Political Science

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Not all courses are offered every semester. Refer to the schedule of courses for each term's specific offerings.
More Info

Unless otherwise indicated in the course description, all courses at the University of Florida are taught in English, with the exception of specific foreign language courses.

Department Information

The Department of Political Science provides a high-quality educational program for undergraduate students as well as a rigorous honors program. The department also offers a highly selective graduate education ranging from innovative MA programs to a comprehensive PhD program.
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CONTACT

352.392.0262 (tel) | 352.392.8127 (fax)

P.O. Box 117325
234 ANDERSON HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7325
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 Curriculum


Courses

CPO 2001 Comparative Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The classification of political systems according to institutional and developmental characteristics. Causes and costs of political stability and instability. Comparison relates to contemporary political institutions and processes in specific countries. (S and N)

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 3011 Culture and Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Addresses interactions among culture and politics through analysis of concepts including perspective, world view, ethos, cultural norms, etc. Themes may include: identity politics; Other as subject vs. object; religion; cultural expectations regarding political institutions; and dynamics both within and across local and/or national communities.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001 Introduction to Comparative Politics.

CPO 3044 Democracy in Dark Times 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Democratic decline across several counties and regions of the world. Addresses periods of democratic decline in regions in which democracy is expected, as well as in countries with histories of authoritarianism. Themes include Nazism, fascism, socialist and/or populist revolution, as well as democratic recovery in some cases.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 3103 Western European Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Comparative analysis of the government and politics of the major Western European countries. Emphasizes party systems and the social bases of politics in industrialized societies. (S and N)

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 3204 African Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

African nationalism, political movements and governments in the African states. (S and N) (WR)

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

CPO 3303 Introduction to Latin American Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introductory overview of political patterns and political behavior in Latin America within comparative and developmental perspectives. Emphasizes the social, economic and political factors shaping contemporary political structures and processes. (S and N)

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 3403 Politics of the Middle East 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Focuses on key political and social processes in the modern Middle East. Variable themes in comparative politics are addressed, such as nationalism, state formation, women and politics, religious resurgence, feminism and law. (S and N)

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 3410 Topics in Israeli Politics and Society 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Addresses Israeli politics and society from a Comparative Politics or an International Relations perspective, depending upon instructor. May address Israeli politics at the grassroots, elite, societal, domestic, international, or micro-levels. Themes may include social movements, institutional configuration, religious-secular dynamics, immigration, ethnic politics, gender, foreign relations, international organizations, or other issues.

CPO 3614 Eastern European Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Comparative analysis of the formal structures of government and politics of Eastern European countries; the actual operation of their political systems and the factors that influenced their transitions to democracy and market-based economies. (S and N)

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 3633 Politics in Russia 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes the formal structures of government and politics in Russia, the actual operation of its political system and the factors that influenced the transition to democracy and a market-based economy. (S and N)

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 3700 Comparative Law and Courts 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Addresses the politics of law and courts in comparative perspective in regions and country cases around the world. Regions and country cases vary with instructor. May include themes such as: judicial power and politics, judicial independence, rights revolutions, legal mobilization, legal profession, legal culture, and/or constitutional development in comparative perspective.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 3713 Women and Politics in the Modern Middle East 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines women and gender in the politics of the modern Middle East from the late 19th century through the 1990s.

CPO 4000 Selected Studies in Comparative Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics in comparative politics; precise course content will be announced in advance. (S and N)

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 4034 Politics in Developing Nations 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces politics in third world states, an examination of common problems and the various strategies for dealing with them.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 4042 Politics in Post-Industrial Societies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Comparative analysis of advanced industrial states with emphasis on diverse patterns of economic, social and political development as determinants of current political structures and policies.

CPO 4053 Politics under Authoritarianism 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Investigates the sources of durable authoritarianism in Asia and around the world and contrasts the survival of dictatorships with successful democratic transitions.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 4072 Comparative Elections 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

CPO 4144 Social Movements and Contentious Politics in Europe 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides tools to analyze why, when, and how social movements engage in collective action and protest in a variety of European contexts. Appropriate for advanced students in the social sciences and the European track in IDS International Studies.

Prerequisite: instructor permission.

CPO 4145 Irish Government and Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Intensive analysis of the contemporary history, politics and government of Ireland. The course examines the foundations of the state and society from an historical and political-cultural perspective.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

CPO 4194 Islam and European Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces the variety of contacts that Islam, as a religion and system of thought and doctrine, has had on various strands of European politics since early Muslims engaged in translating, commenting on and expanding the Greek systems of thought.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 4306 Contemporary Problems in Latin American Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes major themes and issues in the study of Latin American politics: democratic transitions, economic restructuring, social movements, civil-military relations and political violence. (WR)

Prerequisite: CPO 3303 or the equivalent experience.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

CPO 4384 Argentina and the Politics of Memory 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Politics of Argentina from the 19th century to the present with special focus on Peronism and the rise of democracy.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 4721 The Politics of Ethnic Conflict 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces the systematic study of communal violence, to the major concepts in conflict studies, to the main approaches to studying conflict and to many of the major episodes of communal violence in contemporary Asia and beyond.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 4722 Latin American and Caribbean Migration to the United States 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides a clearer understanding and appreciation of Latin American and Caribbean migration to the United States. After a general introduction to some of the key theoretical concepts and the historical processes underlying immigration to the U.S., focuses in depth on selected immigrant groups from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Prerequisite: sophomore status or above.

CPO 4727 Judaism and Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines how Jews govern themselves (often referred to as communal governance) and how Jews relate to the political system where they live. Explores the development of the Jewish political tradition in the Biblical period, the Middle Ages, the early modern period and the modern era.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

CPO 4731 Democratization in Global Perspective 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces literature on democratization, including familiarization with important theoretical and conceptual issues and empirical data on major regions of the world.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

CPO 4793 Environmental Politics in the Global South 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the politics of environmental degradation in countries of the global south, a.k.a. the developing world, through case studies of Amazonian deforestation in Brazil, international development projects in India and oil drilling in the Niger Delta.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher.

CPO 4911 Undergraduate Research in Comparative Politics 0-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides firsthand, supervised research in Comparative Politics. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery or application in Comparative Politics.

INR 2001 Introduction to International Relations 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines philosophical, theoretical and methodological approaches to the student of international relations, the interaction of major global actors in the post-World War II and post-Cold War eras, the structure of the global economy and various issues such as arms proliferation and conflict associated with ethnicity and nationalism. (S and N)

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

INR 3034 Politics of the World Economy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

International trade, finance and investment issues in the global political economy and their importance for advanced industrial and less-developed countries.

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 3084 Culture and World Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Contending conceptualizations of culture and its relations to international politics. Examines several questions on the relationship between national/group identity and international politics: Do diplomatic alliances reflect cultural/ideological affinity among allies? What is the relationship between the self-image of the West and Western imperialism?

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 3102 The US and World Affairs 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The tradition and development of American foreign policy and contemporary foreign policy problems.

Prerequisite: INR 2001 or instructor permission.

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

INR 3135 Contemporary Issues in National Security 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Surveys national security issues including proliferation, terrorism, and homeland defense.

Prerequisite: INR 2001 with a minimum grade of B.

INR 3333 Introduction to International Security 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines and applies the major theoretical and methodological approaches to international security. Analyzes the impact of domestic, state, regional and global system factors in international security. Familiarity with the basic concepts of world politics, particularly the dominant actors, issues and paradigms, is recommended.

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 3502 International Institutions 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes the political and functional aspects of international organization and cooperation with emphasis on formal organizations, such as the United Nations or the European Union, and less formal institutions and arrangements. (S and N) (WR)

Prerequisite: INR 2001 and junior or higher.

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

INR 3603 Theories of International Relations 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of international relations.

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 4035 Rich and Poor Nations in the International System 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The economic, social and political linkages between less developed and advanced industrial countries in the global system predominantly from the former's perspective. Considers the historical sources of underdevelopment, theoretical and substantive aspects of world poverty, and regional and international efforts to redress the problems of developing countries.

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 4083 War and Peace in World Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examination and application of the major theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of international conflict. Analyzes the impact of domestic, state, regional and global factors in explicating international war. Students should be familiar with the basic concepts of world politics, particularly the dominant actors, issues and paradigms informing analyses in the field, with special emphasis on quantitative analyses of war.

INR 4085 Gender and International Relations 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Despite the importance of gender in global politics, gender is still not fully integrated in the academic study of international politics. Examines the study of feminist work in international relations.

INR 4204 Comparative Foreign Policy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Various theoretical approaches to explaining foreign policy, with special attention to the foreign policies of selected countries other than the United States.

Prerequisite: INR 2001 and junior standing or higher.

INR 4244 International Politics of Latin America 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes the international politics of Latin America, including relations with the United States and non-hemispheric powers as well as the foreign policies of Latin American states vis-vis each other. (WR)

Prerequisite: INR 2001 or advanced standing in Latin American studies.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

INR 4262 Russian Foreign Policy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the principal factors influencing the formulation of Russian foreign policy and its evolution over time.

Prerequisite: INR 2001

INR 4303 The Making of American Foreign Policy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the principal factors influencing the formulation of US foreign policy, including the international environment, information processing, personality factors, political culture, decision-makers and decision-making. Also considers the institutional setting, including the President, Congress, and public opinion.

Prerequisite: INR 2001 or instructor permission.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

INR 4350 International Environmental Relations 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Considers the special problems posed by environmental collective action for international policymakers, some of the primary actors and organizations involved in addressing environmental problems and selected international environmental issues, such as global warming, ozone depletion and rain forest destruction.

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 4531 Politics of the European Union 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the primary structures, actors and processes of policy making in the European Union. Salient policy areas such as the single market, monetary union, agricultural policy and the potential for a common foreign and security policy are investigated.

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 4905 Individual Work 2-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Readings and discussion in advanced topics in International Relations.

INR 4911 Undergraduate Research in International Relations 0-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides firsthand, supervised research. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery, or application.

INR 4931 Special Topics in International Relations 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Selected topics in International Relations.

Prerequisite: INR 2001.

INR 4940 International Relations Internship 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: S/U

Internship with government, political parties, interest groups, lobbying organizations, international organizations, and private companies with 60% or more focus on international politics. Log and paper required. Only 3 credits of POS/PAD/INR 4940 may be counted towards the Political Science major and/or the International Relations Certificate.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

INR 4956 Overseas Studies 1-15 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides a mechanism for students to receive UF credit for international relations coursework taken in an approved study abroad program. Syllabuses of proposed coursework must be approved in advance by the departmental undergraduate coordinator.

PAD 3003 Introduction to Public Administration 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The role of administrative agencies in the formulation and implementation of public policy. Emphasizes the politics of administration. Problems in administration management. (S)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

PAD 4940 Court Internship 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: S/U

Preapproved internship with the Alachua County Clerk of Court. Interns will work a minimum of 150 hours per semester, complete readings and a 5-10 page paper. Only three credits of POS/PAD 4940 credit may be counted toward the political science major.

Prerequisite: POS 2041 and instructor permission.

POS 2032 Politics of Sustainability 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the political determinants of societal efforts to achieve the competing objectives of sustainability; introduces key concepts and theories used by political scientists in studying sustainability. (S)

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

POS 2041 American Federal Government 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Basic principles of the Federal Constitution and Civil Rights. Political parties and the electoral process. The structure and machinery of the federal government, including Congress, the president and the judiciary. (S)

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

POS 2112 American State and Local Government 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

State constitutions, political parties and politics. State legislatures, courts and chief executives. The functions of state, city and county government. (S)

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

POS 3122 State Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Investigates major problems and issues in American state politics. Emphasizes the political institutions and organizations, political behavior in state politics and the impact of state politics on policy making at national, state and local levels.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 3173 Southern Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The changing politics of the South, including two-party development, urbanism, traditionalism and racism. (S) (WR)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 3204 Political Behavior 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines institutional, social and psychological influences on mass political behavior, political sophistication, political participation, voter choice, partisanship, ideology and values. (S) (WR)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 3233 Politics and Public Opinion 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Studies the definition and measurement of political opinion by polls and surveys, and the developmental character of opinions. Includes variables in opinion formation, experiments in opinion measurement and the relation of political opinion to public policy.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 3263 Policy, Ethics and Public Leadership 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Public leaders bear a special responsibility to make ethical decisions based on the enduring values of our democracy; develops awareness of leadership and ethical issues in the public sector. (S) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Social Science, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 3603 American Constitutional Law 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Studies and analyzes the Federal Constitution, with study and briefing of leading cases in constitutional law. (WR)

Prerequisite: POS 2041 and junior standing or higher.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 3606 American Civil Liberties 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Discusses statutes and court decisions emphasizing First Amendment freedoms, equal protection of the law, due process and rights of defendants, implied rights, and the rights of women, juveniles, students, prisoners and the mentally ill. (WR)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 3679 Trial Advocacy 1 Credit

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Act as attorneys and/or witnesses in a simulated civil or criminal trial. Requires participation in the Fall (when the team begins preparing the case) and Spring (through the end of March when the mock trial season ends).

Prerequisite: instructor permission.

POS 4025 Technology and Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Identification and evaluation of the political, social and ethical challenges and choices presented by transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital media, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, robotics, quantum computing, augmented reality and virtual reality.

Prerequisite: Upper division status.

POS 4074 Latino Politics and Policy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the political behavior of Hispanic Americans in the United States. Students discuss political and public policy issues that impact Hispanic/Latino communities, such as affirmative action, the Chicano movement, English-only movements, immigration, the presidency, racial profiling and urban politics.

Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above.

POS 4077 African American Politics and Policy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the political behavior of African Americans in the United States. Discusses the civil rights movement, the black power movement, black political thought (conservatism, liberalism and nationalism), blacks and the court system, the role of blacks in political parties, blacks and the presidency and contemporary issues in African American politics.

Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above.

POS 4194 Politics beyond the Beltway 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines key issues of politics that exist at regional, state and local levels such as campaign finance reform, lobbying, political action committees, political corruption, racial and civil rights issues, and state and local relations.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 4202 Asian American Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the political behavior, attitudes and mobilization of Asian Americans in America by studying the racial stereotypes that plague them, their electoral behavior, the mobilizations tactics utilized in their communities, their response to violent crimes against members of their group and crime within their communities, Asian American conservatism, their views on affirmative action and the politics of Asian American women.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 4235 American Politics and the Media 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Addresses changes in American media over time as they relate to American politics. Includes attention to print media, talk radio, social media, bias, fake news, how media shape citizen behavior and attitudes, and media coverage of political institutions, campaigns, domestic politics, and foreign policy.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 4258 Politics in Fiction and Film 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Uses make-believe stories told in popular novels and Hollywood motion pictures to provide insights into the nature of real-life politics in the United States. (WR)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 4264 Ethics in American Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The problem of unethical behavior involving elected officials is a perennial concern in American politics. How do political ethics differ, if at all, from private ethics? What causes corruption? What have been the aims of good-government reformers?

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 4275 Modern Political Campaigns 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Explores major issues associated with modern political campaigns. Presidential campaigns are a primary, but not exclusive, focus. Investigates why modern campaigns take the forms they do, and to place them in broader American and political contexts. This is not a course on how to run campaigns; it is a course on understanding campaign politics.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 4291 Religion and Politics in the United States 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Investigates the role of religious institutions, values and communities in contemporary American political life. (WR)

Prerequisite: refer to the department.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 4400 Politics of Modernity 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Focuses on the core elements of modernity: the transitions from traditional to modern political identities, from subsistence production to capitalism, and from less to more complex forms of political authority, whether democratic or not. This course also introduces advanced undergraduates in political science to the development of the central themes in comparative politics.

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

POS 4413 The Presidency 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The central role of the American Presidency in the political process. Emphasizes the contemporary institutional nature of that office and the behavior of its occupants. (S)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

POS 4424 Legislative Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The politics of the legislative process, recruitment of legislators, formal and informal rules of behavior, legislative-executive relations and the committee system. Also discusses the impact of political parties, interest groups and constituents on the legislative process. (S)

Prerequisite: POS 2041 and junior standing or higher.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

POS 4443 Political Parties and Elections 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Composition, organization and structure of political parties and their roles and relationships in the political process. (S) (WR)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 4463 Interest Group Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the theoretical foundations, historical context and current activities of special interest groups in the United States.

Prerequisite: POS 2041

POS 4624 Race, Law and the Constitution 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Surveys the historical and contemporary response of the law enforcement, civil/criminal justice and corrections systems to minority/ethnic groups in the United States. (WR)

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 4674 Political Change and Legal Development 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces the role of law in political and social development by providing a background in social theory and the history of legal systems, beginning with Roman law.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 4734 Research Methods in Political Science 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces the theory and method of contemporary political analysis. Emphasizes alternative analytical frameworks, concepts, research design, variables, measurement and quantitative analysis of political data. Required for students pursuing the department honors program. (WR)

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

POS 4750 Survey Research 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Prepares students to understand, conduct, analyze and assess opinion surveys and polls. Covers how to decide whether and when surveys are appropriate means of data collection, how to put together a survey, how to conduct basic quantitative analysis of survey data and how to report the findings.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

POS 4905 Individual Work 2-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Readings and discussion in advanced topics of political science.

Prerequisite: department permission

POS 4911 Undergraduate Research in American Politics 0-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides firsthand, supervised research. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery, or application.

POS 4931 Special Topics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Selected topics in political science; precise course content will be announced in advance.

POS 4934 Honors Preparation 1 Credit

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Must be taken in conjunction with other political science courses at the 3000/4000 level. Required for students pursuing the department honors program.

Prerequisite: majors with a UF upper-division GPA of 3.5 and instructor permission.

POS 4940 Political Internship 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: S/U

Internship in government and politics. Internships are available at all levels - local, state and federal - and in every branch of government - executive, legislative and judicial. Other internships are available with political parties, interest groups, lobbying organizations, international organizations and private companies engaged in governmental relations and issue research. Readings and paper required. Only three credits of POS /PAD 4940 credit may be counted toward the major.

Prerequisite: POS 2041 and instructor permission.

POS 4956 Overseas Studies 1-15 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides a mechanism by which coursework taken as part of an approved study abroad program can be recorded on the UF transcript and counted toward graduation.

Prerequisite: undergraduate advisor permission.

POS 4970 Senior Thesis 2-4 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

One of three required courses for students who are writing an honors thesis. Students work under the supervision of their thesis advisor. Generally, this course is taken in the second semester of the one-year thesis process. Students receive a letter grade for their work.

POT 2002 Introduction to Political Theory 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Basic principles of political thought. Examines the nature of the state and of the relationship between the individual and the state. Covers topics such as authority, consent, freedom and obligation. (H)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities

POT 3302 Political Ideologies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Seeks understanding of the contemporary spectrum of political beliefs from liberal democracy to the ideological ideas of the far right. Examines the effects of ethical, historical, political and psychological perspectives on these belief systems.

POT 3503 Environmental Ethics and Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

An intensive investigation into the history and theory of environmental ethical and political thought.

POT 4013 Great Political Thinkers: Ancient and Medieval 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Major early political theorists including Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Emphasis on the principles of a just political order: natural law, civic virtue, constitutionalism. Analysis of church-state struggles and the emergence of the modern state. (H)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities

POT 4053 Great Political Thinkers: Machiavelli to Marx 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Studies selected political theorists from Machiavelli to Marx. Emphasizes the ideas of authority and freedom, obligation and consent in the writing of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, etc. Liberalism, conservatism, utilitarianism and idealism. (H) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 4000 Words of Writing Requirement

POT 4204 American Political Thought 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the history of American political thought, including an analysis of Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence, the federalist papers and the ideology of Thomas Paine. Also includes African American political thought, feminist political theories, liberalism, and the contribution of Mark Twain.

Prerequisite: POT 2002.

POT 4311 Problems of Democracy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

The theory and practice of democracy, especially ideas that define a democratic order. Studies selected topics ranging from equality and majority rule to technology and the globalization of democracy. (WR)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher or instructor permission.

Attributes: Satisfies 4000 Words of Writing Requirement

POT 4911 Undergraduate Research in Political Theory 0-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides firsthand, supervised research. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery, or application.

PUP 3002 Current Controversies in Public Policy 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Framework to understand the formation, adoption, budgeting, implementation and evaluation of public policy. This framework provides a basis for detailed discussions and debates about current policy issues. (S)

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

Attributes: General Education - Social Science

PUP 3323 Women in Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes the roles women play in American politics, including political behavior and public policy issues.

PUP 4224 Florida Environmental Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the politics of environmental transformation in Florida, including issues of water supply, growth management and Everglades restoration. Supplements the department's offerings in environmental politics. Can be used to satisfy requirements for the major or minor in political science, but it is also intended for (and accessible to) interested students in any major.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher.

PUP 4911 Undergraduate Research in Public Policy 0-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Provides firsthand, supervised research in Public Policy. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery or application in Public Policy.