Earn Your Degree
in Political Science
Politics at the Crossroads of the Arctic
When you major in political science at UAF, you鈥檒l learn to apply political knowledge to concrete human problems. You鈥檒l have opportunities to take part in real-world learning experiences including internships, Model United Nations simulations and more. You鈥檒l also benefit from close interactions with caring, dedicated faculty who bring varied research expertise to the classroom.
The strong understanding of local, national and international politics you develop
through this program will be an asset to you throughout your career. When you complete
your bachelor鈥檚 degree, you鈥檒l be ready for a range of exciting careers in education,
media, politics and more, as well as graduate school opportunities.
UAF and UAS have partnered together to allow you to take online Political Science
courses from either school to help complete your degree faster! Contact the department
with any questions.
Connect Learning to Opportunity
Explore programs, partnerships and experiences that help students turn their academic interests into meaningful opportunities.
Explore accelerated and direct-admission pathways that can help you save time and money on your journey to law school.
Explore an archive of conversations with leaders and experts working at the intersection of policy, leadership and Arctic affairs.
Students can explore a variety of courses across five key subfields of Political Science:
Our courses on American government examine the major institutions and processes that shape the U.S. policy and economy.
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
The institution of the presidency in the American political system.
Prerequisites: PS F101X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
The American Congress in the political system.
Prerequisites: PS F101X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
The role of federal courts as political institutions. The politics of judicial selection, the nature of judicial decision-making and intracourt politics, litigations as a policy making device, changes in the nature and scope of judicial power, governmental attorneys, the legal bureaucracy, and judicial agenda setting.
Prerequisites: PS F101X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Attitudes, opinions and beliefs of the American electorate and the impact of these factors on political behavior; role of political organizations (parties and interest groups) in modern American politics.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring
U.S. political institutions as they relate to making policies for protecting the quality of the natural environment. The politics of nuclear waste, endangered species, air and water pollution, and wilderness preservation. Analysis of the National Environmental Policy Act, sustainable development, limits to growth and other topics.
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
Recommended: PS F101X.
Stacked with ACNS F647; PS F647.
Special Notes: Course is also available online.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
Political science is the premier major for students desiring to go to law school and also prepares students for work in various fields of government.
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Theories and practice of public administration, especially as applied to federal agencies. Study of organization, planning and decision making in implementing public policy.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
The processes of policy development, implementation and change are analyzed with major policy frameworks and models used in contemporary political science. These frameworks and models will be applied to environmental sustainability and other social policy issues. Students develop expertise in specific policy area, completing oral presentations related their policy interests.
Prerequisites: PS F101X, upper division standing.
Stacked with PS F603; ACNS F603.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Constitutional doctrines and historical evolution of federalism and the separation of powers in the United States. Emphasis on the court's role in arbitering intergovernmental and interbranch disputes, the constitutional status of the administrative bureaucracy, and the control of war power and foreign policy.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; PS F101X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Origin and development of civil rights and civil liberties in the U.S. Emphasis on the social, political and philosophical justifications of rights as expressed in judicial decision and constitutional doctrine.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; PS F101X.
Recommended: PS F303.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This course examines Alaska's government and politics, as a case of American state and local government, and governance in the circumpolar North. It covers topics such as the state鈥檚 political history, constitution, political parties, interest groups, elections, governorship, legislature, judiciary, bureaucracy and local governments.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Stacked with ACNS F662; PS F662.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
Courses in international relations examine different dimensions of global power, foreign policy, peace and security, terrorism, international law and organizations.
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Introduction to international relations: problems, literature, theory and terminology. Provides basis for understanding current international events and introduces the three subfields of international relations: security, political economy, organization. Examines relations between nations, regions and groups, as well as ideas of conflict, security, trade, technology, negotiation, cooperation, revolution, modernization and community.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req, UAF GER Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Introduction to the major challenges of maintaining a peaceful and secure world. Considers the major threats to our security and how they are managed. Analyzes political, institutional, cultural, moral and legal norms surrounding war and other security concerns and different means of organizing for peace and security.
Prerequisites: PS F221X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Case studies in international law (rights and duties of states, jurisdiction and sovereignty, treaties, use of force and adjudication processes); development of regional organizations and integration; the United Nations.
Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; PS F221X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Exploration of the manner in which political and economic forces interact to affect international flows of goods, money, investments and technology. International political economic relations are examined in several contexts.
Prerequisites: PS F100X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
This course addresses U.S. foreign policy in the post-World War II, post-Cold War, and post-9/11 periods; the U.S. presence and influence in the world; the development, administration, institutions, instruments, and evaluation of U.S. foreign policy; and key people in U.S. foreign policy.
Prerequisites: PS F221X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
This course examines the international relations of Arctic states and topics related to the circumpolar north. It covers environmental changes and their effects on human security and Indigenous lives, energy exploration and development, northern security and emerging shipping routes. It also addresses national Arctic strategies and the Arctic Council.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Stacked with ACNS F652; PS F652.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course addresses international case law regulating the sea, airspace, outer space and the polar regions; comprehensive international regulatory and legal instruments to protect the environment; and the doctrines, principles, and rules of international law that are basic to an understanding of international legal regimes and the environment.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Recommended: Undergraduate course in international law, organization or politics.
Stacked with ACNS F654; PS F654.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
Comparative politics courses focus on the different ways in which governments form, function and transform by examining the experiences of countries throughout the world.
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Introduction to the systematic study of government and politics in countries other than the U.S. Students will explore such questions as why some countries are democracies and other countries dictatorships; why some remain stable and peaceful, while others seem in constant turmoil. Special Notes: This is a prerequisite for other courses in comparative politics.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req, UAF GER Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Examination of the various definitions and types of democracy and the global contexts within which they develop. Cases used draw from a wide range of states, societies and world-historical contexts, and allow comparisons among developed and developing countries.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Comparative approach to analyzing Indigenous rights and policies in different nation-state systems. Multiple countries and specific policy developments examined for factors promoting or limiting self-determination.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Cross-listed with ANS F450; TG F450.
Stacked with PS F650; ACNS F657.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Enduring issues of the field of comparative politics and their relation to global environmental problems. Biodiversity, transboundary pollution capacity, political processes and organizations, and international commitments all potentially shape the nature and dynamics of global environmental politics and vice versa. Course is also available online.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.
Recommended: PS F201X.
Stacked with ACNS F658; PS F658.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
The Canadian political system, covering the Canadian constitution, federal structure, parliamentary government and public policy, as well as contemporary issues concerning Native rights and the Canadian North. Students will complete a major research paper on specific policy areas (language, education, health care, environment, natural resources, foreign relations).
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; PS F201X;
upper-division standing.
Stacked with ACNS F660; PS F660.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Exploration of major issues and concepts in development and governances of modern Latin America and the Caribbean region, including legacies of colonialism, revolution, military rule, economic challenges and the quest for democratic stability. Includes a historical overview of region and cases drawn from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; HIST
F275.
Cross-listed with HIST F467.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course examines the history, politics, economics and geography of Russia, with focus on changes in Russian government, society, and domestic and foreign policy over time. Students will learn the nature of the evolving Russian regime, leadership, economic forces and the political struggles in governance and democracy.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; PS F201X.
Stacked with ACNS F668; PS F668.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
The department also offers courses in political theory, with an emphasis on the history of Western political ideas from Plato to the writings of contemporary thinkers. These courses also present materials on the history of American political thought and examine the role of ideology in the modern world.
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An examination of the purpose of ideology as an orienting set of political ideas with mass appeal. Analysis of 20th century ideologies, including anarchism, communism, liberalism, socialism, environmentalism and feminism.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; PS F101X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Political ideas in the U.S. from colonial times to the present: Puritanism, revolutionary ideas, Constitutionalism, nature of the Union, Progressive movement and pragmatism.
Prerequisites: PS F101X.
Recommended: HIST F131; HIST F132X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Political ideas from ancient Greece, Rome and the Judaeo-Christian tradition. Theories of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine and Aquinas.
Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; PHIL F102X; PS F101X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X,
WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Cross-listed with PHIL F411.
Attributes: UAF Degree Humanities Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Political ideas from the Renaissance to the modern world. Theories of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Marx and Lenin.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; PHIL
F102X; PS F101X.
Cross-listed with PHIL F412.
Attributes: UAF Degree Social Sciences Req
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course takes stock of recent currents in contemporary political thought, including readings from Carl Schmitt, Hannah Arendt, Frantz Fanon, John Rawls, Leo Strauss, Michel Foucault, and Theodor Adorno. We ask how these canonical thinkers influence feminist, environmental, postcolonial, anti-essentialist, democratic and post-human political theory today.
Prerequisites: PS F101X, upper division standing.
Cross-listed with PHIL F414.
Customize your degree
Tailor your education by adding a minor that reflects your passions and ambitions.
Add a Political Science Minor
Whether you're interested in law, public policy, government or civic engagement, a political science minor helps you better understand the forces that shape our communities and institutions. The ability to analyze complex issues, evaluate evidence and communicate ideas effectively is valuable in a wide range of careers.
Available minors:
Graduate Programs in Political Science
At the graduate level, departmental course offerings support the for the Masters of Arts (M.A.) degree in Arctic and Northern Studies. See the UAF Arctic and Northern Studies website for more information on this degree.
Students interested in advanced study beyond the master's level may pursue an interdisciplinary Ph.D. through the UAF Graduate School. This flexible program allows students to develop a course of study that draws on political science and related fields while working closely with faculty advisors and committee members. Visit the Graduate School website to learn more about interdisciplinary doctoral degree options.
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