|
Political
Science (POLS) Associate Professor D. Jenkins-Mullen, (Chair); Professors
D.B.
Mullen, Gibney, Sabo; Associate Professor Betsalel; Assistant Professors
Cornett, Subramaniam The Political Science Department offers diverse and flexible programs designed to help students prepare for meaningful careers in government and international public service, law, journalism, teaching and other related areas. In the liberal arts tradition, programs and courses are fashioned to help students develop the skills and background necessary to interpret the political world and understand how politics shapes contemporary life. The department's goals are to help students improve their capacity to creatively ask and systematically answer questions, and to improve their skills in communicating their knowledge and insights in both written and oral fashion. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisors to plan their study and to sample widely from a variety of course offerings. Students must also participate in either community service and/or research activities appropriate to their career goals and interests. Major in Political Science I. Required courses in the major--34-35 hours, including: POLS 220, 281, 450, 460; either 400 or both 390 and 490; and 21 additional hours in political science (POLS 150 may not be included in these hours). II. Required courses outside the major--4 hours: STAT 185. III. Senior competency is demonstrated by satisfactory completion of POLS 450, 460; and either 400 or both 390 and 490. Computer competency and oral competency are satisfied by POLS 460. Political Science with Teacher Licensure
I.
Required courses in the major--34-35 hours including: POLS 220, 281, 450,
460; and
II.
Required courses outside the major--16-22 hours: ECON 101 or 102; HIST
101, 102;
Major in Political Science I.
Required courses in the major--34-35 hours, including: POLS 220, 281,
450, 460; either 400 or both II. Required courses outside the major--4 hours: STAT 185. III.
Senior competency is demonstrated by satisfactory completion of POLS 450,
460; and either 400 or Students seeking middle school or secondary school licensure should review requirements found in the Education section of the catalog and see the appropriate licensure advisor for additional information. Declaration of Major in Political ScienceDeclaring a major in Political Science requires the student to complete a Declaration of Major form that must be signed by the department chair. Before declaring a major, students must satisfy the LANG 120 requirement. Minor in Political Science18 hours in Political Science: POLS 220, 281; nine of the
remaining 12 hours must be at the 300 level or above.
220 Principles of American Political Behavior (3) An introduction to the basic
dynamics of American politics, including the forces that shape political
behavior and institutions. Fall and Spring. 281 Principles of International Relations (3) An introduction to the basic
concepts, theories and methods dealing with the study of international
relations. The course will emphasize the current forces and trends that have
shaped and are shaping the international system, including the role of
transnational actors. Fall and Spring. 320 The Evolution of American Politics (4) An analysis of the institutional development of the presidency, legislature, courts and political parties in response to changes in the cultural, economic and social environment of American politics. Prerequisite: POLS 220. Odd years Fall. 321 The American Presidency (4) An analysis of presidential
behavior that emphasizes the forces shaping the potential for success. Topics
include the nature and exercise of presidential power; the influences of
personality, political context, and government structure; and the various
meanings of leadership. Prerequisite: POLS 220. Even years Fall. 323 American Electoral Behavior (4) Detailed examination of influences
on the vote decision; electoral strategies, the history and functions of
parties, and the present and future shape of American electoral politics.
Prerequisite: POLS 220. Even years Fall. 325 Urban Politics (4) A study of the policy-making process in city government: the role of mayor, the organization of urban government, personnel problems, planning and zoning. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair. 326 The Legislative Process (4) Detailed examination of the
congressional process. Emphasis on internal workings, relationships with other
parts of political system, and their impact on public policy. Recommended prerequisite: POLS
220. Odd years Fall. 327 Constitutional Law (3) Major issues of contemporary
constitutional law using case studies with an overview of context for these
issues; the role of the Supreme Court. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair. 329
Religion and Politics in the United States (4) 330 Individual Rights and Civil Liberties (3) Examines judicial decisions regarding the relation between the individual and the state. The course covers cases involving individual rights and First Amendment freedoms. See department chair 331 Immigration and Refugee Law and Policy (3) Examines the demographic,
economic, and political forces which shape the response of the United States to
a major characteristic of globalization. Emphasis is placed on the legal and
public policy issues facing the country. See department
chair. 334 Political Foundations of Law (3) A critical and comparative examination of law and legal institutions in their political contexts. Students are introduced to normative debates surrounding legal theory and practice. See department chair. 335 Law, Ethics and Public Policy (3) Examines topics such as the "right
to privacy" in the context of drug testing and "Meghan's Law," corporate spying,
and economic and property rights as they are affected by consumer protection,
exclusionary zoning and workers' rights. Emphasis is placed on the role of the
judiciary in mediating such disputes, the relationship between duties and
obligations, and the rights of the individual in the context of the whole.
344 Black Political Thought (4) A comparative examination of ideas
that have shaped the political institutions and processes affecting
African-Americans and Africans since 1619. Topics include racism, separatism,
assimilation, accommodation, pluralism, nationalism, womanism, Pan-Africanism
and Afrocentrism. See department chair. 346 American Political Thought (4) Historical examination of the
ideas that have influenced and shaped American institutions and the political
process, from the Puritans to contemporary theorists. See department chair. 347 Contemporary Political Ideologies (4) The major ideological movements
that have influenced domestic and world politics, including the various shades
of communism and socialism, racism, liberalism and anarchism. See department chair. 348 Women and Politics (4) Examines the place women occupy in
public life by exploring the historical and philosophical assumptions that
inform gender politics, the economic and social status of women in society, and
their political behavior. Even years Spring. 353 Politics and Social Welfare Policy (4) An analysis of the politics of
welfare and the social and economic forces that shape it. Special emphasis is
given to the attitudes of policy-makers, recipients and the general public.
Programs examined range from Social Security to Aid to Families with Dependent
Children. Prerequisite: Even years Fall. 354 Environmental Politics (4) Examines the political conflicts
and compromises resulting from different interpretations of environmental
protection. Special emphasis is placed on the choices regarding the distribution
of costs and benefits and the trade-offs between environmental goals and other
public and private objectives. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220. Odd years Fall. 358 State and Local Government (4) Examines various state and local
policy-making institutions. Central topics include the delivery and quality of
services, the participation of citizens and the character of intergovernmental
relations. Prerequisite: See department chair. 359
Politics, Policy and Social Democracy (4) 363 The Political Economy of Development (4) Examines the interaction of
domestic and international political, economic and social forces in the
evolution of less developed countries. Prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of
instructor. Even years Fall. 365 European Politics (4) Examines political institutions
and processes in selected European countries, and how these forces affect the
politics of the European Union. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of
instructor. Even years Spring. 366 Democracy in Asia (3) Examines the Western concept of
liberal democratic government and the political and cultural challenges of
transplanting it to nations such as India, China, Japan and the countries of
Southeast Asia. Even years Fall. 368 Latin American Politics (4) An introduction to the historical
and political evolution of major Latin American States.Recommended prerequisite: POLS 281. See
department chair. 369 Government and Politics of Southeast Asia (3) Examines contemporary political,
cultural and economic developments, processes and institutions in various
Southeast Asian nations including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam,
Malaysia and Singapore. Odd years Fall. 380 Globalization and its Critics (3) Examines the political, economic
and cultural dimensions of globalization and its historic antecedents. Emphasis
is placed on how globalization is experienced and interpreted by non-Western
cultures and their responses to globalizations challenges. Even years Spring. 383 International Political Economy (3) Investigates patterns in the
organization, competition and distribution of power and wealth within and
between nations by examining the actors, institutions, and processes that
regulate the competition for influence and control at the center of
international public relations. Emphasis
is placed on the interplay of political competition and compromise on issues
such as production, trade, and finance. Prerequisite: POLS 281. Even years
Spring. 384 Liberal Universalism and its Critics (3) Liberal universalism is a dominant
theme in international relations as evidenced by the global spread of liberal
democracy and the advocacy of universal human rights and civil liberties. This
course examines the origins and principles of liberal universalism and some of
the political, cultural, and economic criticisms it has inspired. Odd years Spring. 385 The Politics and War (4) By considering war a political
process, this course examines the functions war performs in the 387 International Organizations (4) Examines the evolving goals and
methods and strengths and weaknesses of some of the most influential
international organizations. Special emphasis is placed on the United Nations
system. Prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of instructor. Even years Fall. 388 Human Rights and International Politics (3) Examines the political, social and
legal dimensions of the modern human rights movement and its implications for
international affairs and United States foreign policy. Analyzes contemporary
debates on various issues including the hierarchy of rights, conflicts between
individual rights and societal priorities, refugees, international migration,
asylum, repatriation, and the challenges created by transition to democracy.
Prerequisite: Even years Spring. 389 International Law (3) Examines the institutions,
processes and decision rules traditionally used to adjudicate disputes between
nations but increasingly applied to conflicts involving individuals.
Prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of instructor. Even years Spring. 390 Political Analysis (2) Examines the evolution of the
scientific study of politics, the approaches and methods employed by political
scientists, and effective ways of researching political phenomena.
Prerequisites: POLS 220, 281. Fall. 400 Internship (3) A semester long internship program
with participating organizations, firms, public agencies or community service
organizations. Background readings and field research as well as practical
experience. Prerequisite: 15 hours of Political Science. May be repeated once
for credit. Students are required to present the results of their work in the
Senior Colloquium. Fall and Spring. 450 Classic Political Studies and the Contemporary World (3) Major works of political analysis
are examined in light of current political trends. Prerequisite: POLS 400 or
490. Corequisite: POLS 460. Spring. 460 Senior Colloquium (1) Students and faculty formally
present and discuss their research projects and field experiences. Students are
required to orally demonstrate their mastery of their project and the
significance and implications of their work. Prerequisite: ECON 490; or POLS 400
or 490. Corequisite: POLS 450. Spring. 490 Senior Research Seminar (2) A research seminar in which
students conduct a supervised investigation of a political phenomenon. The
research is presented to the Senior Colloquium. Corequisite:. An IP
grade may be awarded. Fall. 499 Undergraduate Research in Political Science (1-6) 171-6, 271-6, 371-6, 471-6 Special Topics in Political Science (1-6) Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
Return to the top of the page |
|