Jonathan R. Tompkins,
Chair
From the time of Plato and Aristotle, the study of politics has been
concerned with how human communities use power to shape the lives
of individuals. Students of politics observe the world's political
institutions, from local governments to international organizations.
They are interested in the quality of political leadership, the values
which underlie public affairs, the political and legal processes used
to make governmental decisions, and the wisdom of policies. Politics
is the continuing dialogue about the best way for communities to govern
themselves.
The department offers a varied undergraduate curriculum covering domestic,
foreign, and international politics. By meeting requirements outlined
below, a student may earn a bachelor degree in political science or
in political science history; a minor in political science; or a bachelor
degree in political science with an option in American politics, international
relations and comparative politics, public administration or public
law. A Master of Arts degree in political science and a Master of
Public Administration degree are also offered.
The scope of the faculty's interest and research is wide. They bring
special insights gained through study and residence in Canada, England,
Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, India, the Far East
and Latin America, as well as in Montana and Washington, D.C. All
members of the department teach introductory and advanced courses.
Courses offered in the department are designed to: (1) assist students
to secure a broad liberal education and to equip them with the foundations
for American citizenship; (2) provide undergraduate preparation for
those students who propose to continue study at the graduate level
with the ultimate goal of college teaching and research; (3) offer
a broad program of training for those students who plan careers in
government or politics; 4) assist in preparing students for careers
in teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels; (5) provide
a sound background for those students who intend to enroll in law
and other professional schools.
The major fields of political science are (1) American government
and politics with national, state and local government, politics,
and public law as sub fields; (2) public administration; (3) political
theory; (4) comparative government; (5) international relations, organization
and law.
Majors are eligible for membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the national
political science honorary and are active in student political activities.
The Department of Political Science secures a number of legislative
and administrative internships in state and local government each
year. Internships and other learning opportunities in Washington,
D.C., are also available.
Special Degree Requirements
back to top
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.
See index.
All majors must meet the Upper-division Writing Expectation by successfully
completing PSC 400.
Political Science Major: Students majoring in political science
must take a minimum of 36 credits of political science, including
100S, 120S, 130E, 150E; and one 300-400 level course in four of the
five major fields listed above. Twenty-one of the 36 credits must
be in upper-division courses. No more than 7 credits of independent
study (PSC 496) and internship (PSC 498) combined may count toward
the 36 required credits.
Political Science Major with an Option in American Politics:
A student may earn a major in political science with an option in
American politics by completing 39 credits in political science, including:
100S, 120S, 130E, 150E; one 300-400 level course in four of the five
major fields of political science listed previously; and five of the
following courses: 341, 342, 343, 352, 366, 370, 387. Courses used
to complete the upper-division requirement of this option also fulfill
the 300-400 level requirement in the respective major fields of political
science.
Political Science Major with an Option in International Relations
and Comparative Politics: A student may earn a major in political
science with an option in international relations and comparative
politics by completing 39 credits in political science, including:
100S, 120S, 130E, 150E; one 300-400 level course in four of the five
major fields of political science listed previously; and three courses
from each of the following groups: a) 321H, 322H, 324H, 325, 326H,
327, 328H, 329H, 420; and b) 332, 335, 336, 430, 431, 433E. Strongly
recommended: a) minimum of two years of foreign language study; b)
internship/study-abroad program. Courses used to complete the upper-division
requirement of this option also fulfill the 300-400 level requirement
in the respective major fields of political science.
Political Science Major with an Option in Public Administration:
A student may earn a major in political science with an option in
public administration by completing a minimum of 39 credits in political
science, including: 100S, 120S, 130E, 150E; one 300-400 level course
in four of the five major fields of political science listed previously;
361, 460, and two of the following courses: 364, 461, 463S. A legislative
or administrative internship is strongly recommended. Courses used
to complete the upper-division requirement of this option also fulfill
the 300-400 level requirement in the respective major fields of political
science.
Political Science Major with an Option in Public Law: A student
may earn a major in political science with an option in public law
by completing a minimum of 39 credits in political science, including
100S, 120S, 130E, 150E; one 300-400 level course in four of the five
major fields of political science listed previously; 370, and four
of the following courses: 352, 420, 433E, 461, 471, 472. Courses used
to complete the upper-division requirement of this option also fulfill
the 300-400 level requirement in the respective major fields of political
science.
Teacher Preparation in Political Science (Government)
back to top
Major Teaching Field of Political Science (Government): For
an endorsement in the major teaching field of Political Science (Government),
a student must complete the requirements for the B.A. degree with
a major in Political Science. Students also must complete C&I
428, gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and
meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see
the School of Education section of this catalog).
Minor Teaching Field of Political Science (Government): For
an endorsement in the minor teaching field of Political Science (Government),
a student must complete the requirements for the political science
minor as given in the section, Requirements for a Minor. Students
also must complete C&I 428, gain admission to Teacher Education
and Student Teaching and meet the requirements for certification as
a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog).
Combined Political Science History Teaching Major: The B.A.
degree with a major in Political Science History is designed for students
seeking an endorsement to teach comprehensive (broad field) Social
Science. Students complete a broad range of courses in political science
and history (48 credits) and from 9 to 13 credits of courses from
two additional social science disciplines. Students must complete
PSC 100S, PSC 120S, PSC 130E, and 15 elective credits in upper division
political science courses. In history, students must complete three
courses from HIST 104H, 105H, 151H, 152H, Hist 300 and 9 credits in
upper division history courses, including a selection from American
and other than American history. No more than 60 credits in Political
Science and History may be counted toward the degree. In addition,
students must complete ECON 100S, 111S, 112S; GEOG 101N, one regional
geography course, and six additional credits in geography; PSYC 100S
and a course emphasizing Native Americans in Montana and North America.
Students also must complete C&I 428, gain admission to Teacher
Education and Student Teaching and meet the requirements for certification
as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this
catalog). Comprehensive Social Science qualifies for a single teaching
field endorsement. Students must have an advisor in either political
science or history and an advisor from the School of Education for
teacher certification. This program qualifies students to teach government,
history, economics and geography for grades 5 12.
Suggested Course of Study
back to top
Political Science Major:
First
Year |
A
|
S
|
PSC 100S
Introduction to American Government |
3
|
-
|
PSC 120S
Comparative Government |
-
|
3
|
Seven
General Education courses |
12
|
9
|
One elective |
-
|
3
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Second
Year |
|
|
PSC 130E
International Relations |
3
|
-
|
PSC 150E
Political Theory |
-
|
3
|
Seven
General Education courses |
12
|
9
|
One elective |
-
|
3
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Third
Year |
|
|
Four PSC
300-400-level courses |
6
|
6
|
Six electives
|
9
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Fourth
Year |
|
|
Four PSC
300-400-level courses |
6
|
6
|
Six electives |
9
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Political Science with American Politics Option:
First /Second Year:
same for all options
Third
Year |
A
|
S
|
Three
300-400-level American Politics courses |
6
|
3
|
Two
other 300-400-level PSC courses |
3
|
3
|
Five electives |
6
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Fourth
Year |
|
|
Two 300-400-level
American Politics courses |
3
|
3
|
Two other
300-400-level PSC courses |
3
|
3
|
Six electives
|
9
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Political Science with International Relations and Comparative
Politics Option:
First/Second Year:
same for all options
Recommend beginning foreign language study as part of General
Education courses.
Third
Year |
A
|
S
|
Three
300-400-level International and Comparative courses |
6
|
3
|
Two other
300-400-level PSC courses |
3
|
3
|
Five electives |
6
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Fourth
Year |
|
|
Three
300-400-level International and Comparative courses |
6
|
3
|
One other
300-400-level PSC course |
3
|
-
|
Six electives |
6
|
12
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Political Science with Public Administration Option:
back to top
First/Second Year:
same for all options
Third
Year |
A
|
S
|
PSC 361
Public Administration |
3
|
-
|
One 300-400-level
public administration course |
-
|
3
|
Two other
300-400-level PSC courses |
3
|
3
|
Six electives |
9
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Fourth
Year |
|
|
One 300-400-level
public administration course |
3
|
-
|
PSC
460 Human Resource Management |
-
|
3
|
Three
other 300-400-level PSC courses |
6
|
3
|
Five electives |
6
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Political Science with Public Law Option:
First/Second Year:
same for all options
Third
Year |
A
|
S
|
PSC 370
Courts and Judicial Politics |
-
|
3
|
Two 300-400-level
Public Law courses |
3
|
3
|
Two other
300-400-level PSC courses |
3
|
3
|
Five electives |
9
|
6
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Fourth
Year |
|
|
Two 300-400-level
Public Law courses |
3
|
3
|
Two other
300-400-level PSC courses |
3
|
3
|
Six electives
|
9
|
9
|
Total |
15
|
15
|
Requirements for a Minor
To earn a minor in political science the student must complete a minimum
of 21 credits of political science, including 100S, 120S, 130E, 150E;
and three additional 300 400 level courses in three of the five major
fields of political science listed previously. Nine of the 21 credits
must be in 300 400 level courses.
Courses back
to top
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate
credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the
course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the
R.
U 100S Introduction to American Government 3 cr. Offered every
term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with
consent of chair. Constitutional principles, structures, and the political
processes of the national government. Credit not allowed for both
PSC 100S and POL 146S.
U 120S Introduction to Comparative Government 3 cr. 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.
U 130E International Relations 3 cr. Offered every term. Not
open to senior level political science majors except with consent
of instr. Review of the evolution of the nation state system and survey
of contemporary international actors, issues and forces for stability
and change.
U 150E Political Theory 3 cr. Offered autumn and 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.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 300 Writing in Political Science 1 cr. (R-3) Offered every
term. Coreq., any upper-division political science course. Designed
for students seeking an approved writing course or desiring additional
experience in writing.
UG 321H Politics of Western Europe 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
PSC 100S and junior standing or consent of instr. Comparative analysis
of parliamentary forms of government and politics with emphasis on
Great Britain, France and Germany.
UG 322H Soviet and Post Soviet Politics 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., PSC 100S and junior standing or consent of instr. Culture,
ideology and political institutions of the former Soviet Union and
its successor states.
UG 324H Politics of Canada 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PSC
100S and junior standing or consent of instr. Analysis of cultural,
social and economic underpinnings of Canadian politics with emphasis
on the interaction among federalism, nationalism and Canada U.S. relations.
UG 325 Politics of Latin America 3 cr. Offered autumn. Latin
American politics from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
UG 326H Politics of Africa 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior
standing or consent of instr. Development of the political systems
of sub Saharan Africa. Analysis of the interaction between African
and Western social, political, and economic forces. Consideration
of African political thought.
UG 327 Politics of Mexico 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., junior
standing or consent of instr. A review of contemporary politics of
Mexico from the Revolution to the present.
UG 328H Politics of China 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior
standing or consent of instr. Institutions and political development
in China.
UG 329H Politics of Japan 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., junior
standing or consent of instr. Institutions and political development
in Japan.
UG 332 International Organizations 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
PSC 130E and junior standing or consent of instr. A theoretical and
political examination of the United Nations (and selected other organizations)
as an instrument of international cooperation.
UG 335 American Foreign Policy 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
PSC 130E and junior standing or consent of instr. American diplomatic,
economic and defense policies since World War II and their significance
in international politics.
UG 336 The Causes of War 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., junior
standing or consent of instr. A colloquium to clarify the definitional
and philosophical problems besetting the search for the causes (and
the prevention) of war.
UG 341 Political Parties and Elections 3 cr. Offered spring
even-numbered years. Prereq., PSC 100S. Political party organization,
nominations, campaigns and elections in the United States.
UG 342 Media and Public Opinion 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., PSC 100S. Study of the role played by mass media in shaping
public opinion, policy agendas, and governmental institutions.
UG 343 Politics of Social Movements 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
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.
U 350E Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Prereq., PSC 150E or 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.
UG 352 American Political Thought 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
PSC 150E 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.
U 353E Modern Political Theory 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
PSC 150E or consent of instr. Analysis of Hobbes, Locke, Rouseau,
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.
UG 354 Contemporary Issues in Political Theory 3 cr. (R 6)
Offered intermittently in autumn. Prereq., PSC 150E or consent of
instr. Topics variable. Research and assessment of current political
and social issues through the study of a representative text and related
literature.
UG 355 Theories of Civil Violence 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
junior standing or consent of instr. Survey of the theoretical literature
on civil violence, its causes and consequences. Analysis of violence
as a political technique and of counter measures designed to prevent
or control it.
U 361 Public Administration 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
PSC 100S. Legal and institutional setting of the administrative system;
dynamics of organization and processes of public management.
UG 364 State and Local Government 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., PSC 100S and junior standing. 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.
UG 366 The American Presidency 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
PSC 100S. The constitutional foundation and evolution of the executive
branch, the structure of the office and executive functions and powers.
U 370 Courts and Judicial Politics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
PSC 100S and junior standing. Introduction to American courts with
emphasis on judicial policy making.
UG 387 Legislative Politics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
PSC 100S. Structure, processes, and politics of U.S. Congress and
state legislatures. During legislative years, special emphasis will
be devoted to the Montana Legislature.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 400 Advanced Writing in Political Science 1 cr. (R-3) Offered
every term. 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.
UG 420 Comparative Legal Systems 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
junior standing. Emphasis on non-western approaches to law, specifically
Islamic law and the legal systems of East Asia. Focus on constitutional
law, judicial process, civil liberties, and law enforcement and corrections.
UG 430 Inter American Relations 3 cr. Offered intermittently.
Prereq., PSC 325 or consent of instr. Examination of problems, issues
and concepts in the international relations of nations of the western
hemisphere.
UG 431 Politics of Global Migration 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
junior standing or consent of instr. Exploration of the elective and
forced migration of peoples within countries and across national boundaries.
Geographical coverage includes Asia, North and Central America, Africa,
and Europe. Attention to policy and gender issues surrounding economic
and political migration.
UG 433E International Law 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PSC
332 and junior standing or consent of instr. Introduction to classical
principles and contemporary issues of the law of nations.
UG 460 Human Resource Management 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
PSC 361 or consent of instr. Study of the essential elements of human
resource management, including analysis and evaluation of work, and
the selection, management, and evaluation of public employees.
UG 461 Administrative Law 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered
years. Prereq., PSC 100S and junior standing. The legal foundations
of public administration with emphasis on legislative delegation,
administrative rulemaking and adjudication, judicial review, and public
participation.
UG 463S Development Administration 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
junior standing or consent of instr. Study of the functions and processes
of public administration in the Third World. Focus on alleviating
poverty and underdevelopment. Includes project design and development
planning activities.
UG 471 Constitutional Law I: Federalism and Separation of Powers
3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr.
Case studies of judicial policy making by interpretation of the United
States Constitution.
UG 472 Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties 3 cr.
Offered spring. Prereq., PSC 471 or consent of instr. Case studies
of judicial policy making by interpretation of the United States Constitution.
U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R 15) Offered every term. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Independent work under the University omnibus option.
See index.
UG 495 Special Topics in Political Science 1-3 cr. (R 9) Offered
intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 496 Independent Study in Political Science 1-3 cr. (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.
U 498 Cooperative Education Experience 1-10 cr. 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 Center for Work-Based Learning. A maximum
of 3 credits may be counted toward a major in political science. Offered
pass/not pass only.
G 501 Public Administration 3 cr. Offered autumn. Advanced
analysis of processes of public management; examination of public
administrators' involvement in policy making.
G 503 Policy Analysis 3 cr. Offered spring. The role of public
administrators in the policymaking process with emphasis on methods
of policy analysis and program evaluation.
G 504 Organization Theory 3 cr. Offered spring. Concepts and
theories relevant to the administration of complex organizations,
including administrative structure, behavior, process and functions.
G 505 Budgeting and Finance 3 cr. Offered spring. Seminar focusing
on principles of public finance and analysis of budgeting as a primary
tool of public sector management.
G 520 Comparative Government 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Concentrated reading and examination of selected
subject areas in the field of comparative government.
G 521 Capitalism and Democracy in the Americas 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., senior or graduate standing or consent of instr.
Critical examination of the politics of capitalism and democracy in
Latin America from a variety of perspectives. Reading and discussion
of key texts. Students present research that engages theoretical themes
in contexts relative to their graduate work.
G 522 Human Resource Management 3 cr. Offered autumn. Study
of the essential elements of human resource management, including
analysis and evaluation of work, and the selection, management, and
evaluation of public employees.
G 523 Administrative Law 3 cr. Offered autumn. The legal foundations
of public administration with emphasis on legislative delegation,
administrative rulemaking and adjudication, judicial review, and public
participation.
G 524 Management Skills 3 cr. 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.
G 525 Strategic Planning and Leadership 3 cr. Focus on the
means by which public and nonprofit agencies can carry out their missions
effectively.
G 526 Issues in State Government 3 cr. Examination of the evolution
and development of state governments since the founding period by
focusing on the basic political institutions and a broad range of
public policy issues that affect governing in the states.
G 528 Public Administration Practicum 2 cr. Offered every term.
Field work in a government or nonprofit agency or reflective analysis
of work experience.
G 529 MPA Research Design 1 cr. Preparation of a research design
for the applied research project required of MPA students.
G 530 International Relations 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
consent of instr. Concentrated reading and examination of selected
subject areas in the field of international relations.
G 540 American Government 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent
of instr. Concentrated reading and examination of selected subject
areas in the field of American government.
G 550 Political Theory 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent
of instr. Concentrated reading and examination of selected subject
areas in the field of political theory.
G 580 MA Research Design 1 cr. Selection of topic and development
of research design for MA thesis.
G 594 Seminar Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently. Topic
varies.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings
of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term.
Prereq., consent of instr.
G 597 Applied Research Project 1- 4 cr. (R 4) Offered every
term. Prereq., consent of instr. Offered pass/not pass only.
G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 6) Offered
every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Offered pass/not pass only.
G 599 Thesis Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term.
Faculty back
to top
Professors
Forest L. Grieves, Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1967
Louis D. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1966
Peter Koehn, Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1973
James J. Lopach, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 1973
Jonathan R. Tompkins, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1981 (Chair)
Associate Professors
Jeffery D. Greene, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1992
Ramoma Grey, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside, 1991
Paul L. Haber, Ph.D., Columbia University, 1992
Michael J. Laslovich, Ph.D., Carleton University, 1988