Political Science
PS 100X 3
Credits
Political Economy (s)
(Cross-listed with ECON 100X)
Survey of the evolution and operation of the American
domestic political economy with consideration of market failures and government
responses. Review of major issues in political economy such as inflation,
poverty and budget deficits. Exploration of linkages between American and
global systems. Also available via Independent Learning. (3 + 0)
Offered Fall, Spring
PS 101 3
Credits
Introduction to American Government and Politics (s)
Principles, institutions and practices of American national
government; the Constitution, federalism, interest groups, parties, public
opinion and elections. Also available via Independent Learning.
(3 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring
PS 201 3
Credits
Comparative Politics (s)
Introduction to the
systematic study of government and politics in countries other than the United
States. Through lecture and discussion, students will explore such questions as
why some countries are democracies and other countries dictatorships; why some
remain stable and peaceful, while others seem in constant turmoil. This is a
prerequisite for other courses in comparative politics. (3 + 0)
Offered Fall
PS 202 3
Credits
Democracy and Global Society (s)
Examination of the various definitions and types of democracy
and the global contexts within which they develop. Cases used draw from a wide
range of states, societies and world-historical contexts, and allow comparisons
among developed and developing countries. (Next offered: 2007-08.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 203 3
Credits
Peace, War and Security (s)
Introduction to the major challenges of maintaining a
peaceful and secure world. What are the major threats to our security and how
are they met? The course analyzes political, cultural, moral and legal norms
surrounding war and terrorism and different means of organizing for peace and
security. (Recommended: ENGL 111X.) (Next offered: 2006-07)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
PS 205 3
Credits
Leadership, Citizenship and Choice
(Cross-listed with NORS 205)
History of democratic principles in America and how people
can contribute to political and community life in the local, state and national
arenas, as leaders and citizens. Examines ethical dilemmas of leadership and
politics and social issues facing Alaskan and American societies. Course includes
an experiential learning component. (3 + 0) Offered Spring
PS 212 3
Credits
Introduction to Public Administration (s)
Theories and practice of public administration, especially as
applied to federal agencies. Study of organization, planning and decision
making in implementing public policy. (3 + 0) Offered As Demand
Warrants
PS 222 3
Credits
Political Science Research Methods (s)
Familiarizes students with the research methods that have
been used to produce political knowledge about significant political phenomena.
Includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods. (Prerequisite: PS
101; must be completed before a student advances to senior standing in the
discipline. Next offered 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Fall
PS 263 3
Credits
Alaska Native Politics (s)
Political development, organization, interests and activities
of Alaska Natives; treatment of ethnic leadership issues, history of federal
Indian policy, evolution of Native leadership, village and regional government,
land claims, and community politics from the Alaska Native brotherhood to ANCSA
to the Alaska Native Coalition. Compares Alaska Native political developments
to those of other circumpolar Northern Native communities. (Next offered:
2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 300X 3
Credits
Ethics and Society (h)
What is the right thing to do? A presentation of important
theories of values, morality and ethics to answer this question. Application of
theories to dilemmas of choice in the public world—such as euthanasia,
abortion, animal rights, sexual morality and environmental ethics. Also
available via Independent Learning. (Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Recommended but not required: Two courses in the Perspectives on the Human
Condition baccalaureate core.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring
PS 301 3
Credits
American Presidency (s)
The institution of the presidency in the American political
system. (Prerequisite: PS 101 or permission of instructor. Next offered:
2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
PS 302 3
Credits
Congress and Public Policy (s)
The American Congress in the political system. (Prerequisite:
PS 101. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Spring
PS 303 3
Credits
Politics and the Judicial Process
The role of federal courts as political institutions. The
politics of judicial selection, the nature of judicial decision-making and
intracourt politics, litigations as a policy making device, changes in the
nature and scope of judicial power, governmental attorneys, the legal
bureaucracy, and judicial agenda setting. (Prerequisite: PS 101.)
(3 + 0) Offered Fall
PS 314W 3
Credits
Political Ideologies (s)
An examination of the purpose of ideology as an orienting set
of political ideas with mass appeal. Analysis of twentieth century ideologies,
including anarchism, communism, liberalism, socialism, environmentalism and
feminism. (Prerequisite: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; PS 101,
or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0)
Offered Alternate Fall
PS 315 3
Credits
American Political Thought (s)
Political ideas in the United States from colonial times to
the present: Puritanism, revolutionary ideas, Constitutionalism, nature of the
Union, Progressive movement, pragmatism. (Prerequisite: PS 101 or permission of
instructor. HIST 131 and 132 strongly recommended. Next offered:
2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 321 3
Credits
International Politics (s)
Introduction to the problems, literature and terminology of
international relations. Provides a basis for understanding current
international affairs. Examines relations between nations, regions and groups,
as well as ideas of conflict, security, trade, technology, negotiation,
cooperation, revolution, modernization and community. (3 + 0) Offered
Fall
PS 322O 3
Credits
International Law and Organization (s)
Case studies in international law (rights and duties of
states, jurisdiction and sovereignty, treaties, use of force and adjudication
processes); development of regional organizations and integration; the United
Nations. (Prerequisite: COMM 131X or 141X, PS 321 or permission of instructor.
Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 323 3
Credits
International Political Economy (s)
Exploration of the manner in which political and economic forces
interact to affect international flows of goods, money, investments and
technology. International political economic relations are examined in several
contexts. (Prerequisite: PS 100X. Next offered: 2006-07.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 325 3
Credits
Native Self-Government (s)
(Cross-listed with ANS 325)
Indigenous political systems, customary law and justice in
Alaska emphasizing the organization of Native governance, federal Indian Law
and Alaska state chartered local government. Comparisons between Alaska Native
political development and those of tribes in the contiguous 48 states and
northern hemisphere tribal people. (Prerequisites: HIST 100X, PS 263.)
(3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants
PS 340 3
Credits
Women and Politics (s)
(Cross-listed with WMS 340)
In-depth examination of the relevance of gender in political
thought and action. Topics will vary and may include: an historical perspective
of political ideas on the nature and status of women; women's involvement in
national and/or international political movements and organizations; feminist
approaches to the social sciences; feminism as a political ideology.
(Prerequisite: One political science course or permission of instructor;
Recommended: WMS 201. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
PS 401W 3
Credits
Political Behavior (s)
Attitudes, opinions, beliefs of the American electorate and
the impact of these factors on political behavior; role of political
organizations (parties and interest groups) in modern American politics.
(Prerequisite: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 403W 3
Credits
Public Policy (s)
Discussion of how policy process works and how policy
analysis is conducted. Examples of policy issues from recent cases, especially
in Alaska. (Prerequisites: ENGL 111X, ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X, PS 101,
or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 404 3
Credits
Introduction to Legal Research and Writing
(Cross-listed with JUST 404)
Methods of legal research and preparation of legal materials.
Introduction to the resources of law libraries and the techniques of presenting
issues in legal form. (Prerequisites: PS 101 or JUST 110.) (3 + 0)
Offered Spring
PS 411W,O 3
Credits
Classical Political Theory (h)
(Cross-listed with PHIL 411W,O)
Political ideas from ancient Greece, Rome and the
Judaeo-Christian tradition. Theories of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine and
Aquinas. (Prerequisites: COMM 131X or 141X; ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X;
PS 101; PHIL 102; or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Fall
PS 412W 3
Credits
Modern Political Theory (s)
(Cross-listed with PHIL 412W)
Political ideas from the Renaissance to the modern world.
Theories of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Marx and Lenin.
(Prerequisites: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; PS 101, PHIL 102,
or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 425 3
Credits
Federal Indian Law and Alaska Natives (s)
(Cross-listed with ANS 425)
The "special relationship" between the federal government and
Native Americans based on land transactions and recognition of tribal
sovereignty. Federal Indian law and policy evolving from this relationship.
Legal rights and status of Alaska Natives. (Prerequisites: PS 101 and HIST
100X; or permission of instructor; PS 263 is recommended. Next offered:
2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
PS 435W 3
Credits
Constitutional Law I: Federalism (s)
Constitutional doctrines and historical evolution of
federalism and the separation of powers in the United States. Emphasis on the
court's role in arbitrating intergovernmental and interbranch disputes, the
constitutional status of the administrative bureaucracy, and the control of the
war power and foreign policy. (Prerequisites: ENGL 111X, ENGL 211X or
ENGL 213X, PS 101, or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Fall
PS 436W 3
Credits
Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties (s)
Origin and development of civil rights and civil liberties in
the United States. Emphasis on the social, political and philosophical
justifications of rights as expressed in judicial decision and constitutional
doctrine. (Prerequisites: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; PS 101,
or permission of instructor. Recommended: PS 303.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
PS 437 3
Credits
United States Foreign Policy (s)
U.S. foreign policy in the postwar and post cold war period ,
including development of policy (domestic and foreign influences),
administration of political, economic and military policies, and evaluation of
policy effectiveness. Analyzes the historical background of the U.S. role in
the world today and leading personalities and events that are a part of it.
(Prerequisites: PS 321 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
PS 447 3
Credits
U.S. Environmental Politics
(Stacked with NORS 647)
Examination of U.S. political institutions as they relate to
making policies for protecting the quality the natural environment. Issues
include the politics of nuclear waste, endangered species, air and water
pollution, and wilderness preservation. Includes analysis of the National
Environmental Policy Act, sustainable development, the limits to growth and
other topics. Course is also available online. (Prerequisites: Upper-division
standing. Recommended: PS 101.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 448 3
Credits
Environmental Politics of the Circumpolar North
(Stacked with NORS 648)
Overview of how environmental politics and policy as a field
of study relates to the Arctic region. Analysis of various threats to the
northern environment, focusing on the policy making institutions of selected
Arctic rim nations, as well as strategies to deal with environmental problems
in an international context. Course is also available online. Check with
department. (Next offered: 2006-07) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Spring
PS 450 3
Credits
Comparative Aboriginal Rights and Policies (s)
(Cross-listed with ANS 450)
A case-study approach in assessing Aboriginal Rights and
Policies in different Nation-State Systems. Seven Aboriginal situations
examined for factors promoting or limiting self-determination. (Prerequisites:
Upper-division standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered
As Demand Warrants
PS 452 3 Credits
International Relations of the North
(Stacked with NORS 652)
Examination of the international strategies of circumpolar
states. Consideration of theoretical and practical elements of strategy formation
in major issue areas such as national security, the political economy, human
rights and scientific exchange. (Next offered: 2006-07.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 454 3
Credits
International Law and the Environment (s)
(Stacked with NORS 654)
International environmental law. International case law
regulating the sea, airspace, outer space and the polar regions. Includes
comprehensive international regulatory legal instruments to protect the
environment (e.g. the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change),
and the doctrines, principles and rules of international law that are basic to
an understanding of international legal regimes and the environment. Course is
also available online. Check with department. (Prerequisite: Upper-division
standing and permission of instructor. Recommended: Undergraduate course in
international law, organization or politics. Next offered: 2006-07.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
PS 455O 3
Credits
Political Economy of the Global Environment (s)
(Stacked with NORS 655)
Exploration of the interactions between basic aspects of the
global economy (international trade, investment and development) and the
natural environment. Topics include the economic impact of global environmental
agreements and the environmental impact of global markets, transnational
corporations, and development assistance by organizations such as the World
Bank. (Prerequisite: COMM 131X or 141X, upper-division standing. Next offered:
2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
PS 456O 3
Credits
Science, Technology and Politics (s)
(Stacked with NORS 656)
Relationship of science, technology and politics: connections
among scientific knowledge, technology, technological innovations, politics and
power. Includes historical and comparative aspects. Course is also available
online. Check with department. (Prerequisite: COMM 131X or 141X, Senior
standing. Recommended: PS 101.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 458 3
Credits
Comparative Environmental Politics (s)
(Stacked with NORS 658)
Seminar with emphasis on enduring issues of the field of
comparative politics and their relation to global environmental problems such
as biodiversity, transboundary pollution and climate warming. Explores how
state-society relations, political institutions, national political capacity,
political processes and organizations, and international commitments
potentially shape the nature and dynamics of global environmental politics and
vise versa. Course is also available online. (Prerequisite: Upper-division
standing. Recommended: PS 201 or equivalent comparative politics course.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
PS 460W 3
Credits
Government and Politics of Canada (s)
(Stacked with NORS 660)
A detailed examination of the Canadian political system,
covering the Canadian constitution, the federal structure, parliamentary
government and public policy, as well as contemporary issues concerning Native
rights and the Canadian North. Students will complete a major research paper on
specific policy areas (language, education, health care, environment, natural
resources, foreign relations). (Prerequisites: ENGL 111X, ENGL 211X or
ENGL 213X, PS 201, or permission of instructor. Next offered:
2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 462 3
Credits
Alaska Government and Politics (s)
(Stacked with NORS 662)
A comprehensive introduction to Alaska's government and
politics, in the context of American state and local government and politics
and governments of circumpolar northern nations. Topics include political
history, constitution, political parties, interest groups, elections, public
opinion, governor, legislature, judiciary, administration and local
governments. Compares Alaska to the contiguous 48 states and subnational
governments of the circumpolar North; examines how government institutions and
processes respond to social, environmental, and political changes of Northern
communities. (Prerequisite: junior standing. Next offered: 2006-07.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 464W 3
Credits
East Asian Governments and Politics (s)
Modern East Asia (including China, Taiwan, Japan, North and
South Korea) politics and society, including governmental institutions,
political processes and regional and global foreign relations. (Prerequisites:
ENGL 111X, ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X, PS 201, or permission of
instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Fall
PS 467W 3
Credits
Political Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (s)
(Cross-listed with HIST 467W)
Exploration of major issues and concepts in the development and
governances of modern Latin America and the Caribbean region, including the
legacies of colonialism, revolution, military rule, economic challenges and the
quest for democratic stability. Includes an historical overview of the region
and cases drawn from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.
(Prerequisite: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; PS 201 or HIST 102;
or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
PS 468W 3
Credits
Government and Politics of Russia (s)
(Stacked with NORS 668)
An examination of current developments in Russia from a
number of perspectives: the effect of history and geography on political
change; the nature of Russian government and society; the legacies of Lenin,
Stalin, Gorbachev and the ideological nature of regimes and leadership;
economic forces and the political struggle in governance; revolution, democracy
and reform; and the international role of Russia, particularly in relation to
the former Soviet republics, Eastern Europe and other border areas.
(Prerequisites: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; PS 201, or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
PS 472 3
Credits
Ethics in International Affairs (h)
(Cross-listed with PHIL 472)
Examination of the questions including: What is in the
interest of the nation-state according to the logic of statecraft? How does the
national interest relate to the broader human interest? How does morality
relate to the international legal order? Examination is through theory and case
studies. (Prerequisite: PHIL 322X or equivalent; or PHIL 436; or PS 321; or
permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
PS 475 3
Credits
Internship in Public Affairs
Individual study of public agencies or organizations through
actual experience. (Admission by permission of instructor.) (3 + 0)
Offered Fall, Spring
PS 492W 3
Credits
Senior Seminar in Political Science (s)
Provides scope and depth to the study of political science.
Exploration of new literature in the field and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Requirements include a major research paper. (Prerequisite: ENGL 111X;
ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor; and Junior
standing.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring