91 courses with the subject PLS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
Survey of basic principles, institutions and functions such as federalism, separation of powers, civil liberties and rights, judicial review, public opinion, political parties, elections and interest groups.
Survey for non-majors of politics and governmental institutions within and among nation states. Attention will also be given to the role of political theory and ideology in the governance of states.
Introduction to the rationale and application of the scientific method to political analysis. Major topics include: statement of problem, survey of literature, theory construction, data collection and analysis, and presentation of findings and conclusions.
Important political issues and their relationship to the overall American political process. Topics are selected from, but not limited to: education policy; health care policy; federal deficit and debt policy; and minorities and politics.
An examination of the origin, nature, and consequences of religion’s influence on political values, institutions, and policies in the United States.
An analysis of the organization, powers and role of the judiciary. Topics include: the political role of judges, factors influencing judicial policy-making, selection of judges, the role of lawyers, and judicial decision-making.
Focuses on the electoral arena (history, financing, political environments), nominations (delegate selections and conventions), campaigns (organization, strategy, tactics, media), and the election (votes, policy, reforms). Special attention is given to recent and current presidential and congressional election campaigns.
Role of politics in environmental policy. Topics include the politics of the environmental movement, the environment as a public policy issue, and the development and impact of environmental policy.
Fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of politics as treated by such writers as Plato, Augustine, Locke, Hobbes, and Marx.
Exploration of what it means to act responsibly and with integrity in public life in an environment of shared powers and competing values. Case studies, journals, role plays and film are used to illustrate concepts.
Role of morality in international affairs to explore how states and citizens act responsibly in international public life. Drawing on the traditions of realism, liberalism, and utilitarianism along with the just war tradition, the course examines the ethical implications of issues such as war, terrorism, globalization, and genocide.
Basic analysis of politics among nations. Role of law, force, and diplomacy in world politics; problems of war, peace, and disarmament.
Introduction to United Nations issues and organization. Course focus on active learning through simulation of international diplomacy, speech making, negotiation, and foreign policy development. Course requires travel to a Model United Nations conference, with additional costs for students.
Important international political issues and their impact on the political processes among the nations of the world. Topics are selected from, but not limited to: the role of the United Nations; environmental policy; separatism and nationalism; religious conflict and international order; terrorism; and economic development.
Comparative analysis of political systems in developed, second- and third-world nations, including an examination of the foundations and structures of selected national governments, such as parliamentary and presidential systems, democratic and non-democratic systems.
A series of speaker engagements on international issues deemed presently crucial in international affairs by the Foreign Policy Association. Students will read required articles, attend lectures given by specialists in the field, and engage in discussions in student-led tutorials and break-out sessions.
Topics relating to crime and punishment in the American legal system as viewed through the lens of the Cape Fear region. Explore a number of solutions to crime in the Cape Fear Region, many of which are unique to the area. Also serves as an introduction to the community and its fabric in the Cape Fear Region.
Lower division special topics in political science taken abroad or partially abroad. Course taught by UNCW faculty or as transfer credit from a foreign institution. Course may be repeated under different subtitles.
Analytical study of U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting separation of powers and individual rights. The powers of the judicial, executive, and legislative branches of national government; the relationships among these branches; and the federal system.
Analytical study of U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting separation of powers and individual rights. Individual rights and liberties other than procedural rights of persons involved with the criminal justice system.
Explores the role of Supreme Court in the American political system. Reviews the Court’s history, membership, operations, and interactions with the other branches of government and the public. Focuses on the social scientific theories that explain the behavior of the justices and other individuals associated with the Court.
The impact of citizen beliefs and preferences on election outcomes, and the factors that influence political participation. Structured around a critical examination of the assumptions, findings, and interpretations of the major studies of political behavior.
Study of the theories and methods of analyzing and explaining public policy and the substance of recent domestic policies in the areas of public finance and human and physical resources, including welfare, education, protection of the environment, housing, health, urban renewal and transportation.
Study of U.S. Supreme Court decisions on rights of suspects, defendants, witnesses, and convicted criminals.
Critical examination of the political themes present in film spanning across the major subfields of political science, including American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. Consideration of the extent to which media accurately portray political phenomena as understood by political scientists and the scholarly literature and analysis of its consequences.
Functional study of legislative bodies and lawmaking. Among the topics studied will be the role of legislatures; the impact of constituencies, parties, interest groups, interpersonal relationships and other pressures on legislators; legislative structure; and the decision-making process.
Introduction to public administration in the United States. Nature and scope of public administration, public interest in the administrative process, role of administrators, formal and informal organization, public personnel and financial management.
Examination of the concept of a political chief executive as a coordinate member, with legislature and courts, of a government team. Emphasis will be placed on the powers, roles, decision-making processes, and institutional development of the offices of president, governor, and mayor.
Introduction to the nature, concept and sources of law and the various schools of jurisprudence. Topics treated include natural law; historical, analytical and sociological jurisprudence; idealism; utilitarianism; legal realism; equity, justice, precedent, custom and law; and the relation of law and morality.
Students will locate, apply, and analyze law in correct and precise written form. Legal formatting and Bluebook citation will be emphasized. Iterative writing assignments will encourage students to incorporate cohesive revisions leading to critical analysis in objective and persuasive writing. Students will produce a legal memorandum and a court brief while utilizing critical written analysis of the law.
Special topics course focusing on learning political analysis skills relevant to a variety of career paths and practical applications in the fields of political science and public policy. Course topics may include qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, statistical programming, experimental design, geospatial analysis (GIS), or game theory.
Introduction to the origin and development of political theory from the 5th Century B.C. through the medieval era. Emphasis will be placed on the political ideas of Plato, Aristotle, the Epicureans, the Stoics, Cicero, Augustine, medieval philosophers, and Aquinas in order to discover the recurring themes of political inquiry.
Critical examination of political ideas from 1500 to 1900 with special attention to those of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Hume, Burke, Hegel, Bentham, Marx, the Mills, Spencer, T.H. Green and Nietzsche.
Ideology and its significance in the modern world. Systematic analysis of the major political ideologies of the 19th and 20th centuries with emphasis on democracy, communism, fascism, nationalism, anarchism, and the New Left.
Introduction to political perspectives on sex role differentiation. Among the topics to be discussed will be political socialization of women in ancient and modern society; women’s roles in politics and government; political consequences of women’s entry into the work force; and contemporary issues in the women’s movement. Emphasis will be placed throughout on comparative political analysis.
Contemporary issues in the study and critique of science, technology and innovation policy including an overview of dynamics at the interface of science, politics and policy. Topic examples include: public and private spending on research and development (R&D), responsible innovation, governing artificial intelligence, science advice, integrity in science, evidence-based decision making, ethics in intellectual property.
National and international laws and policies concerning the ocean. Topics include: fisheries management, marine mammal protection, shipping and navigation, oil and chemical pollution, coastal and wetlands protection, submerged lands, riparian rights, and public access to coastal lands and waters.
Governments and politics of selected sub-Saharan African states. A survey from colonial days to the present with emphasis on contemporary economic, social and political problems.
Political, economic, and social problems confronting developing nations. Attention will be given to such issues as cultural pluralism, one-party states, military dictatorships, and U.S. relations with the developing world.
Introduction to core political issues facing the Central American, political history as well as contemporary processes. Students will critically evaluate development and the problems associated with moving from underdeveloped to “”developed”” status.
Politics of South America and the impact of socio-economic forces on the region and its political structures.
Introduction to the social, political, and economic conditions which give rise to radical response. Examines small rebel bands, or militias (commonly referred to as ‘guerrilla’ movements), and ‘terrorist’ organizations, as well as large-scale revolutionary movements.
Political institutions and processes of selected European countries, including Great Britain, France and Germany.
Comparative study of the political institutions and processes of Russia and the eastern European Countries. Post-Soviet dynamics and the nature and significance of contemporary changes.
Political system of China with special emphasis on the challenges of development, democracy, and nation-building in the post-1949 period.
Governments and politics of the Middle East with emphasis on the changes that have occurred since 1945. A detailed examination of the forces that have shaped contemporary Middle Eastern politics: Islam, nationalism, modernization, and current political trends. The political institutions and processes and the domestic and foreign policies of selected countries will be studied.
American political institutions and processes through the eyes of Black America. This study will analyze the power structure in the black community, dissent and protest, black participation in the political system, black leaders and politicians and their politics, and the uniqueness of black politics as compared with the wider spectrum of the political system.
Role of Latino communities in shaping state and national politics in the United States. Latino political empowerment strategies, political representation, the electoral impact of Latino votes, and contemporary public policy issues.
Social, political, and economic inequality of racial/ethnic groups in the Americas.
Examination of the process of democratic transition and consolidation in the United States from 1898 to the present. Focus on the comparative analysis of scholarly literature concerning democratic transition and consolidation.
Survey and analysis of the organization, functions, and political processes of the American states with an emphasis on North Carolina politics.
Structure, functions, political processes, problems, and trends in American city and metropolitan government and politics.
Investigation of the elements that contribute to current national political culture, origins, characteristics,and influences on public dialogue and policy.
Historical and analytical treatment of the appearance and realignment of political parties during the five successive ‘national party systems’ since the beginning of the republic. Special emphasis is given to the question of contemporary party disarray and potential realignment.
Overview of the policies, plans, and regulations that local governments used to shape the physical growth of cities, towns, and suburbs. A range of topics are covered, such as transportation planning, historic preservation, and affordable housing development.
Examination of the political events and ideas needed to understand the growth of American government. Study of how the change of institutional power contributed to the growth of government within our federal system. Students produce an empirical/data analysis of an important institutional aspect of American politics.
Covers management fundamentals in the nonprofit sector. Selected topics include governance, human relations, financial management, public relations and fundraising.
Examines the range of ways for nonprofit organizations to raise funds from individuals, government, foundations, and corporations. Major theoretical foundations of fund development, general fundraising principles, donor market segregation, fundraising techniques, and key aspects of managing the fundraising process.
Addresses major issues in the leadership and management of volunteers in the nonprofit and public sectors. Focuses on the two main types of volunteers: service volunteers, and policy volunteers (board members). Topics covered include volunteer recruitment, screening, job design, supervision, recognition, and evaluation.
Explores international environmental negotiations and agreements of global environmental problems regarding overfishing, climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, trans-boundary pollutants, and water scarcity. Examines the debate surrounding sustainable development, ecological justice, and conflicts around resource scarcity.
Capstone course that integrates knowledge from the major subfields in political science through examination of the discipline’s relationship to careers and citizenship.
Evolution of immigration policy in the U.S. Experience with various immigration time periods and source countries. Identifies the primary costs and benefits of immigration, with special attention to the policy changes making immigration more difficult over time. Conditions under which immigration increases or decreases, including the contemporary increase in the rate of illegal immigration.
Origin, content, and policy impact of public opinion in democratic nations. Emphasis on the contemporary American experience and the genesis of mass movements.
Internal mechanics of political campaigns, major areas of campaign management and strategy, campaign organization, voter contact, campaign research, finance and fund-raising, and communications. Special attention is given to recent and current presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial election campaigns.
Exploration of career opportunities in Washington, DC, through experiential learning. Utilization of on-campus resources, including the Career Center and the Alumni Association, to plan a trip to Washington, DC, to network with UNCW alumni, political practitioners, and other public affairs professionals. Students are required to participate in the trip to Washington, D.C.
Recent developments throughout the American South and their impact on national politics. Topics include southern political culture, the decline of the one-party system, and the changing roles of blacks and organized labor. Emphasis is placed upon independent research projects involving student analysis of census, election return, and public opinion survey data.
Examination of the leading scholarship in political psychology to investigate critical issues in American politics. After introducing political psychology’s history, methods and major themes, course addresses the psychological aspects of campaign politics, public opinion, intergroup relations and leadership.
American political thought from the colonial period to the present.
Introduction to nuclear weapons policy and strategy with an emphasis on nonproliferation, nuclear security, and nuclear deterrence. Consideration of nuclear weapons technology, why countries seek nuclear weapons, risks to international security, and policy tools deployed to prevent proliferation or use.
This course introduces students to some of the most intractable and violent conflicts around the world in order to understand various theoretical approaches that explain the onset and dynamics of ethno-nationalist conflicts.
Roles and interrelationships of Congress, the media, public opinion, the president, the secretaries and departments of state and defense, and the intelligence community are examined. Emphasis is placed on the content and the dynamic aspects of the process of policy formulation and implementation.
Formulation of security policy, including the roles of the executive and legislative branches and of non-governmental factors; evolution of changing assumptions, strategies, and goals; the nature of U.S. security requirements, U.S. military commitments abroad, and the cost of strategies based on weapons superiority, arms control, and disarmament.
Investigates war and conflict at the international level and the different ways in which governments individually or collectively work to address the problem.
Students are provided with an overview of the current International system and introduced to the theories actors, their interactions, and the norms of the international system. The impact of the law and norms of international relations or international conflict are analyzed and debated.
Nature, development and basic concepts of international law. Examination of the scope, sources and sanctions of international law; its relation to municipal law; the rights and duties of states and individuals; methods of settling international disputes. Characteristic cases used as illustrations.
Survey of the evolution, objectives and methods of various types of regional and universal organizations and their role in contemporary international relations. Special emphasis will be placed on the principal functions and agencies of the United Nations and the European economic community.
Investigates the phenomenon of terrorism at the international and global level with particular empasis on why terrorism occurs, and on domestic level and international cooperative counterterrorism.
Political-economic structures at the international level (trade, finance, and currency) and the impact of the government, business, and human networks that emerge as a result of political-economic interactions between countries.
Examines the importance of size, the influence of global forces, and the difficulties of unification and coordination in the Caribbean political context.
An engaged learning experience where students learn about nonprofit organizations, acquire useful employment skills and apply them in projects designed by nonprofit organizations in conjunction with the instructor. Students will complete projects developed and needed by nonprofit organizations in the community; and students will meet and interact with members of the UNCW and nonprofit community.
Practicum for a lecture series focused on international affairs. Students will familiarize themselves with international issues through readings and class seminars; then recruit named scholars in the appropriate field; organize logistics for their travel and accommodations in Wilmington, NC; advertise for the lecture series; and create and maintain website. Students take PLS 441 in the following semester.
Practicum course in leading student tutorials and break-out sessions in selected topics in international affairs. Students will research the various topics, give class seminars, and recruit named scholars and speakers in each of the topics under discussion.
Examines the field of international development including economic development and governance assistance activities with attention to classic theories as well as current debates and innovative approaches.
Integrative course focusing on scholarly literature on democracy, authoritarianism, and democratization, with an emphasis on real world examples of regime types and transitions.
Investigation under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses. For further information, consult the Directed Individual Studies section in this catalogue.
Upper division special topics in political science taken abroad or partially abroad. Course taught by UNCW faculty or as transfer credit from a foreign institution. Course may be repeated under different subtitles.
Consideration of special topics in political science. May be repeated for additional credit.
Experiential learning with selected public or private agencies or with an individual which allows the student to utilize academic training while learning from a practical field experience. (Formal research project is a major part of the internship.)
Individual study for honors students.
Source: University of North Carolina Wilmington's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
