Courses

Courses in Political Science offer students an opportunity to explore and analyze both formal and informal power relationships.

Note:: All courses are 3 credit hours unless noted otherwise

100. INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Examination of the fundamental political and legal systems of national and international communities.
Prerequisite: Eligible for English 101.

101. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
The organization and nature of the federal political system, with special emphasis placed on the U.S. Constitution. The role of non-governmental actors (political parties, interest groups, and the media) is also analyzed. Prerequisite: Eligible for English 101.

101H. AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT - HONORS
The organization and nature of the federal political system, with special emphasis placed on the U.S. Constitution. The role of non-governmental actors (political parties, interest groups, and the media) is also analyzed. A fifteen page research paper is required, in addition to traditional requirements for this course, for honors students. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Honors Program and eligibility for ENGL 101.

204. STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS
Politics and policy at the state and local level in the American political system. Areas for study include constitutional, cultural, and financial constraints on state and local politics; community power structures; state legislatures; governors and other elected executives; and judicial elected institutions. Prerequisite: Pass ENGL 102 with C.

210. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
An introduction to international politics in the late 20th century. The course covers historical developments altering power relationships among nation-states in foreign policy, the interaction of developed and non-developing nations, and problems confronting international organizations and transnational actors. Prerequisite: Pass ENGL 102 with C.

302. AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
This course investigates the ideological and institutional setting of American foreign policy through a series of selected case studies. Emphasis is given to concepts and resources that enable students to understand foreign policy issues. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or 210.

304. COMPARATIVE POLITICS: EUROPE, JAPAN, AND INDIA
A comparative analysis of the political culture, ideologies, processes, and institutions of the Russian Federation, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and China. This course should familiarize the student with the predominant influences on these particular political systems, and further develop the student's ability to assess the significance of the roles played by these major nation-states. Prerequisite: POSC 100 or 101 or 210.

305. THE AMERICAN CONGRESS
An examination of the origin, organizations, operation, and political characteristics of Congress; focusing on problems of representation, leadership, relations with interest groups and other branches of government, and public policy formation. Prerequisite: POSC 101

306. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
An examination of the institution of the presidency, its functions, formal and informal relationships with other branches of government. The course also examines recurrent problems and limitations of the office. Emphasis is on the dynamics of the office: on the influence exerted by certain presidents, and on the impact of public opinion and the media. Prerequisite: POSC 101.

307. INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
This course provides the student with an understanding of the major public administration theories influencing the discipline, the role fo the public bureaucracy in American society, and the interplay of politics and administration at the national, state, and local levels.
Prerequisite: POSC 101

308. INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
This course analyzes the interplay between states and markets in the global arena, with emphasis upon economic tools employed by modern states to address issues arising from international trade, monetary relations, and other foreign policy goals.
Prerequisite: POSC 210 or permission of the instructor.

311. METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH
Introduction to the concepts and methods of social science research: the role of theory in research, forming hypotheses and questions, identifying variables, and gathering and analyzing statistical data. Emphasis will be on developing good writing skills and using computers for basic statistical evaluation. This course meets the requirements of CJ 315 and SOC 311. Prerequisite: Junior classification and a grade of C in ENGL 102 and contemporaneous enrollment in PSYC 200 or completion of PSYC 200 with a grade of C.

319. LAW AND SOCIETY
A study of law in a political and social context; the course examines the social functions of law, the political nature of lawmaking, various approaches to conceptualizing law, and the role of the legal profession in society. Prerequisites: Pass POSC 100 or POSC 101 with a grade of C.

320. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: GOVERNMENT POWERS
A survey that begins with an introduction to principles of constitutional interpretation, followed by study of the politics of development in constitutional law concerning the powers and structure of government and the impact of the developments on political, economic, and social life.
Prerequisite: POSC 101 and a grade of C in English 102.

321. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL LIBERTIES
This study begins with an introduction to principles of constitutional interpretation, then examines the poliotics of both the development and the impact of constitutional law addressing civil rights and civil liberties. Prerequisite: POSC 101 and a grade of C in ENGL 102.

399. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3 credit hours)
Independent work on a special topic or problem area with guidance from a member of the political science faculty.
Prerequisite: POSC 100 or POSC 101.

400. SENIOR REVIEW
This course provides a review of political science concepts and methods for seniors graduating with a major in the field. Seniors will be expected to review units covered in POSC 100, read a special set of readings for seniors alongside the course's regular assignments, teach one class of POSC 100, complete a senior research paper, and take a special final exam designed for seniors.
Prerequisite: Senior standing and completion of all major core courses.

401. CLASSICAL POLITICAL THINKERS
A critical analysis and tracing of influences of major political theorists from earliest time to the early modern period: from Plato through Hobbes. Cross-listed with Philosophy 401. Prerequisites: POSC 100 and ENGL 102 with a C.

402. MODERN POLITICAL THINKERS
A critical analysis and tracing of influences of the major political theorists from Hobbes, Locke or Rousseau through Lenin. Cross-listed with Philosophy 402. Prerequisites: POSC 100 and ENGL 102 with a C.

403. ELECTORAL POLITICS
Organization, functions, and practices of political parties in the United States; electoral problems, practical impact of the media, pressure groups, and current electoral legislation. Prerequisite: POSC 101.

404. POLITICS AND RELIGION IN AMERICA
This course addresses the significant American politics. It examines the role religion played in the formation of the Republic and investigates the secular nature of American government. Students will study the civil liberties that protect religious freedom from government interference and review the developments in constitutional law based on those liberties. The course will also consider religious organizations that act as interest groups and evaluate their influence on public policy. Prerequisite: POSC 101 and ENGL 102 with a C.

405. POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
An analysis of the policy making process with emphasis on the various factors influencing the content and consequences of public policy and an examination of specific issues. Prerequisite: POSC 101.

407. THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM
This analysis of the political nature of the American judicial system will survey the organization and procedures of the federal and state court systems, the politics of judicial selection, the politics of the legal profession, and the implementation and impact of judicial policy-making. Prerequisite: POSC 101 and ENGL 102 with a C.

408. AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
This course introduces students to the multitude of ideas that serve as the basis for political discourse in the United States today, with emphasis upon the variety of political perspectives that have obtained significance in different historical periods and their relevance for contemporary political thought. Prerequisite: POSC 101, 402, or permission of the instructor.

410. POLITICS OF THE THIRD WORLD
An examination of the political institutions and processes in selected Third World countries, including, at the instructor's discretion: Latin America, the Middle East or the Far East. Prerequisite: POSC 100,101 or 210.

415. ARAB MIDDLE EAST
An analysis of Arab politics and culture in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Emphasis is given to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its implications for the region. Prerequisite: POSC 100, 101 or 102.

420. POLITICS OF RACE
Analysis of racial politics in the United States, with special attention given to historical shaping of the political culture, the civil rights movement, electoral college and current controversies over racial elements implicit in public policies.
Prerequisites: POSC 100, 101 or 210 with grade of C.

425. URBAN POLITICAL ECONOMY
Analysis of urban/local politics, government, policy, economics, and planning in the U.S., with particular emphasis on the interplay between political & economic forces in America's communities. Prerequisite: POSC 100, 101 or 204 OR Permission of Instructor.

497. INTERNSHIP (1-3 credit hours)
For political science majors and students in other majors who qualify to participate in one of the various internship opportunities offered through the university. It may be taken for a maximum of three credit hours, unless it is the Judith Herdon Fellowship or the Higher Education Fellowship for 12 credit hours or some comparably competitive and demanding fellowship for a maximim of 6 credit hours. Only six of earned internship credits can be applied towards upper-division requirements in political science. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.