Political Science

Course Descriptions

POLS 1000
AMERICAN & WYOMING GOVERNMENT
This course provides a basic introduction to government and politics in the United States. Successful completion of this course will satisfy the Wyoming state requirement for instruction in the laws and government of Wyoming and the United States. The course is a survey of national, state, and local government. Topics will include U.S. and state constitutions, democratic theory, federalism, political culture, political socialization, public opinion, political participation, electoral behavior, political parties and interest groups, press, and local government. The course also
looks at institutional elements of the American political system: legislature, executive, judiciary, and bureaucracy. Also offered is a critical examination of the rights, duties, responsibilities, and accountability expected of citizens and elected officials within a democracy.
Prerequisite: Compass Reading score of 71 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 20 or higher, or
HMDV 1000 (C or Better)

POLS 1200
NON-WESTERN POLITICAL CULTURES
The primary objective of this course is to give students an appreciation of non-western political cultures and of how these cultures have created different political institutions and practices. It will also provide for greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities that developing regions of the world are faced with. The course will be composed of in-depth case studies of selected nations and issues that are pertinent to different non-Western regions of the world.
Prerequisites: None

POLS 2000
CURRENT ISSUES IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
An examination of current political topics in the United States. Focus is on key public policy problems, policy making process, and the final policy choice. Students are expected to keep abreast of political events on a daily basis and to apply basic concepts in American government to current affairs.
Prerequisite: None

POLS 2128
TERRORISM
This course deals with one of the most distressing problems of modern time: the accomplishment of political objectives by using innocent civilians as hostages—both physically and psychologically. The subject of terrorism will be discussed according to these three questions: What is terrorism and how might its characteristics best be defined? What are its immediate and underlying causes? What approaches have been proposed to bring it under control? Contemporary examples of actual terrorist situations will serve as illustrations.
Prerequisite: None

POLS 2310
INTRO TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Analysis of the nature of international relations with emphasis on various methods of explaining and interpreting international behavior of nation-states. Contemporary problems of world politics serve as illustration.
Prerequisite: None

POLS 2470, 2471
GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIP I & II
The objective of this course is to integrate practical political experience with academic knowledge. The student is expected to participate in specifically assigned duties and to observe the broader activities of his sponsoring organization. Internship credit can be earned for work in a U.S. Senator’s or U.S. Congressman’s office or for work with a Wyoming legislator in Cheyenne during the legislative session. A student can earn no more than 4 credits. (Must register by midsemester to get credit.)
Prerequisite:Instructor Permission or POLS 1000