Courses Offered

Political Science

American Politics

PS 241.  (3) United States Government and Politics. A study of the institutions and processes of government, federalism, electoral behavior, interest groups, and the role of the mass media. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PS 242. (3) Contemporary Issues in United States Politics. An examination of current major domestic and foreign policy issues. (Spring)

PS 243. (3)  State and Local Government and Politics. A study of United States federalism with an emphasis on Alabama state and local government and politics. (Spring)

PS 301. (3).  Political Science Scope and Methods. This course is designed to acquaint the student with research methods that political scientists employ. The course will introduce students to statistical software used in social sciences and the research databases that are widely used in the discipline. Students will acquire the skills needed to read and interpret political science research and be able to prepare and perform basic research tasks using statistical software. Prerequisite: PS 244. (Spring, Fall even numbered years ONLINE)

Course Fees: $30

PS 316. (1) Mock Trials. Introduces students to courtroom advocacy through a fictional case prepared by the American Mock Trial Association. Students develop their critical thinking, analytical, and speaking skills while developing and presenting a civil or criminal case. Topics covered include the Federal Rules of Evidence, courtroom procedure, the structure of a criminal or civil case, and evidentiary issues. Course may be repeated for credit. Course fee: $30.00. (Fall, Spring)

PS 342. (3) Parties, Elections and Voting Behavior. A study of the development and functions of political parties, the role of elections, public opinion, interest groups, modern political campaigns and theories of individual and group voting behavior. (Fall even numbered years)

PS 344. (3) Judicial Process and Behavior. A study of the organization and structure of courts in the United States, how cases reach the courts, the judicial decision-making process, issues surrounding judicial power, interpretation and decision implementation. (Offered on sufficient demand)

PS 345. (3) Congress and the Presidency. A study of the development and organization of the legislative and executive branches with particular attention to the committee system, parties in Congress, and the Presidency. (Fall odd numbered years)

PS 346. (3) Conspiracy and American Politics. A study of the contemporary, inter-disciplinary research on the role that conspiracy theories play in American politics. (Offered upon sufficient demand)

PS 367. (3) United States Constitutional History. A study of the principles of the U.S. constitutional system, leading decisions of the Supreme Court with reference to federal-state governmental relationships, citizenship, police power, eminent domain, and to the commerce, contracts, and due process clauses of the Federal Constitution. (Spring, Summer)

PS 370. (3) Women in American Politics. An overview of the role of women in American politics and the role of government in defining the status of women in society. Examines the political behavior of American women and public policies which specifically impact women. Also listed as HI 370 and WS 370 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Offered on sufficient demand)

PS 401. (1-3) Directed Readings in Political Science. A course of readings in political science taken under the direction of an instructor in the department. This course will examine the important issues in comparative politics, political theory, American politics, or public administration. Students will be expected to synthesize the intersection of research, public policy, and the importance of the role of politics at various levels of analysis. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PS 422. (3) Politics, Justice, and Law in Television and Film. The course will examine how the national political mood affects scripted television programing and movie releases and the possible effects entertainment can have of the public’s view and understanding of politics, justice, and the law. (Summer on sufficient demand)

PS 492. (3) Advanced Methods. This course is an introduction to ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and how this statistical technique is used in social science research. Also listed as CJ 492 but creditable only in field for which registered. Prerequisite: PS 301 or CJ 441. (Offered upon sufficient demand)

 Comparative Government and International Relations

PS 251. (3) Global Politics and Society. The course introduces and explores political power and human connections on a global scale. The course covers concepts and ideas on the interaction of governments, organizations, and peoples across regions, and shared topics of concern. The course helps students develop a global outlook on their future prospects as citizens and professionals in an increasingly connected world. (Fall, Spring)

PS 302. (3) Comparative Government and Politics. A comparative study of the political forces, processes, institutions and performances of foreign political systems. Prerequisite: PS 301W. (Fall)

PS 303. (3) World Politics. A general examination of many of the forces and practices that influence contemporary world politics. (Spring)

PS 315. (1) Model United Nations. In-depth research and role-playing that leads to an understanding of the United Nations, the relationships among countries, methods of resolving conflict as well as the rules of parliamentary procedure. Course may be repeated for credit. Course fee: $30.00. (Fall, Spring)

PS 401. (1-3) Directed Readings in Political Science. A course of readings in political science taken under the direction of an instructor in the department. This course will examine the important issues in comparative politics, political theory, American politics, or public administration. Students will be expected to synthesize the intersection of research, public policy, and the importance of the role of politics at various levels of analysis. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PS 430. (3) English Constitutional History. A study of the development of the English Constitution from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. Also listed as HI 430 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, even-numbered years)

PS 435. (3) International Organization. A study of the development, problems, and role of international organizations, with special emphasis on the United Nations and its agencies. (Offered on sufficient demand)

PS 481. (3) Contemporary United States Foreign Policy. A study of the United States foreign policy from World War II to the present. (Offered on sufficient demand)

Political Theory

PS 304. (3) Political Theory.  An introduction to political theory from the Pre-Modern period to the present. (Spring)

PS 351. (3) Ancient and Medieval Political Theory. A study of the political thought of prominent political philosophers from Socrates to Machiavelli. (Offered on sufficient demand)

PS 352. (3) Modern Political Theory. A study of the political thought of prominent political philosophers from Hobbes to the present. (Offered on sufficient demand)

PS 401. (1-3) Directed Readings in Political Science. A course of readings in political science taken under the direction of an instructor in the department. This course will examine the important issues in comparative politics, political theory, American politics, or public administration. Students will be expected to synthesize the intersection of research, public policy, and the importance of the role of politics at various levels of analysis. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PS 450. (3) Contemporary Political Philosophy. A study of current themes and trends within contemporary political philosophy. Topics of study may include issues of justice, liberty, equality, alienation, recognition, and the politics of difference. Readings are often selected from both the Analytic and Continental philosophical traditions. Also listed as PHL 450 but only creditable in field for which registered. (Offered on sufficient demand)

PS 489. (3) American Political Thought.  A  study focusing on American political thought from the Federalists/Anti-Federalists debates to contemporary thinkers. (Offered on sufficient demand)

Public Administration and Public Policy

PS 244. (3) Public Policy and Administration. An introduction to the public policy process and the challenges of policy implementation. (Fall, Spring even numbered years ONLINE)

PS 311. (3) Public Administration. This course is a study of the public administration literature. The course examines the evolution of the fields; the politics and environment under which governance occurs; and the constraints that face public administrators in serving the public good. (Fall, even-numbered years)

PS 350. (3) Interagency Cooperation. Interagency cooperation within the US federal system including the nature, role, function, and jurisdiction of agencies and how they work together in doing the business of government in the emergency management, homeland security, and law enforcement realm. Also listed as CJ 350 and SEM 350 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall - even-numbered years - with sufficient demand)

PS 401. (1-3) Directed Readings in Political Science. A course of readings in political science taken under the direction of an instructor in the department. This course will examine the important issues in comparative politics, political theory, American politics, or public administration. Students will be expected to synthesize the intersection of research, public policy, and the importance of the role of politics at various levels of analysis. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PS 411. (3) Religion, Politics, and Public Policy.  This class examines the theories and empirical research regarding the interaction between religious beliefs and institutions and political culture, elections, judicial decisions, public policy, public opinion, and group mobilization in the United States. Also listed as RE 411 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Summer even)

PS 412. (3) Introduction to Public Policy. This course is a study of how public policy is made in the United States. An emphasis will be placed on the role that constitutional structures and government agencies play at each stage of the policy process, as well as the individual and collective actions of lawmakers, interest groups, and bureaucrats. (Fall odd)

PS 413. (3) Public Organization and Theory. This course is a study of the many theories that attempt to explain how organizations and the people in them will behave in varying organizational structures, cultures, and environments. Special attention is given the role of democratic accountability, justice, and fairness. (Spring)

PS 414. (3) Urban Politics. This course examines major issues in urban politics, related trends, and problems unique to metropolitan areas. (Spring)

PS 415. (3) Ethics in Administrative Leadership.  This course examines major ethical issues that arise in public administration. Theoretical justification and application for ethical problems that arise in leadership positions will be explored. Also listed as PHL 415 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall odd)

PS 418. (3) Regulating Vice in American Cities.  An examination of the challenges posed by culture war movements and how they clash with religious institutions, interest group forces, electoral politics, and governance in American communities. Students will study the diverse sets of policies adopted by cities to curb vice and deal with its consequences. Students will become familiar with the various obstacles faced by researchers and lawmakers in their attempts to better understand public policy that deals with morality politics. Cross Listed: CJ 418. (Summer odd)

PS 495. (3) Government Internship and Practicum. Open only to majors in political science. Professional work situations in government through special internship programs under departmental supervision and evaluation. Departmental approval required. International students must receive approval from the Office of International Affairs prior to course registration. (Fall, Spring, Summer)