ISPOSC 101 WHAT IS POLITICS?
An introduction to the study of politics and an overview of the content areas of political science. The course will include a variety of developmental skills, including writing, oral presentation, and use of scholarly sources and information technology. Junior- and senior-status students require permission of instructor. Fall, Spring.

ISPOSC 210 UNITED STATES POLITICS
Survey of U.S. politics at the federal level. Emphasis is on the context and development of the Constitution and the evolution of political institutions, such as Congress, the presidency, and the courts. Other topics include political economy, media, public opinion, parties, elections, interest groups, and social movements. Fall.

ISPOSC 211 STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS
The role of power and institutions in the states and their government subdivisions. Comparative state and local cultures, federalism, revenues and expenditures, and contemporary problems. Spring.

ISPOSC 215 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Local government planning and administration techniques emphasizing field study and observation of local public institutions at work. Consideration of public/private partnership and conflict. Spring, odd years.

ISPOSC 218 UNDERSTANDING U.S. POLITICS THROUGH LITERATURE AND FILM
Survey of important concepts in U.S. politics that can be studied through such media as documentaries, films, and novels. Occasionally.

ISPOSC 220 GLOBAL POLITICS
International politics in the era of globalization. International security frameworks, the global political economy, and critical agendas. Spring.

ISPOSC 223 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT
Introduction to the organization and practice of government in representative nations and states. Primary emphasis is on the context and evolution of political traditions, institutions, and behavior. Secondary emphasis is on the methods of comparative analysis. Spring.

ISPOSC 228 UNDERSTANDING GLOBAL POLITICS THROUGH LITERATURE AND FILM
Survey of important concepts in global politics that can be studied through such media as documentaries, films, and novels. The course treats important political questions and provocative theories about the international environment, hegemony, the international monetary regime, and the use of war. Occasionally.

ISPOSC 230 FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL THOUGHT
Introduction to the political philosophies that framed political action and governance in the West between the Classical Era and the end of the 17th century. Students learn the political contributions of Greek, Roman, Church, Reformation, and Enlightenment thinkers. Students also learn how to ask, answer, and assess philosophical questions about political power.

ISPOSC 238 UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL THOUGHT THROUGH LITERATURE AND FILM
Survey of important concepts in political thought that can be studied through such media as documentaries, films, and novels. The course treats important political questions and provocative theories about power and the people who are served and neglected by government. Occasionally.

POSC 290 SPECIAL TOPICS
1-4 credits
Study of a selected topic in Political Science. May be repeated as topic changes. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 238 or permission of instructor.

POSC 294 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
1-4 credits
Introductory work-learning experience related to career interests, for which compensation may be received. Positions arranged by students with sponsorship, approval, and evaluation by full-time faculty. Elective credit only (normally 120 hours per credit) for a total of 12 credits per degree program. Prerequisites: 24 total credits earned, 2.0 cumulative GPA, and permission of instructor. Graded Pass/Fail.

POSC 301 WRITING AND RESEARCH
Emphasizes the background study and the writing tasks that are intrinsic to applied public policy analysis and scholarly analysis. Students will complete a thoroughly researched and carefully revised analytical study that will be an exemplary demonstration of their research and writing skills. Prerequisite: One course in Political Science at the 200 level or higher. Fall.

POSC 310 PARTICIPATION AND DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA
An examination of American elections and voting, assessing the quality of modern democracy. Theories about participatory democracy will be analyzed and used to evaluate alternative forms of citizen action proposed or practiced in America. Class experience will include some form of active participation or observation in the political arena. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 210 or ISPOSC 211, or permission of instructor. Fall, even years.

POSC 312 PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS
Emphasis is on the study of public policy and the profession of policy analysis. Central to the course will be an understanding of three main ideological approaches to policy problems and the ability to see these approaches enacted in real-life cases. Application of popular models of how policy is made and to understand the role of institutions and actors in policy. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 210 or permission of instructor. Spring, even years.

POSC 315 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Critical discussion of specific environmental policies broken into two categories: policies dealing with pollution and public health and policies dealing with land management and the public realm. Includes a brief history and discussion of policy theory applied to the environment. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 210 or permission of instructor. Spring, odd years.

POSC 316 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
The Constitution as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court, nature and origins of judicial review, battles over strict and loose construction and judicial activism, recent cases in political and civil rights, economic regulation, and distribution and scope of government powers. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 210, ISPOSC 220, or ISPOSC 223, or permission of instructor. Fall, even years.

POSC 321 U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND GLOBALIZATION
Analysis of foreign policy formation in the United States as it interacts with the international system, and investigation of the major role of the United States in shaping the ideology and institutions of the international monetary regime. Includes historical setting and contemporary policies and problems. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 210, ISPOSC 220, or ISPOSC 223, or permission of instructor. Fall, odd years.

POSC 322 GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Investigation of the interrelationships between political and economic interests, institutions and processes that form an international monetary regime, and the political resources determining the relative power of global actors to affect the allocation of scarce resources on the planet. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 210, ISPOSC 220, or ISPOSC 223, or permission of instructor. Fall, even years.

POSC 323 ADVANCED COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT
Focuses on key concepts and techniques of comparative analysis, and provides an opportunity to conduct original comparative research on polities of interest to the student. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 223 is strongly recommended but not required. Fall, odd years.

POSC 324 CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
Analysis of social conflict and assessment of alternative processes for resolving disputes at macro and micro levels of conflict, including the workplace and diplomacy. Students will engage in simulations and contract negotiation to become familiar with conflict management. Prerequisite: ISPOSC 210, ISPOSC 220, or ISPOSC 223, or permission of instructor. Fall, even years.

POSC 334 MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
Critical study of political philosophies that have explained and critiqued political action and governance since the 17th century. Students integrate knowledge of foundational political thought with modern political thought. ISPOSC 230 is strongly recommended, but is not required. Spring, even years.

POSC 401 KEYSTONE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Advanced study and writing about politics that integrates the individual student’s previous work in political analysis through the scholarly study of a topic that the student and instructor jointly select. Prerequisites: 16 credits in Political Science or permission of instructor. Occasionally (Fall and Spring, starting 2009).

POSC 496 PRACTICUM
3 or 6 credits
Application of a political science background to the practical affairs and activities of a political organization or institution as a participant observer. Prerequisites: At least 12 credits in Political Science major, 2.5 cumulative GPA in major, and permission of instructor.

POSC 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY
1-4 credits
Intensive study of an issue, problem, or topic. May be repeated for a total of 4 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.