This course explains the role of American national government, its formation and principles of the Constitution; relation of state to the national government; political parties and their relationship to interest groups. This course also explains the structure of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.

This course introduces comparative politics by examining the political history, social and economic structures, and contemporary political institutions and behavior, with focus on occurrences in countries representing diverse cultures, geographies, and levels of development. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

This course covers the analysis of significant factors in world politics, including nationalism, national interest, political economy, ideology, international conflict and collaboration, balance of power, deterrence, international law, and international organization. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

This course offers an introductory survey of political theory. Emphasis is placed on (1) textual analysis of primary sources and on (2) scholarly analysis of the foundational questions and methods central to the academic study of political ideas. Studying political ideas involves thinking about a) the very definition of political theory itself, b) what one would need to know in order to make evidence- based claims about political theory texts and c) why and how the study of political theory leads political scientists into the exploration of “essentially contested concepts.” More specifically, throughout the semester, we will explore questions relating to 1) what is the definition of political theory; 2) why/how are interpretative disputes at the core of political theory and 3) how have major political theories/ideas—democracy, liberalism, conservatism, socialism, liberation theory, and fascism—changed and developed over time? In sum, this is a survey course on the history of political ideas.

What makes the field of political science a science? What are the variety of research methods and tools for analysis employed by scholars? The goal of this course is to introduce students to the scientific process by political scientists. The interpretation and analysis of data is also essential for almost any career that a political science major might pursue. Lawyers and lobbyists, politicians and professors all need to be able to read and understand reports in which numerical summaries of data (i.e., statistics) are used as evidence to support an argument or point of view. These professionals need to ascertain whether these statistics are being used appropriately. In addition, many of these professionals need to do their own statistical analysis. This course introduces students to statistics and the scientific study of politics. Students will learn why statistics are useful, how to interpret a variety of statistics, how to analyze data to generate their own statistics, and how to tell whether their statistics support their own argument. Students will also learn how to apply the scientific research process to their own research questions by completing a research design project.

The objective of this introductory course in public policy and public administration is to provide students with a basic understanding of the ways that government deals with problems affecting society. We will explore the political tools used to address public policy problems, as well as the political environment in which public policies are formed. Additionally, several specific public policy problems will be discussed during the semester. For each topic, we will try to understand the goals that the government and society seem to be seeking, alternative means for achieving those goals, the costs and benefits of the various alternatives, and the impact of politics on those goals. We will primarily examine policymaking at the national level, but we will also look at some examples at the state and local level.

Provides supervised work experience in the practical application of political science skills. Political Science major or minor students are limited to no more than 3 credit hours. Additional or excess credit hours above these limits may be counted as Arts and Sciences electives. Offered on a CR/NC basis only. Restriction: permission of instructor and department Chairperson.

Special topics of political science which relate contemporary issues to the discipline. Precise topics will be noted in appropriate class schedules prepared for registration. No limits on repetitions if topics vary.

Public opinion, its content and measurement, and its relation to public policy and electoral behavior. Prerequisite: 1120 or 2140.

The status, role and activities of Hispanic/Latino Americans in the U.S. political system. Prerequisite: 1120.

Judicial interpretations of institutional authority, federalism and economic liberties. Also considers role of the Supreme Court in American Politics. Prerequisite: 1120.

Selected problems of international politics. No limits on repetitions if topics vary. Prerequisite: 2120.

The purpose of this course is to help students build a theoretical understanding of American foreign policy. It begins with a discussion of America’s grand strategy informed by the major theoretical traditions in the international relations field. Then it examines the institutional structures of and participants in the foreign policy process. Finally, these theoretical and institutional approaches are used to analyze a variety of important historical and contemporary issues in economic and security policy. Prerequisite: 2120.

Survey of Political Theory from 1500 to 1900, with a focus on Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx and Nietzsche. Prerequisite: 2130.

Study of local government policy, personnel, and implementation. Emphasis is placed on the practical political, management and social equity challenges local governments face when trying to address critical policy problems in their domains. Prerequisite: 1120.

Analysis of U.S. and multinational policies addressing issues of world population growth, including policy tools designed to control population growth.

Special advanced topics of political science which relate contemporary issues to the discipline. Precise topics will be noted in appropriate class schedules prepared for registration. No limits on repetitions if topics vary.

Provides supervised work experience in the practical application of political science skills. POLS major students are limited to 6 credit hours, minor students to 3 credit hours in aggregate. Additional or excess credit hours above these limits may be counted as Arts and Sciences electives Offered on a CR/NC basis only. Restriction: permission of instructor.

This course is associated with the Mayor’s Select Internship Program, which provides a unique opportunity for UNM’s best and brightest students. This program will cover a variety of tasks performed by local government including, but not limited to, policy research and development, press communications, constituent services, and administrative tasks.

This course is designed to give students hands-on experience in the legislative process via a week-long internship with the New Mexico state legislature.

In this internship program students to travel to Washington, DC to learn through direct experience how federal policy is formulated in our nation's capital. The program's objective is to provide an opportunity to participate in public service by observing and contributing to the policy-making process.

Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study.

One section of this course is offered in conjunction with each graduate pro-seminar (510, 520, 525, 540, 560, 570). Open to undergraduate majors with 3.30 GPA and others with permission of instructor. No limits on repetitions if topics vary. Restriction: permission of instructor.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of an undergraduate Senior-level thesis. Restriction: permission of instructor.

Faculty-supervised individual study in an area of special interest not readily available through conventional course offerings. Open to majors and minors with 3.30 GPA and permission of instructor. Political Science major students are limited to 6 credit hours, minor students to 3 credit hours in aggregate. Additional or excess credit hours above these limits may be counted as Arts and Sciences electives. Restriction: permission of instructor.

Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study. {Offered upon demand}

A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester. No limits on repetitions if topics vary.

Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study. {Offered upon demand}

Individual research into an area proposed by the student and conducted under the direction of a faculty member. No limits on repetitions if topics vary.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis. No limits on repetitions if topics vary. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Focuses on a variety of advanced econometric methods. Beginning with a review of matrix algebra and math for the social sciences, the course provides an in-depth examination of multiple regression and more advanced econometric models. Required for Ph.D. students. Prerequisite: 581 or equivalent. {Spring}

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a doctoral dissertation. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.