Courses for Undergraduates
100 American Politics (3:3)
GE Core: GSB
Organization and behavior of the institutions, groups, and persons in American national government and politics. Introductory level course.
105 Political Issues (3:3)
GE Core: GPR
Introduction to the main intellectual traditions of political science. Discusses basic problems, political ideologies, and competing theories of politics.
210 Introduction to Public Policy (3:3)
GE Core: GSB
Problems of public policy and administration with emphasis on analysis of decision-making in governmental organizations.
240 The International System (3:3)
GE Core: GSB
GE Marker: GL
Introduction to international politics focusing upon major changes in the international system since 1945.
250 Model United Nations (1:1)
May be repeated for credit.
Introduces students to the structure and processes of the United Nations and involves participation
in a simulation of the UN at the Southern Regional Model UN. (Fall)
260 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3:3)
GE Core: GSB
GE Marker: GL
Basic concepts and methods of comparative political analysis. Introduction to political institutions, processes, and problems of democratic, non-democratic, and transitional political systems.
270 Introduction to Political Theory (3:3)
GE Core: GPR
Examines the tradition of Western political thought beginning with Plato and ending with twentieth century philosophers. Topics include the nature and meaning of liberty, justice, and equality and the purpose of politics.
290 The Politics of the Non-Western World (3:3)
GE Marker: GN
Introduces students to the problems facing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Surveys the theoretical literature concerning globalization, conflict and conflict resolution, and democratization.
300 Special Topics (3:3)
May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
Study of an issue in political science.
301 Research Methods in Political Science (3:3)
Pr. majors only
Basic principles of research in political science. Focus on testing of empirical propositions, with particular emphasis on survey research methods and on data analysis and interpretation. No statistical knowledge required.
302 Applied Policy Evaluation (3:3)
Pr. PSC 301 or permission of instructor
Methods and strategies to gauge the effectiveness of government programs
through quantitative and qualitative studies of program implementation and outcomes. McAvoy (Spring)
305 Individual in Politics (3:3)
Introduction to development of individual political attitudes and their relationship to political behavior. Topics include the psychology of political leaders, the belief systems of mass publics, and the development of distinct political cultures. Emphasis on the range of political participation, from voting behavior to extremism and violence.
310 Public Administration (3:3)
Major concepts in administration of public bureaucracies, including comparative administration, organization theory, budgeting, public personnel, and decision-making.
312 Environmental Law and Policy (3:3)
Study of federal and international environmental law and policy: topics include air and water pollution, hazardous and toxic substances, climate change, atmospheric pollutions, and related issues. Buck (Same as ENV 312)
313 Natural Resources Law and Policy (3:3)
Study of state, federal, and international natural resources law and policy: topics include acquisition and management of public lands, wildlife, biodiversity, resource conservation. Buck (Same as ENV 313)
314 Wildlife Law and Policy (3:3)
Evolution of American wildlife law with focus on private property, federal-state relations, and federal protection of species, habitat, and biodiversity. Buck (Same as ENV 314)
316 Introduction to Law (3:3)
Analysis of the American legal system, focusing on the behavior of actors in that system,
theoretical foundations of the system, and policy-making role of the courts. Johnson
318 Constitutional Law (3:3)
Case-method approach to the most important aspects of constitutional law regarding separation
of powers, federalism, and economic regulation. Emphasis on importance of historical eras to the evolution
of these cases, and current reassessment. Johnson
320 Civil Liberties (3:3)
Case-method approach to issues involving civil liberties and civil rights. Examination of
historical evolution of Supreme Court decisions and evaluation of the Court’s reassessment of previous decisions.
Johnson
322 American State Politics (3:3)
Comparison of political behavior and institutions among the 50 American states.
323 Urban Politics (3:3)
Examination of political behavior, processes, and institutions in city as a special focus
for study of politics and government in United States. Discussion and readings directed to current development
in American cities.
324 Urban Administration (3:3)
Special characteristics and problems of implementing urban policies and managing municipalities and other local governments and non-profit service agencies. Role of the city manager and other professional administrators.
326 Elections, Law, and the Courts (3:3)
Examines legal aspects of election in the U.S., with a particular emphasis
on the controversies over these laws and on the court interpretations of
these laws. Prysby
327 American Political Parties (3:3)
Analysis of the role of political parties in the American political process, with emphasis on recent elections and campaigns. Prysby
328 North Carolina and Southern Politics (3:3)
Examination of contemporary political and governmental developments in the American South. Particular attention to North Carolina politics and government. Prysby
329 American Interest Group Politics (3:3)
Emphasis on interest groups' ideologies, tactics, and effect on public policy. McAvoy
330, 331 Internship in Campaigns and Elections (3:2:6), (3:2:6)
Pr. PSC 100 or its equivalent and at least Junior standing
PSC 327 or 328 recommended.
Analysis of electoral campaign strategies by party and candidate through actual participation in campaigns and by writing of case studies based on student campaign participation. Spring semester in even numbered years covers primary elections; fall semester concentrates on general elections. Either semester may be taken independently.
332 Elections and Voting (3:3)
Analysis of influences on voting behavior and of the relationship among voting behavior, elections, and the political process as a whole, with emphasis on contemporary U.S. presidential elections. Prysby
333 The U.S. Congress (3:3)
Examination of the U.S. Congress, its evolution and contemporary standing. Attention given to internal organization—rules, committees, voting behavior—and relationship to constituencies, especially campaigns, elections, and home styles. Holian
334 The American Presidency (3:3)
Examination of the contemporary American presidency. Attention given to the multiple roles of the president, to the rise of the presidency in American government and politics, and to the implications of a powerful presidency for democratic government. Holian
335 Women in Politics (3:3)
Relationship of women to political process with particular emphasis on women’s political socialization, patterns of political participation, and leadership selection. Showden
336 Women and the Law (3:3)
Examination of interaction between women and the legal system. Role of women in legal professions and the impact of the legal system on women in American society.
337 Politics and the Media (3:3)
Analysis of the interaction between the American media, and public and political institutions. Particular attention is given to how media interact with the three branches of government, particularly the executive. Holian (Fall)
340 International Political Economy (3:3)
Pr. PSC 240 or permission of instructor
Recent problems in international politics with emphasis on trade and monetary relations, regional economic integration, transitions to market economies, differing perspectives between the industrialized and developing world, international environmental issues.
341 International Law (3:3)
Pr. PSC 240 or permission of instructor
Introduction and analysis of the fundamentals of international law and its role in the
contemporary international system. Griffiths
342 American Foreign Policy (3:3)
Pr. PSC 240, its equivalent, or permission of instructor
Analysis of the decision-making process concerning formulation and execution of American
foreign policy. Pubantz
344 Politics of Globalization (3:3)
GE Marker: GL
Political impact of globalization at the international, national, and subnational levels. Attention
given to its implications for the politics of international civil society, world affairs, and citizenship.
345 National Security Policy (3:3)
Pr. PSC 240 or permission of instructor
Development of national security policy and the role of military forces in the United States.
Emphasis on the changing nature of security challenges.
347 International Security (3:3)
Pr. PSC 240 or permission of instructor
Examines traditional security threats such as war, conflict, and instability as well as more recent
security challenges including weapons proliferation, terrorism, and human security concerns. (Alt
Fall)
348 International Organization (3:3)
Pr. any international relations course or permission of instructor
The role of international organizations in international affairs with a special
emphasis on the United Nations, its special agencies, and regional organizations such as the European
Union. Pubantz (Spring)
350 Democratic Political Systems (3:3)
Comparative examination of political institutions and behavior in selected industrialized and non-industrialized countries. Crowther
352 Nationalism and Ethnic Politics (3:3)
Pr. 260 or permission of instructor
Explores competing explanations of nationalism and ethnic politics. Course focuses on comparative analysis in a global context, and examines strategies that have been employed by governments to manage ethnic tension. Crowther
355 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics (3:3)
May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
Cross-national examination of specific topic in political organization and behavior. 355A—Political
Violence; 355B—Political Parties; 355C—Politics of Development; 355D—Politics of Industrial
Societies; 355E—Comparative Legislative Process; 355G—Political
Ideologies; 355J—Middle East Politics (GE Marker: GN);
355K—Russian Politics; 355M—Political
Economy; 355N—European Union; 355P—Politics of Latin America.
361 Central and East European Politics (3:3)
Analysis of patterns of political power in European nations formerly ruled by Communist parties, including an examination of the development of political liberalization, dissent, and international relations. Crowther
371 American Political Thought (3:3)
Examines major works in American political thought by authors such as Madison, Jefferson, Lincoln, Thoreau, Emerson, King, Malcolm X, and Friedan. Special Emphasis on tracing the promise and problems of American life.
391 African Political Systems (3:3)
GE Marker: GN
Pr. PSC 240 or 290 or permission of instructor
Survey and analysis of the institutions and current problems of African states. Emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. Griffiths
392 The Politics of South Africa Through Film and Literature (3:3)
This course uses film and literature as the vehicle to examine the issues associated with
the remarkable evolution of South African politics from the institutionalized racism of apartheid through
the transformation to majority rule. Griffiths (Alt Spring)
399 Public Affairs Internship (1–3)
Pr. permission of instructor
Field learning experience in governmental agencies and private organizations involved in the political process. Academic supervision provided by faculty advisor and direction in field provided by job supervisor. Written report on a substantive topic related to the internship required.
401, 402 Individual Study (1–3), (1–3)
Pr. departmental permission
Reading or research. Available to qualified students upon recommendation of an instructor.
493 Honors Work (3–6)
Pr. permission of instructor; 3.30 GPA in the major, 12 s.h. in the major
May be repeated for credit if the topic of study changes.
