The University of Houston 3551 Cullen Boulevard, Room 447 Houston, TX 77204-3011 Tel: 713.743.3890 Fax: 713.743.3927
American Politics
POLS 2336: U.S. Government and Texas Constitution, Politics and Institutions Cr. 3 (3-0). Constitutions and politics of the United States and Texas, emphasizing
constitutional structure; executive, legislative, and judiciary institutions, state
and federal; limited government, public opinion, elections, and civil liberties.
POLS 3331: American Foreign Policy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
The foreign policy-making process and factors influencing U.S. international behavior,
especially since World War II.
POLS 3352: Immigration: Politics and Policy in the U.S. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306. Provides a general understanding of
the importance of immigration as a national interest. Discusses the theories, institutions,
and actors that shape policy in the U.S. Also addresses historical and contemporary
debates on policy and changing public opinion.
POLS 3360: Politics and Mass Media Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Impact of mass media coverage on American political institutions, the election process,
and public opinion in general and the appropriate role of media and news in a society.
POLS 3361: Politics and Literature Cr. 3 (3-0).Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. An examination
of enduring political problems through the study of classic works of literature.
POLS 3362: Political Campaign Management Cr. 3 (3-0). A nuts-and-bolts of how to begin and manage a political campaign throughout
and up until election day. The applied elements will include real world examples and
experiences.
POLS 3363: Lobbying in Theory and Practice Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. An understanding of
the fundamentals of lobbying from both a theoretical and practical perspective by
covering the history of the lobbying industry, strategies of lobbyists, and case studies.
POLS 3364: Legislative Processes Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2306. Organization, operation, behavior, and functions
of American legislatures; emphasis usually on Congress.
POLS 3365: Polls, Public Opinion, and American Democracy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Reliability
of polls predictions, use by public officials on publicly preferred policies, and
whose opinions are followed and whose are ignored and why. Analysis of the methods
of polling and effect on the results.
POLS 3366: Political Parties Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305. History and organization of political parties
in the United States; function of parties for the political system; electoral base
of American political parties.
POLS 3367: United States Campaigns and Elections Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305. Using both historic and current elections to
examine the strategies candidates employ, the role of money and the media, and how
voters respond.
POLS 3368: Race, Gender, and Ethnic Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, and junior standing,
or consent of instructor. Examines the roles, strategies and different levels of success
minority groups and women have had in the American political system.
POLS 3369: The Presidency Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2306. Role of the president and the bureaucracy in
policy-making, emphasizing the influence of the man on the office and the office on
the man.
POLS 3370: State Government and Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Problems facing the states in the 21st century; roles of the legislature and governor;
party systems, finances, and taxation; nature of governmental policies.
POLS 3371: Introduction to Urban Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
The city and its environment including social, economic, and governmental problems
resulting from increased urbanization.
POLS 3372: Latino Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Analysis of the cultural, economic, sociological, and psychological roots of the political
life of Latinos and their impact on current political struggles.
POLS 3373 Inside Texas Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or consent of instructor. Advanced
approach to Texas politics from before the Texas revolution to today. Examines the
roots of the State’s political structure, scandals, battles over policy, party shifts,
voting trends, and the characters that have shaped Texas.
POLS 3375: Health Policy and Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or consent of instructor. Problems
and opportunities in the health and medical care system in the context of political
institutions, processes, and behavior.
POLS 3376: Black Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents or consent of instructor.
Explores the lives and writings of prominent African Americans to explore how black
political thought has evolved and developed.
POLS 3377: Money in American Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. An evaluation of the
role money plays in contemporary American politics. Specific topics include campaign
finance, lobbying, corporate and union politics, and wealth and inequality.
POLS 3378: Political Economy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Study of systems for allocating scarce resources. Consideration of the strength and
weaknesses of market solutions and political solutions to allocation questions.
POLS 3379: The Politics of Houston Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. This course is a comprehensive
exploration of the political landscape within the dynamic framework of urban environments.
Focusing on the vibrant context of the “Bayou City,” our journey will unfold through
a multifaceted lens, encompassing the rich historical tapestry of the city, dissecting
the intricate structure of the City Council, and delving into the nuanced decision-making
processes that shape the destiny of this urban center.
POLS 3388: Politics in Film and Television Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
An examination of enduring political problems through the study of film and television
and the effects of each on the American public and electorate.
POLS 3390: Women in Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Study of women’s roles in the political system beginning with the attainment of suffrage
and continuing through current problems of mobilization and recruitment to office.
POLS 3391: Political Scandals Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. A
selected examination of contemporary American political scandals including Watergate
and the Clinton impeachment.
POLS 3395: Selected Topics in American Government Cr. 3 (3-0).
POLS 4355: Political Views and Civic Engagement in the United States Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. Explores how citizens
develop political attitudes and participate in a range of political activities including
voting, protesting, and running for office using historical and contemporary examples.
NSS 4365: National Defense Policy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
The evolution of U.S. national defense strategy and policy making.
POLS 4395: Selected Topics in American Government and Urban Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.
May be repeated for credit and when topics vary.