Political Science

Courses

PS 100: Foundations of Federal Government

Class Program
Credits 3
The federal system, constitution, executive, legislative, judicial and administrative organization. This course is designed to satisfy Missouri State Law requirement, RSMO, Section 170.011 regarding instruction and testing of the Constitution of the United States and the State of Missouri. Cross listed as HS 100.
Semester Offered
Fall
Spring
Online - Fall
Online - Spring

PS 150: Introduction to Public Administration

Class Program
Credits 3
Origin, people and structure and process of public governmental agencies in the United States. Explanation of the nature of bureaucratic power and the attendant examination of the political aspect of public administration. Definition and interpretation of the roles of the public administration.
Semester Offered
Fall even

PS 200: Introduction to Political Science

Class Program
Credits 3
This course examines social scientific inquiry and summarizes political theories and philosophies from which present-day political ideologies, institutions, and systems have evolved. Examination of the formal and informal ways citizens participate in the political process. Review of the institutional structures of governments and the resultant public policies and political economies. Discussion of the operations of politics between nations and the character of politics in the developing nations.
Semester Offered
Fall odd

PS 215: International and Current Problems

Class Program
Credits 3
Study of current issues in international politics from both the historical and analytical points of view. Examination of relevant conceptual schemes and frameworks in international politics and discussion of the nature of political choices and decisions and their impact in the international system. This course will count as a sociology major elective.
Semester Offered
Spring even

PS 230: State and Local Government

Class Program
Credits 3
Organization and administration of state and local government in the U.S. Growth of centralized power and its effect on local control.

Prerequisites

PS 100.

Semester Offered
Fall even

PS 250: Issues and Cases in Bureaucratic Politics

Class Program
Credits 3
This course deals with dimensions of public organization and administration: the effects of social change on bureaucracy, the political environment as it affects administration, and policy and problems connected with science and planning as they in turn affect social and political life.
Semester Offered
Fall odd

PS 300: Contemporary Social and Political Theory

Class Program
Credits 3
This course covers contemporary social and political thought and examines social and political ideas in the context of the historical situations in which issues and problems arise. Discussion includes clarification and justification of man's social and political beliefs, such as individual rights, freedom, equality, liberty, justice, natural rights, etc.
Semester Offered
Spring even

PS 323: American Political Parties

Class Program
Credits 3
Development of the two-party system, minor parties, party organization, the electoral process and party influence on public policy.

Prerequisites

PS 100.

Semester Offered
Spring odd

PS 324: Comparative Government

Class Program
Credits 3
Evolution, structure and functions of leading governmental systems; study of the different politics, policies and problems of democratic, Communist, and post-Communist and developing nations. Analysis of recent changes in the European Community, Central, and Eastern Europe.

Prerequisites

PS 100.

Semester Offered
Fall even

PS 350: Politics in the Third World

Class Program
Credits 3
An examination of the structure and process of Third World politics and governments with emphasis on the international political economy. Themes include the nature of capitalist and socialist perspectives of development and underdevelopment. This course will count as a sociology major elective.
Semester Offered
Spring odd

PS 376: Independent Study

Class Program
Credits 1 3
Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.

Prerequisites

Permission of the instructor, division dean Vice President of Academic Affairs.

PS 420: Political Sociology

Class Program
Credits 3
Contributions of modern political sociology in the analysis of the American sociopolitical system in the context of the prominent theoretical models in the area. This course will count as a sociology major elective.

Prerequisites

PS 100.

Semester Offered
Fall odd

PS 476: Independent Study

Class Program
Credits 1 3
Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.

Prerequisites

Permission of the instructor, division dean Vice President of Academic Affairs.

PS 485: Senior Thesis

Class Program
Credits 1
This course requires completion of a directed research paper. Required course for graduating senior political science/public administration majors. Graded pass/fail.

Prerequisites

SC 316 senior standing, major.

Semester Offered
Arranged