| Subject | Number | Title | Hours | Catalog Description | General Education Category |
| POLS | 101 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 hours. | Introduction to American political ideas, individual and group political behavior, institutions of national government, and public policy. May be taught in blended learning format. Please check the online schedule of classes for blended sections. | Individual and Society, and US Society course. |
| POLS | 103 | Who Rules?: Introduction to the Study of Politics | 3 hours. | An introduction to the concepts and methods of political analysis, philosophy and action. Substantive focus on the selection of political leaders in the U.S. | US Society course. |
| POLS | 105 | Honors Seminar in Political Science | 3 hours. | Selected problems in political analysis. Course content and format varies according to programmatic needs and instructor expertise. Prerequisite(s): Membership in the Honors College or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 111 | United States Politics: Current Problems and Controversies | 3 hours. | Selected current political problems and controversies are analyzed and placed in the context of past and future public policies and the development of political institutions. | |
| POLS | 112 | African American Politics and Culture | 3 hours. | A survey of African American political and cultural activism from the Black Convention Movement of the 1830s to contemporary times. Same as AAST 103. | Individual and Society, and US Society course. |
| POLS | 120 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 hours. | Competing accounts of the relationships among individuals, society, and the state. Analysis of differing conceptions of human nature through readings in ancient and modern classics. | Individual and Society, and Past course. |
| POLS | 130 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 hours. | Comparative study of political institutions, political culture, and political processes in selected major countries of the world. Same as INST 130 and LALS 130. | Individual and Society, and World Cultures course. |
| POLS | 184 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 hours. | Political, military, and economic relations between states, international organizations and transnational actors. Problems of war, imperialism and the world economy. Prospects for global cooperation. Same as INST 184. | Individual and Society, and World Cultures course. |
| POLS | 190 | Scope of Political Science | 3 hours. | Politics as law and institutions, markets and power, and culture and identity. Emphasizes writing of essays. Prerequisite(s): Freshman, sophomore or junior standing. Seniors require consent of the instructor. | Individual and Society course. |
| POLS | 200 | Methods of Political Science | 3 hours. | Different methods for doing research on law and institutions, markets and power, and identity and culture. Problems in explanation and interpretation. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 201 | Political Data Analysis | 3 hours. | Introduction to basic elements of statistics and data analysis for political science. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics; introduction to UIC computer facility and statistics software. Prerequisite(s): MATH 090 or MATH 092 or MATH 118. | |
| POLS | 202 | Topics in Political Practice | 3 hours. | Selected topics in contemporary political practice. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 206 | Political Behavior | 3 hours. | An introduction to political behavior; includes the structure and functions of political attitudes, the role of personality, political socialization, electoral behavior, and related topics. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101. | |
| POLS | 207 | The Mass Media and Politics | 3 hours. | Impact of mass media coverage on political attitudes and the conduct of American politics. Communication policies and media institutions in times of rapid technological change. Same as COMM 207. Prerequisite(s): One course in political science, sociology or contemporary history. | |
| POLS | 209 | Latinos and Politics | 3 hours. | Latino politics and politicians in the context of the American political system. The political system, Latino participation, experience, and research on political processes. Same as LALS 283. | US Society course. |
| POLS | 210 | Introduction to Urban Politics | 3 hours. | Growth and legal problems of cities: intergovernmental relations; powers and forms of government; pressure group activity; municipal functions and services; and revenue problems. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 103 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 211 | Chicago's Future | 3 hours. | Emphasis on the political and governmental future of Chicago. Covers racial and ethnic politics, metropolitan, city, and neighborhood government, machine versus reform politics. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 103 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 212 | State Government | 3 hours. | Organization and powers of state governments in the U.S.; constitutions and problems of revision; the major institutions and their interrelationships, intergovernmental relations. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 103 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 224 | Congressional Debate | 3 hours. | Theoretical and practical approaches to preparing for College National Congressional Debate competition. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours with the approval of the department. Field trips to conferences required. Conference fee required. Prerequisite(s): POLS 228. | |
| POLS | 225 | Political Interest Groups | 3 hours. | Pluralism, the logic of collective action, the special-interest state, public-interest groups, and corporatism. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 226 | Political Parties | 3 hours. | Historical development, organization, and functioning of state and national parties; committees, conventions, campaigns and finances; party platforms and issues. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 103 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 227 | Voting Behavior and Elections | 3 hours. | Examination of elections, voting behavior, election law, and voting theories and influences. Prerequisite(s): Grace of C or better in POLS 101. | |
| POLS | 228 | U.S. Congress | 3 hours. | Introduction to the structures and processes of Congressional politics. Emphasis on elections, organization, interinstitutional relations and authorizations and appropriations processes. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101. | |
| POLS | 229 | The American Presidency | 3 hours. | Examination of such phenomena as presidential elections; the presidency and the Constitution; the presidency and public administration; the president as policy-maker; presidential leadership. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101. | |
| POLS | 231 | Politics in China | 3 hours. | The dynamics of the Chinese Communist revolution; post-Mao reforms; the structure and operation of key political institutions; relations with major powers. Same as ASST 231. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190; or consent of the instructor. | World Cultures course. |
| POLS | 232 | Politics in Japan and Korea | 3 hours. | Sources, dynamics, and patterns of politics in Japan and the two Koreas. Appraisal of the Japanese model. Comparison of Japan and Korea. Same as ASST 232. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190 or consent of the instructor. | World Cultures course. |
| POLS | 234 | Western European Politics and Government | 3 hours. | Comparison of government and politics of major Western European countries. Topics include political culture, political parties, elections, legislatures, executive arrangements, and the European community. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 235 | Politics and Government of Russia | 3 hours. | The nature, evolution, and problems of political process and institutions in the former USSR and successor states. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 236 | Politics and Government of Eastern Europe | 3 hours. | Similarities and differences of the political system of eastern European states and the sources and meaning of political change. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 242 | Government and Politics of Latin America | 3 hours. | An examination of government and politics in selected Latin American countries. Comparative and historical analysis of dictatorship, democracies, political institutions, and parties. Same as LALS 242. Prerequisite(s): Any 100-level course in Latin American and Latino studies or political science. | |
| POLS | 243 | Politics and Government of the Middle East | 3 hours. | Contemporary Middle East political institutions, culture, processes, and conflicts. Emphasis on interaction of traditional and modern forces, such as Islam, nationalism, political elites, ideologies, states. Same as JST 243. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190; or consent of the instructor. | World Cultures course. |
| POLS | 245 | Politics and Government of Africa | 3 hours. | Contemporary political systems of selected African countries with emphasis on political leadership, nationalism, ideological trends, and economic development. Same as AAST 245. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190 or AAST 100; or consent of the instructor. | World Cultures course. |
| POLS | 246 | History of American Capitalism | 3 hours. | Survey of the political, economic, cultural, and social history of capitalism in colonial British America and the United States, with special attention to property, labor, finance, public policy, ideology, and class relations. Course Information: Same as HIST 246. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Discussion. | |
| POLS | 258 | The Judicial Process | 3 hours. | Dispute settlement and policy making in state and federal court systems; judicial decision making and the impact of decisions on the polity. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 103 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 275 | Gender in Latin America | 3 hours. | Latin American women in historical perspective from pre-Columbian and Iberian societies to the present. Same as GWS 275, and LALS 275. | Past, and World Cultures course. |
| POLS | 281 | United States Foreign Policy | 3 hours. | Internal and external factors that influence formulation and execution of U.S. foreign policy. Major problems of contemporary foreign policy: constitutional, organizational, and intellectual factors. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 282 | National Model United Nations | 3 hours. | Students prepare to assume the role of diplomatic representatives at the National Model United Nations Conference. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours with approval. Approval to repeat course granted by the department. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 283 | International Political Economy | 3 hours. | Political underpinnings and ramifications of international economic relations. Foreign trade policy, multinational corporations, oil North-South relations, economic warfare. Same as INST 283. Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or INST 184 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 284 | International Security | 3 hours. | International conflict and cooperation, including war, nationalism, global inequality, and the environment. Same as INST 284. Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or INST 184 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 286 | The United Nations and Other International Organizations | 3 hours. | The development, structure, functioning, and impact of the United Nations and other international organizations. An assessment of their contributions and limitations. Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 287 | International Law | 3 hours. | The nature, scope, and limits of international law in the contemporary world. Examines three dimensions of international law: doctrine, practice, and jurisprudence (case-law). Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 290 | History of Political Thought I | 3 hours. | Western political theorists from ancient Greece through the sixteenth century, including Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and Machiavelli. Prerequisite(s): POLS 120 or POLS 190. | |
| POLS | 291 | History of Political Thought II | 3 hours. | Western political theorists from the seventeenth century through modern times, including Hobbes, Locke, Marx, Mill and Nietzsche. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 or POLS 120. | |
| POLS | 293 | Possible Political Systems: Ideal and Actual | 3 hours. | Political possibilities beyond those that presently prevail. Arguments for gender equality, participatory democracy, and alternative technologies are examined and evaluated. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 295 | Introduction to Marxism | 3 hours. | Examination and evaluation of the basic theories of Marx and Engels to determine their contribution to the understanding of contemporary politics. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 297 | American Political Theories | 3 hours. | American political theorists from the colonial period to the present, including Paine, Madison, Hamilton, Thoreau, Calhoun, Sumner, DuBois, and Dewey. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 300 | Symposium on Politics | 3 hours. | Selected problems in politics. Course content and format will vary to adapt to the changing political scene. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 301 | Field Experience in Political Science | 6 hours. | Provides students an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real life political settings, such as governmental agencies, political parties or interest groups. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing; at least 12 credit hours in political science, including courses relevant to the field experience; GPA of 3.00 in political science; and consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 302 | Great Cities Internship | 6 hours. | Provides students an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and conduct research in metropolitan organizations through field placements and seminars. Same as UPP 302. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and grade point average of 3.00, or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 303 | Supervised Readings and Research | 1 TO 3 hours. | Supervised readings and research in political science. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 305 | Honors Course | 3 TO 6 hours. | Independent reading and research for students seeking departmental distinction. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): A 3.25 University grade point average and a 3.50 political science grade point average and approval of the department. Open only to seniors. | |
| POLS | 307 | Political Psychology | 3 hours. | Analysis of mass and elite political behavior from the perspectives of several psychological approaches including psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic and social psychology theories. Prerequisite(s): One course in political science, psychology, or sociology. | |
| POLS | 309 | Topics in Political Behavior | 3 hours. | Intensive analysis of topics in political behavior. Possible topics include: elections and campaigns, political culture. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 206 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 310 | Governing the Megalopolis | 3 hours. | Examination of political/governmental issues in massive metropolitan areas, utilizing the six-county greater Chicago area for example. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or POLS 200 or the equivalent or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 311 | Black Politics in the United States | 3 hours. | Historical analysis of Black electoral politics in the U.S., including traditional political party participation and movement politics. Same as AAST 306. Prerequisite(s): Three courses in political science, history or sociology, or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 312 | Topics in Local Politics | 3 hours. | Intensive examination of selected problems of local politics. Actual research involvement. Topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 and POLS 210. | |
| POLS | 329 | Seminar on American Politics | 3 hours. | Advanced seminar on special topics in American politics. Content varies. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 and POLS 200. | |
| POLS | 348 | Seminar: Political Problems of Developing Societies | 3 hours. | Selected aspects of the politics and countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Same as LALS 348. Prerequisite(s): POLS 200 and POLS 130; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 349 | Topics in Comparative Politics | 3 hours. | Selected problems in comparative politics. Same as INST 349. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or INST 130 and POLS 200. | |
| POLS | 353 | Constitutional Law | 3 hours. | Selected constitutional provisions and principles as they developed through Supreme Court interpretation. Major attention given to powers and practices of, and interactions among governmental institutions. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 354 | The Constitution and Civil Liberties | 3 hours. | Civil rights, including religion, speech, assembly, press, and rights of the accused. Prerequisite(s): POLS 101 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 356 | Constitutional Law: Women, Gender and Privacy | 3 hours. | A multidisciplinary examination of U.S. constitutional law and politics in shaping issues of gender, privacy, race, and sexual orientation; including reproduction, labor, sexual harassment, political participation, and women and crime. Same as AAST 356, and GWS 356. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in POLS 101 or grade of C or better in POLS 112 or grade of C or better in AAST 100 or grade of C or better in AAST 103 or grade of C or better in GWS 101; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 358 | Constitutional Law: African-American Legal History | 3 hours. | Survey of the African-American constitutional experience from the 1600s to the present, focusing on landmark decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Same as AAST 358. | |
| POLS | 359 | Topics in Public Law | 3 hours. | Selected problems arising in public law and judicial arenas. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 or POLS 200 or POLS 258. | |
| POLS | 384 | International Relations Theory | 3 hours. | Philosophical foundations of international relations, including assumptions of anarchy, rationality, power and the state. Applications to security and political economy. Prerequisite(s): POLS 283 or POLS 284 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 389 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations | 3 hours. | Selected topics in international relations. Topics may vary and may cover global military, economic, cultural, ecological or methodological issues. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 184 and POLS 200. | |
| POLS | 399 | Seminar in Political Theory | 3 hours. | Selected topics and problems in political theory. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 120 and POLS 200. | |
| POLS | 401 | Data Analysis I | 3 OR 4 hours. | Statistical inference for the social sciences. Emphasis on univariate and bivariate statistics. Same as PPA 401. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 200 and POLS 201; or graduate standing. | |
| POLS | 405 | The Problem of Justice | 3 OR 4 hours. | Premodern and modern views of justice and their practical utility in analyzing legislative, executive, and judicial programs for enhancing or restricting justice. Same as CLJ 405. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101, plus two 200-level courses in criminology, law, and justice or two 200-level courses in political science. | |
| POLS | 451 | Law and Public Policy | 3 OR 4 hours. | The role of law and legal institutions in the development and implementation of public policies. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 459 | Advanced Topics in Urban Politics | 3 OR 4 hours. | Seminar exploring urban politics theory through readings, discussion, and original research. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): POLS 210; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 465 | Topics in Sociology of Politics | 3 OR 4 hours. | Intensive examination of a specialized topic announced when the class is scheduled. Same as SOC 465. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): 6 hours of upper-division sociology or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 467 | Public Opinion and Political Communication | 3 OR 4 hours. | Nature of public opinion and political communication systems. Patterns of opinion distribution and its measurement. Forces shaping public opinion and its impact on public policy. Same as COMM 467. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 200 or the equivalent or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 469 | Advanced Topics in American Politics | 3 OR 4 hours. | Seminar exploring American politics theory through readings, discussion, and original research. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 101 and Grade of B or better in POLS 329; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 478 | Advanced Topics in International Relations | 3 OR 4 hours. | Seminar exploring international relations theory through readings, discussion, and original research. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 184; and Grade of B or better in POLS 281 or Grade of B or better in POLS 283 or Grade of B or better in POLS 284; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 479 | Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics | 3 OR 4 hours. | Seminar exploring comparative politics theory through readings, discussion, and original research. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 130 and Grade of B or better in POLS 349; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 482 | Democratic Theory | 3 OR 4 hours. | Democracy as a procedure of government and value commitments associated with this form of government. Special attention paid to classical and modern democracies. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 290 or POLS 291 or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 485 | Gender and Politics | 3 OR 4 hours. | Impact of gender on basic categories of western political thought. Distinctions between reason and emotion, public and private, among others, examined from feminist perspective. Same as GWS 485. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 and one 200-level course in political theory; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 489 | Advanced Topics in Political Theory | 3 OR 4 hours. | Seminar exploring political theory through reading, discussion, and original research. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in POLS 290 or Grade of B or better in POLS 291; or graduate standing; or consent of the instructor. | |
| POLS | 494 | Topics in Political Science | 3 OR 4 hours. | Selected Topics in Political Science. Topics vary and may cover American politics, law, urban and global politics, cultural, ecological or methodological issues. May be repeated up to 1 time(s). Prerequisite(s): POLS 190 and POLS 200; or consent of the instructor. |