Course Descriptions
POLS 151 : American Government - ES
A survey of the constitutional foundations of the American political system and of institutions, processes, and practices relating to participation, decision-making, and public policy in American national government. (4)
POLS 231 : Current International Issues - ES, GE
A survey course in international relations with emphasis on current events. (4)
POLS 251 : Introduction to Political Science
This course is designed for political science majors and is an introduction to the discipline of Political Science. Throughout the semester we will learn about the various subfields of the discipline and contributions that the discipline has made to our understanding of American politics. Prerequisite: POLS 151. (4)
POLS 265 : Latino Politics - ES, GE
This course will discuss the demographics, histories, and racialization of Latinos in the U.S. Likewise, students will explore contemporary research that examines Latinos' quest for political empowerment and how they are transforming American politics and society. Likewise, students will engage in an in-depth examination of contemporary realities for Latino professionals, including ideas on how to increase the numbers of Latino professionals. Finally, the class will provide an intersectional framework for examining how, in addition to race, other identities such as gender, "illegality", and sexuality shape the political experiences of Latinos in U.S. society and politics (4)
POLS 287 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. Prerequisite: POLS 151. (1 to 4)
POLS 288 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. Prerequisite: POLS 151. (1 to 4)
POLS 289 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. Prerequisite: POLS 151. (1 to 4)
POLS 291 : Directed Study
To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)
POLS 301 : Political Science Methods
How does political science approach analysis of the political world? This course covers the approaches borrowed and developed by the discipline, research design, and qualitative methods to conduct research. Upon completion, students should be able to critique, understand, and conduct research about politics. Prerequisite: POLS 251. (4)
POLS 345 : Government and Public Policy - ES
An integrated approach to the nature of public policy, with emphasis on substantive problems, the development of policy responses by political institutions, and the impacts of policies. Intensive writing course. (4)
POLS 346 : Environmental Politics and Policy - ES, GE
An examination of environmental problems from political perspectives, including international and domestic political contexts and methods of evaluating policies. (4)
POLS 354 : State and Local Government - ES
Governmental structures, processes, and policy at state, local, and regional levels of the American system. (4)
POLS 361 : Political Parties and Elections - ES
Study of party and electoral systems with particular emphasis on American parties and elections. Examination of party roles in elections and government; party financing; interest groups and political action committees; and voting behavior. Intensive writing course. Prerequisite: POLS 251. (4)
POLS 365 : Race and Ethnic Politics - ES, GE
An interdisciplinary examination of the way racial and ethnic conflict shapes and structures American political, social, and economic life focused on the best path toward democratic equality. Discussions center on the literature that examines the integration of disenfranchised ethno-racial groups into in U.S. society, addressing the contemporary implications of changing demographics on institutions of power and on democracy in the U.S. (Intensive writing course). Prerequisite: POLS 251. (4)
POLS 370 : Prisons & Prisoners
This course is an examination of the era of mass incarceration in the United States. We will explore the racial, economic, and gender dynamics of this issue as well as various alternatives to the current system. This course meets an elective requirement or a public policy requirement for the Political Science major or minor. (4)
POLS 371 : Judicial Process - IT
An examination of legal processes in various adjudicatory settings. Primary attention given to judicial processes focusing on American civil and criminal law. Prerequisite: POLS 251. (4)
POLS 372 : Constitutional Law - IT
The constitutional basis of governmental powers in the United States with special emphasis given to judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, interstate commerce, and political and constitutional restrictions on governmental power. Intensive writing course. Prerequisite: POLS 251. (4)
POLS 373 : Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - IT
The constitutional basis of rights and liberties in the United States with special emphasis given to freedom of expression and association, religious freedom, rights in criminal proceedings, due process, and equal protection. Intensive writing course. Prerequisite: POLS 251. (4)
POLS 387 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
POLS 388 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
POLS 389 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
POLS 450 : Internship in Politics
Internship in the political dimensions of non-governmental organizations. By departmental consent only. Prerequisite: POLS 251. (1 to 8)
POLS 464 : Internship in the Legislative Process
An opportunity to study the process from the inside by working directly with legislative participants at the national, state or local level. By department consent only. (Internships with the Washington State Legislature are open only to juniors and seniors with at least one year at PLU.) Prerequisite: POLS 251. (1 to 12)
POLS 487 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. POLS 151 strongly advised before taking upper division courses for POLS majors. (1 to 4)
POLS 488 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. POLS 151 strongly advised before taking upper division courses for POLS majors. (1 to 4)
POLS 489 : Special Topics in Political Science
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. POLS 151 strongly advised before taking upper division courses for POLS majors. (1 to 4)
POLS 491 : Independent Studies
To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. By department consent only. (1 to 4)
POLS 495 : Internship
To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student. (1 to 12)
POLS 499 : Capstone: Senior Seminar - SR
Intensive study into topics, concepts, issues, and methods of inquiry in political science. Emphasis on student research, writing, and presentation. By departmental consent only. Prerequisite: POLS 301 & completion of the Public Policy Requirement (4 credits from POLS 345, 346, 354, or 370). (4)