GOVT Course Schedule

100 Level Courses

GOVT 101: Democratic Theory and Practice. 3 credits.
Comparative exploration; topics include contemporary analysis of the meanings of liberty, equality, representation, property rights, voting rights, and civil responsibilities.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Social/Behavioral Sciences
Schedule Type: Lecture, Recitation
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 103: Introduction to American Government. 3 credits.
An overview of key organizing principles of American government, including its institutions, history, and various aspects of political participation.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Just Societies, Social/Behavioral Sciences
Schedule Type: Lecture, Recitation
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 132: Introduction to International Politics. 3 credits.
Nature of international politics, approaches to study of international politics, state and nonstate actors in international system, patterns of action and interaction between nation-states, international institutions, and major global issues.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Global Understanding
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 133: Introduction to Comparative Politics. 3 credits.
Discusses methods and subject matter of comparative political analysis. Includes political systems, politics, participation in politics, government structures, policy-making process, and evaluation of political performance.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Global Contexts, Global Understanding
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 134: Grand Challenges to Human Security. 3 credits.
The complexity and diversity of the international system gives rise to myriad security threats outside of the traditional force- and conflict-based study of international security. This course provides the tools to understand, reflect on, and critically examine broad contextual threats to global security, including: demographic change, environmental (climate change, pollution and habitat destruction) change, technological change (impact on jobs, decent work and job creation), sustainable development (keeping in mind climate change and impact on agriculture, for example), forced migration, humanitarian emergencies, and the United Nations (UN) human security approach to identify challenges and approaches to tackle these issues.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Global Contexts, Global Understanding
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 150: Introduction to Technology Policy. 3 credits.
Introduces the roles of government and industry in the rapid developments in information and communication technology. Presents major issues in technology development and regulation in the U.S. and around the world. Considers the legal, economic, political, sociological, public health and moral perspectives in examining the worlds of data, networks and computation.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Just Societies, Social/Behavioral Sciences
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

300 Level Courses

GOVT 300: Research Methods and Analysis. 4 credits.
Emphasizes asking clear, researchable questions and using appropriate evidence to answer them. Introduces broad range of evidence including quantitative and qualitative information. Studies design and analysis of surveys, government archives, case studies, and interpretations of events in journals. Examines ethical implications of information technologies. Notes: Required for all majors in government and international politics, and public administration. Strongly recommended before or during first semester of enrolling in 300-level courses.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Info Tech & Computing
Recommended Prerequisite: 60 hours or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 301: Public Law and the Judicial Process. 3 credits.
American judicial organization and operation, role of the Supreme Court in policy formation, and selected constitutional principles.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to CRIM 301.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 304: American State and Local Government. 3 credits.
Nature, organization, functions, and problems of American state and local governments.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 305: Contemporary American Federalism. 3 credits.
Legal, administrative, fiscal, and political dimensions of evolving American federalism.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 307: Legislative Behavior. 3 credits.
Organization, processes, functions, and roles of legislature and U.S. Congress members. Topics include state legislatures and cross-national comparisons as time and resources permit.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 308: The American Presidency. 3 credits.
Survey of modern presidency, including constitutional origins of office, growth and influence of White House staff, Cabinet, presidential appointees and control of executive branch, relations with Congress, and domestic and national security policy making.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 311: Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior. 3 credits.
Studies actions of voters, candidates, and political parties in relation to the expression of relevant public opinion in a democratic system.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103 and 300.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 312: Political Parties and Campaigns. 3 credits.
Characteristics and functions of political parties, influence of parties and other political forces on electoral decisions, and emphasis on parties' inability or ability to hold government accountable to citizens.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 313: Political Psychology. 3 credits.
Examines political topics through a psychological lens. Review of theoretical approaches, methods and themes. Political psychology has been used to explore the motivation of presidents, why some groups will seek to kill off other groups through acts of genocide, how the authoritarian state can emerge, and what goes through your mind as you go to cast your ballot on Election Day.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 318: Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process. 3 credits.
Role, internal operations, strategies, and activities of interest groups. Evaluates ability of these groups to enable citizens to influence or control government and enhance democratic process. Considers conditions under which social movements become, or fail to become, effective interest groups.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 319: Issues in Government and Politics. 1-3 credits.
Studies special issues relevant to government and politics. Topics announced in advance. Examples include politics and the arts, ethnic conflict and the political system, gender politics, and changing dynamics in political institutions. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 322: International Relations Theory. 3 credits.
Advanced inquiry into international relations. Studies theories, concepts of international relations, and major forces and issues in international politics.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132 or 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 323: Classical Western Political Theory. 3 credits.
Lectures, discussions of developments in Western tradition of political thought from time of Greek city-state to late medieval Christendom. Topics include nature and purpose of politics, relationship between individual and state, political significance of religion and tradition, and concept of natural law.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to PHIL 323.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 101, or three credits of Philosophy.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 324: Modern Western Political Theory. 3 credits.
Lectures, discussions of developments in Western tradition of political thought from Renaissance to mid-19th century. Topics include rise of individualism in political theory, early developments in social contact theory, theories of radical popular sovereignty, and early criticisms of liberal theory.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to PHIL 324.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 101, or three credits of Philosophy.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 327: Contemporary Western Political Theory. 3 credits.
Lectures, discussions of developments in Western tradition of political thought from mid-19th century to today. Different sections focus on various political theories that have been influential during this period, such as liberal, libertarian, conservative, communitarian, Marxist, feminist, and postmodern thought. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits. Equivalent to PHIL 327.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 101 or three credits of Philosophy.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 329: Issues in Political Theories and Values. 1-3 credits.
Studies special issues relevant to theoretical and value aspects of government and politics. Topics announced in advance. Examples include ethics and politics, ethics and environmental policy, changing perspectives on civil rights and liberties, religion and politics, and changing views of public space. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 331: Politics of Latin America. 3 credits.
Contemporary political systems of Latin America, with emphasis on institutions, political processes, and political behavior. Presents case studies of several key Latin American politics; discusses problems of political development.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 332: Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. 3 credits.
Societies of Middle East and North Africa and their response to impact of internal sociocultural-political determinants and external forces. Focuses on contemporary politics, ideologies, popular manifestations, institutions, and operations.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 333: Politics of East Asia. 3 credits.
Government structures and political processes of East Asian countries. Examines patterns of conflict and cooperation, and issues of economic development and political reform in rapidly changing world.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 334: Politics of Europe. 3 credits.
Examines governance and political systems in Europe at the national and supranational levels, with emphasis on actors, institutions, processes, and behavior. Explores key policies in a variety of fields, such as social policy, migration, and economic and monetary union.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 337: Ethnic Politics in Western Europe and North America. 3 credits.
Studies resurgence of ethnic nationalism in industrial democracies of Western Europe and North America, and the comparative analysis of policy issues related to ethnonationalism. Case studies drawn from the industrial democracies.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 338: Politics of Eurasia. 3 credits.
Examines politics and international relations of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, from the Soviet era to the present.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 339: Issues in the Politics of Advanced Industrial Societies. 1-3 credits.
Studies selected current political issues in industrial democracies of Western Europe and North America. Specific topics chosen each semester to reflect contemporary political concerns in these countries, but political process in advanced industrial countries is organizing principle throughout the course. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103 or 133 or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 340: Central Asian Politics. 3 credits.
Comparative examination of political change in Central Asia with attention to national identity formation, political economy, political conflict, political Islam, and democratization.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 341: Chinese Foreign Policy. 3 credits.
Discusses theories and practices of Chinese foreign policy decision making, which are then used to understand China's relations with United States, Japan, Russia, Europe, and its Asian neighbors, and China's policy in issues such as human rights, environmental protection, and nuclear nonproliferation.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 342: Diplomacy. 3 credits.
Origins of organized diplomacy: tasks, procedures, instruments, and problems of diplomacy. Emphasizes current, future roles of diplomacy.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 343: International Political Economy. 3 credits.
Introduces international political economy. Examines interplay of economics and politics, and applies these to different issues. Focuses on issues of contemporary significance, with attention to historical issues and basic political and economic concepts.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133; or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 344: American Foreign Policy. 3 credits.
Central issues surrounding the conduct of America's foreign relations, with special emphasis on structural and constitutional questions, national policy objectives abroad, and conduct of foreign policy in a democracy.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 345: Islam and Politics. 3 credits.
Covers politics of religion in Muslim societies; history, ideology, and practices of key individuals, movements, and institutions; case studies of political Islam in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the West; plurality and diversity of political expression in Muslim world; nature of democracy in Islam; and Islamic state.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 346: American Security Policy. 3 credits.
Approaches U.S. National security policy from perspective of organization and implementation of specific policies. Applies theoretical concerns to historic cases to illuminate problems that continue to challenge country.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 347: International Security. 3 credits.
Explores enduring security problems and new developments. Examines effects of international system on defense policies of states, particularly tensions of world caught between emerging interdependence and national demands. Encourages development of critical-thinking and group and oral presentation skills.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 351: Administration in the Political System. 3 credits.
Administrative structures and processes in political setting of public management. Presents organization and administrative theory, critiques, and current practices; and examines impact of changes in social, political, and economic environment on concepts, models.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 352: Responsible Innovation. 3 credits.
Policy professionals today need to understand the power of technologies to create politics, and of specific processes by which technologies might be consciously shaped. Such understanding underpins the ability – and responsibility – to manage technologies and their effects. As interactions among technologies, organizations and cultures intensify, and conflicts among them and in the wider society intensify as well. This course is designed not only to help minimize such failures, but to maximize success in administrative, policy and political contexts.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 354: Nonprofit Sector in Society. 3 credits.
Introduces students to the thousands of soup kitchens, shelters, health clinics, educational institutions, arts agencies, and other organizations that make up the U.S. nonprofit sector. Topics covered include: the internal structure and operation of nonprofits; the role of nonprofits in delivering services, advocating for particular points of view, and providing vehicles for caring and self-expression; and the partnerships that nonprofits form with donors, government agencies, and businesses to address social problems.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 355: Public Personnel Administration. 3 credits.
Analyzes techniques and tools in human resource management including merit system, classification, compensation, evaluation, recruitment, and labor relations. Emphasizes current legal and policy issues in personnel administration, such as diversity and privatization.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 351.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 356: Public Budgeting and Finance. 3 credits.
Covers tools and techniques in budgeting and financial management in U.S. governments, including management of public financial institutions, budgetary process and reform, and relationship of public budgeting to national economic policy.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 351.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 357: Urban Planning. 3 credits.
Reviews spatial, policy, and administration principles that guide urban planning activities in the United States. Outlines differences between theory and practice and provides tools, methods, and perspectives commonly incorporated into practice of urban planning and policy analysis.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to GGS 357.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 351
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 358: Nonprofit Financial Planning. 4 credits.
Provides understanding of social mission and entrepreneurial cross pressures underlying financial planning and accounting in nonprofit sector. Topics include revenue sources and projections, entrepreneurial techniques, and cost analysis for nonprofit and nongovernmental entities. Lectures, student case studies.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 361: Introduction to Environmental Policy. 3 credits.
Environmental politics and policy making since the 1970s. Primarily U.S. focus, with some discussion of global issues. Examines policy strategies and outcomes, ethical and economic debates, political controversies, lawmaking and enforcement, and role of key players.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to EVPP 361.
Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Focused Course
Recommended Prerequisite: 30 credits.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 362: Intermediate Environmental Policy. 3 credits.
Examines environmental issues building on learning objectives from GOVT 361. Focuses on environmental and policy issues in the US and internationally, exploring the politics of nature and the interaction of environmental science and politics and resulting controversy. Risk and uncertainty loom large in most environmental issues. Covers "natural" disasters as well as direct "man-made" problems.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 12 credits. Equivalent to EVPP 362.
Recommended Prerequisite: EVPP 361 or GOVT 361 or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 363: Science and Technology Institutions/Policy. 3 credits.
Explores the relationship between scientific achievement and geopolitical power. Examines the development of science and technology institutions and policy. Introduces the history of modern United States sci-tech development and places it in global comparative perspective. Students develop critical thinking and effective writing skills by critiquing current technology policies and suggesting improvements.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 364: Public Policy Making. 3 credits.
Processes, agencies, and politics involved in the proposal making, implementation, evaluation, and revision of U.S. public policy.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 366: Public Policy Analysis. 3 credits.
Methods of public policy analysis, evaluation, and research. Studies design and development of alternative courses of government action and evaluation of results, and problems in applying systematic analysis to political issues.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 300.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 367: Money, Markets and Economic Policy. 3 credits.
Applies basic economic concepts and principles to issues facing the U.S. and global economies. Topics include productivity and economic growth, taxes, health care, globalization, income distribution and financial crises, with an emphasis on market structure, social institutions and the not-always rational behavior of investors and consumers.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to ECON 367.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Social/Behavioral Sciences
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 368: Tools for Economic Policy Analysis. 3 credits.
This course outlines the economic framework for studying public policy, taking a more quantitative approach than GOVT 367. Topics include consumer and producer behavior under different market structures, how and why markets can fail to produce socially desirable outcomes, income distribution, and macroeconomic growth. Emphasizes using economic models to evaluate both market outcomes and policy interventions.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 367.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 369: Cybersecurity Policy. 3 credits.
This course examines the rapidly expanding cyber world which provides new challenges for existing governance systems worldwide. Will cover existing laws, practices and social norms around cyberspace, and explore options for countering security threats and forming policies. Topics covered may include nonstate actors and international security, misinformation and weaponized information, ransomware, cryptocurrencies, and public regulation of private companies.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 398: Study Abroad. 3 credits.
Study abroad. Course topics, content, and locations vary. Notes: GOVT 398 may only be applied to a major or minor with prior written approval from the department. A maximum of 6 credits may be applied to the BA in government and international politics, the BS in public administration, or any minor offered by the Schar School of Policy and Government.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 399: Research Practicum. 1-3 credits.
Applies research methods in context of assisting with faculty research. Individualized sections taught by arrangement with full-time faculty. Methods adopted vary, but generally include library research, data collection, data analysis, and report construction.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 300 and Permission of Instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

400 Level Courses

GOVT 400: Issues in Political Analysis. 1-3 credits.
Studies special issues relevant to analytical approaches to studying government and politics. Topics announced in advance. Examples include advanced statistical methods, time series analysis, game theory, social network analysis, geographic information systems for politics, social science experiments, and causal inference. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department. Offered by Schar School of Policy & Govt. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: GOVT 300C or 300XS.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 407: Law and Society. 3 credits.
Explores relationship between law and society, including concept of law; origin, development, and role of law in society; and relationship between law and social change. Assesses different approaches and methodologies.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100 or GOVT 301.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 409: Virginia Government and Politics. 3 credits.
Examines history of politics in Virginia and current political issues. Particular attention to changing dynamics of political parties, key legislative issues, and policies of recent administrations.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 412: Politics and the Mass Media. 3 credits.
Responsibilities and freedoms of mass media in democracy. Explores Influence of media on citizens' opinions, elections, and decisions of public officials.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to COMM 412.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 414: Politics of Race and Gender. 3 credits.
Examines political, economic, and social impact of public policies and implications for race, gender, and age.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 420: American Political Thought. 3 credits.
Major political values and theories in America from formation of American republic to present. Covers changes in American political values in crisis periods and contemporary American political theory including pluralism, elite theories of democracy, and empirical political theory.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 422: Constitutional Interpretation. 3 credits.
Examines Supreme Court's interpretation of constitutional powers of Congress, presidency, and judiciary. Includes examination of major decisions concerning state regulation, taxation, and interstate relations.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 423: Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties. 3 credits.
Studies First Amendment freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and religion; right to privacy; and Fourteenth Amendment equal protection.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to CRIM 423.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 426: Political Theory of Autonomous Algorithms. 3 credits.
Explores the broader questions of agency as associated with tools, machines, objects, data, and, ultimately, (semi) autonomous algorithms. How is our concept of ‘humanity’ bound up with conceptions of our relationship to the world of tools and machines? To our concepts of objects as data? How do tools ‘act’ and have ‘agency’ in the world? How are they political? Students will develop an appreciation for how political theory informs the discipline of political science, and in particular the evolving study of public data.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 427: Feminist Political Thought. 3 credits.
Explores feminist political thought in historical context. Topics include feminist political movements, feminist critiques of political philosophy, and feminist contributions to political theory.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 101, WMST 200, 3 credits of PHIL, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 428: Advanced Democratic Theory. 3 credits.
Explores various theoretical approaches to nature and justification of democracy. Topics may include liberal, communitarian, pluralist, and deliberative theories and their critics; constitutionalism; role of markets; and transnational democracy.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 101; or one course in PHIL.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 430: Comparative Political Leadership. 3 credits.
Comparative political leadership, relationships between political cultures and types of leadership, patterns of leadership recruitment, and linkages between political elites and citizenry.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 433: Political Economy of East Asia. 3 credits.
Discusses different theoretical perspectives of East Asian political economy; transformation of East Asia; and issues such as money, finance, trade, investment, environment, and energy. Focuses on issues of contemporary significance, but attention also given to history.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 133 and 60 credits, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 434: Democracy in Global Perspective. 3 credits.
Comparative study of structures and performance of democracies around the world since 1975. Examines growing influence of global forces such as economy, media, and culture in process of democratization. Examines select current elections.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 435: Data Analysis for Comparative and International Politics. 3 credits.
Provides practical tools for organizing and conducting original empirical research in the fields of comparative and international politics. The course considers both the analytical logic of quantitative methods and their practical application using statistical software. Topics may include (but are not limited to) data management practice, comparative public opinion, categorizing regime types, implications of international organization, global health and energy policy, and empirically assessing political violence, conflict, and civil war.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 300 and 3 credits of Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 441: Grand Strategy. 3 credits.
Why, how, and for what purposes do states employ their national power abroad? This is a big question that cuts to the core of higher-order questions regarding foreign policy formulation and deployment. This class provides an advanced introduction to the relationship between war, peacetime settlements, politics, and strategy.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 443: Law and Ethics of War. 3 credits.
Explores sources of morality in armed conflict, and implications of such ideas for international relations. Examines content and philosophy of modern law of war.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 444: Issues in International Studies. 1-3 credits.
Major issues in international systems, including international political economy and security. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 445: Human Rights. 3 credits.
Explores philosophical, legal, and political issues at heart of modern international human rights movement. Examines historical background legal architecture of modern human rights movement.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 446: International Law and Organization. 3 credits.
Nature, sources, and subject of law of nations; law and individual; territorial questions; nature, sources, and functions of international organizations; international transactions and organizations; war and present; and future status of international law.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 132, 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 447: Revolution and International Politics. 3 credits.
Historical overview of modern revolutions as well as different theories about causes and consequences of revolutions. Special attention to Marxist-Leninist, Arab nationalist, and Islamic revolutions.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 133.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 448: Ethics and International Politics. 3 credits.
Ethics and international politics ask students to wrestle with dilemmas raised by a desire to behave morally in an international system in which consensus about ethical matters is absent. Distributive justice and use of force are two overarching themes. Students also develop, apply, and justify their own perspectives on ethical problem using philosophical theory, history, and social science research.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: 60 hours and GOVT 132 or PHIL 151.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 452: Administrative Law and Procedures. 3 credits.
Law of public office. Studies procedures followed by and the legal limits on administrative agencies and their officers and employees.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 351.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 460: Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society. 3 credits.
Philosophical perspectives, historical context, technological developments, and institutional changes that surround controversies about privacy and surveillance in contemporary society. Explores public and private institutions doing surveillance, how they calculate and manage risk, and legal constraints on surveillance activities.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to CRIM 460.
Recommended Prerequisite: CRIM 100.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 461: Governance in Space. 3 credits.
How would we build political systems and rational policies if we could start all over? This course considers the policy implications of human expansion across the solar system in terms of politics, property-rights, resource management and relationships to Earth-based governments. Students will develop an understanding of the historical context and will learn to use evidence to defend specific space-based policy goals.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 462: Public Interest Technology. 3 credits.
This course cuts across the traditional boundaries of public policy, legal considerations, public administration, data analytics, and the supporting role of digital technologies. Practical values such as digital ethics and equity, understanding public values and navigating “fake news” are explored with current readings and case studies. The course will also delve into privacy in the digital age as well as how technology can be used better to serve and engage the public.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 464: Issues in Public Policy and Administration. 1-3 credits.
Analyzes selected policy issues in administering public policies. Topics announced in advance. Examples include environmental policy, government regulation, federal mandates, state policy, and regional policy. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 103 plus 60 credits.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 467: How Washington Really Works. 3 credits.
Using case studies from last 60 years, this course provides students with understanding of how decisions and policy are really made as politicians reconcile policy preferences with political realities, institutional dynamics, expert opinion and personal ambition. Meets Friday in Washington, with weekly guest speakers from White House, Congress and policy community. As a final product, students are required to design and defend a politically realistic policy proposal to solve a significant national problem. Students must already have familiarity with, and interest in, modern American history, politics and government.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to two attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: Open to PPE concentrators or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 469: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. 3 credits.
Covers issues in the philosophy, economics, and political science of institutions, information, and collective action. Through case studies of existing legal and political institutions, applies the insights to problems in politics, policy making, social theory, and social, moral, and political philosophy. (Specific content varies).Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to ECON 460, PHIL 460.
Recommended Prerequisite: PHIL 358, ECON 412, and GOVT 467, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 480: Internship. 3 credits.
Approved internships with specific employer. Programs relate in some capacity to government, politics, public policy, or the law. For 3 credits, a minimum of 135 hours is required. 3 credits of GOVT 480 may be applied to field study requirements. No more than 6 credits of GOVT 480 may be applied toward a student's 120 (Schar) degree applicable credits.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 101, GOVT 103, GOVT 132, and GOVT 133.
Schedule Type: Internship
Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
GOVT 490: Synthesis Seminar. 3 credits.
Readings, individual or group projects, and discussion of papers reflecting on connections between liberal arts and sciences and political world. Notes: Course topic varies by semester.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies, Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 300 and 18 credits in major.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Administration of Justice, Global Affairs, Government and Politics, Government Intl Politics, International Studies or Public Administration.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 491: Honors Seminar. 3 credits.
Readings, individual or group projects, and discussions of seminar papers. Notes: Subject varies.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 300  and 18 credits in major.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 492: Computing Ethics, Law and Policy Seminar. 3 credits.
Readings, individual or group projects, and discussion of papers reflecting on connections between liberal arts and sciences and political world. Writing-intensive study of ethical and legal considerations in technology policy, with a focus on the roles of government, industry and individuals in rapid technological development. Considers different approaches to major societal-level impacts of computing innovations, and develop the skills necessary to synthesize points of view and communicate ideas to a policy audience. Examines emerging legal and ethical issues pertaining to working in information technology and crafting policy that will shape its development. Required for the Technology Policy concentration in Applied Computer Science.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: Junior standing (at least 60 credit hours).
Recommended Corequisite: All required Mason Core courses.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Applied Computer Science, Computer Science, Government Intl Politics, International Security Law or Public Administration.

Students with the terminated from CEC major attribute may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
GOVT 496: Directed Readings and Research. 1-3 credits.
Reading and research on specific topic under direction of faculty member. Notes: Written report required; oral report of research may be required.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Major in government and international politics with 90 credits and permission of instructor and department.
Schedule Type: Independent Study
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

500 Level Courses

GOVT 500: The Scientific Method and Research Design. 3 credits.
Grounds students in the principles of the scientific method as the framework for investigating all research questions in political science, whether qualitative or quantitative in character (or both). Focus is on sound and rigorous research design.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 510: American Government and Politics. 3 credits.
Examines institutions and processes of American government, including separate institutions of power in national government, theory and practice of federal system, role of interest groups and political parties, and effects of media and public opinion on electoral behavior and policy making. Seminar examining normative and empirical research.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Political Science.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 520: Political Theory. 3 credits.
Analyzes selected major works of ancient, modern, or contemporary political theory that illuminate basic problems and questions for people engaged in political or civic life. Examines justice, liberty, equality, autonomy, rights, obligation, participation, and nature of politics.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in political science or permission of department.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 530: Comparative Politics. 3 credits.
Examines fundamental issues in comparative politics and provides broad coverage of the central themes under study. Designed to help students think theoretically and critically about the study of comparative politics, its scientific objectives, and its epistemological assumptions. Within this context, students will look at concepts and approaches, as well as important theories and debates that characterize the subfield. Helps prepare students for qualifying exams in comparative politics.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 540: International Relations. 3 credits.
Focuses on changing structure of international politics, post-Cold War security issues, effect of globalized economy and information technology revolution, enhanced role of global corporations and nongovernmental organizations, and rise of nonsecurity issues in emerging international agenda.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 550: Seminar in Theories of Public Administration. 3 credits.
Reviews the theoretical traditions in American public administration, from the earliest days of the founding to the present. Concludes with consideration of contemporary theoretical debates over the proper role of public administrators and controversies about conflicting demands made on the public service and the public sector.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 510.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 560: Topics in Government and International Affairs. 3 credits.
Explores topics of contemporary and emerging concern in government and international affairs.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

600 Level Courses

GOVT 603: Seminar in the Courts and Constitutionalism. 3 credits.
Analyzes the role, influence, and effects of courts in creating constitutional legal norms and interpreting them. Special attention is paid to the courts as a political institution. Lecture and discussion; students are expected to read and analyze both court cases and case studies.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 604: Seminar on Congress and Legislative Behavior. 3 credits.
Examines theories and empirical research on the U.S. Congress and legislative behavior, including elections, representation, structures, and processes. Also examines Congress' impact on the design and implementation of public policy, interactions with other branches of government, and comparisons with parliamentary systems.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 510.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 605: Seminar on the Presidency. 3 credits.
Examines the American presidency from a number of substantive and methodological perspectives. Readings and discussions in the course appraise the presidency within the system and focus on the role the presidency plays in formulating and implementing public policy.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 510.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 631: Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions. 3 credits.
Examines theories and practices of governance and development in comparative national settings. Course explores key subsets of the comparative politics literature in depth, including institutional change, regime types and transitions, democracy and authoritarianism, states and state-society relations, revolution, social movements, political cultures, and methods. Course is explicitly conceptual and cross-regional. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 632: Politics and Societies of the Middle East. 3 credits.
Studies the Middle East in comparative perspective, using social scientific categories of analysis. Topics include: regime types, their basis and causes; influential political trends such as Arab nationalism, Ba'athism, and political Islam; the role of kinship, religion, and tribe in opposition and regime politics; the regional oil economy and economic crisis; democratic liberalization; and the growth of civil society.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

700 Level Courses

GOVT 706: Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations. 3 credits.
Examines broad trends in governance, including theory and practice of federal, state, and local governments. May include privatization, devolution, mandating, regulatory reform, and comprehensive federalism reform.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 510.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 717: Qualitative Methods. 3 credits.
Focuses on scientific design of qualitative research questions and use of specific qualitative methods in scientific analysis. Covers when and how to use qualitative research methods to answer empirical questions in political science; primary data collection methods (interviews, observations, document review); the appropriateness of different research approaches; procedural and ethical concerns that may arise in use of qualitative methods. Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 511 or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 719: Issues in American Politics. 3 credits.
Examines significant issue in American politics and political behavior. Analyzes topic of contemporary and emerging concern. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 510.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 720: Advanced Seminar in Political Theory. 3 credits.
Contemporary, historical, and comparative study of key themes in Political Theory. Topics may include theories of sovereignty, power, democracy, secularism, political economy, justice, humanism, race, empire, colonialism, gender, and sexuality.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Non-Degree.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 725: Democratic Theory. 3 credits.
Examines democracy in terms of versions of liberalism, theories of social capital and civic participation, and discourses about civil, political, and human rights. How is democracy conceptualized normatively and empirically? What underlying economic, social, and cultural conditions promote democracy? What role do institutions play in creating and sustaining a stable democratic society? Takes a broadly comparative perspective, focusing on variety of established and emerging democracies around the world. Elective for students specializing in American government or international politics and comparative governments.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 726: Theories of Justice. 3 credits.
Overview of ancient and modern theories of justice with application to contemporary issues involving justice system and other social and political institutions.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit. Equivalent to CRIM 700.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 731: Advanced Seminar in Comparative Politics. 3 credits.
Assumes basic proficiency in comparative analysis. Regionally based examination of key debates in the comparative politics field. Key theoretical and methodological debates are addressed through in depth examination of regional political processes. Regions include Latin America, Asia, Middle East, European Union, Africa, and Russia. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 530.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 733: Islam and Politics. 3 credits.
Provides an overview and understanding of the multifaceted nature of political Islam in the contemporary world. Covers brief history of Islam, formation of modern states in the post-colonial Muslim world, nature of contemporary Islamic radicalism and militancy and the future of Islamism.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 739: Issues in Comparative and International Politics. 3 credits.
Explores issues of contemporary and emerging concern in comparative and international politics. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 540.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 741: Advanced Seminar in International Politics. 3 credits.
Examines theoretical and methodological issues central to study of international relations by focusing on specific topic: American foreign policy, diplomacy, international law and organization, international relations theory, international ethics, human rights and humanitarian intervention, the environment, and others. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different with permission of department.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 540.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 742: International Negotiation. 3 credits.
Examines frameworks and perspectives that have guided scholarly work on negotiation. Students will analyze complex cases of negotiations in the areas of security, trade, and the environment, and practice negotiating key security and environmental issues on the agendas of nations and international organizations.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 743: International Political Economy. 3 credits.
Examines interplay of international politics and economics. Discusses theoretical perspectives and analytical tools in academic field of international political economy, and applies theories and tools to trade, investment, exchange rates, development, regionalization, and globalization. Explores how international economic and political forces increasingly shape domestic interests, and how domestic politics affect international political economy. Lecture, discussion.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 343 or equivalent.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 744: Foundations of Security Studies. 3 credits.
Introduces students to a selection of the original sources of the most important ideas that form the basis of security studies as a subfield of political science.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 745: International Security. 3 credits.
Examines interplay of international politics and international security. Discusses theoretical perspectives and analytical tools in academic field of international security, and applies theories and tools to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, strategy and defense, and arms control. How domestic issues affect defense policies, terrorism, changing nature of international conflict, and human security will be examined.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 540.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 753: Collaborative Public Management. 3 credits.
Examines design and management of public service programs relying on various levels of government, the nonprofit and private sectors for delivery, with focus on organizational networks, their management, and tools (e.g., contracts, grants, loans, regulation, and tax credits).Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 755: Seminar in Politics and Bureaucracy. 3 credits.
Explores research and theory on political causes and effects of actions of government bureaucratic agencies. Readings examine origins of agencies, influences on decisions and programs, sources of internal and external accountability, pathologies of bureaucracies, and contributions bureaucracies make on effective and just governance.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: GOVT 510.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 758: Homeland/Transportation Security Administration. 3 credits.
Examines the terrorist attacks of 9/11, vulnerabilities of the aviation security at that time, failure of elected officials and administrators to act more decisively to improve security before 9/11, and the policy and administrative responses to the 9/11 attacks, including the creation of the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. Includes the development of radical Islam and the rise of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 796: Directed Readings and Research. 1-6 credits.
Reading and research on specific topic under direction of faculty member. Notes: Written paper required.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: 15 credits of GOVT courses at 500 level and above, and permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Independent Study
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
GOVT 798: Political Science Research Project. 3 credits.
Research project related to student's concentration under supervision of a faculty advisor. Student produces substantial and original contribution to political science knowledge on model of article in scholarly journal.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 12 credits.
Recommended Prerequisite: 24 credits. Including the following courses: GOVT 500, GOVT 510, GOVT 520, GOVT 530, GOVT 540, and POGO 511.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Thesis
Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
GOVT 799: Political Science Thesis. 1-6 credits.
Substantial and original research paper with guidance of faculty advisor. Thesis proposal must be approved in advance by advisor and two faculty members who comprise thesis committee. Completed research must be approved by committee and defended publicly in oral presentation.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the degree.
Recommended Prerequisite: 24 credits and approval of thesis proposal.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Thesis
Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

800 Level Courses

GOVT 800: PhD Research Seminar. 3 credits.
Provides an opportunity for PhD students in political science to present and refine independent research, and to further improve understanding of social scientific method as they prepare for conference presentations, qualifying exams, and subsequent dissertations.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Political Science.

Enrollment limited to students in a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Enrollment limited to students in the Schar School of Policy and Gov college.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

900 Level Courses

GOVT 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal. 3,6 credits.
Work on research proposal that forms basis for doctoral dissertation.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the degree.
Recommended Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Schedule Type: Dissertation
Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
GOVT 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research. 1-12 credits.
Research on approved dissertation topic under direction of dissertation committee. Notes: May be repeated for up to 9 credits in a semester.Offered by Schar Govt/International Affrs. May be repeated within the degree.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Schedule Type: Dissertation
Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.