Undergraduate Bulletin - Illinois Institute of Technology

Course Descriptions
Political Science
PS 100
Introduction to the Profession: Political Science
Intended for first-year political science majors. The course
exposes students to quasi-experimental methods, quantitative
and qualitative approaches, the history of the profession, and
career possibilities. Students will examine several fundamental
works in the discipline.
(3-0-3) (C)
PS 200
American Government
Surveys American politics and government. Informal political
institutions, such as parties and interest groups, are analyzed
and related to formal governmental institutions, such as the
presidency and the Congress. Emphasis is placed on how the
American political culture shapes these institutions and how
public policies are produced.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 202
Introduction to Political Science
Introduces students to modern political science covering
American politics, comparative political science, and research
methods.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 209
Research Methods for Social & Political Science
Introduces students to explanation in the social sciences
and both qualitative and the quantitative research methods.
Topics covered include the formulation of research questions,
measurement, data collection, survey research, significance
tests, experimental and quasi-experimental design, sampling,
and various techniques of qualitative research. Same as SOC
209.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 210
Social & Political Thought
Examines central social and political theories and their ideas
concerning such things as the relationship between individual
and society, social harmony and conflict, social equality, and
the role of the state. Same as SOC 210.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 220
Global Chicago
Through readings, lectures, and field trips to local neighborhoods,
this course will look at the ways that Chicago
has become a global city and what that means for local
government, businesses, educators, and the non-profit sector.
We will explore the extent to which Chicago has become and
continues to be connected to the global economy, its history
as a gateway to immigrants from all over the world, and how
the local non-profit community is engaged in international
development across the globe. Some key questions we will
study include: In what ways and to what extent is Chicago a
global city? What forces have driven Chicago’s development
as a global city? What are the broad consequences of Chicago
being a global city? Same as SOC 220.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 221
Social Inequality
Evaluates the patterns and dimensions of social, economic,
and political inequality in American society and how these
compare with other societies, who gets ahead and why, the
relationship of social class to other features of society, some
consequences of social stratification, and outlooks for the
future of inequality in developed countries like the United
States. Formerly known as PS 321. Same as SOC 221.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 230
International Relations
Examines relations among countries from the perspective
of both the international system and the nation-state. Emphasis
is placed on the transformation in the international
system caused by weapons, production, and communication
technologies. Special attention is given to the international
policies of the United States toward various regions and its
role in international organizations.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 232
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduces students to the most common theories and
approaches in contemporary comparative political analysis.
Students then employ the tools of comparison developed in
an examination of the causes and consequences of political
instability and conflict and transitions to stable democracy.
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 273
Great Political Thinkers
Introduces students to the ideas of the world’s great political
philosophers. Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau,
Marx, and others will be covered.
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 303
Politics & the Media
Analyzes the media’s role in contemporary American politics
and government. Emphasis is placed on how the media –
newspapers, television, and electronic forms – manufacture
the news and how the news influences political and government
agenda, decision making, and public policies.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 306
Politics & Public Policy
Analyzes public policy processes with a primary focus on
the United States and a secondary focus on cross-country
comparisons involving the U. S. The overarching concern
is the effectiveness of government intervention given our
market-based system. The student will become familiar with
models and determinants of policy making. Beyond theories
of policy making, the course also surveys a number of timely
policy issues. In this way, a balance is reached between
theory and application. There will be an underlying focus on
the American political economy and public policy making,
but students do not need an extensive background in either
economics or policy making.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 312
Analysis & Evaluation of Public Policy
Explores techniques of policy analysis and program evaluation
having practical application in such fields as transportation,
education, housing, criminal justice, and environmental
quality. The course includes the research and analytical
methods most frequently applied in governmental decision
making.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (S)
251