GV PS

Registration Issues and How To Get Help

If you are finding that Banner is keeping you out of a course despite the fact that you have met the prerequisites, please let us know via email and we will get you into the course. We will need the following information:

Name, number, section and CRN of course
Your name
Your G#
Your email address

Political science majors/minors contact:
Dr. Mark Richards, Department Chair
richardm@gvsu.edu

International Relations majors/minors contact
Dr. Robert Stewart-Ingersoll, Interim Director of International Relations (through winter 2009 semester)
ingersor@gvsu.edu

Starting with the spring 2009 semester, contact
Dr. Polly Diven, Director of International Relations
divenp@gvsu.edu

PLS 380s, Special Topics, 2009-10

Fall 2009

PLS 380 01 Environmental Policy
Professor Laura Schneider
Counts for American politics category and 300-level requirement.
TR 11:30-12:45, LSH 154
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to a variety of environmental issues and policy responses. The course will begin with a brief introduction to the policy process, but the majority of the course will be spent covering major environmental policies and policy concerns. Some topics covered in the course are air, water and toxic waste pollution, energy, land management, climate change, and sustainability.

PLS 380 02 U.S.  Public Opinion
Professor Whitt Kilburn
MW 3-4:15, ASH 2123
Counts for American politics category and 300-level requirement.
In the study of democratic politics, no subject is more critical than public opinion.  In this course, we will examine questions that have puzzled observers of American politics since the founding.  To what extent is the American public's interest in politics sufficiently stable, thoughtfully based in principle or self-interest, and resistant to manipulation by elites, such that American democracy can be true to its name --- a place where the people rule?  The course counts toward American politics and 300-level credit.  Neither math nor statistics is required for the course, and there are no pre-requisites.  

PLS 380 03 Middle East Politics
Professor Gamal Gasim
M 6-8:50, 2132 ASH
Counts for comparative category and 300-level requirement.
This course presents a survey of Middle East politics since the collapse of Ottoman Empire with a brief historical background of Islam and the rise of early Islamic states. This course will introduce students to the most salient political, social and economic issues in the region. By the end of the semster students will be able to:
• Describe the impact of Islam on Middle Eastern Politics.
• Explain the Rise of Arab and Turkish Nationalism and  how it affects the overall political development in the Middle East after World War II.
• Analyze the major social and political changes in the Middle East.
• Explain Middle Eastern political economy and the politics of gender.

Winter 2010

PLS 380 01 Women, Politics, and Policy
Professor Laura Schneider
MW 4:30-5:45, ASH 2120
Counts for American politics category and 300-level requirement.
This course explores the ways that gender structures government and policy decisions. Students will develop a familiarity with many gendered issues and the relevant policy responses. Topics include domestic violence, reproductive policies, divorce and the family, marriage and the family, poverty, class, and pay.

PLS 380 02 State Policy
T 6-8:50, ASH 2119
Counts for American Politics category and 300-level requirement
This course examines contemporary issues in Michigan state policy. Prior courses in state politics (PLS 203) and/or the policy process (PLS 205) recommended.

Advising Information for Poli Sci and IR Students

Advising Memo To PLS/IR students winter 2009

1. As you may know, registration for the academic year 2009-10 (including spring/summer classes) begins in March. It is best to meet with your advisor in January or February to plan ahead for the next academic year. You may stop in during office hours or make an appointment.

2. To facilitate your academic planning, the political science and international relations websites list sample curricula and major/minor requirement checklists.  
http://www.gvsu.edu/polisci/

http://www.gvsu.edu/polisci/ir/

3. If you have declared a major, you should have a faculty advisor assigned to you. You can look this up in Banner:

log into MyBanner
Click on Student and Financial Aid tab
Select Student Records
Select View Major and Advisor Information

If you have declared a major in political science or international relations but don't see an advisor listed, contact the political science department (plsdept@gvsu.edu)

4. If you have not yet declared your major, but have decided upon one, you are encouraged to officially declare your major. This allows you to receive the information you need for that major and to be assigned an advisor. Please pick up a Major Declaration Form from the Records Office, 150 Student Services.

5. For problems with registration such as Banner keeping you out of a class for which you have met the prerequisite, contact the political science department (plsdept@gvsu.edu). Political science students may also contact Department Chair Dr. Mark Richards (richardm@gvsu.edu). For the winter 2009 semester only, international relations students may also contact International Relations Program Director Dr. Robert Stewart-Ingersoll (ingersor@gvsu.edu)

Dr. Stewart-Ingersoll is serving as program director for Dr. Polly Diven (divenp@gvsu.edu) while she is on sabbatical. She will return in the spring/summer semester 2009.

6. For more general questions not related to your major/minor, you can also visit the CLAS advising office:

The new CLAS Academic Advising Center is located in C-1-140 MAK. To schedule an appointment, please come in to the Center, or call 616-331-8585!

7. Spring/summer advising:
Please be aware that faculty work on 9-month contracts that enable us to do research during the spring/summer sessions, so your advisor may not be available during the spring or summer session unless he or she is teaching at that time. You can find out by inquiring with the political science department (plsdept@gvsu.edu).

 If you have advising questions particular to your major during the spring/summer,
 *political science students should contact Department Chair Dr. Mark Richards (richardm@gvsu.edu)
 *international relations students should contact International Relations Program Director Dr. Polly Diven (divenp@gvsu.edu)

New Section of PLS 206 for Winter

We have opened up a new section of PLS 206 in winter 2009. It is section 05, CRN 26423, and it will meet in the Honors building, room 219, Tuesday and Thursday, 10-11:15, taught by Dr. Kevin den Dulk, with a capacity of 30 students. (Note: It is not an honors course; we are just using the room).

This course is part of core requirements of the Social Studies major.

Description:

Integrates the perspectives of political science and constitutional law to examine the principles and institutional structures of the American political system. Analyzes political and constitutional sources of presidential, congressional, state and national power. Investigates federalism, voting, parties, interest groups, civil rights, and civil liberties. Primarily for social studies majors.

Letters of Recommendation

This information is also posted in the sidebars on the political science and international relations websites.

Letters of Recommendation

Guidelines for Political Science and International Relations Students

Students frequently ask instructors for letters of recommendation for graduate school or for employment. Professors are willing and able to write these letters so don’t be afraid to ask. However, it is important that you understand a few things about the process.

First, be sure to ask the best person. Don’t just ask the professor who seems most approachable. Ask a professor who knows you well and has a positive impression of you as a student and as a person. Grades matter for graduate or law school, as the schools are looking for people who can speak to your academic potential.

Second, don’t ask for a letter “on the fly.” Visit the professor during his/her office hours (or make an
appointment). Discuss the reasons for the letter and ask to use him/her as a reference. Another option is to email the professor with a polite request, the reasons why you are asking for the letter, and the information listed below.

Third, don’t ask for a letter to be written if you aren’t sure you will apply. These letters take time and faculty are asked to write many, many letters.

Fourth, provide all the information necessary to write a detailed letter. It is in your interest to provide the professor with all the information he or she needs to write a letter that is detailed and specific letter. This includes:

a description of the job or graduate program and an explanation of your interest

a signed letter of recommendation form from LSDAS if you are applying to law school

a resume that includes your GPA and appropriate extracurricular activities

a reminder about specific courses you took from or papers you wrote for the instructor
any other information that would be helpful and relevant to include

clearly note the deadline and provide information about delivery

How should it be sent?

if you are using regular mail, include a stamped, addressed envelope

Finally, keep the letter-writer informed. Once the instructor has spent time writing a letter, s/he will be interested to know whether or not you were given the opportunity.

LAS 380 01 The ‘Indian Question’ in the Americas

LAS 380 01 The ‘Indian Question’ in the Americas

Dr. Andrew Schlewitz
Fall 2008
Tues./Thurs. 1-2:15 PM 1118 Au Sable Hall

The “Indian Question” haunted the young states of the 19th century Americas. Trying to consolidate control over territory, or expand that territory, and forge a national identity, North and South American governments confronted indigenous groups who resisted that control and identity. The “Indian Question” was, then, what to do about such resistance?

The answers varied—from exile and destruction to forced assimilation and accommodation. We will study these answers with a focus on the United States, Bolivia, Canada, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. The intent of this course is not only to learn how these answers varied, but why. We will also think together about the ways these answers to the “Indian Question” shaped political development in the Americas, and what those answers bequeathed to later generations.

Course Goals: by the end of the course, students will
•be able to relate key similarities and differences among selected American states in terms of how they treated indigenous populations over the 19th and 20 centuries;
•know the varied ways by which indigenous peoples responded to state efforts to shape and control them;
•be familiar with different explanations of relationships between indigenous groups and states, for example, from early (though still existing) essentialist arguments, to competing cultural, economic, and institutional theories, on to interpretive or constructivist approaches;
•be prepared to weigh the merits of these explanations of why Indian-state relations in the Americas have varied;
•have added to their experience with using primary documents; and
•practice critical reading and writing skills, as well as collaborative research in the seminar format.

PLS 382 Offered Fall Semester

Contrary to what is stated in the catalog, we will offer PLS 382 Politics of Post-Communist Europe in the fall semester. In fall 2008 it meets T/Th 11:30-12:45.

Political Science Registration 2008

Dear political science student,

There are a few changes and news items regarding registration. Please read on for more information about:
1. registering for the capstone, and what to do if Banner won't let you register for a political science course
2. reminder for political science majors taking the B.S. cognate
3. new requirements for political science majors/minors who start at GVSU in catalog year 2008-09
4. new tenure-track political science professor to begin in fall
5. special topics courses

Sincerely,
Dr. Mark Richards
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science
richardm@gvsu.edu

1. Registering for the capstone, and what to do if Banner won't let you register for a political science course

Registration for the capstone is by permit only. Please email Political Science Departmental Coordinator Norene Hendricks (hendricn@gvsu.edu) and give her your name, and section of capstone you would like to take. Once your permit has been granted via Banner, you will notified via email; it is your responsibility to register for the course in Banner.

If Banner will not let you register for a course, you may not have met the pre-requisites. If you believe this is an error, please email Political Science Departmental Coordinator Norene Hendricks (hendricn@gvsu.edu) and give her your name, and the course number and section you would like to take, along with an explanation of why you believe you are eligible to register for the course. Once a decision has been made regarding whether to grant an override, you will notified via email; it is your responsibility to register for the course in Banner.

Closed class permits are granted only in extraordinary circumstances. If you are seeking a closed class permit, please contact Norene Hendricks as described above.

2. Reminder for political science majors taking the B.S. cognate
The B.S. cognate must be taken in the following order: 1. STA 215, 2. PLS 300, 3. PLS 315 or 341.

3. New requirements for political science majors/minors who start at GVSU in catalog year 2008-09
These requirements will only affect students starting at GVSU with the 2008-09 catalog year. If you started in an earlier year, your requirements have not changed.

4. New tenure-track political science professor to begin in fall

We have hired a new tenure track professor who will begin teaching in Fall 2008. Her name is Laura Schneider and she is currently completing her Ph.D. at Purdue University. Her areas of expertise are American politics, public policy, and environmental policy. Although her name is not yet listed on Banner, she will be teaching PLS 205 The Policy Process each semester , and the following sections of PLS 102: fall: 102-06 and 102-07; winter: 102-04, 102-06. Please join us in welcoming her to GVSU.

5. Special topics courses

We are offering two special topics course this year, both in the winter 2009 semester:
PLS 380 – 01 American Political Development, taught by Dr. Don Zinman. The course will meet MW 4:30-5:45 in 1143 AuSable.
PLS 380 – 02 State Policy meets Tuesday 6-8:50 in 2119 AuSable. This seminar will focus on current policy issues in Michigan.

Winter Registration

In order to help us plan and properly allocate faculty resources for the winter 2008 semester, we encourage you to register for your courses as soon as possible.

This winter we are offering a number of new courses, including some special topics courses. All of these are unique opportunities that we urge you to take advantage of.

****Winter '08 Special Topics Courses****
All of these courses count for the three courses at the 300-level requirement for PLS majors and minors.

PLS 380 - 01 COMPARATIVE POLITICS:
CHINESE LEGAL DEVELOPMENT
Tuesday/Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
2121 Au Sable Hall
Prerequisite: PLS 103 or junior standing
Yi Zhao, Ph.D.
Course counts for Comparative category and "three courses at 300-level" requirement for PLS degree

China’s legal construction during the reform era has been described by an American scholar as the “largest such undertaking in world history.”

This course will consider the political and economic forces that have shaped the course of China’s legal development. It will explore issues that cut across the line between law and politics, issues that are becoming increasingly prominent: the politics of constitutional design, legislative and judicial politics, criminal justice and human rights, rule of law and economic development, and the politics of judicial review of government actions

PLS 380 - 02 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY
Poverty, Assets and the American Dream
Monday/Wednesday, 3-4:15 p.m.
2107 Au Sable Hall
No prerequisite
Michelle Miller-Adams, Ph.D.
Course counts for American category and "three courses at 300-level" requirement for PLS degree

What does it mean to be poor in America?
What’s wrong with the way the U.S. government measures poverty?
Why have public policy strategies for addressing poverty generally failed?
What has the United States learned from the developing world about fighting poverty?
Why is poverty less of a problem in Europe?
What can be done about poverty?

PLS 380 - 03 POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Monday/Wednesday, 3-4:15 p.m.
122 Manitou Hall
Prerequisite: PLS 102 or junior standing
H. Whitt Kilburn, Ph.D.
Course counts for American category and "three courses at 300-level" requirement for PLS degree

Why do presidential campaigns mostly fail to persuade voters? Do voters evaluate non-white or female candidates any differently from the usual white male? How do emotions influence political judgment and choice? Do good leaders share similar personalities? During crises, under what conditions do they make "rational" decisions?

We will study these questions and others in this inter-disciplinary course bridging the divide between political science, and personality and social pyschology. Our goal will be to learn not just about insights into politics from psychology, but also how political institutions affect the psyche.

****New Course Winter '08****

PLS 385 RUSSIAN AND POST-SOVIET POLITICS
MWF 10-10:50 a.m.
LSH 229
Heather Tafel, Ph.D.
Earn comparative politics credit (PLS majors & minors)
Earn PLS credit (IR majors & minors)
Earn elective credit (Russian Studies majors & minors)

Take this course and discover the following about Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Caucasus and post-Soviet Central Asia:
What was communism, and why did it collapse?
Why has democracy largely failed to take root in this region?
How has “people power” influenced domestic politics?
How does the “resource curse” affect domestic politics?
What has been the process of economic transformation?
What about the European Union & the United States in the region?

A comparative empirical and theoretical analysis of government and politics in post-Soviet Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Central Asian republics. Topics include the collapse of communism, patterns of regime change, parties, elections, political economy, nationalism and ethnic conflict, social welfare policy, and foreign relations. Prerequisite: PLS 103 or junior standing.

****New Section Added Winter '08****
PLS 315 International Political Economy
W 6-8:50
ASH 1116
Michelle Miller-Adams, Ph.D.
Empirical analysis of the politics of international economic relations, including the impact of domestic and international political variables on international economic cooperation and conflict. Part of the department's B.S. cognate. Prerequisite: PLS 103 or 211 or ECO 210 or 211. Students taking the course as part of the B.S. cognate must also have completed STA 215 and SS 300.

Study Abroad Fair Wednesday, 10/17

Where is your classroom?
The GVSU Fall Study Abroad Fair is in Kirkhof 250, 10-4 on Wednesday, 10/17
Stop by for prizes, snacks and INFORMATION about Study Abroad!

There is information about GVSU and non-GVSU programs, study abroad and internships abroad, financial aid for study abroad, and more!

Did you know that more than 25 PLS and IR majors studied abroad in the summer of 2007? Come find out about the opportunities the internationalize your education.