The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs
pppa.wsu.edu/
Johnson Twr 801
509-335-2544
POLITICAL SCIENCE: Director and Professor, T. Ridout; Professors, C. Clayton, A. Mazur, T. Preston; Associate Professors, S. Hoard (Career Track), C. Leeb, C. Long, A. Lopez, M. Salamone, S. Stehr, M. Stephan, P. Thiers; Assistant Professors, R. Elgar (Career Track), C. Ellenwood, J. Lewis, M. Ritter (Career Track); Professors Emeriti; M. Cottam, N. Lovrich, D. Nice.
PHILOSOPHY: Professors, J. K. Campbell, P. Glazebrook, W. Kabasenche (Career Track); Associate Professors, M. Goldsby, S. Noll, M. Stichter; Assistant Professors, M. Fagiano (Career Track), C. Phillips (Career Track); Professors Emeriti, D. M. Holbrook, M. W. Myers, H. S. Silverstein.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Professor, S. Finley; Associate Professors, L. Drapela, K. DuBois, C. Long, A. Lopez, A. Maclean, M. Stephan, P. Thiers.
POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM
https://pppa.wsu.edu/undergraduate-studies/b-a-in-political-science/
Courses in political science are offered in political institutions (presidency, congress, the courts, political parties, mass media), public policy formation and evaluation, public law, civil liberties, international relations (foreign policy, security studies, conflict resolution), comparative government (area studies, post-industrial societies, cross-national comparisons), political philosophy and methodology.
The School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs (PPPA) offers courses of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Master of Arts in Political Science (General), Master of Arts in Political Science (with a Graduate Certificate in Global Justice and Security Studies), and Doctor of Philosophy.
The undergraduate programs in Political Science are designed to prepare students to be more thoughtful consumers and producers of information related to political phenomenon in the U.S. and in other nations.
Student Learning Outcomes
More specifically, the school's programs teach students to:
- Be able to use creative thinking, critical thinking and sound reasoning with respect to political and policy-related questions, including the use of the principles of the scientific method to enhance and create knowledge.
- Be able to understand and use qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods and be able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of methods for assessing various political and policy-related questions.
- Be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of political and policy-related subjects, including the relevance of political science to contemporary, real-world problems.
- Be able to identify, evaluate, use responsibly, and share data and information regarding a political or policy-related question.
- Be able to effectively communicate through written, oral, and other media as appropriate for the audience and purpose.
- Be able to understand, respect, and engage with others of similar and diverse cultures, values, and perspectives.
Options within the B.A. in Political Science: General Option, Prelaw Option, and Global Politics Option
General: The General Option in the Political Science B.A. provides diverse training in American politics, comparative and international politics, policy and public administration, and a wide range of elective courses in political science.
No specific major is required to be eligible for law school, but political science is widely recognized as an excellent academic preparation for law school. The CAS Prelaw Advising Center assists all students interested in law school regardless of their intended major.
Pre-Law: The Political Science Prelaw Option is designed to prepare students for law school and eventual careers in law. This curriculum reflects recommendations of the Association of American Law Schools.
Global Politics: This option emphasizes comparative and international politics and includes an international experience that can be fulfilled through study abroad, an international internship, a minor in a foreign language or global studies, or ROTC.
Government is the nation's largest employer. Many public officials are political science graduates. The school advises students concerning training and career opportunities in federal, state, and local governments, the Foreign Service, and related occupations. Its internship programs place students in public agencies, political parties, and similar organizations. The school also encourages and advises students on study abroad as part of preparing for careers in international affairs.
Preparation for Graduate Study
https://pppa.wsu.edu/graduate-studies/
Students with some undergraduate course work in political science while majoring in such subjects as economics, business administration, history, criminal justice or sociology may readily pursue graduate study in political science. Undergraduates at other institutions or in other programs at this institution who contemplate graduate work in this program should acquire some training in political science. For graduate study and its graduate degree programs, our students currently choose from one major foundational training area within which they will focus for their preliminary exams (Institutions and Processes; Behavior and Psychology; Theory and Philosophy), as well as a specialization field (American politics; Global politics; Public Policy/Public Administration).
PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
https://pppa.wsu.edu/undergraduate-studies/b-a-in-philosophy/
The Philosophy program in the School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs offers courses in which students discuss fundamental intellectual questions and both classical and contemporary attempts to address them. What makes for a morally right act or a just society? What sorts of things can we really claim to know? What is mind, and what is its relation to matter? Are we really capable of free choice or is our every act determined by past events? These are the kinds of questions that are addressed by philosophers.
Philosophy students acquire knowledge of ethics, logic, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, epistemology, metaphysics, and other areas that provide excellent intellectual foundations for careers in law, government service, education, ministry, and many other fields. This is reflected in the fact that philosophy majors, on average, perform better than any other major on professional and graduate school admission tests that are required for admission to law school, medical school, business administration programs, and graduate school.
The study of philosophy enables students to explore critically a variety of systems of beliefs and values, to identify and challenge the foundations of their own beliefs and values, and to develop critical thinking and communication skills that are in high demand and central to success in all professions.
The School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (in either the General Option or the Pre-Law Option) and the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
Student Learning Outcomes
More specifically, the school's programs teach students to:
- Be able to use critical and creative thinking skills with respect to philosophical topics, and be able to construct reason-based arguments in support of one’s positions.
- Be able to develop an integrative understanding of the sciences and humanities.
- Be able to identify and clarify key issues and questions in theoretical and real-world contexts.
- Be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the philosophical canon and critical thinking/logic frameworks.
- Be able to apply critical thinking frameworks and argument analysis to identify, locate, and evaluate sources when doing group work and independent research.
- Be able to effectively communicate through written, oral, and other media as appropriate for the audience and purpose.
- Be able to understand, respect, and engage with others of similar and diverse cultures, values, and perspectives.
Options within the B.A. in Philosophy: General Option and Prelaw Option
General: The General Option provides broad training in philosophy, including an emphasis on the history of philosophical thought.
Pre-Law: The Philosophy Pre-Law Option is designed to prepare students for law school and eventual careers in law. This curriculum emphasizes ethics, political philosophy, and critical thinking, and it reflects recommendations of the Association of American Law Schools. Students choosing other school options are also eligible to attend law school if they meet admission requirements, but philosophy is widely recognized as an excellent academic preparation for law school.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
https://cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/public-affairs
The Public Affairs degree is offered at the undergraduate level exclusively on the WSU Vancouver Campus. The Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs (BAPA) seeks to develop critical thinking about political and social values and develop the ability to conduct objective analysis of public infrastructures and bureaucratic processes. The degree program is designed to educate people for service in public and nonprofit agencies and to prepare students for graduate or law school. In addition to core courses, students complete a concentration in public policy and politics, public administration and management, or justice studies. The program's multidisciplinary perspective provides for the blending of theory, methodology, and experience in an academically rigorous degree format.
Student Learning Outcomes
Studying Public Affairs enables students to become ethical, engaged and competent professionals, in public administration, public management and public policy. Graduates from our programs are well prepared for careers in public service at the local, state, national or global levels, or for pursuing further studies. The program offers an intersection between rigorous academic research and practical application. Our goal is to foster evidence-based reasoning and practice on the part of those working for the public good, including students, community members, legislators, practitioners, scholars, and issue stakeholders.
Students in public affairs are expected to demonstrate learned capacity in the universally required competencies of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) as appropriate for the student’s level of study (i.e. undergraduate or graduate). NASPAA’s universal required competencies include the following:
- To lead and manage in public governance;
- To participate in and contribute to the policy process;
- To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
- To articulate and apply a public service perspective; and
- To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
Schedules of Studies
Honors students complete the Honors College requirements which replace the UCORE requirements.
Philosophy - General Option (120 Credits)
The student must complete thirty (30) credits of coursework in philosophy: 3 credits in an introductory PHIL course (which generally counts toward a UCORE requirement); 3 credits in PHIL 201 to satisfy a logical requirement (which can count toward the [QUAN] requirement); 9 credits toward a breadth requirement (3 credits in each of History, Value Theory, and Metaphysics & Epistemology (M&E)); 6 credits in further study in any of the three main areas; 6 credits in advanced study from 300-400 level PHIL courses; and 3 credits in a capstone [CAPS] course in philosophy.
No course with a grade of D+ or less and no course taken pass/fail will be counted toward the major. The overall GPA for courses in the major must be at least a 2.00.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Introductory PHIL Course [HUM] or [WRTG]1 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Communication [COMM], Humanities [HUM], Written Communication [WRTG]3 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| PHIL 201 [QUAN] | 3 |
| Social Sciences [SSCI] | 3 |
| Electives2 | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] with lab4 | 4 |
| Foreign Language, if necessary, or Elective2,5 | 4 |
| History of Philosophy Course (Group A)6,7 | 3 |
| Value Theory Course (Group B)7,8 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 2 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if needed, or Elective22,5 | 4 |
| Metaphysics and Epistemology Course (Group C)2,9 | 3 |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab4 | 4 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| Further Study Requirement7,10 | 6 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| PHIL Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Electives2 | 12 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Advanced Study Requirement7,11 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 12 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Advanced Study Requirement7,11 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 12 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Introductory PHIL Course (3 credits): Select one from PHIL 101 [HUM], PHIL 103 [HUM], PHIL 200 [WRTG], PHIL 207 [HUM], and PHIL 210 [HUM]. |
| 2 | Electives: Students are encouraged to apply electives toward completion of an additional major. Elective courses must include sufficient 300-400 level coursework to fulfill the University requirement of 40 upper division credits. |
| 3 | Students must meet UCORE requirements not satisfied by Introductory Course and applicable course must be from a subject other than PHIL. |
| 4 | To meet University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, students must take a [BSCI] course with lab and [PSCI] course with lab. |
| 5 | Two years of high school foreign language or at least two semesters of college-level foreign language are required by the College of Arts and Sciences for graduation. |
| 6 | History of Philosophy Course (Group A) (3 credits): Choose one from PHIL 314 [M], PHIL 315 [M], PHIL 320 [M], PHIL 321, PHIL 322, PHIL 333, PHIL 390, PHIL 420, PHIL 421, and PHIL 437 [M] not used to fulfill other Philosophy major requirements. |
| 7 | To meet University requirements, students are required to complete at least two [M] courses. |
| 8 | Value Theory Course (Group B) (3 credits): Choose one from PHIL 220, PHIL 280, PHIL 333, PHIL 360, PHIL 365, PHIL 370, PHIL 390, PHIL 406, PHIL 413, PHIL 425, PHIL 431, PHIL 435, PHIL 437 [M], PHIL 438 [M], PHIL 450, PHIL 460 [M], PHIL 462 [M], PHIL 470, PHIL 472 [M], PHIL 475 not used to fulfill other Philosophy major requirements. |
| 9 | Metaphysics and Epistemology Course (Group C) (3 credits): Choose one from PHIL 207, PHIL 350, PHIL 390, PHIL 401, PHIL 406, PHIL 407, PHIL 413, PHIL 425, PHIL 442 [M], PHIL 443 [M], PHIL 446, PHIL 447, PHIL 475 not used to fulfill other Philosophy major requirements. |
| 10 | Further Study Requirement (6 credits): Any course in groups A, B, and C not used to fulfill other requirements. |
| 11 | Advanced Study Requirement (6 credits): Any 300-400-level PHIL course not used to fulfill other requirements. |
Philosophy - Pre-Law Option (120 Credits)
The student must complete thirty (30) credits of coursework in Philosophy: 3 credits in PHIL 200; 3 credits in PHIL 201 to satisfy a logical requirement (which can count toward the [QUAN] requirement); 9 credits toward a breadth requirement (3 credits in each of History, Value Theory, and Metaphysics & Epistemology (M&E)); 6 credits in further study in any of the three main areas; 3 credits in PHIL 470; 3 credits in advanced study from 300-400-level PHIL courses, and 3 credits in a capstone [CAPS] course in philosophy. The Pre-Law option also requires that the student take POL S 300.
No course with a grade of D+ or less and no course taken pass/fail will be counted toward the major. The overall GPA for courses in the major must be at least a 2.00.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| PHIL 200 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Social Sciences [SSCI] | 3 |
| Electives1 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM]2 | 3 |
| PHIL 201 [QUAN] | 3 |
| Electives1 | 6 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] with lab3 | 4 |
| History of Philosophy Course (Group A)4,5 | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if needed, or Electives1,6 | 6 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| Metaphysics and Epistemology Course (Group C)5,7 | 3 |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab3 | 4 |
| Foreign Language, if needed, or Electives1,6 | 4 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| POL S 300 | 3 |
| Value Theory Course (Group B)5,8 | 3 |
| Electives1 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Further Study Requirement5,9 | 3 |
| PHIL Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Electives1 | 9 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| PHIL 470 | 3 |
| Electives1 | 12 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Advanced Study Requirements5,10 | 3 |
| Electives1 | 12 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Electives: Students are encouraged to apply electives toward completion of an additional major. Elective courses must include sufficient 300-400 level coursework to fulfill the University requirement of 40 upper division credits. |
| 2 | Students must meet UCORE requirements not satisfied by Introductory Course and applicable course must be from a subject other than PHIL. |
| 3 | To meet University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, students must take a [BSCI] course with lab and [PSCI] course with lab. |
| 4 | History of Philosophy Course (Group A) (3 credits): Choose one from PHIL 314 [M], PHIL 315 [M], PHIL 320 [M], PHIL 321, PHIL 322, PHIL 333, PHIL 390, PHIL 420, PHIL 421, and PHIL 437 [M] not used to fulfill other Philosophy major requirements. |
| 5 | To meet University requirements, students are required to complete at least two [M] courses. |
| 6 | Two years of high school foreign language or at least two semesters of college-level foreign language are required by the College of Arts and Sciences for graduation. |
| 7 | Metaphysics and Epistemology Course (Group C) (3 credits): Choose one from PHIL 207, PHIL 350, PHIL 390, PHIL 401, PHIL 406, PHIL 407, PHIL 413, PHIL 425, PHIL 442 [M], PHIL 443 [M], PHIL 446, PHIL 447, PHIL 475 not used to fulfill other Philosophy major requirements. |
| 8 | Value Theory Course (Group B) (3 credits): Choose one from PHIL 220, PHIL 280, PHIL 333, PHIL 360, PHIL 365, PHIL 370, PHIL 390, PHIL 406, PHIL 413, PHIL 425, PHIL 431, PHIL 435, PHIL 437 [M], PHIL 438 [M], PHIL 450, PHIL 460 [M], PHIL 462 [M], PHIL 470, PHIL 472 [M], PHIL 475 not used to fulfill other Philosophy major requirements. |
| 9 | Further Study Requirement (6 credits): Any course in groups A, B, and C not used to fulfill other requirements. |
| 10 | Advanced Study Requirement (3 credits): Any 300-400-level PHIL course not used to fulfill other requirements. |
Political Science - General Option (120 Credits)
36 credits in POL S are required, at least 15 of which must be earned at WSU.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| POL S 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| POL S 102 | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| POL S 103 | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if needed, or Electives2 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| POL S 201 | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if needed, or Electives2 | 7 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| POL S Electives3 | 9 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG] | 3 |
| POL S Electives3 | 6 |
| Electives 4 | 6 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| POL S Elective 3 | 3 |
| Electives4 | 12 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| POL S Electives 3 | 6 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
Footnotes
| 1 | To meet University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, students must take a [BSCI] course with lab and [PSCI] course with lab. |
| 2 | Two years of high school foreign language or at least two semesters of college-level foreign language are required by the College of Arts and Sciences for graduation. |
| 3 | POL S Electives: 24 credits required. Must include a minimum of 9 credits of 300-400 level coursework and 2 [M] courses. |
| 4 | Electives must include sufficient 300-400-level coursework to meet the University requirement of 40 credits of upper-division coursework. |
Political Science - Global Politics Option (120 Credits)
36 credits in POL S are required, at least 15 of which must be earned at WSU. Consult advisor on International Experience requirement.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| POL S 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 or 4 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| POL S 102 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG] | 3 |
| POL S 103 | 3 |
| Electives | 4 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| Minor Field Elective | 3 |
| POL S 201 | 3 |
| POL S Elective2 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| 300-400-level POL S Electives2 | 6 |
| Minor Field Elective or Foreign Language, if applicable | 3 or 4 |
| POL S Global Courses 3 | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| 300-400-level POL S Electives2 | 6 |
| Minor Field Elective or Foreign Language, if applicable | 3 or 4 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Minor Field Elective, if applicable, or Elective | 3 |
| POL S 427 | 3 |
| 300-400-level Electives | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| International Experience4 | 3 |
| 300-400-level Electives, including Minor Field, if applicable | 12 |
Footnotes
| 1 | To meet University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, students must take a [BSCI] course with lab and [PSCI] course with lab. |
| 2 | POL S Electives may need to include [M] courses to fulfill University requirements. |
| 3 | POL S Global Courses: Choose from POL S 305, 314, 405 [M], 418, 424 [M], 428, 429, 432 [M], 435, 447 [M], 472 [M], 474, 475, or 476 [M]. |
| 4 | International Experience: Students may satisfy the International Experience requirement by completing a minor in Foreign Language or Global Studies, or by earning at least 3 credit hours while completing one of the following: a) Study abroad (at a WSU-approved program); b) International internship (POL S 497 approved by POL S advisor; either abroad or in U.S.-based internship that includes global activities); or c) Military Science (MIL SCI 402 while enrolled in ROTC). |
Political Science - Pre-Law Option (120 Credits)
30 credits in POL S are required. 15 of the 30 credits of POL S course work must be earned at WSU.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| POL S 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| ECONS 101 or ECONS 102 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| POL S 102 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| CRM J 101 (recommended) or Elective | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | 3 |
| POL S 103 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| ENGLISH 201 [WRTG], ENGLISH 301 [WRTG], or PHIL 200 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| H D 205 [COMM] or COM 102 [COMM] | 3 or 4 |
| POL S 201 | 3 |
| POL S 300 | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| 300-400-level POL S Elective2 | 3 |
| Ethics and Law Course3 | 3 |
| POL S 402 | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if necessary, or Electives | 5 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| 300-400-level POL S Elective2 | 3 |
| POL S 404 [M] | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if necessary, or Electives | 9 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| 300-400-level POL S Elective2 | 3 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| 300-400-level Electives | 9 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| PHIL 470 | 3 |
| 300-400-level Electives | 8 |
Footnotes
| 1 | To meet University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, students must take a [BSCI] course with lab and [PSCI] course with lab. |
| 2 | POL S Electives need to include an additional [M] course to fulfill University requirements. |
| 3 | Ethics and Law Course: Choose from B LAW 210, COM 415, CES 440, CRM J 320, 380, or 420, ENGLISH 112, or 364, HISTORY 410, and PHIL 360, 365, 370, 450, or 460. |
Public Affairs (Vancouver only) (120 Credits)
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Public Affairs major, students must have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher. Once admitted, all students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or they will be released from the major.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if necessary, or Elective | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| POL S 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if necessary, or Elective | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| POL S 300 | 3 |
| POL S 316 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG] | 3 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| POL S 340 | 3 |
| Electives | 7 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Minor Elective2 | 3 |
| PA Elective3 | 6 |
| SOC 320 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| PA Elective3 | 6 |
| POL S 432 [M] | 3 |
| SOC 321 | 4 |
| Electives | 2 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Minor Elective2 | 6 |
| PA Elective3 | 3 |
| POL S 442 [M] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Minor Elective2 | 9 |
| 300-400-level Electives | 3 |
Footnotes
| 1 | To meet University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, students must take a [BSCI] course with lab and [PSCI] course with lab. |
| 2 | A minor is recommended, but not required. The minor must total 16 to 18 semester hours, including at least six credits of upper-division course work, and must be in an area other than criminal justice or political science. |
| 3 | PA Electives – 15 semester hours required in one of three concentration options: 1) Justice Studies: Two courses from CRM J 320, 330, and POL S 402; one course from SOC 360, 361, 362, and 367; and two courses from CRM J 370, 400 [M], 403, 420 [M], 424, 426, 428, 450 [M], 490, POL S 381, 404 [M], 405, SOC 340, and 461; 2) Public Administration & Management: Two courses from POL S 443, 445, and 446; three courses from HISTORY 415, 418, POL S 305, 400, 447 [M], 450 [M], 497 (Washington State Legislative Internship only), and SOC 343; or 3) Public Policy & Politics: Two courses from POL S 416, 417, 420, and 497 (Washington State Legislative Internship only); three courses from HISTORY 409, 415, 418, 419, POL S 305, 314, 317, 400, 404 [M], 410, 427, 430, 436, 448, 450 [M], 455, 497, SOC 332, 340, and 384. |
Minors
Ethics
The minor in ethics consists of 18 credit hours, of which at least 15 must be from ethics courses within the department of philosophy, such as PHIL 360, 365, 370, 460 [M], 462, 470, and 472 [M]. Three credit hours may, with approval of the department of philosophy, be from an ethics course in the student’s major or in another department. Nine of the 18 hours must be in upper-division work and taken in residence at WSU or through WSU-approved education abroad or educational exchange courses.
Philosophy
The minor in philosophy consists of 18 hours of course work, at least 9 of which must be in 300-400-level courses taken in residence at WSU or through WSU-approved education abroad or educational exchange courses. Courses are chosen by the student, in consultation with the department, but will normally include PHIL 101 or 103 and will always include PHIL 201.
Political Science
18 semester hours of political science coursework is required for the minor, 9 of which must be 300-400-level courses. Students must successfully complete POL S 101, 102, and 103. At least 12 semester hours of political science must be earned at Washington State University. Three hours of POL S 497 or 499 may be applied to the minor. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the political science courses is required.
Courses
The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.
Philosophy (PHIL)
101 [HUM] Introduction to Philosophy 3 Nature and place of philosophy in human thought; problems and achievements. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
103 [HUM] Introduction to Ethics 3 Ethics through analysis of contemporary moral and social issues. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
200 [WRTG] Critical Thinking and Writing 3 Application of critical thinking skills to essay writing. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
201 [QUAN] Introduction to Formal Logic 3 Course Prerequisite: MATH 101 with a C or better, MATH 103 with a C or better, a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 40%, or higher level MATH. Core logical concepts and formal syntax, semantics and proof procedures for categorical, propositional, and basic predicate logic. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
207 [HUM] Philosophy of Religion 3 Critical inquiry into the existence and nature of God; the problem of evil; the relation of faith and reason; immortality and miracles. Typically offered Fall and Summer. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
210 [HUM] Philosophy in Film 3 The use of film as philosophical text. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
220 [HUM] Philosophy of Food 3 Philosophical issues concerning the nature, production, and distribution of food, including ethical, aesthetic, metaphysical, and/or social/political dimensions of food.
280 Islam in Theory and Practice 3 Fundamental principles of Islam, including the relation between faith and practice, and the social, economic, political, and judicial systems in Islam. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 280, ASIA 280). Typically offered Spring.
280 (Effective through Summer 2024) [HUM] Islam in Theory and Practice 3 Fundamental principles of Islam, including the relation between faith and practice, and the social, economic, political, and judicial systems in Islam. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 280, ASIA 280). Typically offered Spring.
314 [M] Philosophies and Religions of India 3 Metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, aesthetic, social, and political views of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, and their influence on Indian civilization. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 314, ASIA 314). Typically offered Spring and Summer.
314 (Effective through Summer 2024) [HUM] [M] Philosophies and Religions of India 3 Metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, aesthetic, social, and political views of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, and their influence on Indian civilization. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 314, ASIA 314). Typically offered Spring and Summer.
315 [M] Philosophies and Religions of China and Japan 3 The philosophies and religions of China and Japan, and their metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, social, and political positions and views of God and gods. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 315, ASIA 315). Typically offered Fall and Summer.
315 (Effective through Summer 2024) [HUM] [M] Philosophies and Religions of China and Japan 3 The philosophies and religions of China and Japan, and their metaphysical, epistemological, ethical, social, and political positions and views of God and gods. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 315, ASIA 315). Typically offered Fall and Summer.
320 [M] History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. Pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle; post-Aristotelian philosophy to the Renaissance. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
321 History of Modern Philosophy 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. Renaissance, 17th and 18th century philosophers. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
322 Nineteenth-century Philosophy 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. The Continental, post-Kantian tradition, with emphasis on thinkers such as Hegel, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
333 Development of Marxist Thought 3 Marxist theory from the original writing of Marx and Engels to contemporary developments. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 333, PHIL 333).
350 Philosophy of Science 3 Purpose and logical structure of science; human implications. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
360 [HUM] Business Ethics 3 The principles of ethics as applied to specific problems in business faced by individuals and corporate institutions. Typically offered Spring.
365 [HUM] Biomedical Ethics 3 Ethical problems in medicine and biological research. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
370 [HUM] Environmental Ethics 3 Explores the obligations we have regarding non-human parts of the environment and the justification for those obligations. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
390 Topics in Philosophy 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Typically offered Spring.
401 Advanced Formal Logic 3 First-order predicate logic plus some metatheory, applications and/or extensions. Credit not granted for both PHIL 401 and PHIL 501. Recommended preparation: PHIL 201. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
406 Philosophy and Race 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours in PHIL or CES 201. Examination of race within western philosophy including work of philosophers of color and analysis of the category race. (Crosslisted course offered as CES 406, PHIL 406). Typically offered Spring.
407 Seminar in Philosophy of Religion 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Advanced topic-driven seminar. Critical analysis of traditional and contemporary religions and religious phenomena. Credit not granted for both PHIL 407 and PHIL 507. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
413 [CAPS] Science and Religion 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 credits PHIL; 3 credits [BSCI] or [PSCI]; junior standing. Methodological comparison and philosophical investigation of the relation between religion and natural science and related issues. Typically offered Odd Years - Spring.
420 Existentialism and Continental Philosophy 3 Selected movements, figures, and issues in recent continental philosophy. Recommended preparation: PHIL 320, 321 or 322. Typically offered Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
421 Kant 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. Exploration of Kant's philosophy and the philosophies heavily influenced by Kant. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
425 Philosophy and Feminism 3 Course Prerequisite: PHIL 101, WGSS 101, or WGSS 120. Feminist philosophy as critique of Western philosophical tradition and as alternate framework for thought. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 425, POL S 425, WGSS 425.) Typically offered Fall and Spring.
431 Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL; junior standing. Philosophical exploration of aesthetics experience and any or all of the arts; emphasis on value considerations and comparisons of differing media. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
435 East/West Philosophy of Architecture 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. East/West philosophies and their impact on understanding of nature and architecture. Typically offered Fall.
437 [HUM] Classical Political Thought 3 The development of political philosophy from the pre-Socratics to Machiavelli. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 437, PHIL 437).
438 [EQJS] [M] Contemporary Political Theories of Power, Oppression, and Resistance 3 Exploration of three paradigms in contemporary political theory - critical theory, post-structuralism, and feminist theory - for an understanding of power, oppression, and possibilities for more just societies. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 438, PHIL 438).
442 [CAPS] [M] Philosophy of Mind 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL; junior standing. Theories of mind, self, mental acts, psychological states and artificial intelligence. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
443 [M] Philosophy of Language 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. Investigation of philosophical issues concerning meaning, reference, truth, the nature of language, and the relation between language and thought. Credit not granted for both PHIL 443 and PHIL 543. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
446 Metaphysics 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. Issues and theories concerning free will and determinism, the nature of truth, the existence of God, space, time and identity. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
447 Theory of Knowledge 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. Problems and theories concerning skepticism, the nature and scope of knowledge, a priori knowledge, and induction. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
450 [HUM] Data Analytics Ethics 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Ethical issues concerning the collection, use, and dissemination of data. Typically offered Spring.
460 [M] Ethical Theory 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL. Problems of ethical theory as treated by historical and contemporary philosophers. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
462 [M] Women and Ethics 3 Course Prerequisite: PHIL 101, WGSS 101, or WGSS 120. Study of gender and feminism and their effect on contemporary ethical theories and issues. (Crosslisted course offered as WGSS 462, PHIL 462.) Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
470 Philosophy of Law 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL or POL S. Selected topics pertaining to moral and philosophical evaluation of law. Credit not granted for both PHIL 470 and PHIL 570. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
472 [M] Social and Political Philosophy 3 Course Prerequisite: 3 hours PHIL or POL S. Problems of normative social and political theories; historical and contemporary philosophers. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
475 [CAPS] Zombie Apocalypse 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Uses zombies to model responses to global pandemics and critically assesses awareness of pandemic threats in contemporary popular culture. Typically offered Fall.
499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
501 Advanced Formal Logic 3 First-order predicate logic plus some metatheory, applications and/or extensions. Credit not granted for both PHIL 401 and PHIL 501. Recommended preparation: PHIL 201. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
504 Special Topics in Philosophy 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Intensive study of a special topic not otherwise covered in depth in the curriculum. Typically offered Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
507 Seminar in Philosophy of Religion 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Advanced topic-driven seminar. Critical analysis of traditional and contemporary religions and religious phenomena. Credit not granted for both PHIL 407 and PHIL 507. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
510 Seminar in the History of Philosophy 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Systematic exploration of the central works of an individual philosopher or philosophical movement. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
520 Seminar in Ethical Theory 3 The major issues, views, and figures of ethical theory from ancient Greece to the present. Typically offered Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
522 Seminar in Metaphysics 3 The nature of reality, through study of key concepts such as God, personhood, free will, causation, space, time, and identity. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
524 Seminar in Epistemology 3 Classical problems, questions, and theories involving the concept of knowledge. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
530 Bioethics 2 Professional ethics for scientists; ethical implications of new technologies; obligations to human and non-human research subjects. Typically offered Fall and Summer. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
532 Seminar in Business Ethics 3 The major issues in business ethics, both domestic and international, from general principles to specific cases. Typically offered Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
535 Advanced Biomedical Ethics 3 Current ethical issues in medical practice, medical research and public policy relating to health issues. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
540 Ethics and Social Science Research 3 Professional ethics for social science research, ethical conduct of research, obligations to human subjects and ethical implications of methods and technologies. Typically offered Fall.
543 [M] Philosophy of Language 3 Investigation of philosophical issues concerning meaning, reference, truth, the nature of language, and the relation between language and thought. Credit not granted for both PHIL 443 and PHIL 543. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
564 Topics in Biomedical Experimentation 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Examination of the philosophy of experimental design and practical application and analysis of various experimental approaches in biomedical research. Recommended preparation: graduate standing in a WSU biomedical-based program, and an advanced undergraduate or graduate statistics course. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOMDSCI 564, PHIL 564).
570 Philosophy of Law 3 Selected topics pertaining to moral and philosophical evaluation of law. Credit not granted for both PHIL 470 and PHIL 570. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
Political Science (POL_S)
101 [SSCI] American National Government 3 Introduction to American politics exploring the constitution, political institutions and actors, the policy making process, and various public policies. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
102 [SSCI] Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 Nature of the state; fundamental problems of government and politics; ideological and institutional comparison of democracies and dictatorships. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
103 [SSCI] International Politics 3 Operation and interaction of national, international, and supranational communities; major world problems since 1945. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
201 [QUAN] Political Research Methods 3 Course Prerequisite: MATH 103 or higher, STAT 205 or higher, or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 40%. Analysis and interpretation of political phenomenon using numerical social science research methodologies. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
206 [SSCI] State and Local Government 3 Institutions, processes, and problems, with special reference to the state of Washington. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
276 Special Topics: Study Abroad V 1-15 May be repeated for credit. S, F grading.
277 Special Topics: Study Abroad V 1-15 May be repeated for credit. S, F grading.
300 The American Constitution 3 Constitutional principles as established by the Supreme Court and related political developments. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
301 Political Simulations 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 9 credits. Preparation for and participation in political simulations. Typically offered Fall.
305 Gender and Politics 3 Role of gender in political behavior; voting and political participation; women as subjects and objects of political systems. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 305, WGSS 305.) Typically offered Spring and Summer.
314 National States and Global Challenges 3 Comprehensive introduction to the processes of the economic and political integration of the European Union.
316 American Public Policy 3 Institutions, processes, and substantive issues of American public policy and policy formation. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
317 Media and Politics 3 Relationship between the media and American political institutions and the public. Typically offered Spring and Summer.
320 Politics and Current Affairs 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 9 credits. Current trends in politics and public policy. Typically offered Fall.
333 Development of Marxist Thought 3 Marxist theory from the original writing of Marx and Engels to contemporary developments. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 333, PHIL 333).
340 Introduction to Public Administration 3 Basic theories of administrative organization, relationships, and behavior. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
375 Latinx Politics 3 Histories, role, and goals of Latinx politics; explores political movements, coalitional politics, representation, voting, and other political issues. (Crosslisted course offered as CES 359, POL S 375).
375 (Effective through Summer 2024) Chicana/o and Latina/o Politics 3 Character, role, and goals of Chicano/Latino politics; contemporary Chicano/Latino issues. (Crosslisted course offered as CES 359, POL S 375).
381 Crime and Justice in the Movies 3 (2-2) Course Prerequisite: CRM J 101. Mass media as both reflector and shaper of public attitudes and opinions about crime, criminals, law, order, and justice; using films. (Crosslisted course offered as CRM J 381, POL S 381).
400 Political Science Issues V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Current issues in political science. Typically offered Spring and Summer.
402 Civil Liberties 3 Origin and development of civil liberties; responsibility of the branches of government and the people for their maintenance. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
404 [M] The Judicial Process 3 Relationship of judicial behavior to structure, politics and the behavior of other participants in the judicial process. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
405 [M] Comparative Criminal Justice Systems 3 Course Prerequisite: CRM J 101. Comparative study of criminal justice systems in the US and selected foreign countries. (Crosslisted course offered as CRM J 405, POL S 405). Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
410 History of American Indian Sovereignty and Federal Indian Law 3 The history of sovereignty and Federal Indian Law against the backdrop of treaties and trust responsibility. (Crosslisted course offered as HISTORY 410, ANTH 410, POL S 410).
416 Policy Analysis 3 Analysis of public policy formation, evaluation and implementation. Typically offered Fall.
417 Voting and Elections 3 Analysis of voting behavior and elections; turnout, influences on voter choice, congressional and presidential elections, campaign finance, and polling. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
418 Human Issues in International Development 3 Interdisciplinary analysis of complex interaction in the context of colonial and post-colonial development. (Crosslisted course offered as ANTH 418, POL S 418, SOC 418).
418 (Effective through Spring 2024) Human Issues in International Development 3 Interdisciplinary analysis of complex interaction between tradition and modernity in Third World societies. (Crosslisted course offered as ANTH 418, POL S 418, SOC 418).
420 Political Parties and Interest Groups 3 Roles, characteristics, and theories of political parties; organization, behavior, and impact of interest groups. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
424 [M] US National Security Policy 3 Substantive and theoretical research on issues relevant to formulation and requirements of post-Cold War, US national security and defense policy. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
425 Philosophy and Feminism 3 Course Prerequisite: PHIL 101, WGSS 101, or WGSS 120. Feminist philosophy as critique of Western philosophical tradition and as alternate framework for thought. (Crosslisted course offered as PHIL 425, POL S 425, WGSS 425.) Typically offered Fall and Spring.
427 United States Foreign Relations 3 Ends and means in foreign policy; organization, management, control, and current policy issues. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 427, HISTORY 486). Typically offered Fall and Spring.
428 [CAPS] Issues in Political Psychology 3 Course Prerequisite: POL S 101 or PSYCH 105; junior standing. Application of concepts and methods of political science and psychology to the study of how psychological factors influence political phenomena. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
429 Special Topics in American Foreign and Defense Policy 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Current issues in foreign policy. Typically offered Spring and Summer.
430 [CAPS] [M] The Politics of Natural Resource and Environmental Policy 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Issues and problems of natural resource and environmental policy. Typically offered Spring.
432 [CAPS] [M] Comparative Public Policy 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Processes of public policy formation and outcomes in post-industrial democracies, and how to study these processes and outcomes with a comparative perspective. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
435 Politics of Developing Nations 3 Issues and problems of political development and modernization common among developing nations. Typically offered Fall and Summer.
436 Disability, Aging, and Public Policy 3 Application of disability and aging theory to public policy challenges in the 21st century. Typically offered Summer Session.
437 [HUM] Classical Political Thought 3 The development of political philosophy from the pre-Socratics to Machiavelli. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 437, PHIL 437). Typically offered Fall.
438 [EQJS] [M] Contemporary Political Theories of Power, Oppression, and Resistance 3 Exploration of three paradigms in contemporary political theory - critical theory, post-structuralism, and feminist theory - for an understanding of power, oppression, and possibilities for more just societies. (Crosslisted course offered as POL S 438, PHIL 438). Typically offered Spring and Summer.
442 [M] Leadership Skills for the Public Sector 3 Leadership, motivation, team-building, group dynamics, interpersonal and group conflict and job design for the public sector.
443 Administrative Jurisprudence 3 Study of the origins, nature, and practice of justice and law in public administration. Typically offered Spring.
445 Public Personnel Administration 3 Development of American civil service systems and concepts; problems and techniques involved in selection and management of public employees. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
446 [M] Public Budgeting 3 The government budget as an instrument of politics, planning and control; organizing for democratic accountability. Typically offered Spring.
447 [M] Comparative Public Administration 3 Public administration systems in Europe, Japan, Socialist and developing countries; origins and development.
448 Urban Politics and Policy 3 Urban political processes and policies; intergovernmental relationships; impact of urban reform.
450 [M] The Legislative Process 3 Role of legislatures in a democratic system; problems of representation; election and tenure of lawmakers; legislative organization and procedures. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
455 The Presidency 3 Organization and processes of executive institutions at the national level; uses and limits of executive power. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
472 [CAPS] [M] European Politics 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Application of concepts and methods in comparative politics to study public policies of European countries and the European Union; utilization of political science methods to understand and compete in a European election simulation. Typically offered Fall and Summer.
474 African Politics 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Historical, economic, and social factors that shape contemporary African political systems and problems of nation-building. Typically offered Fall and Summer.
475 The People's Republic of China, 1949 to Present 3 The major political, social, economic and cultural developments during the People's Republic of China. (Crosslisted course offered as HISTORY 475, ASIA 475, POL S 475).
476 [SSCI] Revolutionary China, 1800 to Present 3 Continuity and change in the political, social, cultural and economic experience of China since 1800. (Crosslisted course offered as HISTORY 476, ASIA 476, POL S 476).
497 Political Science Internship V 1-12 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. On/off campus internship in federal, state, or local government institutions; nonprofit or public organizations; written assignments and readings required. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
498 Public Policy Internship V 3-12 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Internship in government institution, nonprofit or public organization, or (by permission) for-profit organization; written assignments and readings required. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
501 The Scope of Political Science 3 Historical development and present status of the discipline; contemporary issues and future trends. Typically offered Fall.
502 Seminar in Normative Theory 3 Elements of normative theory developments; examination of bases of controversies and approaches in the modern literature using historical sources. Typically offered Fall.
503 Research Methods in Political Science 3 Social science research design topics, measurement, sampling, data sources, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, field and historical designs, content analytic designs. Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
504 Quantitative Methods in Political Science 3 Applied statistical skills, enabling understanding of substantive political and social questions. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
505 Qualitative Methods in Political Science 3 Use of qualitative methods in political science and public affairs research. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
510 Seminar on American Institutions and Processes 3 Seminar required of all graduate students using this field as a major or a minor; it is a prerequisite of all other graduate seminars in the field. Typically offered Fall.
511 Seminar in American Political Thought 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. The genesis and development of political thought in the United States. Typically offered Spring.
512 Seminar in American Institutions 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Origin, development, and contemporary issues in political organization and structure in the United States. Typically offered Fall.
513 Seminar in American Political Behavior 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Theoretical approaches to, and empirical analysis of, mass political behavior in the US. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
514 Seminar in Public Policy 3 Examination of central questions in public policy including the nature of public policy, policy analysis, and government intervention in society. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
516 Seminar on Law, Courts, and Judicial Politics 3 Seminar on law, courts, and judicial politics. Typically offered Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
530 Seminar in Global Politics 3 Core theories and topics in international relations and comparative politics, including conflict, hegemony, democratization, institutions, and more. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
531 Seminar in International Security 3 International security and arms control politics, negotiations, agreements. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
532 Seminar in International Political Economy 3 Institutions, politics, and decision-making processes in managing international economic relations.
533 Topics in Political Psychology 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Psychological influences on political decision making, bargaining, conflict and conflict resolution options. Typically offered Spring.
534 Seminar in Comparative Politics 3 Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
536 Special Topics in Comparative Politics 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Advanced issues seminar in international and comparative politics. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
537 Concepts and Methods in Comparative Politics 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Selected concepts (state, political participation), and methods (cross-national analysis, case study approaches) in comparative politics. Typically offered Spring.
538 International Development and Human Resources 3 History of and recent changes in international development emphasizing anthropological perspectives. (Crosslisted course offered as ANTH 519, POL S 538, SOC 519).
539 The Political Science Profession 1 Methods, problems, and purposes of teaching, research, and vocation in political science. Typically offered Spring. S, F grading.
540 Proseminar in Public Administration 3 Proseminar over viewing basic theories of administrative organization, relationships, and behavior. Typically offered Spring.
541 Evaluation Research 3 Interrelationship of ideology, data, policy development, and policy implementation in public policy analysis. (Crosslisted course offered as CRM J 540, POL S 541). Typically offered Fall and Spring. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
542 Proseminar in Administration, Justice, and Applied Policy Studies 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Analytical perspectives and theoretical issues. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
543 Topics in Public Administration and Policy 3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Examination of the literature on the politics of the American public policy process.
544 The Politics of Policy Process 3 American political process; policy making under the constraints of a democratic system; relationship to the (non) achievement of the public interest.
590 Policy Studio Course I 2 Course Prerequisite: By instructor permission. Public policy training for graduate students in the science and engineering fields through the NSF-IGERT program. Typically offered Spring.
591 Policy Studio Course II 2 Course Prerequisite: By instructor permission. Public policy training for graduate students in the science and engineering fields through the NSF-IGERT program. Typically offered Spring.
592 Policy Studio Course III 2 Course Prerequisite: By instructor permission. Public policy training for graduate students in the science and engineering fields through the NSF-IGERT program. Typically offered Spring.
597 Graduate Internship V 2-12 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. On/off campus internship in federal, state, or local government institutions; nonprofit or public organizations; written assignments and readings required. Typically offered Fall and Spring. S, F grading.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. S, U grading.
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Political Science PhD program. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their doctoral research, dissertation and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 800 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
- Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs
Courses
- Philosophy
- Political Science
Schedules of Studies
- Philosophy - General Option
- Philosophy - Pre-Law Option
- Political Science - General Option
- Political Science - Global Politics Option
- Political Science - Pre-Law Option
- Public Affairs (Vancouver only)
Minors
- Ethics
- Philosophy
- Political Science