti-poverty and welfare reform policies, and welfare claiming as a form of political participation. The course evaluates the effectiveness of existing policies to combat poverty and whether proposed policies might be effective.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3154. Health Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
Surveys major public health problems and policy interventions in the United States with an emphasis on their normative, political and economic dimensions. Examines the interplay of governmental institutions, business, and organized interests in formulating and implementing health policy.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3155. Business and Public Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
Reviews history of U.S. government and business, and the major governmental institutions dealing with business, with special attention paid to monetary policy and the Federal Reserve, fiscal policy, the federal budget, and particular issues connected with it such as deficits, Social Security, the tax structure, overall inequality, and other current issues. Also looks at the World Trade Organization and NAFTA, their structure and overall advantages and disadvantages to the U.S.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3161. Public Administration. 3 Credit Hours.
This course studies basic concepts and approaches to public management and public policymaking in public administration.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3197. Political Fiction. 3 Credit Hours.
Moral dilemmas and unintended burlesques, flawed heroes and vainglorious fools, ambitious men and seductive women are the stuff of both literature and politics. These elements are brought to life in novels about American politics and political thought. Students in this writing intensive course will write brief essays and a course paper on novels by authors that include Henry Adams, Mark Twain, Herman Melville, Henry James, Robert Penn Warren, Graham Greene, Ward Just, and William Kennedy.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3201. Nationalism, Ethnicity, and Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
When the U.S. was founded as the first modern nation-state, it set in motion a global transformation of the state system that has still to run its course. The class will study, with the aid of film, the causes, theories, and projections of this development.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3202. Politics & Religion. 3 Credit Hours.
What sorts of relationships exist between the world of politics and that of religious beliefs and practices that co-exist and often compete for dominance in various political systems?
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3203. Comparative Politics of Democratization. 3 Credit Hours.
Democracy is among the oldest concepts in politics, yet it is also one of the most elusive. This course surveys some of the classic debates over the meanings of democracy, and explores the contemporary processes of democratization that have swept the globe since the 1970s. While particular geographical emphasis will be placed on Europe, Latin America, and Africa, no prior familiarity with these regions is necessary to successfully complete this course.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1201 or POLS 1921)
POLS 3206. Politics of Modern Capitalism. 3 Credit Hours.
Since the early 1970s, all advanced industrial democracies have faced challenges in adjusting to a changing international economy. We will examine how different countries, including the United States, Japan, Britain, France, and Germany, have tried to meet these challenges. The main question guiding the course is: why do countries respond to roughly similar problems in different ways, and what do these responses reveal about politics in these countries? Topics covered will include macroeconomic policy, trade and industrial policies, industrial relations, business-government relations, and the welfare state. This course was formerly taught as POLS 3296. Students who have earned credit for POLS 3296 may not register for this class.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3211. Politics & Society in Modern Italy. 3 Credit Hours.
An examination of Italy's political development in a historical framework, and in comparison to other nations, especially those of Europe.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3212. British Government and Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course combines historical and thematic approaches to British politics. We begin with an overview of the post-imperial, capitalist state before discussing key institutions: constitution, Parliament, executive, parties, and European Union. To help understand change in popular politics we compare the 1983 and 2005 general election campaigns. Finally, we consider key issues: economic inequality, ethnic conflict, social order, and democratic accountability.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3213. Post-Communist Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines core themes in the study of post-Communist politics in Russia and Eastern Europe. The course begins by exploring the nature of socialism, why it fell, and the various legacies of this system. The rest of the course covers issues of democratic transformation, economic reform, state and nation building, and the role of international influences.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3231. Politics of India. 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces the politics of India, a country that is large, complex, and full of contradictions. Nearly one out of every six people in the world resides in India. The country is one of the oldest democracies in the developing world, yet corruption is rife and the number of accused criminals elected to office is staggering. Despite India's growing economic and political clout, riots, insurgencies, and terrorism persist. The country is also one of the world's most ethnically diverse, divided along linguistic, regional, caste, tribal, and religious lines. The course begins by briefly discussing India's contemporary political institutions. Next, the course provides a historical overview of India's modern history, before turning to a variety of issues of contemporary relevance: ethnicity, violence, corruption, elections, and democracy.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3241. Mideast Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This course will introduce students to the various political systems in the region we now call the Middle East. Of particular concern will be historical roots of the political tensions that exist in our contemporary world.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3251. China: State and Society. 3 Credit Hours.
This course surveys contemporary Chinese politics and political economy, recognizing the roots in China's long history. The emphasis is on the process of converting the Maoist socialist system into a modern market system, integrated into the global system, and the political implications of these changes. Note: Prior to fall 2010, the course title was "China: Politics and Revolution." This course is typically cross-listed with
ASST 3251. Students may only earn credit for one course from
ASST 3251 and
POLS 3251.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3252. East Asia and the United States. 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces Japan and its distinctive model of political economy. The course then reviews how this model has been copied by many other countries in Asia. The course also includes an analysis of Asia's international economic and political relations, especially with the United States. This course is typically cross-listed with
ASST 3252. Students may only earn credit for one course from
ASST 3252 and
POLS 3252.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3265. International Environmental Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
International negotiations and agreements on environmental problems, and comparisons of domestic environmental policymaking among selected countries. Special attention to negotiations on atmospheric and oceanic policies, international regulation of nuclear materials, and environmental aspects of international trade agreements. NOTE: Students will receive credit only once for either
POLS 3265 or
ENST 3265.
Course Attributes: SE, SF, SS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3331. Politics of the European Union. 3 Credit Hours.
The European Union is perhaps the most remarkable experiment in international governance of the past century. This course examines the EU in its dual aspects: as a process of international or regional integration, tying existing nation-states into an "ever-closer Union of peoples"; and as a polity or political system with its own institutions, policies, and policy processes.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1201 or POLS 1921) and (POLS 1301 or POLS 1931)
POLS 3332. Globalization: Politics and Political Economy. 3 Credit Hours.
The course examines the origins and consequences of the modern period (1990-present) of globalization, including its political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Central issues to be examined will be the status of the sovereign state, global governance, and patterns of global mobility in production, people, and information.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1301 or POLS 1931)
POLS 3363. Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire. 3 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, from the Russian Revolution of 1917 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It deals with major factors and events, including Communism, two world wars, and the Cold War, that shaped Soviet history. The course explores Soviet impact on European and world developments, and Soviet motives in confrontation with the United States. Reading and lectures are complimented with multi-media and Internet sources, discussions and individual presentations. Cross-Listed with
HIST 3363. Students will receive credit for one course from:
HIST 3363 or
POLS 3363.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3411. Classical Political Philosophy. 3 Credit Hours.
Close study of works by one or more political philosophers, stressing their relevance to an understanding of contemporary politics.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3421. Theories of Justice. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines both analytical and historical perspectives of some of the major theories of justice that have been propounded throughout the course of Western history.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3422. Marxism and Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
A theoretical and historical examination of the role of Marxism in the development of 20th and 21st century political regimes, including West European social democracy, former and present Communist states, and post-colonial societies. Particular focus will be placed on debates within the Marxist tradition and between Marxism and its critics in regard to issues of equality, liberty, and democracy. An attempt will be made to see what aspects (if any) of Marxism remain relevant to the prospect of radical democratic change and to an analysis of the crisis of contemporary global capitalism.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3441. African American Political Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
This course is an intensive introduction to African American Political Theory. Our goal will be to explicate and evaluate the theoretical claims that have shaped, and continue to shape, black political practice in the United States. The structure of the course is both historical and thematic.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 2496 or POLS 2996)
POLS 3451. Personality and Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
The democratic and authoritarian personalities and their impact on political behavior.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3452. Theory and Uses of Power. 3 Credit Hours.
This course considers concepts and major models of power and their applications to American politics.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3500. Special Topics: Research Preparation Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Research preparation courses develop research skills and prepare students for the capstone seminar. The course topics vary depending on the instructor's expertise.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3510. Special Topics: Research Preparation Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Research preparation courses develop research skills and prepare students for the capstone seminar. The course topics vary depending on the instructor's expertise.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3520. Special Topics: Research Preparation Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Research preparation courses develop research skills and prepare students for the capstone seminar. The course topics vary depending on the instructor's expertise.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3530. Special Topics: Research Preparation Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Research preparation courses develop research skills and prepare students for the capstone seminar. The course topics vary depending on the instructor's expertise.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3540. Special Topics: Research Preparation Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Research preparation courses develop research skills and prepare students for the capstone seminar. The course topics vary depending on the instructor's expertise.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3550. Special Topics: Research Preparation Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Research preparation courses develop research skills and prepare students for the capstone seminar. The course topics vary depending on the instructor's expertise.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3910. Honors Special Topics. 3 Credit Hours.
The focus of this Honors course varies from semester to semester.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 3911. Honors Politics in Film and Literature. 3 Credit Hours.
This course examines diverse topics in world politics using three forms of political commentary - film, literature, and academic writings - on each topic. Topics covered may include war, terrorism, development, globalization and workers, political corruption, immigration, racial politics, revolution, and ethnic violence.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3996. Honors Capstone Seminar I. 3 Credit Hours.
Only students enrolled in the Honors Certificate or Honors Scholars Programs may register for this seminar. Please check the Political Science Department web site for information about how to apply for the Honors Scholar Program in Political Science (https://www.cla.temple.edu/political-science/undergraduate/). This seminar (taught as a combined semester with Political Science 4996) will rotate among selected advanced topics in one of the major fields of Political Science (international relations, American government, political theory, comparative politics, and public policy). The seminar will focus on a close analysis and discussion of assigned readings and a final research paper (as well as other short written assignments). NOTE: Check with the course schedule for the topic and instructor for a specific semester. Please be advised that students who took this course under the old name, "Junior Honors Capstone Seminar" will receive credit only one time for
POLS 3996.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 3997. Junior Honors Capstone Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Only students enrolled in the Honors Certificate or Honors Scholars Programs may register for this seminar. Please check the Political Science Department web site for information about how to apply for the Honors Scholar Program in Political Science (www.temple.edu/polsci/undergraduate/honors/index.htm). This seminar (taught as a combined semester with Political Science 4997) will rotate among selected advanced topics in one of the major fields of Political Science (international relations, American government, political theory, comparative politics, and public policy). The seminar will focus on a close analysis and discussion of assigned readings and a final research paper (as well as other short written assignments). NOTE: Check with the course schedule for the topic and instructor for a specific semester.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4110. Seminar in American Government. 3 Credit Hours.
The focus of this seminar varies from semester to semester, but always considers some aspect of U.S. politics in depth.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (POLS 1101 or POLS 1911)
POLS 4121. Women and Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
The goal of this course is to broaden with a comparative perspective our understanding of women's political experiences. We examine a variety of issues concerning the lives of women worldwide, including their economic, political and social contributions, familial roles and status in society. Initially, the course focuses on the evolution of the political, economic, and social status of American women paying particular attention to issues of race, ethnicity, and class that inform but also complicate women's political behavior. We then search for similarities and differences in women's lives that are usually obscured by the status of their countries as either industrialized or non-industrialized, either democratic or non-democratic.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4131. Seminar in Campaign Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
This special seminar is the academic component for experiential learning and is usually offered in the fall of an election year. Students learn about the structure and organization of campaigns, the motivations of candidates, and the consequences of campaign activities by other political actors such as interest groups and political parties. Students will use their internships to identify a thematic subject for research projects.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in POLS 1101.
POLS 4140. Seminar in Urban, State & Local Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
A seminar focusing on various aspects of the political relationships that exist between state and local levels of government.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4150. Seminar in Law & Society. 3 Credit Hours.
Experiential Learning. Students must also register for 4581 (0371). Permission of Instructor or Experiential Learning Coordinator required.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4160. Seminar in Public Administration. 3 Credit Hours.
Examines a topic of contemporary interest in public administration.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4185. Internship I. 1 to 12 Credit Hour.
This internship course offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of interest. The course is designed to combine general academic experience with practical experience in fields such as public policy, local, state and federal government agencies, interest advocacy, campaigns and elections, law firms, government affairs, and NGOs, among others. The course does not have formal meeting times, but will meet several times during the semester of registration in a classroom/small setting. Students are responsible for working on their own to complete the required assignments.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4210. Seminar in Comparative Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Examines a topic of contemporary interest in comparative politics.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4220. Seminar in Comparative Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Seminar focusing on comparative politics. Topic determined by the instructor.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4285. Internship II. 1 to 12 Credit Hour.
This internship course offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of interest. The course is designed to combine general academic experience with practical experience in fields such as public policy, local, state and federal government agencies, interest advocacy, campaigns and elections, law firms, government affairs, and NGOs, among others. The course does not have formal meeting times, but will meet several times during the semester of registration in a classroom/small setting. Students are responsible for working on their own to complete the required assignments.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4310. Seminar in International Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Seminar focusing on the politics of international relations. Topic determined by the instructor.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4320. Seminar in International Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Examines a topic of contemporary interest in international politics.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4385. Internship III. 1 to 12 Credit Hour.
This internship course offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of interest. The course is designed to combine general academic experience with practical experience in fields such as public policy, local, state and federal government agencies, interest advocacy, campaigns and elections, law firms, government affairs, and NGOs, among others. The course does not have formal meeting times, but will meet several times during the semester of registration in a classroom/small setting. Students are responsible for working on their own to complete the required assignments.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4410. Seminar in Political Philosophy. 3 Credit Hours.
Examines a topic of contemporary interest in political philosophy.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4485. Campaign Internship. 1 to 12 Credit Hour.
This internship course offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in political campaigns. Campaign placements may be for any type of campaign at any level of government. The course does not have formal meeting times, but students will meet with the instructor several times during the semester of registration in a classroom setting for discussions. Students are responsible for working on their own to complete the required written and work assignments.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4591. Directed Research and Field Study. 1 Credit Hour.
Supervised individual readings, research projects, and field work. NOTE: Students may not enroll for more than one Directed Research & Field Study course in a single semester. Students are to arrange study with a faculty member in the department of Political Science.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4691. Directed Research and Field Study. 2 Credit Hours.
Supervised individual readings, research projects, and field work. NOTE: Students may not enroll for more than one Directed Research & Field Study course in a single semester. Students are to arrange study with a faculty member in the department of Political Science.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4896. Capstone Seminar in Political Science. 3 Credit Hours.
This topical seminar focuses on a broad theme of theoretical, substantive, or practical interest within a subfield of political science. The specific content will vary with individual instructors. This is a writing-intensive course designed to integrate all the skills learned in the major. Each seminar will focus upon close oral and written analysis of major readings in a particular area of political science. Such analyses will take students beyond basic exegesis of analytic arguments towards critical evaluation of contrasting forms of social science investigation and argument. A research project is required. Required of all majors. To be taken during the senior year.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4904. Honors Seminar in Campaign Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Permission of political science Honors Director required. A seminar focusing on political election campaigns in the United States.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4920. University Honors Seminar in Comparative Politics. 3 Credit Hours.
Honors version of Political Science 4210 (0310). Open only to University Honors students.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4940. University Honors Seminar in Political Philosophy. 3 Credit Hours.
Honors version of Political Science 4410 (0321). Open only to University Honors students.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
POLS 4996. Senior Honors Capstone Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Only students enrolled in the Honors Certificate or Honors Scholars Programs may register for this seminar. Please check the Political Science Department web site for information about how to apply for the Honors Scholar Program in Political Science (www.temple.edu/polsci/undergraduate/honors/index.htm). This seminar (taught as a combined semester with Political Science 3996) will rotate among selected advanced topics in one of the major fields of Political Science (international relations, American government, political theory, comparative politics, and public policy). The seminar will focus on a close analysis and discussion of assigned readings and a final research paper (as well as other short written assignments). This course satisfies the capstone requirement for the major. NOTE: Check with the course schedule for the topic and instructor for a specific semester.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
POLS 4997. Senior Honors Capstone Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Only students enrolled in the Honors Certificate or Honors Scholars Programs may register for this seminar. Please check the Political Science Department web site for information about how to apply for the Honors Scholar Program in Political Science (www.temple.edu/polsci/undergraduate/honors/index.htm). This seminar (taught as a combined semester with Political Science 3997) will rotate among selected advanced topics in one of the major fields of Political Science (international relations, American government, political theory, comparative politics, and public policy). The seminar will focus on a close analysis and discussion of assigned readings and a final research paper (as well as other short written assignments). NOTE: Check with the course schedule for the topic and instructor for a specific semester.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
