POLS 155. American Political Institutions (3)

Examination of the development and dynamics of American political institutions and political processes including a special emphasis on the role of minority groups. (Available for General Education, D3/D4 Constitution of the United States/State and Local Government.)

POLS 156. Introduction to Comparative Politics (3)

Introduction to the comparative study of government and politics. Its purpose is to familiarize students with the basic themes, concepts and theoretical approaches that are used by political scientists to explain governmental institutions and political processes in different regions of the world. (Available for General Education, D1 Social Sciences.)

POLS 197. Racial and Ethnic Politics (3)

Examination of the problems and politics of racial and national subgroups in America. Focuses on problems of ethnic identity, inequality and discrimination, and the impact of minority group politics on public policy. (Available for General Education, F Comparative Cultural Studies.)

POLS 225. Elements of International Relations (3)

Analysis of the basic historical, geographical, economic, ideological and strategic factors that underlie and condition conflict and cooperation among actors in the contemporary international system. (Available for General Education, D1 Social Sciences.)

POLS 310. Problems of Political Economy (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Study of the interaction of politics and economics in selected problem areas involving global, national and urban political-economic systems. The political role of global corporations and the political dimensions of trade, taxation and budgeting are considered. (Available for General Education, D1 Social Sciences.)

POLS 321. Comparative Political Ideologies (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Examines, compares and contrasts a range of political ideologies and their interpretation and application in contemporary societies. Attention is paid to defining the role and function of ideologies in specific contemporary states. (Available for General Education, F Comparative Cultural Studies.)

POLS 332. Politics of Latin America (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Introductory study of the politics of Latin America. Topics treated include dependency theory, revolution, the national security state, women in politics, theologies of liberation and redemocratization. Selected nations are used as case studies. (Available for General Education, F Comparative Cultural Studies.)

POLS 347. The Judicial Process (3)

Examination of the dynamics of the national and state judicial systems, with emphasis on the workings of the Supreme Court within American separation of powers; internal procedures of decision making; external influences on the courts; the politics of selecting judges; and relations with other political institutions.

POLS 350. Great Questions in Politics (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Analysis of perennial political questions about power, authority, justice, equality and freedom. Materials include political and literary writings, films, case studies and legal cases. Aims throughout to relate these questions to contemporary political situations. (Available for General Education, D1 Social Sciences.)

POLS 355. American National, State and Local Governments (3)

Prerequisite: Not open to students who have taken POLS 155; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Detailed study of the structures and functions of the national government, and California state and local governments. Special attention given to the legislative and executive branches in the policy-making and administrative processes, as well as the constitutional bases for these processes. (Available for General Education, D3/D4 Constitution of the United States/State and Local Government.)

POLS 360. Public Administration (3)

Analysis of the executive function in governmental processes together with a survey of the principles of administrative organization, personnel management, financial administration and public relations. Problems and trends in government service as a career are discussed.

POLS 361. Introduction to Public Policy (3)

Introduction to public policy approaches, contexts, processes and outcomes.

POLS 372. Principles and Methods of Political Science (3)

Study of the history, nature and current development of research in politics.

POLS 380. Los Angeles: Past, Present, Future (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Multidisciplinary investigation of the Los Angeles urban area–its patterns of population and resources distribution; its historical, economic, social and cultural developments; and policies models designed to cope with its problems and to develop its potential as an ethnically diverse metropolis on the Pacific Rim. Application of social science methodology. Series of faculty and guest speakers, weekly discussion sessions and field trips. (Cross-listed with HIST 380 and URBS 380.) (Available for General Education, D1 Social Sciences.)

POLS 403. State and Local Government (3)

Study of the political, administrative, and judicial systems of states, counties, cities, and special districts. Intergovernmental relations, functions, trends and current problems. Available for graduate credit. (Available for General Education, D4 California State and Local Government.)

POLS 404. Urban Politics (3)

Study of the structures and processes that determine public priorities and programs in urban areas. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 405. The Process of Public Policy Formation (3)

Preparatory: At least one upper division course in public administration or American government. Seminar examining several major areas of American public policy and explaining its formation and content by use of several analytic models. Policy areas studied may include civil rights, criminal justice, welfare, health, education, defense and taxation. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 406. Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (3)

Prerequisite: POLS 372. Systematic and critical approach to designing public policies. Integrates theory and social science techniques so students may apply the methods, models and tools of policy analysis to particular cases and problems that confront policy makers. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 407. Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation (3)

Prerequisite: POLS 372. Overview of policy implementation and program evaluation by looking at the strategies, techniques and tools used most frequently by policy makers and evaluators. Students are introduced to the major theories and applications so as to be able to use the techniques of evaluation to assess projects and programs in terms of impact, process and cost. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 410. Advanced Comparative Politics (3)

Recommended Preparatory: POLS 156. An advanced study of comparative politics. This course focuses on major theoretical frameworks, concepts and approaches in the field. Key concepts covered include the state, democratization, modernization, political culture, social movements and underdevelopment. The course is designed to help students investigate world phenomena systematically and theoretically. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 411. Greek, Roman, and Medieval Political Theory (3)

Analysis of the major political theories and ideologies from the sophists, Plato and Aristotle through the epicureans, cynics, stoics, Cicero, St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.

POLS 412. Modern Western Political Theory (3)

Analysis of the major political theories and ideologies from Machiavelli and the Renaissance through Hobbes, Locke, the Enlightenment, Rousseau, Burke and Marx. Regular written assignments required.

POLS 413. American Political Thought (3)

American political ideologies from the colonial period through the Revolution and the period of the Constitution to the end of the 19th century.

POLS 414. Western Political Theory in the 20th Century (3)

Study of major contemporary theories in Western Europe and the U.S. Included are such theorists as Sarte, Camus, Easton, Lasswell, Dewey, McLuhan, Marcuse and Fanon, among other existentialists, behavioralists, Marxists and structuralists.

POLS 420A-H. International Relations of Selected Areas (3)

Intensive study of the international relations and impact on the world of nations or areas of special interest that are not included in other courses. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 421. The Politics of Development (3)

Examination and critical analysis of the problems, both internal and international, of countries that are undergoing political and economic modernization. Specific issue areas covered include human rights, the global economy, women in the global workplace, poverty and world hunger, environmental degradation and militarism. Selected countries are studied to determine historical trends in specific issue areas. Extensive examination of the paths and obstacles to world peace. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 422. International Politics (3)

Advanced study of international politics from the standpoint of theories of international politics, individual, group and state behavior; the relation between continuity, conflict and change in the international order; and an extensive examination of the paths and obstacles to world peace. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 423. Security Studies (3)

An analysis of security issues as they affect the nation-state. The course explores the actors, institutions and decision-making processes involved in the historical and contemporary development of defense policy. Various theoretical models will be utilized to assess issues of bargaining, mediation, war prevention and grand strategy doctrines. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 426. International Law (3)

Case studies of legal precedents affecting the regulation of the international community, together with an evaluation of the efficacy of international judicial sanctions. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 427A/L. Model United Nations and Lab (1/2)

Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Corequisite: POLS 427AL. Begins with a general analysis of the role of the U.N. in world politics and comparative foreign policy. Particular emphasis is then placed on the foreign policy of the country to be represented and the internal and external factors on which that policy is based. Seminar format with group presentations and simulations. Course may be repeated for up to 12 units but only 6 units may count in the major.

POLS 428. International Organization (3)

Analysis of the roles of various types of international organizations in contemporary world politics. Focus is on the United Nations, specialized (functional) agencies, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations such as multinational corporations, foundations and other “transnationals.” Available for graduate credit.

POLS 429. United States Foreign Policy (3)

Analysis of the contemporary declaratory and action policies pursued by the U.S. in the conduct of its foreign relations. Various conceptual models such as ends/means analysis, decision making and economic determinist are tested and evaluated in terms of their descriptive, analytical and predictive utility. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 432A. Politics of Mexico (3)

Prerequisite: POLS 156 or POLS 225 or instructor’s permission. Study of the genesis and development of Mexico’s political system. Examines the different interpretations of the Mexican political system and provides the background of the development of the modern Mexican state. Special emphasis in the challenges of contemporary Mexican politics, including the rising participation of civil society, the evolution of the political institutions and processes and the political impact of globalization and neoliberalism. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 433A. The Politics of Central America (3)

Study of the politics of Central America emphasizing current socioeconomic and political crises and U.S. involvement in those crises. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 434A. Government and Politics of South Asia (3)

Study of contemporary problems, political organization and governmental institutions of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Special attention paid to the development of nationalism and the process of modernization in the region. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 434B. Government and Politics of Southeast Asia (3)

Comparative analysis of political processes, political change and major national problems (i.e., poverty, population, foreign economic penetration) in selected Southeast Asian states—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 435A. Government and Politics of China (3)

Analysis of the Peoples Republic of China, including its ideology, revolutionary origin, party organization, central and local government, role of the military, mass participation, economic modernization, cultural policies and foreign policy. Changes from the Maoist to the post-Mao period will be emphasized. The question of Taiwan will be discussed. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 435B. Government and Politics of Japan (3)

Analysis of continuity and change in political economy, society and culture; state institutions, political power and political issues; political competition; and key national issues, policies and their outcomes. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 436A. Government and Politics of Europe (3)

Comparative analysis of recent and contemporary European politics, focusing on the political, economic and social structures that have shaped European affairs since the end of World War II. Emphasis on the role played by the modern state, the interstate system, nationalism and the world economy in shaping postwar European politics. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 438. Governments and Politics of the Middle East (3)

Study of contemporary social and political movements, governmental institutions and politics of the Arab states, Israel and Iran. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 439A. Government and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa (3)

Study of the national governments, emerging political patterns and problems of new states of West and East Africa. Study includes an overview of traditional societies and the politics of cultural sub-nationalism. Major focus on contemporary nationalism, modernization and ideological developments, and on single-party, military and other political structures. Seminar format with individual presentations. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 440. American Political Parties and Politics (3)

Study of the rise of American political parties, their structure, operation, control and political leadership. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 441. Interest Groups (3)

Study of the tactics and aims of interest groups in their efforts to mold public opinion and to influence legislators, executives, judges and administrators. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 441A. Latina/o Politics (3)

This course examines how Latina/os engage the U.S. political system both at the elite and the mass level. It will also examine how political science understands both intra- and inter-group politics in the context of the evolving power of Latina/os in the United States. Students will explore politicized group identity and formation, political incorporation, political participation, party affiliation, voting behavior, and issues of representation and diversity in democratic institutions. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 443. The Legislative Process (3)

Detailed analysis of the structure, operations and activities of legislative bodies, including Congress, state legislatures and municipal councils. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 444. Elections and Voting Behavior (3)

Study of the electoral process in the U.S., presented in terms of the history of elections, election and campaign techniques, and patterns of voting behavior. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 445. Political Behavior (3)

Introduction to political behavior; the influences of culture, ideology and social structure on political life; group influences on political behavior and major factors in leadership; and psychological bases of participation in normal and extreme politics. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 446. The Presidency (3)

Analysis of the evolution of the Presidency since 1789, with regard to the Presidents role as party leader, chief administrator, chief legislator and national symbol. Analysis of major characteristics of the Presidency, issues concerning the Presidents constitutional powers and limitations, his present responsibilities and the political and administrative tools available. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 447A. Media and Politics (3)

The focus of this course is a reconciliation of common perceptions of media influence on public opinion, elections and policy making with empirical evidence of media effects on these components of the political system. The term “media” will be defined through its organization and workings that includes print, broadcast and Internet sources. Students will learn to become more critical consumers of media information and contemplate the role of the media in a democracy. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 448. Women and Politics in the United States and the World (3)

Examines feminist theories and public policies as they shape the various political possibilities and strategies for women in the U.S. and in other selected countries. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 449DC. DC Politics, Culture, and History (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to and satisfactory standing in the CSUN in DC Internship Program. Students will learn about the politics, history and culture of Washington, D.C. by living in and experiencing the city through activities, walking tours and attendance at events throughout the city. Among potential activities, students will visit museums, participate in walking tours, attend congressional hearings and attend concerts. Students will share their experience in digital diaries, in seminar discussions and in papers. This course is restricted to students participating in the CSUN in DC Internship Program. Available for graduate credit.

For more information, please visit the CSUN in DC Internship Program website.

POLS 449PR. Professional Development in DC (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to and satisfactory standing in the CSUN in DC Internship Program. This course is meant to expose students to professional development and careers in Washington, D.C. The class will feature a series of speakers including professionals who work on Capitol Hill, in agencies, for nonprofits, and with advocacy organizations. Students will also work with mentors one-on-one to learn about different professional pathways and students will write a series of response papers throughout the course. This course is restricted to students participating in the CSUN in DC Internship Program. Available for graduate credit.

For more information, please visit the CSUN in DC Internship Program website.

POLS 450. Jurisprudence (3)

Critical survey of the modern schools of jurisprudence and their treatment of law and such legal concepts and problems as obligation, responsibility, punishment and the limits and purposes of law. The works of students of jurisprudence or legal philosophy are supplemented with descriptive accounts of the nature and operation of modern legal systems. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 455. Criminal Procedures (3)

Critical examination of the law and practices of the criminal process. Emphasis on the major problems involved in pretrial procedures. These include search and seizure, self-incrimination, bail, plea bargaining and the enforcement of constitutional rights. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 457A. Constitutional Law I (3)

General principles of federal and state constitutional law, the powers of the national government and federal-state relations. Study of the leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 457B. Constitutional Law II (3)

Limitations on the national government and the scope of constitutional rights and liberties. Study of the leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 460. Welfare State (3)

Introduction to the development of welfare policy and the evolution of the welfare state in Western industrialized nations by inquiring into the philosophical and political debates surrounding social policy and its implementation. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 461. Environmental Policy (3)

Study and evaluation of the political process governing the making of environmental policy. Specific issues covered include energy policy, land use, air and water pollution, and hazardous and toxic waste disposal. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 462. Ethics in Politics and Administration (3)

Examination of the various kinds of ethical problems faced by elected and non-elected government personnel. Focus is on the scope and limits of individual responsibility in the practice of politics and the management of public organizations. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 463. Public Personnel Administration (3)

Analysis of the decline of the spoils system and rise of civil service, and analysis of practices and problem issues concerning such topics as recruitment, position classification, fringes, morale, in-service training, public-service unions and civil liberties of public employees. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 464. Comparative Public Policy (3)

Examines why different nations formulate and implement different public policies for similar problems. Systematic and critical approach to understanding the effect of ideological orientations, political institutions and governmental processes on the public policies of modern states. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 465. Administrative Behavior (3)

Analysis of classic theories and case studies in administrative behavior; relations of organizational structure and personality types; and survey of approaches to rationality in decision making through study of the factors influencing administrative choices. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 466. The Politics of Public Spending (3)

Critical analysis of how government financial policies are formulated and controlled within a setting of conflicting views and interests. Examines the influence of the system of checks and balances: the effects of cooperation between chief executives, administrators, budget bureaus, legislators, pressure groups and the general public; and the impact of government spending on the private economy. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 467. Urban Administration (3)

Analysis of public executives, including mayors, city managers and chief administrative officers, and their relationships to the structures of urban government and the public priorities and programs of urban areas. Focus includes the executive’s relationships with the formal structures, councils, civil servants, budgets, political parties, interest groups, independent agencies, the media and other levels of governments. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 471A-F. Proseminar (3)

Prerequisites: POLS 372; Intended for seniors only (juniors require instructor consent). Advanced research in a subfield in political science. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 480. The Politics of Globalization (3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing. Introduction to some of the major changes that have accompanied the processes of globalization during the last 30 years, including identifying and addressing the positive and negative consequences of these changes. Discussion of different approaches to globalization; its technical and historical roots; and the economic, political, ethical and cultural consequences of globalization. The case of NAFTA and its three members—Canada, the U.S. and Mexico—serves as a case study on which the class focuses to understand how the general trends of globalization take shape in a particular region. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 481. Globalization, Gender and Democratization (3)

Prerequisite: Upper division standing. Concerned with three major phenomena of the modern world—globalization, democratization and feminization, as well as their interrelationships and their impacts on gender regimes (or gender relationships) in various parts of the world. Incorporates gender analysis into a critical study of the processes of globalization and democratization. Identifies a number of gender regimes in the world and explores the economic, political and interpersonal practices (including globalization) that contribute to their stability or ability to change in various institutions. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 486SOC. Social Science Career Internship (3)

Prerequisites: Upper division standing in a social or behavioral sciences major; Appropriate methods course as specified by the department; Instructor consent. Social and behavioral sciences principles are applied to the workplace. At least 10 hours per week of supervised fieldwork required. Students complete learning contracts and submit written reports related to their internships. See section on Academic Internships. Available for graduate credit. (Cross-listed with AFRS 486SOC, GEOG 486SOC, PSY 486SOC, and SOC 486SOC.)

POLS 490CA. Supervised Individual Project—California Government (1)

Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Individual, supervised studies in California government.(Available for General Education, D4 California State and Local Government.)

POLS 494I/A. Political Science Internship (1/2)

Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Corequisite: POLS 494IA. Approximately 120 hours of supervised fieldwork required. Students complete learning contracts and submit written reports related to their internships. Students will meet as a seminar group with a faculty member during the semester. Available for graduate credit. (Credit/No Credit only)

POLS 494J/A. Judicial Internship (1/2)

Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Corequisite POLS 494JA. Students are assigned to a Superior Court judge to observe the inner workings of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Through observation of trials, settlement conferences, plea bargains and preliminary hearings, students develop a familiarity with the processes of the judicial system and the issues facing the legal system. Available for graduate credit. (Credit/No Credit only)

POLS 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Political Science (3)

Selected topics in political science, with course content to be determined. Available for graduate credit.

POLS 499. Independent Study (1-6)

Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Does not carry credit for the master’s degree.

POLS 522A-G. Seminar in International Relations (3)

Prerequisite: Classified graduate status or instructor consent. Inquiry into major contemporary theories in international relations, including treatment of the problems of theory building and testing.

POLS 530A-J. Seminar in Comparative Government (3)

Prerequisite: Classified graduate status or instructor consent. Inquiry into major contemporary theories in comparative government relations, including treatment of the problems of theory and the study of selected areas.

POLS 540A-J. Seminar in American Government and Politics (3)

Prerequisite: Classified graduate status or instructor consent. Inquiry into major contemporary theories in American government including treatment of the problems of theory, law, institutions and political behavior.

POLS 570. Seminar in Political Theory (3)

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in the social and behavioral sciences; Instructor consent for upper division students. Graduate survey seminar course in political theory. Engages students in in-depth analysis of the arguments of some of the defining figures of political theory, both ancient and contemporary.

POLS 571. Seminar in Methodology (3)

Study of representative literature in the field of political science, with emphasis on the underlying methodological assumptions, analysis of statistical techniques employed with respect to appropriateness, evaluation of research design and application, and evaluation of validity of conclusion, with recommendations for replication or improvement.

POLS 597. Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)

Open by special permission to students electing to complete a comprehensive examination in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

POLS 599. Independent Study (1-6)

Prerequisite: Instructor consent.

POLS 698D. Graduate Culminating Project (3)

Prerequisite: Instructor permission required. This culminating course requires students to demonstrate their mastery of their specialization in political science. Students will revise an existing research paper that they produced in one of their graduate seminars in political science and develop it into a manuscript that could be submitted as a conference paper, journal article, or academic writing sample. This course is to be taken only in the student’s final semester.