UNCA Catalog: Courses of Instruction
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents
UNCA Catalog: Courses of Instruction
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents
Political Science (POLS)
Associate Professor D.B. Mullen (Chair); Professor Rainey; Associate Professors Betsalel, Sabo; Assistant Professor D.J. Mullen; Instructor Cornett; Lecturer Abunura
The Political Science Department offers diverse and flexible programs designed to help students prepare for meaningful careers in government and international public service, law, journalism, teaching and other related areas. In the liberal arts tradition, programs and courses are fashioned to help students develop the skills and background necessary to interpret the political world and understand how politics shapes contemporary life. The department's goals are to help students improve their capacity to creatively ask and systematically answer questions, and to improve their skills in communicating their knowledge and insights in both written and oral fashion. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisors to plan their study and to sample widely from a variety of course offerings. Students must also participate in either community service and/or research activities appropriate to their career goals and interests.
Students should review requirements found in the Education section of the catalog and must consult with the appropriate advisor in the Department of Education. In addition, those desiring middle school licensure must take HIST 315 and complete requirements for a second area of licensure.
Declaring a major in Political Science requires the student to complete a Declaration of Major form that must be signed by the department chair. Before declaring a major, students must satisfy the LANG 102 and Library Research requirements.
18 hours in Political Science: POLS 220, 281; nine of the remaining 12 hours must be at the 300 level or above.
120 The Individual in the Political World (3)
An introductory course designed for the universitywide General Education social science
requirement. Students explore general ideologies and issues that affect domestic politics,
the origins of government in the United States, and how politics affects a person's everyday
life. Political Science majors may not include this course as part of their departmental
requirements. Fall and Spring.
180 War, Peace and World Politics (3)
An introductory course designed for the universitywide General Education social science
requirement. Students are provided with the tools to become better familiar with conditions
that have shaped world politics. The course examines international relations from the view of
the major actors in the world, in particular, the former Soviet Republics, China and the
Third World. Political Science majors may not include this course as part of their departmental
requirements. Fall and Spring.
220 Principles of American Political Behavior (3)
An introduction to the basic dynamics of American politics, including the forces that
shape political behavior and institutions. Fall and Spring.
281 Principles of International Relations (3)
An introduction to the basic concepts, theories and methods dealing with the study of
international relations. The course will emphasize the current forces and trends that have shaped
and are shaping the international system, including the role of transnational actors. Fall and Spring.
320 The Evolution of American Politics (4)
An analysis of the institutional development of the presidency, legislature, courts and
political parties in response to changes in the cultural, economic and social environment of
American politics. Odd years Fall.
321 The American Presidency (3)
An analysis of presidential behavior that emphasizes the forces shaping the potential for
success. Topics include the nature and exercise of presidential power; the influences of
personality, political context, and government structure; and the various meanings of leadership.
Prerequisite: POLS 220. Even years Fall.
323 American Electoral Behavior (3)
Detailed examination of influences on the vote decision; electoral strategies, the history
and functions of parties, and the present and future shape of American electoral politics.
Prerequisite: POLS 220. Even years Fall.
325 Urban Politics (3)
A study of the policy-making process in city government: the role of mayor, the organization
of urban government, personnel problems, planning and zoning. Prerequisite: POLS 220.
See department chair.
326 The Legislative Process (3)
Detailed examination of the congressional process. Emphasis on internal workings,
relationships with other parts of political system, and their impact on public policy. Prerequisite: POLS
220. Odd years Fall.
327 Constitutional Law (3)
Major issues of contemporary constitutional law using case studies with an overview of
context for these issues; the role of the Supreme Court. Prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
328 Judicial Process (3)
Examine the roles of the police, attorneys, judges and juries; the issues raised by such topics
as plea bargaining, sentencing options, capital punishment, and crimes without victims.
Prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
329 Politics of Religion (3)
A study of the relationship of church and state, political attitudes of individuals identified
with religious groups, and the political process of decision making found in religious bodies.
Prerequisite: POLS 220. Even years Fall.
330 Individual Rights and Civil Liberties (3)
Examines judicial decisions regarding the relation between the individual and the state.
The course covers cases involving individual rights and First Amendment freedoms.
Prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
334 Political Foundations of Law (3)
A critical and comparative examination of law and legal institutions in their political
contexts. Students are introduced to normative debates surrounding legal theory and practice. Even
years Fall.
341 The Evolution of African American Politics (3)
Examines how African Americans have responded politically to the social, economic and
legal pressures of racism. Special emphasis is placed on federal policies and African American
political thought and strategies. See department chair.
342 Contemporary African American Political Behavior (3)
Examines the involvement of African Americans in the U.S. political system since the
1954 "Brown" decision. Focus is on both mass and elite behavior, with special attention to
protest and electoral political strategies. Prerequisite: POLS 341. See department chair.
344 Black Political Thought (3)
A comparative examination of ideas that have shaped the political institutions and
processes affecting African-Americans and Africans since 1619. Topics include racism, separatism,
assimilation, accommodation, pluralism, nationalism, womanism, Pan-Africanism and
Afrocentrism. On demand.
346 American Political Thought (3)
Historical examination of the ideas that have influenced and shaped American institutions
and the political process, from the Puritans to contemporary theorists. See department chair.
347 Contemporary Political Ideologies (3)
The major ideological movements that have influenced domestic and world politics,
including the various shades of communism and socialism, racism, liberalism and anarchism.
Prerequisite: POLS 220 or 281. See department chair.
348 Women and Politics (3)
Examines the place women occupy in public life by exploring the historical and
philosophical assumptions that inform gender politics, the economic and social status of women in
society, and their political behavior. Prerequisite: POLS 220. Even years Spring.
350 The Political Economy of the United States (3)
Analyzes the relationship between economic and political variables. Focuses on how the
dynamics of American politics influence the production and distribution of economic goods
and how economic goals shape and alter political behavior. Odd years Spring.
351 Politics of Bureaucracy (3)
Examines how bureaucracy formulates policies for legislative bodies and interprets and
implements laws. Special emphasis is given to the dynamics of subgovernments and the political
and policy consequences of bureaucratic behavior. Prerequisite: POLS 220. Even years Fall.
352 Principles of Public Administration (3)
The major areas in public administration: management and functions of governmental
organizations; bureaucratic power in public policy-making; relationships between Congress, the
president and the courts. Odd years Spring.
354 Environmental Politics (3)
Examines the political conflicts and compromises resulting from different interpretations
of environmental protection. Special emphasis is placed on the choices regarding the
distribution of costs and benefits and the trade-offs between environmental goals and other public
and private objectives. Prerequisite: POLS 220. Odd years Fall.
358 State and Local Government (3)
Examines various state and local policy-making institutions. Central topics include the
delivery and quality of services, the participation of citizens and the character of
intergovernmental relations. Prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
359 Public Policy (3)
A study of specific policies at the national level. Current issues are selected which serve as
case studies of interest groups, parties, bureaucracy, executive, legislative and judicial
influences. Prerequisite: POLS 220. Odd years Fall.
361 Imperialism and Revolution in Colonial Africa (3)
Examines the development of the political institutions and processes of
pre-independence Africa. Primary focus is on the politics of colonial rule, the dynamics of African response
to colonial authority and the formation of modern African states. See department chair.
362 Contemporary African Politics (3)
Examines the social, political, economic and institutional characteristics of
contemporary African government and society. Prerequisite: POLS 361. See department chair.
363 The Politics of the Third World (3)
An introduction to the study of non-Western cultures in Africa, the Middle East, Asia
and Latin America, covering modernization, economic development and political change.
Prerequisite: POLS 281. See department chair.
364 Middle Eastern Political Systems (3)
A study of the historical, religious, cultural, economic and ideological aspects of
contemporary Middle Eastern states: modernization, Arab-Israeli relations and great power policies.
Prerequisite: POLS 281. See department chair.
365 European Politics and Society (3)
A survey of the political and social institutions in selected European countries, including
Great Britain, France and Germany. Emphasis on political parties, groups and decision-making.
Prerequisite: POLS 281. See department chair.
367 Russian Political System (3)
Surveys Russian political culture, the development of political institutions, and
political thought in the context of Russia's social and economic evolution. Prerequisite: POLS 281.
See department chair.
368 Latin American Politics (3)
An introduction to the historical and political evolution of major Latin American States.
Prerequisite: POLS 281. See department chair.
381 American Foreign Policy (3)
A seminar on the American foreign policy process and the policy decisions that have
resulted from the process. The role of policy influencers, components of the decision-making
machine and policy implementors. Prerequisite: POLS 281. Even years Fall.
382 History of World Politics (3)
A multidisciplinary survey of the patterns of behavior that emerged during the development of
a nation-state system from the 16th century to the present. Prerequisite: POLS 281. Odd
years Spring.
383 International Political Economy (3)
Investigates patterns in the organization, competition and distribution of power and
wealth within and between nations by examining the actors, institutions, and processes that
regulate the competition for influence and control at the center of international public relations.
Emphasis is placed on the interplay of political competition and compromise on issues such
as production, trade, and finance. Prerequisite: POLS 281. Even years Spring.
385 The Politics of War (3)
Explores the causes, conduct and impact of war. Emphasis is placed on forces that induce
states to select war as a policy choice, and the impact wars have on a participating state's social,
economic, and political organization and dynamics. Prerequisite: POLS 281. Even years Spring.
386 Russia in World Politics (3)
Examines Russian foreign policies and policy-making and the role the country has played
in world politics in the 20th century. Prerequisite: POLS 281. See department chair.
387 International Organizations and Law (3)
Examines the dynamics and political roles of the global and
regional organizations and practices that have evolved on the
world stage and how they perform governing functions.
Topics examined include the regulatory and supervisory
activities these organizations perform, the way they relate to
states and each other, the conditions that enhance their
effectiveness, and their strengths and weaknesses in dealing
with a variety of political, economic and social challenges.
Prerequisite: POLS 281. Even years Fall.
388 Human Rights and International Politics (3)
Examines the political, social and legal dimensions of the
modern human rights movement and its implications for
international affairs and United States foreign policy.
Analyzes contemporary debates on various issues including
the hierarchy of rights, conflicts between individual rights and
societal priorities, refugees, international migration, asylum,
repatriation, and the challenges created by transition to
democracy. Prerequisite: POLS 281. Even years Spring.
390 Political Analysis (3)
Examines the evolution of the scientific study of politics, the approaches and methods
employed by political scientists, and effective ways of researching political phenomena.
Prerequisites: POLS 220, 281. Spring.
392 Directed Research in Political Science (3)
An individual-directed research project the student conducts in cooperation with a
faculty member. Prerequisites: POLS 390 and permission of department chair. An IP grade may
be awarded.
400 Internship (3)
A semesterlong internship program with participating organizations, firms, public agencies
or community service organizations. Background readings and field research as well as
practical experience. Prerequisite: 15 hours of Political Science. May be repeated once for
credit. Students are required to present the results of their work in the Senior Colloquium. Fall and Spring.
450 Classic Political Studies and the Contemporary World (3)
Major works of political analysis are examined in light of current political trends.
Prerequisite: POLS 400 or 490. Corequisite: POLS 460. Spring.
460 Senior Colloquium (1)
Students and faculty formally present and discuss their research projects and field
experiences. Students are required to orally demonstrate their mastery of their project and the
significance and implications of their work. Prerequisite: ECON 490; or POLS 400 or 490.
Corequisite: POLS 450. (Students enrolled in the Political Economy; concentration are not bound by
the corequisite.) Spring.
490 Senior Research Seminar (3)
A research seminar in which students conduct a supervised investigation of a political
phenomenon. The research is presented to the Senior Colloquium. Prerequisite: POLS 390. An IP
grade may be awarded. Fall.
171-6, 271-6, 371-6, 471-6 Special Topics in Political Science (1-6)
Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special
needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. On demand.
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