Political Science (PS)

Courses

PS A101 Introduction to American Government 3 Credits

An introduction to the historical and constitutional foundations of American government; the political activities of parties, groups, and the media; public decision-making by the executive, Congress, and the courts; and current economic, environmental, social, and foreign issues and policies.

Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.

PS A102 Introduction to Political Science 3 Credits

Explores basic principles and processes of major branches of the discipline of political science, including comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, and American government.

Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.

PS A290 Topics in Politics 1-3 Credits

Examines current or ongoing topics of interest related to one or more sub-fields within political science.
Special Note: May be repeated up to five times for credit with change of title for maximum of 6 credits.

PS A301 Comparative Political Economy 3 Credits

Explores how political power shapes economic outcomes and how economic forces influence political action. Includes an introduction to the prominent theories of comparative political economy (CPE), describes CPE institutions, and presents and analyzes global trade and development theories and other contemporary challenges to CPE.

Prerequisites: PS A102 with a minimum grade of C.

PS A311 Comparative Politics 3 Credits

Introduces the development of governmental structures and political processes in the modern world. Discusses theories related to problems and governing strategies in contemporary political systems.

Prerequisites: WRTG A111 with a minimum grade of C and (PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C).

Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.

PS A312 Comparative Northern Politics 3 Credits

Detailed comparative analysis of political systems, political actors, and political institutions across the northern region, to contrast such entities and evaluate the complex range of issues relevant to the region and the international community.

Prerequisites: WRTG A111 with a minimum grade of D or PS A102 with a minimum grade of D.

PS A313 Tribes, Nations and Peoples 3 Credits

Analyzes and evaluates the history of expansion, invasion, contemporary questions, and issues that confront indigenous tribes, nations and peoples, including their political, social, economic, and cultural activities. Investigates corresponding relations with non-indigenous governments and private entities as well as international developments concerning indigenous human rights.
Crosslisted With: AKNS A313

Prerequisites: AKNS A201 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C.

Attributes: UAA Alaska Native-Themed GER.

PS A321 International Relations 3 Credits

Introduces international relations providing general knowledge and analytical tools necessary to understand, evaluate and respond to an increasingly complex array of international problems and international affairs. Includes theoretical approaches to international relations and how theory influences expectations.

Prerequisites: PS A102 with a minimum grade of C.

PS A322 United States Foreign Policy 3 Credits

Examines the heritage of United States foreign policy, the processes involved in the formation and implementation of policy, and the environment in which these factors occur.

Prerequisites: PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C.

PS A324 Model United Nations 3 Credits

Provides student simulation of the United Nations. Acting as nation-state delegates, NGOs or World Bank Representatives, students research and debate a topic of international concern.
Special Note: May be repeated once for credit.

PS A325 Northeast Asia in 21st Century 3 Credits

An interdisciplinary examination and analysis of Northeast Asia covering China, the Koreas, and Japan designed to provide students with the means to understand how the societies of this region have developed separate and distinct identities despite their common cultural and philosophic roots.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of GER Tier 1 (basic college-level skills) courses.
Crosslisted With: HIST A325 and INTL A325

Attributes: UAA Diversity & Inclusion GER, UAA Integrative Capstone GER.

PS A330 The American Political Tradition 3 Credits

The political theory of liberal democracy examined in its application to crucial events in American political history, with emphasis on the American founding era.

Prerequisites: WRTG A111 with a minimum grade of D and (HIST A101 with a minimum grade of D or PS A101 with a minimum grade of D).

PS A331 Political Philosophy 3 Credits

An introduction to political philosophy, with emphasis on the study of regimes; selected regimes are examined through the writings of political philosophers.

Prerequisites: WRTG A111 with a minimum grade of D.

Attributes: UAA Humanities GER.

PS A332 History of Political Philosophy I: Classical 3 Credits

Political philosophy from Plato to Marsilius, with emphasis on natural right.

Prerequisites: WRTG A111 with a minimum grade of D.

Attributes: UAA Humanities GER.

PS A333 History of Political Philosophy II: Modern 3 Credits

Political philosophy from Machiavelli to Nietzsche, with emphasis on liberalism and its critics.

Prerequisites: WRTG A111 with a minimum grade of D.

Attributes: UAA Humanities GER.

PS A341 The United States Congress 3 Credits

Examines the organization of the U.S. Congress and its role in the American political system. Topics include theories of representative government, the internal dynamics of Congress, and forces that influence its ability to act within the constitutional system.

Prerequisites: PS A101 with a minimum grade of D.

PS A342 The American Presidency 3 Credits

Examines executive branch of the U.S. government. Course focuses on the constitutional design and evolution of the office, theories of presidential power, relations with Congress, and contemporary presidential policymaking.

Prerequisites: PS A101 with a minimum grade of D.

PS A343 Constitutional Law 3 Credits

Introduces students to American constitutional law through a study of the history of the Constitution and selected landmark Supreme Court cases. Topics covered are separation of powers, judicial review, civil rights and liberties, property and economic rights, and others.
Crosslisted With: LEGL A343.

Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A101 with a minimum grade of C.

PS A345 Alaska Government and Politics 3 Credits

Examines all forms of governmental structures and political processes in Alaska. Examines the history of government in Alaska, contemporary political issues and political change.
Special Note: May be applied to the Alaska Culture and History requirements for state of Alaska teacher recertification.

Prerequisites: AKNS A201 with a minimum grade of C or AKNS A346 with a minimum grade of C or PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A346 with a minimum grade of C.

Attributes: UAA Alaska Native-Themed GER.

PS A346 Alaska Native Politics 3 Credits

Introduction to historical relationships among federal, territorial, state and local laws and policies as they affect Alaska Natives and Native/non-Native relations. Includes contemporary issues and comparative case studies.
Special Note: May be used to fulfill the Alaska studies requirement for teacher certification.
Registration Restrictions: Upper-division standing
Crosslisted With: AKNS A346

Attributes: UAA Alaska Native-Themed GER.

PS A351 Political Sociology 3 Credits

Introduces social aspects of politics and the nature and distribution of power in society. Examines the dynamic relationship of the political process and the institutions of society.
Crosslisted With: SOC A351.

Prerequisites: (WRTG A211 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A212 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A213 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A214 with a minimum grade of C) and (PS A102 with a minimum grade of C or SOC A101 with a minimum grade of C).

PS A353 American Political Development 3 Credits

Examines development of national political institutions in the United States.

Prerequisites: PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C.

PS A355 Women and Gender in Politics 3 Credits

Examines the roles of women and gender in the political world from local, state, national and international perspectives. Studies the nature of political roles of women and additional gender identities from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Crosslisted With: WSGS A355

Prerequisites: PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C or WSGS A200 with a minimum grade of C.

PS A490 Studies in Politics 1-3 Credits

An examination of an aspect of politics from the perspective of a major field in the political science discipline (comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, American politics and political behavior). Field and subject studied will vary from year to year.
Special Note: Subtitle varies; may be repeated with different subtitles.
Registration Restrictions: Junior standing

Prerequisites: PS A101 with a minimum grade of D or PS A102 with a minimum grade of D.

PS A492 Senior Seminar in Politics 3 Credits

Senior integrative capstone course required of all political science majors. An examination of a single major problem in the study of politics.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of GER Tier 1 (basic college-level skills) courses. Junior or Senior standing and at least one upper-division course from another social science.

Attributes: UAA Integrative Capstone GER.

PS A495 Internship in Political Science 3 Credits

Students apply the subject matter of political science in an agency or community setting.
Special Note: Internships vary; may be repeated once for credit with a different internship.
Registration Restrictions: Junior or senior standing and instructor approval

Prerequisites: PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C.