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Academic Catalog

Political Science and Public Administration

Programs

Course Offerings

PO 106  The Government of the United States  (3)  

Theory, organization and functioning of our democratic government in modern society with special emphasis on the national government and its relations with the states. The role of government in a democratic society as a supplier of services, the embodiment of values and the arbiter of conflict is stressed.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Inclusion and Belonging
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Social Science
  • USLO: Global Citizenship, Ethics and Diversity

PO 107  Kansas, State, and Local Government  (3)  

Examines American state and local politics, government, and public policies from the grassroots to the institutional level with a particular emphasis on the similarities and differences that exist in Kansas in comparison to the characteristics found in the rest of the states. Contrasting the fundamental differences between states and localities and the national government is also an emphasis of the course.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Inclusion and Belonging
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Social Science
  • USLO: Global Citizenship, Ethics and Diversity

PO 225  Introduction to International Politics  (3)  

Theory and practice of international politics with special attention to foreign policy and decision-making process, major issues facing the international system, the role and functions of international and transnational organizations with respect to conflict and cooperation in the international community.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Social Science
  • USLO: Critical and Creative Thinking

PO 235  Governments of the World: Comparative Politics  (3)  

Examines selected governments of the world. Basic concepts, theories and methods in comparative analysis of political institutions, processes, and policies of nations. Case studies of selected political systems developed and developing, Western and non-western, democratic and non-democratic illustrate the analytical approaches.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Inclusion and Belonging
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Social Science
  • USLO: Global Citizenship, Ethics and Diversity

PO 245  Introduction to Public Administration  (3)  

Designed to acquaint the student with the organization and functioning of the administration of government. Includes introduction to theories of administration, policy and administration values, study of the governmental bureaucracy and administrative behavior.

PO 255  Introduction to the American Legal System  (3)  

Designed to acquaint the student with the basic institutions and procedures of the American legal system. Also a very basic introduction to substantive areas of American law such as: torts, contracts, civil procedure, regulation of business.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Social Science
  • USLO: Critical and Creative Thinking

PO 300  Special Topics/Political Science  (1-3)  

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance.

PO 305  Public Policy  (3)  

Examines the role of government as a supplier of services to its citizens. It will cover the following topics: the nature of politics and policy, social problem identification and articulation, interest groups and the formation of public policy, the analysis of policy content, policy implementation, and policy evaluation.

PO 306  American Urban and Metropolitan Planning  (3)  

Analysis of historical, political, economic, social, and physical development of urban America. Emphasis will be placed on evolution of the post-industrial American city through its contemporary form, solutions to urban problems through local and regional planning, and how communities are shaped by the land use, transportation, urban design, public policy, housing, political, economic, environmental, social equity, legal, and ideological contexts of urban and metropolitan government decision-making.

PO 307  Internship  (3-6)  

Experience in the administration of any public, private, or non-profit operation or service related to the political science or public administration field. Prerequisites: PO 107 and/or consent of instructor. Junior or Senior standing.

PO 308  American Elections and Federalism  (3)  

Examines American national elections in the context of the American federal system. A study of the nature, patterns, and impact of American federalism, including historical, fiscal, economics, policy and political significance.

PO 309  Kansas Legislative Experience  (3)  

Analysis of the Kansas legislature and governor, along with other state-wide offices and the media — how all function within the governmental system of Kansas. Along with an in-depth study of the legislative session, the student will be required to attend legislative committee meetings, floor debates, and gubernatorial press conferences. Students will also conduct participant observation within a legislative or executive branch office.

PO 325  Advanced International Relations  (3)  

The course will examine traditional realist approaches to international power; alternative perspectives to power politics; American foreign policy; and understandings of the roots and resolution of international conflict.

PO 332  Politics through Film & Literature  (3)  

Exposes students to the nature and varied dynamics of politics through film and literature. Emphasis will be placed on classical, modern, and post- modern understandings of politics as expressed in film and literature with the expectation of sharing an informed and inviting view of politics in the Western world.

PO 335  Advanced Comparative Politics  (3)  

A study of the governments politics, policies and political cultures of the countries in particular regions of the world e.g. Latin America, Central and Western Europe, or China, Japan and Eastern Asia. Analysis of the political processes, government institutions, national and multi-national alliances, public policies, political economies, cultures, interest groups and leaders that shape the political landscapes of the particular region covered in a given semester constitutes the scope of each semester's class. A specific emphasis on the forces of political and economic change will be central to the course.

PO 337  Religions and Politics  (3)  

Describes the many current trends of religions and politics in the U.S. focusing on the major religions and their political teachings, considerable political power and activism in contemporary American politics, society and life. Prerequisite: 3 hours of political science, or consent of the instructor.

PO 343  Administrative Law  (3)  

The scope of the law as it applies to administrative agencies of the government. Focuses on the powers of agencies, administrative rule-making, regulatory activities, due process, and judicial review of administrative actions.

PO 346  Problems in Public Administration  (3)  

Problems and cases involved in administering public policy.

PO 371   Topics: American Politics and Government  (3)  

At the discretion of the instructor this course may investigate any aspect of the theories, institutions, contexts, or contemporary problems of American politics and government. Chief subject elements they include are the various branches of American government, federalism, constitutionalism, the roles of the press, public opinion, interest groups and non-governmental policy and service institutions, and the various policy fields of the government, e.g. economic, welfare, education, public health, and military defense.

PO 372  Topics: Comparative Politics  (3)  

At the discretion of the instructor this course may investigate any aspect of the theories, institutions, contexts, or contemporary problems of comparative politics. Chief subject elements may include regional international alliances, democratization, non-democratic governmental systems, international political economy, human rights issues, global trade, the international political implications of immigration, food production, environmental degradation and restoration, species migration, and climate change.

PO 373  Topics: International Relations  (3)  

At the discretion of the instructor this course may investigate any aspect of the theories, institutions, contexts, or contemporary problems of international relations. Chief subject elements may include theories of nation-state interaction, negotiation, and war, American foreign policy, and examining aspects of changing global hegemonic power.

PO 374  Topics: Public Administration  (3)  

At the discretion of the instructor this course may investigate any aspect of the theories, institutions, contexts, or contemporary problems of the field of Public Administration including but not limited to: the theories of bureaucratic administration; public law; personnel management and labor relations; organizational theory, management and behavior; public policy making, implementation, and evaluation; intergovernmental relations; leadership; public finance, budgeting and auditing; urban planning.

PO 386  Independent Study  (1-3)  

Studies in the selected fields of Political Science and Public Administration. May be taken until three credit hours are earned. This course is repeatable for another 1-3 hours if the topic areas differ. Prerequisite: Senior Political Science or Public Administration majors or approval of the department head.

PO 390  Applied Political Research  (3)  

Introduction to utilization of basic research techniques in public administration and political science.

PO 391   Managing People in Public Organizations  (3)  

The fundamental principles, techniques, and legal constraints that guide human resource relationships with employees serving the public. Particular attention is given to budgets, civil service and union environments, retention and attraction of talent, benefits, organizational relationships including executive and legislative, professional development, inclusiveness, and other relevant employment demands in the public sector.

PO 393  Managing Public Money  (3)  

The politics of planning, financing, and managing governmental budgets at the national, state, and local levels. Develop necessary skills to engage in financial analysis to make better decisions for the public.

PO 394  Challenges Managing Public Organizations  (3)  

This class explores concepts and practices in organization behavior and management theory as they apply to public organizations. It covers dynamics associated with organizational structures, accountability, and culture and dynamics of risk in leadership, collaboration, performance and contracting. It emphasizes approaches to understanding the dynamics of individuals, groups, and teams within organizations.

PO 395  Non-Profit Management and Leadership  (3)  

A survey of the various forms and particular differences of the management and operation of Non-Profit organizations as distinguished from traditional government administration. Elements of leadership will be emphasized.

PO 396  Topics in Applied Research  (3)  

This is an expansion of the methodological foundation laid in PO 390, the required methodology course for PO majors. In this course the basic techniques and tools introduced in PO 390 are reviewed and expanded to include contemporary techniques in multi-variate analysis. Students will also be expected to develop and complete research inquiries into relevant quantitative and/or qualitative data, and prepare and present their analysis before a departmental audience. Prerequisite: PO 390 or by permission of the course instructor.

PO 397  Advanced Applied Research  (3)  

This is an advanced course in social science research methodology involving instruction and student participation in various aspects of the research enterprise as used by political campaign staffs, consultants, public agencies and other public policy investigative organizations. Possible areas of investigation include but are not limited to survey research design, questionnaire development and testing, focus group research, quasi-experimental research design and execution, qualitative research tools, multi-variate statistical analysis, OLS regression analysis, data description, and presentation formatting. Prerequisite: PO 390 or by permission of the course instructor.

PO 401  Equity and Hard Choices in Public Administration  (3)  

The most vital methods of evaluating the effects of public policies, programs and agency goals of government and non-profit agencies as viewed through the tensions of equitable and political environments.

PO 450  Seminar in Political Science and Public Administration  (1)  

Required course for all political science and public administration majors and should be taken after student has completed sixty hours of university coursework. Course is a review of major areas of political science and public administration and also helps students develop skills and gain insight into preparing for post-graduate study and careers.