Political Science Courses [279-399]

[201-223] [224-250] [251-278] [279-399]

POLS 279. Seminar in Survey Techniques. 3 crs. Students collectively design, implement, and analyze a major survey. Prereq.: POLS 217 Methods of Political Science and POLS 254 Behavioral Research Methods.

POLS 281. European Political Theory. 3 crs. In-depth study of major concepts and writers of Western political theory.

POLS 283. International Politics of the United Nations. 3 crs. Examination of the political dynamics of the United Nations.

POLS 284. Third World Political Theory. 3 crs. Examination of the contribution of third world theorists and leaders to the development of political theory. Topics include dependency theory, nonalignment, and alternative political and economic models. (Offered once a year)

POLS 285. International Communist Affairs. 3 crs. The course examines the domestic and foreign policy issues that affect relations among socialist states and their behavior in the world arena. (Spring semester only)

POLS 287. Theories of International Relations. 3 crs. Study of the various theoretical formulations involved in the examination of the behavior of the international political system.

POLS 289. Government and Politics of the Peoples Republic of China. 3 crs. In-depth examination of the government institutions, political dynamics, and international relations of the Peoples Republic of China.

POLS 290. Administrative Law and Regulatory Policy. 3 crs. Examination of institutions, government agencies, and public actions as related to the quasi-judicial policy-making operations of the executive branch.

POLS 291. Minorities and Bureaucracy. 3 crs. Examination of regulatory and procedural aspects of bureaucratic activity affecting minorities.

POLS 292. Seminar in American/Urban Politics. An examination of the components of the American political system, including the constitution, structures, and political institutions of the national and sub-national governments. (Spring semester only).

POLS 293. The Judicial Process. 3 crs. Examination of the legal and political factors that influence the rule-adjudication process in the federal system.

POLS 294. Selected Topics in American Government and Political Behavior for Doctoral Students. 3 crs. Analysis of research, concepts, theories, and literature of major topics in American government.

POLS 297. Special Topics in Political Theory. 3 crs. Special topics of importance within political theory. May include alienation, feminist political theory, Leninism, conservative political theory, or problems in development theory as well as detailed examination of a single political theorist. (Offered once a year).

POLS 298. Research Colloquium in Political Theory. 3 crs. Presentation of research in political theory by faculty members from Howard and other universities and by graduate students, especially those writing dissertations. Open to any student whose work includes a theoretical component.

POLS 299. Current Problems in Public Policy and Administration. 3 crs. Intensive study of selected problems. Prereq.: Consent of instructor.

POLS 300. Government Internship. 3 crs. The student serves a one-semester internship at the GS-7 level or above with a government agency on a full- or part-time basis. Prereqs.: U.S. citizen and consent of instructor.

POLS 301.* Independent Study-American Government. 3 crs. In-depth study of a particular subject in the field.

POLS 302*. Independent Study-Public Administration and Public Policy. 3 crs. In-depth examination of a particular subject in the field.

POLS 303.* Independent Study-Comparative Government. 3 crs. In-depth study of a particular subject in the field.

POLS 304. Independent Study-International Relations. 3 crs. Prereqs.: POLS 287, two other political science graduate courses, and permission of department.

POLS 305. Independent Study in Political Theory. 3 crs. Open to students who have completed at least nine graduate credits in the field. Permission of faculty member, graduate program director and chairperson is required.

POLS 306. Independent Study Methodology. 3 crs. In-depth examination of a particular subject in the field.

POLS 307.* Independent Study-Black Politics. 3 crs. In-depth study of a particular subject in the field.

POLS 308. Directed Research. 1-6 crs. Master’s thesis.

POLS 309. Independent Study in Political Economy. 3 crs. Nine credits in Political Economy and permission of the professor, graduate program director and chairperson.

POLS 398-01. Doctoral Seminar. Provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of the dissertation proposal. Questions relating to the selection and formulation of a research problem, methodological procedures to be followed, techniques to be used in data collection and analysis as well as preparation of the final research report will be reviewed at the outset of the course. Each student will formally present his or her proposal to the Seminar for criticism and discussion. Other faculty members will be invited to the Seminar as needed. Each student who has successfully completed comprehensive examinations in two major fields is required to enroll in the Seminar. No student may obtain approval of the dissertation proposal or be advanced to candidacy without successful completion of the Seminar.

POLS 399. Directed Research. 6-12 crs. Ph.D. dissertation.