Political Science (POLS)
POLS 110. Introduction to Political Science. 3 Credits.
Problems of political science as a discipline, political systems, and political behavior. Includes causes and consequences of individual and group political behavior.
POLS 115. American Government. 3 Credits.
Principles of American government, political behavior, and institutions.
POLS 120. Terrorism. 3 Credits.
Examination of problems of terrorism. Includes its historical perspectives; terrorist motivations, organizations, tactics, strategies; role of media; government responses; future trends, prospects.
POLS 194. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 196. Field Experience. 1-15 Credits.
POLS 199. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 210. Current Politics. 3 Credits.
Study of current national and state political issues.
POLS 215. Problems and Policies In American Government. 3 Credits.
Study of the functioning of American government focusing on the policy process.
POLS 216. Campaigns and Elections. 3 Credits.
Examination of political campaigns and elections with special emphasis for voting behavior, history and theory of political advertising, and effectiveness/ethics of negative advertising. Prereq: POLS 115.
POLS 220. International Politics. 3 Credits.
Concepts, theories, and issues in international relations.
POLS 225. Comparative Politics. 3 Credits.
Comparative analysis of contemporary political systems, practices, institutions, and actors.
POLS 230. Judicial Process. 3 Credits.
Role of lawyers, judges, and courts in the political system. Special emphasis on judicial decision-making and the ideas behind law.
POLS 231. Law and Society. 3 Credits.
Examines the history, types, and sources of law, and the interaction between law, government, and society.
POLS 240. Political Ideologies. 3 Credits.
Study of ideas, belief systems, and basic principles of ideologies.
POLS 291. Seminar. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 292. Global Practicum: Study Abroad. 1-15 Credits.
Pre-Arranged study at accredited foreign institutions (study abroad), domestic institutions (National Student Exchange) or on approved study abroad programs. Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing and prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. Graded 'P'or 'F' (Undergraduate), or 'S' or 'U' (Graduate).
POLS 294. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 299. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 315. Federal Law Enforcement and Crime Policy. 3 Credits.
Examination of the history, development, current make-up, and jurisdiction of federal law enforcement in the United States, as well as the role of the federal government in setting national crime policy and the strategies employed. Crpss-listed with CJ.
POLS 325. Applied Research Methods. 3 Credits.
This course provides an overview of the scientific model, the philosophy and goals of science, and a detailed study of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
POLS 350. Gender Issues and the Law. 3 Credits.
This course examines gender differentiations reflected in the U.S. law from both the historical and contemporary perspectives and the impact of that differentiation, particularly on women, in the areas of employment, education and family law.
POLS 351. Women and Politics. 3 Credits.
Study of women leaders; their roles and perspectives within a national and international framework.
POLS 360. Principles of Public Administration. 3 Credits.
Empirical study of public administrators in their diverse roles and functions.
POLS 379. Global Seminar. 1-6 Credits.
NDSU instructed experience or field study in a foreign country. Conducted in English for residence credit. Pre-requisite: Prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. May be repeated. Standard Grading.
POLS 391. Seminar. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 392. Global Practicum: Study Abroad. 1-15 Credits.
Pre-Arranged study at accredited foreign institutions (study abroad), domestic institutions (National Student Exchange) or on approved study abroad programs. Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing and prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. Graded 'P'or 'F' (Undergraduate), or 'S' or 'U' (Graduate).
POLS 394. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 397. Fe/Coop Ed/Internship. 1-15 Credits.
POLS 399. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 420. Political Behavior-Executive-Legislative Process. 3 Credits.
Behavioral study of executives and legislators with emphasis on examination of empirical data. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 620.}.
POLS 421. Political Behavior-Political Parties. 3 Credits.
Behavioral study of political leaders with emphasis on examination of empirical data. Prereq: admission to the Political Science professional program. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 621.}.
POLS 422. State and Local Politics. 3 Credits.
This course is designed to guide students through a discovery of American politics at the sub-national level. From a comparative perspective, students examine differences between states in terms of their political structures, behavior, and environments. Prereq: POLS 110 or POLS 115, at least junior standing and admission to the Political Science professional program. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 622.}.
POLS 423. Public Policy Analysis. 3 Credits.
Provides an overview of public policy analysis, from development to implementation to evaluation. Students explore these skills through the in-depth examination of one or two current public policy issues. Prereq: Political Science majors or minors only. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 623.}.
POLS 430. Constitutional Law-Civil Liberties. 3 Credits.
Examination of First Amendment rights including freedom of speech, press, religion, association, and assembly. Due process and equal protection concerns are also addressed. Prereq: at least junior standing {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 630.}.
POLS 431. Constitutional Law-Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.
Study of Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. Emphasis on the law of arrest, search and seizure, self-incrimination, and right to counsel. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 631.}.
POLS 432. Crime and Public Policy. 3 Credits.
Examines the legal, political, public welfare, and social bases and implications of public safety governance implemented by federal, state, and local courts and bureaucracies.
POLS 433. Law and Public Policy. 3 Credits.
Provides an overview of how law regulates the public policy activities of governmental institutions and how courts function as creators of public policy. Topics include judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, administrative law, and judicial policy impact/implementation.
POLS 442. Global Policy Issues. 3 Credits.
Analysis of the impact of planetary limits to growth, increasing globalization of the world economy, and changing control over resource systems on global politics. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 642.}.
POLS 444. International Law. 3 Credits.
Examines the history and foundation of the international legal system, including custom, treaties, jurisdiction, and the relationship between international and municipal law. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 644.}.
POLS 445. Ethnic Conflicts. 3 Credits.
Explores numerous topics and cases related to ethnic conflicts, including the nature of ethnic identity, the causes of ethnic conflicts, and ethnic conflict prevention/resolution. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 645.}.
POLS 446. International Criminal Law. 3 Credits.
Examines international criminal law. Topics will include war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, and other related issues. Prereq: POLS 220 or POLS 225.
POLS 450. Politics of the Developing Countries. 3 Credits.
Comparative examination of the government and politics of developing countries. Attention is given to special economic and cultural circumstances facing the political systems of these countries. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 650.}.
POLS 451. Politics of the Industrialized Countries. 3 Credits.
Comparative study of government and politics in the industrialized countries including the analysis of legislative and executive branches, parties, bureaucracies, constitutions, policies, and voting behavior. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 651.}.
POLS 452. Comparative Political Economy. 3 Credits.
Comparative study of the relationship between politics and the economy in industrialized and developing countries. Topics include elections, trade, development, investment, redistribution, and the political business cycle. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 652.}.
POLS 453. Environmental Policy and Politics. 3 Credits.
Course is designed to provide students with both a general and advanced understanding of environmental issues. Will examine philosophical underpinnings informing environmental policy making as well as analyze various substantive environmental issues in US. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 653.}.
POLS 454. Comparative Democratic Institutions. 3 Credits.
This course examines the emergence, evolution, and functioning of political institutions across democracies. Topics include party systems, presidential and parliamentary regimes, legislative organization, electoral systems, and bureaucratic structures. {Also offered for graduate credit - see POLS 654.}.
POLS 470. Quantitative Methods for Political Science and Public Policy. 3 Credits.
Introduction to social science data analysis with a focus on political science and public policy applications. Students will learn to describe and model social data and determine if patterns in those data are meaningful. Prereq: STAT 330 and POLS 325.
POLS 489. Senior Seminar. 3 Credits.
Capstone experience. Emphasis on integrative skills needed to interrelate the concepts of the discipline.
POLS 491. Seminar. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 491H. Seminar. 1-3 Credits.
POLS 492. Global Practicum: Study Abroad. 1-15 Credits.
Pre-Arranged study at accredited foreign institutions (study abroad), domestic institutions (National Student Exchange) or on approved study abroad programs. Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing and prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. Graded 'P'or 'F' (Undergraduate), or 'S' or 'U' (Graduate).
POLS 494. Individual Study. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 496. Field Experience. 1-15 Credits.
POLS 499. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 593. Indiv Study/Tutorial. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 620. Political Behavior-Executive-Legislative Process. 3 Credits.
Behavioral study of executives and legislators with emphasis on examination of empirical data. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 420.}.
POLS 621. Political Behavior-Political Parties. 3 Credits.
Behavioral study of political leaders with emphasis on examination of empirical data. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 421.}.
POLS 622. State and Local Politics. 3 Credits.
This course is designed to guide students through a discovery of American politics at the sub-national level. From a comparative perspective, students examine differences between states in terms of their political structures, behavior, and environments. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 422.}.
POLS 623. Public Policy Analysis. 3 Credits.
Provides an overview of public policy analysis, from development to implementation to evaluation. Students explore these skills through the in-depth examination of one or two current public policy issues. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 423.}.
POLS 630. Constitutional Law-Civil Liberties. 3 Credits.
Examination of First Amendment rights including freedom of speech, press, religion, association, and assembly. Due process and equal protection concerns are also addressed. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 430.}.
POLS 631. Constitutional Law-Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.
Study of Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. Emphasis on the law of arrest, search and seizure, self-incrimination, and right to counsel. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 431.}.
POLS 642. Global Policy Issues. 3 Credits.
Analysis of the impact of planetary limits to growth, increasing globalization of the world economy, and changing control over resource systems on global politics. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 442.}.
POLS 644. International Law. 3 Credits.
Examines the history and foundation of the international legal system, including custom, treaties, jurisdiction, and the relationship between international and municipal law. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 444.}.
POLS 645. Ethnic Conflicts. 3 Credits.
Explores numerous topics and cases related to ethnic conflicts, including the nature of ethnic identity, the causes of ethnic conflicts, and ethnic conflict prevention/resolution. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 445.}.
POLS 650. Politics of the Developing Countries. 3 Credits.
Comparative examination of the government and politics of developing countries. Attention is given to special economic and cultural circumstances facing the political systems of these countries. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 450.}.
POLS 651. Politics of the Industrialized Countries. 3 Credits.
Comparative study of government and politics in the industrialized countries including the analysis of legislative and executive branches, parties, bureaucracies, constitutions, policies, and voting behavior. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 451.}.
POLS 652. Comparative Political Economy. 3 Credits.
Comparative study of the relationship between politics and the economy in industrialized and developing countries. Topics include elections, trade, development, investment, redistribution, and the political business cycle. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 452 .}.
POLS 653. Environmental Policy and Politics. 3 Credits.
Course is designed to provide students with both a general and advanced understanding of environmental issues. Will examine philosophical underpinnings informing environmental policy making as well as analyze various substantive environmental issues in US. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 453.}.
POLS 654. Comparative Democratic Institutions. 3 Credits.
This course examines the emergence, evolution, and functioning of political institutions across democracies. Topics include party systems, presidential and parliamentary regimes, legislative organization, electoral systems, and bureaucratic structures. {Also offered for undergraduate credit - see POLS 454.}.
POLS 670. Quantitative Methods for Political Science and Public Policy. 3 Credits.
Introduction to social science data analysis with a focus on political science and public policy applications. Students will learn to describe and model social data and determine if patterns in those data are meaningful. Prerequisite: STAT 725 or permission of the instructor.
POLS 692. Global Practicum: Study Abroad. 1-15 Credits.
Pre-Arranged study at accredited foreign institutions (study abroad), domestic institutions (National Student Exchange) or on approved study abroad programs. Pre-requisite: Sophomore standing and prior approval by International Student and Study Abroad Services and major department. Graded 'P'or 'F' (Undergraduate), or 'S' or 'U' (Graduate).
POLS 696. Special Topics. 1-5 Credits.
POLS 701. Quantitative Methods for Public Policy. 3 Credits.
An introduction to quantitative tools for policy analysis, program evaluation, and data- driven policy-making.
POLS 702. Qualitative Methods for Impact Evaluations. 3 Credits.
POLS 703. Advanced Policy Analysis. 3 Credits.
Advanced topics in causal and statistical inference for policy evaluation. Covers randomized controlled trials, survey experiments, and quasi-experimental designs. Addresses problems with measurement and sampling, randomization errors, non-compliance, and spillovers. Emphasizes practical issues in designing policy program evaluations to use these tools to produce causal conclusions. Prereq: POLS 701 or STAT 725; or permission of the instructor.
POLS 705. Policy Design and Evaluation. 3 Credits.
Strategies for developing and evaluating effective public policy.
POLS 710. Global Public Policy. 3 Credits.
An introduction to key challenges in the development and implementation of policies that affect populations outside the US, including American foreign policy and overseas development assistance.
POLS 724. Public Budgeting and Finance. 3 Credits.
This course provides students with an advanced understanding of government budgeting at the local, state, and national levels. It reviews the technical elements of budgeting as well as how politics shapes this process from start to finish. This class recognizes that in order to achieve policy goals you must first find a way of paying for it. Just how funds are allocated by elected and appointed officials determines government policy.
POLS 726. Harm Reduction for Policymakers. 3 Credits.
In this course students will learn to systematically anticipate the benefits and harms caused by policy or policy evaluations and adapt interventions to maximize benefit and minimize harm. Prereq: POLS 705.
POLS 762. New Institutionalism in Political Science. 3 Credits.
This course surveys the new institutionalist literature in political science and examines applications of rational choice theory, and its extensions, to problems of politics and governance, while drawing on both theoretical and empirical research at the intersection of economics and political science.
POLS 780. Masters of Public Policy Capstone. 3 Credits.
Provides a culminating application experience for Masters of Public Policy students.
POLS 797. Master's Paper. 1-3 Credits.
POLS 798. Masters Thesis. 1-10 Credits.
Master's thesis.