Political Science (POLS)

POLS 101. Introduction to American Government and Politics. 3 hours.

Introduction to American political ideas, individual and group political behavior, institutions of national government, and public policy. Course Information: May be taught in blended learning format. Please check the online schedule of classes for blended sections. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture-Discussion. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

POLS 111. United States Politics: Current Problems and Controversies. 3 hours.

Selected current political problems and controversies are analyzed and placed in the context of past and future public policies and the development of political institutions. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. May be repeated for credit if topic is different for each registration. Students may register in more than one section per term.

POLS 112. Black Politics and Culture in the United States. 3 hours.

The shifting relationship between black politics and black cultural forms across various historical periods. Course Information: Same as BLST 103. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.

POLS 120. Introduction to Political Theory. 3 hours.

Competing accounts of the relationships among individuals, society, and the state. Analysis of differing conceptions of human nature through readings in ancient and modern classics. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture-Discussion. Individual and Society course, and Past course.

POLS 130. Introduction to Comparative Politics. 3 hours.

Comparative study of political institutions, political culture, and political processes in selected major countries of the world. Course Information: Same as INST 130. Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Consult the Schedule of Classes for the relevant semester to determine the mode of instruction. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high-speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture-Discussion. Individual and Society course.

POLS 184. Introduction to International Relations. 3 hours.

Political, military, and economic relations between states, international organizations and transnational actors. Problems of war, imperialism and the world economy. Prospects for global cooperation. Course Information: Same as INST 184. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture-Discussion. Individual and Society course, and World Cultures course.

POLS 190. Scope of Political Science. 3 hours.

Politics as law and institutions, markets and power, and culture and identity. Emphasizes writing of essays. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Seniors require consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture. Individual and Society course.

POLS 200. Methods of Political Science. 3 hours.

Methods of political science. Conducting primary research projects using the methods most frequently employed by political scientists.

POLS 201. Political Data Analysis. 3 hours.

Introduction to basic elements of statistics and data analysis for political science. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics; introduction to UIC computer facility and statistics software. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): MATH 090; or MATH 105; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 202. Topics in Political Practice. 3 hours.

Selected topics in contemporary political practice. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 190.

POLS 203. Popular Culture and Politics. 3 hours.

This course uses popular culture and its products to analyze contemporary political themes through the lens of political processes, state and legal institutions, political behavior, and the exercise of power. Topics may vary. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in POLS 101 or ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 204. Democracy and Its Discontents. 3 hours.

Explores the challenges past and present democracies face. Topics include democratic erosion, weak institutions, polarization, populism, corruption, and violence and democracy. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in POLS 130; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 206. Political Behavior. 3 hours.

An introduction to political behavior; includes the structure and functions of political attitudes, the role of personality, political socialization, electoral behavior, and related topics. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101.

POLS 207. The Mass Media and Politics. 3 hours.

Impact of mass media coverage on political attitudes and the conduct of American politics. Communication policies and media institutions in times of rapid technological change. Course Information: Same as COMM 207. Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Consult the Schedule of Classes for the mode of instruction. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): One course in political science, sociology or contemporary history.

POLS 209. Latinos and Politics. 3 hours.

Latino politics and politicians in the context of the American political system. The political system, Latino participation, experience, and research on political processes. Course Information: Same as LALS 283. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion. US Society course.

POLS 210. Introduction to Urban Politics. 3 hours.

Growth and legal problems of cities: intergovernmental relations; powers and forms of government; pressure group activity; municipal functions and services; globalization and global cities; and revenue issues. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101.

POLS 211. Chicago's Future. 3 hours.

Emphasis on the political and governmental future of Chicago. Covers racial and ethnic politics; metropolitan, city, and neighborhood government; machine versus reform politics; and Chicago as a global city. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101.

POLS 212. State Government. 3 hours.

Organization and powers of state governments in the U.S.; constitutions and problems of revision; the major institutions and their interrelationships, intergovernmental relations. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 190.

POLS 224. Congressional Debate. 3 hours.

Theoretical and practical approaches to preparing for College National Congressional Debate competition. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours with the approval of the department. Field trips to conferences required. Conference fee required. Prerequisite(s): POLS 228. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Practice.

POLS 225. Political Interest Groups. 3 hours.

Pluralism, the logic of collective action, the special-interest state, public-interest groups, and corporatism. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 226. Political Parties. 3 hours.

Historical development, organization, and functioning of state and national parties; committees, conventions, campaigns and finances; party platforms and issues. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 190.

POLS 227. Voting Behavior and Elections. 3 hours.

Examination of elections, voting behavior, election law, and voting theories and influences. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in POLS 101.

POLS 228. U.S. Congress. 3 hours.

Introduction to the structures and processes of Congressional politics. Emphasis on elections, organization, interinstitutional relations and authorizations and appropriations processes. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101.

POLS 229. The American Presidency. 3 hours.

Examination of such phenomena as presidential elections; the presidency and the Constitution; the presidency and public administration; the president as policy-maker; presidential leadership. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101.

POLS 231. Introduction to Chinese Politics. 3 hours.

Main issues of contemporary Chinese politics and social change; the decline of the last imperial dynasty; the republican era; the rise of communism and China under the rule of Mao Zedong; and the reform period (post-1978). Course Information: Same as GLAS 231. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130; or consent of the instructor. World Cultures course.

POLS 232. Politics in Korea. 3 hours.

Sources, dynamics, and patterns of politics in the two Koreas. Comparison of North and South Korea. Course Information: Same as GLAS 232. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130; or consent of the instructor. World Cultures course.

POLS 234. Western European Politics and Government. 3 hours.

Comparison of government and politics of major Western European countries. Topics include political culture, political parties, elections, legislatures, executive arrangements, and the European community. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 236. Politics and Government of Eastern Europe. 3 hours.

Similarities and differences of the political system of eastern European states and the sources and meaning of political change. Course Information: Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Consult the Schedule of Classes for the relevant semester to determine the mode of instruction. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high-speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or INST 130; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 242. Government and Politics of Latin America. 3 hours.

An examination of government and politics in selected Latin American countries. Comparative and historical analysis of dictatorship, democracies, political institutions, and parties. Course Information: Same as LALS 242.

POLS 243. Politics and Government of the Middle East. 3 hours.

Contemporary Middle East political institutions, culture, processes, and conflicts. Emphasis on interaction of traditional and modern forces, such as Islam, nationalism, political elites, ideologies, states. Course Information: Same as JST 243. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190; or consent of the instructor. World Cultures course.

POLS 246. History of American Capitalism. 3 hours.

Survey of the political, economic, cultural, and social history of capitalism in colonial British America and the United States, with special attention to property, labor, finance, public policy, ideology, and class relations. Course Information: Same as HIST 246. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Discussion. Past course, and US Society course.

POLS 258. The Judicial Process. 3 hours.

Dispute settlement and policy making in state and federal court systems; judicial decision making and the impact of decisions on the polity. Course Information: Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Consult the Schedule of Classes for the relevant semester to determine the mode of instruction. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high-speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101.

POLS 267. American Intellectual History to 1865. 3 hours.

Major issues in American intellectual history from the contacts of culture begun by European exploration on the land now known as the United States to the end of the American Civil War in 1865. Course Information: Same as HIST 267. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161. Past course, and US Society course.

POLS 268. American Intellectual History since 1865. 3 hours.

Major issues in American intellectual history and the history of ideas from the end of the Civil War to the present. Course Information: Same as HIST 268. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion. Past course, and US Society course.

POLS 274. The Politics of Blackness in Latin America. 3 hours.

Examines race, culture, and politics in Latin America from historical and contemporary perspectives with a particular emphasis on the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. Course Information: Same as BLST 274 and LALS 274. Recommended background: Three credit hours in BLST or LALS or POLS.

POLS 275. Gender in Latin America. 3 hours.

Latin American women in historical perspective from pre-Columbian and Iberian societies to the present. Course Information: Same as GWS 275 and LALS 275. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion/Recitation. Past course, and World Cultures course.

POLS 281. United States Foreign Policy. 3 hours.

Internal and external factors that influence formulation and execution of U.S. foreign policy. Major problems of contemporary foreign policy: constitutional, organizational, and intellectual factors. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 190.

POLS 282. National Model United Nations. 3 hours.

Students prepare to assume the role of diplomatic representatives at the National Model United Nations Conference. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours with approval. Approval to repeat course granted by the department. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Practice.

POLS 283. International Political Economy. 3 hours.

Political underpinnings and ramifications of international economic relations. Foreign trade policy, multinational corporations, oil North-South relations, economic warfare. Course Information: Same as INST 283. Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or INST 184 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 284. International Security. 3 hours.

International conflict and cooperation, including war, nationalism, global inequality, and the environment. Course Information: Same as INST 284. Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or INST 184 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 286. The United Nations and Other International Organizations. 3 hours.

The development, structure, functioning, and impact of the United Nations and other international organizations. An assessment of their contributions and limitations. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 287. International Law. 3 hours.

The nature, scope, and limits of international law in the contemporary world. Examines three dimensions of international law: doctrine, practice, and jurisprudence (case-law). Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 290. History of Political Thought I. 3 hours.

Western political theorists from ancient Greece and Rome through the end of the classical era, including Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and Augustine. Course Information: Same as CL 290. Prerequisite(s): POLS 120; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 291. History of Political Thought II. 3 hours.

Western political theorists from the seventeenth century through modern times, including Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Marx, Mill and Nietzsche. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 120; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 295. Introduction to Marxism. 3 hours.

Examination and evaluation of the basic theories of Marx and Engels to determine their contribution to the understanding of contemporary politics. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 296. Fascism and Dictatorship in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. 3 hours.

Establishment of fascist and authoritarian regimes in 20th-century Spain, Italy and Greece. Fascist ideology, leadership cult, mass politics, violence and propaganda, uses of antiquity, resistance and consent, legacy and memory of fascism. Course Information: Same as HIST 296 and GKM 296. Taught in English. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161. Past course.

POLS 297. American Political Theories. 3 hours.

American political theorists from the colonial period to the present, including Paine, Madison, Hamilton, Thoreau, Calhoun, Sumner, DuBois, and Dewey. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 300. Symposium on Politics. 3 hours.

Selected problems in politics. Course content and format will vary to adapt to the changing political scene. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing or consent of the instructor.

POLS 301. Internship in Political Science. 6 hours.

Provides students an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in “real life” political settings through an internship at governmental agencies, political parties, interest groups, civic associations, international agencies, or law offices. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing; at least 12 credit hours in political science, including courses relevant to field experience; GPA of 4.00 in political science; and consent of instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Practice.

POLS 302. Great Cities Internship. 6 hours.

Provides students an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and conduct research in metropolitan organizations through field placements and seminars. Course Information: Same as UPP 302. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and grade point average of 3.00, or consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Practice.

POLS 303. Supervised Readings and Research. 1-3 hours.

Supervised readings and research in political science. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the degree and the major.

POLS 305. Honors Course. 3-6 hours.

Independent reading and research for students seeking departmental distinction. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): Open only to seniors. Requires approval of the department, a 3.25 University grade point average, and a 3.50 political science grade point average. Class Schedule Information: This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the degree and the major.

POLS 307. Political Psychology. 3 hours.

Analysis of mass and elite political behavior from the perspectives of several psychological approaches including psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic and social psychology theories. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): One course in political science, psychology, or sociology.

POLS 309. Topics in Political Behavior. 3 hours.

Intensive analysis of topics in political behavior. Possible topics include: elections and campaigns, political culture. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 206 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 310. Governing the Megalopolis. 3 hours.

Examination of political/governmental issues in massive metropolitan areas, utilizing the six-county greater Chicago area for example. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 200 or the equivalent or consent of the instructor.

POLS 311. Black Politics in the United States. 3 hours.

Historical analysis of Black electoral politics in the U.S., including traditional political party participation and movement politics. Course Information: Same as BLST 306. Prerequisite(s): Three courses in political science, history or sociology, or consent of the instructor.

POLS 312. Topics in Local Politics. 3 hours.

Intensive examination of selected problems of local politics. Actual research involvement. Topics vary. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 and POLS 210.

POLS 329. Seminar on American Politics. 3 hours.

Advanced seminar on special topics in American politics. Content varies. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 and POLS 200; or consent of the instructor. Students seeking to register with instructor approval should contact the academic advisor for Political Science, in addition to securing permission to enroll from the course instructor.

POLS 342. European Union: Politics and Institutions. 3 hours.

An overview of the historical development of the European Union, with a focus on the functioning of its political institutions and policy-making process. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: POLS 286 or a major in Political Science. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion.

POLS 348. Seminar: Political Problems of Developing Societies. 3 hours.

Selected aspects of the politics and countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Course Information: Same as LALS 348. Prerequisite(s): POLS 200 and POLS 130; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 349. Topics in Comparative Politics. 3 hours.

Selected problems in comparative politics. Course Information: Same as INST 349. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or INST 130; and POLS 200; or consent of the instructor. Students seeking to register with instructor approval should contact the academic advisor for Political Science, in addition to securing permission to enroll from the course instructor.

POLS 353. Constitutional Law. 3 hours.

Selected constitutional provisions and principles as they developed through Supreme Court interpretation. Major attention given to powers and practices of, and interactions among governmental institutions. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 354. The Constitution and Civil Liberties. 3 hours.

Civil rights, including religion, speech, assembly, press, and rights of the accused. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 356. Constitutional Law: Women, Gender and Privacy. 3 hours.

A multidisciplinary examination of U.S. constitutional law and politics in shaping issues of gender, privacy, race, and sexual orientation; including reproduction, labor, sexual harassment, political participation, and women and crime. Course Information: Same as BLST 356, and GWS 356. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in POLS 101 or grade of C or better in POLS 112 or grade of C or better in BLST 100 or grade of C or better in BLST 103 or grade of C or better in GWS 101; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 358. Constitutional Law: African-American Legal History. 3 hours.

Survey of the African-American constitutional experience from the 1600s to the present, focusing on landmark decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Course Information: Same as BLST 358.

POLS 359. Topics in Public Law. 3 hours.

Selected problems arising in public law and judicial arenas. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 258 or POLS 353 or POLS 354 or POLS 356 or POLS 358 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 384. International Relations Theory. 3 hours.

Philosophical foundations of international relations, including assumptions of anarchy, rationality, power and the state. Applications to security and political economy. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): POLS 283 or POLS 284 or consent of the instructor.

POLS 389. Seminar: Topics in International Relations. 3 hours.

Selected topics in international relations. Topics may vary and may cover global military, economic, cultural, ecological or methodological issues. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or INST 184; and POLS 200; or consent of the instructor . Students seeking to register with instructor approval should contact the academic advisor for Political Science, in addition to securing permission to enroll from the course instructor.

POLS 399. Seminar in Political Theory. 3 hours.

Selected topics and problems in political theory. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 120 and POLS 200; or consent of the instructor. Students seeking to register with instructor approval should contact the academic advisor for Political Science, in addition to securing permission to enroll from the course instructor.

POLS 401. Data Analysis I. 3 or 4 hours.

Statistical inference for the social sciences. Emphasis on univariate and bivariate statistics. Course Information: Same as PPA 401. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 200 and POLS 201; or graduate standing.

POLS 402. Political Science Data Collection, Wrangling and Visualization. 3 or 4 hours.

Collecting original data using tools typical for Political Science, including web scrapping, data from APIs, Qualtrics, and content analysis of documents. Cleaning data using Excel and R. Wrangling and transforming data. Data visualization. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 200 and Grade of B or better in POLS 201; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. Undergraduate students seeking to enroll in this course should have experience with data entry.

POLS 405. The Problem of Justice. 3 or 4 hours.

Pre-modern, modern and non-western views of justice and their practical utility in analyzing legislative, executive, and judicial programs for enhancing or restricting justice. Course Information: Same as CLJ 405. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101, plus two 200-level courses in CLJ or two 200-level courses in POLS.

POLS 451. Law and Public Policy. 3 or 4 hours.

The role of law and legal institutions in the development and implementation of public policies. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

POLS 459. Advanced Topics in Urban Politics. 3 or 4 hours.

Seminar exploring urban politics theory through readings, discussion, and original research. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 210; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 465. Topics in Sociology of Politics. 3 or 4 hours.

Intensive examination of a specialized topic announced when the class is scheduled. Course Information: Same as SOC 465. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): 6 hours of upper-division sociology or consent of the instructor.

POLS 467. Public Opinion and Political Communication. 3 or 4 hours.

Nature of public opinion and political communication systems. Patterns of opinion distribution and its measurement. Forces shaping public opinion and its impact on public policy. Course Information: Same as COMM 467. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 200 or the equivalent or consent of the instructor.

POLS 469. Advanced Topics in American Politics. 3 or 4 hours.

Seminar exploring American politics theory through readings, discussion, and original research. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 101 and Grade of B or better in POLS 329; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 478. Advanced Topics in International Relations. 3 or 4 hours.

Seminar exploring international relations theory through readings, discussion, and original research. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 184; and Grade of B or better in POLS 281 or Grade of B or better in POLS 283 or Grade of B or better in POLS 284; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 479. Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics. 3 or 4 hours.

Seminar exploring comparative politics theory through readings, discussion, and original research. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 130 and Grade of B or better in POLS 349; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 482. Theories of Democracy and Representation. 3 or 4 hours.

Democracy as a procedure of government and value commitments associated with this form of government. Special attention paid to classical and modern democracies. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

POLS 485. Gender and Politics. 3 or 4 hours.

Impact of gender on basic categories of western political thought. Distinctions between reason and emotion, public and private, among others, examined from feminist perspective. Course Information: Same as GWS 485. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 and one 200-level course in political theory; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 489. Advanced Topics in Political Theory. 3 or 4 hours.

Seminar exploring political theory through reading, discussion, and original research. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 290 or Grade of B or better in POLS 291; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 494. Topics in Political Science. 3 or 4 hours.

Selected Topics in Political Science. Topics vary and may cover American politics, law, urban and global politics, cultural, ecological or methodological issues. Course Information: May be repeated up to 1 time(s). Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 and POLS 200; or consent of the instructor.

POLS 497. Directed Readings in Political Science. 4 hours.

Intensive readings on a topic not covered in regular curriculum. Course Information: May be repeated with approval. Approval of the graduate director required to repeat course. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

POLS 498. Independent Research in Political Science. 2-6 hours.

Research on special problems not included in course offerings. May not duplicate work done in POLS 598 or POLS 599. Course Information: May be repeated with approval. Approval of the graduate director required to repeat course. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.