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Department of Political Science
Chair and Professor: FosterProfessors: Adler, Anderson, Bowen, Gabardi, Maughan, McBeth
Associate Professors: Burns, Nilson
Adjunct Faculty: Box, Chambers, Eckert, Israel, Phippen, Winmill
Professors Emeriti: Hjelm
The study of governments and human beings as decision makers is at once an ancient discipline and one of the most recently developed social sciences. Political inquiry reaches back to the recorded beginnings of human society, for individuals have always been curious about the nature of governments, the bases of authority and personality of leaders, the obligations of followers, and consequences of public policies. Although interest persists in these matters, inquiry has broadened to include scientific observations about politics which utilize relatively new techniques of analysis that are common to many of the social sciences. The newer emphasis is upon systematic procedures of investigation, rigorous standards of proof, comparative analysis and interdisciplinary studies.
Both of these approaches—the traditional and the behavioral—are offered in the undergraduate and graduate levels of study. The curriculum provides background in the theory and practice of politics and techniques of methodological inquiry for the student with general interests. It offers training of a general and specific nature that is useful for persons planning to seek careers in education, the legal profession, state and local government, urban and regional planning, the federal bureaucracy and journalism, or in any of the proliferating quasi-public organizations which seek to monitor the political processes or to influence the content of public policy.
The Department of Political Science offers programs leading to Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Public Administration, and Doctor of Arts degrees. Within the framework of the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs, students may pursue a major in political science or they may choose an emphasis in pre-law. There is no required or specified curriculum which students who emphasize pre-law are expected to follow. An advisory committee has been created to assist such students in developing a curriculum that reflects their individual needs.
Outcome objectives are related to both student and program development. Student related outcome objectives are listed below:
1. To gain a well-rounded knowledge of the basic fields of the discipline.
2. To develop an understanding of how political scientists think, gather evidence, process data, and reach tentative conclusions.
3. To think critically about political phenomena and thought.
4. To develop effective oral and written communication skills.
5. To engage in problem solving.
6. To be exposed to a rich variety of perspectives and ideas.
7. To prepare for a career or profession after graduation that is related to the political science major. This includes graduate school.Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Political Science
Requirements for the B.A. and B.S. Degrees:In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees, political science majors are required to take the following courses from the "core curriculum":
POLS 101 Introduction to American Government 3 crIn addition to the 27 credits from the core curriculum, majors are required to earn a minimum of 12 elective credits selected from any of the courses in the political science curriculum (excluding POLS 459).
POLS 202 Introduction to Politics 3 cr
POLS 221 Introduction to
International Relations 3 cr
POLS 313 Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 cr
POLS 331 Comparative Politics:
Framework for Analysis 3 cr
POLS g401 Political Parties and Interest Groups 3 cr
OR
POLS g427 Voting and Public Opinion 3 cr
POLS g403 The Presidency 3 cr
OR
POLS g404 Legislative Process 3 cr
POLS g442 Constitutional Law 3 cr
OR
POLS g443 Constitutional Law 3 cr
POLS 460 Senior Seminar 3 crEmphasis in Pre-law
Students who desire to complete this emphasis should consult with a pre-law advisor in the Department of Political Science.Minor in Political Science
Students seeking a minor in political science must complete the following: POLS 101, 202, six credits of core curriculum courses (excluding POLS 460) and six elective political science credits (excluding POLS 459).Associate of Science in Political Science
Students seeking an Associate of Science degree in Political Science must complete the following:General Education Goals for
Bachelor of Science variable
POLS 101 Introduction to American Government 3 cr
POLS 202 Introduction to Politics 3 cr
POLS 221 Introduction to
International Relations 3 cr
POLS 248 Politics and the
Administration of Justice 3 cr
OR
POLS 249 Introduction to Criminal Law 3 cr
Three additional courses in Political Science 9 cr
Electives to bring total to 64 cr variable
TOTAL: 64 cr
*The number of credits required for the General Education requirements
varies depending on the student's performance on proficiency or
placement tests in English, foreign languages, and mathematics.Political Science Courses
Courses in this department are grouped into several topics, which are shown here. Each topic is linked to a group of course descriptions. You may browse either by clicking on the link to reach the group of courses in a given topic, or by reading the course names, noting the topic to which each course belongs, and then clicking on the topic link.Topics:
American Indian Studies
American Politics
Comparative Government
General Courses
International Politics
Introductory Courses
Political Analysis
Political Theory
Public Administration
Public LawCourses in numerical order:
POLS 101 Introduction to American Government - Introductory Courses
POLS 202 Introduction to Politics - Introductory Courses
POLS 221 Introduction to International Relations - International Politics
POLS 308 State and Local Government - American Politics
POLS 313 Introduction to Political Philosophy - Political Theory
POLS 318 Topics in Political Theory - Political Theory
POLS 326 Recent American Foreign Policy - International Politics
POLS 331 Comparative Politics: Framework for Analysis - Comparative Government
POLS 248 Politics and the Administration of Justice - Public Law
POLS 249 Introduction to Criminal Law - Public Law
POLS 342 American Legal Systems - Public Law
POLS 345 Jurisprudence and Legal Systems - Public Law
POLS 397 Workshop - General Courses
POLS g401 Political Parties and Interest Groups - American Politics
POLS g403 The Presidency - American Politics
POLS g404 The Legislative Process - American Politics
POLS g405 The Administrative Process - American Politics
POLS g406 Intergovernmental Relations - American Politics
POLS g408 Metropolitan and Urban Studies - American Politics
POLS g409 Community and Regional Planning American Politics
POLS g411 American Political Theory Political Theory
POLS g412 Modern Political Analysis - Political Analysis
POLS g419 Political Research Methods - Political Analysis
POLS g419L Political Research Methods Laboratory - Political Analysis
POLS g420 Contemporary Political Theory - Political Theory
POLS g421 Democratic Political Thoughts - Political Theory
POLS g425 Topics in International Politics - International Politics
POLS g427 Voting and Public Opinion - American Politics
POLS g432 Comparative Politics: Change and Political Order - Comparative Government
POLS g433 Politics of Developing Nations - Comparative Government
POLS g434 Terrorism and Political Violence - International Politics
POLS g435 Topics in National and Regional Studies - Comparative Government
POLS g441 Administrative Law - Public Administration
POLS g442 Constitutional Law - Public Law
POLS g443 Constitutional Law - Public Law
POLS g451 Organizational Theory and Bureaucratic Structure - Public Administration
POLS g452 Financial Administration and Budgeting - Public Administration
POLS g453 Public Policy Analysis - American Politics
POLS g454 Public Personnel Administration - Public Administration
POLS g455 Environmental Politics and Policy - American Politics
POLS g456 Labor Organization - Public Administration
POLS g457 Grantwriting - Public Administration
POLS g458 Public Administration Ethics - Public Administration
POLS g459 Government Internship - General Courses
POLS 460 Senior Seminar - General Courses
POLS g471 Historical Geography of Idaho - General Courses
POLS g478 Federal Indian Law - American Indian Studies
POLS g479 Tribal Governments - American Indian Studies
POLS g491 Seminar - General Courses
POLS g492 Seminar - General Courses
Course Descriptions, grouped by topic:
POLS 101 Introduction to American Government 3 credits. Constitutional basis, structure, and administrative organization of the national government. Cross-listed as AMST 101. Satisfies Goal 11 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, Su
POLS 202 Introduction to Politics 3 credits. This class is an introduction to the fundamental issues in political science. Examples of topics covered include equality, majority rule, and the fact-value distinction. Required for all students majoring in political science. F
POLS g478 Federal Indian Law 3 credits. Examination of tribal governments; their relationship with the federal government; sovereignty, jurisdictional conflicts over land and resources; and economic development. Cross-listed as ANTH g478. D
POLS g479 Tribal Governments 3 credits. Complex legal position of Indian tribes as self-governing entities; principles of inherent powers; governmental organization, lawmaking, justice, relation to state and federal government. Cross-listed as ANTH g479. D
POLS 308 State and Local Government 3 credits. Study of the institutions of state and local government in a behavioral context. D
POLS g401 Political Parties and Interest Groups 3 credits. The nature and development of political parties and pressure groups as exemplified in the United States. S
POLS g403 The Presidency 3 credits. Evolution and development of the office of the President; its major responsibilities in domestic and foreign affairs, with emphasis on particular power problems that confront the President. F
POLS g404 The Legislative Process 3 credits. Nature and functions of the U.S. Congress. Topics covered: legislative campaigns, the politics of lawmaking, congressional investigations, and major problems facing the Congress. S
POLS g405 The Administrative Process 3 credits. Analysis of the principles of public administration with an introduction to theories of organization and administration. D
POLS g406 Intergovernmental Relations 3 credits. Analysis of patterns of intergovernmental relations including changing patterns of program and fiscal responsibility in the federal system. The emerging role of new federal structures, state and substate regional organizations will be reviewed in the context of "new" federalism and its implications for intergovernmental relationships.D
POLS g408 Metropolitan and Urban Studies 3 credits. Analysis of metropolitan and smaller urban systems with emphasis on relationships among general groups, political organizations and institutions. Federal, state and interlocal programs will serve as a focus for analyzing particular problems of metropolitan and urban systems in the 20th century. D
POLS g409 Community and Regional Planning 3 credits. Steps involved in planning will be analyzed in the context of community and regional decision-making processes. Two perspectives will be stressed—that of the decision-maker, the social structure within which the decision-maker operates and strategies for implementing decision; and that of the citizen or group interest which lies outside the power structure of the community. Each perspective will be used as a framework for analyzing power configurations, techniques of identifying patterns of decision making, and various forms of citizen participation.
POLS g427 Voting and Public Opinion 3 credits. Analysis of the way citizens and government communicate with each other. Elections, public opinion, and media influence are studied. AF
POLS g453 Public Policy Analysis 3 credits. Theoretical and practical analyses of public policies, including theories of policy formation and their political implementation through governmental institutions. Case studies will provide the means of analyzing specific policy problems. D
POLS g455 Environmental Politics and Policy 3 credits. Study of the Political forces affecting environmental policy and investigation of several specific policies affecting the environment, such as: pollution control, energy production, hazardous chemicals, and the public lands. D
POLS g412 Modern Political Analysis 3 credits. Methods of political inquiry and theories and doctrines of politics, with emphasis on modern developments. D
POLS g419 Political Research Methods 3 credits. This class investigates the theory and application of various research methods and statistical techniques common to the social sciences, with particular reference to their use in political inquiry. D
POLS g419L Political Research Methods Laboratory 1 credit. Application of and practice in research methods. D
POLS g441 Administrative Law 3 credits. Introductory survey of the legal principles defining governmental administrative processes. Topics include judicial review, tort liability of governments and offices, rules and rule-making, due process, and the limits of administrative discretion. D
POLS g451 Organizational Theory and Bureaucratic Structure 3 credits. Introduction to the study of complex organizations and organizational behavior in the administration of public policy. Emphasis on public institutions. PREREQ: POLS 405 recommended. D
POLS g452 Financial Administration and Budgeting 3 credits. Emphasis on different approaches to financial administration, ranging from incremental and short-term planning to more recent and comprehensive emphases on management by objectives and zero based budgeting. The development of the Office of Management and Budget and its relationship with the President, Congress and the Federal Bureaucracy will be considered as well as political, organizational and behavioral constraints on budgetary decision-making. D
POLS g454 Public Personnel Administration 3 credits. Operations and processes of personnel management in public institutions. Major topics include personnel processes, public employee rights and duties, employee motivation and morale, the political environment of public personnel administration, and the impact of professionalism, technology, and participatory democracy on public personnel practices. D
POLS g456 Labor Organization 3 credits. Evolution of economic systems and labor's response to changing patterns of production is studied, and a counter perspective to traditional management views of "efficiency" is presented. Emphasis is on governmental employee unions.D
POLS g457 Grantwriting 3 credits. Steps involved in the grantwriting process from strategic planning, research, and writing to finding appropriate grant sources. D
POLS g458 Public Administration Ethics 3 credits. A course in applied ethics serving to educate students from a theoretical and a practical point of view. The course provides an historical and social perspective of ethics in public administration. D
POLS 313 Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 credits. Examination of selected writings in political philosophy from the classical, Christian and early modern eras. S
POLS 318 Topics in Political Theory 3 credits. This course requires examination, analysis and investigation of selected texts and topics in political philosophy. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. D
POLS g411 American Political Theory 3 credits. Political ideas in the United States from Colonial and Revolutionary times through the controversies of the Civil War to the present. D
POLS g420 Contemporary Political Theory 3 credits. Recent 20th century political philosophies and theories ranging from democratic, Marxist, and existentialist thought to Critical Theory and postmodernism. D
POLS g421 Democratic Political Thoughts 3 credits. Historical and contemporary models of democracy as well as contemporary debates in democratic thought. Democracy is treated as a contested idea. D
POLS 221 Introduction to International Relations 3 credits. Conceptual introduction to international relations, with emphasis on sovereignty, national interest, power, and balance of power. F
POLS 326 Recent American Foreign Policy 3 credits. Study of recent American foreign policy focused on the interrelationship of domestic and foreign policies and the problems of formulating foreign policy in a democratic state.D
POLS g425 Topics in International Politics 3 credits. This course requires examination, analysis and evaluation of selected topics in international politics. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. D
POLS g434 Terrorism and Political Violence 3 credits. A survey of forms of domestic and transnational terrorism, other forms of political violence, and problems of counter-terrorism. D
POLS 331 Comparative Politics: Framework for Analysis 3 credits. Introduction to various theoretical approaches to comparative analyses of different cultures and nations, and to other courses in this area of emphasis. F
POLS g432 Comparative Politics: Change and Political Order 3 credits. An examination of political change, political order, political culture and the role of revolutionary violence. Change and order in the context of globalization is emphasized. D
POLS g433 Politics of Developing Nations 3 credits. Study of problems in the political analysis of rapidly changing and unstable "developing" nation states with an emphasis on problems of the political, economic, and social development of selected states. D
POLS g435 Topics in National and Regional Studies 3 credits. Surveys the political, economic, and social issues of a nation or region. May be repeated once with a different topic. D
POLS 248 Politics and the Administration of Justice 3 credits. The criminal justice system in the United States will be examined by investigating its component parts: police, court, and correction. In addition, the problem of coordination among these agencies will be explored as will the relationship of the criminal justice network to the larger society. D
POLS 249 Introduction to Criminal Law 3 credits. The major categories of criminal liability are studied within the context of American criminal justice. These include crimes against individuals, property, and society. Defenses available to those accused of criminal activity are also discussed. D
POLS 342 American Legal Systems 3 credits. Relationship of the judicial process to the American political process will be examined with emphasis on the various factors influencing the making of judicial decisions. D
POLS 345 Jurisprudence and Legal Systems 3 credits. Nature, source, and theories of law; the role of law in modern society; and the application of legal philosophy to the political system. D
POLS g442 Constitutional Law 3 credits. Analysis of opinions of the United States Supreme Court concerning the distribution of authority between the national government and the states and the relationship among the branches of the national government. F
POLS g443 Constitutional Law 3 credits. Analysis of opinions of the United States Supreme Court with a special emphasis on criminal cases and civil liberties. S
POLS 397 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Does not satisfy requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. D
POLS g459 Government Internship 1-9 credits. Directed student internship in political science and organizations or associations related to public policy and the selection of public officials involving supervised work experience in research, staff management practices, or making and implementing public policies. The student will be placed in a supervised position commensurate with his/her abilities as determined and approved by faculty in the department. May be repeated up to 9 credits. F, S, Su
POLS 460 Senior Seminar 3 credits. This seminar is designed to integrate undergraduate academic experience in the major. Students will be required to do research and writing on topics encountered in their undergraduate curriculum. Required of, and open to, senior majors. S
POLS g471 Historical Geography of Idaho 3 credits. Influences of geography and geology on Idaho's economic, political and cultural history. May be team taught and include field trips, discussion sections. Cross-listed as GEOL g471 and HIST g471. AS
POLS g491 Seminar 1-3 credits. Research, reading, discussion, and the preparation of reports on selected topics. Ordinarily for seniors majoring in political science and having the instructor's consent. May be repeated to 6 credits. F, S, Su
POLS g492 Seminar 1-3 credits. Research, reading, discussion, and the preparation of reports on selected topics. Ordinarily for seniors majoring in political science and having the instructor's consent. May be repeated to 6 credits. F, S, Su
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IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: July 2003 |