PSCI 210 Intro to American Government. 3 Credits

Covers the American Political System relative to central government and institutions. Attention is given to concepts, organizations and functions with emphasis on the political, governmental and democratic processes and problems, including the role of individual and group relationships. Provides a perspective and background for further study in Political Science.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 220 Intro to Comparative Govt. 3 Credits

Introduces the ideas behind the democratic and non-democratic forms of political life in the modern world; investigates the changing nature of the role of government through systematic and comparative study of political structures, functions, behavior and changes; and provides a background for the pursuance of more specialized study in the various fields of Political Science.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 230 Intro to International Rel. 3 Credits

Considers the nature of relations among nations, various dimensions of international politics and the nature of political challenges occasioned by the changing milieu in which international affairs are conducted.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 240 Introduction to Public Admin. 3 Credits

Studies the basic principles and theory of administrative structures, organizations, leadership, fiscal management, personnel, and policy-making in the modern state.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 260 Intro to State and Local Govt. 3 Credits

Considers the functions, organization and problems of American state governments and the local subdivisions—counties and municipalities—and examines state-federal and state-local relations. This class is a prerequisite for those students interested in applying for a Montana legislative internship.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 294 Seminar/Workshop. 1-6 Credits

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 298 Internship/Cooperative Educ. 1-9 Credits

Provides university credit for a sophomore work experience in the area of Political Science, supervised by faculty. Learning agreement must be completed prior to registration (restricted).

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 335 American Foreign Policy. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 220 and PSCI 210, or consent of instructor.

Traces the development of United States foreign policy and foreign policy institutions with emphasis on the post-World War II period. Modern foreign policy is analyzed in the context of theoretical and institutional implications. Will also deal with U.S. foreign policy towards specific areas of the world.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 341 Political Parties & Elections. 3 Credits

Examines the structure and function of political parties, interest groups, and the mass media in the electoral process. Special emphasis on electoral rules and citizen participation from a comparative democratic perspective.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 342 Media, Public Opinion, Polling. 3 Credits

Provides historical background material on public opinion and polling, as well as address major contemporary issues faced by those who measure public opinion. The students enrolled in this course will develop a survey questionnaire and employ MSU Billings’ CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) Laboratory to conduct a random sample statewide telephone survey and write a paper based upon the polling’s results.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 343 Comparative Institutions. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall

3cr. Examines the differences between electoral systems in primarily democratic governmental systems. Special emphasis is given to the effective number of parties, electoral thresholds, district magnitudes, and the selection of the executive.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 345 American Political System. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 210.

3cr. Examines the American political system founding, structures, and processes. This course explores the development and evolution of the American political system, the contemporary challenges facing American democracy, its national institutions, and the political processes. The critical analysis and evaluation of American federalism, Congress, the Presidency, and political parties will be the focus of this course.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 370 Courts and Judicial Politics. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 210.

Examines the Federal and Montana judicial systems, focusing on the institutions, procedures, and personnel. Presents an introduction to civil and criminal procedures and the legal profession.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 407 Public Policy Analysis. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 210.

3cr. Applies theoretical and practical analyses of public policies, including theories, and process of policy formation, including the political nature of policy implementation. This course introduces students to public policy analysis in democratic societies, with an emphasis on the United States. The use of case studies will provide the means of analyzing specific policy problems and formulating policy recommendations.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 416 Public Organizational Theory. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 210.

3cr. Introduces the study of complex organizations and organizational behavior in the administration of public policy. This course provides a conceptual grounding in the management of public organization and decision-making process. Students will also critically analyze issues of organizational culture, including challenges to diversity, conflict, and power dynamics.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 424 Democratization. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Spring

Analyzes the political determinants of democratic transitions and democratic consolidation. Global and regional trends are examined systematically through data analysis.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 425 International Conflict. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Spring

Analyzes the political determinants of international war and conflict.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 426 Comparative Political Economy. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall

Assesses the relationship between politics and economics within countries. Topics covered include the relationship between democracy and development, globalization, and the welfare state. Global and regional trends are examined systematically through data analysis.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 427 Research Methods. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Spring

Develops knowledge of research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and data analysis skills. Students will prepare and submit a research design that meets social scientific standards.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 448 Language and Law. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

3cr. Investigates the role that language and linguistics play in the law and legal fields is the focus of this course. Language and Law applies linguistic analysis as a tool for understanding the law, legal interpretations, legal proceedings, and linguistic evidence. Students will apply forensic linguistic techniques to analyze evidence, authorship identification, interpret meaning, profile authors, forensic discourse analysis, and more.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 469 Ethics & Public Policy. 3 Credits

Explores ethics and selected issues in public service and policy making through theoretical and case study approaches. Emphasis on the relation of continuing issues and problem areas to individual careers in policy making and administrative decision making. Graduate students will be expected to read substantially more in the public administration literature, to produce more in-depth research in their term papers, and to make at least one, possibly two, classroom presentations.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 472 Const Law: Civil Liberties. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): HSTA 101 or PSCI 210.

Examines major Supreme Court decisions in the field of individual rights. Provides an overview of civil liberties decisions with emphasis on the recent past, or may consider specific constitutional issues (i.e., church and state, freedom of speech and press, the death penalty) over the course of American history.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 473 Const Law: Powers & Structures. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): HSTA 101 or PSCI 210.

Introduces the evolution and structure of the United States constitutional system, focusing on the federal relationship, the separation of powers, and the judicial review, relying primarily upon the case method of analysis.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 491 Special Topics. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Provides Masters of Public Administration students an opportunity for them to investigate contemporary topics related to the field. Staffing needs will largely involve local practitioners in government and not-for-profit organizations. The course will be offered on an irregular basis.

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 492 Independent Study. 1-5 Credits

Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor and chairperson of department.

Provides outstanding students an individual opportunity to explore material not covered by regular Political Science courses.

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 494 Seminar/Workshop. 1-6 Credits

Provides an opportunity for experimental study in the area of Political Science.

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

PSCI 498 Internship/Cooperative Educ. 1-12 Credits

Provides university credit for a work experience in the area of Political Science supervised by faculty. Learning agreement must be completed prior to registration (restricted).

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL