Political Science (3700)
Political Science (3700)
| 100 | GOVERNMENT & POLITICS IN US | 4 credits |
| Examination of American political system with emphasis on fundamental principles, ideas, institutions and processes of modern government. Lecture and discussion sections (day classes only). | ||
| 150 | WORLD POLITICS & GOVERNMENT | 3 credits |
| Introduction to international politics and an examination of the governments and foreign policies of selected states from a comparative perspective. | ||
| 201 | INTRO TO POLITICAL RESEARCH | 3 credits |
| Introduction to the research process in political science through an introduction to the logic of social science inquiry and contemporary techniques of analysis. | ||
| 210 | STATE & LOCAL GOVT & POLITICS | 3 credits |
| Examination of institutions, processes and intergovernmental relations at state and local levels. | ||
| 300 | COMPARATIVE POLITICS | 4 credits |
| Introduction to comparative political analysis; description of political systems of Great Britain, France, Germany and Soviet Union; contrast between democracy and totalitarianism. | ||
| 302 | AMERICAN POLITICAL IDEAS | 3 credits |
| Study of major thinkers and writers of American political thought. | ||
| 303 | INTRO TO POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 credits |
| Survey of major ideas and concepts of Western political theory from pre-Socrates through period of Enlightenment. | ||
| 304 | MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 credits |
| Examination of central concepts of political thought from 19th Century to present. Modern liberalism, communism, fascism and totalitarianism emphasized. | ||
| 310 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICS & INS | 3 credits |
| Relations among nations examined in political context. | ||
| 311 | DEVELOPING STATES IN WORLD POL | 3 credits |
| Examines how developing states are conditioned by the global system and how they attempt to modify it. | ||
| 321 | EUROPEAN POLITICS | 3 credits |
| Description and analysis of government and politics of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Russia, with appropriate references to the European Union. | ||
| 326 | POLITICS OF DEVELOPING NATIONS | 3 credits |
| General introduction to concepts and theories of political development and political institutions, elite-recruitment and political processes of selected emerging nations. | ||
| 328 | AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY PROC | 3 credits |
| Examination of American foreign policy-making process; public opinion and other limitations on policy; specific contemporary problems in selected foreign policy areas. | ||
| 334 | LAW, MEDIATION, AND VIOLENCE | 3 credits |
| A critical analysis of the practical challenges central to learning to better prevent, resolve, or reduce the harms associated with conflict. | ||
| 335 | LAW & SOCIETY | 3 credits |
| This course will examine how law constructs and constrains political conflict, and how legal institutions mediate, reinforce, and challenge existing power relationships. | ||
| 336 | HOMELAND SECURITY POLICY & PRC | 3 credits |
| The course will focus on the topic of homeland security, an area that has received a great deal of attention following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. | ||
| 337 | TERRORISM: PRPTS, PLTCS & RSPN | 3 credits |
| Survey of terrorist organizations, political implications of terrorism, and governmental response to terrorism. | ||
| 339 | TERRORISM AND THE CONSTITUTION | 3 credits |
| Primary goals include learning about the balance courts try to strike in safeguarding public safety and respect for personal freedom in a constitutional republic. | ||
| 341 | THE AMERICAN CONGRESS | 3 credits |
| Examination of structure and function of Congress, with comparative materials on legislative process on all levels. Presidential and congressional conflict examined. | ||
| 345 | WORLD POLITICS IN FILM | 3 credits |
| This course examines the political meaning and content of films. Themes investigated include war, the nuclear age and its consequences, postindustrial society, the future, and unemployment. | ||
| 346 | AMERICAN POLITICS IN FILM | 3 credits |
| Examines the portrayal and representation of American politics through cinema. Emphasis on the positive and negative roles that movies play in educating the public. | ||
| 350 | THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY | 3 credits |
| The presidency as focal point of politics, policy and leadership in American political system. | ||
| 351 | INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE | 3 credits |
| The course looks behind the curtain at the inner-workings of the White House. Topics include: physical structure of the White House, travel, protection, and staff. | ||
| 352 | WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION | 3 credits |
| An exploration of the various weapons of mass destruction available to terrorists and other potential enemies with an emphasis on the challenge America faces in responding to such threats. | ||
| 353 | FUTURE INTERNATIONAL THREATS | 3 credits |
| A study of future threats through the use of scenario construction and future projections. | ||
| 360 | THE JUDICIAL PROCESS | 3 credits |
| Role of police, lawyers, courts and judges in context of American political process. Structure and process of judicial policy making and limitations on judicial power. | ||
| 361 | POLITICS OF THE CRIM JUST SYS | 3 credits |
| Examines the impact of the political process and political institutions on criminal law and policy. | ||
| 363 | CRIME, PUN, POL: A COMP PERSP | 3 credits |
| Comparative study of the structures, practices, power relationships, and politics in various criminal justice systems. | ||
| 370 | PUBLIC ADMN: CONCEPTS & PRACTS | 4 credits |
| Examines current administrative theories and their application in public bureaucracies. Emphasis is placed on practices to improve the quality of public sector administration. | ||
| 375 | WOMEN IN POLITICS | 3 credits |
| Course examines the past, present, and future role of women in politics. | ||
| 381 | STATE POLITICS | 3 credits |
| Analysis of the state political process in terms of its capacity to deal with a wide range of socioeconomic problems. Special emphasis on legislators, administrators, parties and interest groups. | ||
| 391 | HONORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE | 3 credits |
| Prerequisites: at least 17 credits and a 3.25 average in political science and permission of adviser. | ||
| 392 | SEL T: POLITICAL SCIENCE | 1-3 credits |
| (May be repeated, but no more than three credits can be applied to major in political science) Topics of substantial current importance, specialized topics within political science or experimental courses. | ||
| 395 | INTERN: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS | 2-9 credits |
| (May be taken twice for a total of nine hours. No more than four credits may be applied toward major in political science.) Prerequisite: Three courses in political science at The University of Akron, 2.20 average in political science, and permission of instructor. Supervised individual placement with political office holders, party groups, governmental agencies, law firms and other organizations providing professional-level work. | ||
| 397 | INDP STUDY: POLITICAL SCIENCE | 1-4 credits |
| (May be repeated for a total of four credits) Prerequisites: senior standing, 3.00 grade-point average and permission of adviser. | ||
| 402 | POLITICS AND THE MEDIA | 3 credits |
| Examination of relationships between the press, the news media and political decision makers. | ||
| 403 | MEDIA, CRIME & PUBLIC OPINION | 3 credits |
| Examines the social construction of crime in mass media and how it impacts public, including fear of crime, beliefs about crime causation, and crime policy. | ||
| 405 | POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST | 3 credits |
| The rise of the state system in the Middle East after World War I; an analysis of the socio-cultural, ideological forces influencing the political behavior of the people of the Middle East. In-depth study of selected political systems. | ||
| 410 | INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: At least one of the following: 310, or 3400:461, or permission. Introduction to political uses of military forces. Major focus on methodological, conceptual, and ethical dilemmas confronted in developing and implementing security policy. | ||
| 413 | GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS | 3 credits |
| An introduction to comparative global biological and public health security policy. Topics include: infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorism, and potential "nano-terrorism." | ||
| 414 | WEALTH AND POWER AMONG NATIONS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 310 or permission of instructor. Studies relationship between politics and economy; mesh theoretical perspectives with exploration of key empirical issues. Topics: trade, relations, unions, finance, development, aid, sanctions. | ||
| 422 | UNDSTND RACIAL & GENDER CNFLCT | 3 credits |
| This is the core course the Certificates in Racial and Gender Conflict, providing students with an opportunity to intensively examine racial and gender conflict. | ||
| 437 | GOVERNMENT VS ORGANIZED CRIME | 3 credits |
| The course gives a history of organized crime and the government's responses to fight it. Newly emerging international crime groups are also discussed. | ||
| 440 | SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisites: 100 or permission. Study of survey research methods as applied to the analysis of public opinion, political behavior, and public policy formation. | ||
| 441 | THE POLICY PROCESS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisites: eight credits in political science. Intensive study of policy-making process, emphasizing roles of various participants in executive and legislative branches as well as private individuals and groups. | ||
| 442 | METHODS OF POLICY ANALYSIS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 201. Examines variety of methods available for analyzing public policies. Techniques of cost benefit analysis, evaluation research quasi-experimentation are covered as well as consideration of ethical questions in policy analysis, the practical problems facing policy analysts. | ||
| 443 | POLITICAL SCANDALS & CORRUPT | 3 credits |
| This course will provide information on major political scandals, including media coverage, public opinion, the role of special prosecutors, and the impacts of scandals. | ||
| 445 | AL QAEDA | 3 credits |
| This course explores the causes and consequences of Al Qaeda's terrorism. Students will weigh different explanations for why individuals join and participate in terrorist groups. | ||
| 450 | ADM PRISONS,PROBATION & PAROLE | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 100. Analysis of the administrative, electoral, and community conflicts central to understanding, resolving, and preventing these conflicts in a correctional environment. | ||
| 461 | THE SUPREME COURT & CONST LAW | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 100 or permission. Interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court with emphasis on federal judicial, legislative and executive power; separation of powers; and federalism. | ||
| 462 | THE SUPREME COURT & CIVIL LIB | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 100 or permission. Interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court with emphasis on freedom of speech and press, freedom of religion, criminal rights and right to privacy. | ||
| 463 | HUMAN RIGHTS IN WORLD POLITICS | 3 credits |
| An introduction to human rights from a comparative perspective; topics include: definition and development of human rights with attention paid to government interaction and wartime. | ||
| 470 | CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT I | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Reading, research and practice in campaign management decision making. | ||
| 471 | CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT II | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 470. The second course in campaign management. The focus is on timing, coalition building, candidate positioning, event planning, internal organization, and other elements of campaign strategy. | ||
| 472 | CAMPAIGN FINANCE | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Reading and research in financial decision making in political campaigns. | ||
| 473 | VOTER CONTACT & ELECTIONS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Theoretical and practical approaches to communication in all types of campaigns. | ||
| 474 | POLITICAL OPIN/BEHAV/ELEC POL | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 100 or 201 or permission. Advanced analysis of psychological, cultural, and group processes of opinion formation and change. Attention given to the effect of opinion change on electoral outcomes. | ||
| 475 | AMERICAN INTEREST GROUPS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: six credits of political science or permission. Reading and research on the development, structure and function of interest groups in the United States. | ||
| 476 | AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES | 3 credits |
| Prerequisites: six credits of political science or permission. Reading and research on the development, structure and function of parties in the United States. | ||
| 477 | LOBBYING | 3 credits |
| Examines the lobbying profession in the political process. Topics include theories of lobbying, tools of lobbying, the lobbying process, and types of lobbying. | ||
| 480 | POLICY PROB: POLITICAL SCIENCE | 3 credits |
| (May be repeated for a total of six credits) Intensive study of selected problems in public policy. | ||
| 481 | THE CHALLENGES OF POLICE WORK | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 100. Analysis of the neighborhood, bureaucratic, electoral, and operational conflicts central to police work, with a focus on efforts and obstacles to improving police work. | ||
| 482 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE TOP: CUR ISSU | 3 credits |
| (May be repeated for a maximum of six credits) Prerequisite: 100. Critical analysis of current issues relating to political science and criminal justice. No more than three credits can be applied to the major. | ||
| 483 | CONSTITUTNL PROBS IN CRIM JUST | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 100. Analyzes Supreme Court policy-making regarding problems of criminal justice, including search and seizure, self-incrimination, right to counsel, jury selection, and post-appeal prisoner rights. | ||
| 497 | SR HONORS PROJ: POLITICAL SCI | 1-3 credits |
| (May be repeated for a total of six credits) Prerequisites: senior standing in Honors Program and permission. Open only to a political science major in Honors Program. Independent study leading to completion of senior honors thesis or other original work. | ||
| 502 | POLITICS AND THE MEDIA | 3 credits |
| Examination of relationships between the press, the news media and political decision makers. | ||
| 503 | MEDIA, CRIME & PUBLIC OPINION | 3 credits |
| Examines the social construction of crime in mass media and how it impacts public, including fear of crime, beliefs about crime causation, and crime policy. | ||
| 510 | INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY | 3 credits |
| Introduction to political uses of military forces. Major focus on methodological, conceptual, and ethical dilemmas confronted in developing and implementing defense policy. | ||
| 513 | GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS | 3 credits |
| An introduction to comparative global biological and public health security policy. Topics include: infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorism, and potential "nano-terrorism." | ||
| 514 | WEALTH AND POWER AMONG NATIONS | 3 credits |
| Studies relationship between politics and economy; mesh theoretical perspectives with exploration of the key empirical issues. Topics include: trade, relations, unions, finance, development, aid, sanctions. | ||
| 522 | UNDSTND RACIAL & GENDER CNFLCT | 3 credits |
| This is the core course the Certificates in Racial and Gender Conflict, providing students with an opportunity to intensively examine racial and gender conflict. | ||
| 537 | GOVERNMENT VS ORGANIZED CRIME | 3 credits |
| The course gives a history of organized crime and the government's responses to fight it. Newly emerging international crime groups are also discussed. | ||
| 540 | SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS | 3 credits |
| Study of the survey research methods as applied to the analysis of public opinion, political behavior and public policy formation. | ||
| 541 | THE POLICY PROCESS | 3 credits |
| Intensive study of policy-making process, emphasizing roles of various participants in executive and legislative branches as well as private individuals and groups. | ||
| 542 | METHODS OF POLICY ANALYSIS | 3 credits |
| Examines variety of methods available for analyzing public policies. Techniques of cost benefit analysis, evaluation research quasi-experimentation are covered as well as consideration of ethical questions in policy analysis, the practical problems facing policy analysts. | ||
| 543 | POLITICAL SCANDALS & CORRUPT | 3 credits |
| This course will provide information on major political scandals, including media coverage, public opinion, the role of special prosecutors, and the impacts of scandals. | ||
| 545 | AL QAEDA | 3 credits |
| This course explores the causes and consequences of Al Qaeda's terrorism. Students will weigh different explanations for why individuals join and participate in terrorist groups. | ||
| 550 | ADM PRISONS,PROBATION & PAROLE | 3 credits |
| Analysis of the administrative, electoral, and community conflicts central to understanding, resolving, and preventing these conflicts in a correctional environment. | ||
| 561 | THE SUPRM COURT & CONST LAW | 3 credits |
| Interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court with emphasis on federal judicial, legislative and executive power; separation of powers; and federalism. | ||
| 562 | THE SUPREME COURT & CIVIL LIB | 3 credits |
| Interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court with emphasis on freedom of speech and press, freedom of religion, criminal rights and right to privacy. | ||
| 563 | HUMAN RIGHTS IN WORLD POLITICS | 3 credits |
| An introduction to human rights from a comparative perspective; topics include: definition and development of human rights with attention paid to government interaction and wartime. | ||
| 570 | CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT I | 3 credits |
| Reading, research and practice in campaign management. | ||
| 571 | CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT II | 3 credits |
| The second course in campaign management. Focus is on timing, coalition building, candidate positioning, event planning, internal organization, and other elements of campaign strategy. | ||
| 572 | CAMPAIGN FINANCE | 3 credits |
| Reading and research in financial decision making in political campaigns. | ||
| 573 | VOTER CONTACT & ELECTIONS | 3 credits |
| Theoretical and practical approaches to gaining votes in all types of political campaigns. | ||
| 574 | POLITICAL OPIN/BEHAV/ELEC POLI | 3 credits |
| Advanced analysis of psychological, cultural and group processes of opinion formation and change. Attention given to the effect of opinion change on electoral outcomes. | ||
| 575 | AMERICAN INTEREST GROUPS | 3 credits |
| Reading and research on the development, structure and function of interest groups in the United States. | ||
| 576 | AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES | 3 credits |
| Reading and research on the development, structure and function of parties in the United States. | ||
| 577 | LOBBYING | 3 credits |
| Examines the lobbying profession in the political process. Topics include theories of lobbying, tools of lobbying, the lobbying process, and types of lobbying. | ||
| 580 | POLICY PROB: POLITICAL SCIENCE | 3 credits |
| (May be repeated for a total of six credits) Intensive study of selected problems in public policy. | ||
| 581 | THE CHALLENGES OF POLICE WORK | 3 credits |
| Analysis of various political dimensions underlying the study of politics and policing in the context of police reform, crime, and the community. | ||
| 582 | CURRENT ISSUES (CJ TOPIC) | 3 credits |
| Study and critical analysis of current issues, programs, and policies relating to political science and criminal justice at the federal or state level. | ||
| 583 | CONSTITUTNL PROBS IN CRIM JUST | 3 credits |
| Analyzes Supreme Court policy-making regarding problems of criminal justice, including search and seizure, self-incrimination, right to counsel, jury selection, and post-appeal prisoner rights. | ||
| 590 | WORKSHOP IN POLITICAL SCIENCE | 1-3 credits |
| (May be repeated for a total of nine credits). Timely workshops on varying subjects to meet the changing needs of our students in response to new and emerging political issues and controversies. | ||
| 600 | SCOPE & THEORIES OF POLI SCI | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Emphasis on the nature, scope and content of political theory; theory construction and validation in political science. | ||
| 601 | RES METH: POLITICAL SCIENCE | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: 600 or permission. Techniques of quantitative research methodology in political science; utility and limitations of quantitative analysis. | ||
| 602 | FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL SCI | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: Admission to a Political Science graduate program or permission. Introduction to the major works in political science. Works to be discussed range from ancient Greek to 20th century European and American political thought. | ||
| 603 | SCHOLARLY WRITING & PROF DEV | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: Admission to a Political Science graduate program or permission. Course will assist in the development of Essay / Capstone projects: Organization, format presentation, editing, committee review. Will help polish student writing and presentation skills. | ||
| 610 | SEMINAR-INTERNATIONAL POLITICS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Analysis of current problems in theory and practice of politics and organization. | ||
| 620 | SEMINAR - COMPARATIVE POLITICS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Research selected topics in comparative politics. Comparative method. | ||
| 622 | SEM:ALT TO VIOLENCE HOME&ABRD | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. An interdisciplinary analysis of the nature of violence--from interpersonal to international--to enhance our capacity to reduce violence and other threats to liberty. | ||
| 630 | SEM: NATIONAL POLITICS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Reading and research on formulation, development and implementation of national policy in one or more areas of contemporary significance. | ||
| 650 | SEM ON LAW,PUN,POL: US & WORLD | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Reading and research on the multiple and contingent interconnections between law, punishment, politics, and power. | ||
| 655 | CAMPAIGN & ELECTION LAW | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Examines the legal environment for political campaigns. Topics include historical background, legal foundation, voting rights, filing requirements, campaign finance and political advertising | ||
| 668 | SEM PUBLC POLICY AGENDA & DECS | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Reading and research on the development of public policy issues and modes of decision making used by policy makers. | ||
| 672 | SEM POLITICAL INFLUENCE & ORG | 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Examination of how public concerns and demands are resolved or diffused. A theoretical and applied look at parties, interest groups, public opinion, media, and protest. | ||
| 690 | ST: POLITICAL SCIENCE | 1-3 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Graduate-level examination of selected topics in American politics, comparative politics, international politics, international politics or political theory. | ||
| 695 | INTERN-GOVERNMENT & POLITICS | 3-6 credits |
| (May be repeated for a total of six credits.) Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Supervised individual placement with political office holders, party groups, governmental agencies, law firms and other organizations providing professional-level work. | ||
| 697 | INDEPENDENT RESEARCH & READING | 1-4 credits |
| (May be repeated, but no more than six credits toward the master's degree in political science) Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. | ||
| 699 | MASTERS THESIS | 2-6 credits |
| Prerequisite: admission to political science graduate program or permission. Master's Thesis. | ||
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