Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements POLSBA

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science introduces students to fundamental issues in the political process, conditions that create the need for governments, structure and procedures of governments, control of governments and enforcement of responsibility, and relationships among governments. The Political Science major provides students with the skills and knowledge to understand the theory and practice of government and politics, both in the U.S. and internationally. Through coursework, students learn about political institutions and processes, and develop the capacity to think critically about political controversies, public policies, and societal outcomes. Majors have opportunities to learn firsthand about politics through internships, study abroad, in-depth research on honors projects or through faculty research grants. IUB students who earn degrees in political science pursue careers in government service, NGOs and non-profit agencies, law, business, journalism, politics, public policy analysis, and education. The department prepares students to assume the duties of citizenship; provides special knowledge and skills useful in public service, law, business, and other careers; and lays a foundation for the scholarly study of government and politics.

View Degree MapA semester-by-semester path to completing degree and major requirements

Requirements

The major requires at least 30 credit hours*, including the requirements listed below.

Analyzing Politics. One (1) course:
- POLS-Y 205 Analyzing Politics
POLS-Y 205 Analyzing Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduces the approaches and techniques used to study politics. Includes an introduction to social science language, concepts, and critical research skills. Overview of political science research approaches, including case study, surveys, and model-building. Emphasizes skills such as interpreting the presentation of data in charts, graphs, and tables, and elementary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
American Politics and Public Policy. One (1) course:
- POLS-P 301 Health Policy and Politics in the United States
- POLS-Y 301 Political Parties and Interest Groups
- POLS-Y 302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society
- POLS-Y 303 Formation of Public Policy in the United States
- POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law
- POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties
- POLS-Y 306 State Politics in the United States
- POLS-Y 307 Indiana State Government and Politics
- POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics
- POLS-Y 311 Democracy and National Security
- POLS-Y 313 Environmental Policy
- POLS-Y 315 Political Psychology and Socialization
- POLS-Y 316 Public Opinion and Political Participation
- POLS-Y 317 Voting, Elections, and Public Opinion
- POLS-Y 318 The American Presidency
- POLS-Y 319 The United States Congress
- POLS-Y 320 Judicial Politics
- POLS-Y 321 The Media and Politics
- POLS-Y 324 Gender and Politics
- POLS-Y 325 African American Politics
- POLS-Y 326 American Social Welfare Policy
- POLS-Y 329 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the United States
- POLS-Y 394 Public Policy Analysis
POLS-P 301 Health Policy and Politics in the United States
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
The United States is unique among developed countries in not having a national health service. What we have instead are several health care sectors that vary according to which services are provided, by whom, to which beneficiaries, at whose expense. Each sector exhibits a distinctive pattern of politics. In this course we will compare and contrast the patterns of politics that surround different sectors of health policy.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 301 Political Parties and Interest Groups
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Theories of American party activity; behavior of political parties, interest groups, and social movements; membership in groups; organization and structure; evaluation and relationship to the process of representation.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines public bureaucracy, with special emphasis upon the United States, as a political phenomenon engaging in policy-making and in the definition of the terms of policy issues. Considers the role of bureaucratic instruments in promoting social change, and in responding to it.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 303 Formation of Public Policy in the United States
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy in American society.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
American political powers and structures; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting American constitutional system.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Extent and limits of constitutional rights; selected Supreme Court decisions interpreting American constitutional system.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 306 State Politics in the United States
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Comparative study of politics in the American states. Special emphasis on the impact of political culture, party systems, legislatures, and bureaucracies on public policies.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 307 Indiana State Government and Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Constitutional foundations, political development, organizational and functional process and growth, and current problems of Indiana government. Readings, case studies, problems.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Political behavior in modern American communities; emphasizes the impact of municipal organization, city officials and bureaucracies, social and economic notables, political parties, interest groups, the general public, and protest organizations on urban policy outcomes.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 311 Democracy and National Security
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Analysis of fundamental tensions between democratic values and the requirements of national security. Topics include homeland security and civil liberties in an age of terror, civil-military relations, oversight of intelligence operations, effects of interventions and wars on democracy abroad and at home, and debates over the morality of United States security policies.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 313 Environmental Policy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines the processes of social decision reconciling human demands on the natural world with the ability of nature to sustain life and living standards. Analyzes the implications for public policies in complex sequential interactions among technical, economic, social, and political systems and considers the consequences of alternative courses of action.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 315 Political Psychology and Socialization
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Analysis of the relationship between personality and politics. Use of major psychological theories and concepts to understand the attitudes and behavior of mass publics and political elites.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 316 Public Opinion and Political Participation
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
The nature of public opinion on major domestic and foreign policy issues; mass political ideology; voting behavior and other forms of political participation; political culture; and the impact of public opinion on political systems.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 317 Voting, Elections, and Public Opinion
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Determinants of voting behavior in elections. The nature of public opinion regarding major domestic and foreign policy issues; development of political ideology; other influences on the voting choices of individuals and the outcomes of elections; relationships among public opinion, elections, and the development of public policy.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 318 The American Presidency
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examination of the American presidency both in historical setting and in contemporary context. Topics such as presidential elections, roles and resources of the president, structures and processes of the presidency, presidential leadership and behavior, relationships of the presidency and other participants in policy making.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 319 The United States Congress
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
This course offers students the opportunity to study the legislative branch of American national government. It includes the structure and process of the Senate and House of Representatives, the roles of parties, interest groups, and lobbyists, the legislative process, and the relations of Congress with the other branches of government.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 320 Judicial Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines the American judicial system in the contemporary context. Analysis of the trial and appellate courts with a focus on the United States Supreme Court. Topics include analyses of the structure of the judicial system, the participants in the system, and the policy making processes and capabilities of the legal system. The course concludes with an assessment of the role of courts in a majoritarian democracy.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 321 The Media and Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines the contemporary relationship between the media and politics, including use of the media by politicians and public officials, media coverage of governmental activities, and media coverage of campaigns and elections. Course focuses primarily on the United States, but includes comparative perspectives.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 324 Gender and Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Analysis of women in contemporary political systems, domestic or foreign, with emphasis on political roles, participation, and public policy. Normative or empirical examination of how political systems affect women and the impact women have on them. Topics vary semester to semester.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 325 African American Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines the African American political condition, with special emphasis on political thought and behavior. The course analyzes not only how the political system affects African Americans, but also the impact African Americans have on it. Themes for this course may vary.
- Fall 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE DUScourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 326 American Social Welfare Policy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Values and social welfare policy. Development, current status, politics and proposals for reform of social security and private pensions, income maintenance policy, health care, and housing. The future of the welfare state.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 329 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the United States
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
A survey of minority group politics in the United States. The course examines the socioeconomic position and political history of various demographic groups and highlights key public policy debates central to the future of ethnic politics and race relations in the United States. Compares theories of racial formation in the context of a political system predicated on majority rule.
- Fall 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE DUScourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 394 Public Policy Analysis
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Place of theory and method in examining public policies in relation to programs, institutional arrangements, and constitutional problems. Particular reference to American political experience.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
Comparative Politics and International Relations. One (1) course:
- POLS-P 302 The Politics of Economic Crisis and Reform
- POLS-P 303 Challenges of Democracy
- POLS-Y 332 Russian Politics
- POLS-Y 333 Chinese Politics
- POLS-Y 334 Japanese Politics
- POLS-Y 335 Western European Politics
- POLS-Y 336 South East Asian Political Systems
- POLS-Y 337 Latin American Politics
- POLS-Y 338 African Politics
- POLS-Y 339 Middle Eastern Politics
- POLS-Y 340 East European Politics
- POLS-Y 341 Authoritarian Regimes
- POLS-Y 342 Human Rights and State Repression
- POLS-Y 343 The Politics of International Development
- POLS-Y 344 Civil Wars
- POLS-Y 345 Comparative Revolutions
- POLS-Y 346 Politics in the Developing World
- POLS-Y 347 German Politics
- POLS-Y 348 The Politics of Genocide
- POLS-Y 350 Politics of the European Union
- POLS-Y 351 Political Simulations
- POLS-Y 352 The Holocaust and Politics
- POLS-Y 353 The Politics of Gender and Sexuality
- POLS-Y 356 South Asian Politics
- POLS-Y 360 United States Foreign Policy
- POLS-Y 361 Contemporary Theories of International Politics
- POLS-Y 362 International Politics of Selected Regions
- POLS-Y 363 Comparative Foreign Policy
- POLS-Y 364 International Organization: Political and Security Aspects
- POLS-Y 366 Current Foreign Policy Problems
- POLS-Y 367 International Law
- POLS-Y 368 Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy
- POLS-Y 372 The Analysis of International Politics
- POLS-Y 374 International Organization
- POLS-Y 375 War and International Conflict
- POLS-Y 376 International Political Economy
- POLS-Y 399 Politics of the United Nations
- POLS-Y 407 Problems in Comparative Politics
POLS-P 302 The Politics of Economic Crisis and Reform
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Explores the politics of crisis and reform from a comparative and international political economy perspective. In addition to learning general theories of crisis and reform, students will study in-depth case studies of important crisis episodes in the era of industrial capitalism, and seek to understand both the causes and consequences of crisis events.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-P 303 Challenges of Democracy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines the global challenges faced by democracy, including the difficulties encountered in the effort to build them and the hallowing of mature democracies through challenges posed by the forces of populism, nationalism, and authoritarianism.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 332 Russian Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Political process and government structure in the Russian state. Political institutions inherited from tsarist empire and the Soviet state (1917-1991), history of subsequent political reform. Political problems of ethnic conflict, creating democratic institutions, and of transition from socialism to market economy.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 333 Chinese Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Explores contemporary politics and policy issues in the People\'s Republic of China. Influence of revolutionary practice and ideology; analysis of contemporary economic, political and social organizations; examination of policy issues including social reforms, economic growth, and democratization and globalization.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 334 Japanese Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Political development of Japan, with emphasis on changing attitudes toward modernization; cultural and sociological factors affecting the functioning of contemporary political institutions; and the implication of Japanese experience in modernization of other developing societies.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 335 Western European Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Development, structure, and functioning of political systems, primarily in France, Italy, and Germany. Political dynamics of European integration.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of POLS-Y 335 or EURO-W 301.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 336 South East Asian Political Systems
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Covers the governmental organization, and the political behavior and traditions, of countries in the South East Asian region. Addresses regional issues of political and economic development, and international issues regarding the relationship of the region to the rest of the world.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 337 Latin American Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Comparative analysis of political change in major Latin American countries, emphasizing alternative explanations of national and international developments; examination of impact of political parties, the military, labor and peasant movements, Catholic Church, multinational corporations, regional organizations, and United States on politics; public policy processes in democratic and authoritarian regimes.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 338 African Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Explores politics in Sub-Saharan Africa. Examines relevance of "traditional" political systems; impact on colonialism; building new nations and states; authoritarian regimes; process of democratization; management of ethnic, regional, religious and class conflict; political challenges of economic development; role of international actors, including the United States, United Nations, World Bank, and non-governmental organizations; and globalization.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 339 Middle Eastern Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Political culture and change in selected Middle Eastern and North African countries. Topics include political elites, traditional cultures, modern political ideology, institutions of political control, conflict management, and social reform policies.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 340 East European Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Compares political change in the East European states, and emphasizes the legacies of authoritarianism and communism and the post-communist transition to democracy. Topics include the building of political institutions, the inclusion of citizens into the polity, the reform of the economy, the management of ethnic and social conflicts, and integration into the European Union.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 341 Authoritarian Regimes

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Comparative study of Fascism, Nazism, and communism as institutional arrangements for governing modern societies. The political process in the one-party "movement regime."
POLS-Y 342 Human Rights and State Repression
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
A survey of human rights: their content and recognition, protection in national and international laws, and their violation by state and nonstate actors. The effectiveness of political and judicial institutions in curbing these violations is also considered, as is the global diffusion of norms in support of essential human rights.
Repeatability
May be repeated once for a total of 6 credit hours.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 343 The Politics of International Development
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines the key debates and issues regarding how "poor" countries develop economically and socially. Analyzes the interactions between politics and economics in the development process at the global, national, and local levels. Cases for comparison will include countries from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 344 Civil Wars
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines modern civil wars, focusing on their causes, dynamics, and consequences. Introduces theories to explain how civil wars begin and progress, as well as case studies to test those theories in specific contexts. Also considers ways of preventing civil wars and mitigating their consequences.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 345 Comparative Revolutions
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Analysis of major modern revolutions. Focus on the social, economic, and political causes of revolutions; the rise of revolutionary movements; and the strategies for gaining and consolidating power.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 346 Politics in the Developing World
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Focuses on politics in the developing world (Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East). Comparison of political history; experiences of colonialism and post-colonial authoritarian systems; political economy; development and globalization; democratization and management of protest and conflict; and interactions with international actors and transnational social movements.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 347 German Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Survey of the German political system including governmental institutions, the origins and role of political parties, opportunities for citizens to participate in politics, and current political culture. Special attention is paid to the question of how well Germany's democracy functions after experiencing several regime changes.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 348 The Politics of Genocide
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Comparative study of major twentieth-century genocides. Examines the political conditions, ideologies, and movements leading up to mass murder, and the ethnic and global context of genocide. Focuses on the question of responsibility and accountability from the viewpoints of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders in the national and international communities.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 350 Politics of the European Union
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Study of the politics of the European Union (EU). Assesses past and present dynamics of economic and political integration in Europe, the structure and work of European Union institutions, and EU public policies such as the Single Market, the common currency, common foreign and security policy, and trade.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 351 Political Simulations

Credits
1–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Notes
May be taken alone or in conjunction with related political science courses
Description
A course tied to simulations of international organizations such as the European Union, the United Nations, or the Organization of American States.
Repeatability
May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credit hours.
POLS-Y 352 The Holocaust and Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examination of the socioeconomic conditions and political ideologies leading up to the Holocaust, and the political, administrative, and social context for the genocide from the vantage of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. Focus on the individual, national, and international responses to and responsibilities for the Holocaust. Consideration of the Holocaust's legacies for the postwar world.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 353 The Politics of Gender and Sexuality
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Exploration of how different social, economic, and political practices have influenced the construction of gender and sexuality outside of the United States. Examines the interplay between gender relations and characteristics of public and private institutions.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 356 South Asian Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduction to the legacy of British colonialism in South Asia, to the development and decay of political institutions, to questions of economic growth, to social movements, and to regional conflicts.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 360 United States Foreign Policy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Analysis of institutions and processes involved in the formation and implementation of American foreign policy. Emphasis is on post-World War II policies.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 361 Contemporary Theories of International Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Theories used in the study of international politics: systems theory, field theory, conflict theory, alliance and coalition theories, balance-of-power theories, and an introduction to game and bargaining theory.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 362 International Politics of Selected Regions
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
The region studied will vary with the instructor and the year. Current information may be obtained from the Department of Political Science.
Repeatability
May be repeated once for credit, with permission of the departmental undergraduate advisor.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 363 Comparative Foreign Policy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Compares factors that influence foreign policy and the foreign policy process. Focuses on domestic or internal sources of foreign policy behavior, including impact of individual leaders, group decision-making processes, bureaucratic politics, ideology and political culture, historical experience, and type of political system. Classroom simulations are central to the course.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 364 International Organization: Political and Security Aspects
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
International organizations as lateral extensions of the Western state system, exercising influence in accordance with a variety of strategies. Strategies employed by the United Nations in the political and security area.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 366 Current Foreign Policy Problems
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Critique of foreign policy issues: communism, containment, imperialism, and others. Research papers and classroom presentation for critical discussion.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 367 International Law
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Sources and consequences of international law; relationship to international organizations and world order; issues of national sovereignty, human rights, conflict resolution, international property rights, world trade, environmental change, and other topics.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 368 Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Notes
R: POLS-Y 332
Description
Behavior of Russia and U.S.S.R. in world affairs from 1945 to the present. Emphasis on impact of geographic assets and vulnerabilities, historical experience, domestic politics, and the changing international environment.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 372 The Analysis of International Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Notes
R: POLS-Y 109 or equivalent
Description
Introduction to the systematic study of international politics, focusing on the major approaches of decision making (microanalysis) and the international system (macroanalysis) and on a number of specific methodologies, such as game theory, content analysis, simulation, and quantitative/ statistical techniques.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 374 International Organization
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines assumptions about the causes, functions, results, and structures of international (intergovernmental) organizations. Theory is combined with case study of the United Nations particularly. The European Community and regional organization examples provide a basis for understanding an evolving phenomenon.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 375 War and International Conflict
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
The nature of war. Theories and evidence on the causes of war. Discussion of the ways in which war has been conceived and perceived across time and of methods employed to study the phenomenon of war.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 376 International Political Economy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Theories about the interaction between the international economic and political systems are the subject of this course. Works from each of the main traditions -- liberal, Marxist, and statist -- will be assigned. Specific topics covered will include (among others): the politics of trade, aid, foreign investment, and international monetary affairs; theories of dependency and imperialism; the politics of international competition in specific industries; the stability/ instability of international economic regimes.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 399 Politics of the United Nations
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Origins and evolution of the UN; principal UN bodies, how they operate and what they do; who finances the UN; controversies and voting patterns in the UN; attitudes toward the UN and debates within member countries regarding its role; impact of UN activities and programs (e.g., conflict resolution and mediation, peacekeeping and peace enforcement; nation building, development aid, weapons proliferation, human rights, health, environment).
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of NELC-N 398 or POLS-Y 399.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 407 Problems in Comparative Politics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Exploration of issues and themes in the field of comparative politics. Includes advanced methodological, empirical, and theoretical approaches. Topics vary.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
Political Theory and Methodology. One (1) course:
- POLS-Y 379 Ethics and Public Policy
- POLS-Y 381 Classical Political Thought
- POLS-Y 382 Modern Political Thought
- POLS-Y 383 Foundations of American Political Thought
- POLS-Y 384 Developments in American Political Thought
- POLS-Y 386 African American Political Thought
- POLS-Y 388 Marxist Theory
- POLS-Y 395 Quantitative Political Analysis
- POLS-Y 405 Models and Theories of Political Decision Making
- POLS-Y 406 Problems in Political Philosophy
POLS-Y 379 Ethics and Public Policy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
This course examines the ethical responsibilities of public officials in democratic societies. It explores such topics as the meaning of moral leadership, the appeal to personal conscious in public decision making, and the problem of "dirty hands" among others. A special concern is how institutional arrangements affect moral choices.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
POLS-Y 381 Classical Political Thought
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
An exposition and critical analysis of the major political philosophers and philosophical schools from Plato to Machiavelli.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
POLS-Y 382 Modern Political Thought
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
An exposition and critical analysis of the major political philosophers and philosophical schools from Machiavelli to the present.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
POLS-Y 383 Foundations of American Political Thought
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Explores the evolution of American political ideas from colonization through ratification of the Constitution and its implementation.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
POLS-Y 384 Developments in American Political Thought
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Explores the evolution of American political ideas under the Constitution of the United States, and its promises and problems.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
POLS-Y 386 African American Political Thought
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Focuses on the various ideologies and strategies informing the African American political struggles in the United States. Readings focus on thinkers and activists from the rebellion against slavery to the contemporary debates about institutional racism and reparations. Features work by African American thinkers associated with a broad range of movements.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
POLS-Y 388 Marxist Theory
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Origin, content, and development of Marxist system of thought, with particular reference to philosophical and political aspects of Russian Marxism.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
POLS-Y 395 Quantitative Political Analysis
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduction to methods and statistics used in political inquiry, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, sampling, statistical inference and hypothesis testing, measures of association, analysis of variance, and regression.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of ANTH-A 306, CJUS-K 300, ECON-E 370, ECON-S 370, MATH-K 300, MATH-K 310, POLS-Y 395, PSY-K 300, PSY-K 310, SOC-S 371, SPEA-K 300, SPH-Q 381, STAT-K 310, STAT-S 300, STAT-S 301, or STAT-S 303.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE NMcourse
POLS-Y 405 Models and Theories of Political Decision Making
Credits
3
Prerequisites
One course in political science at the 200 level or above
Notes
R: ECON-E 201
Description
Introduces collective choice and game theory for understanding how societies make political decisions. Examines how institutions, or the political context in which decisions are made, affect group choices. Theories of individual and group decision making, collective choice, and social dilemmas. Applications to congressional politics, intergovernmental relations, and parliamentary democracies.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
POLS-Y 406 Problems in Political Philosophy
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Centers on conflicting interpretations of justice, liberty, and equality, as well as certain problems of democracy, including the tension between majority rules and minority rights, and the correlation of rights and duties. Topics vary.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
Senior Seminar. One (1) course:
- POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar in Political Science
- POLS-Y 499 Honors Thesis
POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar in Political Science

Credits
3
Prerequisites
Senior standing or consent of department
Notes
Research paper required
Description
Seminar sessions arranged to present papers for evaluation and criticism by fellow students. Subject matter varies by semester.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

POLS-Y 499 Honors Thesis

Credits
1–12 credit hours
Prerequisites
Consent of instructor and departmental honors director
Description
None
Repeatability
May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours.
Electives. Additional political science courses as needed to fulfill remaining requirements, excluding POLS-X 471, POLS-X 476, POLS-X 477, POLS-X 490, POLS-Y 496, and POLS-Y 499.*
Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
2. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
4. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
5. Exceptions to major requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Notes

* No more than six (6) credit hours of 100-level courses and nine (9) combined credit hours of POLS-Y 200, POLS-Y 300, and POLS-Y 401 (courses with variable topics) may be included in the 30 credit hours. POLS-Y 200, POLS-Y 300, and POLS-Y 401 may be repeated only once for credit.
* Students pursuing a major in Political Science may also complete one of the minors offered by the Department of Political Science as long as distinct courses are used for each (See the Policy on Counting a Course toward Multiple Degree Objectives). Students may not complete both the Major in Political Science and the Minor in Political Science.
* The department encourages students to consider internships, overseas study, and service learning as complements to their major in political science.