American Politics

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science; American Politics Option

College Humanities & Sciences

Catalog Year: 2016-2017

Degree Specific Credits: 40

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Note: Students majoring in Political Science with an option in American Politics option must take a minimum of 40 credits of political science, including one 300-400 level course in four of the five major fields. 21 of the 40 credits must be in upper-division courses. No more than 7 credits of independent study (PSCI 492) and internship (PSCI 498) combined may count toward the 40 required credits. In addition, no more than 15 total credits in special topics courses (e.g., PSCI 320, 391) may count toward the 40 required credits. A maximum of 60 PSCI credits can count towards the Political Science Major.
Students can use the same 300/400 course to fulfill both the upper-division core and the option requirements, but may not double-count the course credits.

Required Lower Division Courses

Rule: Must complete all of the following courses:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 210S - Intro to American Government
Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instructor. Constitutional principles, structures, and the political processes of the national government.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 220S - Intro to Comparative Govt
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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 230X - Intro to International Rel
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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 250E - Intro to Political Theory
Offered spring. Analysis of the various attempts (from Plato to Marx) to explain, instruct, and justify the distribution of political power in society. Emphasis is placed upon those theories whose primary concern is to define the nature of the "good" society.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 12 Total Credits Required

Required Upper Division Courses

Rule: Must complete the following course:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 400 - Adv Writing in Pol Science
(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.
 1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 1 Total Credits Required

Degree Electives

Rule: Must complete 5 of the following courses

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 340 - Exp Offering: American Govt
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of American government.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description PSCI 341 - Political Parties and Election
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. Political party organization, nominations, campaigns and elections in the United States.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 342 - Media, Public Opinion, Polling
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S. Study of the role played by mass media in shaping public opinion, policy agendas, and governmental institutions.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 344 - State and Local Government
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 346 - American Presidency
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 210S. The constitutional foundation and evolution of the executive branch, the structure of the office and executive functions and powers.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 348 - US Multicultural Politics
Offered intermittently.  Examines the politics of diversity in the U.S., including national community, identity, citizenship, immigration, assimilation, and racial issues such as voting rights, affirmative action, segregation and integration, and public opinion.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 352 - American Political Thought
Offered spring. Prereq., PSCI 250E 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 365 - Pub Policy Issues and Analysis
Examines a variety of public policy issues including economic, social welfare, health care, environmental and criminal justice policy.  Emphasis is placed on substantive policies and policy analysis.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 370 - Courts and Judicial Politics
Offered spring. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. Introduction to American courts with emphasis on judicial policy making.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 440 - Exp Offering: American Govt
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of American government.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description PSCI 443 - Politics of Social Movements
Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. The role of social movements in shaping the politics of power, reflected in public policy, electoral politics, relations of class, race, and gender, and people's understanding of the world and their place in it.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 444 - Am Political Participation
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S. Examination of the individual and institutional factors affecting voter turnout, the influences on voter decision making, and non-electoral forms of participation in the United States.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 445 - Political Psychology
Offered intermittently.  Applies psychological theories such as personality, emotion, cognition, and social influence to political attitudes and actions, including political opinion formation, conformity, prejudice, genocide, and political leadership.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 468 - Public Policy
Offered intermittently. Prereq., Junior standing. Follows specific policy problem through each stage of the public policy cycle, including how policy is formulated in the legislative branch, implemented by the executive branch and reviewed by the judicial branch.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 15 Total Credits Required

Required Upper Division Field Courses

Rule: Must complete 1 upper division course in 4 of the 5 fields:

Note: Any field course can also be counted toward a Political science option. Student must take an additional four courses from the following options.

Minimum Required Grade: C-
12 Total Credits Required

Public Administration

Rule: May select one of the following courses:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 344 - State and Local Government
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 360 - Exp Offering: Public Admin
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental or onetime offerings in the subfield of public administration or policy.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description PSCI 361 - Public Administration
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. Legal and institutional setting of the administrative system; dynamics of organization and processes of public management.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 365 - Pub Policy Issues and Analysis
Examines a variety of public policy issues including economic, social welfare, health care, environmental and criminal justice policy.  Emphasis is placed on substantive policies and policy analysis.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 391 - Special Topics
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description PSCI 448 - Health Care Policy
offered autumn. Focuses on sociopolitical environment influencing health policy in the United States including health politics and policy development, political structure and process, health care financing, public opinion and special interest groups, political leadership, policy reform and global health. 
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 449 - Environmental Health Policy
Offered spring. Focuses on environmental health policy in the U.S., its evolution, current status, and areas of change.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 461 - Administrative Law
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. The legal foundations of public administration with emphasis on legislative delegation, administrative rulemaking and adjudication, judicial review, and public participation.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 462 - Human Resource Management
Offered spring. Study of the essential elements of human resource management, including analysis and evaluation of work, and the selection, management, and evaluation of public employees.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 463 - Development Administration
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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 466 - Nonprofit Adm & Pub Svc
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing. Investigation of the aspects involved in nonprofit management and public service and the complexity of the role of nonprofit organizations in society.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 467 - Adv Nonprofit Adm
Offered spring. Prereq., PSCI 466. In-depth exploration of the special issues related to nonprofit management including fund raising, budgeting, and program planning.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 468 - Public Policy Cycle
Offered intermittently. Prereq., Junior standing. Follows specific policy problem through each stage of the public policy cycle, including how policy is formulated in the legislative branch, implemented by the executive branch and reviewed by the judicial branch.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 469 - Ethics and Public Policy
Offered spring. Focuses on the ethical challenges faced by public servants in government agencies.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 0-3 Total Credits Required

Political Theory

Rule: May select 1 of the following courses:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 350 - Exp Offering: Political Theory
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of political theory.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description PSCI 352 - American Political Thought
Offered spring. Prereq., PSCI 250E 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 354 - Contemp Issues in Pol Theory
(R-6) Offered intermittently in autumn. Prereq., PSCI 250E or consent of instr. and junior standing. Topics variable. Research and assessment of current political and social issues through the study of a representative text and related literature.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 450 - Exp Offering: Political Theory
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of political theory.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description PSCI 451 - Ancient & Medieval Pol Phil
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 250E or consent of instr and junior standing. 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 452 - Utopianism and its Critics
Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing. Examination of classic and contemporary utopias, from Plato's Republicto Barbara Goodwin's Justice by Lottery as well as their critics.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 453 - Modern Political Theory
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 250E or consent of instr and Junior Level or higher. Analysis of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, James and John Stuart Mill, Marx and Lenin with regard to their "modern" views of the purpose(s) of political inquiry, the nature of citizenship and popular sovereignty. Particular attention to contemporary implications of ideas.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 0-3 Total Credits Required

Comparative Government

Rule: May select 1 of the following courses:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 320 - Exp Offering: Comp Politics
(R- 6) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of comparative politics.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description PSCI 321 - Post-Communist Politics
Offered spring. Prereq junior standing or consent of instructor. Historical and contemporary analysis of politics in post-communist states with an emphasis on Eastern Europe and Russia.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 322 - Politics of Europe
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Comparative analysis of parliamentary forms of government and politics with emphasis on Great Britain, France and Germany.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 324 - Climate Policies: China & U.S.
Offered every other year. Same as CCS 324. Explores historic, current, and future greenhouse-gas emissions of the United States and China, reasons why both are the two largest C02 emitters, and prevailing national and subnational government policies and nongovernmental actions that affect emissions mitigation and adaptation.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 325 - Politics of Latin America
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing. Latin American politics from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 326 - Politics of Africa
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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 327 - Politics of Mexico
Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. A review of contemporary politics of Mexico from the Revolution to the present.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 328 - Politics of China
Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Institutions and political development in China.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 329 - Politics of Japan
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Institutions and political development in Japan.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 420 - Exp Offering: Comp Politics
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of comparative politics.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description PSCI 421 - Comparative Legal Systems
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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 422 - Revolution & Reform in China
Offered autumn. A history of the rise and fall of the Maoist regime and the complicated impact of the epochal post Mao reform movement.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 443 - Politics of Social Movements
Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. The role of social movements in shaping the politics of power, reflected in public policy, electoral politics, relations of class, race, and gender, and people's understanding of the world and their place in it.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 0-3 Total Credits Required

International Relations

Rule: May select 1 of the following courses:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 330 - Exp Offering: Intrnt Relations
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of international relations.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description PSCI 332 - Global Environmental Pol.
Offered fall. Prereq. PSCI 230X and junior standing or consent of instructor. This course focuses on the unique set of collective action problems faced by global actors in the governance of the environment and the institutions they use to overcome those problems. Themes include the tragedy of the commons, climate change, and environmental security.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 334 - International Security
Offered Spring. Prereq. PSCI 230 and junior standing or consent of instr. Explores the meaning, sources, and future of human, national, and international security. Considers a range of historical and contemporary threats (interstate war, civil war, terrorism, crime, natural disaster, human accident, disease, and deprivation), assesses the vulnerability of individuals and states to each threat, and evaluates national and international strategies to reduce them.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 335 - American Foreign Policy
Prereq., PSCI 230X and junior standing or consent of instr. American diplomatic, economic and defense policies since World War II and their significance in international politics.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 336 - European Union
Offered spring. Prereq junior standing or consent of instructor. Historical and contemporary analysis of political and economic integration in Europe with a focus on the political system of the European Union.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 337 - Model United Nations
Offered autumn. Prereq., sophomore standing or consent of instr. History and structure of the UN. Contemporary global problems, and the UN's role in addressing them. Class has both active learning and service learning dimensions. Students plan, organize and run the annual Montana Model UN high school conference.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 430 - Exp Offering: Intrnt Relations
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of international relations.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description PSCI 431 - Politics of Global Migration
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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 433 - International Law & Org
Offered fall. Prereq. PSCI 230 and junior standing or consent of instr. Introduction to classical principles and contemporary issues of the law of nations and the organizations created to facilitate international cooperation.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 463 - Development Administration
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.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 0-3 Total Credits Required

American Politics

Rule: May select 1 of the following courses:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 340 - Exp Offering: American Govt
(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of American government.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description PSCI 341 - Political Parties and Election
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. Political party organization, nominations, campaigns and elections in the United States.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 342 - Media, Public Opinion, Polling
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S. Study of the role played by mass media in shaping public opinion, policy agendas, and governmental institutions.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 344 - State and Local Government
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 346 - American Presidency
Offered autumn. Prereq., PSCI 210S. The constitutional foundation and evolution of the executive branch, the structure of the office and executive functions and powers.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 348 - US Multicultural Politics
Offered intermittently.  Examines the politics of diversity in the U.S., including national community, identity, citizenship, immigration, assimilation, and racial issues such as voting rights, affirmative action, segregation and integration, and public opinion.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 352 - American Political Thought
Offered spring. Prereq., PSCI 250E 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 365 - Pub Policy Issues and Analysis
Examines a variety of public policy issues including economic, social welfare, health care, environmental and criminal justice policy.  Emphasis is placed on substantive policies and policy analysis.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 370 - Courts and Judicial Politics
Offered spring. Prereq., PSCI 210S and junior standing. Introduction to American courts with emphasis on judicial policy making.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 440 - Exp Offering: American Govt
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental or one-time offerings in the subfield of American government.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description PSCI 443 - Politics of Social Movements
Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. The role of social movements in shaping the politics of power, reflected in public policy, electoral politics, relations of class, race, and gender, and people's understanding of the world and their place in it.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 444 - Am Political Participation
Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSCI 210S. Examination of the individual and institutional factors affecting voter turnout, the influences on voter decision making, and non-electoral forms of participation in the United States.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 445 - Political Psychology
Offered intermittently.  Applies psychological theories such as personality, emotion, cognition, and social influence to political attitudes and actions, including political opinion formation, conformity, prejudice, genocide, and political leadership.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 468 - Public Policy Cycle
Offered intermittently. Prereq., Junior standing. Follows specific policy problem through each stage of the public policy cycle, including how policy is formulated in the legislative branch, implemented by the executive branch and reviewed by the judicial branch.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 0-3 Total Credits Required