Undergraduate Bulletin - Illinois Institute of Technology

Course Descriptions
PS 333
Politics of National Security
Examines the formulation and implementation of national
security and military policy in the United States. The course
surveys the emergence and growth of military strategy and
the defense establishment, highlighting the impact of nuclear
weapons on military strategy and security and the post-Cold
War struggle over forces and missions.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 335
Issues in United States Space Policy
Examines the origins, evolution, current status, and future
prospects of U.S. space policies and programs. The course
provides students with an understanding of the governmental
and non-governmental actors that make up the space policy
community. Discussions are cast in the context of the space
activities of other countries and of international competition
and cooperation in space.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 338
Energy & Environmental Policy
Traces the economic and political implications of dependence
on fossil fuels and the attempt to develop alternate
energy sources and promote conservation. Assessed are the
environmental effects of resource consumption and the effort
to control these effects through increased efficiency and
regulation of pollution. The course explores such problems
as nuclear waste, acid rain, global warming, and deforestation,
and examines national and international attempts at
economic, political, and technological solutions.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 340
Social Organization & Control
Surveys theories explaining the organization and structure
of complex societies. The problem of social control, or the
capacity of society to regulate itself formally or informally
according to its desired principles, is viewed as a central
problem of social organization. Same as SOC 340.
Prerequisite(s): [(ANTH 200) OR (PS 190-299) OR (SOC
190-299)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 341
School Politics
This course examines how urban public schools have been
governed over time, who have been the principal beneficiaries
of these governance arrangements, and how the governance
arrangements have come into being. The course includes
material on recent efforts as well as historical governance.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 345
The American Presidency
Surveys the evolution of the office and powers of the presidency
as a result of historical forces, institutional factors,
and the actions of those who have served as president. The
course looks at the relationships of presidents with political
parties, Congress, the bureaucracy, media, and the public,
emphasizing both domestic and foreign policy.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 351
Public Administration
Examines the nature of administrative organization, decisionmaking
in organization, and organizational structures and
processes: division of work, authority, communications, and
planning. The course considers the role of the government
executive and analyzes the relationship between fiscal procedures
and personnel management in organizations.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 353
The Promise & Problems of Policy
Analyzes the policymaking process, including both policy
formulation and implementation. Subjects covered include
the necessity for policy, environmental factors and their
effect on policymaking, the policymaking process, and a brief
introduction to methods of analysis. Same as SOC 353.
Prerequisite(s): [(ANTH 200) OR (PS 190-299) OR (SOC
190-299)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 354
Urban Policy
Explores major dilemmas facing cities today, including
changing economic and tax bases, fiscal stresses, immigration,
marginalized populations, new forms of consumption, and
adaptation to structural change. Responses of politicians to
pressures to develop new policies and leverage the productive
capacity of the city and the impact of citizen preferences are
analyzed. Same as SOC 354.
Prerequisite(s): [(ANTH 200) OR (PS 190-299) OR (SOC
190-299)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 356
Law in American Society
Examines the nature of law and the legal system in American
society. Special attention is paid to the institutions of the
legal system, how they are supposed to function, and how
they actually function. The courts, ranging from the U. S.
Supreme Court to local trial courts, are studied.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 360
Globalization: Global Political Economy
Examines the economic, socio-political, and cultural aspects
of globalization within the context of both contemporary
discussions about the phenomenon and wider debates in the
field of political economy. The course also covers aspects of
international development, both economic and political.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299) OR (SOC 209) OR (SOC 210)
OR (SOC 221)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 361
Theories of Capitalism
Examines the sociological and political literatures on capitalism.
Themes include labor value, bureaucratic theory,
problems of exploitation, class conflicts, status anxiety, and
the internationalization of capital. Same as SOC 361.
Prerequisite(s): [(ANTH 200) OR (PS 190-299) OR (SOC
190-299)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
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