Courses Offered
100 Level Courses
200 Level Courses
300 Level Courses
400/500 Level Courses
100 Level Courses
POL 101* American National Government
3 Credits
An
introduction to the underlying principles and values, administrative and
political decision-making processes, and institutions of American national
government in an international context utilizing a comparative approach. The
course includes discussion, analysis and development of critical thinking skills
related to public policy-making problems and current issues. The course
emphasizes the development of intellectual skills associated with an informed,
involved and active citizenry.
POL
102*
State and Local
Government
3 Credits
An introduction to the underlying principles of federalism and focus on the new increasing decentralization of government program responsibilities to sub national governments in the United States. This is complemented by a comparison of the complex cultural, economic and intergovernmental settings of sub national governments. Students consider the implications of different environments for citizen participation, government characteristics, policy processes, and values associated with policy outcomes. The course emphasizes constructive citizenship in an environment where sub national governments will increasingly affect their lives.
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200 Level Courses
POL
201
Introduction to Political
Science
3
Credits
A
general introduction to areas of study in political science. Basic concepts and
approaches to the study of politics will be applied to current events.
POL 202* Contemporary Global Issues
3
Credits
This
course offers a contemporary multi-disciplinary perspective regarding the major
issues and trends confronting the global society in the 21st century.
Emphasis will be given to a critical review and assessment of the origin and
present condition of the plethora of situations and problems affecting modern
global society. The student will also learn to critically evaluate current and
future events. The course will incorporate the views and approaches of the
following disciplines: sociology/anthropology, economics, geography, political
science, and history. (Cross-listed with
ANT/ECO/GEO/SOC/HIS 202; may only earn credit in one department.)
POL
205*
Women and Politics
3
Credits
An
examination of the positions and roles of women in the political arena. This
course discusses the nature and extent of women's political involvement, both in
the United States and abroad, with particular emphasis on the cultural and
racial diversity of women political participants in the United States.
Additional topics will include the legal status of women, differences between
male and female political behavior, factors that influence women's political
participation and current political issues related to women.
POL
211
Introduction to Public Administration
3
Credits
An
introduction to the principles of bureaucracy, decision-making organization
theory, individual and group behavior, personnel and budgetary policies, and the
regulatory process within public agencies at all levels of government in the
United States. Prerequisite: POL 101 or 102.
POL
221
The American Legal
System
3
Credits
An
introductory survey of the American legal system in operation; utilizing case
materials, class discussion, and hypothetical conflict situations to illustrate
and study the range of problems, proceedings, actions, and remedies encountered.
POL 222 Law, Governance, and Politics
3
Credits
An
examination of the numerous factors and influences acting upon and within the
formal legal process, including: judicial interpretations and statutes and
constitutions, litigation as a political strategy, legislation and litigation as
an instrument of social change, law as a system of values; and law as a mechanism of
political power and oppression. Prerequisite: POL 101 or 102. Offered
every two years.
POL
234*
Comparative Political Systems
3 Credits
The
course is devoted to the comparison and the critical analysis of selected
topical global societies and regions. A general comparative framework will be
utilized to develop a critical assessment of a representative sample of
developed and developing contemporary societies. Emphasis will be given to a
comparative study of institutions and their functions, various administrative
and decision-making processes, and contemporary problems and issues. Finally,
implications in the 21st century will also be discussed.
Offered Semester I.
POL
246
Model United Nations
2
Credits
An introductory level course requiring participation in a regional or national Model United Nations. Students will be required to study countries to be represented, learn basics about how the United Nations works, and research Model UN topic agendas.
POL
250
Applied Practical Governance
1
Credit
Provides
practical experience in the various styles and techniques of consensual
governance. Open to any university student who serves in the UW-L Student
Association, Student Senate or the Residence Hall
POL
251*
The Individual and the State: Values and Power
3
Credits
An examination of some historically and currently important issues in political philosophy concerning the relationship between the individual and the power of the state. The course focuses on a range of perennial questions in political thought. Topics addressed include the following questions: By their nature, are humans good, evil, both or neither? What is the nature and purpose of state power? Is it properly addressed only to enforce order or may it be employed to promote equality or enforce morality? Who should rule and why? What are the limits, if any, of political obligation? Can it be right to break the law? And, are there human rights beyond the reach of government power? The course emphasizes development of the intellectual skills necessary to understand and analyze the assertions of some important political philosophers on these questions. The course also strongly emphasizes the value, to both society and the individual student, of thoughtfully confronting these issues.
300 Level Courses
POL 300 Urban Politics
3
Credits
An
in-depth analysis of the forms, functions, and problems of urban governments
with special attention to metropolitan areas.
Fieldwork and the materials of contemporary urban politics will be used.
POL 301 American Presidency
3
Credits
The
American Presidency will emphasize the development of the office, selection and
institutional relations with Congress coupled with an assessment of presidential
power in the modern era in domestic and foreign policy making.
POL
302 Legislative Process
3
Credits
Study
of the organizations and behavior of legislatures and their membership at both
the national and state levels. Legislative influence on the administration of
the law and effect of pressure groups on the legislative process will also be
studied.
POL
303
Wisconsin Government and Politics
3
Credits
An in-depth study of the governmental institutions and political system in the State of Wisconsin. Included are an examination of Wisconsin political parties, interest groups, and electoral behavior as well as institutions such as the state legislature, judiciary, governmental structures and administration. Both state and local aspects are discussed. Prerequisite: POL 101 or 102. Offered occasionally.
POL
304
Politics and the Media
3
Credits
A
critical examination of the media in its capacity as the 4th Estate. The course
will assess the special relationship that has evolved and its implication for
American democracy. Special topics to be examined include: role of the media in
the democratic process, limits on the media, the role of bias and opinion, the
impact of distortion and propaganda, the media and the electoral process, the
media's role in creating news events, and an examination of the media/political
relationship in other political systems.
POL
305
Political Parties
3
Credits
An
analysis of political parties and their role in the American political system.
Organization, principles and practices of parties are discussed. Prerequisite:
POL 101 or 102. Offered every two years.
POL
306 Judicial Process
3
Credits
A
detailed examination of the participants in American courts and the procedures
encountered by litigants at different stages in the judicial hierarchy. Among
the topics covered are the role of juries and grand juries, plea bargaining, and
the manner in which judges attempt to decide cases. Prerequisite: POL 101,
102, or 221. Offered every two years.
POL
307
Political Language and Communication
3
Credits
A
critical examination of the language of politics and power in American society,
including how political language shapes perceptions and understandings about
government and politics; deception as method of governance; symbolism, ideology,
popular political culture and campaign rhetoric as sources of political power.
POL
311
Public Personnel Administration
3
Credits
The
study of principles and problems of public personnel management and behavior.
POL
312
Public Budgetary Process
3
Credits
An
examination of the public budgetary process. Included are studies of the various
approaches to taxation, decision-making and policy evaluation.
POL 313 Public Policy
3 Credits
An
intensive, in-depth analysis of selected public policies - their development,
administration, effects and relationship to the broader political system from
the perspectives of the policy maker and policy analyst.
POL 314 Urban Administration and Politics
3
Credits
An
examination
of the politics and policy problems facing urban administrators. Emphasis will
be placed on policy formulation and implementation, particularly the systematic
approaches to urban service delivery.
POL 315 Special Topics in Public Administration
3
Credits
An
introduction and study of selected topics in public administration. Local
officials, visiting lecturers, or persons specializing in a particular sub-area
of public administration will be invited to present a course
POL
317
3
Credits
An
intensive, in-depth analysis of health policies - their development,
administration, effects and relationship to the broader political system. The
perspectives of the policy maker and public policy analyst are emphasized.
POL 318 Environmental Politics and Policymaking
3
Credits
An
in-depth exploration of environmental politics and policy making beginning with
American environmentalism in the 1960s and concluding with global environmental
politics in the 21st century.
POL 325 Administrative Law
3
Credits
An
introduction to the field of administration regulation in the United States and
its relation to the constitutional foundations, the political structures and the
policies of our various governmental units.
POL
326 Mock Trial I: Trial Advocacy
3 Credits
The
Mock Trial is part of an intercollegiate competition run by the American Mock
Trial Association. The class consists of two parts: Mock Trial I covers trial
skills (opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination, and closing
arguments) and modified evidentiary objections. Students will participate as
lawyers and witnesses in practice trial problems and in the Tournament trial
case. Regular classroom participation and a trial book will be required.
POL
329 Mock Trial II: Preparation
2 Credits
Mock
Trial II is an intense period of preparation before the Competition itself. The
Team will compete at a Regional Tournament and, if successful, the
Intercollegiate National Championship. Individual Team members will compete for
"All American" honors. Prerequisite: POL 326. Repeatable for
credit - maximum 4. Offered Semester II.
POL 330 Politics of Developing Areas
3
Credits
An
introduction to a wide range of issues and problems impacting political
development in developing nations. The focus is on political systems of selected
countries, the relationships between political processes and other aspects of
development and on the factors which accelerate or impede development.
POL 333 Asian Government and Politics
3
Credits
Comparison
and analysis of contemporary governments and politics of the major Asian
nations such as Japan, China, and India as well as the Philippines, Korea,
Pakistan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
POL 336 Middle Eastern Government and Politics
3
Credits
An
examination of Middle Eastern political systems and practices. General topics
covered will include: political institutions, electoral practices, political
parties, policy formation, leadership selection and critical contemporary
issues.
POL 337 African Government and Politics
3
Credits
A
study of political evolution and practice on the African continent. Emphasis
will be given to a regional assessment of political behavior as well as the
impact of current problems on selected countries. Special
POL 338 European Government and Politics
3
Credits
A critical comparative assessment and study of the political institutions and practices of the political systems of Europe and the European Union. All countries in Europe will be discussed, but special emphasis will be given to the political systems of the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Russia. Prerequisite: POL 101, 102, 234 or ANT/ECO/GEO/POL/SOC/HST 202 or junior standing. Offered every two years.
POL 339 Contemporary Latin American
3
Credits
An
examination of the historical interplay between cultural and developmental
factors in the politics of Latin America. Issues of development and
underdevelopment are examined and related to regional and international
political forces. Prerequisite: POL 101, 102, 234, or ANT/ECO/GEO/ POL/SOC/HST
202 or SOC 110, 120, 200 or ANT 203. Offered every two years.
POL 340 The Making of American Foreign Policy
3
Credits
This
course will cover the institutions and actors important to the making of foreign
policy, the tools or instruments used in foreign policy, and defense policy.
This course will feature simulation exercises in foreign policy decision making.
Prerequisite: POL 101, 102, or ANT/ECO/GEO/POL/ SOC/HST 202. Offered every two
years.
POL 341 America and the World
3
Credits
This
course will address current issues in American relations with other countries
and regions of the world and with the United Nations and other international
organizations. Both bilateral and/or regional and global issues will be
addressed in the context of U.S. relations with particular countries and
regions. Students will be required, through a variety of exercises, to
critically evaluate options and alternatives for American
POL 342 Ethnic Politics in Contemporary America
3
Credits
This
course examines social class and racial and ethnic divisions in the United
States with a focus on who gets what, when and how in this political system. The
political, social and economic implications of segregation, political
socialization, participation, voting behavior and mobilization patterns of
African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and immigrant
groups are studied.
POL 344 International Organization and Administration
3
Credits
An introduction and study of the United Nations, U.N. specialized agencies and selected other international governmental organizations (IGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This course will study structure and organization, voting procedure, budget and personnel practices, and political, administrative and economic issues facing international organizations in general and those selected for study in this course. Prerequisite: POL 101 or 102, ANT/ECO/GEO/POL/SOC/HST 202, or junior standing. Offered every two years.
POL 345 Public International Law
3
Credits
Examination
of contemporary public international law utilizing case studies and including
study of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
Case studies will focus on the
norms of international law as they may apply to current international conflicts
and controversies.
POL 350 Early American Political Philosophy
3
Credits
A
survey of American political thought from the early colonial period to the Civil
War, including the ideas implicit in law, literature, and philosophy which
underlie American institutions, public policy and administration, and the issues
of American politics.
POL 351 Classical Political Philosophy
3
Credits
A
survey of the great social and political philosophies of the western world and
from ancient Greece to the Age of Reason: Plato, Aristotle, the Roman Lawyers,
the Church Fathers, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke,
POL 353 Modern Political Philosophy
3
Credits
A
survey of some major political philosophies of the western world from the French
Revolution through the 20th century: Burke, Mill, Bentham, Marx, Shaw, Ford,
Camus, Leary, et al.
POL 354 Recent American Political Philosophy
3
Credits
A
survey of American political thought from the Civil War to the present,
including the ideas implicit in law, literature and philosophy which underlie
American institutions, public policy and administration and the issues of
American politics.
POL 355 20th-Century Ideologies
3
Credits
A
survey of some major ideologies which have impacted political consciousness and
behavior in the 20th century: communism, socialism, capitalism and Social
Darwinism, Nazism and fascism, anarchism, liberation ideologies, protest and
reform movements. Prerequisite: POL 101, 102, or 251. Offered every other year.
POL 356 Political Utopias
3
Credits
A
survey of some utopian political thinkers through the ages and the imagined
political cultures and systems they created: Harrington, More, Huxley, Lytton
Bellamy, Butler, Skinner, Callenbach, Orwell,
POL 361 Research Methods in Politics and Government
3
Credits
An
analysis of politics, public policy and government administration utilizing
contemporary research methods. Special emphasis is placed on the scientific
method and the basic elements of research, research design, measurement, and
data analysis utilizing SPSS.
POL
365 Political Behavior
Political
science as a "behavioral science." A study of human behavior in
political situations and the techniques for observing, measuring and classifying
such behavior.
POL 370 Constitutional Law I: Powers of Government
3
Credits
An
examination of the United States Constitution, and the role of judiciary in
elaborating its fundamental principles: Judicial Review, the Federal System, the
range of National Power, and Presidential-Congressional relations.
POL 371 Constitutional Law II: The First Amendment
3
Credits
The
First Amendment protects freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly. This
course will carefully examine U.S. Supreme Court opinions in these areas. Among
the topics to be covered are the constitutional relationship between speech and
conduct, separation of religion and government, definition of obscenity and
pornography, and the latitude available to those who use the media and
newspapers to communicate ideas.
POL 372 Constitutional Law III: Racial, Gender and Targeted Group Discrimination
3
Credits
A careful examination of U.S. Supreme Court rulings on racial and gender discrimination. Prerequisite: POL 101, 102, or 221. Offered every two years.
POL
373 Constitutional Law IV: Rights of the Accused
In
recent years the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a large number of opinions
dealing with the rights of the accused. This subject is primarily addressed in
the 4th, 5th and 6th amendments. This course will examine Court rulings in the
areas of police searches and arrests, coercion in criminal proceedings,
empanelling and deliberation of juries, right to counsel, and the protection
against self-incrimination.
POL 374 Constitutional Law V: Right to Life
3
Credits
A
careful examination of the U.S. Supreme Court's opinions on capital punishment,
abortion, and mercy killing, as well as other issues affecting the
constitutional right to life.
400/500 Level Courses
POL 400 Political Forum
2-3
Credits
Academicians
and practicing politicians will be invited to address the students and lead
discussion sessions on the important political questions of the time. Reading
assignments, lectures and audio-visual presentations will be used to provide
background information. Repeatable for credit - maximum 6.
POL 410 Community Service and the Wisconsin Idea
3
Credits
The
study of the Wisconsin Idea of Community Service and late twentieth century
communitarian and service learning philosophies are examined. The course
includes service-learning work in non-profit and local governmental agencies as
well as the study of the meaning of democracy, citizenship, personal political
efficacy, leadership and political culture. Lecture 1, Lab 4.
POL 420 Health Administration
3
Credits
Examination
of the policy, political and management problems facing health administrators
and policy analysts. Emphasis will be placed on policy formulation and
implementation.
POL 443/543 Introduction to International Political Risk
3
Credits
An
introduction to the international political, social, economic, and cultural
environment for international operations. The approach is multidisciplinary,
focusing on the nature of the international system, analysis of the
nation-state, and the problems of operations in this environment, focusing on
political risks to operational success. Prerequisites: POL 101 or 102 and junior
standing. Offered occasionally.
POL 446 Advanced Model United Nations
3 Credits
This is an advanced level Model UN course for juniors and seniors. The course requires participation in a regional or Model United Nations. Students will be expected to research their countries, the U.N., and Model UN agenda topics and issues, and to write papers and make oral presentations appropriate for an upper division course. Prerequisites: POL 246 or junior/senior standing.
POL 450 Internships in Government and Politics
1-12
Credits
An
academically relevant work experience within the federal, state, or local
government structure; or within other political organizations, such as political
parties, as arranged by the department. The experience will be supervised
closely both by the local internship coordinator and the departmental staff. A
written report relating the field experience to academic training will be
required. Prerequisites: 15 credits in political science and/or departmental
consent.
POL 451 Internship in Criminal Justice
3 Credits
An academically relevant field experience for minors in criminal justice. Prerequisite: SOC 324 and junior standing. Open only to criminal justice minors.
POL 472 Interest Group Politics
3 Credits
This course will first examine why interest groups arise, how they maintain their existence, and what sorts of interest groups exist in the United States. It will go on to investigate the strategies used by interest groups to influence public policy and the extent to which they are successful in doing so. Prerequisite: POL 101 or 102. Offered Semester II.
POL 494 Senior Capstone Seminar
3 credits
Assessment of political science and public administration majors including a variety of written papers and oral presentations utilizing a seminar format. Prerequisite: POL 361 and senior standing and a political science and/or public administration major.
POL 495/595 Seminar
1-3
Credits
Discussion
and reading in the student's area of concentration in a seminar situation.
POL 496/596 Honors Seminar
2-3
Credits
Discussion
and reading in a seminar format and writing of a superior paper or project.
POL 498/598 Honors/Graduate Reading and Research in Political Science
2-3 Credits
Directed
honors or graduate reading and research from reading lists under the supervision
of the candidate's faculty adviser. Designed to prepare the honors candidate for
the terminal examination.
POL 499 Reading and Research in Political Science
1-3
Credits
Directed
readings and research under the supervision of an instructor. Prerequisites:
junior standing or 15 credits in political science and consent of instructor.
Repeatable for credit - maximum 6. Only one registration per semester. Each
repetition is to be with a different instructor.