Political Science (PSCI)
PSCI 151 - Intro to Civic Engagement. 2 Credits.
This course is an extensive service learning course that requires students to conduct at least 55 hours of volunteer work. Students participate in community needs analysis, organization analysis, and long term volunteer work.
PSCI 191 - Special Topics. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
PSCI 192 - Independent Study. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.
PSCI 210S - Intro to American Government. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn and spring. Constitutional principles, structures, and the political processes of the national government.
Gen Ed Attributes: Social Sciences Course (S), Democracy and Citizenship (Y)
PSCI 220S - Intro to Comparative Government. 3 Credits.
Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instr. Introduction to the basic political concepts, themes, values and dilemmas as they apply to the world's diverse societies and cultures.
Gen Ed Attributes: Social Sciences Course (S)
PSCI 227 - Global Health Issues. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Treats current public-health challenges in industrialized and low-income countries, including chronic and infectious illnesses. In comparative perspective, the course explores the individual, environmental, resource, and governance context of public-health policy, interventions, and outcomes and address questions of human rights and ethics, health equity and justice, regional problems and contributors, and the concerns of vulnerable populations along with possibilities for health advocacy.
PSCI 230X - Intro to International Relations. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn and spring. Review of the evolution of the nation-state system and survey of contemporary international actors, issues and forces for stability and change.
Gen Ed Attributes: Cultural Intl Diversity (X)
PSCI 250E - Intro to Political Theory. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Analysis of the various attempts (from Plato to Marx) to explain, instruct, and justify the distribution of political power in society. Emphasis is placed upon those theories whose primary concern is to define the nature of the "good" society.
Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values Course
PSCI 311 - Rev & Reform Modern China. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Survey of modern Chinese history 1799-present. Emphasizes institutional transformation of the state, social movements, and the imperial legacy. Blends social-scientific and historical approaches to China's periodic reforms and revolutions. Essential for further study of modern Chinese politics.
PSCI 320 - Exp Offering: Comp Politics. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of comparative politics.
PSCI 322 - Politics of Europe. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Comparative analysis of parliamentary forms of government and politics with emphasis on Great Britain, France and Germany.
PSCI 324 - Climate Policies: China & U.S.. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Explores historic, current, and future greenhouse-gas emissions of the United States and China, reasons why both are the two largest C02 emitters, and prevailing national and subnational government policies and nongovernmental actions that affect emissions mitigation and adaptation.
PSCI 325 - Politics of Latin America. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Latin American politics from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
PSCI 326 - Politics of Africa. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Development of the political systems of Africa. Analysis of the interaction between African and Western social, political, and economic forces. Consideration of African political thought.
PSCI 327 - Politics of Mexico. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. A review of contemporary politics of Mexico from the Revolution to the present.
PSCI 328 - Politics of China. 3 Credits.
Offered intermitently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Institutions and political development in China.
PSCI 330 - Exp Offering: Intrnt Relations. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of international relations.
PSCI 332 - Global Environmental Pol.. 3 Credits.
Offered fall. Prereq. PSCI 230X and junior standing or consent of instructor. This course focuses on the unique set of collective action problems faced by global actors in the governance of the environment and the institutions they use to overcome those problems. Themes include the tragedy of the commons, climate change, and environmental security.
PSCI 334 - International Security. 3 Credits.
Offered Spring. Prereq. PSCI 230 and junior standing or consent of instr. Explores the meaning, sources, and future of human, national, and international security. Considers a range of historical and contemporary threats (interstate war, civil war, terrorism, crime, natural disaster, human accident, disease, and deprivation), assesses the vulnerability of individuals and states to each threat, and evaluates national and international strategies to reduce them.
PSCI 335 - American Foreign Policy. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 230X and junior standing or consent of instr. American diplomatic, economic and defense policies since World War II and their significance in international politics.
PSCI 336 - European Union. 3 Credits.
Offered spring intermittently. Prereq junior standing or consent of instructor. Historical and contemporary analysis of political and economic integration in Europe with a focus on the political system of the European Union.
PSCI 337 - Model United Nations. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., sophomore standing or consent of instr. History and structure of the UN. Contemporary global problems, and the UN's role in addressing them. Class has both active learning and service learning dimensions. Students plan, organize and run the annual Montana Model UN high school conference.
PSCI 340 - Exp Offering: American Govt. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr.Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of American government.
PSCI 341 - Political Parties and Election. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing or consent of instr. Political party organization, nominations, campaigns and elections in the United States.
PSCI 342 - Media, Public Opinion, Polling. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing or consent of instr. Study of the role played by mass media in shaping public opinion, policy agendas, and governmental institutions.
PSCI 344 - State and Local Government. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing or consent of instr. Analysis of American state and local government with emphasis on governmental organization, intergovernmental relations, local government powers, and self-government charters. Special attention to Montana.
PSCI 345 - American Political System. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. This course explores the theoretical ideas that informed the founding of the American political system, how that system developed over time, and the contemporary challenges facing American democracy and its national institutions. We will focus our attention on federalism, Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, and political parties.
PSCI 346 - American Presidency. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 210S. The constitutional foundation and evolution of the executive branch, the structure of the office and executive functions and powers.
PSCI 348 - US Multicultural Politics. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Examines the politics of diversity in the U.S., including national community, identity, citizenship, immigration, assimilation, and racial issues such as voting rights, affirmative action, segregation and integration, and public opinion.
PSCI 349 - Montana Government and Politics. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S. This course offers an overview of Montana politics and government, with a focus on the state?s political history, constitutional structure, political institutions, campaigns and elections, and
PSCI 350 - Exp Offering: Political Theory. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of political theory.
PSCI 352 - American Political Thought. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., PSCI 250E or and junior standing or consent of instr. The study of representative political thinkers is used to illustrate the theme of American democracy as a multifaceted experiment with self-government.
PSCI 354 - Contemp Issues in Pol Theory. 3 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently in autumn. Prereq., PSCI 250E and junior standing or consent of instr. and junior standing. Topics vary. Research and assessment of current political and social issues through the study of a representative text and related literature.
PSCI 357 - Ancient & Medieval Pol Phil. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing and consent of instr. The classical western tradition, beginning with the ancient Greeks, spanning the Christian era, and ending with the high Renaissance period. Examination of the political ideas/values of these different times, exploring broad questions concerning human nature, the origins of the state, and the meaning of legitimate authority.
PSCI 360 - Exp Offering: Public Admin. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or onetime offerings in the subfield of public administration or policy.
PSCI 361 - Public Administration. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing or consent of instr. Legal and institutional setting of the administrative system; dynamics of organization and processes of public management.
PSCI 365 - Pub Policy Issues and Analysis. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Examines a variety of public policy issues including economic, social welfare, health care, environmental and criminal justice policy. Emphasis is placed on substantive policies and policy analysis.
PSCI 370 - Courts and Judicial Politics. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. Introduction to American courts with emphasis on judicial policy making.
PSCI 381 - State Formation. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 220S and junior standing or consent of instr. This course examines the concept of the `state? and evaluates explanations for the emergence and proliferation of this form of organization throughout the world. Questions: what is the `state?? What is the relationship of the state to the rest of `society?? How has the state affected or altered human behavior and belief? What are the political-economic institutions most associated with the `state?? What is/has been the role of the state in promoting industrialization and economic development and how has the process of industrialization in turn affected the state?
PSCI 391 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
PSCI 398 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.
Offered every term. Prereq., sophomore standing and consent of instr. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Offered credit/no credit only. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation. Level: Undergraduate.
PSCI 400 - Adv Writing in Pol Science. 1 Credit.
(R-3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., WRIT 101 or equivalent, one intermediate writing course and junior standing or consent of instr. Coreq., any upper-division political science course. Designed for political science students to satisfy their upper-division writing expectation for the major or for students desiring additional experience in writing.
Gen Ed Attributes: Writing Course-Advanced
PSCI 420 - Exp Offering: Comp Politics. 1-9 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of comparative politics.
PSCI 430 - Exp Offering: Intrnt Relations. 1-9 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of international relations.
PSCI 431 - Politics of Global Migration. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Explores of the elective and forced migration of peoples within countries and across national boundaries. Geographical coverage includes Asia, North America, Africa, and Europe. Attention to policy, development, health, and gender issues surrounding economic and political migration.
PSCI 433 - International Law & Org. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq. PSCI 230 and junior standing or consent of instr. Introduction to classical principles and contemporary issues of the law of nations and the organizations created to facilitate international cooperation.
PSCI 440 - Exp Offering: American Govt. 1-9 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of American government.
PSCI 442 - Environmental Policy. 3 Credits.
Offered intermitently. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing or consent of instr. This course surveys environmental politics and policy, primarily in the United States. We examine the nature and scope of environmental, energy, and natural resource problems; contrasting perspectives on their severity and policy implications; the goals and strategies of the environmental community and its opponents; public opinion on the environment; scientific, economic, political, and institutional forces that shape policymaking and implementation; approaches to environmental policy analysis; and selected issues in environmental policy both within the U.S. and globally.
PSCI 443 - Politics of Social Movements. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. The role of social movements in shaping the politics of power, reflected in public policy, electoral politics, relations of class, race, and gender, and people's understanding of the world and their place in it.
PSCI 444 - Am Political Participation. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing or consent of instr. Examines of the individual and institutional factors affecting voter turnout, the influences on voter decision making, and non-electoral forms of participation in the United States.
PSCI 445 - Political Psychology. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Applies psychological theories such as personality, emotion, cognition, and social influence to political attitudes and actions, including political opinion formation, conformity, prejudice, genocide, and political leadership.
PSCI 448 - Health Care Policy. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Focuses on sociopolitical environment influencing health policy in the United States including health politics and policy development, political structure and process, health care financing, public opinion and special interest groups, political leadership, policy reform and global health.
PSCI 450 - Exp Offering: Political Theory. 1-9 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of political theory.
PSCI 452 - Utopianism and its Critics. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Examination of classic and contemporary utopias, from Plato's Republicto Barbara Goodwin's "Justice by Lottery" as well as their critics.
PSCI 453 - Modern Political Theory. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 250E and junior standing or consent of instr. Analysis of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, James and John Stuart Mill, Marx and Lenin with regard to their "modern" views of the purpose(s) of political inquiry, the nature of citizenship and popular sovereignty. Particular attention to contemporary implications of ideas.
PSCI 456 - Chinese Polit & Soc Thought. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Chinese thought from the sixth century BCE to the present with specific attention to political philosophy and social criticism. Emphasis on changing Confucian tradition, encounter with Western thought, and understanding deep roots of contemporary discourse.
PSCI 460 - Exp Offering: Public Admin. 1-9 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental or onetime offerings in the subfield of public administration or policy.
PSCI 461 - Administrative Law. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. The legal foundations of public administration with emphasis on legislative delegation, administrative rulemaking and adjudication, judicial review, and public participation.
PSCI 462 - Human Resource Management. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Essential elements of human resource management, including analysis and evaluation of work, and the selection, management, and evaluation of public employees.
PSCI 463 - Development Administration. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Functions and processes of public administration in the Third World. Focus on alleviating poverty and underdevelopment. Includes project design and development planning activities.
PSCI 468 - . 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., Junior standing or consent of instr. Follows specific policy problem through each stage of the public policy cycle, including how policy is formulated in the legislative branch, implemented by the executive branch and reviewed by the judicial branch.
PSCI 469 - Ethics and Public Policy. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently spring. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Focuses on the ethical challenges faced by public servants in government agencies.
PSCI 471 - American Constitutional Law. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Survey of U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the U.S. Constitution's provisions on separation of powers, federalism, civil rights, and civil liberties.
PSCI 474 - Civil Rights. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 471 and junior standing or consent of instr. Intensive analysis, discussion, and writing about key U.S. Supreme Court constitutional cases on expression, religion, privacy, criminal justice, and discrimination.
PSCI 480 - Research Goals and Strategies. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. We explore the main methods used in political science research, focusing on research design, best research practices, and pitfalls in research. Students develop their own research design as the final course project.
PSCI 481 - Origins of Democracy and Authoritarianism. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 220S and junior standing or consent of instr.. This course examines the meaning of the terms "democracy" and "authoritarianism" in a way that permits measurement and analysis, then seeks to explain conditions under which such regimes or political systems emerge.
PSCI 482 - Politics of the World Economy. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 220S or PSCI 230X and junior standing or consent of instr. This course introduces concepts, tools, and problems in international and comparative political economy. In particular, it examines `economic? relations among `states? (these terms are in quotes because we will consider them in depth). Co-convened with PSCI 582.
PSCI 491 - Special Topics. 1-3 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently.Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
PSCI 492 - Independent Study. 1-3 Credits.
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., nine credits in political science courses numbered at the 300- or 400-level and consent of instr. Research in fields appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student. Level: Undergraduate.
PSCI 494 - Seminar. 1-6 Credits.
PSCI 498 - Intern/coop education/omnibus. 1-6 Credits.
Offered every term. Prereq., sophomore standing and consent of instr. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. Offered credit/no credit only. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation. Level: Undergraduate.
PSCI 520 - Comparative Government. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Concentrated reading and examination of selected subject areas in the field of comparative government. Level: Graduate
PSCI 521 - Globalization. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Prereq., senior or graduate standing or consent of instr. Critical examination of contemporary globalization topics from a number of theoretical and political perspectives. Topics include but are not limited to international political economy, security, social movements, democratization, international development, climate change, immigration, and global governance. Level: Graduate
PSCI 524 - Management and Policy Skills. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Focus on developing the skills required of managers in nonprofit and government organizations, such as competency in self-assessment, oral and written presentations, managing stress, communicating supportively, motivating, managing conflict, empowering and delegating, succeeding in multicultural contexts, and participating in interviews. Level: Graduate
PSCI 530 - International Relations. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Concentrated reading and examination of selected subject areas in the field of international relations. Level: Graduate
PSCI 540 - American Government. 3 Credits.
Offered spring. Concentrated reading and examination of selected subject areas in the field of American government. Level: Graduate
PSCI 550 - Political Theory. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. Concentrated reading and examination of selected subject areas in the field of political theory. Level: Graduate
PSCI 553 - Modern Political Theory. 3 Credits.
Offered autumn. Covers political thinkers from the 16th c., beginning with Thomas Hobbes, to the early 20th century, ending with Marx. Graduate students will consider a fundamental question: what is the purpose of political inquiry? A fundamental question precisely because what people take to be the purpose of political theory determines what they study, who they study, and how they study it. Co-convening course with PSCI 453. Level: Graduate
PSCI 582 - Politics of the World Economy. 3 Credits.
Offered intermittently. This introduces concepts, tools, and problems in international and comparative political economy. In Particular, it examines 'economic? relations among `states? (the terms are in quotes because we will consider them in depth). Co-convened with PSCI 482.
PSCI 586 - MA Research Project. 1-4 Credits.
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instructor. Offered as Credit/No Credit only. Level: Graduate
PSCI 594 - Seminar. 1-9 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Topic varies. Level: Graduate
PSCI 595 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Level: Graduate
PSCI 596 - Independent Study. 1-6 Credits.
(R-12) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student. Level: Graduate
PSCI 597 - Applied Research Project. 1-4 Credits.
PSCI 598 - Internship. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Offered credit/no credit only. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the back ground and objectives of the student. Level: Graduate
PSCI 599 - Thesis. 1-6 Credits.
(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on research for presentation and/or publication. Level: Graduate