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Political Science and Public Administration

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.

(General Ed Social Science. Global Citizenship Ethics Div.)  

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.

(General Ed Social Science. Global Citizenship Ethics Div.)  

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.

(General Ed Social Science. 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.

(General Ed Social Science. Global Citizenship Ethics Div.)  

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.

(General Ed Social Science. 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  Urban-Metropolitan Government  (3)  

Analysis of historical, political, economic, and social development of urban America. Emphasis will be placed on discussion of contemporary urban problems through investigation of the legal status of municipal and county governments, machine, reform, and ethnic politics, socioeconomic class status and urban society, community power, forms of participation in urban politics, the problems and politics of urban policymaking, and suggestions for improving urban-metro governments.

PO 307  Internship - State or Local Government  (3-6)  

Experience in an operating office of state or local government in order to gain insight into government at these levels. Problem paper required. 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. No prerequisites.

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. No prerequisites.

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.

PO 386  Political Science Independent Study  (1-3)  

Readings in the selected fields of Political Science. 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 major 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  Public Personnel Administration  (3)  

The principles and techniques involved in managing public employees. Particular attention is given to staffing, separation, and administrative functions related to public employment.

PO 393  Public Budgeting  (3)  

The politics of planning, financing, and managing governmental budgets at the national, state, and local levels.

PO 394  Public Management Techniques  (3)  

A study of the differences in the setting of the management of the various kinds of public organizations, and a survey of the basic techniques of strategic planning, fund-raising, decision-making, community inter-organization development, leadership, negotiations, mission definition, policy analysis and evaluation for maximum effectiveness in the public sector.

PO 395  Non-Profit Management  (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.

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  Program Evaluation Methods  (3)  

The most vital methods of evaluating the effects of programs and agency goals of government and non-profit agencies.

PO 450  Political Science Seminar  (1)  

Required course for all political science majors and should be taken spring of the student's junior year. Course is a review of major areas of political science and also helps students develop skills and gain insight into preparing for post-graduate study and careers. Student proficiency in the discipline will be measured by a national performance exit exam over areas of political science.

PO 671  Topics in American Politics and Government  (3)  

At the discretion of the instructor this course may investigate any aspects of the theories, institutions, contexts, or contemporary problems of American Politics and Government. Chief subject elements may include the various branches of American government, federalism, constitutionalism, the roles of the press, public opinion, interest groups and nongovernmental policy and service institutions, and the various policy fields of the government, e.g., economic, welfare, education, public health, and military defense. Prerequisites: Admission to MLS graduate program or consent.

PO 672  Topics in Comparative Politics  (0-3)  

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 implications of immigration, food production, environmental degradation and restoration, species migration, and climate change. Prerequisites: Admission to MLS graduate program or consent.

PO 686  Directed Readings  (1-3)  

Readings in the selected fields of political science. May be taken until 3 credit hours are earned. Prerequisites: Admission to the MLS Program or consent.