Political Science and Philosophy Courses

Philosophy (PHI) courses

  • PHI 613 Bioethics

    An introduction to central ethical questions that arise in the area of bioethics, and to the resources various ethical theories offer for resolving those questions. In addition to a brief overview of contemporary moral theory, the course will discuss issues such as euthanasia, informed consent, proxy decision making, experimental research on humans and health care allocation. Specific cases will be discussed and analyzed throughout the semester. May be taught concurrently with PHI 313. Cannot receive credit for both PHI 313 and PHI 613.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PHI 696 Selected Topics in Philosophy

    Prerequisite: permission of department head.

    Individual conference course for graduate students with specialized interests in particular areas of philosophy not covered in regular courses. May include independent research, progress reports and term papers. Enrollment requires advance agreement on topic. May be taught concurrently with PHI 596. Cannot receive credit for both PHI 596 and PHI 696.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    2-4Upon demand

Political Science (PLS) courses

  • PLS 630 Nonstate Actors in International Politics

    Nation states have long been the primary players in international relations, endowed with sovereignty to reflect their premier status. While nonstate actors have always been around, scholarly attention to them has increased in recent decades. This course will explore benevolent actors such as NGOs, faith based organizations, and social and environmental movements as well as malevolent groups like pirates, criminal organizations, and terrorists. Students will gain a deeper understanding of international relations through an examination of the myriad actors involved in contemporary world politics. May be taught concurrently with PLS 530. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 530 and PLS 630.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • 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 320. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 320 and PLS 635.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • PLS 639 Playing Games with the World

    A course designed to explore theories and paradigms of international relations via popular culture, simulations and games. May be taught concurrently with PLS 439. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 439 and PLS 639.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring (even-numbered years)
  • PLS 642 Contemporary Political Ideologies

    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 565. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 565 and PLS 642.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring (even-numbered years)
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • PLS 645 Asian Politics

    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 545. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 545 and PLS 645.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • PLS 647 Politics of the European Union and Its Members

    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 547. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 547 and PLS 647.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • PLS 649 Nationalisms and Islamisms of the Middle East

    This is an introductory course on selected ideologies of the Middle East in seminar form; it presupposes only basic knowledge of the region as well as previous exposure to comparative politics. The course surveys the historical and political trajectories of selected nationalisms and Islamist ideologies in the Middle East: Pan-Arabism, various Arab territorial nationalisms, Zionisms, Turkish nationalisms, Kurdish nationalisms and various strains of Islamism. May be taught concurrently with PLS 443. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 443 and PLS 649.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall (even-numbered years)
  • PLS 650 Modern African Politics

    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 550. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 550 and PLS 650.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 669 Foreign Policies of the Middle Eastern States

    This course focuses on the foreign policies of selected Middle Eastern states and non-state actors. The course will refer to various paradigms of international relations, so a previous course in international relations (especially an introductory or theory course) is highly recommended. Concerns of this course will include to what extent we can view the states of the Middle East of rational actors, the role of individual decision makers, unintended policy results, and the need to balance domestic and external policy imperatives. The central pedagogic concern revolves around understanding how and why various Middle Eastern state choose the policies they do. May be taught concurrently with PLS 569. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 569 and PLS 669.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring (even-numbered years)
  • PLS 673 Policy Analysis

    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 573. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 573 and PLS 673.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Spring
  • PLS 685 Public Policy for a Global Environment

    Course examines how environmental policy is made in the United States and the international community. The course covers the institutions and groups that participate in making environmental policy and the process by which it is made. Domestic and international issues and problems explored include clean air, clean water, pesticides, risk assessment and management, toxic and hazardous substances, public lands, the greenhouse effect, and stratospheric ozone depletion. May be taught concurrently with PLS 555. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 555 and PLS 685.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 705 Seminar in Comparative Politics

    A survey of the main theoretical and methodological debates in the field of Comparative Politics. Topics may include the roots of authoritarianism and democracy, the effects of constitutional design, the causes of ethnic conflict, the interaction between religion and political institutions, the origins of social policy regime variation, and the impact of natural resource wealth on the state, among others.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • PLS 713 Seminar in Foreign Policy Decisionmaking

    An examination of the factors that shape foreign policy decisionmaking, especially as they have evolved in the 20th century in the United States. In addition to an examination of the governmental institutions and societal forces that influence policy, students will critically analyze decisionmaking models that have been developed to explain how and why foreign policy decisions are made.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 717 Multidisciplinary Approaches to Homeland Security

    Examines the full spectrum of both homeland security and defense activities, the diverse responsibilities of the primary stakeholders, and current policies and practical efforts to develop and integrate homeland security and defense efforts nationwide.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 721 International Political Economy

    A general introduction to the politics of international economic relations, with a special emphasis on the extent, causes, and consequences of globalization. Covers such topics as trade, investment, aid, global warming, international institutions, and the political roots of economic development. Identical with ECO 721. Cannot receive credit for both PLS 721 and ECO 721.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • PLS 725 International Security

    Understanding international conflict is critical whether one works in government, works in the private sector assessing the risks conflict poses to investments and supply chains, or simply desires to be an informed citizen. This course will introduce the main theories international relations scholars use to account for the causes and dynamics of conflict. The course will also foster skills in applying these theories to forecasting security-related events.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • PLS 737 Seminar in International Organizations

    A study of the historical development and theoretical foundations of international organizations. Readings and research will emphasize recent issues and developments in both regional and global aspects in the organization of the international system.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • PLS 753 Management Techniques and Organizational Behavior

    A core lecture course designed to familiarize the student with the development of managerial skills through MBO, decision making theory, strategy implementation, change theory and development administration, problem solving, coordination within the organization, communication techniques and effecting productivity. Emphasis will be placed upon the applicability of management and organizational theory to the public sector.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • 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. Identical with PBH 754. Cannot receive credit for both PBH 754 and PLS 754.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 756 Budgeting and Financial Management for State and Local Government

    This course examines theories, practices, and issues of public budgeting and financial management. It covers a wide range of topics, including public budget institutions and techniques, revenue sources, tax strategies, revenue forecasts, public debt and bond issuance, intergovernmental fiscal relations, and basic categories of state of local expenditures.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-3Upon demand
  • PLS 759 Seminar in Administrative Management and Organizational Theory

    This course provides an overview of the major theories that explain the function and operation of organizations, with particular emphasis on the role and context of the public sector. Topics include systems theory, organizational culture, organizational design and structure, and the operation of politics and power within organizations.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 761 Management of Nonprofit Organizations

    This course provides a general survey of nonprofit organizations. It will examine the historical, legal, ethical, and social environments in which nonprofit organizations operate. It will also discuss various aspects of nonprofit organization management, ranging from managing people and money to managing public relations and trust. The course will integrate theoretical and practical aspects of nonprofit management.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring (odd-numbered years)
  • 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 the various types of evaluation, evaluation methods, evaluability assessment, program monitoring, impact assessment, process assessment, utilization of evaluation findings, and the politics of evaluation.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring (odd-numbered years)
  • PLS 763 The Policy Process

    This course is designed to explore how public policy is made at all levels of government in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the course will focus on the policy process; the remainder will concentrate on two or three major policy issues. Students will do an extended paper on a policy issue applying the concepts from the first part of the course.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • 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 as a field of inquiry, political, social, economic, and legal processes and institutions, the policy process, and values and ethics.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • PLS 772 Introduction to Public Safety Services

    This course introduces students to the current principles and practices of public safety services from the theoretical and practitioner's perspective. Course will cover how services are provided, management challenges, the levels of emergencies and disaster operations, preparedness, recovery and mitigation.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • PLS 774 Municipal Planning and Zoning

    The purpose of this course is for students to gain a working knowledge of the legal nature, the administration, and the politics of major land-use regulatory powers exercised by local government. Municipal planning and zoning controls emphasized in this course are zoning codes, subdivision review, site plan review, building codes, and the exercise of eminent domain. Course will assess how combinations of these practices may be utilized in comprehensive growth management strategies, as well as in the negotiations for, and the implementation of, agreements for individual planned unit developments and for annexations of land to municipalities. Course will also relate these powers to urban planning practices including strategic and comprehensive planning.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 775 Economic Development for Local and State Governments

    The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the local, state and national contexts in which local economies operate to provide them with a background for developing successful economic strategies at the local level. Upon completion of the course, students should have a better understanding of how these issues are being addressed in governments around Missouri and throughout the United States. The goal is to better prepare future managers for their first local government jobs that will often carry the title of administrator in a small, rural community.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • PLS 776 Local Public Service Delivery

    This course prepares students to provide management and guidance to various local government services such as public works, police, fire, parks, utilities, and human services. It covers issues of governance which enable various government and non-for-profit groups to cooperate in the delivery of these services. The focus is on management in medium and small-sized municipalities in both rural and urban settings. Extensive use of guest lectures and site visits are essential components of this course.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring (even-numbered years)
  • 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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring (odd-numbered years)
  • PLS 778 Ethics and Leadership in the Public Sector

    This course examines the role and impact of leadership in public organizations, with particular focus on the ethical dimensions of leadership behavior. The course provides an overview of the knowledge, theory, and skills regarding leadership and professional ethics. Topics include charismatic and transformational leadership, leadership styles, the role of the leader in creating ethical climates and building effective ethical cultures, organizational change strategies, and motivation strategies. Also covered are the ethical codes, standards, and practices promulgated by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the International City Management Association (ICMA).

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • PLS 780 Independent Study in Political Science

    Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

    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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-4Fall, Spring
  • PLS 781 In-Service Training in Public Administration

    Prerequisite: permission of Master of Public Administration Program Director.

    Supervised field work in an approved local, state, or national governmental agency including preparation of an acceptable formal report.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Spring
  • PLS 782 Internship/Practicum in International Field

    Prerequisite: permission of program director.

    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.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Spring
  • PLS 797 Special Topics in Global Affairs

    Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

    The specific topics will change from semester to semester, and will include subjects such as international humanitarian law, comparative foreign policy, global Islamic movements, and globalization. Variable content course. May be repeated as topics change.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-3Upon demand
  • PLS 799 Thesis

    Prerequisite: permission of Master of Global Studies or Master of Public Administration Program Director and department head.

    Independent research and study connected with preparation of thesis.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-6Upon demand