Undergraduate Courses in Political Science SUBJECT=POLSCI (Division 450) Search the Course Database POLSCI 101. Introduction to Political Theory. (Theory) Primarily for First and Second Year Students. (4). (SS). Inquiry into assumptions about politics and the words used to express them. Persistent political questions, such as the nature of power, authority, freedom, and justice are discussed in classic and modern contexts. POLSCI 111. Introduction to American Politics. (American) Primarily for First and Second Year Students. (4). (SS). An introduction to American politics with emphasis on the electoral process, the functioning of political parties, and the decision-making process in the national congress, the presidency, and the federal courts. POLSCI 140. Introduction to Comparative Politics. (Comparative) Primarily for First and Second Year Students. I and II. (4). (SS). An introductory survey of the governments and politics of several contemporary societies in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. POLSCI 160. Introduction to World Politics. (World) Primarily for First and Second Year Students. I and II. (4). (SS). Factors that motivate the international politics of nations. Illustrations from current world developments. POLSCI 190. Freshman Seminar in Political Science. Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (SS). Selected Topics in Political Science. POLSCI 300. Contemporary Political Issues. (American) (4). (SS). A consideration of scholarly literature on voting, elections, political campaigns, nominations, party reform, and an analysis of selected issues being debated in contemporary American political campaigns. Candidates and campaign managers are invited to meet with the class throughout the term. Students are expected to participate in a campaign of their choice as part of the course. POLSCI 301(400). Development of Political Thought: To Modern Period. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). The principal theorists who have influenced political thought and development from fifth century B.C. to early seventeenth century A.D. POLSCI 302(401). Development of Political Thought: Modern and Recent. (Theory) POLSCI 101. (3). (Excl). The principal theorists who have influenced political thought and development in the period from the seventeenth century to the present. POLSCI 306(406). American Political Thought. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or upperclass standing. (3). (Excl). The principal American contributions to political theory. POLSCI 310(410). American Policy Processes. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). An analysis of the decision-making processes of the federal government with emphasis on the congressional and executive branches. POLSCI 311(411). American Political Processes. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A survey of mass public and elite behavior and the interaction between masses and elites. Topics discussed include public opinion and electoral behavior, political parties and interest groups, relations between office-holders and the public, and alternative models for describing the American political system. POLSCI 313(480). Political Mobilization and Policy Change. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A study of the history, theories and impact of changes in political organizations and the development of public policy. POLSCI 314(483). American Political Parties and Electoral Problems. (American) POLSCI 111. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl). Analysis of the characteristics and determinative conditions of the American party and election system. POLSCI 315(484). Media and Public Opinion. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). This course discusses the effects of the media on the beliefs, values, and choices of ordinary citizens. It examines evidence of media influence in evaluations of government; attitudes toward war and foreign policy; formation of group identities and stereotypes; and learning about and choosing candidates in elections, among other topics. POLSCI 316(312). Freedom of Speech and Press. (American) (3). (Excl). This course examines the constitutional right of freedom of speech and press in the United States. Various areas of law are examined in depth, including extremist or seditious speech, obscenity, libel, fighting words, the public forum doctrine and public access to the mass media. Classes are conducted according to the law school model, with readings focused on actual judicial decisions and students expected to participate in discussions. POLSCI 317(412). Courts, Politics and Society. (American) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). Examines the role of the legal process in American politics. In addition to studying the recruitment, careers, and behavior of lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and the police, it assesses how the operation of the legal system affects the social order. It emphasizes the way the legal system applies the law rather than the content of the law itself. POLSCI 318(413). American Constitutional Politics. (American) POLSCI 111. I. (3). (Excl). This course examines Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and the political implications of these interpretations. Court cases and interpretive essays are among the readings. POLSCI 319(414). The Politics of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. (American) POLSCI 111. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl). May be repeated twice, for a total of six credits. Examines a number of Supreme Court decisions in the field of civil liberties and civil rights. In addition to delineating the political significance of the decisions, some emphasis is also placed on the dynamics of compliance with the Court's stated policy. POLSCI 320(415). The American Chief Executive. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (Excl). A survey of the development of the office and functions of the chief executive and an analysis of the sources and nature of executive power in American national and state government. Primary attention is given to the presidency. POLSCI 321(416). Development of American Political Institutions. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A survey of the developments in the party system, Congress, and the bureaucracy from Reconstruction through the New Deal. It traces the solidification of the two party system, the rise of congressional committee power and the origins of the welfare state and regulatory state, using three main analytic approaches – rational choice, historical institutionalism, and critical theory. POLSCI 322(417). Legislative Process. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). Analysis of political behavior in legislatures, including legislators' recruitment and socialization, their decision making processes, and their relations with constituents, parties, interest groups, and the executive. Special attention is given to the United States Congress. POLSCI 323(418) / WOMENSTD 418. Women and the Political System. (American) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). The purpose of this course is to examine the role of women in the political system, their involvement in and influence on the political process, and the impact of various policy decisions on women. POLSCI 324(419) / CAAS 418. Black Americans and the Political System. (American) One course in political science; CAAS 201 recommended. (3). (Excl). Focuses on the status of Blacks in the American political system. Analyzes the capacity and the capability of the political system for negotiating internal conflicts involving Black/white relationships. POLSCI 325(420) / COMM 484. Mass Media and Political Behavior. (American) COMM 361 or 381 strongly recommended. (4). (Excl). The role and importance of mass media in the political process. The topics to be covered include how the news is made; the relations between the Congress, the president and the media; the role of mass media in political campaigns; and political freedom and access to the media. These topics are examined through a systematic review of research in both mass communication and political science. POLSCI 326(421). American State Government. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A survey of state government, with emphasis on constitutional development, legislative, executive, and judicial processes; administrative functions; personnel and fiscal problems; nation-state, interstate, and state-local relations; and the future of the states in the federal system. POLSCI 327(423). Politics of the Metropolis. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A survey of the major demographic, social, and economic trends in metropolitan areas and an analysis of government responses to these trends. Particular emphasis is placed on formal governmental policies in these areas as well as on the distribution of power and influence in the modern metropolis. POLSCI 329(429). Seminar in Urban Analysis. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (Excl). (EXPERIENTIAL). May be elected for credit twice. This course introduces students to various theoretical and methodological techniques for analyzing metropolitan and urban problems. Students do projects individually and in teams that focus on some contemporary policy issues in the Southeastern Michigan area. POLSCI 330(487). Psychological Perspectives on Politics. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). This lecture course is a topical survey of psychological perspectives on politics. There are many psychological schools of thought; there are many political problems. We take up a number of the most interesting intersections between the two, such as: socialization, leadership, decision-making, mobilization of political discontent. POLSCI 331(431). Public Administration. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). Introductory study of principles and problems of administrative organization and coordination, personnel and fiscal management, regulatory administration, and public responsibilities of administrative agencies. POLSCI 332(439) / ECON 325. Inequality in the United States. (American) ECON 101 and 102. (3). (Excl). Examines the distribution of economic resources in the United States. Topics include the relationships between access to economic resources and opportunities for human flourishing, how inequalities in resource distribution are properly compared and measured, various social scientific explanations for existing inequalities, and related economic policy questions. POLSCI 333(434). Government and Public Policy. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (Excl). A study of governmental policies and their impact on the American economy. Emphasis is placed upon the formation, administration, and substantive content of policies in areas of antitrust laws and the preservation of competition, transportation, public utility regulation, atomic energy, agriculture, and natural resources. POLSCI 334(436). Bureaucracy and Policy Making. (American) POLSCI 111 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). The purpose of this course is to explore the role and influence of the administrative agencies in the policy making process. Theory and examples are drawn from federal, state, and local levels of government. POLSCI 335(438). Ethics and Public Policy. (American) (3). (SS). Examines the implications of contemporary liberal political philosophy for the making and evaluation of public policy. Survey of ethical theories and the relationship between ethics and democracy; consideration of the usefulness of some of the central concepts of political philosophy in the evaluation of public policies. Focus on concepts of liberty and paternalism, and on the implications for public policy of various conceptions of justice. POLSCI 336(440). Comparative Politics. (American) POLSCI 140 or upperclass standing. (3). (Excl). Theory and research in the comparative study of political systems. Emphasis on theoretical approaches to comparative politics, models of political change, and empirical cross-national research. POLSCI 337(477). Comparative Constitutional Design. (American) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). Interest-based approach to the study of constitution building. Through theory and comparisons of constitutional experiences it examines how different institutional structures create winners and losers in society. It considers the role of courts, of legislatures, and of peoples as interpreters and legitimizers of the constitutional document. POLSCI 338(478). Political Economy of Transition. (American) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). Examines the processes of political and economic transformation. It compares and contrast different types of institutional arrangements and their outcomes. Examples include countries moving from centrally planned economies and one-party government to a market economy and democracy, as well as developed democracies transforming their own economies in the face of globalization. POLSCI 339(428) / ASIAN 428 / SOC 426 / PHIL 428. China's Evolution Under Communism. (Comparative) Upperclass standing. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl). An analysis of developments since 1949 with particular emphasis on the evolution of political control, economic development, and social change and their relationship to ideology. POLSCI 340(442). Governments and Politics in Western Europe. (Comparative) POLSCI 140 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). Analysis of the political systems of France, Great Britain, Germany, and Italy. Emphasis is placed on the nature and source of political conflict. Students may devote special attention to one or more of the countries discussed. POLSCI 341(441). Comparative Politics of Advanced Industrial Democracies. (Comparative) POLSCI 140 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). Theory and research on the politics of social change in Western Europe and North America. Emphasis is placed on elite and mass behavior in the transition from industrial to post-industrial society. POLSCI 342(445). Eastern Europe: Revolution, Reaction, and Reform. (Comparative) POLSCI 140 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A survey of the political and social development of Eastern Europe under socialism. Major themes include the political cultures of the area, communist accession to power, totalitarianism and its erosion, elite-mass relations, the role of public opinion and interest groups, and economic and political change. POLSCI 343. Political Economy of Developed Democracies. (Comparative) (3). (Excl). Examines the impact of politics on economic policy and outcomes, and conversely, the impact of the economy on the conduct of politics. POLSCI 344(444). Government and Politics of Russia. (Comparative) One course in political science or permission of instructor. (3). (SS). An analysis of the Russian political system; its political institutions, constitutional organization, administration, and interest groups. POLSCI 345(446). Law and Development. (Comparative) (3). (Excl). Investigates the inter-relationship between law, legal process, and economic development in the contemporary era. The course considers the ways in which family law defines economic actors; the relevance of property law to investment in agriculture; law and commerce; and the political economy of human rights law. Draws heavily on material from Africa, the CIS, and early modern Europe, with occasional American comparisons. POLSCI 346(447) / RELIGION 346. Comparative Studies in Religion and Politics. (Comparative) (3). (Excl). Comparative analysis of patterns of change in religion, in politics, and in the relations between them. Particular emphasis to third world cases, including Latin American Catholicism, Islam, and to Africa and Asia, reference as well to the United States. POLSCI 347(448). Politics and Society in Latin America. (Comparative) POLSCI 140 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). Analysis of social change and political conflict in contemporary Latin America. Topics considered include race, class, and stratification; the role of the military; religion and politics; and the nature and implications of economic dependence. From year to year, emphasis is given to different countries (i.e., Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina). POLSCI 348. Political Economy of Development. (Comparative) (3). (Excl). An introduction to the study of states, markets, and prosperity in developing economies. POLSCI 349(450). Political Change in the Developing World. (Comparative) POLSCI 140 or upperclass standing. (3). (Excl). A critical review of theories of political development and modernization. Examination of comparative and country case studies, with special attention to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Emphasis varies with the instructor's area of specialization. POLSCI 350(451) / JUDAIC 451. The Politics and Culture of Modern East European Jewry. (Comparative) A course in East European and/or Jewish history, and Comparative Politics is recommended. III in Poland. (3). (Excl). The course emphasizes the inter-relationships between the communal institutions of East European Jews and the ways in which this ethnic and religious minority developed the means of dealing with states and the larger societies. POLSCI 351(452). Israeli Society and Politics. (Comparative) One course in political science or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A survey of the political culture and Zionist foundation of the Jewish state, its institutions, political parties, and elites. Electoral behavior and coalition politics are analyzed. Political consequences of social issues, such as the integration of immigrants and ethnic-religious minorities, are examined along with problems of religion and politics. POLSCI 352(453). Government and Politics of the Middle East. (Comparative) One course in political science or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). Comparative study of the politics of decolonization, the quest for legitimacy, and the political responses to the strains of modernizations in selected states of the Near East and of Africa north of the Sahara. POLSCI 353. The Arab-Israeli Conflict. (Comparative) (4). (Excl). Laboratory fee ($30) required. An analysis of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian nationalism as compounded by competition among regional powers and superpowers. Students simulate the roles of the various protagonists in an open-ended game and then critically analyze their performance in light of reality. POLSCI 354(454). Governments and Politics of Southeast Asia. (Comparative) One course in political science or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). An analysis of political developments in the countries of Southeast Asia defined in terms of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. POLSCI 355(455). Government and Politics of China. (Comparative) One course in political science or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). An analysis of the political development of China, emphasizing contemporary problems and trends. Supplementary consideration is given to political developments in outer Mongolia, Tibet, and adjacent areas. POLSCI 356(456). Government and Politics of Japan. (Comparative) POLSCI 140 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). An analysis of the political development of Japan emphasizing contemporary problems and trends. Supplementary consideration is given to political developments in Korea and adjacent areas. POLSCI 357(457). Governments and Politics of India and South Asia. (Comparative) One course in political science or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). A study of the government and politics of modern India, with some consideration given also to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and Nepal in a regional comparative analysis. POLSCI 358(458). Politics of the European Union. (Comparative) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). The development of the European Union; the negotiations to create the EU and the politics surrounding expansion of EU power into new spheres of activity; the consequences of this institution for sovereignty and democracy. POLSCI 359(459) / CAAS 449. African Politics. (Comparative) CAAS 200 recommended. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl). A comparative survey of the African states and territories, with primary emphasis on the process of decolonization, the continued dependent status of African states, obstacles to change, and alternative strategies of development. POLSCI 360(460). Problems in World Politics. (World) POLSCI 160 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). May be elected for credit twice with permission of the instructor. An in-depth examination of one or more timely and important problems in the context of a broad overview of the basic dynamics of contemporary world politics. POLSCI 361(461). Regional Conflict and Cooperation. (World) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit twice. International relations within specific regions of the world. POLSCI 363(463). International Organization and Integration. (World) POLSCI 160 or upperclass standing. (3). (SS). An analysis of the growth, decision-making processes, and activities of international organization and of the consequences of international organization for the global political system. Attention is given to various concepts of future world order. POLSCI 364(464). Public International Law. (World) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). The law of the international community as it has been developed historically and recognized by modern states with special reference to the position of the United States. POLSCI 365. Political Responses to Economic Mobilization. (World) Previous coursework in political science or economics. (3). (Excl). Explores the political responses within the advanced industrial democracies to the globalization of markets and the likely policy consequences of these responses. POLSCI 368(468). Cooperation and Conflict in the International System. (World) POLSCI 160. (3). (Excl). Traditional theories suggest international cooperation should be rare or nonexistent and that international conflicts should be pervasive. Substantial cooperation, however, does occur. This course analyzes the traditional theories, critiquing them on logical and empirical grounds. It then offers two better theories about why international cooperation and conflict co-exist. POLSCI 369(469). Politics of International Economic Relations. (World) POLSCI 160. (3). (Excl). The course deals with the manner in which politics and economics interact in three areas of world politics, the relations between the industrialized nations of the West, the Cold War and détente, and North-South relations. Specialized topics such as the political determinants of the terms of trade, the transnational corporation and the politics of international monetary relations are integrated into the course. POLSCI 370(470). Comparative Foreign Policy. (World) Any 100-level course in POLSCI. (3). (Excl). A comparative examination of the dynamics of the foreign policies of selected states such as China, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States with the aim of developing a framework for the analysis of and generalizations about state behavior. POLSCI 371(471). The American Foreign Policy Process. (World) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). An analysis of the processes by which contemporary United States foreign policies are made and implemented. POLSCI 372(472). International Security Affairs. (World) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). Laboratory fee ($30) required. An analysis of the processes by which security policy is formulated and of the major issues of contemporary security policy including global and regional strategic concepts, arms control, and disarmament. POLSCI 379(479). Advanced Topics in Foreign Policy. (World) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). May be repeated for credit twice. This course focuses on the foreign policy process within particular countries. POLSCI 380 / NRE 480. Environmental Politics and Policy. (American) NRE 210 or POLSCI 111. (3). (Excl). This course is an advanced offering on environmental politics and the environmental policy-making process. The course considers both processes of policy formation and implementation, placing particular emphasis on the development of alternatives to conventional regulatory practices at federal, state, and local levels of government. POLSCI 385(485). Public Sector Decision Processes. (American) POLSCI 111. (3). (Excl). Theories of influence, choice, problem solving, and decision making are developed using concepts of group and individual cognitive processes. These theories are then related to public sector phenomena such as voting, campaign strategy, representative behavior, community power, and administrative decision making, policy making, and policy formation. POLSCI 389(489). Advanced Topics in Contemporary Political Science. One course in political science. (1-3). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits. Short courses taught by senior staff on advanced topics in political science. POLSCI 390. Practicum for the "Michigan Journal of Political Science." (1). (Excl). (EXPERIENTIAL). May be repeated for credit with permission of the chair. This course allows students to gain experience working on the journal under the direction of the chair or other appropriate faculty member. This experience involves editing the Michigan Journal of Political Science. In addition to taking part in working on the year's issue, students wishing credit for working on the journal would do readings and write book reviews and research notes. POLSCI 391(185). Introduction to Modeling Political Processes. (Methods) One course in political science. (3). (SS). (QR/1). An introduction to constructing, manipulating, and evaluating logical and mathematical models of social and political processes. Topics considered may include rational choice, game theory, learning processes, diffusion processes, and exchange processes. POLSCI 395 / REES 395 / SLAVIC 395 / HISTORY 332 / SOC 392. Survey of Russia: The Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the Successor States. (Comparative) (4; 3 in the half-term). (SS). Laboratory fee ($10) required. An interdisciplinary survey of the history, politics, government, economy, social institutions, literature, and arts of the Soviet Union and its successor states and their relations with the rest of the world. Lectures and discussion. POLSCI 396 / REES 396 / SLAVIC 396 / HISTORY 333 / SOC 393. Survey of East Central Europe. (Comparative) No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in REES 397. (4; 3 in the half-term). (SS). Laboratory fee ($10) required. An interdisciplinary survey of the people, history, politics, government, economy, social institutions, literature, and arts of the communist and post-communist states of Eastern Europe and their relations with the rest of the world. Lectures and discussions. POLSCI 400(402). Selected Topics in Political Theory. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 301 or 302. (4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl). Topics vary from year to year according to the interests of the instructor. POLSCI 401(422) / WOMENSTD 422. Feminist Political Theory. (Theory) Junior standing. (3). (Excl). The course explores the politics of inequalities between men and women by considering theories of gender differences. The purpose of the class is to draw on interdisciplinary work in feminist studies to think about political institutions – and to see the effect of political institutions on subject positions with different gender identities. POLSCI 402(425). Liberalism and Its Critics. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 302. (3). (Excl). An examination of liberalism, still the dominant political tradition of the West, and of its chief rivals: conservatism, Marxism, Fascism, communitarianism, and feminism. POLSCI 403 / CLCIV 360. Greek Political Thought. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 302. (3). (Excl). The course deals with the crisis in political thinking during the fifth century B.C. It then examines the Platonic and Aristotelian attempts to counter the arguments of the Sophists. The course concentrates on careful reading of the texts, most particularly Plato and Aristotle. POLSCI 404. Foundations of Modern Political Thought. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 301 or 302. (3). (Excl). This course intends to offer students an in-depth analysis of the foundations of liberal and democratic theory, developed by Western thinkers between the 17th and 18th centuries. POLSCI 405. Political Philosophy of the Enlightenment. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 403. (3). (Excl). An examination of the political philosophies of Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Kant. The course focuses on the role of the individual in liberal society, the moral basis of liberal society, and the relationship between knowledge or enlightenment and civic concern. Readings include Montesquieu, and various moral and political works of Kant. POLSCI 406(426). Democratic Theory. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 302. (3). (Excl). Competing conceptions of democracy: Rousseau, Tocqueville, Mill. Critiques from economists and sociologists. Selected policy issues, including judicial review, representative ethics, the connection between capitalism and democracy, and the rationality of voting. POLSCI 407. Marxism and 20th Century Radicalism. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 302. (3). (Excl). An exploration of some of the most important and influential critiques of modern society and politics, from Marxism to radical feminism. POLSCI 408 / CAAS 456. Comparative Black Political Thought. (Theory) Two courses in political science. (3). (Excl). A comparative analysis of Black political thought. POLSCI 409. Twentieth Century Political Thought. (Theory) POLSCI 101 or 302. (3). (Excl). The course discusses contemporary political theory starting from late 19th century thinkers. It considers contributions to political thinking from various disciplines outside of political theory. POLSCI 432. Law and Public Policy. (American) Two courses in political science, including POLSCI 111 or its equivalent. (4; 3 in the half term). (Excl). Courts are policy makers. Judges are called upon to "apply" the law to specific disputes that are brought before them, and this process is anything but mechanical. Judges create the law as they resolve specific disputes, often disguising their own creativity. Throughout the course, we inquire into the techniques judges use to make policy and consider whether the courts are up to the task of policy making which confronts them with every decision. POLSCI 460. Advanced Writing in Political Science. Upperclass standing. Intended for Political Science concentrators who are satisfying the Upper-Level Writing Requirement. (3). (Excl). Advanced writing in the discipline offers multiple sections available for advaced writing credit. Specific sections vary from term to term. POLSCI 462. Strategic Interaction in World Politics. (World) POLSCI 160 and an additional course in Political Science. (3). (Excl). This course explores theories of international relations, their logic, and their application to understand individual events. Topics covered include the causes of war, negotiation, domestic politics and foreign policy, and international institutions and cooperation. Students are introduced to game theory, a mathematical theory of strategic interaction, and its application to international politics. POLSCI 481. Junior Honors Proseminar. Open only to Honors concentrators with junior standing. (3). (Excl). Discussion of key issues in the various areas of political science. POLSCI 482 / ECON 483. Positive Political Economy. (American) ECON 401. (3). (Excl). An introduction to positive political economy, analyzing political institutions and their impact on economic policies. The tools of game theory are used to analyze different voting mechanisms, legislative games, the bureaucracy, and interest groups, and to incorporate these political institutions into the analysis of issues such as income taxation and the provision of public goods. POLSCI 486. Public Opinion, Political Participation, and Pressure Groups. (American) One course in political science. (3). (Excl). A study of the nature and formation of public opinion and the antecedents of political participation. The influence of personality, class, religion, and race as well as family, peer group, school, and media are examined. POLSCI 488. Political Dynamics. (Methods) Junior standing. (3). (Excl). Models of political systems that evolve through time. Topics include: political party competition, arms races, conservation, and management of natural resources, political development and economic growth. Extensive use of computing to explore properties of models, with less emphasis on mathematical detail and more on substantive interpretation and creativity. POLSCI 490. Game Theory and Formal Models. (Methods) (3). (Excl). An introduction to game theory and other kinds of formal modeling, with an emphasis on models of political systems. POLSCI 491. Directed Studies. Two courses in political science and permission of instructor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. I. (1-6). (Excl). No more than four credits of directed study credit may be elected as part of a concentration program in Political Science. (INDEPENDENT). May be elected for a total of eight credits. POLSCI 491 and 492 may be elected for a combined maximum of eight credits. Directed individual study of any subject agreed upon by the student and the advising instructor, which does not duplicate a formal course offering. POLSCI 492. Directed Studies. Two courses in political science and permission of instructor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. II. (1-6). (Excl). No more than four credits of directed study credit may be elected as part of a concentration program in Political Science. (INDEPENDENT). May be elected for a total of eight credits. POLSCI 491 and 492 may be elected for a combined maximum of eight credits. Directed individual study of any subject agreed upon by the student and the advising instructor, which does not duplicate a formal course offering. POLSCI 493. Senior Honors Proseminar. Open only to senior Honors concentrators. I. (4). (Excl). No more than four Honors credits may be elected as part of a concentration plan in Political Science. (INDEPENDENT). Each student prepares a substantial paper under the direction of a member of the Department of Political Science faculty. POLSCI 494. Senior Honors Proseminar. Open only to senior Honors concentrators. II. (4). (Excl). No more than four Honors credits may be elected as part of a concentration plan in Political Science. (INDEPENDENT). Each student prepares a substantial paper under the direction of a member of the Department of Political Science faculty. POLSCI 495. Undergraduate Seminar in Political Theory. (Theory) Senior standing, primarily for seniors concentrating in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit twice. Selected topics in political theory. POLSCI 496. Undergraduate Seminar in American Government and Politics. (American) Senior standing, primarily for seniors concentrating in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit twice. Selected topics in American government and politics. POLSCI 497. Undergraduate Seminar in Comparative and Foreign Government. (Comparative) Senior standing, primarily for seniors concentrating in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit twice. Selected topics in comparative and foreign governments. POLSCI 498. Undergraduate Seminar in International Politics. (World) Senior standing, primarily for seniors concentrating in political science. (3). (Excl). May be elected for credit twice. Selected topics in international politics. POLSCI 499. Quantitative Methods of Political Analysis. (Methods) (3). (Excl). (BS). An introduction to statistical and mathematical approaches to the study of politics. Application of statistical measures of relationship and methods for statistical inference in political research. POLSCI 514. The Use of Social Science Computer Programs. (Methods) POLSCI 499. (1). (Excl). Practical experience in the use of a system of computer programs for social scientists. POLSCI 560 / PUBPOL 560. Foreign Policy and the Management of International Relations. (World) (3). (Excl). This course examines alternative institutions and strategies through which nations articulate, either cooperatively or competitively, their foreign policy objectives. The course focuses on how complex international issues can be understood in terms of the objectives and motivations of the nations involved and the extent to which international policy problems can or cannot be affected by explicit policy interventions. POLSCI 591. Advanced Internship in Political Science. Two courses in political science at the 400-level or above and concentration in political science; or graduate standing. Permission of supervising instructor and review by the Department's internship advisor. I. (2-6). (Excl). No more than four credits of internship may be included as part of a concentration plan in political science. (EXPERIENTIAL). All internship courses may be elected for a maximum total of eight credits. For superior students in the department who, during their junior and senior years or in their graduate program, may be selected for directed programs of internship or field study in international, national, state, or local government agencies. POLSCI 592. Advanced Internship in Political Science. Two courses in political science at the 400-level or above and concentration in political science; or graduate standing. Permission of supervising instructor and review by the Department's internship advisor. II. (2-6). (Excl). No more than four credits of internship may be included as part of a concentration plan in political science. (EXPERIENTIAL). All internship courses may be elected for a maximum total of eight credits. For superior students in the department who, during their junior and senior years or in their graduate program, may be selected for directed programs of internship or field study in international, national, state, or local government agencies. Graduate Course Listings for POLSCI. This page was created at 8:14 AM on Mon, Apr 15, 2002. 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