PhD in Political Science


Department of Political Science
Chair Statement Faculty Directory GA Directory Faculty Office Hours GA Office Hours Advising B.A. in Political Science M.A. in Political Science M.A. in Ethics and Policy Studies Ph.D. in Political Science Internships Independent Studies Department Forms Syllabi News & Events Assessments Links Photo Album	Ph.D. Program in Political Science (Global Studies) The Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is pleased to announce a new PhD program in Political Science. The substantive emphasis of the program will be Global Studies. The PhD program offers major concentrations in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and minor concentrations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Globalization is a dominant characteristic of politics in the twenty-first century. The program focuses on the causes, consequences, and limitations of the political, economic, and cultural aspects of globalization. The PhD program is intended to prepare its graduates for careers in academic institutions, government (at all levels), and business and industry. Increasingly, a cross-national, cross-cultural understanding of political processes is essential for education, public policy, and commerce. In a number of ways Las Vegas is an ideal site for such a program. Las Vegas is a popular destination for international travelers, and Las Vegas firms have launched enterprises in a number of nations around the world. Founded in 1957, UNLV has been transformed from a branch college to a thriving urban research institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. The 350-acre main campus, located on the southern tip of Nevada in a desert valley surrounded by mountains, is home to more than 220 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Admission requirements We require a BA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.3, or MA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Under special circumstances the department may consider applicants with lower GPAs. Applicants must have completed 12 credits of course work at the upper-division or graduate level in comparative politics and international relations combined. At the discretion of the department, students who lack such course work may be admitted on the condition that they remedy that deficiency. The recommended GRE score is a total of 1,200 on the verbal and quantitative sections. We also pay attention to the analytical score. The applicant's undergraduate record is examined in conjunction with the GRE scores. The former is weighed more heavily than the latter: an outstanding undergraduate record may allow the admission of an applicant with GRE scores somewhat below the recommended level. Handbook for Graduate Students in Doctor of Philosophy Program in Political Science click here Application process 1. Deadlines: See Graduate College for dates (please note that International students have different deadlines). 2. Graduate College Application: Apply online through the Graduate College Web site : Follow the instructions at that site. In addition to filling out the Graduate College online application, you will also need to send: - A $60 nonrefundable admission application fee. Payable by check or money order to the Board of Regents, UNLV or by credit card via online. Note that applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. - One official transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended showing all degrees and dates awarded. to the following address: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Graduate College Box 451017 FDH 352 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017 3. Official Transcripts: Send to the Department of Political Science official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work (except UNLV transcripts, which we can obtain). Note that this is in addition to the copy required by the Graduate College (see above). 4. GRE Scores: Have the Educational Testing Service send to the Department of Political Science your score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. 5. Letters of Recommendation: Have sent to the Department of Political Science recommendations from three former instructors that you can do doctoral-level work in comparative politics and international relations. For each letter, give your recommender a copy of the letter of recommendation form available at this link: Letter of Recommendation Form. Those recommendations should be sent directly by the recommenders, not by you. 6. Statement of Purpose: Send to the Department of Political Science a statement of purpose in which you describe specific interests in, and approaches to, the study of comparative politics or international relations. The statement should also include a description of your background for advanced work in this field as well as academic and professional goals. 7. Writing Sample: Send to the Department of Political Science a writing sample in the form of a master's thesis or original research paper of substantial length. If possible, the sample should concern comparative politics or international relations. 8. Graduate Assistantships: The Department of Political Science offers two graduate assistantships for doctoral students. Information is available at the Graduate College Web site. If you want to apply for a graduate assistantship, follow the process detailed at the Graduate College Web site and submit your application to the department (not to the Graduate College ) as soon as possible. We will ask that applications for assistantships be submitted by February 1 to begin in the fall semester, and by October 1 to begin in the spring semester (note that those dates are one month earlier than the Graduate College requires). Mail the above material to: Professor Dennis Pirages, Graduate Coordinator University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Political Science 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Box 455029 Las Vegas, NV 89154-5029 Program requirements (including credit hours, grade point average, distribution of subject matter): 1. A minimum of 62 credits beyond the BA or 44 credits beyond the MA. In the latter case, the department will determine the distribution of the 44 credits, based on the student's transcripts of prior work. In the former case, the 62 credits must be distributed as follows: a. Core curriculum (at least 18 credits). The department will make no exception to any of these requirements, nor will it grant a waiver of any of them. (1) Scope and methods, research design (6 hours). (2) Foreign language: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy. (3) Proseminars (12 credits): Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, American Politics. b. Major field (9 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations. c. Minor field #1 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations (whichever is not the major field). d. Minor field #2 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either political theory or American politics. e. Electives (9 credits). f. Dissertation preparatory courses (2 credits). g. Dissertation (12 credits; more credits may be taken, but only 12 will count toward degree). 2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all course work. 3. Preliminary written examination. It will be taken at the end of the first 18 credits of course work (typically at the beginning of the second year) and will be divided into four parts, corresponding to the four proseminars. 4. Comprehensive written and oral examinations. They will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student's major field and two minor fields. 5. A dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of comparative politics or international relations. PSC 701 3 credits Seminar in Research Design and Methodology Exposes graduate students to a body of literature and a set of ideas about doing sound social science research, either applied or non-applied. Emphasis on injecting scientific and theoretical rigor into the investigation of political phenomena. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 702 3 credits Seminar in Advanced Quantitative Methods Review of basic statistical techniques and in-depth treatment of bivariate and multivariate regression analysis, including regression diagnostics and remedies for assumption violations. Also introduces advanced statistical estimation techniques including robust regression, time-series analysis, and maximum likelihood estimation. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and PSC 701 or equivalent. PSC 710 3 credits Seminar in American National Government: Principles Addresses the theoretical principles underlying — and disputed within — the American political regime since the Founding. Readings include writings by American statesmen, political philosophers, and scholars representative of key perspectives in the liberal-constitutional tradition. Satisfies U.S. Constitution requirement. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 711 3 credits Seminar in American National Government: Structure and Processes Based on critical interpretation of classic works on the discipline. Covers American political institutions, public opinion, voting behavior, and public policymaking. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 712 3 credits Seminar in Intergovernmental Relations Covers political, constitutional, fiscal, and regulatory aspects of the federal, state, and local governments. Emphasis on relations of state and local governments to the federal government. Satisfies Nevada Constitutional requirement. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 719 3 credits Seminar in Advanced Studies in American Politics Designed to provide specialized and individualized study of selected topics in American politics. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 720 3 credits Seminar in Policy Formation: The Problem of Legitimacy (Same as EPS 743.) What makes a policy legitimate? Analyzes the public policymaking process in terms of such ethical considerations as public vs. private good, legality vs. morality, accountability of policymakers, enforcement of decisions, and evaluation of programs. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 721 3 credits Seminar on the Public Policy Process (Same as EPS 747.) Examines the roles of the legislative and executive branches of government in public policy formation and implementation. Surveys empirical techniques used in the field, assesses the impact of ethical theories on the public policy process, and explores selected policy issues in detail. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 722 3 credits Seminar in Environmental Resource Policy Condition of the global environment, a topic which has risen from relative obscurity after World War II to a topic high on the national and global agenda. Considers the socio-political aspects related to the environment and natural resources, familiarizing students with the policy process and institutions predominant in this area. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 723 3 credits Seminar in Policy Analysis (Same as EPS 710.) Aims to enable students to understand and evaluate a range of methods used by professional policy analysts, and to present some of the ethical issues surrounding this practice. Each student is required to locate and critique some examples of policy analysis in his or her own area of interest. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 724 3 credits Seminar in Intelligence Policy Focuses primarily on the U.S. intelligence community as it has evolved since WW II. Emphasis on analysis, overt action and counter-intelligence. Congressional and judicial controls examined. Attention also given to Soviet and other intelligence agencies. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 726 3 credits Seminar in National Security Policy Focuses on national security issues confronting the U.S. including the conduct of conventional warfare, nuclear strategy, deterrence, arms control, Strategic Defense Initiative, alliance formation, and other topics. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 729 3 credits Seminar in Advanced Studies in Public Policy (Same as EPS 750.) Designing, researching, and writing an original study in a policy area of the student’s choice. Attention to issues of both fact and value in the construction of an intellectually compelling argument. Guidance in developing a prospectus, a pilot project and a research paper. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and PSC 701 and 723. PSC 730 3 credits Seminar in Constitutional Law Study of the U.S. Constitution with emphasis on its interpretation, the power of the Judiciary, Congress and Executive. Attention also devoted to federal-state relations and the Commerce Clause. Satisfies the U.S. Constitution requirement. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 731 3 credits Seminar in Civil Rights and Liberties Analysis of the substance and literature on the topic of civil rights and civil liberties in the United States. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 733 3 credits Seminar in Public Law and Public Policy (Same as EPS 745.) Focuses on the role of the courts in shaping the different policy areas in the American political system. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 735 3 credits Seminar in Jurisprudence (Same as EPS 746.) Study of the role of morality in the historical and recent debates over the nature of law including: Is a conceptual separation of law and morality desirable?; legal validity; the justification of the judicial decision; finally, the importance of jurisprudence in helping to resolve public policy disputes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 739 3 credits Seminar in Advanced Studies in Public Law Designed to provide specialized and individualized study of selected topics in public law. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 740 3 credits Seminar in International Relations Examines concepts, methods and theories in the discipline of international relations and applies these tools to contemporary issues in international politics and economics. Conflict and peace studies, the North-South Dialogue, and futurology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 741 3 credits Seminar in U.S. Foreign Policy Examines the dynamics of the foreign policy decision-making process, surveys the historical evolution of American foreign policy, and addresses its contemporary issues. Impacts of the changing faces of Communism, third-world nationalism, and global economic and political interdependencies on U.S. foreign policy studied in detail. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 746 3 credits Seminar in the Middle East in World Affairs Develops a framework for the study of international relations of the Middle East; examines domestic, regional and global determinants of external politics in the region; analyzes its great powers’ interests and policies (strategic, military, economic, etc.) in this area; and studies intraregional problems including the Arab-Israeli imbroglio, inter-Arab conflicts, and turmoil in Lebanon. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 747 3 credits Seminar in International Relations of the Pacific Rim Examines international relations of the Pacific Rim, a key region in contemporary international politics. Analyzes diplomatic/political, military/security, and economic/trade issues in the region, and assesses the dynamics and interdependence of the region and the region’s significance to international politics in the twenty-first century. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 749 3 credits Seminar in Advanced Studies in International Relations Designed to provide specialized and individualized study in selected areas of international relations. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 750 3 credits Seminar in Theory and Methods in Comparative Politics In addition to a detailed examination of concepts, methods and theories of comparative politics, covers such topics as political development, ethnicity, leadership and political economy. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 760 3 credits Seminar in Middle Eastern and North African Politics Provides students with in-depth analysis of the political institutions, processes, and policies in the Middle East and North Africa. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 769 3 credits Seminar in Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics Designed to provide specialized and individualized study in selected areas of comparative politics. Students advised to take PSC 750 before taking this course. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 771 3 credits Seminar in Political Theory Analysis and discussion of the major theories and issues of both contemporary political thought and the history of political philosophy. Topic announced by the instructor, but might include the analysis of concepts (e.g., justice, obligation, democracy), major theories, or major texts. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. PSC 779 3 credits Seminar in Advanced Studies in Political Theory Designed to provide specialized and advanced study in selected topics in political theory. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and PSC 771. PSC 790 3 credits Studies in Political Science Analysis of the research and literature on a selected topic in political science. Specific topic announced each semester. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. PSC 794 1-3 credits Independent Study and Research in Political Science May be repeated to a maximum of six credits with consent of instructor. For a list of the Political Science Faculty and their research areas see the website http://liberalarts.unlv.edu/Political_Science/Directory.htm :

Ph.D. Program in Political Science (Global Studies)

The Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is pleased to announce a new PhD program in Political Science. The substantive emphasis of the program will be Global Studies.

The PhD program offers major concentrations in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and minor concentrations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.

Globalization is a dominant characteristic of politics in the twenty-first century. The program focuses on the causes, consequences, and limitations of the political, economic, and cultural aspects of globalization.

The PhD program is intended to prepare its graduates for careers in academic institutions, government (at all levels), and business and industry. Increasingly, a cross-national, cross-cultural understanding of political processes is essential for education, public policy, and commerce.

In a number of ways Las Vegas is an ideal site for such a program. Las Vegas is a popular destination for international travelers, and Las Vegas firms have launched enterprises in a number of nations around the world.

Founded in 1957, UNLV has been transformed from a branch college to a thriving urban research institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. The 350-acre main campus, located on the southern tip of Nevada in a desert valley surrounded by mountains, is home to more than 220 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs.

Admission requirements

We require a BA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.3, or MA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Under special circumstances the department may consider applicants with lower GPAs. Applicants must have completed 12 credits of course work at the upper-division or graduate level in comparative politics and international relations combined. At the discretion of the department, students who lack such course work may be admitted on the condition that they remedy that deficiency.

The recommended GRE score is a total of 1,200 on the verbal and quantitative sections. We also pay attention to the analytical score. The applicant's undergraduate record is examined in conjunction with the GRE scores. The former is weighed more heavily than the latter: an outstanding undergraduate record may allow the admission of an applicant with GRE scores somewhat below the recommended level.

Handbook for Graduate Students in Doctor of Philosophy Program in Political Science click here

Application process

1. Deadlines: See Graduate College for dates (please note that International students have different deadlines).

2. Graduate College Application: Apply online through the Graduate College Web site : Follow the instructions at that site.

In addition to filling out the Graduate College online application, you will also need to send:

- A $60 nonrefundable admission application fee. Payable by check or money order to the Board of Regents, UNLV or by credit card via online. Note that applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received.

- One official transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended showing all degrees and dates awarded.

to the following address:

University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Graduate College
Box 451017
FDH 352
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017

3. Official Transcripts: Send to the Department of Political Science official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work (except UNLV transcripts, which we can obtain). Note that this is in addition to the copy required by the Graduate College (see above).

4. GRE Scores: Have the Educational Testing Service send to the Department of Political Science your score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Have sent to the Department of Political Science recommendations from three former instructors that you can do doctoral-level work in comparative politics and international relations. For each letter, give your recommender a copy of the letter of recommendation form available at this link: Letter of Recommendation Form. Those recommendations should be sent directly by the recommenders, not by you.

6. Statement of Purpose: Send to the Department of Political Science a statement of purpose in which you describe specific interests in, and approaches to, the study of comparative politics or international relations. The statement should also include a description of your background for advanced work in this field as well as academic and professional goals.

7. Writing Sample: Send to the Department of Political Science a writing sample in the form of a master's thesis or original research paper of substantial length. If possible, the sample should concern comparative politics or international relations.

8. Graduate Assistantships: The Department of Political Science offers two graduate assistantships for doctoral students. Information is available at the Graduate College Web site. If you want to apply for a graduate assistantship, follow the process detailed at the Graduate College Web site and submit your application to the department (not to the Graduate College ) as soon as possible. We will ask that applications for assistantships be submitted by February 1 to begin in the fall semester, and by October 1 to begin in the spring semester (note that those dates are one month earlier than the Graduate College requires).

Mail the above material to:

Professor Dennis Pirages, Graduate Coordinator
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Department of Political Science
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Box 455029
Las Vegas, NV 89154-5029

Program requirements (including credit hours, grade point average, distribution of subject matter):

1. A minimum of 62 credits beyond the BA or 44 credits beyond the MA. In the latter case, the department will determine the distribution of the 44 credits, based on the student's transcripts of prior work. In the former case, the 62 credits must be distributed as follows:

a. Core curriculum (at least 18 credits). The department will make no exception to any of these requirements, nor will it grant a waiver of any of them.

(1) Scope and methods, research design (6 hours).

(2) Foreign language: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy.

(3) Proseminars (12 credits): Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, American Politics.

b. Major field (9 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations.

c. Minor field #1 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations (whichever is not the major field).

d. Minor field #2 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either political theory or American politics.

e. Electives (9 credits).

f. Dissertation preparatory courses (2 credits).

g. Dissertation (12 credits; more credits may be taken, but only 12 will count toward degree).

2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all course work.

3. Preliminary written examination. It will be taken at the end of the first 18 credits of course work (typically at the beginning of the second year) and will be divided into four parts, corresponding to the four proseminars.

4. Comprehensive written and oral examinations. They will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student's major field and two minor fields.

5. A dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of comparative politics or international relations.

PSC 701 3 credits
Seminar in Research Design and Methodology
Exposes graduate students to a body of literature and a set
of ideas about doing sound social science research, either
applied or non-applied. Emphasis on injecting scientific and
theoretical rigor into the investigation of political
phenomena. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 702 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Quantitative Methods
Review of basic statistical techniques and in-depth treatment
of bivariate and multivariate regression analysis, including
regression diagnostics and remedies for assumption
violations. Also introduces advanced statistical estimation
techniques including robust regression, time-series analysis,
and maximum likelihood estimation. Prerequisites: Graduate
standing and PSC 701 or equivalent.

PSC 710 3 credits
Seminar in American National Government:
Principles
Addresses the theoretical principles underlying — and
disputed within — the American political regime since the
Founding. Readings include writings by American
statesmen, political philosophers, and scholars representative
of key perspectives in the liberal-constitutional tradition.
Satisfies U.S. Constitution requirement. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 711 3 credits
Seminar in American National Government:
Structure and Processes
Based on critical interpretation of classic works on the
discipline. Covers American political institutions, public
opinion, voting behavior, and public policymaking.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 712 3 credits
Seminar in Intergovernmental Relations
Covers political, constitutional, fiscal, and regulatory aspects
of the federal, state, and local governments. Emphasis on
relations of state and local governments to the federal
government. Satisfies Nevada Constitutional requirement.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 719 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in American Politics
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
of selected topics in American politics. May be repeated to
a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 720 3 credits
Seminar in Policy Formation:
The Problem of Legitimacy
(Same as EPS 743.) What makes a policy legitimate?
Analyzes the public policymaking process in terms of such
ethical considerations as public vs. private good, legality
vs. morality, accountability of policymakers, enforcement
of decisions, and evaluation of programs. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 721 3 credits
Seminar on the Public Policy Process
(Same as EPS 747.) Examines the roles of the legislative
and executive branches of government in public policy
formation and implementation. Surveys empirical techniques
used in the field, assesses the impact of ethical theories on
the public policy process, and explores selected policy issues
in detail. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 722 3 credits
Seminar in Environmental Resource Policy
Condition of the global environment, a topic which has risen
from relative obscurity after World War II to a topic high on
the national and global agenda. Considers the socio-political
aspects related to the environment and natural resources,
familiarizing students with the policy process and institutions
predominant in this area. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 723 3 credits
Seminar in Policy Analysis
(Same as EPS 710.) Aims to enable students to understand
and evaluate a range of methods used by professional policy
analysts, and to present some of the ethical issues
surrounding this practice. Each student is required to locate
and critique some examples of policy analysis in his or her
own area of interest. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 724 3 credits
Seminar in Intelligence Policy
Focuses primarily on the U.S. intelligence community as it
has evolved since WW II. Emphasis on analysis, overt action
and counter-intelligence. Congressional and judicial controls
examined. Attention also given to Soviet and other
intelligence agencies. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 726 3 credits
Seminar in National Security Policy
Focuses on national security issues confronting the U.S.
including the conduct of conventional warfare, nuclear
strategy, deterrence, arms control, Strategic Defense
Initiative, alliance formation, and other topics. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 729 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in Public Policy
(Same as EPS 750.) Designing, researching, and writing an
original study in a policy area of the student’s choice.
Attention to issues of both fact and value in the construction
of an intellectually compelling argument. Guidance in
developing a prospectus, a pilot project and a research paper.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and PSC 701 and 723.

PSC 730 3 credits
Seminar in Constitutional Law
Study of the U.S. Constitution with emphasis on its
interpretation, the power of the Judiciary, Congress and
Executive. Attention also devoted to federal-state relations
and the Commerce Clause. Satisfies the U.S. Constitution
requirement. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 731 3 credits
Seminar in Civil Rights and Liberties
Analysis of the substance and literature on the topic of civil
rights and civil liberties in the United States. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 733 3 credits
Seminar in Public Law and Public Policy
(Same as EPS 745.) Focuses on the role of the courts in
shaping the different policy areas in the American political
system. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 735 3 credits
Seminar in Jurisprudence
(Same as EPS 746.) Study of the role of morality in the
historical and recent debates over the nature of law including:
Is a conceptual separation of law and morality desirable?;
legal validity; the justification of the judicial decision; finally,
the importance of jurisprudence in helping to resolve public
policy disputes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 739 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in Public Law
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
of selected topics in public law. May be repeated to a
maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 740 3 credits
Seminar in International Relations
Examines concepts, methods and theories in the discipline
of international relations and applies these tools to
contemporary issues in international politics and economics.
Conflict and peace studies, the North-South Dialogue, and
futurology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 741 3 credits
Seminar in U.S. Foreign Policy
Examines the dynamics of the foreign policy decision-making
process, surveys the historical evolution of American foreign
policy, and addresses its contemporary issues. Impacts of the
changing faces of Communism, third-world nationalism, and
global economic and political interdependencies on U.S.
foreign policy studied in detail. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 746 3 credits
Seminar in the Middle East in World Affairs
Develops a framework for the study of international relations
of the Middle East; examines domestic, regional and global
determinants of external politics in the region; analyzes its
great powers’ interests and policies (strategic, military,
economic, etc.) in this area; and studies intraregional problems
including the Arab-Israeli imbroglio, inter-Arab conflicts, and
turmoil in Lebanon. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 747 3 credits
Seminar in International Relations of the Pacific Rim
Examines international relations of the Pacific Rim, a key
region in contemporary international politics. Analyzes
diplomatic/political, military/security, and economic/trade
issues in the region, and assesses the dynamics and
interdependence of the region and the region’s significance to
international politics in the twenty-first century. Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.

PSC 749 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in
International Relations
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
in selected areas of international relations. May be repeated
to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 750 3 credits
Seminar in Theory and Methods in
Comparative Politics
In addition to a detailed examination of concepts, methods
and theories of comparative politics, covers such topics as
political development, ethnicity, leadership and political
economy. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 760 3 credits
Seminar in Middle Eastern and
North African Politics
Provides students with in-depth analysis of the political
institutions, processes, and policies in the Middle East and
North Africa. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 769 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in
Comparative Politics
Designed to provide specialized and individualized study
in selected areas of comparative politics. Students advised
to take PSC 750 before taking this course. May be repeated
to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 771 3 credits
Seminar in Political Theory
Analysis and discussion of the major theories and issues of
both contemporary political thought and the history of
political philosophy. Topic announced by the instructor, but
might include the analysis of concepts (e.g., justice,
obligation, democracy), major theories, or major texts.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PSC 779 3 credits
Seminar in Advanced Studies in Political Theory
Designed to provide specialized and advanced study in
selected topics in political theory. May be repeated to a
maximum of six credits. Prerequisites: Graduate standing
and PSC 771.

PSC 790 3 credits
Studies in Political Science
Analysis of the research and literature on a selected topic in
political science. Specific topic announced each semester.
May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.

PSC 794 1-3 credits
Independent Study and Research in Political Science
May be repeated to a maximum of six credits with consent
of instructor.

For a list of the Political Science Faculty and their research areas see the website http://liberalarts.unlv.edu/Political_Science/Directory.htm :