About Political Science
Government, institutions, policy, and political behavior. Courses carry the POLS subject code and are offered through the College of Arts, Design & Communication. Numbers below 300 are introductory, 300–499 advanced undergraduate, and 500 and above graduate. Prerequisites are enforced at registration.
How the sequence works
Of the 9 POLS courses listed, 4 are introductory (numbers under 300), 2 are advanced undergraduate (300–499). 1 course has no prerequisite and is a reasonable first step. Later courses assume the earlier ones, so read prerequisites before you plan a term — they are enforced at registration and an override from the Political Science department is the only way around them.
POLS 1000 — American Government 3 cr
The Constitution, federalism, the three branches, elections, parties, interest groups, and civil liberties and rights.
Prerequisite: none.
POLS 2100 — Comparative Politics 3 cr
How other countries organize power: regime types, institutions, parties and elections, and political development.
Prerequisite: POLS 1000.
POLS 2200 — International Relations 3 cr
Theories of world politics, security and conflict, international political economy, and global institutions.
Prerequisite: POLS 1000.
POLS 2300 — Political Theory 3 cr
Enduring questions about authority, justice, liberty, and equality, read through classic and modern texts.
Prerequisite: POLS 1000.
POLS 3100 — Public Policy Analysis 3 cr
Framing problems, evaluating alternatives, cost–benefit reasoning, and writing a policy memo.
Prerequisite: POLS 1000.
POLS 3200 — State and Local Government 3 cr
Wesconsin and comparative state institutions, intergovernmental relations, budgeting, and local politics.
Prerequisite: POLS 1000.
POLS 3300 — Constitutional Law 3 cr
Judicial power, separation of powers, federalism, and the major lines of constitutional doctrine.
Prerequisite: POLS 1000.
POLS 3500 — Research Methods in Political Science 4 cr
Measurement, research design, basic statistics, and a small empirical project.
Prerequisite: POLS 1000.
POLS 4900 — Senior Seminar in Political Science 3 cr
An original research paper on a focused question, presented and defended.
Prerequisite: senior standing.
Planning and advising
Your degree audit shows exactly how POLS courses apply to your requirements; this list only shows what is offered. If you are choosing between two courses, deciding when to take a heavy one, or wondering whether a course will run next term, your academic adviser can tell you. Course availability by term is set close to registration and is not guaranteed by anything on this page.
Fictional information
UW–Porter Falls is a work of parody. Every course, prerequisite, credit value, and department on this page is invented; nothing here describes a real curriculum or a course you can enroll in.