Upper Division Courses

An examination of the role of women in American politics. Topics will include an historical perspective of women’s political activity, the political interests and group activities of women, the legal status of women, political attitudes of and toward women, and women’s political behavior. Meets with WEST 3010.

• 3 Credits

Party politics in the United States. Nature, structure, organization, and functions of political parties. Analysis of political behavior.

• 3 Credits

An examination of the role of U.S. ethnic minority groups in American politics from the perspectives of the groups themselves. Topics will include historical and contemporary perspectives on the political activities, interests and legal status of U.S. ethnic minorities; the relationship of power, race/ethnicity and class in determining the effects of the political system on these groups; and the impact of these groups on the political system. Meets with WEST 3050.

• 3 Credits

Examines how the ideas of political theorists such as Xenophon, Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Hobbes are reflected in film. Topics covered include tyranny, contractarianism, bureaucracy, and democracy. The class pairs such concepts with films illustrating them.

• 3 Credits

Analyzes the subfield of Political Science known as comparative politics. Also, teaches students to be critical observers about the way in which films can be used and studied for their political content.

• 3 Credits

Analysis of third world developmental problems such as lack of economic growth, corruption, military coups, arms sales, international debts, and the role of nature. Approaches to theory are discussed.

• 3 Credits

National, state, and local public service career systems in the United States and selected foreign countries. How the bureaucracy makes public policy. Approved for LAS Social Science area requirement.

• 3 Credits

Main currents of political thought from ancient times to the present as seen in the writings of political theorists from Plato and Aristotle through Machiavelli, Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Mill, and Nietzsche.

• 3 Credits

The department places students in legislative internships, usually with state legislators, but Washington internships are possible. Student normally spends 15-20 hours per week working with a legislator or legislating office in the Capitol of Denver. Credit dependent upon hours worked. Prer., 2.8 cum GPA; 45 hrs; consent of instructor.

• 3 to 6 Credits

PSC 3500 - Introduction to Political Inquiry

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

An introduction to the basic methods and tools of research in political science. Topics will include discussions of the resources available for political research, the study of politics as a science, common techniques of political analysis, the development of research designs, research report writing, and the ethics of political research. The course will be largely experiential, directly involving students in research experiences. Satisfies the LAS and Compass Curriculum Quantitative and Qualitative Reasoning requirement as a statistics course when taken by a student who has either 1) successfully completed MATH 1040 (or a mathematics course that has college algebra as a prerequisite), OR 2) scored 87% or higher on the College Algebra placement test and scored 50% or higher on the Business Calculus placement test. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Writing Intensive.

A survey of the development, practice, and theory of the contemporary Congress. Particular attention is paid to the origins of lawmaking and institutional change. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Summit.

• 3 Credits

The department works with students placed in a public agency (governmental or non-profit agencies). Students spend 12 hours weekly working for the host organization in return for 3 credit hours. Prer., Open to upper division students of academic record and with consent of the instructor.

• 3 to 6 Credits

Nature, structure, organization, and functions of pressure groups. Analysis of pressure politics.

• 3 Credits

Theories of public opinion and propaganda; the formation, management, and measurement of political attitudes; behavior of people and groups in politics, especially American.

• 3 Credits

National, state, and interstate relations; constitutional development; legislative, executive, and judicial processes and problems; administrative organization and reorganization; state finances; major state services; future of the states. Special attention is given to the government of Colorado.

• 3 Credits

Political and social influence in urban areas; selection of urban leadership; relationship of the political system to governmental and social institutions. Meets with P AD 5626.

• 3 Credits

Examines campaigns and voting, as well as the roles of parties interest groups and the media in the electoral process in the United States, with special attention to the legal and institutional context in which US elections take place. Prer., PSC 1100.

• 3 Credits

Governments and politics of selected countries of Latin America. Constitutions and governments in theory and practice. Political parties, movements, and conflicts. The relationships between political problems and physical and social environments.

• 3 Credits

Domestic, regional, and international political issues in contemporary Europe. Political institutions, public policy, and political participation in several European states. European enlargement and external relations.

• 3 Credits

Examination of historical origins, policy evolution, and future prospects of the US civilian space program. Meets with PSC 5150.

• 3 Credits

The course analyzes Mexican government and politics. Historical overview of Mexican politics; key events and actors. Describes and explicates political behavior in Mexico (voting, protests, interest groups, social movements), institutions (legislative, executive, and judicial branches), and policies (U.S.-Mexico relations, politics of urbanized industrialization, business, agrarian, oil). Approved for Global Awareness Requirement. Prer., Junior or Senior standing.

• 3 Credits

Looks at issues of gender and sexuality in an international context. Covers war and militarism and their effect on women, the international division of labor, the effects of religious fundamentalism, international trafficking in women and sexual violence issues. Meets with WEST 4180.

• 3 Credits

Introduction to Politics of the Developing Areas (Africa, Asia, Latin America). Major themes and actors analyzed. Approved for LAS social science area and Global Awareness requirements.

• 3 Credits

The system of national states, concepts of national interest, goals of foreign policies, conduct of diplomacy, the role of non-state actors, and the bearing of these elements on the problem of peace. Great powers and regions of the earth in international politics today, their roles in international tensions, and the development of international relations theory. Approved for LAS Social Science area and Global Awareness requirements. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Summit. Prer., PSC 1010. Meets with PSC 5210.

• 3 Credits

Advanced course examining and comparing the political process in a broad range of political, economic, and socio-cultural environments. Case studies and cross- national analysis of states and non-state actors are utilized to explain and predict political phenomena across a range of states and societies. Prer., PSC 1010.

• 3 Credits

Advanced course examining and comparing the political process in a broad range of political, economic, and socio-cultural environments. Case studies and cross- national analysis of states and non-state actors are utilized to explain and predict political phenomena across a range of states and societies. Prer., PSC 1010.

• 3 Credits

Foreign policy of the Russian Federation, its impact on international politics, and its relations to domestic developments.

• 3 Credits

A survey of public international law with special emphasis on source of international law and instruments for adjudication as well as on international treaties and the rules of land and sea warfare.

• 3 Credits

A comparative analysis of governmental and non-governmental international organizations. Special attention is paid to the United Nations and certain regional organizations such as the European community, NATO and the organization of American states.

• 3 Credits

Basic elements in Latin American international relations. United States-Latin American relations and policies. Foreign policy formulation in major Latin American republics. Formerly P SC 4770. Not open to those who have taken P SC 4770.

• 3 Credits

Overview of the world political economy, especially in the post-WWII period. The central goal of the course is to provide information and develop analytical tools necessary for students to grasp the political issues inherent in international economic relations. Meets with ECON 3280.

• 3 Credits

This course aims at enhancing students’ understanding of history and sources for political and economic developments and decay in East Asia. Students should gain a better understanding of the political and economic successes and challenges facing East Asian nations today.

• 3 Credits

Role of administration in government; trends in American public administration; problems in organization; techniques of management.

• 3 Credits

Analysis of the governmental structure and the and the policy-making processes for American national security planning, decision making, and action.

• 3 Credits

Resources in the American economy; consideration of constitutional, political, and geographic factors in the development of resources policy; organization, procedures, and programs for administration and development of natural resources.

• 3 Credits

An examination of the historical, functional, constitutional, and political aspects of the presidency. An analytical comparison of the presidency with other executive systems.

• 3 Credits

Examines the normative and positive theoretical underpinnings of government processes and policies in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the formal theoretical analysis of institutions and policies. Prer., PSC 1100.

• 3 Credits

General nature of administrative law, types of administrative action and enforcement, analysis of rule-making and adjudication, and administrative due process.

• 3 Credits

Role of the Supreme Court in development of principles of constitutional law, beginning with the concept of judicial review. Federalism, jurisdiction of the federal courts, separation of powers, the taxing power, the commerce power, the doctrine of implied powers and other principles and doctrines which are relevant to contemporary interpretation of the constitution. Approved for LAS Social Science area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Summit; Writing Intensive.

• 3 Credits

Nature and scope of American constitutional principles as developed by the U.S. Supreme court, with emphasis on the war power, power of the president, citizenship, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil War amendments. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: inclusiveness; Writing Intensive.

• 3 Credits

Examination of the principal actors in the legal system police, lawyers, judges, citizens and the roles they play in the political process.

• 3 Credits

A course designed to directly involve Senior students in political science in major research projects. The emphasis of the course will be on the development by the students of research topics and designs which fit their individual interests. Major papers will be required of all students. Research reports will be presented orally and critiqued in class. Required of all majors.

• 3 Credits

Nature and scope of American constitutional principles as developed by the United States Supreme Court, with emphasis on habeas corpus, search and seizure, grand jury, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, due process of law, speedy and public trial, right to counsel, trial by jury, bail, and cruel and unusual punishment.

• 3 Credits

The course assists and supervises students in the preparation and execution of the Model Organization of American States for Universities (MOAS) in Washington, D.C. Students learn about the role, structure and operation of the MOAS by representing a member-state in the Inter-American system, students gain broad understanding of issues in International Politics and the practice of diplomacy and international organizations. Prer., Application and consent of instructor.

• 3 Credits

Course assists and supervises students in preparation and execution of the Model United Nations (MUN) college conference. The course catapults students into the world of diplomacy and negotiation. Students learn about the role, structure and operation of the United Nations. Prer., instructor consent.

• 3 Credits

A legal studies public law course involving the rights and obligations of land owners and the various levels of government. Issues range from environmental protection, zoning, to land development and “Taking” property without compensation. Jr/Sr level preferred. Prer., PSC 4460 or consent of instructor.

• 3 Credits

A legal studies course involving a comprehensive examination of American public school law with reference to Colorado public school law. As a public law course, it involves Constitutional issues ranging from civil liberties of speech and religion, to civil rights such as special needs children. Jr/Sr level preferred. Prer., PSC 4460 or consent of instructor.

• 3 Credits

Examines the historical, social, political, and economic conditions in the Middle East as they pertain to the Arab/Israeli conflict. An eclectic approach will be employed, from the cradle of civilization to the new international order with particular emphasis on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Prer., ENGL 1310 or ENGL 1410 or equivalent.

• 3 Credits

Introduces the complex web of political, social, economic, and cultural life of Middle Eastern politics. Looks at historical developments of the region in order to better understand the current political diversity in the Middle East. The study of this region is important today as it faces new challenges with globalization, political identity crises, and foreign intervention. Approved for LAS Global Awareness requirement. Prer., PSC 1010. Sophomore standing or higher.

• 3 Credits

The complex political, social, religious, and cultural environment of Africa, and the many themes and nation-states provide for a rich study of the region. Course examines the variations across the continent. Analyzes the scars left by the complex negotiations of post-independence Africa, and studies themes including ethnic conflict, nationalism, resources, economy, concepts of democracy, and nation-building. Approved for LAS Global Awareness requirement. Prer., PSC 1010 and sophomore standing.

• 3 Credits

Globalization is studied as part of an exchange of technology, goods, and financial markets. The exchanges of goods, services, and ideas across national borders are pervasive. Communication systems help this process, but also help those who resist globalization to better articulate and organize their viewpoints. Approved for LAS Global Awareness requirement. Prer., Sophomore standing. Meets with ECON 3590.

• 3 Credits

This course will acquaint the student with the concept of terrorism as a political and psychological tool. Examines the culture usually associated with terrorist actions and what sparks such cultural beliefs. The course concludes with a prognosis for the future of what our world may look like if this political behavior continues. Prer., ENGL 1310.

• 3 Credits

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A study of special problems relevant to political science taught by a highly qualified person in the particular problem area. Each semester that the course is offered, a different problem of high impact is studied.