All courses are offered through the College of Arts & Sciences, Social Sciences Building (SSB), Room 367, (907) 786-4897

PS 101 Introduction to American Government
An introduction to the historical and constitutional foundations of American government; the political activities of parties, groups, and the media; public decision-making by the executive, Congress, and the courts; and current economic, environmental, social, and foreign issues and policies.

PS 102 Introduction to Political Science
The exploration of basic principles and processes of major branches of the discipline of political science including American government, comparative politics, international relations and political philosophy.

PS 290 Topics in Political Science
Introductory level examination of current or ongoing topic of interest related to one or more subfields within Political Science.
Special note: may be repeated up to five times for credit with change of title for a maximum of six credits.

PS 301 Comparative Political Economy
Prerequisites: PS A101 or A102, Junior level
Explores how political power shapes economic outcomes and how economic forces influence political action. Includes an introduction to the prominent theories of international political economy (IPE); describes IPE institutions; and presents and analyzes global trade and development theories and other contemporary challenges to IPE.

PS 311 Comparative Politics
Prerequisite: ENGL A111 and (PS A101 or PS A102), Junior level
Introduction to the development of governmental structures and political processes in the modern world. Theories are related to problems and governing strategies in contemporary political systems.

PS 312 Comparative Northern Politics
Prerequisite: ENGL A111 or PS A102 
Detailed comparative analysis of political systems, political actors, and political institutions across the northern region, to contrast such entities, and evaluate the complex range of issues relevant to the region and the international community. 

PS 321 International Relations
Prerequisite: PS A102
An introduction to international relations providing general knowledge and analytical tools necessary to understand, evaluate, and respond to an increasingly complex array of international problems and international affairs. Includes theoretical approaches to international relations and how theory influences expectations.

PS 322 United States Foreign Policy
Prerequisite: PS A101 or PS A102
Examines the heritage of United States foreign policy, the processes involved in the formation and implementation of policy, and the environment in which these factors occur.

PS 324 Model United Nations
Junior level
Special note: may be repeated once for credit.
A student simulation of the United Nations. Acting as nation-state delegates, students research and debate a topic of international concern.

PS 325 Northeast Asia in the 21st Century
Crosslisted: HIST and INTL
Prerequisite: Completion of GER Tier 1 courses and 6 credits of Tier 2 GEOG, HIST, or PS courses. Junior standing
An interdisciplinary examination and analysis of Northeast Asia covering China, the Koreas, and Japan, designed to provide students with the means to understand how the societies of this region have developed separate and distinct identities despite their common cultural and philosophic roots.

PS 330 The American Political Tradition
Prerequisite: ENGL A111 and PS A101 or HIST A101
The political theory of liberal democracy examined in its application to crucial events in American political history, with emphasis on the American founding era.

PS 331 Political Philosophy
Prerequisite: ENGL A111
An introduction to political philosophy, with emphasis on the study of regimes; selected regimes are examined through the writings of political philosophers.

PS 332 History of Political Philosophy I: Classical
Prerequisite: ENGL A111
Political philosophy from Plato to Marsilius, with emphasis on natural right.

PS 333 History of Political Philosophy II: Modern
Prerequisite: ENGL A111
Political philosophy from Machiavelli to Nietzsche, with emphasis on liberalism and its critics.

PS 341 The United States Congress
Prerequisite: PS A101
Examines the organization of the U.S. Congress and its role in the American political system. Topics include theories of representative government, the internal dynamics of Congress, and forces that influence its ability to act within the constitutional system.

PS 342 The American Presidency
Prerequisite: PS A101
Examines executive branch of the U.S. government. The course focuses on the constitutional design and evolution of the office, theories of presidential power, relations with Congress, and contemporary policy making.

PS 343 Constitutional Law
Prerequisite: PS A101 or JUST A110
Crosslisted: JUST A343
An introduction to American constitutional law through study of selected Supreme Court cases. Among the topics considered are judicial review; separation of powers; property, commerce, and taxation; liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights; equal protection; and privacy. Comparisons are made with the Alaska Constitution.

PS 344 State & Local Politics
Prerequisite: PS A101
State and local politics and governments in the United States and their interrelationships. The course focuses on how the political process works, how decisions are made, and current issues and policies.

PS 345 Alaska Government and Politics
Prerequisite: PS A101
Examines all forms of governmental structures and political processes in Alaska. Examines the history of government in Alaska, contemporary political issues, and political change.
Special Note: May be applied to the Alaska Culture and History requirements for State of Alaska teacher recertification.

PS 346 Alaska Native Politics
Crosslisted: AKNS A346
Introduction to historical relationships among federal, territorial, state and local laws and policies as they affect Alaska Natives and Native/non-Native relations. Includes contemporary issues and comparative case studies.
Special Note: May be used to fulfill the Alaska studies requirement for teacher recertification.

PS 347 Public Administration
Prerequisite: PS A101 or PS A102
An introduction to the problems of managing agencies and implementing policies in local, state, and federal government. The course deals with the history and current practices of public administration and the effects of the social, economic and political environments on administration, with and emphasis on Alaska.

PS 348 Public Policy
Prerequisite: One of PS A101, PS A102
Case study approach to public policy and policymaking. Examines the relationship between the social, economic, and political environments and specific contemporary policies (e.g., education, social welfare, housing, employment, etc.), the policymaking process, and alternative models of policymaking. Emphasis on Alaska as well as national issues.

PS 351 Political Sociology
Prerequisite: ENGL A211 or A212 or A213 or A214 and SOC A101 or PS A102
Crosslisted: SOC A351
Introduction to the social aspects of politics and the nature and distribution of power in society. Examination of the dynamic relationship of the political process and the institutions of society.

PS 353 Political Behavior, Participation, and Democracy
Prerequisite: PS A101 or PS A102
Examines variety of democratic systems and explores their influence on political participation and behavior.

PS A355 Women in Politics
Prerequisite: PS A101, PS A102, or WS A200, Junior level
Crosslisted: WS A355
Examines the roles of women in the political world from local, state, national and international perspectives. The nature of women’s political roles will be studied from both historical and contemporary perspectives.

PS 361 Social Science Research Methods
Prerequisite: PS A102 or SOC A101
Crosslisted: SOC 361
Provides a firm grounding in rigorous and ethical social science research. Examines various social science research methods, including surveys, experiments, content analyses, interviews, and focus groups and explores methodological challenges, such as hypothesis testing, measurement issues, and sampling strategies.

PS 411 Tribes, Nations, and Peoples
Prerequisite: One of PS A 102 or AKNS A201, Junior standing
Crosslisted: AKNS A411
Analyzes and evaluates the history of expansion, invasion, contemporary questions, and issues that confront Indigenous tribes, nations, and peoples, including their political, social, economic, and cultural activities. Investigates corresponding relations with non-Indigenous governments and private entities as well as international developments concerning Indigenous human rights.

PS 424 International Law and Organization
Prerequisite: PS A101 or PS A102
Examines the development of international law and organizations and their role in the international community. Analyzes issues such as nation-state sovereignty, human rights, the use of force, and international criminal law to demonstrate the application of international law and the operation of international organizations.

PS 453 Organization Theory
Prerequisite: PS A101
Examines theoretical explanations of large, public sector organizations, their structure and design, internal conflicts, and ability to adapt and achieve goals.

PS 490 Studies in Politics
Prerequisite: One of PS 101, PS 102, or junior standing
May be stacked with PS 690 Special Note: Subtitle varies; may be repeated to a maximum of six credits with a different subtitle. An examination of an aspect of politics from the perspective of a major field in the political science discipline (comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, American politics, and political behavior). Field and subject studies will vary from year to year.

PS 492 Senior Seminar in Politics
Senior Integrative Capstone course required of all Political Science majors. An examination of a single major problem in the study of politics. Registration Restrictions: Completion of GER Tier 1 (basic college-level skills) courses. Senior standing and at least one upper-division course from another social science.

PS 495 Internship in Political Science
Prerequisite: PS 101, PS 102; and faculty permission required.
Special Note: Internships vary; may be repeated once for credit with a different internship. An opportunity for students to apply the subject matter of political science to the practical life of the community. Internships are available in a variety of governmental and private settings and require a formal agreement between the student, the faculty member, and the supervisor; a work evaluation; and a student report.

PS 690 Studies in Politics
Prerequisite: One of PS 101, PS 102; graduate standing. May be stacked with PS 490.
Special Note: Subtitle varies; may be repeated to a maximum of six credits with a different subtitle. An examination of an aspect of politics from the perspective of a major field in the political science discipline (comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, American politics, and political behavior). Field and subject studies will vary from year to year.