LAS - Social Science

This course introduces students to concepts and theories of sociology with a focus on how social structures shape social life. The course explores core themes in the discipline, general social issues which sociologists have studied, and methods in applying a sociological imagination. Students examine micro and macro perspectives of culture, social structure, stratification, race/ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts, theories, methods and approaches in cultural anthropology. Students will learn how anthropologists study humans’ cultures and the ways they differ across time and space. Students will also examine how anthropologists analyze the variations in how people approach and solve problems, cooperate or conflict, produce and reproduce, and express and share beliefs. Topics include the anthropological ways of understanding language, marriage, family, gender, ethnicity, social inequality, environment, globalization, law, and economics. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course provides an overview of macroeconomics and microeconomics and an understanding of how individuals, firms, and the government make decisions. It also explains how the market economic system works. Additionally, this course examines management decisions under different market structures and the impact of government intervention on markets. Finally, this course discusses gross domestic product and national income, inflation, unemployment, economic growth and business cycles, and the impact of fiscal and monetary policies on the economy. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. Prerequisite(s): none 5 quarter hours

This course introduces students to the theories and practices of politics in the United States. In discussing political institutions and processes, students explore constitutional frameworks; structures and branches of American government; political participation; elections; role of political parties; mass media and interest group influence on politics; and civil and economic liberties. Students will compare American political practices with at least two other countries. Students also analyze political data and arguments. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Survey of American national political institutions and values: the design of our Constitution; political parties; interest groups, lobbying, and campaign finance; Congress and the presidency; the political role of the media; and the role of the courts in protecting liberty and defining rights. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

Survey of colonialism and the roots of American political and economic institutions and values, slavery and racial values, the Revolution, and issues of early nationhood. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

Survey of the period leading up to and following the American Civil War: continental expansion; slavery, sectionalism and the Civil War; the effects of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration; populism and Social Darwinism. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

In this course, students explore the relationship between history and culture as they survey major events, ideas, movements, and key individuals connected to the process of nation building. Readings and discussions include: the colonization of North America, the American Revolution, Western expansion, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Cold War, and the modern era. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course explores the city's evolving postwar social and economic environment which shaped its direction and influences its future. Chicago's history and politics have been formed by its connections to globalized circuits of finance, trade, and immigration since the 1850s. We will examine the contours of the new Chicago by exploring the role of race and ethnicity, cultural diversity, globalization, the new Chicago politics, and the transition from production to consumption. Prerequisite(s): None. Counts in the Social Sciences Area of General Education Requirements. 5 quarter hours

This course focuses on state and local governments within the context of the American federal system. Special emphasis is placed on federalism, the constitutional/legal relationships between state and local governments and the institutions, organizational forms and political processes in American state and local government. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. 5 quarter hours

Introduction to major topics in physical anthropology and archeology including theories and processes of biological and cultural evolution of the human species and the theories and methods of uncovering evolutionary processes. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. 5 quarter hours

Introduction to major topics in physical anthropology and aggregate or total sense-all markets taken together. Emphasis will be on contemporary issues such as unemployment, inflation, the business cycle, fiscal and monetary policy, the role of money, financial institutions, government operations, the stock market, gross domestic product, national income and the corporate world. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. Prerequisite: LAM 110 or equivalent. 5 quarter hours

This course provides an understanding of local governments, for example, municipalities, school districts, city and suburban library boards, and park district boards. It looks at different ways these governments influence economic life by taxing, spending, and regulating. Students will learn how each of these activities affects various groups in the population and how people's perception and evaluation of local governments is shaped by the way public officials and members of the media communicate information about them. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. Pre-requisite: None. 5 quarter hours

This introductory course examines the issues of globalization and development through the interdisciplinary lens of economics, geography, and history. Students explore the principles of economics from a non-technical perspective and examine the costs and benefits of globalization; discover economic geography, with an emphasis on the distribution of human populations and natural resources, as well as the challenges related to the use of renewable and non-renewable resources; and debate the role of technological progress in our history and global economic development. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is an analysis and study of economic behavior of the individual unit, i.e., the firm and the rational consumer. Microeconomics principles addressed include decision making of the firm, the household, labor, international trade, education and poverty. Special emphasis will be placed on the theory of supply and demand. Prerequisite: LAM 110 or equivalent. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

Comparative cross-cultural study of three selected nations representing different areas of the world. Investigation of varying ideological, political, social, and economic factors At least two of three nations covered are non-Western. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. Prerequisite: Introductory social science course. 5 quarter hours

Pre-Western inheritance from the Near Eastern cultures and Greco-Roman world; the transition to the Middle Ages; the development of the medieval institutions and values and their decline during the periods of the Renaissance and Reformation. Prerequisite: Introductory social science course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

This course explores the diversity and commonality of experiences among Asian Americans in both the United States and transnational contexts. In moving beyond traditional notions of American communities, students examine the multiple facets of life, history, and experiences of Asian Americans, as well as the dynamics behind identity and community formation. Topics covered generally include: Asian American culture, institutions, and organizations; diaspora, migration, population, and settlement patterns; class, labor, occupations, and poverty; family and ethnic identification; inequality and politics; prejudice and discrimination; and social movements and collective action. Pre-requisite(s): LAS 105, or LAS 110, or LAS 118; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course focuses on the nationalisms of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent and twentieth-century South East Asia. Prerequisite: Introductory social science course. 3 QH Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

This course examines the early history, Western impact, and contemporary affairs in eastern and southern Asia; Chinese culture and its diffusion; modernization of Japan. Prerequisite: Introductory social science course. 2 QH Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

Historical and contemporary affairs in Africa south of the Sahara, indigenous culture areas, types of colonialism and acculturation, economic and political development, independence movements. Prerequisite: Introductory social science course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

Backgrounds in contemporary affairs in Middle South America, pre-Columbian culture area, colonialism, varieties of peoples, political and socioeconomic trends. Prerequisite Introductory social science course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

Impact of Renaissance and Reformation and the emergence of modern European institutions and values to the present. Prerequisite: Introductory social science course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

This course provides students with skills that assist them in linking writing about social and behavioral life experience with conceptual information on these topics. The emphasis will be on reflective writing and include summarization, quoting, explaining, and discussing concepts relevant to social and behavioral sciences. Attention will be given to APA style. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Applied Behavioral Sciences Program. Co-requisite(s): Enrollment in Term 1 of the Applied Behavioral Sciences Program. 2 quarter hours

This course introduces students to the study of international relations by focusing on the problem of war, national security, conflict in the Middle East and other regions, and the United States' role as a world economic power. Current issues and research on the emerging global society and the changing role of the United States in the international system will also be examined and discussed. Additional emphasis is placed on the skills and knowledge required to become a "globally literate" citizen. Prerequisite(s): 100-level social science course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course examines key theories, debates, and empirical examples of social organization related to the construction of race and ethnicity. Students explore racialized experiences, prejudice, discrimination, dominant and subordinate statuses, and various sites of racial/ethnic inequality (such as labor, education, and immigration status). Students analyze how notions of race and ethnicity are created and sustained in the public imagination and in social institutions, in turn influencing systems and interpersonal relationships. Topics include: dynamics of racialization in public and private discourse; intersections of race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class; white privilege; and historical and contemporary marginalization of people and communities of color. Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements. Pre-requisite(s): LAS 105, or LAS 110, and LAS 118; or permission of Program Chair. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

The nature and development of cities; social and political history of Chicago's ethnic groups; theories of urban relationship; suburban development; social stratification and power; social morality; bureaucratic organization; machine politics, community control and community organizing. Prerequisite: 100-level social science course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

This course is an introduction to the comparative study of governments and politics of different countries throughout the world. Students will gain a clear understanding of the similarities and differences of various political systems and gain a deeper understanding of the political system of the United States. 5 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course focuses on the European Union as an emerging and developing political and economic body. Topics covered include the single market and the Euro currency, the political institutions of the European Parliament, Council of Ministers, European Commission, and European Central Bank, the development of the European Union as a military power, and the opportunities and challenges posed by the growth in the number of member states as it pertains to the variety of social and economic policies of the European Union. 5 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course focuses on elections, electoral behavior, and the electoral processes at the federal and state levels in the United States. Special emphasis is placed on campaign financing, voter turnout, and the various primary and general elections that take place in the United States including presidential, congressional, and state and local elections. 5 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course explores the broad range of American political ideas that have influenced the form and practices of government in the United States today. Understanding these ideas helps us evaluate how the American political system operates today, and consider the strengths and limitations of the many proposals that exist for bringing about change in American politics. 5 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course examines the relationship between culture and the world of work. Specifically, students will examine the concepts of race and ethnicity and how the United States, especially in the area of work, has been shaped by the values and life experiences of different ethnic groups and nationalities. Prerequisite(s): Previous social science course or permission from the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. 5 quarter hours

This course is a study of group behavior and the effect group functioning has upon organizational effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on the basics of group behavior, principles of group dynamics, problem solving, decision making, diagnosing and resolving conflict in groups, and managing and facilitating meetings. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Applied Behavioral Sciences program. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Introduction to historical, ethnographic and contemporary perspectives on native cultures in North America, including aspects of traditional culture, impact of contact with Europeans, and the cultural and social issues facing Native Americans today. Prerequisite: 100-200 level anthropology course. 5 quarter hours. Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

Anthropological studies representing diverse cultures and theoretical viewpoints are compared to gain a broad understanding of the nature of the field experience and the ways in which anthropologists' own beliefs and feelings influence ethnographic research and the presentation of their field studies. Prerequisite: 100-200 level anthropology course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course is an overview of the administration of criminal justice organizations. Consideration is given to topics related to criminal justice administration that include, but are not limited to, organizational structures and functions, internal and external politics, ethics, human resource development, training, management and leadership. Also included are topics of organizational sub-cultures, diversity in the work place, unions, and problematic organizational issues. Prerequisite(s): LAS 106 or permission of the department. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Through a multidisciplinary approach using concepts drawn from sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, psychology, and history, students will explore the dimensions and interconnectedness of social problems primarily in the United States. Ways to remedy these problems will be addressed. Prerequisite: Recommended introductory Social Science course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course examines important social, cultural, economic, and political forces that contribute to the purposes and uses of media. Some topics in this course include: critical media literacy, media consumption, and engagement with technology, and how individuals and institutions shape and are shaped by media. Students consider how media practices have historically and contemporarily perpetuated stereotypes of social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Additionally, students use theory to enrich their experiences and understanding of film, radio, TV, digital formats, and social media and networks. Counts in the Social Sciences Area of General Education Requirements Pre-requisite(s): LAS 105, or LAS 110; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course recognizes that gender must be addressed in public policy to achieve equality. Readings focus on how constructions of gender inform and are informed by civil society, political discourse, and economic and political structures. The course considers a range of theories and case studies, including: health care, child care, minimum wage, affordable housing, gender gaps in education, property rights, international migration, reproductive labor, and reproductive social justice. Pre-requisite(s): LAS 105, or LAS 110; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 semester hours

This course introduces students to the key theories, concepts and practices in the field of public administration. Students will learn about the history, traditions and controversies in the field; explore how politics and policy may interact effectively and examine the changing nature of public policy and administration in the U.S. Major topics include organizational theory and behavior, the role of bureaucracy in the political process, human resource management, and issues of discretion and accountability. Students will also explore their personal and professional commitment to public service. Pre-requisite(s): LAS 105, or LAS 110, or LAS 118; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course provides an overview of community planning and urban development. The course focuses on the historical and contemporary relationships between urban social patterns, federal policies, and neighborhood initiatives. Students examine factors that contribute to disparities in communities and the challenges of managing, planning, and implementing policy across diverse groups. Students analyze and evaluate how metropolitan development, proposed and implemented projects, and socio-political dimensions of community programs affect planning and development. Students also examine initiatives in the Chicago metropolitan area and propose a planning initiative on a topic of the student’s choosing. Pre-requisite(s): LAS 453, permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Students will study the process of leadership from a broad and varied perspective. Leadership will be defined, and will be delineated from the role of the manager. Various leadership theories will be explored, as well as differing approaches to leadership (including small work team leadership, behavioral approaches to leadership, and situational leadership). The characteristics and values of leaders will be explored, as well as leader performance problems and challenges. Students will explore future trends in leadership including its importance in a global context, as well as in regard to their own lives. Prerequisite(s): Good standing in the Applied Behavioral Sciences program. 5 quarter hours

This course is designed to understand, evaluate and apply public discourse in diverse social contexts. Students will analyze and practice professional presentation skills required for formal situations. Effects of communication technologies at the team organizational and societal level will be discussed. Issues in computer-mediated communications will be studied. Key ideas regarding persuasion will be incorporated throughout the course. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Applied Behavioral Sciences Program. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course is a survey of the development of social theory from the classic tradition to post-modernism. The legacy of the Enlightenment, the emergence of the scientific study of society, the classic tradition and contemporary social theories will be examined. Theories of social structure and social agency extending from class, ideology, division of labor and bureaucracy to phenomenological insights of knowledge will be studied. Prerequisite: 100-200 level Social Science course. 5 quarter hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course is a survey of the development of social theory from the classic tradition to early modernism. The Enlightenment, the emergence of the scientific study of society, and the classic tradition of social theory will be examined. Prerequisite: 100-200 level Social Science course. 3 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course surveys theories of social structure and social agency extending from class, ideology, division of labor and bureaucracy to phenomenological insights of knowledge from the perspectives of contemporary social theories and postmodernism. Prerequisite: 100-200 level Social Science course. 2 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course will give students the opportunity to understand cultural diversity as it affects quality of life. Students study the role of concepts such as culture, ethnicity, race and gender in relationship to the creation of values and perspectives. Students become familiar with the impact of culture on small group problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in the Applied Behavioral Sciences Program and completion of previous program courses: LAS 331, LAP 300, LAP 340, and LAS 407. Co-requisite(s): none. 5 quarter hours

This course will focus on legal issues, ethics and end of life issues, elder abuse and professional standards. The course topics will include important discussions for individuals interested in working in professions working with older adults. Prerequisite(s): none This course counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. 5 quarter hours

This course will focus on understanding the aging process, myths about aging, multicultural issues, client rights, interpersonal communication skills, and accessing community resources. Prerequisite(s): One social science course or department permission. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. 5 quarter hours

This course will provide students with ways in which to aid their clients in negotiating the long term care system, insurance issues, family systems, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Systems designed to serve aging adults will be considered from perspectives of the individual, organization, funding sources, and policy makers. Prerequisite(s): One social science course or department permission. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. 5 quarter hours

In this course, students are introduced to economic models of human behavior. These models, based on the concept of exchange, are used to describe decision-making by the individual, decision-making between two individuals, and decision-making between groups of individuals. Prerequisite(s): Good standing in the ABS program. 5 quarter hours

Students will explore various aspects of managerial and supervisory behavior as they relate to everyday life. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of behavioral science research in the areas of motivation, decision making, problem solving and employee/subordinate development. Students draw on concepts presented in previous program courses to more effectively manage and supervise their personal and professional interactions. Prerequisite(s): Good standing in the Applied Behavioral Sciences program. 5 quarter hours

Students review and reflect on key concepts learned throughout the program, integrating these concepts for future personal and professional applications. Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in Applied Behavioral Sciences Program and completion of previous program courses: LAS 331, LAP 300, LAP 340, LAS 407, INT 430, INT 431, LAS 426, LAS 431 and LAS 430. Co-requisite(s): none. 2 quarter hours

Survey of the concepts, methods, and historical foundations of anthropological linguistics, with an emphasis on language, culture and cognition; language variation: dialects, nonstandard forms of language and code switching: speech acts and the ethnography of communication; interethnic communication; discourse strategies; and literacy. Prerequisite: 100-200 level anthropology course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science or Humanities Area of General Education Requirements.

Cross-Cultural perspectives on the evolution of urban life, the nature of the city, and the ways in which anthropological concepts of cultural diversity and ethnicity ecology, adaptation and change, and folklore are applied to modern society. Prerequisite: 100-200 level anthropology course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

Comparative perspectives on the nature and meanings of gender in a range of human societies, including perceptions of biological differences and sexual inequality; economic, political, symbolic and aesthetic aspects of culture and gender. Prerequisite: 100-200 level anthropology course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

Survey of the techniques and procedures cultural anthropologists use in gathering and presenting ethnographic data and their perceptions of the fieldwork experience. Prerequisite: 100-200 level anthropology course. 5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

Political theory is concerned with fundamental questions of public life such as, What is justice? Is there an ideal form of government? Can we conceive of, and constitute, the best political order? The answers to many of the most important political questions still remain essentially contested today. Major topics in this course include justice, freedom, equality, political ideology, liberalism, socialism, libertarianism, and conservatism. 5 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course emphasizes the spatial structure of political behavior including the effects of the economic globalization process, the unexpected eruption of separatist movements among national minorities, the failure of attempts to transplant the European nation-state system to parts of the colonial world, and the importance of geopolitics to the formation of new political orders. Territorial features of states such as frontiers, boundaries, secondary divisions, ethnic/national groupings, and the historical/social- economic factors that affect the form, organization and operation of the state and groupings of states will be examined. 5 Quarter Hours. Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course explores how ideas of difference with regard to race/ethnicity, social class, sex and gender, and sexuality are experienced and constructed into systems of inequality. The course investigates how these systems of inequality are intertwined with power and opportunity as well as how these categories are constructed. Students examine how various social institutions contribute to the creation and maintenance of these systems of inequality. Students also explore how these systems are embedded in ideology, law, media, and culture. Counts in the Social Sciences Area of General Education Requirements. Pre-requisite(s): LAS 105, or LAS 110, and LAS 118; or permission of Program Chair. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This course focuses on theoretical controversies and their practical implications surrounding the fundamental questions of how American politics and governmental institutions function. Special emphasis is placed on proposals for institutional reform. Prerequisite(s): Introduction to American Politics course and two additional political science courses or consent of the department. 2-5 quarter hours Counts in the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements.

This course examines the decision-making process within the government's administrative agencies. It discusses competing goals that agencies face and their effects on policy. The primary goal is to introduce theories and practical mechanisms that will allow the student of public policy to be successful in understanding the challenges that the executive branch of government faces in administering programs. Counts in the Social Sciences Area of General Education Requirements. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and minimum of two Social Science courses or consent of department. 5 quarter hours

This course focuses on the theory and practice of public policy in the United States. Topics emphasized include how different levels of government formulate, implement, and evaluate public policies. Issues such as interest groups, education, business, the economy, human services, health care, the environment, urban growth and development, and the arts will be addressed. Counts in the Social Sciences Area General Education Requirements. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and minimum of two Social Science courses or consent of department. 5 quarter hours

Continuation of Political Science Internship II. This internship expands the experiences gained in Political Science Internship II. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Political Science Internship II and consent of internship supervisor and academic supervisor. 2-5 Quarter Hours.

An opportunity for students in the social science concentration to engage in independent research and writing on specialized topics with the approval of the faculty. Prerequisite: advanced standing. 2-5 quarter hours

This course is a social science offering of special interest to be studied in depth. The course will cover any topic or topics in the field of social science which are not taught within the regular course offerings. The course may be registered for more than once, since topics vary each term. The combined total quarter hours of LAS495 topics taken cannot exceed 20 quarter hours unless permission is given by the department. Specific topics may count in different areas of social science. Depending on content, this course may count towards the Social Science Area of General Education Requirements. Prerequisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 1-5 quarter hours

Varying in content each term. Open to qualified students in a social science concentration and to other students upon consent of department. Prerequisite: advanced standing 3-5 quarter hours

Advanced analysis of the theory and practice of public policy in the United States. Emphasis is on federal, state, and local government formulation, implementation, and evaluation of diverse public policies. This course enables students to develop a set of conceptual and practical tools to understand and evaluate American public policy, and think critically and constructively about which policies should be adopted. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

A historical overview and analysis of urban development policies including community-based strategies, transportation and housing, location and planning initiatives, and cultural forms of urban regeneration. This course enables students to develop a set of conceptual and practical tools to understand and evaluate a variety of urban development initiatives within distinct historical, economic, political and sociological frameworks. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

Analysis of how economic inequality, segregation, poverty, changing family structure, immigration, race and labor market segmentation and educational inequality are addressed by public policy. Advanced study of public policy responses to social problems, through historical and comparative studies of inequality, are examined including welfare, immigration, affirmative action, and environmental equity. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course provides strategies for leading changes in government and nonprofit organizations. Organizations must adapt to outside changes, to the changing demand of their stakeholders, and improve their performance and efficiency. The focus will be on how to lead changes in such organizations in a way that aligns the design of such changes with organizational purposes. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course compares the public policies of countries throughout the world. Primary emphasis is on the public policies of advanced industrial democracies in order to gain a clear understanding of the possible public policy alternatives for the United States. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course examines the policies aimed at community development and their outcomes. It will show how planning can be used to improve the quality of life of neighborhood residents and the need for planning and policy to be integrated. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

Study of how immigration influences the economy and society of the United States. Focus on the changes in immigration policies due to the September 11, 2001 events and their consequences for the economy and the political debate in the United States. Analysis of the distinction between illegal and legal immigrants and between skilled and unskilled immigrants is made in order to distinguish the effects of various types of immigration. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course will research educational policies and their outcomes. The focus will be on how current and past policies affect student learning and how to use available resources in the most efficient way. It will discuss past experiences in public policies towards education, as well as contemporary ones, such as school vouchers and charter schools. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course provides a background of the historical, economic, social, technological, and philosophical forces that have shaped our current health care systems and their impact on the delivery of health care. A primary focus is the critical examination of balancing, cost, quality and access and how different national systems have evolved over time. The course further examines planning and policy cycles, the role of government as regulator and market maker, the status of major governmental initiatives and the projection of emerging trends. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Masters of Arts in Public Policy Program or consent of the Department. 3 semester hours

This course examines the environment in which the decision- making process within bureaucracies takes place and the risks associated with this process. It discusses incentives that bureaucrats face and their effects on policymaking. The primary goal is to introduce theories and practical mechanisms that will allow the policymaker (or policy analyst) to be successful in improving the development and implementation of effective public policies in various types of organizations. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course will cover two main aspects of the relationship between technology and public policy. The first is how governments can influence the development and commercialization of technology. Methods covered include sponsorship of certain programs, partnerships with the private sector and direct involvement in research activities and programs that affect market demand. The second is how governments' performance can be enhanced via utilization of new technologies. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course focuses on public policies aimed at protecting the environment. The main objective is to learn about government regulation, government voluntary programs, and environmental laws. A combination of theory and case studies will be used to examine the effectiveness of various environmental public policies, possible improvements, and costs associated with such policies. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or departmental approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the political process involved in policymaking, especially with regards to the legislative process. Students will learn how public policies are amended, modified, and approved during the political process. Awareness of how the differences between a proposed policy and its final version will be developed. Students will learn that the legislative approval process is an integral part of policymaking. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course will teach students the mechanics of proposal writing and the political and social aspects of "grantsmanship," as they develop their skills in identifying sources of grant funding, doing useful research to support their applications, and tailoring their proposals to specific audience interests. Emphasis is placed on researching and writing. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

An investigation of taxation, government spending, and cost-benefit analysis applied to a variety of projects. The focus is on determining the optimal role of government in market economies, and the measuring government efficiency and inefficiency. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course is designed to prepare students to do research related to policy issues. The primary goal of the course is to provide students with the tools needed to investigate and effectively evaluate public policies outcomes. The course focuses on the application of quantitative, qualitative, and formal methods to research, and considers how to determine the appropriate applications of such methods. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. For undergraduate credit, senior standing with at least six prior social science courses, or department approval. 3 semester hours or 5 quarter hours

This course introduces students to qualitative research methods essential to effective policy formation and evaluation. Students learn of various approaches to qualitative research including case study, narrative study, ethnography, grounded theory, and phenomenology. Topics include problem definition, research design, observation, interviews, content analysis, historical and archival research, and action research. Students will develop the skills necessary to design and conduct qualitative research and apply those skills is a study of their own design. Pre-requisite(s): LAS 500, LAS 502, LAS 505, LAS 510, LAS 565. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

The public policy internship provides students with advanced experience in governmental and related institutions such as community organizations and nonprofit institutions involved in an aspect of public policy in which they are interested. Internships enable students to integrate classroom learning with practice and understand how public policies are implemented at the local, state, or national levels. Placements are individualized according to student interests and needs. Prerequisite(s): 15 semester hours completed in the M.A. in Public Policy Program; consent of internship supervisor and academic supervisor. 1-3 semester hours

The Public Policy Seminar will allow students to integrate public policy theory with specific cases according to student interest. Special emphasis will be placed on formulating proposals for solving actual public policy problems. Each student will be encouraged to think through a specific problem related to public policy, and try to solve this problem throughout the semester with the support of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): To have completed at least eight courses (24SH) in the M.A. in Public Policy, or department approval. 3 semester hours

In-depth study of a contemporary public policy topic. As the topic varies each term, students may register more than once. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites for graduate credit. Departmental approval for undergraduate credit. 1-3 semester hours (graduate students) 2-5 quarter hours (undergraduate students)

The thesis is a formal written document which investigates a public policy theory, a particular public policy case study, or the relationship between a public policy theory and a case study as the result of disciplined inquiry, under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): To have completed at least eight courses (24SH) in the M.A. in Public Policy, or department approval. 3 semester hours

Continuous registration required until thesis is complete. Prerequisite(s): Masters standing, consent of instructor, and prior registration for the required number of hours in LAS599. 0 semester hours

This course investigates the various aspects of neighborhood and community-based development and the roles that community psychologists can play in facilitating relevant planning initiatives. Students will learn how changing urban structures such as neighborhood gentrification and displacement can impact community development and influence resident management practices. In addition, students will identify and evaluate the effectiveness of different planning approaches including asset mapping, advocacy and equity planning within the context of policymaking. Prerequisite(s): For the Ph.D. in Community Psychology program, the following courses are prerequisites: LAP 600, LAP 605. 3 semester hours

This course will explore advanced strategies for leading change in government and nonprofit organizations that maximize benefit to the community. The focus will be on understanding how organizations must adapt to outside changes and the demands of stakeholders. It will also focus on how organizations can improve their performance and efficiency while staying current on best practices and continuous quality improvement. Students will learn how to plan for and lead these changes in a way that aligns the design of such changes with the organization's goals for community improvement. Prerequisite(s): For the Ph.D. in Community Psychology program, the following courses are prerequisites: LAP 600, LAP 605. 3 semester hours

This course examines the impact of the distribution of power and the tensions that drive modern cities on community areas. Consideration will be given to racial and ethnic divides. The relationship between government, private economic interests and resident's interests will be explored. Theoretical and policy issues as they relate to urban politics that help and/or hinder community residents will be explored. Prerequisite(s): For the Ph.D. in Community Psychology program, the following courses are prerequisites: LAP 600, LAP 605. 3 semester hours