Undergraduate Catalog

Political Science

Chairperson: Dr. Gregory Baldi
Office: Morgan Hall 422
Telephone: (309) 298-1055
Fax: (309) 298-1739
Email: p-science@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/politicalscience

Program Offerings and Locations

  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: Macomb, Online (General and Public Administration/Public Policy options)
  • Minor in Global Politics: Macomb
  • Minor in International Studies: Macomb
  • Minor in Political Science: Macomb, Online
  • Minor in Public Administration and Public Service: Macomb

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

Faculty

Albarracin, Baldi, Boeckelman, Day, LaFrance, Lee, Taylor.

GradTrac

GradTrac is available to Political Science majors. See more information about GradTrac.

Honors Curriculum

Academically qualified students in this department are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Honors in the Major, or General Honors. All Honors students must complete the one-hour honors colloquium (G H 299). General Honors includes General Honors coursework. Honors in the Major includes honors work in the major. University Honors combines Honors in the Major and General Honors. View more information about honors curricula or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/honors.

Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program

An integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program is available for the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: Master of Arts in Political Science. An integrated degree program provides the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates to earn both degrees in five years. Please refer to the Graduate Studies catalog for details about the integrated program.

Department Information

Political Science is both an ancient discipline and one of the most recent social sciences. Political scientists study political institutions, the political behavior of individuals and groups, the formulation and execution of public policy, the relations among states, and also enduring moral issues, such as what is justice and how leaders should be chosen.

The Political Science major prepares the student for a wide range of careers, including: administration of national, state, and local government agencies; preparation for admission to law school; urban and regional planning; political journalism, the conduct and analysis of foreign policy; and preparation for graduate study in Political Science. The departmental advisor has career guides for students interested in law school, graduate study in Political Science, graduate study in public policy, public administration, foreign affairs, and politics.

Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts—Political Science

All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science must complete I, II, and III.A, III.B, III.C, III.D, or III.E below, and the Foreign Language/Global Issues requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h. A maximum of 6 s.h. of POLS 402 may be counted towards the Political Science major.

  1. University General Education and College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Requirements: 60 s.h.
  2. Core Course: 18 s.h.
    POLS 122*, 228*, 267*, 284, 300 or 302, 492†
  3. Options of Study (Select A, B, C, D, or E)
    1. Political Science—General
      1. Directed Electives
        1. At least one course from POLS 381, 382, 383, 389: 3 s.h.
          If more than one course is taken, it counts as a Department Elective.
        2. At least one course chosen from POLS 317, 318, 319: 3 s.h.
          If more than one course is taken, it counts as a Department Elective.
      2. Department Elective: 12 s.h.
      3. Any Minor minimum: 16 s.h.
      4. Open Elective: 14 s.h.
    2. American Government
      1. Directed Electives
        1. At least one course chosen from POLS 381, 382, 383, 389: 3 s.h.
          If more than one course is taken, it counts as a Department Elective.
        2. At least two courses chosen from POLS 317, 318, 319: 6 s.h.
          If more than two courses are taken, they count as Open Electives.
        3. Three courses chosen from POLS 223, 308, 311, 315, 317, 318, 319, 328, 335, 395, 402, 410, 411, 448, 470: 9 s.h.
      2. Any Minor: minimum 16 s.h.
      3. Open Electives: 14 s.h.
    3. International Relations/Comparative Politics
      1. Directed Electives
        1. At least one course chosen from POLS 381, 382, 383, 389: 3 s.h.
          If more than one course is taken, it counts as an Open Elective.
        2. Students must take at least one course from the International Relations courses listed below and at least one course from the Comparative Politics courses listed below. Students should then select 3 additional courses from the lists below: 15 s.h.
          International Relations: POLS 331, 334, 338, 340, 353, 440, 446
          Comparative Politics: POLS 322, 324, 329, 400, 465
      2. Any Minor: minimum 16 s.h.
      3. Open Electives: 14 s.h.
    4. Pre-Law
      1. Directed Electives
        1. At least one course chosen from POLS 381, 382, 383, 389: 3 s.h.
          If more than one course is taken, it counts as an Open Elective.
        2. At least four courses chosen from: POLS 226, 304, 319, 410, 411, 435, 447, 448: 12 s.h.
        3. At least one course chosen from: POLS 223, 315, 317: 3 s.h.
      2. Any Minor: minimum 16 s.h.
      3. Open Electives: 14 s.h.
    5. Public Administration/Public Policy
      1. Directed Electives
        1. Select POLS 300 or 302 (whichever was not taken as a Core course): 3 s.h.
        2. At least one course chosen from POLS 381, 382, 383, 389: 3 s.h.
          If more than one course is taken, it counts as a Department Elective.
        3. Three courses chosen from POLS 223, 393, 400, 402, 410, 447, 490, 493, 494: 9 s.h.
      2. Department Elective: 3 s.h.
      3. Any Minor: minimum 16 s.h.
      4. Open Elective: 14 s.h.

# The Foreign Language/Global Issues graduation requirement (see Multicultural Perspectives Requirement) may be fulfilled by successfully completing one of the following: 1) a General Education Global Issues (GEGI) course or 2) a Political Science (POLS) Global Issues (DSGI) course.
* Two of POLS 122, 228, 267 may count toward the University General Education requirement.
† POLS 492 fulfills the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement.

Minors

Minor in Political Science: 18 s.h.
  1. Core: 9 s.h.
    1. POLS 122
    2. One course chosen among POLS 381, 382, 383, 388, 389
    3. One course chosen among POLS 228, 267, 284, 300
  2. Political Science Electives: 9 s.h.
    At least 6 s.h. of POLS electives must be chosen from courses numbered 300 or above.
Minor in Global Politics: 18 s.h.
  1. POLS 228 and 267: 6 s.h.
  2. Political Science Electives: 12 s.h.
    1. Select at least two courses from the following: POLS 331, 334, 338, 340, 353, 440, 446
    2. In addition, two courses may be chosen from the following: POLS 322, 324, 329, 400, 465
Minor in International Studies: 18 s.h.

See Interdisciplinary Studies Minors.

Minor in Public Administration and Public Service: 18 s.h.
  1. POLS 122, 300: 6 s.h.
  2. Political Science Electives selected among the following courses: 12 s.h.
    POLS 302, 393, 402 (maximum of 3 s.h.), 447, 490, 493, 494
    One course may be selected from the following: POLS 223, 401 (maximum of 3 s.h.), 470

Dual Program

A dual program in Arts and Sciences and Law is available for Political Science majors. Please see the Dual Programs section of this catalog for a detailed description of the program.

Course Descriptions

POLITICAL SCIENCE (POLS)
(American Government and Politics)

122 American Government and Politics. (3) (General Education/Social Sciences) Development, organization, powers, limitation, and practical problems of the governmental and political system of the United States.
IAI: S5 900.

223 State Government and Politics. (3) The role of state and local governments within the American federal system.
IAI: S5 902.

311 (Cross-listed with AAS 311) Race and Ethnicity in American Politics. (3) This course examines how racial and ethnic minority groups shape, and are shaped by, American politics and society. It focuses primarily on the politics of specific racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Not open to students with credit in AAS 311. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

315 Illinois Government and Politics. (3) A comprehensive study of Illinois government. Special attention to constitutional developments and the organization and functioning of the government. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or 223, or permission of instructor.

317 The Congress. (3) The role of the national legislature in its relationship to the structure of American government and the legislative process. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

318 The Presidency. (3) Analysis of the powers of the President and the relationship of the office to the legislative and judicial branches. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

319 The Judiciary. (3) Functions and role of the federal court system and the judicial process. Emphasis on decision-making, judges, the legal profession, and administration of the courts. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

328 Politics and the Media. (3) This course will explore the power and limits of the media in American politics as well as the ways in which the media defines the “news.” Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

395 Politics and Religion in America. (3) The impact of religion in contemporary American political life, focusing on constitutional issues, electoral politics, and more generally, the interaction between politics and religion. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122 or permission of instructor.

410 Constitutional Law: Government Organization and Powers. (3) An examination of constitutional law in the United States with special emphasis on cases dealing with the framework, powers, and functions of the federal system. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

411 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. (3) An examination of U.S. Constitutional law, with special emphasis upon civil liberties and civil rights cases. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

448 The Supreme Court. (3) An examination of the process and politics of the U.S. Supreme Court with emphasis on decision making and on a simulation of the Supreme Court process. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

470 Urban Government and Politics. (3) Organization and functions of the government of cities: urban politics, problems, and policies. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or 300 or permission of instructor.

(Comparative Government and Politics)

267 Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics. (3) (General Education/Social Sciences) (Multicultural) An introduction to important analytical concepts in comparative politics, the major types of political systems, and major components of the political process.
IAI: S5 905.

322 European Politics. (3) (Multicultural) This course examines the origins and bodies of the European Union, major issues in contemporary European politics and society, and the political institutions of European countries, including Britain, France, Germany, and Poland. Prerequisite: POLS 267 or permission of instructor.

324 Politics of Immigration. (3) Course will examine issues related to immigration politics and policy, including how select nations decide how many immigrants should be admitted and who should be admitted. Prerequisites: POLS 101 or 122 or permission of instructor.

329 Latin American Politics. (3) (Multicultural) An examination of the colonial legacy, role of the United States in the region, current economic and social conditions, and political institutions of different countries including Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Prerequisite: POLS 267 or permission of instructor.

400 Comparative Public Policy. (3) (Multicultural) Examines the public policy process and public policy outcomes using a comparative perspective. It analyzes different policy areas (immigration, crime, drugs, etc.) in diverse contexts—industrial and developing countries—and in selected cases in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Prerequisite: POLS 300 or 302 or permission of instructor.

(International Relations)

228 Fundamentals of International Relations. (3) (General Education/Social Sciences) (Multicultural) An introduction to both the major concepts and approaches in the study of international relations, and to the contemporary international system, its components, and its problems.
IAI: S5 904.

305 International Relations Theories and Approaches. (3) A systematic analysis of theories and approaches in the study of international relations intended as a follow-up course to POLS 228 and a theoretical preparation for other international relations courses. Prerequisites: POLS 228 or permission of instructor.

331 United States Foreign Policy. (3) (Multicultural) The role of the United States in the family of nations. The apparatus, materials, and methods of foreign policy. The significance of foreign policy as part of the political system of the United States. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or 228, or permission of instructor.

334 Politics of the Global Economy. (3) (Multicultural) Political analysis of theories and operation of the modern international economy, including international institutions and transnational corporations, the globalization of finance and production, and issues of dominance and dependence. Prerequisite: POLS 228 or permission of instructor.

338 The United Nations and International Organization. (3) (Multicultural) A study of world and regional organization as reflections of world politics, as instruments of foreign policies, and as forces for change and order. Prerequisite: POLS 228 or permission of instructor.

340 US-China Relations. (3) Study of contemporary relations between the United States and China, examining shifting patterns of cooperation and competition on a wide range of issues. Prerequisite: POLS 228 or permission of instructor.

435 Introduction to International Law. (3) A study of theories, origins, sources, development, and trends of international law as a factor in various aspects of international politics. Prerequisite: POLS 228 or permission of instructor.

440 National Security and Arms Control. (3) (Multicultural) Systematic analysis of the disarmament efforts of nations; problems of U.S. national security and arms control; economic and political implications. Prerequisite: POLS 228 or permission of instructor.

446 Conflict Resolution and International Peacekeeping. (3) (Multicultural) Study of the history and practice of international peacekeeping operations. Emphasis on international organizations and the feasibility of conflict resolution and collective security. Prerequisites: POLS 122 and 228.

(Political Theory)

200 Introduction to Political Thought. (3) Survey of political theorists from Socrates to present with special emphasis on the themes of justice, community, equity, liberty, and freedom.
IAI: PLS 913.

381 Classical Political Theory. (3) The development of Western political philosophy from Plato to Machiavelli with particular emphasis on justice and the good society. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122, or permission of instructor.

382 Modern Political Theory. (3) A study of modern and contemporary political theories from Machiavelli to the present with particular emphasis on such concepts as justice, liberty, freedom, and equality. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122, or permission of instructor.

383 American Political Thought. (3) Introduction to political theory in the United States designed to present a balanced picture of the origins and development of American political ideas from colonial times to the present. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122, or permission of instructor.

389 Politics and Ethics. (3) The course will focus on the ethics of the process of decision making by public officials in a representative democracy. The course also will examine the ethical issues raised by public policies on abortion, affirmative action, and the environment. Prerequisite: POLS 122.

(Public Administration)

300 Introduction to Public Administration. (3) Policy development and the implementation by governmental agencies; the exercise of discretion by administrative bodies, their responsibility to elected public officials, and their responsiveness to societal demands. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122, or permission of instructor.

302 Introduction to Public Policy. (3) A comprehensive study of public policymaking and systematic description, explanation, and evaluation of the processes in which public policies are developed, legitimized, funded, implemented, and evaluated in terms of their social impact. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122 or permission of instructor.

393 Environmental Politics. (3) A study of the political, legal, administrative, and regulatory aspects of controlling pollution, protecting environmental quality, and managing natural resources. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

447 Administrative Law and Politics. (3) A course about the cases and legal system surrounding public administration and public employees. Topics include the delegation of power to agencies, Separation of Powers, due process rights when dealing with the bureaucracy, and contemporary issues in administrative law. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or 300, or permission of instructor.

490 Public Policy Analysis and Bureaucracy. (3) The role of the public bureaucracy in the policy-making and policy-formation process. Legislative and judicial policy-making are contrasted with administrative policy-making. Prerequisite: POLS 300 or 302 or permission of instructor.

493 Seminar in Organization Theory and Behavior. (3) Review of classical and modern theories of administration. Goals and expectations of high echelon administrators. Treatment of authority relationships in formal organizations. Prerequisite: POLS 300 or 302 or permission of instructor.

494 Public Budgeting. (3) Financial and budgetary processes and problems of public agencies at various governmental levels. Includes types and functions of budgets. Systematic program evaluation and budgetary allocation questions are emphasized. Prerequisite: POLS 300 or 302 or permission of instructor.

(General and Special Courses)

101 Introduction to Political Science. (3) (General Education/Social Sciences) Designed to acquaint the beginning student with the scope and methods of Political Science and with basic elements of democratic theory.
IAI: S5 903.

224 Latinx Politics. (3) This course introduces students to the historical and current role of Latinx population in the US democracy, including the struggles during the civil rights movement, increased registration and voting in recent times, and the importance of Latinx in recent elections. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122, or permission of instructor.

226 Introduction to Law and Society. (3) An introduction to a variety of perspectives of law and society including the origins and functions of law, law as an agent of social control and social change, tort reform, the role of lawyers, and modern legal controversies.

284 Political Research and Analysis. (3) Designed to acquaint the student with the relationship between political theory and data. Relevant data bases in Political Science (e.g., political socialization, voting behavior) are used to explore and test hypotheses in Political Science. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122, or permission of instructor.

298 Individual Studies. (1–3) Special projects in Political Science carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisites: at least one other course in Political Science and permission of instructor.

304 Judicial Simulation. (3) A course guiding students through basic trial procedure including opening and closing statements, examination of witnesses, rules of evidence, and case themes and strategies. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

306 Politics and Game Theory. (3) Game theory is a method to understand the strategic interaction between people in different situations using games. This course introduces game theory and applies it to Political Science topics such as voting, war, bargaining, campaigns, and jury decisions. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

308 (Cross-listed with PSY 308) Political Psychology. (3) A study of the psychological underpinnings of political behavior to better understand how individuals make sense of and react to the political world. Not open to students with credit in PSY 308. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or PSY 100, or permission of instructor.

335 (Cross-listed with WS 335) Women and Politics. (3) (Multicultural) An examination of the changing role of women in American politics. Focus on women as participants in politics, public policies of concern to women, and feminist theories of political change. Not open to students with credit in WS 335. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122 or permission of instructor.

353 Terrorism and Political Conflict. (3) (Multicultural) An examination of the political and ideological sources of modern terrorism and the evolving implications for international and domestic politics. Prerequisite: POLS 228 or permission of instructor.

401 Independent Study. (1–6, repeatable to 6) Individual study and research in any subfield of Political Science. Prerequisite: at least sophomore standing and permission of instructor and advisor.

402 Internship in Public Affairs. (1-12, repeatable to 12) Actual work assignments in public or private agencies related to government, politics, or public affairs. A maximum of 6 s.h. may be counted towards the Political Science major. Prerequisite: Political Science major or permission of the department chair and internship coordinator.

465 Genocide in Our Time. (3) (Multicultural) Case studies of recent genocides with examples form Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Examination of the perspectives of social scientists, victims, perpetrators, and witnesses. Prerequisite: POLS 228 or 267, or permission of instructor.

479 Practicum in Survey Research Methods. (3) Students will work one-on-one with a faculty member on a research project in survey research. This course brings together the theory and practice of survey research methods. Prerequisites: Successful completion of POLS 284.

484 Advanced Political Research and Analysis. (3) A hands-on class about the use of statistics to analyze and present quantitative data and account for a variety of political phenomena. Prerequisite: POLS 284 or STAT 171, or permission of instructor.

492 Senior Seminar in Political Science. (3) Survey of major concepts and theories of Political Science. Students will read important works from the discipline and will write a research paper. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: senior Political Science major, ENG 280, and permission of Political Science advisor.