Name # Faculty Date / Time CRN # SPRING 2019 American Politics POLS 121 Various Faculty Various Dates & Times See Online Intro to International POLS 220 Prof. Michael Hall TR / 11:00 am 12:15 pm 23473 Relations Comparative Politics POLS 226 Prof. Dinorah Azpuru MW / 2:00 pm 4:45 pm 24884 2 nd 8-Week Session March 21 st May 9 th The Congress POLS 316 Prof. Neal Allen TR / 11:00 am 12:15 pm 26093 Developing World POLS 320 Prof. Dinorah Azpuru ONLINE 26094 Global Challenges POLS 340 Prof. Michael Hall TR / 9:30 am 10:45 am 26092 Civil Liberties POLS 356 Molly Gordon T / 4:15 pm 6:55 pm 24948 Middle East Politics POLS 391E Brooklyn Walker M / 2:00 pm 4:45 pm 26095 Democracy and POLS 391L Prof. Dinorah Azpuru ONLINE 24893 Authoritarianism 1 st 8-Week Session Jan. 22 nd March 20 th Public Opinion & Political POLS 391P Prof. Heather MW / 11:00 am 12:15 26118 Psy Ondercin pm Directed Readings POLS 398 Various Faculty See Online Internship in Government / Politics POLS 490 * Various Faculty See Online See Online See Online Internship Seminar POLS 490A Prof. Neal Allen 22927 International Political POLS 570 Prof. Michael Hall TR / 2:00 pm 3:15 pm 22076 Economy Senior Thesis POLS 600 Prof. Dinorah Azpuru HYBRID 22075 W / 12:30 pm 1:45 pm Public and Nonprofit Financial Management POLS 865 Prof. Junghack Kim ONLINE 23527 * Various Credit Hours 1
WSU Political Science Department http://www.wichita.edu/politicalscience/ 418 Lindquist Hall 978-3165 SPRING 2019 COURSE OFFERINGS POLS 121 American Politics This course is required for Political Science Majors. This course fulfills both the social science core introductory course requirement of the general education program and the American government/american history requirement of LAS. The variety of instructors in this course bring distinctive approaches and emphasis to the different sections, but most sections will study the U.S. Constitution, civil liberties and civil rights, federalism, public opinion, political participation, political parties and interest groups, the Presidency, the Congress, and the Judiciary. POLS 220 Introduction to International Relations This course is required for Political Science Majors. This course serves as a general education introductory course. This course is an introduction to international politics. It is broadly divided into two segments: International Security Issues and International Political Economy. Topics include: IR theory, foreign policy, conflict and peacekeeping, the environment, North-South relations, and international trade. POLS 226 Comparative Politics This course is required for Political Science Majors. This course satisfies a general education further studies requirement. This course is designed to introduce students to important concepts, ideas, and disputes in comparative politics. Comparative politics seeks to explain differences between political systems. It provides an introduction to the comparative method & the discussion of key concepts in comparative politics. It also compares the experiences of individual countries & regions, and explores the conditions for variation in political development. The course emphasizes the study of the role of government in economic & social affairs (in developing as well as advanced industrial countries), but also takes a look at citizens participation and political culture & behavior. 2
POL S 316 The Congress It is recommended, but not required, that you take American Politics (POLS 121) before taking this class. This course satisfies a general education further studies requirement. The Congress is where policy proposals live or die. The Founding Fathers considered it to be the most important branch of government, which is why it s the first of the seven Articles of the original Constitution. We will discuss the evolution & development of the Congress, the organization of Congress, the goals of the members of Congress, the leadership of the Congress, and how policy is made. Consideration will also be given to explanations of legislative behavior, and why the American people have a negative attitude toward Congress. One of the projects of the class that students have found exciting is for each of you to interview a member of the Kansas State House of Representatives. The questionnaire will be given to you, and the interview of a member can be conducted in Wichita or in a community in the surrounding area. POLS 320 Developing World It is recommended, but not required, that you take Comparative Politics (POLS 226) before taking this class. This course examines the politics and processes of development and change in developing countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East as well as the implications for developed nations, including the United States. The course provides students with the theoretical tools and concepts to understand politics and the economy in these societies. The course looks at the theories of political development and modernization, the political institutions, the relationships between the state and society, and the social forces that influence politics and economics in these states. It also examines the regime types that exist in the different regions, emphasizing the recent transitions from authoritarianism to democracy. The course also deals with current challenges for developing countries, especially in the political realm. POLS 340 Global Challenges It is recommended, but not required, that you take Introduction to International Relations (POLS 220) before taking this class. This is a general education further studies course. Global Challenges is a seminar on the major challenges to the future of global politics. We will discuss what the major challenges of the future are, what social science can and cannot teach us about what will happen, and how to construct solutions to tomorrow s problems. Examples include future security threats, environmental threats, global development, the global trade and finance systems, and the spread of democracy. 3
POLS 356 Civil Liberties It is recommended, but not required, that you take American Government (POLS 121) before taking this class. This course examines the politics of rights and liberties in America, with a focus on Supreme Court decisions. Students will learn about constitutional rights like free speech, privacy, and nondiscrimination, and how they are protected or not protected by courts. This course is appropriate for all Wichita State students. POLS 391E Middle East Politics It is recommended, but not required, that you take Introduction to International Relations (POLS 220) before taking this class. This course will examine political relations between states in the Middle East with a focus on understanding the impact of history, culture, and religion on current conflict resolution efforts. Topics will include the Syrian conflict, Israeli-Palestinian relations, the Arab spring and much more. POLS 391L Democracy and Authoritarianism This course will examine how the countries of the world can be divided into democratic and authoritarian regimes, but in between those extremes there are many shades. This course will discuss the features that define a democracy and distinguish it from a hybrid or authoritarian regime. It will evaluate the theories of democracy and authoritarianism and will also look at quantitative indicators and public opinion data. In addition it will discuss the role that different domestic actors and international factors can play in the process of democratization in any given country. Other topics include: the preconditions for democracy, the different waves of democratization that have occurred in the world, the modes of transition from authoritarianism to democracy, and the possible distortions to or total breakdown of democracy. POLS 391P Public Opinion & Political Psychology This course will focus on the following. The basic premise of democratic government is that the government should be responsive to the wishes or opinions of the people. But how does government know what these opinions are? How are these opinions formed? Can these opinions be changed? And is government really responsive to the public's wishes? We will investigate these and several more questions throughout this semester to gain a more complete understanding of the scholarly research on public opinion and political psychology in the U.S. political system. POLS 398 Directed Readings Students who wish to study a topic in detail not covered by a regular class may do so by arranging to be directed in their study by a member of the political science faculty, obtaining written authorization from that person, and then enrolling with an electronic signature provided by the department s Sr. Administrative Assistant (418LH). 4
POLS 490 Internship in Government/Politics This course offers credit for practical experience to compliment formal instruction of classes. Students must secure approval from a faculty supervisor. POLS 570 International Political Economy It is recommended, but not required, that you take Introduction to International Relations (POLS 220) before taking this class. This course discusses the politics of the global economy. Topics include how governments from policies on trade, exchange rates, international debt, economic development, immigration, natural resources, and globalization. Questions concern how governments should craft economic policy and how they actually do foreign policy. POLS 600 Senior Thesis *POLS 365 Political Research Methods is a prerequisite for this class. This course is required for Political Science Majors. This is a capstone course for political science majors. This class is designed in a seminar format where discussion and critical evaluations of some readings will be done. However, the most important part of the course is the preparation of a major research paper in one of the fields within the discipline: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations or Political Theory. The research papers should be of high quality and could be used as writing samples for graduate or law school applications. Students are expected to work throughout the semester on their paper under the supervision of a member of the political science faculty. They should follow the guidelines and deadlines provided by the course director. Failure to comply with the guidelines and the deadlines may result in a non-passing grade. POLS 865 State / Local Government Finance This course analyzes the state and local government expenditure and system. It also introduces state and local financial administration. POLITICAL SCIENCE FACULTY Prof. Neal Allen LH 418A (316) 978-7133 Email: neal.allen@wichita.edu Prof. Dinorah Azpuru LH 415 (316) 978-7134 Email: dinorah.azpuru@wichita.edu Prof. Michael Hall LH 420 (316) 978-7138 Email: michael.hall@wichita.edu Esam Mohammad LH 421 (316) 978-7141 Email: esam.mohammad@wichita.edu Steven Woodman LH 421 (316) 978-3165 Email: stevelwoodman@gmail.com 5