For up-to-date Course Descriptions you can find your courses under the Course Description link in the current catalog.
PS 193 – Introduction to Model United Nations (4 credits):
An introduction to Model United Nations, international issues, policy-making and the activities of the United Nations. Students will also develop public speaking, research and writing, negotiation, interpersonal and leadership skills while role-playing United Nations delegates at MUN conferences locally and regionally.
PS 199 – Special Studies (1-6 credits):
Terms and hours to be arranged. Special studies designed to develop research, writing, career-related or participatory skills at a basic level in a variety of political science/public policy and administration areas, such as Model United Nations, Great Decisions in U.S. Foreign Policy, government or campaign experiences.
PS 201 – American National Government (4 credits):
An introduction to the study of political institutions, public policy and public opinion in the United States.
PS 202 – State and Local Government (4 credits):
A survey of government operations, political processes, contemporary issues, problems, and recent reforms relating to the state and local levels, with emphasis on Oregon.
PS 203 – International Relations (4 credits):
An introduction to the analysis of relations among nations, international organizations, global problems and possibilities.
PS 204 – Governments of the World (4 credits):
An introduction to diverse political systems found throughout the world, with special emphasis on political concepts such as formal government institutions, political participation and socialization, ideologies, power, authority and democratization.
PS 350 – Introduction to Public Policy (4 credits):
An investigation of the political processes and substantive content of American public policy, patterns of problem identification, policy creation, approval, implementation, and evaluation. Consideration of selected contemporary national, state and local policies.
PS 351 – Introduction to Public Administration (4 credits):
An investigation of the role of public administration in the political process; administrative organization; basic problems of management; personnel and financial administration. An analysis of the continuing role of bureaucracy in the solution of public problems.
PS 355 – Civic Literacy and Engagement (4 credits):
An examination of the American political system with a focus on interpreting and analyzing political debate and policy formation, and on increasing civic literacy and engagement. Course will present several analytical methods, and students will design and implement a civic engagement project.
PS 375 – Scope and Methods of Political Science (4 credits):
An introduction to the history, nature and methods of political science as a discipline. Examines a variety of conceptual tools used to study politics, including qualitative and quantitative research methods.
PS 393 – Advanced Model United Nations (1-4 credits):
An advanced orientation to Model United Nations, international issues, policy-making and the activities of the United Nations. Students will also improve public speaking, research and writing, negotiation, interpersonal and leadership skills while role-playing United Nations delegates at MUN conferences locally, nationally and internationally. Course may be repeated up to 12 credits. Prerequisite: PS 193, or consent of instructor
PS 399 – Special Studies (1-3 credits):
Special studies designed to develop research, writing, career-related or participatory skills at an advanced level in a variety of political science/public policy and administration areas. Prerequisite: PS 199, or consent of instructor
PS 406 – Special Individual Studies (1-6 credits):
Terms and hours to be arranged. A specialized or individualized course of study within political science/public policy and administration developed in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: consent of instructor
PS 407 – Seminar (1-3 credits):
Terms and hours to be arranged. Special seminar topic offerings in the political science/public policy and administration discipline.
PS 409 – Practicum: Administrative Internship (4-8 credits):
Terms and hours to be arranged. Provides opportunities for practical experience in the administrative processes of federal, state and local government agencies and public or nonprofit organizations. Eligible for the RP grade option. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and at least 3.00 GPA
PS 410 – Political Science Internship (4-8 credits):
Provides opportunities for practical experience with the Oregon State Legislature, city councils, legal offices, political campaign or interest group activities. Eligible for the RP grade option. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and at least 3.00 GPA
PS 414 – Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Elections (4 credits):
An analysis of the nature, organization and operation of political parties, pressure groups and elections with special attention to their functions in the American political process. A consideration of current problems and reforms in the area. Prerequisite: PS 201, or consent of instructor
PS 416 – Politics and Communication (4 credits):
An examination of the relationship between politics and communication and how it affects American society. Emphasis is on the politics of communication, the ways in which institutions of mass media, particularly television, help create, advance and reinforce public opinion and political agendas. Prerequisite: PS 201, or consent of instructor
PS 419 – American Presidential Elections (4credits):
Examination of the processes and outcomes of American presidential elections with emphasis on the period from 1952 to the present. Prerequisite: PS 201, or consent of instructor
PS 423 – Issues in National Policy (4 credits):
A detailed analysis of the functions and policies of American national government with emphasis on selected contemporary problems and issues. Prerequisite: PS 201, or consent of instructor
PS 424 – Policy-making in the States (4 credits):
An examination and analysis of selected key issues and characteristics of contemporary state government. Prerequisite: PS 201, or consent of instructor
PS 425 – Native American Politics and Policy (4 credits):
Course explores the history and current dynamics of Native American politics and public policy. The political and policy elements that all tribes share are considered, as well as the variation among them. The situations and challenges of Oregon tribes receive specific attention.
PS 426 – Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (4 credits):
An investigation of the constitutional, political, financial, and administrative patterns that operate within the American federal system and a comparison of those patterns with ones from selected non-American federal systems. Prerequisites: PS 201 and 202, or consent of instructor
PS 430/530 – The Aging Society (4 credits):
Analyzes the demographic, economic, social, and political dimensions of our aging population. The unique nature, needs and policy implications of the growing elderly population receive particular attention.
PS 432 – Global Health Policy (4 credits):
Examines a range of transnational health issues, including the global AIDS pandemic, malaria and malnutrition. Students will learn about the major international institutions and programs designed to improve global health, such as the World Health Organization, the World Food Program, UNICEF and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
PS 433 – Health Care Politics and Policy (4 credits):
Course examines the fundamentals of health care access in the United States. Specific topics include: the Medicare and Medicaid systems; the evolving nature of private health care insurance systems; the concerns and influence of interest groups and political parties in this field; and the prospects of reform.
PS 435 – Women and Politics (4 credits):
A survey and analysis of the socioeconomic and political status of women, the structures and concerns of the feminist movement, public policy issues relevant to the status of women and roles women play in the political arena. Prerequisites: PS 201 and 202, or consent of instructor
PS 436 – Gender and Public Policy (4 credits):
Examines public policy, the policy process and policy-making institutions through a “gender lens.” It deals with how gender differences affect the identification of public policy problems, their perceived importance and their potential solutions, the differences between male and female policy-makers and the differential gender impact of policies.
PS 440 – Causes of War (4 credits):
A theoretical and empirical overview of the causes of war and conflict. Students will learn the main international relations theories, specific causes of war from the causes of war literature and analysis of case studies including World War II, the Iraqi wars and the Israeli conflicts. Prerequisites: PS 203
PS 441 – Causes of Peace (4 credits):
A theoretical and empirical overview of the causes of peace, as opposed to the causes of war, in the world. Students will study ways of achieving peace at the individual, community, national and international levels. The lives and writings of prominent pacifists will be examined.
PS 442 – Peacebuilding and Public Policy (4 credits):
Examines major public policies that make a contribution to peace in the world and explores ways in which people can lead more peaceful lives and create more peaceful societies. Policies that promote peace education, sustainability, restorative justice, responsible consumption, and health are studied.
PS 443 – Great Peacemakers (4 credits):
Examines major figures who have made a contribution to peace in the world and explores the ways in which people can create more peaceful societies. Students will analyze the lives and writings of peacemakers such as Martin Luther King, Mohandas Gandhi, Desmond Tutu, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Dorothy Day.
PS 445 – Introduction to Policy Analysis (4 credits):
A study of the process and problem of policy analysis with a focus on the limitations and proper use of analytical techniques. Prerequisite: PS 201, or consent of instructor
PS 447 – Environmental Politics and Policy (4 credits):
An analysis of the history, politics and implementation of national environmental policy and the most important environmental laws and organizations.
PS 449 – Environmental Values and Political Action (4 credits):
Surveys the values and philosophies which influence the level and nature of political activism in environmental and natural resource issues. Analysis focuses on “classic” and contemporary writings ranging from ecocentrism to the wise use and market-oriented perspectives and their practical influence.
PS 451 – Political Theory: Plato to Marx (4 credits):
An examination of the history of political thought from Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Aquines to Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Wallstonecraft, Mill and Marx.
PS 452 – Political Theory: Marx to Habermas (4 credits):
An examination of Modern political thought from Marx, Nietzsche, Weber and Freud to Arendt, Fanon, Rawls and Habermas
PS 454/554 – Public Personnel Administration (4 credits):
A study of governmental personnel systems. Topics include the underlying values of public personnel administration, classification, pay, and benefits, evaluation, recruitment, training, affirmative action, and collective bargaining. Prerequisites: PS 350 and 351, or consent of instructor
PS 455 – Public and Nonprofit Management (4 credits):
This course focuses on management strategies and skills needed for students seeking to work in public and nonprofit organizations. Students will gain a practical understanding of organizational theories pertinent to the public and nonprofit sector.
PS 456 – Advocacy and Public Policy (4 credits):
This course introduces students to the major processes, concepts, and issues related to advocacy and public policy for nonprofit organizations. The course specifically examines how policy influences these types of agencies, as well as how these agencies may impact public policy.
PS 457 – Government and Politics of Europe and Asia (4 credits):
A comparative study of political cultures, ideologies, governments and contemporary issues in selected European and Asian states.
PS 458 – Veterans in Transition (4 credits):
Examines military experiences and their relationship to the movement of veterans into the civilian context, with special focus on veterans who have been deployed in potential areas of hostility or combat. Also explores the impact of war experiences on the significant others of veterans who have been exposed to war.
PS 459 – Government and Politics of Latin America (4 credits):
Explores the history, politics and political economy of Latin America in general and select Latin American countries in particular.
PS 461 – Politics and Government of Post-Communist States (4 credits):
A comparative study of political cultures, ideologies, governments and contemporary issues in selected post-communist nations. Prerequisites: PS 203 and 204, or consent of instructor
PS 463 – Government and Politics of Developing Nations (4 credits):
A comparative study of political cultures, ideologies, governments and contemporary issues in selected developing nations. Prerequisite: PS 203 and PS 204, or consent of instructor
PS 464 – Government and Politics of Africa (4 credits):
Examines South African politics within a wider sub-Saharan and African context. South Africa’s most pressing problems and challenges, such as the AIDS pandemic, economic inequality, race relations, land redistribution, health care, environmental degradation and immigration are explored.
PS 465 – Government and Politics of the Middle East (4 credits):
A survey of the major social and political issues in the Middle East, such as the role of Islam, pan-Arabism, nationalism, democratization, gender and society, relations with the West, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Iraq wars.
PS 466/566 – Governmental Budgeting (4 credits):
A study of the political, fiscal, policy and management aspects of budget formation and implementation in American state and national governments. Prerequisites: PS 350 and 351, or consent of instructor
PS 469 – Congress and the Presidency (4 credits):
An investigation of the structures, powers, operations, politics and problems of the American congress and the presidency with emphasis on the functioning of separation of powers. Prerequisite: PS 201, or consent of instructor
PS 471 – Immigration Politics and Policy (4 credits):
An introduction to the politics, policies, concepts, theories and issues surrounding immigration to the United States. Topics include the history of immigration to America, settlement patterns, push and pull forces, assimilation, national identity and national security in the post 9/11 age of globalization.
PS 473 – Globalization Issues (4 credits):
A study of the political, social, economic and cultural forces that are transforming the modern world. Considers the ways in which people and countries are increasingly interconnected by technology, immigration, culture, the environment, international trade and economics.
PS 478 – Political Fiction and Film (4 credits):
A study of political belief systems, behaviors, relationships and concepts (justice, moral choice, liberty) in various cultures and time periods through the medium of the political novel and film.
PS 479/579 – American Constitutional Law (4 credits):
An introduction to the study of American constitutional law that involves a detailed case-study approach in which the students prepare briefs on case law. Prerequisite: PS 201
PS 480/580 – Administrative Law (4 credits):
An advanced review of the legal context of public administration. The legal process within the bureaucracy and the duties and responsibilities of the individual administrator receive particular attention. Prerequisites: PS 350 and 351, or consent of instructor
PS 484 – American Jurisprudence (4 credits):
Course improves understanding of how the law works and of legal reasoning through reading and discussion of cases and essays. It covers both concrete legal principles and more abstract reflection on the sources and functions of the law. Prerequisites: PS 201, or consent of instructor and at least junior standing
PS 485 – Legal Reasoning and Writing (4 credits):
Course for those considering a career in the law. Training in the use of legal research sources, briefing cases, writing legal briefs and arguing cases in topical areas in both civil and criminal law. Prerequisites: PS 201, or consent of instructor and at least junior standing
PS 486 – International Organizations and Law (4 credits):
An advanced study of the principles, sources and basic concepts of international organization and law. Issues to be covered will be the creation and evolution of international organizations and law, their relation with states, and their effectiveness in alleviating global problems.
PS 490 – Community Politics (4 credits):
An analysis of political processes, institutions, problems, and issues at the local level with emphasis on metropolitan areas, city management and federal/state/urban relations. Prerequisite: PS 202, or consent of instructor
PS 492 – Political Ideologies (4 credits):
Capitalism, liberalism, conservatism, communism, socialism and fascism considered as world views and politico-economic systems in various cultures, with emphasis on comparative values and methods. Prerequisite: PS 203, or consent of instructor
PS 494 – Human Rights (4 credits):
Introduction to the historical, substantive and theoretical evolution of human rights, the actors involved in producing, implementing and enforcing human rights, and several human rights cases.
PS 495 – Public Sector Labor Relations (4 credits):
Introduction to labor relations in the public sector. Topics include the historical background and legal environment of public sector unions, the fundamentals of collective bargaining, including processes, politics, and methods of resolving impasses, the implementation of collective bargaining agreements, including grievance procedures and the impact of unions on public personnel policies.
PS 498 – U.S. Foreign and National Security Policy (4 credits):
An advanced study of the origin, policymakers, character and consequences of U.S. foreign and national security policy with an emphasis on policymaking and issues since 1945.