PS S101 *Introduction to American Government

3 credits (3+0)
GER. Survey of American government, political processes and contemporary issues, focusing on national institutions. Distribution and uses of power and the role of political values and beliefs. The Constitution and federalism; interest groups, parties and elections; Congress, the Executive and the courts.

PS S102 *Introduction to Political Science

3 credits (3+0)
GER. Survey of the political context of contemporary life, which treats the nature of the democratic state in the modern world and analyzes today's challenges to democracy. The character of the principle elements of modern states, their systems of public law, their politics, their institutions, their patterns of public administration, and their relations with one another.

PS S201 *Comparative Politics

3 credits (3+0)
GER. Introduction to the study of government and politics in countries other than the U.S. Students will explore such questions as why some countries are democracies and other countries dictatorships; why some remain stable and peaceful, while others seem in constant turmoil.

PS S230 Introduction to Political Philosophy

3 credits (3+0)
Nature and content of political philosophy through an examination of the major theories of politics developed from the time of the ancient Greeks to the present.

PS S251 *Introduction to International Relations

3 credits (3+0)
GER. Major theories of international politics including studies of war, peace and diplomacy and the role of international and regional organizations.

PS S275 Current Issues in Pol Sci

PS S291 Government Internship

3-9 credits (variable)
Part-time work in an approved governmental or private non-profit agency. The student is to be supervised by a senior employee of that agency in cooperation with the faculty advisor. (Maximum of 12 hours allowed for all internship programs).Pass/Fail grades.
Prerequisite: PS S101 and PS S102 or governmental experience, and instructor permission required in order to register.

PS S293 ST:

PS S351 Political Sociology

3 credits (3+0)
Cross-listed as SOC S351. A survey of current perspectives and research on political behavior and society, including political activism, social behavior in contexts of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and international relations. Includes content on power and inequality, war and terrorism, and international human rights. Emphasizes the interrelatedness of media, politics, and culture at local and global levels.
Prerequisite: PS S101, PS S102, or SOC S101.

PS S359 European Politics

3 credits (3+0)
An examination of the development and contemporary characteristics of European politics, the role of the European union, and the incorporation of former communist countries of Eastern Europe into the democratic politics of Europe.
Prerequisite: PS S101 or PS S102 or instructor permission.

PS S375 Current Issues in Political Science: Selected Topics

3 credits (3+0)
An in-depth exploration of a major timely topic in the field of political science. May be repeated for credit providing the content varies.

PS S411 War and Organized Violence

3 credits (3+0)
The study of war and organized violence as a social process involving social and political structures, institutions, and actors. Sociology and political science concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methods from various subfields of both disciplines, including crime, deviance, stratification, gender, ethnic and race relations, and public policy, will be used to study and understand the phenomenon of war and organized violence.
Prerequisite: SOC S101 or PS S101 or PS S102 Cross-listed as SOC S411.

PS S458 Comparative Environmental Politics

3 credits (3+0)
Enduring issues of the field of comparative politics and their relation to global environmental problems. Biodiversity, transboundary pollution capacity, political processes and organizations, and international commitments all potentially shape the nature and dynamics of global environmental politics and vice versa.

PS S462 Alaska Government and Politics

3 credits (3+0)
Alaska's government and politics, in the context of American state, tribal, and local government and politics of circumpolar Northern nations. Topics include political history, constitution, political parties, interest groups, elections, public opinion, governor, legislature, judiciary, administration, and local governments. Compares Alaska to the contiguous 48 states and subnational governments of the circumpolar North; examines how government institutions and processes respond to social, environmental, and political changes.

PS S467 Latin American Politics

3 credits (3+0)
Examines the complex and fascinating politics of Latin America, including the emergence and persistence of democracy, crime, inequality, corruption, and poverty, as well as Latin America's relations with the United States. Discusses general problems, progress and patterns, using a comparative, social scientific approach.
Prerequisite: WRTG S111 or instructor permission.

PS S491 Government Internship

3-9 credits (variable)
Part-time work (internship) in an approved governmental or private non-profit agency. The student is to be supervised by a senior employee of that agency in cooperation with the faculty advisor. (Maximum of 12 hours allowed for all internship programs).Pass/Fail grades.
Prerequisite: PS S101 and PS S102 or governmental experience and instructor permission required in order to register.

PS S492A Legislative Internship Seminar

3 credits (3+0)
This academic portion of the Legislative Internship Program provides a pre-orientation to the practical workings of the legislature and state government. The seminar focuses on assessing the relevance of academic literature to understanding legislative and governmental processes. Requires selection for the Legislative Internship Program.

PS S498 Ind Research: