WSU Graduate Courses - Political Science/PLS

PLS 505 COMPARATIVE MARXIST THEORY (Credits: 4)

Critical examination of the chief theories developed by Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin, Mao Tse-tung, Castro, and various revisionists.Emphasis on Soviet and Chinese ideologies.

PLS 524 POLITICAL ASPECTS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (Credits: 4)

Institutional and political context of planning: laws, governmental structures and procedures, and urban politics.

PLS 525 AFRICAN AMERICAN POLITICS (Credits: 4)

Explores what makes African American politics distinctive from American politics and the prerequisites for effective political and economic leadership in the black community. The notion of black power is a major course theme.

PLS 539 UNITED STATES HEALTH POLICY (Credits: 4)

Critical review of important political, social, and economic causes and consequences of health policies in the United States.

PLS 540 LAW AND SOCIETY (Credits: 4)

Theories of law and the nature and functions of the judicial process.

PLS 541 FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIME INVESTIGATION (Credits: 4)

Survey of investigative techniques focusing on specific problems and crimes to illustrate proper methods and procedures of criminal investigations.

PLS 542 CIVIL LIBERTIES I: THE FIRST AMENDMENT (Credits: 4)

Cases and related materials on the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment with emphasis on the First Amendment freedoms, concentrating on Supreme Court behavior and First Amendment procedures.

PLS 543 CIVIL LIBERTIES II (Credits: 4)

Covers cases and related materials on the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. Emphasis on the First Amendment freedoms concentrating on enforcement of civil rights and liberties under the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.

PLS 544 POLICE PROCEDURES AND OPERATIONS (Credits: 4)

Procedures and operations of law enforcement at various levels from patrol to senior administration, emphasizing duties, responsibilities and leadership.

PLS 546 PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION (Credits: 4)

Examination of the major phases of the governmental budget cycle; types of budget; budgetary reform; economic and public policy impact of government budgeting; decision-making; and legislative-executive relations in budget formation and implementation.

PLS 547 AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS (Credits: 4)

The nature and classification of public policy.Emphasis on fragmentation, incrementalism, and bargaining as a means of policy development. Impact of citizens on public policy.Survey of public policy goals and problems of public policy evaluation.

PLS 551 WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICS (Credits: 4)

Comparative study of the political systems of Great Britain, France, and West Germany.

PLS 552 POLITICS OF NATIONALISM (Credits: 4)

Compares ethnic identity and politics in western societies, including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and France. Topics include minorities and the welfare state, affirmative discrimination, and Black Politics in the United States.

PLS 554 GOVERNMENTS OF EASTERN EUROPE (Credits: 4)

Introduction to the governments and politics of Eastern Europe, particularly since World War II. Includes current developments in Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia.

PLS 556 POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN FRANCE (Credits: 4)

Examines the historic interaction of French culture and politics. Topics include the growth of the French nation and state, French society, the nature of modern politics and institutions, and France's role in world affairs.

PLS 558 LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (Credits: 4)

Selected issues in the study of Latin American politics with an emphasis on the nature of the state and the role of institutions such as the military and unions in politics. Examples from major South American states and Mexico where appropriate.

PREREQUISITE: PLS 222.

PLS 560 POLITICS OF THE DEVELOPING NATIONS (Credits: 4)

Comparative analysis of various problems, particularly political, confronting developing nations in nation building and development.

PLS 562 POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF JAPAN (Credits: 4)

This course surveys Japanese government and politics, with emphasis on post-World War II and the American occupation.The government-guided economic recovery, Japanese political parties, and relations with Russia and China are also examined.

PLS 567 POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CHINA: THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC (Credits: 4)

Analysis of political structures and processes of Communist China; focus on dynamic factors of socioeconomic and political development.

PLS 568 POLITICS OF VIETNAM (Credits: 4)

Examines the history, demography, politics, culture, and economy of Vietnam.

PLS 571 CURRENT WORLD PROBLEMS (Credits: 4)

Various views and perspectives on selected contemporary problems and trends in international politics.

PLS 572 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION (Credits: 4)

Analysis of developing structures and functions of the United Nations and other international organizations, and concepts relating to world government.

PLS 575 HUMAN RIGHTS IN USA (Credits: 4)

Examines controversies over human rights in the U.S. Considers contending definitions of human rights and debates over policy by focusing on a range of issues including immigration, pornography, gay rights, race relations, and poverty.

PLS 576 PEACE STUDIES (Credits: 4)

Study of war, peace, and current efforts in dealing with international conflict. Examines the roots of war in American society and alternative strategies for elimination of war as an instrument of policy.

PLS 581 NATIONAL SECURITY POLITICS (Credits: 4)

Study of U.S. national defense and security policy process and the major strategic issues facing the U.S. government.

PREREQUISITE: PLS 200 AND MAJOR CORE.

PLS 582 U S -JAPAN FOREIGN RELATIONS (Credits: 4)

Examines the course of the relationship between the U.S. and Japan. Includes political, security, and economic issues.

PLS 599 STUDIES IN SELECTED SUBJECTS (Credits: 1 TO 4)

Problems, approaches, and topics in the field of political science. Topics vary.

PLS 602 CLASSICAL AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT (Credits: 4)

Critical examination of political ideas from 500 B.C. to A.D. 1500 with emphasis on Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, and Machiavelli.

PLS 603 POLITICAL THOUGHT: HOBBES TO MILL (Credits: 4)

(Listed jointly with PHL 632.) Critical examination of political ideas from 1600 to 1900 with emphasis on Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Hume, Burke, Hegel, Bentham, Marx, and Mill.

PLS 604 TWENTIETH CENTURY POLITICAL THOUGHT (Credits: 4)

Critical examination of the ideas of twentieth-century political theorists. Emphasis on the nature, methodology, evaluation, existing condition, and future of political thought.

PLS 606 GLOBALIZATION THEORIES AND GENDER POLITICS (Credits: 4)

Examines contending theories of the international political economy, including mercantilist, liberal, (neo) Marxist, and feminist perspectives.

PLS 607 SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY (Credits: 4)

Readings, research, reports, and discussion on selected theorists, topics, and problems.

PLS 608 RADICAL BLACK THOUGHT (Credits: 4)

Examines radical black thought and philosophy from a Pan-Africanist perspective, primarily focuses on the 20th century.

PLS 611 SEMINAR IN METHODOLOGY (Credits: 4)

Techniques and methods relating to research in political science; application to individual projects and research designs.

PLS 612 TOPICS IN EMPERICAL POLITICAL ANALYSIS (Credits: 4)

Selected topics of methodological or analytical concern in contemporary political research.

PREREQUISITE: PLS 610 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

PLS 620 POLITICS AND THE NOVEL (Credits: 4)

(Also listed as ENG 660.) Study and critique of political themes in works of selected 20th century authors, including social roles, activism, political awareness, power, government, and conflict at the individual, institutional, and international level.

PLS 627 URBAN POLICY ANALYSIS (Credits: 4)

(Also listed as URS 627.) Selected urban problems and their relationship to the political environment; explores program design and evaluation, and the use of social indicators.

PLS 628 CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN AMERICAN PROBLEMS (Credits: 4)

Critical pedagogy allows for an in-depth exploration of many problematic issues that assail African Americans from outside and within the black community. Several possible explanations and solutions will be addressed.

PLS 630 SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT (Credits: 4)

Selected topics related to American political institutions and processes.Emphasis on readings, discussion, and research.Topics vary.

PLS 631 CYBER CRIME (Credits: 4)

Investigation of political and legal issues in computer and Internet based crime, including child pornography, computer fraud, and identity theft, prevention of cyber crime and responsibilities of computer owners and Internet servers.

PLS 633 PUBLIC OPINION (Credits: 4)

Opinion formation in American politics; relationship of opinion to public policy; voting behavior in American elections; role of mass media and political interest groups in the policy process; and development of political attitudes and values.

PLS 634 POLITICAL LEADERSHIP (Credits: 4)

Involves the study of political attitude development. The acquisition of basic political orientations and values, beginning with childhood and proceeding through adolescence and adulthood. Investigation of the role of various socializing agents.

PLS 635 SEMINAR IN POLITICAL CORRUPTION (Credits: 4)

Analysis of political corruption, including campaigns and elections, graft, the executive branch, congressional ethics, corruption in law enforcement, organized crime, and abuse of authority.

PLS 636 CRIMINAL LAW (Credits: 4)

Examines the nature of the criminal law and reviews the law pertaining to criminal liability; inchoate crimes; the elements of crimes against persons, property, and habitation; and the defenses to criminal actions.

PLS 637 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (Credits: 4)

Examines the constitutional protections that the individual has when confronting the criminal justice system and examines the case law pertaining to the Fourth Amendment (search and seizure), Fifth Amendment (self-incrimination), and Sixth Amendment (right to counsel).

PLS 638 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY (Credits: 4)

Examines environmental law and policy and reviews the statutory framework pertaining to environmental impact statements, the regulation of air and water pollution, the disposal and cleanup of toxic wastes, and workplace safety.

PLS 639 BIOETHICS & LAW: ABORTION, DEATH & MEDICINE (Credits: 4)

New biological technologies are emerging that increase our control over human behavior.Course examines legal implications of new biological technologies, particularly mind and behavior control, genetic engineering, birth and death control and organ transplantation.

PLS 640 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (Credits: 4)

Cases in which provisions of the Constitution have been judicially interpreted; federal systems; separation of powers; and limits on government.

PLS 641 NATURAL RESOURCES LAW (Credits: 4)

This course examines federal management of natural resources on public lands, specifically, water, minerals, timber, grazing, and wildlife.Constitutional authority, statutes, regulations, federalism, and judical review of administrative decisions are analyzed.

PLS 642 THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (Credits: 4)

Survey of the American criminal justice system, concentrating on political aspects. Topics include police, judges, attorneys, Supreme Court decisions, crime, and public opinion.

PLS 643 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW PROCEDURE (Credits: 4)

Survey of the American criminal justice system concentrating on political aspects.Topics include police, judges, attorneys, supreme court decisions, crime, and public opinion.

PLS 644 TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (Credits: 4)

Problems, approaches, and topics in the field of criminal justice. Topics vary.

PLS 645 ADVANCED CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (Credits: 4)

Criminal investigative techniques including forensics, evidence, interviews, and interrogation as applied to specific types of crimes.

PREREQUISITE: YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED PLS 541.

PLS 646 PUBLIC BUDGETING (Credits: 4)

PLS 647 SEM PUB ADMIN (Credits: 4)

Selected national, state, and local problems with emphasis on legal scope of administrative power and on research methods used by staff agencies.Topics vary.

PLS 648 GENDER VIOLENCE AND AMERICAN POLITICS (Credits: 4)

Examines gender violence in the U.S. Considers the range of violence, its sources, and solutions. Topics include domestic violence, rape, eating disorders, reproductive rights, and pornography.

PLS 649 INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF GENDER VIOLENCE (Credits: 4)

Cross cultural examination of gender violence. Considers the range of violence, its sources, and solutions. Topics include domestic abuse, rape, female genital surgeries, prostitution, and reproductive rights.

PLS 651 CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN POLITICS (Credits: 4)

Political processes and governmental institutions of sub-Saharan Africa; special attention to dynamics of political development and socioeconomic change. Comparative analysis of selected African political systems.

PLS 652 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS (Credits: 4)

Examines the role of human rights in international relations.Considers contending definitions of human rights and debates over policy by focusing on case studies including South Africa, China, Guatemala, and Bosnia.

PLS 653 SOVIET SUCCESSOR STATES (Credits: 4)

Examines the political life in the former Soviet Union, with emphasis on the legacy of communism and the role of economics and politics in the transition to democracy.

PLS 654 POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST (Credits: 4)

Introduction to governments and politics of the Middle East with special attention to cultural and historical background and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

PLS 655 ISRAELI & PALESTINIAN POLITICS (Credits: 4)

A seminar covering the development and current status of Israeli and Palestinian politics, with emphasis on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the government and politics of Israeli and the Palestinian authority.

PLS 656 CANADIAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS (Credits: 4)

This course examines Canadian government and politics, including political values and culture, as well as institutions and processes. The Canada-US relationship, and similarities and differences between the two systems will be examined.

PLS 657 SCANDANAVIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (Credits: 4)

An examination of the theory and practice of Scandanavian government and politics. Consideration of both the political values and culture of the region as well as its prime political institutions and processes.

PLS 659 CONTEMPORARY BRAZIL (Credits: 4)

Introduction to Brazilian politics, society and economy. Topics include Brazil's political and economic liberalization, its international relations, gender and race relations, and the environment.

PLS 660 SEMINAR ON COMPARATIVE POLITICAL SYSTEMS (Credits: 4)

Readings, research, reports, and discussion of selected topics and problems. Topics vary.

PLS 661 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND PROTESTS (Credits: 4)

Examines group behavior motivated by the desire to change political, economic, and social systems.Special attention will be given to movements outside of the United States, including cross-national and global movements.

PLS 662 COMPARATIVE REVOLUTIONS (Credits: 4)

Survey of theoretical literature on revolutions: what they are, how and why they occur. Explores different approaches to the topic and some of the current debates in the literature. Applies theory to actual historical cases.

PLS 670 SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (Credits: 4)

Readings, research, reports, and discussion on selected topics and problems.

PLS 671 INTERNATIONAL LAW (Credits: 4)

Study of rules governing the conduct of international politics with emphasis on their relevance to current world problems.

PLS 672 INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM SEMINAR (Credits: 4)

Surveys the phenomenon of terrorism: who employs it, how and why it occurs in international politics, and how targets respond to terrorism.

PREREQUISITE: PLS 222.

PLS 673 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (Credits: 4)

Role of the United States in contemporary international politics and the relationship of the domestic political system to that role.Discussion of current problems.

PLS 674 POLITICS OF WOMEN TERRORISTS (Credits: 4)

Examines the political behavior of women in crime and terrorism, including the roles played by women in criminal activities and terrorist groups.

PREREQUISITE: PLS 222.

PLS 675 WOMEN, GENDER AND WORLD POLITICS (Credits: 4)

An examination of the position of women and the power of gender in world politics through the feminist international relations theory and case studies of women in international politics.

PLS 682 LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP (Credits: 4)

Experiential internship in the office of a state legislator, including office work, constituent assistance and research.

PLS 685 CHINESE FOREIGN POLICY (Credits: 4)

Examines foreign policy perspectives of modern Chinese leaders, including historical, political, economic and ideological priorities. Special attention will be given to China-US relations, as well as China's role in international and regional organizations.

PLS 686 MODEL UN SEMINAR (Credits: 4)

Model UN is an experiential learning opportunity built around the seminar, with intensive training in research, public speaking, bargaining, and conflict resolution. It culminates at the national collegiate conference in New York, simulating the United Nations.

PLS 687 HISTORY & POLITICS OF INTELLIGENCE GATHERING (Credits: 4)

This course examines the history of intelligence gathering, analysis and application in policy-making in the United States.The tension inherent in a secret agency operating within a democratic state and the role of technology are addressed.

PREREQUISITE: PLS 200 OR PLS 222.

PLS 690 INDEPENDENT READING (Credits: 1 TO 4)

Supervised individual readings on selected topics.

PLS 691 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (Credits: 1 TO 4)

Supervised individual research on selected topics.

PLS 692 INDEPENDENT FIELD EXPERIENCE (Credits: 1 TO 4)

Supervised individual projects. May involve intern programs in local government or other special programs.

PLS 693 CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS (Credits: 1 TO 4)

Advanced study in selected topics in political science.Topics frequently include new developments in the methodology or subject matter of the various sub-fields of the discipline.May be repeated for credit.

PLS 694 SPECIAL TOPICS (Credits: 1 TO 4)

Study of particular political problems of contemporary significance.