Undergraduate Bulletin - Illinois Institute of Technology

Course Descriptions
PS 408
Methods of Policy Analysis
Introduces students to the field of policy analysis and
acquaints them with basic methods of policy analysis and
urban planning. Emphasis is on these methods and problem
solving rather than on politics or the political process.
Topics include decision theory, benefit/cost analysis, problem
simulation, population projection, and problem definition and
formulation. This seminar serves as the required capstone
course for the Policy Analysis/Technology specialization.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 420
Comparative Urban Politics
Compares major urban systems in a variety of settings in
both developed and developing countries. The seminar gives
special attention to political and economic factors shaping
urbanization processes and distinctive policy issues in these
different settings.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 422
Complex Organizations
Introduces students to the significant theoretical frameworks
that have emerged over time to describe and explain public
and non-profit organizations, as well as organizational actors
and actions. The seminar includes consideration of relations
between organization and its environment, the importance
of interorganizational networks, and the role of power in
organizational life. Same as SOC 422.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399) OR (PS 190-
299 and SOC 300-399) OR (PS 300-399 and SOC 190-299)
OR (SOC 190-299 and SOC 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 438
Energy & Environmental Policy
Places energy and environmental policy in domestic and
global context. The seminar traces the economic and political
implications of dependence on fossil fuels, the attempt to
develop alternate energy sources and promote conservation,
the environmental effects of resource consumption, and the
effort to control these effects through increased efficiency and
regulation of pollution. Explored are such problems such as
nuclear waste, acid rain, global warming, and deforestation.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 440
Issues in Globalization
Examines globalization, which has become a buzzword in
social science and in popular discourse. This seminar investigates
the economic, socio-political, and cultural aspects of
globalization, laying the stress on theoretical debates in the
field of political economy.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 453
U.S. Regulatory Politics & Policy
Examines the changing role of government regulation of private
and public activities from a political and administrative
perspective, from the Progressive Era to the present. The
seminar investigates the regulatory process, including administrative
law, standards for rule-making, and the involvement
of organized groups and the courts.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 455
Political Sociology
Surveys major issues and problems in the field of political
sociology. Topics include the forms of political power structures,
elitist approaches to politics, community and national
power structures, and political socialization. Same as SOC
455.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399) OR (PS 190-
299 and SOC 300-399) OR (PS 300-399 and SOC 190-299)
OR (SOC 190-299 and SOC 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 462
Issues in American Politics
Intended to develop knowledge and analytical skills to assess
how well our government works and how it might work better.
The seminar focuses on the following: the operation of the
federal executive, legislative, and judicial institutions; the
policymaking process (including the role of administrators);
and the power exercised by organized groups, experts, and the
media. This seminar serves as the required capstone course
for the American and Comparative Politics specialization.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 465
Political Economy
Introduces students to advanced theories of political economy,
exploring the relationship between the economy and
the political system. The impact of economic ideologies
will be examined, as will the structure of political and
economic interests and the mediating effects of institutions
on outcomes.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 480
Introduction to Survey Methodology
This course will introduce advanced undergraduate students
to the set of principles of survey research design that are the
basis of standard practices in the social sciences. The course
will discuss how to formulate research questions and develop
hypotheses suitable for testing. Same as SOC 480.
Prerequisite(s): [(BUS 221) OR (PS 209) OR (PSYC 203)
OR (SOC 209)]
(3-0-3) (S)
PS 490
Senior Seminar
This is the capstone course for political science majors. It
is intended to bring together a number of concepts, methodological
approaches, and research skills while exploring a
particular topic of current significance within the discipline.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (C)(S)
PS 491
Undergraduate Research in Political Science
Working with a member of the political science faculty,
students will choose a topic, conduct research, and complete
an original, independent research project.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (C)
PS 495
Power & Domination
Uses concepts learned in political science and sociology
classes and brings them to bear on the topic of power and
domination with the obvious concomitant of resistance. The
seminar serves as the required capstone course for the Society,
Politics, and Value specialization. Same as SOC 495.
Prerequisite(s): [(PS 190-299 and PS 300-399) OR (PS 190-
299 and SOC 300-399) OR (PS 300-399 and SOC 190-299)
OR (SOC 190-299 and SOC 300-399)]
(3-0-3) (S)
255