POLITICAL SCIENCE (POS)
POS 101 - UNITED STATES POLITICS
The processes and functions of US governmental institutions; Constitutional framework; relationship between politics and the economy; relationship between the states and the national government; political culture; participation and representation; contemporary public policy problems.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
POS 102 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Diverse governments and political systems; how to understand and compare them. Various methods for analyzing developing and industrialized countries.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Science
POS 103 - INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Major international problems of our day. Power; American foreign policy; problems in the Third World. Principles underlying international relations; reliable research resources.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Science
POS 104 - INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY
How should we understand the relationship between the individual and the state? What gives a state authority, and what are the limits of that authority? What is liberty and what is the role of the state in protecting and promoting liberty? How should power be distributed? These are enduring questions in political thought. In this class we consider the ways that Western political thought has answered these questions, and raise alternative possibilities by considering perspectives such as feminism, indigenous traditions, socialism, and anarchism.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
POS 200 - INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL JUSTICE STUDIES
Various ways of conceptualiziang social justice; how the social sciences can be used to understand questions of social justice; case studies in collective action for social justice.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Justice Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: ENG 101
Course Notes: Completion UWR
POS 208 - SLAVERY, RACE, AND THE LAW
This course will explore the interaction of slavery, race, and the law in the United States from colonial times through Reconstruction. Politics, economics, culture, and the law all played a role in shaping the institution of slavery as well as modern conceptions of race. The course reading will include both secondary works and original documents, including excerpts of trial transcripts, Supreme Court decisions, state legal codes, and first-person narratives. We will focus on a number of larger issues, such as the role legal codes played in creating racial identities, how race shaped notions of citizenship, and how slavery influenced the Constitution.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101
Course Notes: No additional credit granted for "SLAVERY, RACE, AND THE LAW" as POS 308.
POS 210 - RACE IN U.S. POLITICS
Race has played a central role in U.S. politics from colonial days through the present. This class considers the persistence of systemic inequity in the U.S. as well as resistance and liberation movements in response to social, political, and economic oppression. Contemporary issues are considered through the lens of historic and continued structural racism within the U.S., paying particular attention to the role of the state and political actors in creating and perpetuating systemic racial disparities through public policy and political rhetoric.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Justice Studies, Social Science
Course Notes: Open to freshmen. No additional credit given for "RACE IN AMERICAN POLITICS
POS 218 - DEMOCRACIES IN DECLINE
This course is an interdisciplinary examination of democracies in decline and crisis. Drawing on the work of historians, political scientists, novelists and journalists, we will ask: What causes democratic political systems to deteriorate or collapse? What are the social forces pushing for authoritarian revision of the existing political order? How are ordinary citizens enlisted in the push for change, or into the cause of defending threatened institutions? What are some strategies pursued by defenders of democratic rule to ensure that there continue to be free and fair elections? In this class we will study the decline of Weimar Germany and post-Soviet Russia, as well as gathering threats to American democracy. Students are encouraged to assess events from diverse perspectives and across disciplinary boundaries.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies
POS 241 - PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES
Every four years, both Democrats and Republicans hold an elaborate, year-long spectacle to choose their party's presidential nominee. Typically beginning with televised debates more than 6 months before the first contest, the primaries are fought across all 50 states, many of which use radically different procedures to choose delegates, and only conclude with the party's summer nominating convention. Where did this system come from? Why do both parties let Iowa and New Hampshire go first? How much influence do party elites have over the nomination process? Why do candidates tend to win their home states? What kind of voters turn out for these elections? In this course, we will critically analyze the history of American presidential primaries, from the early 20th century reform era to the crucial reforms of the 1970s. We will also build understanding of how nominees are chosen, and whether the U.S. primary process could stand another round of significant reform. And of course, we will spend considerable time analyzing the 2020 race for the Democratic and Republican nominations for president.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101 and ENG 102
Course Notes: Completion UWR
POS 250C - PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES & IDEAS
This course provides students with an understanding of concepts and tools for measuring health in populations. In addition they will be able to comprehend and characterizes the relationship of the public health system with medical care and other elements of the overall health system and identify the government’s unique contributions through federal, state, and local public health agencies. Public health broadly involves an array of biological, environmental, social, cultural, behavior, and service utilization factors that are all associated with health. Underlying this is an understanding that the success or failure of the collective actions and decisions thus we are all accountable to each other in order to produce the best results. To that end the class, through case studies, will also focus on ways in which positive changes can be made in order to improve these systems and individuals within them in order to move them towards improved quality and quantity of health for all.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ENG 102
POS 280 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Topics vary, check schedule
Credits: 3
Course Notes: .
POS 290 - RESEARCH IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
An introduction to research method, research design, and the analysis of political data. The course is intended to introduce students to the fundamentals of scientific inquiry as they are employed in the discipline. The course will consider the philosophy of scientific research generally, the philosophy of social science research, theory building and theory testing, the components of applied (quantitative and qualitative) research across the major sub-fields of political science, and basic methodological tools.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: 6 Credit Hours of Political Sci.
POS 292 - NORTH KOREA & NUCLEAR SECURITY
This course examines the controversy surrounding the nuclear program pursued by North Korea. Examining the history of diplomacy from the Agreed Framework of 1994 to the collapse of negotiations in the Bush Administration, students will explore issues of nuclear security and nuclear war as they apply to North Korea and around the world. By understanding the history of the conflict, as well as key concepts in the study of nuclear security, students will gain fluency in nuclear debates as well as understanding of the political dynamics guiding the renewed hostility between the Trump Administration and the regime of Kim Jong-un.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Science
POS 295 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
Credits: 1-3
POS 302 - PROBLEMS IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
Organization of US government for conduct of foreign policy. Case studies of military, economic, and political foreign affairs.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Science
POS 311 - POVERTY POLICY
This course focuses on the policy processes, historical context, and sociocultural issues surrounding antipoverty policy in the United States, including how poverty is defined and applied. In understanding poverty and antipoverty policy in the United States this course pays particular attention to issues of place, gender, and race.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Justice Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: 9 Credit Hours of Soc. Sciences
POS 315 - EDUCATION FINANCE POLICY
This course is designed for students who will examine school finance from various perspectives: historical, governmental (local, state and federal); political; philosophical; and practical. The course will cover topics from the essentials of school funding and budget preparation, to debt financing and retirement systems. Course assignments will emphasize analysis of school district finances and available data. Learning activities are designed to focus on practical issues in school finance and topics of interest to students.”
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies
Prerequisites: POS 101 and ENG 102
Course Notes: This course examines school finance from various perspective : historical, governmental (local, state and federal); course will cover topics from the essentials of school funding and budget preparation, to debt financing and retirement systems.
POS 319 - THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN: HAMILTON'S AMERICA
This course explores the political changes leading to the American Revolution along with the intellectual, cultural and social revolutions that occurred during the eighteenth century. Family relations, consumer behavior, even the way people spoke—all underwent profound transformations. While the American Revolution gave birth to a new political order, these other revolutions gave birth to a new way of being in the world, one that continues to shape our lives.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: (POS 101 and ENG 102) or 3 Credit Hours of History
POS 320 - UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Give students an understanding of the US Congress and its nature of representation within a representative democracy. It will examinethe origin anid development of Congressional institutions. It will also explore the effects of parties, committee leadership, lobbying, elections, the bureaucracy, media, and constituent's demands on Congress. Additionally, will cover the impact of the other branches of government such as the judiciary and executive branches in relationship to how Congress governs.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
POS 323 - PROGRAM EVALUATION FOR NONPROFITS
Examine key concepts, methods, and approaches in the field of evaluation research. Students are exposed to the theoretical and methodological diversity inherent in curent evalution practices across a number of substantive areas (e.g., social services, education, advocacy, and business practices).
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: POS 101
POS 324 - POLITICS & LITERATURE
Works of literature that explore significant political themes, such as alienation, revolutionary movements, utopias, and anti-utopias and the development and expression of political, social, economic, religious, and philosophical ideas.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 104 or POS 329 or 3 Credit Hours of Philosophy
POS 326 - FOOD JUSTICE:FOOD POLICY IN US
This course considers the complicated politics of food regulation, production, distribution, and consumption. During the semester we will discuss how food policy is made and its practical impacts. We will look at the world of agricultural lobbying, subsidies, and policy making. We will consider consumer rights, worker rights, and environmental justice issues within food production. And, we will examine some of the various social movements that have emerged in response to these issues, including the growing food sovereignty movement.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Justice Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: 9 Credit Hours of Soc. Sciences
POS 329 - PHILOSOPHY OF LAW
Philosophic issues and theories concerning the nature of law, the role of the judiciary, justifications of punishment, types of liability, and considerations of justice. Practical application of theory is made to cases considering such policy topics as the death penalty, equal protection, workplace discrimination, and class-based discrimination.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101 or POS 104
Course Notes: or consent; Political Science and/or Philosophy recommended
POS 334 - VOTING POLICY
This course examines voting from an operational perspective. The course provides students a working knowledge of theories and practices related to organizing elections and ensuring that votes are fairly cast and accurately counted. In addition, the course explores current trends such as redistricting and campaigning that affect the fairness of elections. Finally, the course considers the effect of partisanship, campaigns and media on voting decisions.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Science
POS 338 - FIELD INTERNSHIP IN POLITICS AND LAW
Students work in Chicago-area political and legal organizations. Required paper based on relevant readings and analysis of work experiences. Early consultation necessary to arrange appropriate placement.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Science
Course Notes: Six courses in major and consent of instructor.
POS 339 - POLITICAL VIOLENCE & TERRORISM
This course explores the nature, causes and effects of contemporary terrorism. What is terrorism and who defines it? Is terrorism modern or is it a recurring feature of global political history? What are the goals of terrorism, and who is the audience? What causes terrorism, and what strategies have governments and organizations pursued to diminish or end it? The course addresses the long history of terrorism, the role of states in promoting and fighting it and then focuses primarily on the global rise of terrorism beginning in the 1960s through 9/11 and the "War on Terror.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Science
POS 340 - THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENCY
Contemporary and historical perspectives on the presidency. Elements of presidential power; presidential selection; politics of the presidency; presidential personality; president and media; relations of president with courts, Congress, and bureaucracy. See Libs 340.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
POS 352 - HEALTH POLICY
Health policy examines the development by government and other policy makers of present and future objectives pertaining to health care and the health care system. It will focus on the articulation of arguments and decisions regarding these objectives in legislation, judicial opinions, regulations, guidelines, standards, and key health policy influences that affect health care and public health. This includes the role of economic, technological, social, cultural and other influences on policy development; and the effects of resulting policies, guidelines, standards and protocols.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Science
POS 358 - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Exploration of the international politics of the Middle East, tracing the development of Western interests in the region. Instead of exploring the region from the perspective of the West, however, the course will take seriously the foreign policy histories and goals of the states of the Middle East, exploring regional rivalries, energy politics, the rise and fall of pan-Arab nationalism, the so-called "War on Terror", and the enduring significance of the Arab-Israeli conflict for regional politics.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Non-western Culture, Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 103
Course Notes: or consent.
POS 359 - THE AMERICAN DREAM RECONSIDERED
Are you ready to live the American Dream? The American Dream Reconsidered Conference, that is! This course will be built around the American Dream Reconsidered and will provide students with wide-ranging experiences—everything from writing a blog to podcasting to designing your own panel of experts—as we wrestle with the concept of the American Dream. Students will also help with the conference itself in areas where they are most interested as we engage in that most American of pursuits—the pursuit of happiness!onflicts, and policies.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Non-western Culture, Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101
Course Notes: This course will be built around the American Dream Reconsidered Conference and will provide students with wide-ranging experiences—everything from writing a blog to podcasting to designing your own panel of experts—as we wrestle with the concept of the American Dream.
POS 362 - URBAN POLITICS: THE WIRE AND URBAN AMERICA
This course will use HBO’s The Wire as a lens for exploring various problems afflicting urban America today. We will study the show in its own right as an artistic product worthy of investigation (some critics have called it the greatest television show ever made), and we will use the show as a springboard for thinking about inequality, crime and punishment, work and labor markets, education, and politics. The assigned readings will analyze social, economic, political and cultural factors that shape the experiences of the urban poor and that have created the kind of urban landscape depicted in The Wire.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101 (may be taken concurrently) or POS 200 (may be taken concurrently) or SOCJ 201 (may be taken concurrently)
Course Notes: consent
POS 363 - URBAN POLICY
Policies and policy-making processes at all levels of government that shape quality of life in metropolitan areas; relationship between political and market processes; class, gender, racial, and regional consequences of different policies.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Science
POS 367 - SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
This course examines local and international anarchist social movements that are pushing for systemic transformation of social, economic, and political institutions. We will consider how these movements use radical forms of participatory democracy in community organizing and engage in hands-on exercises in class. Issues covered may include anticapitalist economic justice, racial justice, queer liberation, Indigenous land sovereignty, environmental justice, migrant justice, disability justice, among others.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Justice Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: 9 Credit Hours of Soc. Sciences
Course Notes: with minimum grade of a C. Instructor consent.
POS 368 - OIL AND TROUBLE: AMERICA IN THE MIDDLE EAST
This course examines the policy history of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, since 1945, seeking to understand the economic, ideological and geostrategic importance of the region to American interests. Since the end of WWII, the U.S. has become progressively more involved in the politics of the Middle East, from Eisenhower’s intervention in Lebanon in 1958 to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Drawing on theories of international relations and foreign policymaking, this course is designed to help students understand why this happened, why leaders made the choices they did, and to sort through the consequences. Students will also develop the policy analysis skills sought by leading government agencies and non-profit organizations in the field.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Non-western Culture, Social Science
POS 372 - ISSUES IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC POLICY
Interaction of policy making and implementation; selected issues in public policy; impact of politics on administration.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101 and ENG 102
Course Notes: or consent of the instructor.
POS 374 - UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
This course focuses on major aspects of American constitutional law, including the debates at the Constitutional Convention, the separation of powers, federalism, and other significant areas of constitutional debate. Particular attention is given to the Supreme Court's interpretation of these issues.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Science
POS 375 - CIVIL RIGHTS & CIVIL LIBERTIES
This course examines the relationship between the government and individuals by focusing on the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Bill of Rights and includes consideration of topics such as discrimination on the basis of race or sex, freedoms of speech and religion, and the right to privacy.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Legal Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101 and ENG 102
Course Notes: consent.
POS 379 - POLARIZATION AND PARTISANSHIP
Americans are more deeply divided about politics than ever before. Not only do voters express sharply divergent views about policies, they increasingly view members of the other party as a threat to the future of the country. What explains this dangerous movement away from a shared understanding of power-sharing in a democracy? In this course we will critically examine contemporary American political parties and discuss different theories for what causes polarization and partisan commitment. And we will search for ways to bring Americans together, reduce hyper-partisanship and negative feelings and pursue policies that represent sincere attempts to help all citizens.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
POS 385 - COLLAPSE OF THE POST-WAR POLITICAL ORDER
In the years following World War II, the United States experienced a period of unprecedented economic expansion, unrivalled world power, and a political consensus that American-style liberalism was leading the nation into an era of peace and prosperity. By the 1960s, though, the country faced a series of challenges to these optimistic assumptions. Attacks from the left and the right left the post-war liberal consensus in tatters and eventually led to a resurgent conservative movement. We will explore the collapse of the post-war order both domestically and internationally and attempt to understand the forces that have led to our current political moment.
Credits: 3
Attributes: International Studies, Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101
POS 390 - TOPICS: U.S. POLITICS
Topics vary by semester.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: POS 101 (may be taken concurrently) and ENG 102 (may be taken concurrently)
POS 395 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
Individual projects pursued under an instructor's supervision.
Credits: 1-6
Attributes: Social Science