Political Science

All 6000-level courses require consent of the department.

POLI 1000 Fundamental Issues of Politics                            3 cr.
Offered each semester. An introduction to the central questions at issue in politics with special emphasis on their significance for the American scene.

POLI 1010 Contemporary Issues Politics                               3 cr.
An examination of the current issues and problems of national and international politics.

POLI 2151 American Government                                          3 cr.
Offered each semester. A survey of the principles, structure, processes, and functions of American government with emphasis on the national government.

POLI 2156 Government of Louisiana                                     3 cr.
A general survey of state and local government and politics in Louisiana.

POLI 2157 Public Policy                                                            3 cr.
A general survey of public policies in the United States and other political systems emphasizing their effect on domestic politics.

POLI 2158 Issues in Black Politics                                           3 cr.
A survey of black political movements in the United States with emphasis on contemporary problems. Special attention will be given to black ideologies, styles of political participation, and leadership development.

POLI 2200 Judicial Process                                                      3 cr.
A study of legal systems with emphasis upon the role of American courts and judges in adminstering justice and making law.

POLI 2450 Issues in Criminal Justice                                     3 cr.
A survey of the criminal justice system from arrest to appeal with emphasis on major problems and dilemmas, such as capital punishment, plea bargaining, search and seizure, legalization of drugs, and other contemporary issues. Special attention will be given to court decisions defining the rights of defendants and the practical realities of criminal law in Louisiana.

POLI 2500 Intro to Political Theory                                          3 cr.
A survey of theories of the nature of government and the relationships between the individual and the political order, drawing upon contemporary and classical sources.

POLI 2600 Intro Comparative Government                           3 cr.
A survey of the political institutions of the major democratic powers of Europe and of Russia.

POLI 2700 Introduction to World Politics                                3 cr.
A general survey of the basic principles of world politics with emphasis on the international relations of the United States.

POLI 2900 Methods of Political Research                              3 cr.
Offered each semester. Prerequisites: 30 credit hours and POLI 2151, 2600 and 2700. A survey of the principal methods of political research, including conceptualization and hypothesis testing. The course will introduce computing on personal computers and mainframes as a tool of contemporary political research; students will be familiarized with operating systems, text editing, and data analysis.

POLI 2990 Ind Reading & Research Pol Sci                            1 cr.
Prerequisite: consent of department. A readings course dealing with scope and methods of political science.

Political Science 2990, 2991, 2992
POLI 2993 Special Topics in Poli Science                             3 cr.
Prerequisite: consent of department. Topic may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated once for credit.

POLI 3595 AYA-Special Topics Poli Sci                                 3 cr.
This course is only offered through UNO’s Academic Year Abroad (AYA) in Innsbruck, Austria and can be repeated once for credit.

POLI 3605 Pol Sci & Practical Politics                                     3 cr.
The course includes classroom discussions on selected readings, visiting speakers experienced in practical politics and a research project in the area of the practical politics, involving interviewing, sampling, and other techniques of empirical research.

POLI 3680 Politics & the Cinema                                             3 cr.
A critical examination of the relationships between cinema and politics with attention to the role of cinema in the transmission of political information and ideas and the impact of the political decisions on the form and content of cinema.

POLI 3900 Polimetrics                                                               3 cr.
Prerequisites: POLI 2900 and MATH 1115 or 1125 and 1140. Introduction to the application and utility of scientific and mathematical methodology in the analysis of political phenomena. Special attention is given to the development of concepts generalizations and explanatory themes within political science as well as the use of various mathematical measurements of political phenomena and behavior.

POLI 3995 Independent Readings                                      1 cr. min/3 cr. max
Prerequisite: consent of department and an overall grade-point average of 3.2. Amount of credit to be determined at the time of registration. Section number will correspond with credit to be earned. This course may be repeated for a total of six credit hours. A readings course dealing with the scope and method of political science, this course is designed for superior advanced undergraduates. Political Science courses 3995 and 3998 may not be taken, either singly or jointly, for more than a total of nine credit hours. Political Science courses 3995, 3998, 4990, and 4991 may not be taken, either singly or jointly, for more than a total of 12 credit hours.

POLI 3998 Internship Political Science                                   3 cr.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor and grade-point averages of 3.0 overall and 3.2 in political science. Each semester the department makes available a limited number of internships with the city of New Orleans and other governmental agencies in the metropolitan area as well as in Washington, D.C. Internships provide an opportunity to learn about government from the perspective of the participant. Interns usually work 8 hours a week during a Fall or Spring semester, at times mutually agreeable to the individual and the agency. In addition, students must attend discussion sections on campus. This course may be repeated once for credit for a total of six hours. Political science courses 3995 and 3998 may not be taken, either singly or jointly, for more than a total of nine credit hours. Political Science courses 3995, 3998, 4990, and 4991 may not be taken, either singly or jointly, for more than a total of 12 credit hours.

POLI 4170/G Politics of Public Policy                                      3 cr.
An examination of the American public policy process and policy theory, covering the major concepts, controversies, and states of policy making as well as policy content.

POLI 4210/G Politics Metropolitan Areas                               3 cr.
An examination of the growth and problems of metropolitan areas, with special emphasis on the political fragmentation and integration of metropolitan governments.

POLI 4410/G American Constitutional Law                           3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 2200 or consent of department. A study of the law of the Constitution and the place of the Supreme Court in the American political system; critical examination of separation of powers, judicial review, federalism and federal powers.

POLI 4420/G Am Const & Civil Liberties                                3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 2200 or consent of department. An examination of the political relevance of major federal constitutional limitations, property rights, First Amendment freedoms, the rights of criminal defendants and ethnic minorities.

POLI 4440/G Urban Judicial Process                                      3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 2200 or consent of department. A study of judicial processes involved in metropolitan development and in the application of environmental controls to urban areas.

POLI 4530/G American Political Theory                                 3 cr.
A study of major American political ideas, including American conceptions of liberty, equality, and the role of government.

POLI 4550/G Communist Political Thought                           3 cr.
A study of the historical origins of communism in western and eastern Europe: an analysis of the classics from Marx to the present with emphasis on communist theory of state and law, democracy and federalism.

POLI 4570/G Contemporary Political Theory                        3 cr.
Examines selected fundamental problems by exploring the works of important representative theorists.

POLI 4600/G Political Parties & Politics                                  3 cr.
A study of the political process in the United States with emphasis on political parties, pressure groups, and public opinion.

POLI 4601/G Voters and Elections                                          3 cr.
A study of electoral behavior in the United States. Topics include determinants of the vote, election turnout, candidate images, issues and elections, economic conditions and voting, partisanship, and the media in elections.

POLI 4621/G Public Opinion                                                     3 cr.
An analysis of contemporary public opinion and communication as aspects of the political process, with emphasis upon opinion formation, manipulation, and the mass media.

POLI 4630/G The American Presidency                                 3 cr.
Examines the constitutional and political development of the institutions, the selection process, executive decision-making, and relations with those inside and outside of government in making public policy.

POLI 4640/G The Legislative Process                                    3 cr.
A general study of the legislative process in Congress with special attention to the role of interest groups, constituency, and party in the formation of public policy.

POLI 4650/G Southern Politics                                                 3 cr.
This course focuses on politics in the South, especially since the mid-twentieth century, emphasizing the following themes: race and politics; the impact of the civil rights movement; the evolution of party competition; and the influence of industrialization and urbanization.

POLI 4653/G Political Socialization                                         3 cr.
A study of the processes and agents of political socialization. Although the mainstream American experience will be emphasized, socialization within subcultures in the United States and socialization to other systems will be included.

POLI 4670/G Women and Politics                                           3 cr.
A study of feminist political thought, and of women’s political movements, political issues, and political behavior and attitudes in the United States and in other countries.

POLI 4696 Washington Center Internship                    3 cr. min/6 cr. max
The Washington, D.C. Interniship Program is offered in cooperation with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. Students of junior-level or higher standing and a grade-point average of 2.5 or better are eligible to participate in the Program. The program is conducted in Washington, D.C. and consists of an internship of four-and-a-half workdays per week, a three-hour course one night a week, and a major research paper. Participants can earn 12 credit hours during a fall or spring semester (nine hours in summer). Not for graduate credit.

POLI 4697 Washington Center Spec Topics                         3 cr.
The Washington, D.C. Interniship Program is offered in cooperation with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. Students of junior-level or higher standing and a grade-point average of 2.5 or better are eligible to participate in the Program. The program is conducted in Washington, D.C. and consists of an internship of four-and-a-half workdays per week, a three-hour course one night a week, and a major research paper. Participants can earn 12 credit hours during a fall or spring semester (nine hours in summer). Not for graduate credit.

POLI 4698 Washington Center Indep Res                             3 cr.
The Washington, D.C. Interniship Program is offered in cooperation with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. Students of junior-level or higher standing and a grade-point average of 2.5 or better are eligible to participate in the Program. The program is conducted in Washington, D.C. and consists of an internship of four-and-a-half workdays per week, a three-hour course one night a week, and a major research paper. Participants can earn 12 credit hours during a fall or spring semester (nine hours in summer). Not for graduate credit.

POLI 4700/G Latin Am Govts & Politics                                  3 cr.
An analysis and survey of the governmental and political processes of Latin America and their contributions to modern government.

POLI 4705/G US & Latin American Relations                        3 cr.
A study of US relations with Latin America and the Caribbean Basin with an emphasis on current bilateral and regional political issues.

POLI 4710/G Politics of Developing Areas                            3 cr.
An analysis of issues relevant to politics in the developing nations with emphasis on the relationship of politics to rapid economic and social change and evaluation of policies intended to promote development.

POLI 4720/G African Politics                                                     3 cr.
An overview of the political and economic challenges faced by African countries, the range of responses adopted, and the role of politics and the state in shaping both the choice of responses and their effectiveness.

POLI 4730/G Env Politics in the Dev World                            3 cr.
A survey of interactions between development strategies and the environment. Topics include the environmental ramifications of large development projects, different systems of property rights, decentralization, international debt, and foreign aid in the context of forests, rivers, rangeland, wildlife, and groundwater. Examples are drawn from throughout the developing world.

POLI 4750/G Russian Politics                                                   3 cr.
A study of the former Soviet Union and the contemporary political systems of Russia and the other USSR successor states with emphasis upon political culture, political socialization and recruitment, channels of communication, and organization and functioning of governments and political parties.

POLI 4770/GModern Political Systems                                   3 cr.
A comparative analysis of selected institutional and functional problems of both modern democratic and modern authoritarian political systems.

POLI 4780/G Comparative Democratization                         3 cr.
An exploration of the nature of democracy and the challenges of democratization drawing on experiences with democratization in Southern Europe, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Experiences with and prospects for further democratization in other regions also are considered.

POLI 4800/G Concepts & Patrn Intl Politics                            3 cr.
A systematic study of interaction between nation states, including a survey of the principal theories concerning international society.

POLI 4820/G International Organization                                 3 cr.
A review of the origins and types of international organizations, both intergovernnmental and international non-governmental, and their role in the contemporary international system. The challenges and theoretical implications of issues such as humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, and economic, social, and political development will be discussed.

POLI 4840/G International Regionalism                                 3 cr.
An analysis and comparison of selected international regional organizations, the relationship between world and regional organizations, and economic and political integration.

POLI 4850/G Pol International Econ Relatns                         3 cr.
An introduction to the field of international political economy focusing on four issues: the relationship between politics and markets, postwar developments in relations among advanced industrial societies, the relationship between advanced industrial and developing societies, and the impact of globalization on both developed and developing societies.

POLI 4860/G Prin of International Law                                   3 cr.
A study of the development and theoretical foundations of international law; the problems of jurisdiction; treaty law; the law of peace, war, and neutrality; and the methods available for the settlement for international disputes.

POLI 4870/G American Foreign Policy                                   3 cr.
A study of the national interest as the guiding consideration in the development of American foreign policy from the beginning to the present. The importance of the constitutional framework, presidential and congressional leadership, pressure groups and public opinion, the changing world environment and the American response to it, particularly in recent years.

POLI 4880/G Comparative Foreign Policy                             3 cr.
A comparative analysis of the determinants of foreign policy interactions between nation-states. The influence of governmental systems, legitimacy, size, levels of development, political culture, and leadership styles on foreign policy calculations and behavior.

POLI 4885/G Issues in Conflict & Diplomacy                        3 cr.
An examination of the interaction of conflict with diplomacy. Conflict and diplomacy are studied analytically and operationally in terms of their limitations and possibilities in advancing and/or defending states’ interests

POLI 4890/G Economic Statecraft                                           3 cr.
This course examines uses of economic statecraft in both US foreign policy and international relations. Topics include, but are not limited to, analyzing the choice of economic versus military or diplomatic coercion, achieving successful coercion without the use of military force, the moral limitations of economic sanctions, enhancing the credibility of a threat, and the importance of domestic institutions in targets and senders of sanctions.

POLI 4900 Intro Political Data Analysis                                  3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 2900 or consent of department. A beginning course in the analysis of political data. Students will be introduced to computer-assisted statistical analysis and will perform original research. Not for graduate credit.

POLI 4910/G Political Polling                                                    3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 2900 or consent of department. The process of conducting survey research: research design conceptualization, operationalization, interview-schedule design, sampling theory, drawing the sample, interviewer recruitment and training, supervision, coding, data processing, elaboration, analysis, presentation of results.

POLI 4990/G Special Topics in Poli Science                         3 cr.
Topic may vary from semester to semester. Students may register for this course more than once to a maximum of nine hours. POLI 3995, 3998, 4990, and 4991 may not be taken, either singly or jointly, for more than a total of 12 credit hours.

POLI 4991 Senior Honors Thesis                                            3 cr.
Prerequisites: consent of department and director of the Honors Program. Design and execution of an honors thesis. This course must be repeated once in order to graduate with honors in political science. Political Science courses 3995, 3998, 4990, and 4991 may not be taken either singly or jointly for more than a total of 12 credit hours. Not open to graduate students.

POLI 4999 Political Science Overview                                      1 cr.
This is the capstone course, required of graduating political science majors, which provides an overview of the discipline. The course features weekly lectures by political science faculty along with class discussion. It is open to political science majors only, and it is not open to graduate students. Open only to POLI majors sophomore level or higher

POLI 6001 Intro Political Research                                          3 cr.
Introduction to the philosophy of science and research design. (Required of all graduate students.)

POLI 6002 Methods Political Research I                                3 cr.
Techniques of data analysis with an emphasis on the general linear model and an introduction to maximum likelihood estimation. (Required for all graduate students.)

POLI 6003 Methods Political Research II                               3 cr.
Prerequisites: POLI 6001 and POLI 6002. Techniques of data analysis with an emphasis on maximum likelihood estimation and time series. (Required of Ph.D. students.)

POLI 6004 Adv Methods Political Research                          3 cr.
Prerequisites: POLI 6001 and 6002. Theoretical implications and practical applications of advanced quantitative approaches to research. Specific topics will vary.

POLI 6100 Theories of Public Policy                                       3 cr.
An examination of a variety of models of the public policy making process from agenda-setting through evaluation and feedback, with particular attention to explanations of policy stability and policy dynamics. Examined theories include rational choice, incrementalism, neo-institutionalism and path dependency, multiple streams, punctuated equilibrium, advocacy coalition framework, and political strategy, among others.

POLI 6105 Bureaucr Politics & Pub Policy                             3 cr.
Studies the internal operations of the bureaucracy, focusing on decision making and discretion. Particular attention is given to external relations and the role of bureaucracy in public policy making.

POLI 6210 Sem Urban Political Systems                               3 cr.
A review of the literature dealing with urban political processes. Topics will include metropolitan fragmentation and integration, intra-jurisdictional structural characteristics, urban policy makers, structures of community power, and the city within the federal system.

POLI 6211 Sem Urban Political Analysis                               3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 6210 or consent of department. A research-oriented seminar in urban political processes and policies. Inferential techniques employed in the analysis of urban phenomena will be examined, and students will be required to engage in original research endeavors. Non-Ph.D students may take either 6211 or 6212. Ph.D. students may take both 6211 and 6212.

POLI 6212 Sem Urban Political Analysis                               3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 6210 or consent of department. A research-oriented seminar in urban political processes and policies. Inferential techniques employed in the analysis of urban phenomena will be examined, and students will be required to engage in original research endeavors. Non-Ph.D students may take either 6211 or 6212. Ph.D. students may take both 6211 and 6212.

POLI 6230 Sem Public Policy Formation                               3 cr.
Emphasizes the policymaking process from agenda setting through impact and evaluation. It considers the roles of government structure and the external environment on how public policy is made and carried out.

POLI 6240 Sem American Public Policy                                3 cr.
Offers an in-depth look at substantive issues and issue networks in public policymaking.

POLI 6245 Sem American Foreign Polcy                              3 cr.
This seminar will explore the theoretical concepts relating to the process of policy-making, the interface between domestic, foreign, and national security policies and politics, the role of bureaucratic politics and the thrust and content of American foreign and security policies.

POLI 6250 Sem Comparative Urban Politics                        3 cr.
Methodology in the study of comparative urban political systems, the new urbanism and traditional society, problems of planning and processes of communication, urbanism and political structures, political socialization in urban environments, urbanism and ecology, minority groups in the urban politics of various systems.

POLI 6310 Sem State & Local Government                          3 cr.
A seminar in state and local government with special emphasis on comparative state politics and political systems.

POLI 6410 Sem Constitutional Law                                        3 cr.

 POLI 6420 Appellate Courts Seminar                                    3 cr.
This seminar is designed to familiarize students with the literature on appellate courts (including the US Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals, the state courts of last resort, and the Constitutional Courts of other countries). It will cover decision-making, judicial selection, the effects of public opinion on courts and the effect of courts on public opinion, impact and compliance, and interest-group influence. The courts will be studied as political institutions and policymakers peopled by political actors as opposed to the common view that they are formal, legal, and nonpolitical entities.

POLI 6430 Seminar on Trial Courts                                        3 cr.
A seminar dealing with the literature on the scientific study of lower courts and criminal justice.

POLI 6450 Sem Administrative Law                                       3 cr.

POLI 6510 Sem Political Theory                                              3 cr.
Seminar in Political Theory. May be repeated once for credit with consent of the Department.

POLI 6570 Sem Contemporary Polit Theory                         3 cr.
Seminar in Contemporary Political Theory. May be repeated once for credit with consent of the Department.

POLI 6580 Sem Maxist Theory                                                 3 cr.
This seminar deals with the development of Marxist political and social thought, the place of Marxism in the history of western ideas, and the contemporary importance and relevance of Marxism. The following aspects will be especially emphasized: Marx’s concept of alienation, the phenomenon of revisionism, the restructuring of Marxism under Soviet Communism, the Maoist deviation, attempts to integrate Marx and Darwin (Engels) and Marx and Freud (Marcuse).

POLI 6600 Sem in American Politics                                      3 cr.

POLI 6610 Sem Poltical Parties                                               3 cr.

POLI 6620 Sem Voting Behavior                                             3 cr.
An analysis of contemporary research on vote determinants, partisanship, issues and elections, economic influences, voter turnout, and political participation.

POLI 6625 Seminar in Public Opinion                                    3 cr.
An analysis of contemporary research on individual and contextual sources of public opinion.

POLI 6630 Sem Political Socalization                                    3 cr.
A study of the social process as related to political beliefs, norms, and standards of behavior. Topics to be covered will include the content of socialization, the circumstances under which learning occurs, the agents of socialization and the impact of political learning on the individual’s political behavior.

POLI 6640 Sem Black Politics                                                  3 cr.

POLI 6641 Research on Minority Politics                               3 cr.
Prerequisite: POLI 6640 or consent of department. A research-oriented seminar in minority politics. Inferential techniques employed in the analysis of minority politics will be examined, and students will be required to engage in original research endeavors.

POLI 6650 Seminar Women & Politics                                   3 cr.
A study of feminist political thought and research on the importance of gender in social movements, political attitudes and behavior, political leadership, and public policy.

POLI 6670 Sem in Presidency Research                               3 cr.
Investigation into problems, data, and prospects in researching the American presidency. Examines the presidency in relation to other governmental and nongovernmental actors, emphasising public policy linkages.

POLI 6675 President-Congress Relations                             3 cr.
A study of the constitutional foundations of executive-legislative relations, resources and constraints each possess, explaining presidential success in Congress, and the causes and consequences of divided government.

POLI 6680 Sem Legislative Behavior                                     3 cr.
This course will seek to provide an overview of contemporary research on legislative behavior. Most of the existing literature focuses on the national Congress but the course will also be concerned with state legislatures as well. The seminar will include an extensive review of the literature and statistical analysis of legislative roll call voting.

POLI 6700 Sem Comparative Politics                                    3 cr.

POLI 6710 Sem Developing Political Syst                             3 cr.
Political modernization, ideology and political development, economic factors in political development, traditional versus modern sectors, role of the military, development of bureaucracies, guided democracy, charismatic leadership.

POLI 6720 Sem Developed Political Syst                              3 cr.
Criteria of development, structural-functional approach to analysis of developed political systems, communications models, interest articulation and aggregation, institutional frameworks.

POLI 6730 Sem Pol Change & Development                       3 cr.
Theories of development; relationship between political and economic development, the revolution of rising expectations, political infrastructure, levels of development.

POLI 6740 Sem Latin American Politcs                                 3 cr.
The major alternatives for change: democratic reform or violent revolution; political infrastructure, interest aggregation and the acceleration of demands; the changing role of the military; the rise of urban terrorism; political heritage; personalism; dictatorship; role of the church.

POLI 6750 Sem in Comparative Pub Policy                          3 cr.
Comparative analysis of actors, preferences and strategic environments, including political institutions, to explain a wide range of policy outputs in a broad comparative context.

POLI 6760 Seminar Comp Political Economy                      3 cr.
Methods of political economy, including rational choice theory, game theory, spatial modeling, and the new institutionalism. Theoretical developments related to social movements and collective action, problems of delegation. Applications to particular topics, such as voting, property rights, economic reform, and corruption.

POLI 6810 IR Theory                                                                  3 cr.
This course will provide an overview of contemporary research on international relations. It is organized around points of common interest to scholars of international relations, including such concepts as the underlying nature of the international system, the causes of conflict between states, and possible sources of cooperation between states.

POLI 6820 Sem International Pol & Orgs                               3 cr.
This course will provide an overview of contemporary research on international organizations and international law. It is organized around points of common interest to scholars of international relations, such as the emergence and evolution of international organizations, the creation of international laws and norms, and the impact of these institutions on nation-state behavior.

POLI 6850 Politics of Internatl Econ Rel                                 3 cr.
This seminar is an introduction to the field of international political economy. Topics may include but are not limited to major approaches to political economy and international political economy in political science, cooperation and regime theory, trade and finance, globalization, regional integration, and the use of economic sanctions in international politics.

POLI 6885 Sem in International Conflict                                3 cr.
The purpose of this course is to analyze the most important theories regarding the causes of international war and conflict. It will introduce students to a wide range of research on international conflict. Topics may include polarity, power transition theory, hegemony, arms races, alliances, deterrence theory, diversionary theories, regime types, rivalry, civil wars, the escalation and diffusion of wars, and trade and military conflict.

POLI 6990 Independent Research                                          3 cr.
Independent research in the graduate student’s area of specialization, under the direction of a designated member of the graduate faculty.

POLI 7000 Thesis Research                                                 1 cr. min/9 cr. max
To be repeated for credit until thesis is accepted. Section number will correspond with credit to be earned.

POLI 7040 Examination or Thesis Only                                    0 cr.
Open to students in a thesis program who have only (other than application for degree) the final typing and acceptance by the Graduate School of their thesis or dissertation or to students in a non-thesis program who have only (other than application for degree) to pass the final examination to complete graduation requirements.

POLI 7050 Dissertation Research                                        1 cr. min/9 cr. max
Preparation of dissertation by Ph.D. candidate under direction of major professor and dissertation committee. Section number will correspond with credit to be earned. To be repeated for credit until dissertation is accepted.