Political Science Course Descriptions

1001  Fundamental Issues of Politics (3) – Central questions at issue in politics; their significance.

1002  Honors: Fundamental Issues of Politics (3) Same as POLI 1001, with special honors emphasis for qualified students. Credit will not be given for this course and POLI 1001.

2030  Civic Engagement, Youth, and Media (3) See MC 2030.

 

2051  American Government (3) - Principles, structures, processes, and functions; emphasis on national government. 

 

2052  HONORS: American Government (3) – Same as POLI 2051, with special honors emphasis for qualified students. Credit will not be given for this course and POLI 2051. 

 

2053  Introduction to Comparative Politics (3) – Survey of politics in democratic, post-communist, and developing societies; emphasis on major actors and institutions. 

 

2056  Government of Louisiana (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent. State and local government and politics in Louisiana.

 

2057  Introduction to International Politics (3) – Basic principles, problems and concepts of international politics; evolution and nature of the nation-state; concepts of sovereignty, power, and national interest; patterns of conflict and cooperation; foreign policies of the major powers. 

 

2060  Introduction to Political Theory (3) – Basic concepts of analysis of normative and empirical political thought.

 

2070  Public Policy Making: An Introduction (3) – Sequential process of policy making from problem identification through policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of impact; application to such areas as civil rights, welfare, urban affairs, taxation, and government spending. 

 

3000  HONORS: Thesis (3) – Culmination of political science honors program; details available from department.

 

3001  Approaches to the Study of Politics (3) - Surveys of ways political Scientists try to generate knowledge about the political world.

 

3003  Games and Strategy in Models of Politics (3) - Basic fundamentals of game theoretic analysis in political science.

 

3809  HONORS: Seminar (3) – Students not enrolled in the honors program may be admitted with consent of the instructor. Subject matter and instructor vary. Details available from the department during registration. 

 

3896  HONORS: Readings Course (1-3) – Same as POLI 4996, 4997, with special honors emphasis for qualified students. Credit will not be given for this course and POLI 4996, 4997.

 

3901  Undergraduate Internship in Political Science (1-6) – Open to undergraduate students approved by the Department of Political Science. May be counted toward the total number of hours required for a major in political science but not toward fulfilling field requirements. Program of study, research, and work in governmental or private agencies concerned with public policy. 

 

3909 Contemporary Political Issues (3) – For undergraduate political science or other social sciences majors having a 2.70 overall average; also open to well-qualified students in other fields, by consent of department. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Course content depends on interests of instructor and class.  

 

4000  Special Topics in American Politics (3) – Prerequisite: consent of department. May be repeated for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. credit when topics vary. 

 

4001  Research Methods in Political Science (3) – Basic components of the research process in political science, including design and structure of research, modes of observation, and techniques of analyzing data. 

 

4011  Bureaucracy, Politics, and Public Policy (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051. Interrelationships between bureaucracy and politics in formulation and execution of public policy; forces and forms affecting these relationships. 

 

4015  American State Politics and Policy Making (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent. Politics and policy making in the American states; legal, cultural, socio-economic, political, and institutional factors affecting the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of American state public policies. 

 

4017  Politics and Poverty Policy (3) - Examination of key policy considerations pertaining to the problems of poverty in the United States.

 

4020  American Constitutional Law (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent. Law of the Constitution and place of the Supreme Court in the American political system; separation of powers, judicial review, federalism and federal powers. 

 

4021  The American Constitution and Civil Liberties (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent. Political relevance of major federal constitutional limitations; property rights; First Amendment freedoms; rights of criminal defendants and ethnic minorities.

 

4022  American Constitutional Law of the Criminally Accused (3) - Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent.  Political Relevance of major federal constitutional limitations with particular focus on the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth amendments and the criminal justice system.

 

4023  Judicial Politics (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051. Political role of U.S. state and federal courts; organization, staffing, financing; judicial policy making; public perception of the judicial process.  

 

4026  Campaigns and Elections (3) - Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent. Examination of campaigns and elections in the U.S. political system at the national, state, and local levels. 

 

4028  Gender and American Politics (3) - Also offered as  WGS 4028.  The role of gender in the political arena in the United States.

 

4029 Political Psychology (3) - We will consider how key concepts from psychology such as personality, cognition, emotions, stereotypes, and group dynamics affect political attitudes, public opinion, campaigns, and elections.

 

4030  Political Attitudes and Public Opinion (3) – Beliefs and attitudes among the mass public; emphasis on attitude formation and change.

 

4031  Political Parties in the United States (3) – Structure and function of political parties at local, state, and national levels; voting studies of presidential elections.

 

4032 Interest Groups in American Politics (3) – Interest group politics; effect of voluntary organizations on political behavior.

 

4034  Political Participation (3) – Voting behavior, conventional participation, and political protest and violence; political behavior and public policy.

 

4035  The Legislative Process (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent. Legislative politics; emphasis on the U.S. Congress; effect of party, constituency, and legislative institutions on legislative behavior and public policy; role of Congress in the American political system.

 

4036  The American Presidency (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2051 or equivalent. The presidency in the American political system; emphasis on process of presidential selection, evolving role of the president, politics of the executive apparatus of the presidency, and presidential interaction with other political institutions and actors.

 

4037  Race and Elections (3) - The impact of race and racial stereotypes in U.S. electoral politics.  Emphasis on the psychology of stereotypes, formation of black stereotypes, and their influence on American electoral politics.

 

4039  Southern Politics (3) – Contemporary politics of the American South. 

 

4040  Special Topics in International Relations (3) – Prerequisite: consent of department. May be repeated for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. credit when topics vary. 

 

4041  International Law (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2057 or equivalent. Development of international law; law of peace, war, and neutrality; treaty law; recognition, war crimes, law enforcement, state responsibility, and diplomatic immunities under the United Nations.

 

4042  International Organization (3) – Origins, development, and future of international organization; emphasis on the United Nations. 

 

4043  American Foreign Policy (3) – "National interest" as guiding consideration in development of American foreign policy from the beginning to the present; importance of the constitutional framework; presidential and congressional leadership; pressure groups and public opinion; changing world environment and American response. 

 

4044  The Contemporary International System (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2057 or equivalent. Developments and trends in the international system since World War II; classical and modern versions of the balance of power; bipolarity, multi-polarity, and other elements of systems theory; concept of deterrence and game theory; decision making theory; integration theory; conflict and conflict-resolution theory. 

 

4045  International Terrorism (3)

 

4046  International Political Economy (3) – Prerequisite: POLI 2057 or equivalent. Theories of international interdependence, dependence, and integration; politics of decision making on protectionism and international finance; role of multinational corporations in world political economy; North-South debate; economic issues and national security.

 

4047  Political Psychology in International Relations (3) – Cognitive personality and group psychology in international relations.

 

4048  International Conflict and Cooperation (3) – Theories of international conflict, war, and conflict resolution.

 

4050  Globalization and Politics (3) - Prerequisite: POLI 2057 or equivalent. Overview of the concepts, theories, and empirical evidence associated with the emerging phenomenon known as globalization, with particular emphasis on its political economic, and cultural dimensions. 

 

4059  International Politics of the Middle East (3) - International relations among Middle Eastern countries, with special emphasis on the Arab-Israeli conflict, international terrorism, and U.S. policy toward the region.

 

4060 Special Topics in Comparative Politics (3) - Prerequisite: consent of department. May be taken for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. 

 

4061 Comparative Politics of the Middle East (3) - Government and politics of Middle Eastern countries, with special emphasis on political institutions and processes, the role of Islam, and women's conditions. 

 

4062  Comparative Political Economy (3) - Credit will not be given for both this course and POLI 7976. Cross-regional comparison on the interaction between politics and economics; topics include electoral business cycles, foreign trade, foreign investment, industrial policy, and the environment.

 

4063  Comparative Political Institutions (3) – Credit will not be given for both this course and POLI 7972. Comparative analysis of political institutions; emphasis on constitutional design, electoral and party systems, legislatures, cabinets, and parliamentary and presidential structures. 

 

4064  Comparative Politics of Developing Areas (3) – Problems of development confronted by contemporary states and societies of the Third World; emphasis on role of ethnic pluralism, political parties, bureaucracies, and the military.

 

4065  Latin American Governments and Politics (3) – Governmental and political processes of Latin America; their contributions to modern government.

 

4067  The Politics of Asia (3) – Governments and politics of modern Asia, with a focus on China; contemporary nationalism, political development, revolution, and impact of communism, democracy, and capitalism on Asian states. 

 

4070  Russian Politics and Government (3) – Contemporary political institutions and policies of Russia; influence of internal forces, such as culture, ideology, and social structure; political, economic, and social problems and policies. 

 

4072  Politics and Government of East Central Europe (3) – Political systems of the former communist states of Eastern Europe; domestic institutions and policies; legacies of communism; political parties and elections. 

 

4074  Politics of the European Union (3) – The political, social, legal, and economic unification of Europe.

 

4075  Politics of Western Europe (3) - National political systems of Western Europe.

 

4076  The Politics of France and Francophone Areas (3) - The political development, institution, and culture of the French Republic and selected Francophone areas.

   

4077  British Politics (3)

 

4078  African Government and Politics (3) – Governmental and political processes of Africa; factors affecting governmental performance in modern Africa. 

 

4079  State, Society, and Citizenship in Contemporary China (3) Political events in contemporary China; emphasis on the state and the citizen in the Reform Era.

 

4080  American Political Thought (3) – Development of the American liberal-democratic tradition, and dissent to that tradition.

 

4081  History of Political Theory from Plato to More (3) – Ancient and medieval political thought.

 

4082  History of Political Theory from Machiavelli to Nietzsche (3) – Early modern European political thought. 

 

4090  Special Topics in Political Theory (3) – Prerequisite: consent of department. May be repeated for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. credit when topics vary.

 

4096  Contemporary Political Theory (3) – Political thought from Nietzsche to present. 

 

4097  Political Theology (3) Also offered as REL 4097. An exploration of the relationship between theology and politics, from the ancient Greeks and Hebrews to contemporary political theologians; emphasis on the Judeo-Christian tradition, but the political theology of other religious traditions, such as Islam, Hinduism, and Confucianism, may be included. 

 

4098  Politics and Ethics (3) Also offered a PHIL 4098. Ethical theory and its application to politics, domestic and international; ethical issues of public policy and conduct will be examined.

 

4234  Studies in Literature and Politics (3) – See ENGL 4234. 

 

4996, 4997  Readings Course (1-3,1-3) – Prerequisite: consent of department. Honors courses, POLI 3896 and 3897, are also available. For junior, senior, and graduate students in the social sciences with a 3.00 average. Credit will not be given for these courses and POLI 3896, 3897. Individual reading in a specified field of political science.

 

4998  Honors: Directed Research (1 - 3)

 

4999  Honors: Thesis (3)

 

7000  Professional Development (1) – Pass-fail grading. Political scientist as teacher, researcher, citizen.

 

7900  Seminar in American Politics (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary. 

 

7902  Seminar in Public Policy (3) – Also offered as PADM 7902. 

 

7903  Special Topics in American Politics (3) – May be taken for a max. of 9 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7915  Seminar in State Politics and Policy Making (3)

 

7917  Seminar in Program Evaluation (3) – See PADM 7917.

 

7920  Seminar in Public Law (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7930  Seminar in Political Behavior (3) - May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7935  Seminar in Legislative Politics (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7940  Seminar in International Politics (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7941  Special Topics in International Politics (3) – May be taken for a max. of 9 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. 

 

7942  Seminar in Political Psychology in International Relations (3) - Advanced study of cognitive, personality, group, and identity psychology in international relations.

 

7946  Seminar in the Politics of International Economic Relations (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7947  International Conflict (3) - Democratic peace, international terrorism, civil war, diversionary war, and enduring rivalries, as well as current debates in the literature.

 

7961  Approaches to the Study of Politics (3) 

 

7962  Seminar in Research Design and Quantitative Techniques (3) 

 

7963  Advanced Research Methods in Social Science (3) – See SOCL 7203. 

 

7964  Specialized Topics in Social Science Methods (2-3) – See SOCL 7213.

 

7970  Seminar in Comparative Politics (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7971  Special Topics in Comparative Politics (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7972  Seminar in Comparative Political Institutions (3) – Credit will not be given for both this course and POLI 4063. Advanced analysis of comparative political institutions, emphasis on constitutional design, electoral and party systems, legislatures and cabinets, and parliamentary and presidential structures.

 

7974  Seminar on the State and Society (3) – Focus on relations between the state and society; effects of social structure and social change on politics and the factors affecting political regimes and state capacity. 

 

7975  Seminar in Comparative Political Behavior (3) – Focus on individual level political phenomena and the relations to political institutions and social systems; topics include political culture and socialization, participation and protest, revolution and regime support, voting and voting behavior.

 

7976  Seminar in Comparative Political Economy (3) – Credit will not be given for both this course and POLI 4062. May be taken for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. Focus on the interaction between politics ad economics; topics include models of development, economic performance, and the impact of global economic forces on regional and domestic politics.

 

7980  Seminar in American Political Thought (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7981  Seminar in Classical and Medieval Political Theory (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7982  Seminar in Early Modern Political Theory (3)

 

7990  Political Theory: Interpretation and Analysis (3)

 

7991  Special Topics in Political Theory (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7995  Seminar in Contemporary Political Theory (3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

 

7998, 7999  Readings Course (3,3) – May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.

8000  Thesis Research (1-12 per sem.) – "S"/"U" grading.

9000  Dissertation Research (1-12 per sem.) – "S"/"U" grading.