Upper Division Courses
POE-300 Constitutional Law I 3.0 cr.
An examination of the principles of American constitutional law concerning allocation of powers through the study of Supreme Court decisions, the role of the judicial branch and judicial review, separation of powers, congressional and presidential powers and federalism. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-301 Constitutional Law II 3.0 cr.
An examination of the principles of American constitutional law concerning civil liberties and civil rights through the study of Supreme Court decisions: due process, rights of the accused, equal protection, freedom of expression and freedom of religion. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-302 Economic Development 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: Students pursuing POE majors or minors, prerequisite course is POE 263; Students pursuing other majors must have attained junior standing and have permission of instructor. An examination of the characteristics of underdeveloped nations, what factors contribute to their relative poverty, particular development problems they face, and policies for alleviating these problems. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-304.3 The Presidential Election of 2008 3.0 cr.
Winter. An examination of the issues and strategies employed in presidential elections. Emphasis will be placed on decision making and problem solving in a small-group environment. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-307 The Legislative Process 3.0 cr.
An examination of the legislative process within the United States with special emphasis on the unique characteristics of the U. S. Congress and the Idaho State Legislature. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-309 The American Presidency 3.0 cr.
The course will concentrate on the institution of the presidency and how it interacts with other entities and the formal and informal powers available to the president. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-310 Mock Supreme Court 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: POE-300 or 301 or permission. A study of politics, personalities, and institutional norms of the Supreme Court, primarily through role playing and intensive research, writing, and oral argument. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-311 The Federalists & Anti-Federalists 3.0 cr.
Winter. This course will examine the arguments made by both proponents and opponents of the constitution and determine their applicability to current political debates. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-312 Macroeconomic Policy 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. An examination of macroeconomic policy in the United States from the perspective of the policy process. The course will include study of the Federal Reserve Board, the budget making process of the Congress and executive branches, and macroeconomic theories. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-321 Comparative Economics 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: Students pursuing POE majors or minors, prerequisite course is POE 263; Students pursuing other majors must have attained junior standing and have permission of instructor. An evaluation of economies from an historical, evolutionary perspective. Emphasis is given to the evolution of the 19th century laissez faire market economy and the 20th century variations, which have evolved in countries such as France and Japan. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-322 Comparative Economics II 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: Students pursuing POE majors or minors, prerequisite course is POE 263; Students pursuing other majors must have attained junior standing and have permission of instructor. An evaluation of alternative types of economies such as those of Sweden, the European Union, China and the transforming Central and East European nations. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-339 Environmental Policy Analysis 3.0 cr.
Fall. This course will focus on the conceptual foundations of policy analysis as they relate to the area of environmental policy. Students will focus on both substantive environmental policies and methods for analyzing those policies. Special emphasis will be made on economic techniques of policy analysis. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-343 Politics & Ethics Through Film 3.0 cr.
Winter. The study of ethical issues and practical politics through movies and documentary films. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-350 Topics in Political Philosophy 3.0 cr.
A study of selected works of ancient, medieval, modern or contemporary political philosophy. Topics will vary from year to year. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-351 Politics in Developing Countries 3.0 cr.
An examination of the common and unique problems facing countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Identifies the strategies used by governments to improve economic conditions and consolidate political processes. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-370 Political Economy of China 3.0 cr.
A study of political and economic change in the People’s Republic of China since 1949. The themes of revolution, reform, growth and stability are explored through an examination of changing state policies and their political, economic, and social effects. (SOCIAL SCIENCE and CULTURAL DIVERSITY)
POE-371 Political Economy of Japan 3.0 cr.
An examination of the world's first Asian industrial superpower. Explores the political economic roots of Japan's political economy with consideration of cultural influences, economic nationalism, democratization, and foreign relations. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-374 Political Economy of Southeast Asia 3.0 cr.
This course examines political and economic development in one of the world's most diverse and economically dynamic regions. Students explore how the region has transitioned from a Cold War battlefield to a post-Cold War marketplace. Topics range from the Vietnam War, the Cambodian genocide, and military rule in Myanmar (Burma) to rapid economic growth in Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. Major themes cover economic development, globalization, agrarian change, democratization and human rights. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-376 International Economics 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: POE-263 and junior standing. A review of the principles of international trade, the institutions that govern trade, the economic and political aspects of economic integration, and the impact of trade on the development of nations. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-377 Government & Business 3.0 cr.
Winter. An analysis of the distinction between public and private economic issues. A detailed discussion of the appropriateness of governmental intervention in the economy. Emphasis will be placed on discussion of readings and group assignments. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-380 International Political Economy 3.0 cr.
Fall. An exploration of how politics and economics intersect in the global arena. Considers key institutions and the role of state and transnational actors in facilitating and undermining economic and political development. Examines the rise of globalization including its empirical and moral dimensions. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-389 Ecological Economics 3.0 cr.
Winter. Alt. years. A discussion-based course covering topics in renewable and nonrenewable resource use, sustainable yields in fisheries, transportation issues, management of endangered species, and land-use management (e.g., urban sprawl). Primary focus will be on issues of regional significance (e.g., conservation of Pacific salmon stocks, water-use management). Economic concepts covered include market failure, cost-benefit analysis, monetary evaluation of the environment, and sustainable economic development. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-399 Model United Nations II 1.0 cr.
Spring. This course is designed to facilitate student participation in National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference each spring. The NMUN is held in New York City and part of the conference takes place at the United Nations itself. Students will prepare to represent The College of Idaho at the conference. Course content will be based on the country assignment for the NMUN conference. May be repeated for credit. Only three credits of POE 199 (Model United Nations I) and POE-399 will count toward a major in the POE department. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-399T Special Topics in Political Economy 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
May be offered any term. Prereq.: POE 263. Study of selected areas of politics and economics not available in the regular curriculum. See courses listed below.
POE-399T.01 War, Politics & the 20th Century 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: POE 263. This course will focus on the impact of war on international politics in the 20th Century. It will examine the impact of WWI and WWII on the old European international system and the origins of the Cold War. It will focus more closely on the Cold War and its attendant "hot conflicts." Finally, it will examine the new conflicts of the post-Cold War period and the evolving character of the contemporary international system. Thus, the course will review the changing international systems along with the changing face of military technology and its impact on war and politics. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-399T.02 American National Security 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: POE 263. In the late 1940s and early 1950s a sub-field of international politics/political science, made its appearance in American universities and private think-tanks. It was labeled national security policy. The new field emerged as the United States' new international role following its triumph in World War II brought it into conflict with its World War II partner, the Soviet Union. The enormity of the conflict led a number of social science analysts, largely political scientists, to begin to analyze the character of the Soviet-American confrontation. They were driven by the need to chart the proper course for the United States in the intensifying confrontation between the superpowers. Of course, the stakes of international conflict rose significantly with the United States' use of atomic weapons on Japan at the close of World War II and the Soviet testing of nuclear weapons in 1949. This new conflict, the Cold War, virtually consumed the energies of the United States and the Soviet Union over the next forty years. The long conflict and its impact on the Soviet Union were the most significant factors in the collapse and disappearance of the Soviet Union in 1991. The purpose of this course is to examine the U.S. approach to the sub-field of political science, national security policy. The content of this field has evolved since the 1940s and we will be examining its future in the post-Cold War World as well as the United States' role in this new world. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-399T.03 Domestic Political Economy 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: POE 263. The political economy aspects of selected domestic issues will be analyzed. These issues will include (but not be limited to) the federal budget deficit, health care, immigration, minimum wage, social security, subsidies to private firms, environmental protection, and technological development. (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
POE-480 Senior Thesis 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: POE-299, junior standing and permission. Students will research, write and present a scholarly paper on the topic of their choosing. The Department must approve the topic. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
POE-494 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: Completion of the Introductory Core for either the Politics and Economics Major or the International Political Economy Major or permission. A research paper for students pursuing a major or minor in Politics and Economics or International Political Economy. See independent study guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
POE-497 Internship 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: Completion of the Introductory Core for either the Politics and Economics Major or the International Political Economy Major or permission. A supervised internship designed to provide practical experience in the field of Politics and Economics or International Political Economy. Periodic reports and papers may be required. See internship guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
POE-498 Senior Seminar: Politics & Economics 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: Completion of the introductory core. Advanced study in political/economic theory involving intensive reading, writing, and discussion. (SOCIAL SCIENCE and INDEPENDENT WORK)
POE-499 Senior Seminar: International Political Economy 3.0 cr.
Prereq.: Completion of the introductory core. A reflective survey of international political economy. The ideas and theories of classic and modern thinkers in the field will provide a springboard for student discussion, research and writing. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY and SOCIAL SCIENCE (3 credits) and INDEPENDENT WORK)