Political Science is the study of politics, power and government, including U.S. and foreign governments, as well as relationships among governments, their actions and policies. Political Science is useful for people seeking careers in law, business, government service, urban planning, education or journalism. It is also a vital part of a liberal arts education.
Courses
POLS 110.
The Political World.
(3)
An introduction to politics, with emphasis on the ways people can understand their own political systems and those of others. (Students who have already had courses in political science may not count 110 toward a major.) Concurrent enrollment in 110L mandatory. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (NMCCN 1113). (I)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 150.
Introduction to Latin America.
(3)
An interdisciplinary introduction to the geography, culture, literature, society, politics, history and international relations of the region. A lecture by faculty members from different departments will be followed by a one half hour discussion session each week. (CP)
POLS 200.
American Politics.
(3)
Survey of American politics, including political behavior of the American electorate, the theory of democracy, the structure and function of American political institutions, and contemporary issues. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (NMCCN 1123). (C)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 220.
Comparative Politics.
(3)
Designed to give students the ability to understand and evaluate political regimes by focusing on the political history, socioeconomic structure and contemporary political institutions and behavior. Includes consideration of European and developing systems. (C)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 240.
International Politics.
(3)
(Also offered as PCST 240)
Analyzes significant factors in world politics, including nationalism, “national interest,” ideology, international conflict and collaboration, balance of power, deterrence, international law and international organization. (C)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 260.
Political Ideas.
(3)
Introduces many of the enduring political issues in descriptive, analytical and normative terms. Will include discussion of both classical and contemporary political ideas and ideologies. (C)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 270.
Public Policy and Administration.
(3)
Introduces public policy and bureaucracy, including decision-making and implementation. (C)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 280.
Introduction to Political Analysis.
(3)
Discovery of causal patterns in political behavior, evaluation of the effectiveness of political reforms and campaign techniques, analysis of the logic of scientific research and related topics. No knowledge of statistics, computers or research methods assumed. (C)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 291.
Internship.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Provides supervised work experience in the practical application of political science skills. (I)
Prerequisite: POLS major or minor students are limited to no more than 3 credit hours. Additional/excess hours above these limits may be counted as A & S electives.
Offered on CR/NC basis only.
{Fall, Spring}
Restriction: permission of instructor and department chairperson.
POLS 299.
Introductory Political Topics.
(3, no limit Δ)
Special introductory topics of political science which relate contemporary issues to the discipline. Precise topics will be noted in appropriate class schedules prepared for registration. POLS major or minor students are limited to no more than 3 credit hours. Additional/excess hours above these limits may be counted as A & S electives. (I)
POLS *300.
Political Topics.
(3, no limit Δ)
Special topics of political science which relate contemporary issues to the discipline. Precise topics will be noted in appropriate class schedules prepared for registration. (I)
POLS 301.
The Government of New Mexico.
(3)
POLS *302.
Comparative State Politics.
(3)
Analysis of the similarities and variations of American state politics with emphasis on policy outputs. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS 303.
Law in the Political Community.
(3)
(Also offered as AMST 303)
Introduction to the role of law, legal actors and institutions in politics and society. (I)
{Fall, Spring}
POLS *305.
Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior.
(3)
Public opinion, its content and measurement, and its relation to public policy and electoral behavior. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200 or 280
POLS *306.
Political Parties.
(3)
The American party system, national, state and local. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS *307.
The Politics of Ethnic Groups.
(3)
The ethnic basis of group politics in the U.S.; its historical, sociological and psychological foundations; the role of white ethnics; traditional and nonconventional strategies and tactics; special emphasis on the politics of regional ethnic minorities. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS *308.
Hispanics in U.S. Politics.
(3)
The status, role and activities of Hispanic/Latino Americans in the U.S. political system. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS 309.
Black Politics.
(3)
(Also offered as AFST 309)
Focus will be on political actions and thoughts of Black America. (AP)
POLS *311.
The Legislative Process.
(3)
The recruitment, formal and informal procedure and power structure of legislative bodies; their place in contemporary American government. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS *312.
The American Presidency.
(3)
The constitutional base of the office, its roles and responsibilities and its relations with other political institutions. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS 313.
Women and the Law.
(3)
(Also offered as WMST 313)
A survey of legal issues affecting women. Examines the historical development and current law of equal opportunity, sexual harassment, pay equity, sports, family, reproduction and sexual violence. (AP)
Prerequisite: 303
POLS 314.
Women’s Contemporary Legal Issues.
(3)
(Also offered as WMST 314)
This course focuses on legal issues of current concern affecting women, offering more intensive focus than 313. Potential topics include sexual harassment, domestic violence, child support enforcement, lesbian legal issues, pay equity. (AP)
Prerequisite: 303
POLS *315.
Constitutional Law: Powers.
(3)
Judicial interpretations of institutional authority, federalism and economic liberties. Also considers role of the Supreme Court in American Politics. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS *316.
Constitutional Law: Liberties.
(3)
Judicial interpretations of incorporation of Bill of Rights, civil liberties (religion, speech, assembly, association, press, expression, privacy) and rights of criminally accused. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS 317.
Constitutional Law: Rights.
(3)
Judicial interpretations of the constitutional and statutory bases of equal protection under the law. Also considers the implementation of policies designed to implement equal protection in areas such as voting and representation, education, employment, public accommodations and housing rights. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS 318.
Civil Rights Politics and Legislation.
(3)
(Also offered as AFST 318)
An analysis of the dynamics of the major events, issues and actors in the civil rights movement (and legislation) in view of the theories of U.S. politics. (AP)
Prerequisite: AFST 103
POLS *320.
Topics in Comparative Politics.
(3, no limit Δ)
Topics will be noted in appropriate class schedules. (CP)
POLS *321.
Comparative Politics: Developing Countries.
(3)
POLS 322.
Human Rights and Political Violence.
(3)
An exploration of specific cases of human rights violations, the philosophical and legal foundations of human rights, and the ways in which this highly abstract concept, linked to very concrete human tragedies, has affected politics. (CP)
Prerequisite: 220
POLS 329.
Introduction to African Politics.
(3)
(Also offered as AFST 329)
An introductory course in the volatile politics in Africa. The various ideologies that underlie political movements and influence African governments will be explored. (CP)
POLS *340.
Topics in International Politics.
(3, no limit Δ)
Selected problems of international politics. (IP)
Prerequisite: 240
POLS 341.
International Conflict and Cooperation.
(3)
Surveys the political science literature on theories of conflict and cooperation. (IP)
Prerequisite: 240
POLS *342.
American Foreign Policy.
(3)
POLS *345.
Inter-American Relations.
(3)
Survey of contemporary international politics in the Western Hemisphere. Emphasis on conflict resolution of trade and economic assistance problems, territorial disputes, ideological issues and integration. (IP)
Prerequisite: 220 or 240
POLS 346 / 512.
International Political Economy.
(3)
Examines contemporary issues in international political economy, including competition and cooperation among advanced industrial nations, relations between rich and poor nations, international trade, global finance and production, and globalization. (IP)
Prerequisite: 240
POLS *350.
Public Finance.
(3)
(Also offered as ECON 350)
Taxation, governmental borrowing, financial administration and public expenditures. (PP)
Prerequisite: ECON 300
POLS *351.
Western European Politics.
(3)
Government and politics of selected West European countries. (CP)
Prerequisite: 220
POLS *355.
Central American Politics.
(3)
The political dynamics of Central American republics, considered on a country-by-country basis. (CP)
Prerequisite: 220
POLS *356.
Political Development in Latin America.
(3)
Cross-national study of political development in the Latin American region, including topics such as democracy, authoritarianism, dependency, populism and revolution. (CP)
Prerequisite: 220
POLS *357.
Russian and Eurasian Government and Politics.
(3)
A study of the evolution of the Russian political system with emphasis on dynamics and institutional structure. (CP)
Prerequisite: 220
POLS *361.
Ancient and Medieval Political Theory.
(3)
Survey of Political Theory from Greece to medieval times. (PT)
Prerequisite: 260
POLS *362.
Modern Political Theory.
(3)
Survey of Political Theory from 1500 to 1900, with a focus on Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx and Nietzsche. (PT)
Prerequisite: 260
POLS 372.
Urban Politics.
(3)
Study of community power, city government structures, elected officials and city managers, political machines, the reform movement, political participation, urban bureaucracy, and racial and ethnic politics in large U.S. cities. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS 373.
Urban Policies and Problems.
(3)
Study of the urban policymaking environment and process, and contemporary urban policy problems. Important issues include school reform, race relations, and the causes and consequences of urban sprawl and metropolitan fragmentation. (PP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS 376.
Health Policy and Politics.
(3)
Analysis of the politics of health care in the U.S. and the development of public health policies. (PP)
POLS 377.
Population Policy and Politics.
(3)
(Also offered as WMST 377)
Analysis of U.S. and multinational policies addressing issues of world population growth, including policy tools designed to control population growth. (PP)
POLS *400.
Advanced Political Topics.
(3, no limit Δ)
Special advanced topics of political science which relate contemporary issues to the discipline. Precise topics will be noted in appropriate class schedules prepared for registration. (I)
POLS *410.
U.S. Campaigns and Elections.
(3)
An examination of the general processes of campaigns and elections in the United States, including the national Presidential and Congressional elections and campaigns and elections for state and local offices in New Mexico. (AP)
Prerequisite: 200
POLS *440.
International Conflict, Arms Control, and Disarmament.
(3)
Systematic examination of political, technological, strategic and economic dimensions of arms control and disarmament in a nuclear missile era. (IP)
Prerequisite: 200 or 240
POLS 441.
Civil Wars.
(3)
This course tries to answer four central questions about civil wars: 1) Why do they occur? 2) How are they fought? 3) How do they end? 4) What are their long-term consequences? (IP)
Prerequisite: 220 or 240
POLS 442.
International Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution.
(3)
Examines the increasingly important role of multilateral peacekeeping operations in the post-Cold War world. (IP)
Prerequisite: 240
POLS 443.
International Politics of Climate Change.
(3)
This course examines the international politics of climate change, focusing on the question of whether and how countries around the world can cooperate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (IP)
Prerequisite: 240
POLS 446.
Trade Law and Policy.
(3)
Examines the law, politics and economics of past and current developments in U.S. trade policy, focusing on such issues as why nations trade, the economic effects of trade laws and regulations on U.S. markets and the world, the role of political and legal institutions, and the future of world trade. (IP)
Prerequisite: 200 or 240
POLS 453.
Asian Studies Thesis.
(3)
(Also offered as COMP, HIST, PHIL, RELG 453)
Supervised research in one or more disciplines leading to an undergraduate thesis for the major in Asian Studies. (CP)
POLS *455.
Political Economy of Latin America.
(3)
Study of major Latin American countries from a Political Economy perspective. (CP)
Prerequisite: 355 or 356
POLS *475.
Environmental Politics.
(3)
A study of political problems of environmental protection and land use planning. (PP)
POLS *478.
Seminar in International Studies.
(3)
(Also offered as ECON 478)
Designed to provide seniors from any discipline an opportunity to apply an international perspective to their undergraduate training. Each student will present a term project drawing upon his particular background and relating it to international matters. Open only to seniors. (IP)
POLS 491.
Internship.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Provides supervised work experience in the practical application of political science skills. POLS major students are limited to 6 credit hours, minor students to 3 credit hours in aggregate. Additional/excess hours above these limits may be counted as A & S electives. (I)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
Offered on CR/NC basis only.
{Fall, Spring}
POLS 495.
Junior Honors Seminar.
(3)
(I)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Fall}
POLS 496.
Undergraduate Seminar.
(3, no limit Δ)
One section of this course is offered in conjunction with each graduate pro-seminar (510, 520, 525, 540, 560, 570). Open to undergraduate majors with 3.30 GPA and others with permission of instructor. (I)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
POLS 497.
Senior Thesis.
(3)
(I)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
POLS 499.
Independent Study.
(1-3)
Open to majors and minors with 3.30 GPA and permission of instructor. POLS major students are limited to 6 credit hours, minor students to 3 credit hours in aggregate. Additional/excess hours above these limits may be counted as A & S electives. (I)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
POLS 510.
Pro-Seminar in American Government and Politics.
(3)
POLS 511.
Research Seminar in American Government and Politics.
(3, no limit Δ)
POLS 512.
Topics in Government and Politics.
(3, no limit Δ)
POLS 520.
Pro-Seminar in Comparative Politics.
(3)
POLS 521.
Research Seminar in Comparative Politics.
(3, no limit Δ)
POLS 525.
Pro-Seminar in Latin American Politics.
(3)
Prior course work in Latin American politics required; reading knowledge of Spanish is highly desirable.
POLS 530.
Pro-Seminar in Health Policy.
(1 to a maximum of 10 Δ)
(Also offered as PH 540)
An interdisciplinary introduction to the study of health policy and health disparities under the auspicies of the Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health Policy at the University of New Mexico.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
POLS 534.
Policy Issues in Education.
(3)
(Also offered as LEAD 534)
This course focuses on current research and debates on critical policy areas relating to PK-12 education. The class examines the role of key decision-makers, ideologies, and implementation constraints in policy conflict resolution.
POLS 535.
Comparative Public Administration.
(3)
Examination on a comparative basis of national systems of administration in developed and developing countries, focusing on the organization and behavior of public bureaucracies.
POLS 540.
Pro-Seminar in International Relations.
(3)
POLS 541.
Research Seminar in International Relations.
(3, no limit Δ)
POLS 551-552.
Problems.
(1-3, 1-3, no limit Δ)
POLS 570.
Pro-Seminar in Public Policy.
(3)
Review of representative theories of public policy, including policy formation, implementation and impact analysis.
{Offered upon demand}
POLS 580.
Introduction to Empirical Research.
(3)
Provides a systematic examination of the scope and methods of inquiry in the discipline of political science, including the philosophy of science, subfields, intellectual approaches, methodological strategies, research design and ethics of professional conduct. Required of M.A. and Ph.D. students.
{Fall}
POLS 581.
Statistics for Social Research.
(3)
Provides intensive experience and lab instruction in quantitative techniques employed in political science research, including descriptive statistics, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, measures of central tendency, crosstabulation, differences between means, bivariate regression, correlation and multivariate analysis. Required of M.A. and Ph.D. students.
{Fall}
POLS 582.
Survey of Political Science as a Discipline and a Profession.
(1)
Required of all graduate students in political science and recommended to undergraduate majors.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
{Fall}
POLS 583.
Teaching and the Political Science Profession.
(1)
An examination of questions relating to pedagogy, course preparation and assessment methods, with particular attention to the challenges of teaching undergraduate political science courses.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
POLS 584.
Interdisciplinary Seminar on Problems of Modernization in Latin America.
(3)
(Also offered as HIST 689, ECON, SOC 584)
POLS 599.
Master’s Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
POLS 681.
Advanced Statistical Analysis for Social Science Research.
(3)
Focuses on a variety of advanced econometric methods. Beginning with a review of matrix algebra and math for the social sciences, the course provides an in-depth examination of multiple regression and more advanced econometric models. Required for Ph.D. students.
Prerequisite: 581 or equivalent
{Spring}
POLS 699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
