The departmental Guide to Undergraduate Study contains information
on requirements for the major and the minor, the honors program,
advising, course offerings, and other information about our undergraduate
program.
Introductory Undergraduate Courses
30:001 Introduction to American Politics 3 s.h.
Introduction to the structure and processes of American politics
and political institutions, including Congress, the Presidency,
the Supreme Court, parties, interest groups, and the bureaucracy;
discussion of the framing and significance of the U.S. Constitution.
Fulfills Iowa teacher certification requirement. GER: social sciences.
30:020 Introduction to Politics 3 s.h.
Introduction to selected processes, institutions or behaviors
central to the study of politics. May be taken two times with
consent of instructor.
30:030 Introduction to Political Thought & Political Action
3 s.h.
Illustrates problems, literature and analytic techniques common
in the study. GER: social sciences OR humanities.
30:040 Introduction to The Politics of Industrial Democracies
3 s.h.
Comparison of West European and/or Japanese systems of government
(depending on semester); emphasis on similarities and differences
among political parties, interest groups, legislative & executive
institutions, policy-making processes and patterns of voting behavior
and citizen participation. GER: social sciences.
30:041 Introduction to The Politics of Russia & Eurasia 3
s.h.
Political change in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia: historical
factors, institutional change, current problems. GER: social sciences.
30:042 Introduction to the Politics of Developing Areas 3 s.h.
The course will focus on the political systems of developing areas
(underdeveloped countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America...):
their development; how they interact with other developing countries;
how they interact with developed countries. GER: social sciences.
30:043 Introduction to Politics in the Muslim World 3 s.h.
The selection of countries to be studied will vary from semester
to semester, but will include Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia, Afghanistan
or Uzbekistan. Topics to be studied include regime types and the
process of categorization in political science, political culture
and historical legacies, the link between political and economic
development, ideologies, political participation (individual and
group [parties and interest groups]), and public policy and the
policy process (including domestic and foreign).
30:045 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 s.h.
This course will introduce students to politics around the world
covering all regions and levels of development. The course covers
a wide range of themes including, democratization, the role of
interest groups, authoritarian regimes, electoral systems and
parties.
30:050 Introduction to Political Behavior 3 s.h.
Studies the patterns and basis of political behavior, conventional
and otherwise. Emphasis is on common elements in that behavior
across social, organizational, and institutional settings. GER:
social sciences.
30:060 Introduction to International Relations 3 s.h.
Theoretical introduction to contemporary international relations;
emphasis on security and military affairs, international political
economy, politics of global environmental problems. GER: social
sciences.
30:061 Introduction to American Foreign Policy 3 s.h.
The course will focus on the foreign policies of the United States.
Areas of concern: U.S. foreign policy goals; basic themes and
general patterns in U.S. foreign policy; problems encountered
by U.S. foreign policy-makers; the means which are employed by
the U.S. in dealing with other nations and international organizations;
the processes by which policies are formulated; and the factors
which structure and influence U.S. foreign policies. GER: social
sciences.
30:070 Introduction to Political Communication 3 s.h.
Explores institutions, dynamics, and issues of political communities
considered as networks of communication. Possible topics include
political actors, ads, films, media, myths, news, publics, regulations,
rhetorics, and symbols. GER: social sciences.
30:029 First-Year Seminar 1,2 s.h.
Introduces first-year students to the intellectual life of Political
Science; offers opportunity to participate in their learning by
working closely with a member of the faculty on a subject with
which the instructor is involved. The course does not apply to
the major or minor. Prerequisite: freshman standing. Second grade
option is not available for this course.
Advanced Undergraduate Courses
30:100 Understanding Political Research 3 s.h.
Goal is to create knowledgeable evaluators of current research
in political science. Interpretation of different quantitative
techniques is considered, using examples from current political
science research. Not a statistics course; stresses intuitive,
rather than mathematical, understanding.
30:106 Research in Judicial Politics 3 s.h.
Applied research training in courts and judicial politics. Prerequisite:
30:116 or 30:153 or 30:158
30:107 Women & Politics in the United States 3 s.h.
The class examines the involvement of women in the US political
system. We will examine topics such as political theories about
women's involvement in politics and government, women and
constitutional law, public policies that affect women, and women's
participation in politics at the mass and elite levels.
30:108 Latino Politics 3 s.h.
This course is intended as an overview of the political position
of Latinos and Latinas in the United States. Specifically, the
course will focus on Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, and Puerto
Ricans, and address the following big themes or questions: the
history of each group and how they find themselves as part of
the American polity; the political circumstances of Latinos with
respect to the electoral process, the policy process, and government,
which varies across groups; the extent to which the demographic
category “Latino” is meaningful, and what we know
about group identity and solidarity among Americans of Latin American
ancestry. We will devote some time to addressing the particular
circumstances of Iowa’s Latino population and the movement
of Latinos into the Midwest and South. A variety of policy matters
affecting Latinos, particularly education, immigration and environmental
justice will be discussed.
30:110 The American Political System 3 s.h.
Political behavior of American individuals and groups and institutional
structure of political system. Not open to students who have received
credit for 30:001.
30:111 Local Politics 3 s.h.
Models of city government, relations to state and federal governments;
rights and liabilities of municipalities; city elections, campaigns
and issues; the role of pressure groups.
30:112 Minority Representation in American Politics 3 s.h.
The effects of voting rights legislation, election laws, interest
groups, and institutional constraints on minority representation
in American politics are explored.
30:113 American State Politics 3 s.h.
Approaches to analysis of political behavior in American state
governments, with emphasis on cultures, parties, actors, processes,
issues.
30:114 African-American Politics 3 s.h.
This course examines African-American politics in the United States
and contrasts the political experiences of African-Americans with
ideals of democratic political systems. Topics covered include
African-American public opinion, political participation, voting
behavior, and representation. The course also examines how African-American
politics is influenced by white racial attitudes.
30:115 The Presidency 3 s.h.
Traces development and current status of the office, powers, and
functions of American presidency; recruitment and multiple roles
of chief executive; and party, congressional, administrative,
judicial relationships.
30:116 American Constitutional Law & Politics 3 s.h.
Role of U.S. Supreme Court in American political system; emphasis
on analyzing Supreme Court cases.
30:117 Political Decision Making 3 s.h.
Political decision making processes, including executive, legislative,
judicial, mass publics; decision theories from economics, psychology,
political science, organizational behavior; normative and descriptive
approaches to decisions made by political actors.
30:118 American Political Development 3 s.h.
Survey of the transformations in American political behavior and
institutions over time.
30:119 Problems in American Politics 3 s.h.
Selected problems in studying the American political system, including
structures, functions, and behavior. May be repeated with consent
of the instructor.
30:120 Public Administration & Bureaucratic Politics 3 s.h.
Administrative and organizational theory and behavior; techniques
of management; relations between administration and other branches
in federal and state governments; administrative politics.
30:122 Politics of Representation 3 s.h.
This class will focus on the theory and practice of representative
government. Topics to be covered include theories of the representative
relationship, types of representative governments in the
US and abroad, the politics of representing constituents, and
minority representation in US government.
30:123 The Politics of Public Health 3 s.h.
This course focuses on the political factors that affect public
health in the U.S. More specifically, students in this class will
learn about public health policies and the politics that lead
to these policies. The course will be organized around a variety
of public health topics, such as tobacco, food safety, and prescription
drugs.
30:124 Executive-Legislative Relations 3 s.h.
Conflict, cooperation between executive and legislative branches
of U.S. government; topics include budget politics, legislative
veto, foreign policy.
30:125 Interest Groups 3 s.h.
Course explores organization and structure of interest groups;
their role in American politics. Discusses theory of groups, how
interest groups influence Congress, executive branch, courts,
and role of interest groups in elections.
30:126 American Public Policy 3 s.h.
Functions and policies of national government; emphasis on domestic
policy making, impact of public policy. Prerequisite: 30:001.
30:127 Political Campaigning 3 s.h.
Examines the current state of political campaigning at all levels
of government. Topics include the history of campaigning, the
role of money and campaign finance reform, the use of television
and negative advertising, and the rise of internet campaigning.
30:128 Direct Legislation 3 s.h.
This course will introduce and explore the institution of direct
democracy, which allows citizens to propose and pass new laws
without legislative action. Topics to be addressed include: origins
and historical perspectives, differences in usage across polities,
differences in regulations, positive perspectives on the consequences
of direct democracy and normative concerns about equality of access
and the possibility of tyranny by the majority. While the focus
will be on the United States, other countries with direct democracy
also will be studied.
30:130 Consequences of War 3 s.h.
This class will focus on war’s enduring effects on individuals,
states, and the international system. To accomplish this goal,
the class will be composed of three sections. The first section
will focus on the impact of wars on individuals, including its
effects on both combatants and non-combatants. The second section
will look at the impact of war on states, including the role war
plays in the development of states as well as its economic, political
and social effects. The final section will highlight the effects
of war on the international system.
30:132 Modern Political Theory 3 s.h.
Major writers and intellectual trends in political thought, from
the Renaissance and the Reformation to the nineteenth century.
30:133 Postmodern Political Theory 3 s.h.
Major writers and intellectual trends in political thought from
the nineteenth century to World War II.
30:134 Problems of Democracy 3 s.h.
The theory and practice of democracy. Democratic ideals and the
institutions and practices necessary for those ideals to work
in everyday politics: power, equality, majority rule, participation,
trust, representation.
30:136 Strategy in Politics 3 s.h.
Learn to isolate the most important elements in strategic political
behavior, build models to understand them, recognize common scenarios,
and devise institutional resolutions to the Prisoners’ Dilemma
and coordination problems.
30:137 Introduction to Political Economy 3 s.h.
Application of economic reasoning to a variety of political issues:
evolution of institutions, voting, leadership, interest groups,
bargaining tactics, federalism, bureaucracy, fairness and compensation
for wrongs, legitimacy of democracy, and electoral cycles in economic
policy.
30:138 Current Political Theory 3 s.h.
Selected thinkers or schools of thought in political theory, from
World War II to the present; topics vary. May be repeated with
consent of instructor.
30:139 Political Issues 3 s.h.
Selected issues in political thought, including democracy, revolution,
justice, obligation, technology, and authority; topics vary. May
be repeated with consent of instructor.
30:140 Government & Politics of Europe 3 s.h.
Political institutions and processes of selected European countries.
Prerequisite: 30:040.
30:141 Russian/Post-Soviet Politics 3 s.h.
Development and functioning of the Soviet political system, 1917-1985;
the transformations leading to the break-up of the USSR in 1991;
emerging forms of government and politics in the former Soviet
republics. Prerequisite: 30:041 or consent of instructor.
30:142 European Integration 3 s.h.
The course examines politics of the European Union. It begins
by focusing on the European Union’s institutional characteristics,
and builds on the institutional discussion with an examination
of major political issues in the European Union, including popular
and national responses to European integration.
30:143 Government & Politics of the Far East 3 s.h.
Functions and institutions of government in countries of the Far
East, special attention given to social, economic and historical
environments. Same as 39:178.
30:144 Latin American Government 3 s.h.
Governmental institutions and major interest groups in Latin America;
general focus upon area as a whole.
30:145 Latin American Political Parties 3-4 s.h.
The most recent wave of democratization in Latin America, while
successful in extending democratic rule to a larger number of
states then ever before, continues to present numerous challenges.
As the region enters a new millennium, many questions remain regarding
the character and quality of democratic practices and institutions.
For instance, can political parties provide a meaningful way for
diverse sectors of society to exert collective control over public
policy? This course explores issues of representation and governance
across Latin America’s party systems through several lenses.
Students will acquire the tools necessary to link broad theoretical
concepts to processes under way in the region.
30:146 African Development 3 s.h.
Problems of economic, political and spatial integration in Africa;
patterns and processes of economic development and nation building.
Same as 44:161.
30:147 Comparative Parties & Elections 3 s.h.
This course explores political parties and elections from a comparative
perspective, focusing primarily on parties in developed democracies.
Parties as organizations, in the electorate and in government,
will be discussed. Specific topics that will be addressed include
party formation and development, party identification and voter
behavior, party competition, and electoral systems. Prerequisite:
30:040
30:148 Government & Politics of China 3 s.h.
Political development of China. The following topics will be discussed:
rise to power of Mao’s Communist Party, and its attempts
to transform Chinese society; the Cultural Revolution; the tensions
and achievements of the reform era; and discussion of whether
partnership or conflict will define China’s relationship
with America in the coming decades.
30:149 Problems in Comparative Politics 3 s.h.
Selected problems in comparative study of political systems, including
comparison of structures, functions and behaviors of different
political systems. For specific current topic, consult the current
Schedule of Courses. May be repeated with the consent of the instructor.
30:150 Comparative Administrative Politics 3 s.h.
Much of political science is concerned with studying how bills
become laws. However, laws do not influence our lives until they
are implemented. The goal of this course is to examine the institutions,
practices and issues surrounding policy implementation in democracies.
The course is explicitly comparative examining the administrative
politics of a wide variety of advanced democracies.
30:151 Political Leadership 3 s.h.
Studies the foundations and effects of leadership in different
kinds of political systems.
30:152 The Legislative Process 3 s.h.
Comparative legislative processes and behavior, focus on legislative
systems analysis, legislative institutionalization, legislature
and its environment, organizational constraints on legislative
behavior, recruitment of legislators, web of legislative interactions
legislative voting behavior.
30:153 The Judicial Process 3 s.h.
Role of courts, lawyers, judges, interest groups in American political
system.
30:154 Political Psychology 3 s.h.
The study of political phenomena from a psychological perspective;
individual level political behaviors examined include decision
making by elites and masses, evaluations of political candidates,
mass mobilization, and response to the mass media; psychological
concepts examined include stereotyping, social cognition, attitude,
and group identification.
30:155 Social Movements & Collective Action 3 s.h.
Explores rival theories of the occurrence, timing, form, and success
of collective political behavior: revolutions, rebellions, and
social movements. Prerequisite: 30:001 or 30:040 or 30:041 or
30:042 or consent of instructor.
30:156 Ethnic & Religious Conflict in the Muslim World 3
s.h.
In this course students study ethnic and religious conflict in
the Muslim world. Issues of language rights, cultural preservation,
and religious nationalism are examined through case studies of
ethnic and religious groups in Muslim countries. Case studies
include, but are not limited to, Afghanistan and Iraq. Conditions
under which conflict becomes violent, protracted and regionalized
are discussed. consideration is also given to the strategies available
to both states and minority groups for resolving or managing these
conflicts.
30:157 Voting Behavior and Elections 3 s.h.
Determinants of voting behavior, correlates of political participation
and political apathy; political socialization processes and nature
and functions of elections.
30:158 The Criminal Justice System 3 s.h.
Role of actors, institutions that constitute and participate in
the American criminal justice system.
30:159 Government & Politics of Eastern Europe 3 s.h.
Political institutions, processes in countries of central and
eastern Europe; focuses on the challenges of social, political
and economic transition and the impact of different historical
legacies.
30:160 Women and Politics in Global Perspective 3 s.h.
This is a survey course about women and politics in Europe and
the global South. Topics include women's participation in political
parties and social movements, women in the bureaucracy, women
and the politics of intersectionality, feminism and the state
and the emergence of female gender identities.
30:161 International Organization & World Order 3 s.h.
This course examines how and why states have developed regularized
patterns of interaction in the spheres of economics and security
through international organizations and international regimes.
Regional integration processes and multilateralism are also treated.
30:162 American Foreign Policies 3 s.h.
Ends pursued, problems encountered and means employed by the United
States in relations with other states and with international organizations.
Prerequisite: 30:061, or consent of instructor.
30:163 Chinese Foreign Policy 3 s.h.
This course introduces major topics in the foreign policy of the
People’s Republic of China from its founding in 1949 to
the present, with two goals in mind. First, students will explore
a number of important events, including China’s entry into
the Korean War in 1950, the Sino-Soviet split in the 1960s, rapprochement
between China and the United States in the 1970s, tensions with
Taiwan in the 1990s, and China’s recent entry into the World
Trade Organization. Second, by considering competing explanations
for these important turning points, students will become familiar
with theoretical approaches to the study of international relations.
30:165 International Conflict 3 s.h.
Focuses on international conflict, the primary ingredient of international
politics. Topics to be discussed: sources, causes and effects
of conflict, alliance structures, power distribution, geography,
arms races, and deterrence.
30:166 Global Political Communication 3 s.h.
Television and the internet are becoming worldwide in their reach.
As they become global they create a global culture within which
political leaders & nations interact. The course focuses on
how this is happening.
30:167 Politics & the Multinational Enterprise 3 s.h.
Political factors affecting a firm’s decision to go multinational;
effects on home/host countries; political risk management; bargaining
between states/corporations; regulation of multinationals by nation
states and international organizations; political implications
of global mergers.
30:168 Politics of Terrorism 3 s.h.
This class will examine the motivations of terrorists, specifically
the political motivations. It will also examine possible responses
to and politics behind preventing and preparing for terrorism.
Finally, this class will examine contemporary terrorist organizations
and international responses to these groups.
30:169 Problems of International Politics 3 s.h.
Selected problems in analysis of international politics (for specific
subject, consult current Schedule of Courses). May be repeated
with consent of instructor.
30:170 The Politics of International Economics 3 s.h.
Introduction to the political and historical dimensions of the
international economy. Political aspects of trade, monetary systems,
foreign investment, aid, dependency, and global interdependence.
30:171 Public Opinion 3 s.h.
Role of public opinion in making public policy; formation and
change of political attitudes and opinions; political ideology;
measurement of public opinion; understanding how opinion polls
are conducted; experience with interviewing and conducting public
opinion research. Same as 34:153.
30:173 Voluntary Organizations & Politics in Comparative
Perspective 3 s.h.
Course critically explores the politics of the voluntary sector
in all its manifestations and in a diverse set of countries. Discussion
will include non-government organizations (NGOs), non-profit organizations,
civil society, and other concepts, as well as their impact on
democracy, government accountability, development, and international
organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
30:174 Multimedia Politics 3 s.h.
Increasingly American politics is played out in the multimedia
domains of television and the World Wide Web. The changes are
traced to examine what communication becomes in a multimedia domain.
30:175 Politics of Film 3 s.h.
Explores issues in the popular politics of aesthetics, communication,
culture, and myth through analyzing films. May be repeated with
consent of instructor.
30:176 French Politics and Society 3 s.h.
Interdisciplinary course which will include material from modern
French history, politics, society, geography, culture. It is aimed
at juniors and seniors in the social sciences and humanities who
have a special interest in French studies.
30:177 Globalization 3 s.h.
This course introduces students to the multidisciplinary literature
on the political economy and culture of globalization. The course
is organized around questions that are currently major topics
of debate in the extant literature on globalization.
30:178 Causes, Consequences, and Management of Civil War 3 s.h.
This course concentrates on the causes, duration, management,
and consequences of civil wars. The class identifies a variety
of factors that create more frequent and longer civil wars (e.g.
greed, grievance, ethnic conflict, state capacity), and also discusses
conflict management strategies for ending civil wars and minimizing
their long term negative consequences.
30:179 Human Rights & Asian Values 3 s.h.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed by the United
Nations in 1948 asserts that “all human beings” enjoy
a wide variety of rights: to life and liberty, to property, to
a free education, and so on. This bold document, and human rights
theory in general, has been subject to challenge by thinkers and
politicians outside of Western liberalism, in which its ideas
are rooted. Debates between Asian skeptics and defenders of the
idea of human rights provide us an opportunity to explore the
meaning of the concept, and also to understand crucial aspects
of politics in a number of countries in the region.
30:180 Honors Seminar on the Study of Politics 3 s.h.
Critical exploration of the history, scope, and method of political
science. Examines diverse issues, theories, and techniques in
the systematic study of politics. Required for graduation with
honors in political science. Aimed at sophomore honors students
in political science, but open also to junior and senior honors
students in political science, and to others with consent of instructor.
30:181 Honors Seminar on American Politics 3 s.h.
Intensive study of ideas, issues, and methods in an area of American
politics. Open to junior and senior honors students in political
science and to others with consent of instructor. May be repeated
with consent of instructor.
30:182 Honors Seminar on Political Theory 3 s.h.
Intensive study of ideas, issues, and methods in an area of political
theory. Open to junior and senior honors students in political
science and to others with consent of instructor.
30:183 Honors Seminar on Comparative Politics 3 s.h.
Intensive study of ideas, issues, and methods in an area of comparative
politics. Open to junior and senior honors students in political
science and to others with consent of instructor. May be repeated
with consent of instructor.
30:184 Honors Seminar on International Politics 3 s.h.
Intensive study of ideas, issues, and methods in an area of international
politics. Open to junior and senior honors students in political
science and to others with consent of instructor. May be repeated
with consent of instructor.
30:185 Honors Research Project 3 s.h.
Special research assistance to faculty in political science. Open
to junior and senior honors students in political science. Prerequisite:
consent of instructor.
30:186 Honors Senior Thesis 3 s.h.
Supervised research and writing. Open only to honors students
in political science who are not in their last semester of coursework
before graduation. Enrollment requires consent from the supervising
instructor. Thesis must be submitted to the Director of Honors
in Political Science by the deadline for submitting work for removing
incompletes from the previous semester. Thesis must be defended
orally to a faculty committee including the supervisor, the Director
of Honors, and a third member appointed by the Director of Honors.
30:190 Independent Study arr.
Individually supervised special projects. Prerequisite: consent
of the instructor.
30:191 Government Internship 1,2,3 s.h.
Undergraduate internships in state or national legislative office,
executive agency, or election campaign official. Offered S/F only.
Consent of instructor required. Does not count toward major or
minor in political science. However, the course will be counted
in the 50 semester hours of credit from one academic department
maximum that the University of Iowa accepts toward the 120 semester
hours needed for a B.A., B.S., or B.L.S. degree.
30:193 Undergraduate Research Tutorial 3 s.h.
Individual training in applied research. Consent of supervising
faculty member required.
30:194 Senior Research Project/Paper 3 s.h.
Supervised research and writing. Open only to political science
students who are not in their last semester of course work before
graduation. Consent of instructor required.
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