Advanced Courses

Advanced Courses (300/400-level)

Y301: Political parties and interest groups (3 cr) A study of political parties and interest groups in the United States: what are they, what do they represent, how do they fit in to the political process, and what effect do they have on your lives?
Y302: Public bureaucracy in modern society (3 cr) A course in which we study the structure and role of bureaucrats and the bureaucracy. They affect our lives every day, and are responsible for implementing law and government policies, yet their power and roles are widely misunderstood.
Y303: Policymaking in the US (3 cr) Processes and institutions involved in the formation of public policy in American society.
Y304-305: Judicial processes and American constitutional law I and II (3-3 cr) Studies the nature and function of law and the judicial process, with a focus on key Supreme Court decisions, and an interpretation of the constitutional system of the United States.
Y306: State politics in the United States (3 cr) A comparative study of politics in the American states, including a special focus on the impact of political culture, party systems, legislatures, and bureaucracies on public policies.
Y307: Indiana state government and politics (3 cr) A course offering students an intensive study of how government works here in the state of Indiana: we look at the major institutions and actors, and at the ways in which government and citizens interact.
Y308: Urban politics (3 cr) A study of the politics of towns and cities. How are they governed, how is urban government different, and what is the relationship between city government and the people who live in America's cities?
Y309: American Politics Through Film and Fiction (3 cr) A course in which we study recurrent themes in American politics through novels, short stories, and films. Subject matter varies from semester to semester.

Y310: Political Behavior (3 cr) A research course in which students design and execute their own investigations into political phenomena.

Y313: Environmental policy (3 cr) This course examines the causes of major environmental problems, and the political, economic and social implications of the policy responses to those problems. We look both at national problems (air pollution, toxic wastes, wildlife) and at international problems (acid rain, global warming, threats to the ozone layer).
Y317: Voting, elections, and public opinion (3 cr) Examines the motives and opinions that drive Americans when they make their choices on election day. A study of our electoral system, and the links between public opinion, voting, and the operations of government.
Y319: The United States Congress (3 cr) A course based around a study of the structure and workings of Congress. We focus on how Congress has evolved, how it works, and the major political and social pressures that influence its character.
Y320: Judicial politics (3cr) Looks at the American judicial system and the role of courts - particularly the US Supreme Court - in the political process. Topics in the course include the structure of the judicial system, participants in that system, and the impact of court decisions and actions on public policy.
Y321: The Media and politics (3cr) The media are sometimes described as the fourth branch of government. Is that a fair label, and - if so - why? This course looks at the impact of the media on political knowledge, public participation in politics, and the performance of candidates, voters, and elected officials.
Y322: The American presidency (3 cr) A course designed around a study of the presidency. We focus on how the office has evolved, how it works, and the major political and social pressures that influence its character today.
Y324: Women and politics (3 cr) A study of the place of women in contemporary political systems, with an emphasis on their roles in politics, participation, and public policy. Topics vary from one semester to another, but we focus on how women affect politics and how politics affects women.
Y325: African American Politics (3 cr) This course explores African American political activism in both the domestic and international arenas. Topics covered include redistricting, representation in legislatures, campaign finance reform, and accessibility of capital. International issues include African American support of African democracy and development, and the CBC support of black European politicians.
Y332: Russian politics (3 cr) This course provides the opportunity for an in-depth study of one particularly important system of government. We assess the changes that have taken place in Russia since the break-up of the USSR, and study the emerging institutions and processes of the post-Soviet system of government.
Y333: Chinese Politics (3 cr) China’s meteoric rise is one of the most significant events in modern times, and this course is designed to inform students of all career paths. Chinese political history and the modern Chinese government itself are first explored. Additionally, we consider certain crucial topics within contemporary Chinese politics, including the economy, the legal system, education, personal liberties, and energy. Finally, US–Chinese relations are examined at length.
Y335: West European politics (3 cr) A study of government and politics in western Europe, with a focus on Britain, Germany, France and Italy. We also study the structure and politics of the European Union, and students can earn additional credit under Y351 by taking part in the annual Midwest Model European Union, held on the campus of IUPUI.
Y336: South East Asian political systems (3 cr) A study of government and politics in south east Asia, one of the most rapidly growing regions in the world. We study the politics of countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, and the implications of democratization and economic growth in the region.
Y337: Latin American Politics (3 cr) Comparative analysis of political change in major Latin American countries, emphasizing alternative explanations of national and international developments; examination of impact of political parties, the military, labor and peasant movements, Catholic church, multinational corporations, regional organizations, and United States on politics; public policy processes in democratic and authoritarian regimes.
Y338: African politics (3 cr) A study of politics in sub-Saharan Africa, looking at the problems of nation-building, underdevelopment, war and ethnic problems, and studying the role of political parties, the military, and international lending agencies.
Y339: Middle Eastern politics (3 cr) Political culture and change in selected Middle Eastern and North African countries. Topics of study include political elites, traditional cultures, modern political ideology and institutions, conflict management, and social reform.
Y346: Politics in the Developing Countries (3 cr) A course that examines the political, economic and social challenges faced by the developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Y350: Politics of the European Union (3 cr) A course offering students the opportunity to study the politics and policies of the European Union, the ground-breaking experiment in regional economic and political integration which is bringing together the countries of western Europe, and - some argue - may be a forerunner for a future United States of Europe.
Y351: Political simulations (1 cr) A special one-credit course designed around simulations of organizations such as the European Union and the United Nations. May be repeated for credit.
Y360: US Foreign Policy (3 cr) An analysis of the institutions and processes involved in the formation and implementation of US foreign policy, with an emphasis on developments since 1945.
Y373: The Politics of Terrorism (3 cr) Examines the definition, history, logic and political implications of terrorism.
Y374: International Organization (3 cr) Examines assumptions about the causes, functions, results, structures of international (inter governmental) organizations. Theory is combined with case study of the United Nations particularly. The European community and regional organization examples provide a basis for understanding regionalism as an evolving phenomenon. (Not open to students who have had Y364 and/or Y365 without permission of the instructor.)

Y375: War & International Conflict (3 cr) A course examining the causes and effects of war and international conflict, historically and comparatively.

Y376: International Political Economy (3 cr) Theories about the interaction between the international economic and political systems are the subject of this course. Works from each of the main traditions – liberal, Marxist, and statist – will be assigned. Specific topics covered will include (among others) the politics of trade, aid, foreign investment, and international monetary affairs.

Y377: Globalization (3 cr) A course that investigates the economic, environmental, financial, political, security and technological aspects of globalization.

Y380: Selected Topics in Democratic Government (3 cr) An examination of basic problems and issues in the theory and practice of democratic government. Specific topics vary by semester. May be repeated once for credit.

Y382: Modern Political Thought (3 cr) An exposition and critical analysis of the major philosophers and philosophical schools from Machiavelli to the present.

Y383: American political thought I (3 cr) Are special interests keeping you from what you should get from government? Was there a conservative revolution in 1994? Is big government telling us all what to do? Are you a liberal, a conservative, or what? What happened to your rights? Who do you like: Bush, Gore, the other Bush, Buchanan, McCain, Bradley, or no-one? This course ties contemporary elections and issues to what the Founding Fathers thought they believed. Cross-listed with American Studies, it provides a chance to see what happens to you because of government and elections. Do you want your say?
Y384: Development of American Political Thought (3 cr) American political ideas from the Civil War to the present.
Y388: Marxist theory (3cr) The Soviet Union may have crumbled, and many of the former communist states of the world may have given up on the theories of Karl Marx and embraced capitalist ideas, but Marxism still has much to tell us about the nature of politics, society and economics. This course will survey the ideas and arguments of Marx, and assess their application to current political and economic systems.
Y480: Undergraduate readings in political science (1-6 cr) This course offers students the opportunity to undertake in-depth research in a topic of their choice, under the direction of a faculty member of their choice. Topic and requirements are decided in discussion with the faculty member.
Y481: Field experience in political science (3-6 cr) A course which allows students to enroll in political internships for credit. As well as completing the internship, students normally complete a research paper based on their experiences.
Y490: Senior seminar (3 cr) This is a seminar that political science majors are required to take in their senior year. Subjects vary from one semester to another, but this is an opportunity to study a particular topic in depth, in a seminar format. Recent topics have included American populism, Southern politics, organized crime, the theory of international relations, and British politics.