Bulletin Year: 2023 - 2024 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Courses

Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.

PS 362 Real Estate and Property Law for Paralegals 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter even-numbered years
  • Prerequisites: MGT 221 or PS 215 or instructor permission.

This course presents fundamental concepts of real property law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include the nature of real property, rights and duties of ownership, land use, voluntary and involuntary conveyances, and the recording of and searching for real estate documents.

PS 363 Probate Law For Paralegals 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter odd-numbered years
  • Prerequisites: MGT 221 or PS 215 or instructor permission.

This course introduces the basics of estate planning and bequeathing property through wills and trusts, along with the Uniform Probate Code and other laws and procedures involved, with emphasis on the paralegal’s role.

PS 365 Family Law for Paralegals 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: MGT 221 or PS 215 or instructor permission.

The concepts, terminology and practices of Family Law are explored. Topics to be discussed include among others: dissolution of marriage, maintenance, custody, domestic violence, adoption and abortion.

PS 402 Political Economy 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor's permission.

Study of the interplay between politics and economic life, the distributional impact of government and the application of the “economics model” to social and political phenomena—explored within the American and other national contexts.

PS 403 International Political Economy 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department

This course explores both the economic development of nations and the dynamic ways in which national economies, governments, societies and international institutions interact within the context of global economic interdependence. 

PS 404 Politics of East and Southeast Asia 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: PS 101 or PS 203 or PS 206, junior standing or instructor’s permission.

A comparative analysis of the governments and politics in the nations of East and Southeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, etc.).

PS 406 Legislative Politics 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor's permission.

Study of the legislative bodies in the American political system, including the role of political parties and interest groups in that process. Through emphasis on contemporary problems, the course clarifies the struggle between Congress and the Presidency for control over decision-making, and the pressure politics played by parties and interest groups on those decisions.

PS 411 American Political Thought 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better and sophomore standing.

An overview of American political thought. The focus of the course will be on critical formative periods such as the American Revolution, the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. Readings will include selected writings and speeches of key American statesmen. Class discussion is emphasized.

PS 415 Politics of American Foreign Policy 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better and sophomore standing.

Development of an analytical capability for understanding and evaluating American foreign policy today and in the immediate future. Study is focused on contemporary institutions and regional problem areas.

PS 416 Genocide 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior Standing.

The study of the definitions and economic, psychological and sociological causes of 20th and 21st century cases of mass political violence. The course will examine international responses to genocide and approaches to post-genocide societal rebuilding and review both scholarly material and popular documentary films to illuminate themes and provide the foundation for discussions.

PS 417 International Law and Human Rights 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior Standing.

The study of key treaties, documents, organizations and court cases related to international law and human rights issues. This course will apply various historical perspectives and theories of international relations—realism, liberalism and constructivism—to the study of contemporary cases and issues related to human rights and international law.

PS 424 Public Budget Management 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department

The focus of this course is to impart a practical and "real life" understanding and application of public budgeting from the practitioner’s perspective. This course will examine public budgets (government and nonprofit agencies), budgeting systems, and budgeting processes, and how decisions are made. Topics will include: state and local budgets, public finance and policy goals, the role of government regulations, revenue sources, planning, and decision making, as these pertain to the budget.

PS 428 HRM in Public and Nonprofit Organizations 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department

This course examines human resource management in public and nonprofit organizations. The course focuses on issues and challenges facing today’s leaders, managers, and human resource professionals in these two sectors. Topics covered include but are not limited to the recruitment, selection, motivation, training, and retention of staff, equal employment opportunity, and diversity in public and non-profit organizations. Effective policies and best practices will be emphasized.

PS 430 American Constitutional Law 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, Even Years
  • Prerequisites: PS 215 or PS 331 or instructor permission.

A review of selected U.S. Supreme Court decisions relating to the powers of the president, congress and the judiciary as well as the division of power between the states and the federal government and the effect and importance of the commerce and taxing clauses.

PS 431 Civil Rights and Liberties 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall, Odd Years
  • Prerequisites: PS 215 or PS 331 or instructor permission.

A review of selected U.S. Supreme Court decisions interpreting areas such as due process, speech, religion, press, abortion, equal protection and rights of the accused. Focus is on case briefings, underlying rationales and the development of individual analytical abilities.

PS 434 Cannabis Law 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact department
  • Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and completion of writing competency.

A comprehensive review of local, Michigan and federal laws governing the growth, processing, distribution, possession and sale of the cannabis plant and its extracts and the establishment and operation of cannabis related businesses.

PS 436 Classic Readings in Public Administration 4 cr.
  • Offered: Summer
This course provides a learning opportunity and general introductory scholarship related to the development of public administration as an academic discipline. The course is designed to provide interested students a foundation for understanding practical and theoretical concepts related to public administration in the United States.
PS 437 Marijuana Politics and Public Policy 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact department
  • Prerequisites: Completion of written English competency and junior or senior standing.

Overview of the history, culture and politics shaping to the formation and enforcement of public policies regulating marijuana possession, use and distribution.

PS 440 Race, Politics and Public Policy 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

This course examines racial politics in the U.S. as they impact select public policies such as criminal justice, social welfare, affirmative action, employment, voting rights and others.

PS 461 Politics of Healthcare Policy 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

This course examines the history and politics of the U.S. health care system focusing on the formation and current status of major federal health care laws such as the Hill-Burton Act, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid, and others.

PS 480 Media and Politics 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

This course examines the election process and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the coverage in the media. The course will also review the types and quality of information available about candidates, parties, and issues.

Notes:

Cross-listed with BC 480 Media and Politics.

PS 490 Senior Seminar 2 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: Senior standing, Political Science Department major or minor.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of political administration, legal concepts and theories.
PS 491 Internship in Public Policy or Law 2-12 cr.
  • Offered: On demand
  • Graded: S/U
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor’s permission.

Practical experience working in a national, state or local government office, public interest group, corporate office, or a public or private law office. Credit hours vary depending on the weekly time commitment.

Notes:

Only eight credit hours may be applied toward a political science or public administration major, and only four credit hours may be applied toward those minors. Credit earned above these limits can count toward general elective credits.

PS 495 Special Problems in Political Science 1-4 cr.
  • Offered: On demand
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor's permission.
Individual or group study of a significant topic or problem in political science. The requirement of this course may be met by completing a course not ordinarily offered or through participation in seminars, colloquia, workshops, study abroad or directed reading.