Political Science (POLS)
Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.
500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.
Course Fees
Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.
POLS 101. AP Credit3 Units
Description: Placeholder course to record AP credit in Political Science.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 111. Political Discourse - OC3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: Course designed to familiarize students with dimensions of political discourse while simultaneously providing students with opportunity to practice arts of political speech.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 120. Debunking 20 Myths about Politics - SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: The objective of the course is straightforward: to debunk (or at least explore) 20 different popular myths regarding American politics. Topics range from U.S. elections, to ideology in the judicial branch, to conspiracy theories. In exploring these topics, not only will students learn what political scientists have to say about these myths, but they will gain exposure to the various sub-fields of political sciences, learn what political scientists actually do, and lay a groundwork for understanding how social science is practiced.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 201. Introduction to American Government and Politics - SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: An introduction to national government, stressing the constitutional system, individual rights, techniques of popular control, organization of the presidency, Congress, and the federal courts.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 202. Introduction to Comparative Politics - SB, D23 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: An introduction to foreign governments and major topics in comparative politics, such as democracy, dictatorship, political economy and civil war.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 299. Honors Introduction to Political Science3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): Invitation by departmental Honors Committee.
Description: An examination of the theories, concepts, and units of analysis used in contemporary political science.
Note: Seminar format.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 302. Urban Political Economy3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: Examination of the interrelationships between economic and political forces in the community and how these shape urban development.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 304. Comparative Urban Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Examination of urban politics in comparative perspective. Highlights the rise of a global economy, its consequences for urban governance and the new role of cities in the international arena.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 305. Urban Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Examination of urban government and politics. Topics include machine politics, urban development, race and ethnicity, power and democracy, and metropolitan problems.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 306. State Government3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: State and local government, with emphasis upon political, legislative, judicial, and administrative processes.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 310. Policy, Community & Service3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Students will gain career experience applying principles of civic engagement, disciplinary knowledge & skills in a real world setting, and reflecting on those experiences while fostering mentorships, personal values, and civic responsibility.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 311. American Presidency3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: An examination of the constitutional roots and historical development; concentrates on the current roles, strengths, and problems of the presidency.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 312. Constitutional Law 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): POLS 201.
Description: This class focuses on American constitutional law cases that deal with the powers of the three branches of federal government, as well as the relationship between the federal government and the states.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 313. Constitutional Law 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): POLS 201.
Description: This class focuses on American constitutional law cases that deal with civil rights and liberties, such as the First Amendment, due process, the right to privacy, and equal protection.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 314. Judicial Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): POLS 201.
Description: This class focuses on the American legal system, including federal and state courts, judicial selection, criminal and civil litigation, and judicial decision making.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 315. Race, Law and Politics - SB, D13 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
Description: This course examines the legal consequences of racial inequality in the United States. It explores the origins of the concept of race and documents the nature of contemporary racial inequality.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 316. Gender, Sexuality & Law3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): POLS 201 or instructor consent.
Description: This course examines how legal policy both reflects and shapes norms related to gender and sexuality, and analyzes the public policy implications of court decisions related to gender and sexuality.
Note: Cross-listed with WGST 316.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 317. American Congress3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: An analysis of external and internal forces, institutional organization and processes, constitutional provisions, pressure group activities, and other factors which interact to determine the role of the Congress in the making of public policy.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 318. Religion and United States Politics - D1, SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Study of the impact of religion on politics in the United States. Includes analysis of religion in political development, constitutional law, elections, and policy lobbying.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 319. Media and Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An examination from normative, empirical and legal perspectives, of the influence of the news media on American politics.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 320. Civil Rights and the Law II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: An examination of the legal and political aspects of Black civil rights from World War II to contemporary times.
Note: Cross-listed with PAS 363.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 321. Political Psychology and Public Opinion - SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: We explore the psychological, political, and social ingredients of public opinion in an effort to understand how people think about politics, what they think, and why public opinion matters.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 322. American Political Parties and Elections - SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: The American party system, emphasizing the two-party system, minor parties, suffrage and voter behavior, party organizations, nominations, and elections.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 323. Queer Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: The course examines the political organization of gays, lesbians and transgendered persons, forms of oppression they experience, forms of political activism they utilize, and their relationship to mainstream political institutions.
Note: Cross-listed with WGST 323.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 324. Women in American Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
Description: A study of women's involvement in American politics as active political party members, as candidates for national, state, and local offices, as elected officials, and as appointees to government positions at all levels.
Note: Cross-listed with WGST 355.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 325. Public Administration3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: Introduction to basic issues and concepts in public administration, bureaucratic politics, public-sector management, and decision-making strategies.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 326. Public Policy - SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): POLS 201, or POLS 299, or faculty consent.
Description: A study of American public policy processes and outcomes, focusing on the national level of government.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 327. African-American Politics - D1, SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: The relationship between African Americans, race history and the American political system via political behavior research: political socialization, organization, mobilization, leadership, voting, political parties, coalitions and interest group strategies.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 328. Information Technology and Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: What is the impact of information technology on politics? This course will examine how the Internet in general, social media, digital news and other information technologies fit into an already developed understanding of society and politics. This means that we will explore how new information technologies may challenge or support current theories in political science and communications. This exploration will involve looking at the impact of digital technology on some basic political processes such as news consumption and information gathering, bureaucratic functions, voting, public opinion, and campaigning among other things.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 329. Sports and Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: This course examines a variety of ways the amateur, collegiate, and professional sports collide with politics in the US and internationally. Topics include free speech, athletes as policy influencers and candidates, stadium funding models, federal regulation of professional and collegiate sports organizations, civil rights (including race, gender, age, and ability), and international sports and organizations, including the Olympics.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 330. International Relations3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An introduction to the study of world affairs, with a focus on interstate politics; examines power politics, the role of ideology and globalism.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 331. The United Nations and International Organization - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: This course examines the work of the United Nations and other international organizations, including non-governmental organizations. How have these organizations evolved and come to affect economic, political, and military affairs? Topics include peace-making, peace-keeping, and peace-building, including economic development.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 332. International Law - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: This course focuses on the role that international law plays within the larger realm of international relations, asking where is law important, where is it less important, and why? We will consider an array of actual international law cases that have been settled by courts and arbitration tribunals, involving diplomacy, human rights, laws of war, laws of the seas, nationally and sovereignty, business and environmental disputes, and the extraction of criminal suspects.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 333. American Foreign Policy3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: Examines the process of making U.S. foreign policy, including actors and their interests, as well as major contemporary issues such as the use of force and trade policy.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 334. The Politics of Global Economic Relations3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Introduction to political aspects of international economic institutions and processes, international trade, foreign aid, theories of neo-colonialism and dependency. North-South and East-West problems and prospects.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 335. Global Environmental Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Study of environmental and resource issues on the global level, focusing on the various implications of sustainable development.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 336. Politics of European Integration and Foreign Policy3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Examination of the European Union's evolution, structures, decision-making, and policies in economic and political integration. Also examines the foreign and defense policies of members of the European Union and U.S./European relations.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 338. National and International Security: Issues and Policies3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: A survey of contemporary security policy issues, including both military and nonmilitary questions, such as deterrence, arms control, ecological destruction, nationalism, resource scarcity, etc.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 339. Terrorism3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: An examination of the phenomenon of nationalism and terrorism in international politics. Historical and contemporary examples used to illustrate the theoretical issues.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 340. Politics and Government of Western Europe3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An examination of the political structures, processes, and policies of the nation-states of Western Europe.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 341. Political Violence3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Course will consider various manifestations of sub-national political violence, including terrorism, insurgency, and civil war.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 342. American Law and Lawyering3 Units
Description: This active-learning course on American law and negotiation explores the extent to which the American legal system really provides justice for all. In half of the classes students will conduct negotiation simulations, posing as lawyers, mediators, arbitrators, and clients who are trying to work with each other to negotiate hypothetical but realistic legal problems.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 343. Campaign Management3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Covers basic political campaign theory and provides skills to operate a small campaign: structure and strategy, communications strategy and tactics, fundraising and budgeting, and field operations.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 345. Russia and Eurasia - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Political processes and policies in the former communist states of Euro-Asia. Emphasis on ethnic relations, economics, and institution-building.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 347. Democratization3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: This course examines the differences between democratic and non-democratic states, and discusses in comparative perspective the process by which states move from dictatorship to democracy. The role of economics and culture, and the impact of structures such as presidential and parliamentary forms of government on democratization are treated, as are explanations for occasional breakdown of democratic systems.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 348. Environmental Policy3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Political dynamics and choices affecting American and international environmental policy.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 349. Comparative Political Culture - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): POLS 202 or faculty consent.
Description: Comparative approach to the political values, attitudes and belief systems of nations and sub-national units.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 350. African Government and Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Cultural settings of Africa south of Sahara, decline of European dominance, national independence movements, self-governing states, and such problems as economic development, race relations, and relations with world power blocs.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 355. Introduction to Middle East Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Survey of Middle Eastern political systems with emphasis on the process of development and modernization and its impact on the region.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 356. Political Islam3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Course will consider various political organizations that desire the greater influence of Islam on public life throughout the Muslim World.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 357. Religion and International Politics - D2, SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: This course exposes students to major trends in religion and contemporary international politics. The past quarter century has seen religion burst onto the political scene, in both violent and peaceful ways. Students will analyze various ways in which religion shapes international politics, and assess theoretical explanations of religion's political importance. As a survey of religion and global politics, the course draws on readings touching on a variety of regions and religions, arranged around five themes: religion and democracy, dictatorship, political violence, sustainable development, and US foreign policy.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 360. Global Politics Through Film3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: This course examines global politics through the medium of film, including both fictional and documentary texts. Class members consider the importance of film in the global public by focusing on key political actors, issues, narratives, and processes that constitute world politics. Topics include interstate war, internal conflict, terrorism, military intervention, nuclear deterrence, human rights, gendered power structures, and globalization.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 362. Comparative Political Economy3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An examination of the institutional framework of economic performance and cultural dynamics of the United States, Japan, and Western Europe.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 363. Politics of Oil3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Oil in domestic and international politics of selected countries, oil as a catalyst for war, influence of oil companies on politics, political implications of recent shifts in world energy balance.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 364. Improving World Order3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Fee: An additional $35.00 is charged for this course.
Description: Drawing especially on works nominated for the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order, this course will examine an array of international relations issues and problems, current and historic, along with policies and proposals to address them. Along with lecture and discussion, students will engage in certain world-order issues through various in-class simulations.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 365. The People's Republic of China - D2, SB, WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: An analysis of political processes in China, with emphasis on participation and recruitment, socialization, ideology, education, and organization.
Note: Cross-listed with AST 365.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 366. Politics of East Asia - D2, SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: A survey of East-Asian political systems with an emphasis on development, social and economic policies, political institutions, and cultures.
Note: Cross-listed with AST 366.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 367. Politics and Government of Southeast Asia3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An introduction to the government and politics of Southeast Asia, revealing the historical context within which to locate the current security, political and economic challenges that the countries of the region face. Special focus will be given to the politics of Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore as well as the impact of an ascendant China.
Note: Cross-listed with AST 367.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 370. Latin American Politics - D2, SB3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: An introduction to Latin American politics proceeding from an overview of the region to detailed studies of specific countries and issues in regional politics. Emphasizes the process of nation building, the evolution of government and party systems, civil-military relations and political culture. Key questions include: What common political patterns exist across the region? Why do specific countries follow or deviate from those patterns?
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 371. Latin America in the World3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Survey of Latin America's role in the international system focusing on contemporary theoretical and institutional developments including OPEC, the OAS, the Andean Pact and institutions involved in North-South dialogue.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 381. Early Political Thought3 Units
Description: A general survey of political thought, typology, and systems, from classical antiquity through the Middle Ages to the beginning of modern times.
Note: Cross-listed with HIST 301.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 382. Modern Political Thought3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Main currents in modern political thought, including liberal, Marxist-Leninist, socialist, anarchist, and conservative thought. Topics such as equality, alienation, participation, political obligation, political order, and change.
Note: Cross-listed with HIST 302.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 383. American Political Thought3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: General survey of American political thought from colonial times to the present. Examination of topics such as puritanism, federalism, utopianism, social Darwinism, and anarchist, socialist, and populist thought.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 384. Democracy and Its Critics - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Problems in democratic theory, examination of the moral foundations of democracy; consideration of such issues as liberty and authority, equality, representation, majority rule, and participation.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 386. Political Theory and Utopia - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Examination of selected literary utopias from the perspective of political theory. Analysis of socialist, anarchist, democratic and totalitarian elements.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 387. American Utopian Communities3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Examination of selected "utopian" communities, past and present. Consideration of groups such as the Shakers, Rappites, Oneidans, Owenites and Fourierists as well as current intentional communities. Emphasis on communal values and practices, issues of equality, authority, conflict, participation and freedom.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 388. Contemporary Political Theory3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: Survey of twentieth century political theory. Topics may include the crisis of reason; capitalism; technology and freedom; political values and globalization; terrorism and modernity; human rights.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 390. Political Science Research Methods3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: This class introduces students to the skills needed to design empirical research and to conduct basic statistical analyses of political science questions.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 395. Political Leadership - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Odd Years
Prerequisite(s): POLS 201, or POLS 202, or POLS 299, and faculty consent.
Description: Major concepts and theories of political leadership, including psychological, cultural and social factors; moral, transforming and transactional leadership types.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 399. Topics in Political Science3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Description: Topics will vary depending on instructor and demand.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 401. Topics in American Politics - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An examination of one or more selected contemporary problems in American government, such as national-state relationships, civil rights, foreign policy, labor relations, and taxation policy.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
Note: Topics to be varied from year to year.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 402. Topics in Comparative Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: A comparative study of governments of selected countries, stressing one or more subjects such as party systems, policy-making processes, administration, regulation of economics, and others to be determined each time course is offered.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 404. Topics in Political Theory3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Odd Years
Description: An examination of one or more selected topics in the study of political theory.
Note: Topics to be determined each time course is offered.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 405. Topics in Public Policy3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: An examination of one or more selected topics in the study of public policy.
Note: Topics to be determined each time course is offered.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 406. Topics in International Relations3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: An examination of one or more selected topics in world politics.
Note: Topics to be determined each time course is offered.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 407. Topics in Law and Jurisprudence3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Prerequisite(s): None Prerequisites or corequisites: None Corequisite: None This class will focus on specific topic related to law or jurisprudence.
Description:
Note: Topic to be determined each time the course is offered.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 430. Political Science Internship I3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
Description: Practical internship in government, nonprofit, or private sector.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 437. The United States and East Asia - WR3 Units
Description: A survey and analysis of U.S. relations with the states of East Asia with particular attention to political, economic and military affairs during the Cold War and after.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 444. Law, Diplomacy and Power: The Foreign Relations of the U.S.3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course explores the evolution of U.S. foreign relations from the founding to the present-day, focusing on the interplay of legal, diplomatic, and power-driven motives and themes. It analyzes the records of prominent U.S. foreign policy makers, appraising their objectives and strategies, their errors and accomplishments, within changing international contexts.
Note: Cross-listed with POLS 644.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 450. Topics in World Affairs1 Unit
Description: Attend minimum of three lectures sponsored by department, read works by featured speakers and about topics, meet under faculty supervision to discuss readings.
Note: Students may enroll up to six times and count up to six credits toward major requirements.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 465. Chinese Culture3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: Introduction to the politics and society of the People's Republic of China. Includes travel to the People's Republic of China.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 491. Independent Study - WR1-3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall; minimum grade point average of 3.5 in the department, and at least 18 semester hours credit in the department.
Description: Opportunity for the student, under the supervision of a sponsoring faculty member, to pursue individualized study related to research or practice that is not included in regular courses in the curriculum.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 492. Independent Study1-3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall; minimum grade point average of 3.5 in the department, and at least 18 semester hours credit in the department.
Description: Independent study in a selected subject area with approval and supervision by a faculty member.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 495. Senior Seminar - CUE, WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Completed 90 hours, political science majors only.
Description: Will examine issues using material drawn from the subfields of political theory, comparative politics, and American politics.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status., CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 499. Senior Honors Thesis - WR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing; admission to department Honors Program.
Description: An intensive examination of a topical area in political science undertaken with a designated faculty advisor.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 501. Topics in American Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An examination of one or more issues in the field of American politics.
Note: Topics to be varied from year to year.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 502. Topics in Comparative Politics3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: An examination of one or more issues in the field of comparative politics. May focus on a particular region or country.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 504. Topics in Political Theory - WR3 Units
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing or faculty consent.
Description: An examination of one or more selected topics in the study of political philosophy. Individual research projects and reports are required.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 505. Topics in Urban and Public Policy3 Units
Description: An interdisciplinary study of metropolitan problems, providing an opportunity to probe into basic long-range trends and human factors.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 506. Topics in International Relations3 Units
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
Description: An advanced focus on one or more selected topics in world politics. Research projects, reports and simulations will likely be required.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 507. Topics in Digital Politics3 Units
Description: Investigation of the role of information technology in politics and policy-making with a focus on real-world applications. Topics may include political campaigns, interest group advocacy, and e-government.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 510. Louisville Metro Council Internship3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
Description: Practical internship in government.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 511. Internship II3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
Description: Practical internship in government, nonprofit, or private sector.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 512. Frankfort Legislative Internship3 Units
Description: This course offers students the opportunity to experience working in the office of an elected member of Kentucky General Assembly. Interns work an average of 16 hours per week during the legislative session. Intern responsibilities may vary, depending on the intern's experience and interests as well as the needs of the office. The primary objectives of the intern program include: providing students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in government and politics, generating insight into the realities of the political process and how it relates to traditional theoretical perspectives of political science, and educating students about the possibilities of public service and politics as a career choice.
Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 520. Coping with Conflict3 Units
Fee: An additional $100.00 is charged for this course.
Description: This active-learning course involves students negotiating and then analyzing realistic hypothetical cases related to local, national, and international issues found within the North American countries.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 530. International Negotiation3 Units
Fee: An additional $115.00 is charged for this course.
Description: An examination of the politics of interstate bargaining. Various theoretical perspectives are examined as well as several real world examples. Students will participate in role-playing exercises.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 552. Politics through Film2-3 Units
Description: An examination of authority patterns, political change, using cinematic portrayals as the primary literature base for investigation.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 563. Women in Developing Countries - WR3 Units
Description: Follows the progress of the international women's movement by focusing on the emergence of women leaders and their work in developing countries since the First World Conference on Women, 1975 to the present.
Note: Cross-listed with WGST 558.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in Written Communication (WR).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
POLS 568. Feminist Theory - WR3 Units
Description: Survey of the history and scope of the feminist tradition with emphasis upon liberal, radical, Marxist, socialist, psychoanalytic, and postmodern approaches to feminist theory.
Note: Cross-listed with WGST 556.
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR).
Note: Credit may not be earned for both WGST 556/POLS 568 and WGST 656/POLS 668.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
