Department of Political Science

PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship

General Education Course (Public Affairs/American Studies). This course familiarizes students with the institutions and constitutional framework of the United States and Missouri. The course emphasis is on the values, rights, and responsibilities that shape the public decision making of active and informed citizens and influence contemporary public affairs in a democratic society. 3(3-0) F,S

PLS 103 Missouri Government and Politics

The course familiarizes students with the institutions and constitutional framework in Missouri. This course will partially fulfill Senate Bill 4 requirements with respect to the Missouri Constitution and institutions. Students who have met the Missouri Constitution Study Requirement (Senate Bill # 4) either through completion of PLS 101 at Missouri State or completion of a transfer course that fulfills the requirement, are precluded from taking PLS 103. 1(1-0) F,S

PLS 205 Introduction to Comparative Government

Prerequisite: PLS 101. An introductory comparative study of the principles, techniques, and policy issues of government in constitutional democracies and authoritarian regimes. The course focuses on selected West European (Britain, France, Germany) and non-West European (Japan, Mexico, Russia) countries, and the evolution of the European Community. 3(3-0) F,S

PLS 255 Public Administration

Prerequisite: PLS 101. American administrative organization and activities; centralization, decentralization and relations between the administration and other branches of government. 3(3-0) F,S

PLS 301 U.S. National Security

This class examines American national security from the cultural, institutional and policy perspectives. It will pay close attention to those enduring factors that shape American defense policies as well as exploring developments that have modified America's approach to security. Moreover, in addition to studying the structure and operation of today's policymaking process, the course will investigate the way the process has evolved in the past fifty years and will analyze the way key policies are produced and implemented by the U.S. government. Finally, reflecting changes in the world and in the field of national security studies, the course will cover not only the traditional concerns of national security (e.g., creation and use of military force for physical security of the territorial-state), but also the definition and achievement of individual and global security in the face of non-military problems. 3(3-0) D

PLS 316 Political Parties, Elections and Interest Groups

Prerequisite: PLS 101. A survey of the nature, evolution and functions of parties, elections and interest groups in the United States. An emphasis will be placed on the role played by these institutions in linking citizens to the public policy process. 3(3-0) F

PLS 319 Women in Politics

Prerequisite: PLS 101. A survey of various aspects of the role of women in politics. The course will include an examination of the place of women in political history, women as political leaders, the ways in which women impact government, and public policies relating to women and families. 3(3-0) SE

PLS 333 Model United Nations

Prerequisite: permission. This course is designed to provide an opportunity for in-depth role playing that leads to a better understanding of the United Nations, the study of current events, important international disagreements, key international conventions, and the protocol and procedures of UN diplomacy. In the fall, the students will participate as a UN Officer at the Missouri State University Mid-American Model UN conference, and prepare for their role as a distinguished diplomat at the American Model United Nations conference held in Chicago. In addition, the student will help prepare Mid-American Model UN briefs. This course can be repeated for a maximum of three credit hours. 1(1-0) F

PLS 343 Post-Soviet Politics

Prerequisite: PLS 101. The politics and governments of the former Soviet Union, its Marxist-Leninist ideology, and the dominant role of the Communist Party will be used to illustrate the dramatic changes having taken place since 1991. Political and economic reforms introduced by Gorbachev will be highlighted, and reasons for the Soviet Union's subsequent collapse and the establishment of Russia and other Independent States of the former Soviet Union will be discussed. 3(3-0) SO

PLS 355 Emergencies, Disasters and Catastrophes

This survey course is designed to examine the wide range of public safety-related incidents from the daily emergencies handled by local government through disasters on the state levels to catastrophes on the national and international levels. The students will examine how these terms are defined, the role of public safety agencies (governmental, NPA and private) and how these incidents occurred and are managed. Students will be familiarized with various public safety services provided by municipal, state, and federal agencies. They will explore, via lectures, discussions, videos and readings, the provision of services, the role of public safety managers, municipal managers and elected officials. 3(3-0) D

PLS 399 Cooperative Education in Jefferson City

Prerequisite: permission. Recommended Prerequisite: 2.50 GPA and junior or senior standing. To enable qualified students to apply theoretical constructs and analytical techniques in a supervised work environment. This course cannot be credited toward a major in political science if the student has completed a total of three or more credits in any combination of the following; PLS 493, PLS 494, PLS 498, or cooperative education in another discipline. Restricted to Political Science majors and minors. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 1-6 S

PLS 414 The Legislative Process

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Theory, principles, procedures and problems of the legislative process in democratic societies; operation of American state and national legislatures. 3(3-0) FO

PLS 437 International Organizations and Law

Prerequisite: PLS 101. A study of the role of international organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, in regional and global international politics. A comparison of international organizations and other political institutions. A casebook and lecture examination of the principal elements of international law. A topical approach to governing principle will introduce current problems and define probable trends. 3(3-0) S

PLS 492 Program Assessment

Prerequisite: permission. Recommended Prerequisite: senior standing. Required assessment of undergraduate political science programs in the department. All students majoring in political science are required to enroll in this course during their senior year and pass a Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT). The focus is on program assessment and development rather than on individual student evaluation. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 0 F,S

PLS 494 Professional Internship

Prerequisite: permission. Recommended Prerequisite: 2.50 GPA and junior or senior standing. Supervised and departmentally approved full-time work experience related to Political Science in public or private sector. May be repeated to a total of 12 hours, but only 6 hours will be counted toward the major. Approximately eight weeks of 40 on-the-job hours per week required for 3 hours credit, in addition to fulfillment of academic requirements. Restricted to Political Science majors. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 3-6 D

PLS 496 Independent Study in Political Science

Prerequisite: permission. Recommended Prerequisite: 2.50 GPA; and junior or senior standing. Students should consult with a professor of the department who specializes in the subject and with the professor's consent present a written proposal to the department head for final approval. Proposals should be presented for approval before final registration for the term in which the independent study is to be done. Only one approved independent study program may be taken in any semester. A maximum of 6 semester hours of credit in PLS 496 may be counted on a major in Political Science and 3 semester hours of credit on a minor in Political Science or Public Administration. Written work will be required in PLS 496 in addition to reading assignments and/or research activities. 1-3 D

PLS 498 In-Service Training in Public Administration

Prerequisite: permission. Recommended Prerequisite: 2.50 GPA and junior or senior standing. Supervised field work in an approved local, state, or national government agency including preparation of an acceptable formal report. Restricted to Political Science majors and minors. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. 3(3-0) F,S

PLS 517 Constitutional Law II: Liberties and Rights

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. This course examines the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals, including: religious liberty, freedom of speech, the right to privacy, protections against discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual-orientation, and voting and representation rights. A careful study of U.S. Supreme Court decisions is emphasized, with particular focus on the political, moral, and social impact these decisions have had on life in America. 3(3-0) S

PLS 535 American Foreign Policy

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. An analysis of American foreign policy. The course explores the various governmental institutions and societal forces which shape American foreign policy. The major emphasis is on American foreign policy since World War Two. Current issues in American foreign policy are discussed in light of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches. May be taught concurrently with PLS 635. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 635 and PLS 535. 3(3-0) F

PLS 545 Asian Politics

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. A comparative study of the political and economic systems of contemporary Asia with emphasis on Japan, Korea, mainland China and Taiwan. Ideologies and strategies pursued by selected Asian governments are covered. Includes an assessment of contemporary economic, political and security issues in the region. America's economic, political and strategic ties with the region are also explored. May be taught concurrently with PLS 645. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 645 and PLS 545. 3(3-0) S

PLS 547 Politics of the European Union and Its Members

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. This course will focus on the historical evolution of the European Union (EU) since the 1950s, the ongoing integration process within the organization (vertical integration), and its enlargement beyond the present members (horizontal integration). It will also address the EU's position in global and regional politics, its links to the United States, and the development of international governmental organizations. May be taught concurrently with PLS 647. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 647 and PLS 547. 3(3-0) SE

PLS 550 Modern African Politics

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. A comparative study of the political and economic systems of contemporary Africa with emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. Ideologies and strategies pursued by selected African governments are covered, including an assessment of contemporary economic, political, and strategic ties within the region and internationally. The class will emphasize such areas as Mauritania, Senegal, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, and South Africa. May be taught concurrently with PLS 650. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 650 and PLS 550. 3(3-0) FO

PLS 561 Ancient Political Thought

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. An introduction to the study of political theory by examining the contributions of classical political theorists and their successors up to the age of the Renaissance. Includes Socrates, Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, the Epicureans, Cynics and Stoics, Cicero and the Roman Lawyers, early Hebrew and Christian political thought, Augustine and Aquinas. 3(3-0) FO

PLS 565 Contemporary Political Ideologies

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. A systematic study of the major competing ideologies of the 19th and 20th Centuries, including conservatism, liberalism, nationalism, Marxism, democratic socialism, fascism and national socialism, and others. Special emphasis is placed on the historical sources philosophical foundations and argumentative structure of these influential ideologies. May be taught concurrently with PLS 642. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 642 and PLS 565. 3(3-0) SE

PLS 573 Policy Analysis

Prerequisite: PLS 101. Recommended Prerequisite: 50 hours. A study of the major qualitative and quantitative techniques in public policy analysis. The course will examine diverse processes of public policy formulation, and analyze various public policy alternatives. Each student will complete an empirical research project. May be taught concurrently with PLS 673. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 673 and PLS 573. 3(3-0) S

PLS 635 American Foreign Policy

The course explores the various governmental institutions and societal forces which shape American foreign policy. The major emphasis is on American foreign policy since World War Two. Current issues in American foreign policy are discussed in light of contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches. May be taught concurrently with PLS 535. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 535 and PLS 635. 3(3-0) F

PLS 644 Government and Politics of the Middle East

Political systems, processes and problems of the Middle East, considered both regionally and in the perspective of separate nation-states, from the beginning of the modern period about 1800 to the present. May be taught concurrently with PLS 544. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 544 and PLS 644. 3(3-0) FO

PLS 646 Political Violence and Terrorism

The systematic study of political violence in its different forms. The course content is structured along a continuum, ranging from small scale violence to mass violence-assassinations, terrorism by sub-national and transnational organizations, state terror and genocide. May be taught concurrently with PLS 546. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 546 and PLS 646. 3(3-0) D

PLS 648 Latin American Politics

Broad introduction to the politics of Latin America. Although it will offer substantial historical background, the emphasis of the course will be on recent decades. To familiarize the student with some of the major general issues facing Latin America while also giving them a taste of its tremendous diversity. The course is structured around four basic topics: economic development, democratization, guerrilla movements and revolution, and drug trafficking. In the process of discussing these topics, various countries will be explored such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, and Mexico. A recurring theme will be the relationship between the United States and Latin America. May be taught concurrently with PLS 548. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 548 and PLS 648. 3(3-0) F

PLS 651 Administrative Law

A study of administrative agencies in their rule making and adjudicatory functions; administrative procedures including hearings and the judicial review thereof; legislative committee operations and their relation to the agencies. After several lecture type presentations by the instructor on the above topics, each student will be expected to present an oral and written review of some area of administrative law which requires further development through agency regulation and/or judicial review. 3(3-0) D

PLS 676 Quantitative Methods of Political Science and Public Policy

Introduction to the use of standard computer programs (especially SPSS) for the analysis and interpretation of political and social data. Covers analysis of nominal and ordinal data, descriptive and inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation, linear and multiple regression. There will be a critical review of the applications of these techniques to the analysis of political science and public policy research questions, including ethical issues associated with quantitative research. May be taught concurrently with PLS 576. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 576 and PLS 676. 3(3-0) F,S

PLS 705 Seminar in Comparative Politics

An examination of the principal approaches to comparative politics including the comparative study of political systems, types of government, elites, legislatures, political cultures and political parties. Students in the MGS program will be required to write an extensive bibliographic or substantive research paper on one of these principal elements in the study of comparative politics. 3(3-0) F

PLS 715 Comparative Public Administration

The course will review the literature on the study of comparative public administration. The body of the course will focus on substantive public management issues in a variety of countries. Students will be expected to understand the rationale for the subfield, its development, and develop the skills needed to conduct scientific analysis. 3(3-0) F

PLS 719 Strategic Planning and Organizational Imperatives in Homeland Security

The attainment of homeland security goals is dependent on comprehensive planning and organization to integrate and mobilize all levels of government and private sector responses. This course critically analyzes these efforts. 3(3-0) D

PLS 732 International Relations in Theory and Practice

An examination of the principal paradigms and approaches in the study of international relations as they have evolved, particularly in the 20th century, and their usefulness for understanding the practice of global affairs. Students will familiarize themselves with both theoretical and substantive aspects of international relations and global affairs. Completion of a major research project focusing on an issue or region and analyzing it from a theoretical perspective is required. 3(3-0) F

PLS 752 Public Personnel Management

Intensive examination of the management of personnel focused directly on the public sector at the federal, state, and local levels. The course will explore the development, structure, and procedures of the public service. Issues of public personnel management to be examined include: perspectives on the public service, merit and patronage systems, labor relations, civil service reform, anti-discriminatory policies, and productivity and accountability. 3(3-0) F

PLS 754 Seminar in Health Policy

Politics of health policy formulation and planning. A study of participants in policy formulation, role of the different levels of government, issues and problems in health care planning, interrelationship of agencies involved, Medicare, Medicaid, national health insurance. 3(3-0) D

PLS 757 Topics Seminar in Public Policy and Administration

Topics course. The specific topics will change from semester to semester. May be repeated as topics change. 1-3 D

PLS 760 Management of Intergovernmental Relations

The course is designed to familiarize students with the nature and scope of intergovernmental relations and how they impact issues such as fiscal management, grantsmanship, public policy formulation, public program monitoring and administration. 3(3-0) D

PLS 762 Public Policy and Program Evaluation

The course is designed to familiarize students with the nature and role of evaluation in the policy process. Topics will include but not be limited to: the various types of evaluation, evaluation methods, evaluability assessment, program monitoring, impact assessment, process assessment, utilization of evaluation findings, and the politics of evaluation. 3(3-0) SO

PLS 771 Seminar in Public Administration

This course is designed as the foundation course for the Master of Public Administration program. Topics covered include the development of public administration, political, social, economic, and legal processes and institutions, the policy process, and values and ethics. All students will complete a major research paper related to one of these topics. 3(3-0) F

PLS 773 Hazard Analysis, Mitigation, and Preparedness

This course focuses on crucial actions taken in preparing the emergencies. All public safety agency work begins with a thorough analysis of the hazards faced whether they are from natural causes or manmade. The course will introduce students to various methods for conducting the hazard analysis regardless of whether for law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services or 9-1-1. The class examines various methods to mitigate the occurrences of those incidents and how public safety agencies can prepare themselves and the public for when they occur. 3(3-0) S

PLS 777 Local Government and Politics and Administration

This course familiarizes students with a broad array of local government issues, structures, management concerns, and politics. Interwoven throughout the course is a discussion of the roles that professional administration and local politics play in everyday local government operations. The major focus will be on the decision making process of professional administrators as they attempt to bring both efficiency and effectiveness to local government. 3(3-0) SO

PLS 780 Independent Study in Political Science

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department head. Carefully planned independent study designed on an individual basis for the advanced student who wishes to investigate a well defined problem not dealt with adequately by standard courses. Normally, a student may take PLS 780 only once to fulfill the requirements of the non-thesis option or as part of the cognate field if pursuing the thesis option. 1-4 F,S

PLS 782 Internship/Practicum in International Field

Prerequisite: permission of program director and department head. Supervised field work in a federal government agency, international governmental/non-governmental organization, multinational corporation, or equivalent. The course requirements include a formal report on the internship/practicum and evaluation by the supervisor. 3(3-0) F,S

PLS 799 Thesis

Prerequisite: permission. Independent research and study connected with preparation of thesis. 1-6, D