Academic
Catalog August 2007 - August 2008 Undergraduate
and Graduate
Some courses may not be offered every year. Check with the college or department office for current information about when specific courses are offered.
For course syllabi, see the departmental website.
POS 110 AMERICAN POLITICS (3)
Basic introduction to American national government; constitutional foundations, the structures of government, courts, Congress, the presidency, interest groups, political parties, and major political issues facing the American people. This course satisfies state teacher certification for teachers in Arizona for federal constitution only. SPW
POS 120 WORLD POLITICS (3)
Studies the international system, its actors, and their capabilities; ends and means of foreign policy; international tension, conflict, and cooperation. CU
POS 198 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
POS 199 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
POS 201 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS (3)
Issues in contemporary political analysis, human values, and political goals; comparative study of how political systems differ; how nations influence one another. SPW
POS 210 AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT (3)
Provides overview of the development of modern tribal governments, their powers, and the historic and contemporary issues facing tribal governments. Crosslisted as AIS 210. CUE
POS 220 FEDERAL AND ARIZONA CONSTITUTION (3)
Basic course in the national and Arizona government designed to meet the requirements for state teacher certification. Not available for credit to political science majors or minors or for liberal studies credit.
POS 224 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)
Overview of the organization and management of public organizations, with attention to the political setting in which government bureaucracies and public agencies operate. SPW
POS 230 CURRENT ISSUES POLITICS (1-3)
Analyzes selected contemporary issues in national and international politics. May be repeated for up to 9 hours of credit with different content. SPW
POS 230H CURRENT ISSUES IN POLITICS - HONORS (1-3)
Analyzes selected contemporary issues in national and international politics. May be repeated for up to 9 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: Honors Student Group SPW
POS 231 POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)
Analyzes contemporary issues in politics as they interrelate with the humanities. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. AHI
POS 241 STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS (3)
Politics and administration of state and local government in the United States; problems, structures, and services. This course satisfies state teacher certification requirements for teachers in Arizona for Arizona constitution only. SPW
POS 250 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY MAKING (3)
Policy making in the United States and/or other countries in a political, social, economic, and cultural context. SPW
POS 254 POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES (3)
Political ideas and belief systems in theory and practice. Includes democracy, liberalism, conservatism, Marxism, democratic socialism, liberation, and green ideologies. SPW
POS 298 MODERN IDEOLOGY (3)
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
POS 299 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
POS 301W TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)
Analyzes contemporary issues in national and international politics, incorporating extensive writing skill instruction. This course fulfills NAU's junior-level writing requirement. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: (6 hours of POS-Political Science coursework and 45 earned hours) or International Exchange Student Group JWRT
POS 303 SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH (3)
Basic techniques of research design, data collection and analysis; contemporary methodologies such as survey design; computer applications. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 313 AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS (3)
Examines the central role of political parties in American politics especially in elections, partisan identification, and governing.
POS 314 POLITICAL PARTICIPATION (3)
Examines theory and practice of political participation in the United States. Content includes elections, grassroots campaigns, protests, and social movements. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 315 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY (3)
Surveys the American presidency, including its historical development and current characteristics and functions; examines the executive bureaucracy. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 316 CONGRESSIONAL POLITICS (3)
Studies the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the structure and politics of the legislative process. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 317 JUDICIAL POLITICS (3)
Studies the role of courts in the political system. Special emphasis on the legal, philosophical, and political factors influencing judicial decision making. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 320 NATIVE AMERICAN POLITICS (3)
Examines development of political and policy relationships between Native American nations and the U.S. government, using a political, social, economic, and cultural context. Crosslisted as AIS 320. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group CUE
POS 321 AMERICAN PUBLIC LAW (3)
POS 325 PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION (3)
Theories and practices of public personnel management, from recruitment and selection to retirement, including motivation, evaluation, promotion, career development, organizations and negotiation, grievances and termination. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 326 PUBLIC ORGANIZATION THEORY (3)
Dynamics of decision making in modern, complex organizations including the structure of bureaucratic organization, incremental and rational approaches to decision making, the influence of bureaucratic routines, and various strategies for increasing organizational effectiveness. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 327 GOVERNMENT BUDGETING (3)
Organization, techniques, and politics of budget preparation; legislative appropriation and control systems in budget execution. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 335 POLITICAL ECONOMY (3)
Analyzes questions arising from the complex interaction between state and economy, such as problems of inequity, sustainable growth, globalization, and public accountability. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or ECO 285 or International Exchange Student Group
POS 344 ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS (3)
Examines the broad range of environmentalisms existing in the United States today. Covers varied experiences, motivations, social and political critiques, organizational models, and political tactics. SPW
POS 345 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (3)
Role of law in environmental management. Discusses major federal regulatory actions by examining legal cases.
POS 351 CLASSICAL AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)
Ideas of classical and medieval political philosophy. The natural law conception of politics is studied by examining selected philosophers' views of authority, justice, obligation, democracy, and other political issues.
POS 352 MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)
Origins and development of modern political ideas as expressed by major political theorists, including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, and Marx.
POS 352H MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT - HONORS (3)
Origins and development of modern political ideas as expressed by major political theorists, including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, and Marx. Prerequisite: Honors Student Group
POS 353 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)
Examines postmodern, liberal, communitarian, conservative, and feminist approaches. Centers on such philosophers as Friedrich Nietzsche, John Rawls, Michael Walzer, Allan Bloom, and Luce Irigaray.
POS 355 WOMEN, POWER AND POLITICS (3)
Studies gender, politics, and power from historical, theoretical, comparative, and public-policy perspectives. Content varies. CU
POS 356 RACE, POWER AND POLITICS (3)
Studies of race, power, and politics from historical, theoretical, comparative, and public-policy perspectives. Particular attention given to U.S. ethnic group experiences, including African American, Asian American, Latinos, and Native Americans. Content will vary. Crosslisted as ES 356. CUE
POS 357 TOPICS IN CULTURAL DIVERSITY (3)
Analyzes contemporary issues in diversity as viewed in the political context. Diversity viewed primarily through US ethnic, gender, and class differences. Content will vary. CUE
POS 359 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (3)
Political aspects of environmental problems, policy responses to those issues, and their impact on the human and natural environment. SPW
POS 360 COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3)
Comparative analysis of selected foreign governments: democratic, totalitarian, and those in the process of developing. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or International Exchange Student Group SPW
POS 361 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING NATIONS (3)
Investigates the political dynamics of nations undergoing rapid social change and economic development. Focuses on problems endemic to the nations of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or International Exchange Student Group SPWG
POS 362 STUDIES IN WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICS (3)
Structures and behavior of governmental institutions and political processes in selected countries of western Europe; the significance of the European Union. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or International Exchange Student Group SPW
POS 362H STUDIES IN WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICS - HONORS (3)
Structures and behavior of governmental institutions and political processes in selected countries of western Europe; the significance of the European Union. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or Honors Student Group SPW
POS 364 STUDIES IN RUSSIAN AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN POLITICS (3)
Structures and behavior of governmental institutions and political processes in Russia and the central European states. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or International Exchange Student Group SPW
POS 366 STUDIES IN LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (3)
Historical and comparative perspectives on the political economies in Latin America. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or POS 361 or International Exchange Student Group CUG
POS 370 STUDIES IN ASIAN POLITICS (3)
Cultural and historical backgrounds; traditional patterns in conflict with modernization; present forms of government. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or POS 361 or International Exchange Student Group CUG
POS 374 STUDIES IN AFRICAN POLITICS (3)
Political, economic, and cultural analysis of selected African countries addressing internal national dynamics, regional relations, and foreign policies. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or POS 361 or International Exchange Student Group CUG
POS 376 STUDIES IN NORTH AMERICAN POLITICS (3)
Comparative perspectives on state systems and political-economic dynamics in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. May focus on national development, regional relations, multiculturalism, and contemporary political issues. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or International Exchange Student Group SPW
POS 380 ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (3)
Analyzes international political relations emphasizing major theoretical approaches and their contributions to the search for solutions to particular issues and cases. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or International Exchange Student Group SPW
POS 389 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (1-12)
Individualized preplanned cooperative employment experience related to your field of study or career objectives. Pass-fail only. Fee required. No repeat limit.
POS 398 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
POS 399 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
POS 408 FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE (1-12)
Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization. Department consent required.
POS 421C TOPICS IN PUBLIC POLICY (3)
This capstone seminar analyzes selected contemporary policies and policy issues in national and international politics. Prerequisite: 75 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group CAP
POS 428 TOPICS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)
Analyzes selected contemporary public administration issues in national and international politics. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Requirement: Sophomore or greater status or International Student Group
POS 440 CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS (3)
Role of polling and political parties and organizations in American political campaigns and elections. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 445 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: SEPARATION OF POWERS AND FEDERALISM (3)
Inquiry into the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution concerning the powers of the court, congress, and the president. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 446 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS (3)
Examines Supreme Court decisions relating to the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. Prerequisite: 15 earned hours or International Exchange Student Group
POS 450 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)
Practical and theoretical development of American political thought from its English and colonial roots, through the founding of a new government, to current commentary and criticism.
POS 450H AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT - HONORS (3)
Practical and theoretical development of American political thought from its English and colonial roots, through the founding of a new government, to current commentary and criticism. Prerequisite: Honors Student Group
POS 453 TOPICS IN POLITICAL THEORY (3)
Examines selected issues in contemporary political theory, such as power, identity/difference, pluralism, feminist theory, and political culture. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content.
POS 455 POLITICAL ECOLOGY (3)
Analyzes various green political theories and their positions on the nature of the ecological crisis, environmental ethics, ideology, policies, institutions, and political culture.
POS 456 TOPICS IN GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS (3)
This course examines global environmental politics from an international and comparative perspective. The main objective is to orient students to the major issues, theoretical frameworks, institutions and actors involved in GEP. May be repeated from up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Letter grade only.
POS 466 LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP (1-12)
Supervised internship in the Arizona Legislature during spring term. Students are selected on a competitive basis, and you must apply during the fall term. (To be eligible, you must be a candidate for a bachelor's degree, have completed all lower-division requirements, and have attained senior status at the end of the fall term preceding the internship.) Course enrollment is handled by the associate provost for academic administration after the legislature has made its final selection. Pass-fail only. Department consent required.
POS 472 STUDIES IN MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS (3)
Historical, cultural, and political patterns in Middle Eastern countries with special attention to the internal political dynamics of selected nations, regional tensions, and foreign policies of the region. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit with different content. Prerequisite: POS 120 or POS 201 or POS 361 or International Exchange Student Group GLB
POS 480 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (3)
Examines global and regional organizations with emphasis on their political contribution to world order. Prerequisite: POS 120 or International Exchange Student Group
POS 482 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (3)
Structure and functions of American foreign policy machinery; problems facing American foreign policy and prospects for their solution. Prerequisite: POS 110 or POS 120 or International Exchange Student Group
POS 485 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (1-6)
Original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit. Department consent required.
POS 497 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-6)
Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Letter grade or pass-fail. Department consent required.
POS 499 CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS (1-3)
Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area of a particular major field of study.