Course Descriptions

  • PS A101 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.

    Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.

  • PS A102 Introduction to Politial 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. 

    Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.

  • PS A290 Topics in Politics

    Introductory-level examination of current or ongoing topic of interest related to one or more sub-fields within political science.

    Special Note: May be repeated up to five times for credit with change of title for maximum of 6 credits.
  • PS A301 Comparative Political Economy

    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.

    Prerequisites: PS A102.

  • PS A311 Comparative Politics 

    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.

    Prerequisites: ENGL A111 and (PS A101 or PS A102).

    Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.

  • PS A312 Comparative Northern Politics 

    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.

    Prerequisites: ENGL A111 or PS A102.

  • PS A321 International Relations

    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.

    Prerequisites: PS A102.

  • PS A322 United States Foreign Policy

    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.

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.

  • PS A323 International Organization

    Introduction to the theory and practice of international organizations.

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.

  • PS A324 Model United Nations

    Student simulation of the United Nations. Acting as nation-state delegates, students research and debate a topic of international concern.

    Special Note: May be repeated once for credit.
  • PS A325 Northeast Asia in the 21st Century

    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.

    Registration Restrictions: Junior standing. Completion of GER Tier 1 (basic college-level skills) courses. Six credits of GER Tier 2 GEOG, HIST or PS courses.

    Crosslisted With: HIST A325 and INTL A325

    Attributes: UAA Integrative Capstone GER.

  • PS A330 The American Political Tradition

    The political theory of liberal democracy examined in its application to crucial events in American political history, with emphasis on the American founding era.

    Prerequisites: ENGL A111 and (HIST A101 or PS A101).

  • PS A331 Political Philosophy

    An introduction to political philosophy, with emphasis on the study of regimes; selected regimes are examined through the writings of political philosophers.

    Prerequisites: ENGL A111.

    Attributes: UAA Humanities GER.

  • PS A332 History of Political Philosphy I: Classical

    Political philosophy from Plato to Marsilius, with emphasis on natural right.

    Prerequisites: ENGL A111.

    Attributes: UAA Humanities GER.

  • PS A333 History of Political Philosophy II: Modern

    Political philosophy from Machiavelli to Nietzsche, with emphasis on liberalism and its critics.

    Prerequisites: ENGL A111.

    Attributes: UAA Humanities GER.

  • PS A341 The United States Congress

    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.

    Prerequisites: PS A101.

  • PS A342 The American Presidency

    Examines executive branch of the U.S. government. Course focuses on the constitutional design and evolution of the office, theories of presidential power, relations with Congress, and contemporary presidential policymaking.

    Prerequisites: PS A101.

  • PS A343 Constitutional Law

    Introduces students to American constitutional law through a study of the history of the Constitution and selected landmark Supreme Course cases. Topics covered are separation of powers, judicial review, civil rights and liberties, property and economic rights and others.

    Crosslisted With: JUST A343.

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or JUST A110.

  • PS A345 Alaska Government and Politics

    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.

    Prerequisites: PS A101.

  • PS A346 Alaska Native Politics

    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 certification.

    Registration Restrictions: Upper division standing

    Crosslisted With: AKNS A346

  • PS A347 Public Administration

    An introduction to the problems of managing agencies and implementing policies in local, state, and federal government. History and current practices of public administration and the effects of the social, economic, and political environments on administration, with an emphasis on Alaska.

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.

  • PS A348 Public Policy

    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.

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.

  • PS A351 Political Sociology

    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. 

    Crosslisted With: SOC A351.

    Prerequisites: (ENGL A211 or ENGL A212 or ENGL A213 or ENGL A214) and (PS A102 or SOC A101).

    Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.

  • PS A353 Political Behavior, Participation, and Democracy

    Examines variety of democratic systems and explores their influence on political participation and behavior.

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.

  • PS A355 Women in Politics

    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.

    Crosslisted With: WS A355

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102 or WS A200.

  • PS A361 Social Science Research Methods

    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. 

    Crosslisted With: SOC A361

    Prerequisites: PS A102 or SOC A101.

  • PS A411 Tribes, Nations, and Peoples

    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.

    Crosslisted With: AKNS A411.

    Prerequisites: AKNS A201 or PS A102.

  • PS A424 International Law

    Examines the development of international law in the international community and analyzes issues such as nation-state sovereignty, human rights, the use of force, and international criminal law to demonstrate the application of international law.

    Prerequisites: PS A323 with a minimum grade of C.

  • PS A490 Studies in Politics

    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 studied will vary from year to year.

    Special Note: Subtitle varies; may be repeated with different subtitles.

    Registration Restrictions: Junior standing

    May Be Stacked With: PS A690

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.

  • PS A492 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.

    Attributes: UAA Integrative Capstone GER.

  • PS A495 Internship in Political Science

    Students apply the subject matter of political science in an agency or community setting.

    Special Note: Internships vary; may be repeated once for credit with a different internship.

    Registration Restrictions: Junior standing. Faculty permission required.

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.

  • PS A690 Studies in Politics

    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 studied will vary from year to year.

    Special Note: Subtitle varies; may be repeated with different subtitles.

    May Be Stacked With: PS A490

    Prerequisites: PS A101 or PS A102.