COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS POLITICS &
WHAT IS POLITICAL SCIENCE?
 

POL 101: Basic Concepts in Political Science

An introduction to political structures, processes, and outcomes. Students learn about the political world, from the actions of individuals motivated by their beliefs to the actions of governments motivated by their quest for power. General theories and controversies of politics are featured, as well as an overview of how researchers study politics.

Required for all political science majors/minors. Recommended for anyone interested in politics--especially those who are a little unsure in their understanding of the political world.

See the additional information for POL 101.
 

An introduction to the organization, principles, and operation of the federal system of government in the United States. The national government: terminology, fundamental concepts, the United States Constitution, citizenship, the Congress and legislation, the executive organization and functions, and the judicial system.

Required for all political science majors/minors. Recommended for any student interested in American politics--especially those who are curious about or critical of the government in Washington.

See the additional information for POL 201.
 

An analysis of the organization, procedures, and purpose of the executive branch of government. Students explore the duties of agencies at the national, state, and local levels. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges facing administrators concerning personnel, budgeting, law, program evaluation, interagency and intergovernmental relations, and public relations.

Recommended for any student interested in a career in public service at the national, state, or local level.

See the additional information for POL 301.

Basic principles of state government. Governments of the fifty states, federal and interstate relations, state constitutions, legislatures, executives and administration, the courts, and city and county government. The rights and obligations of citizens in shaping institutions.

Required for all political science majors/minors. Recommended for any student interested in a career in public service.

See the additional information for POL 325.
 

An examination of political parties and interest groups as vehicles of public participation in American politics. Focuses on party roles in recruiting and funding candidates for office and interest group lobbying for public policy outcomes. Presents students with a key dilemma of democracy: how participation can inform government but also bias policy in favor of the privileged few.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in a career in campaign management, lobbying, activism, or business.

See the additional information for POL 360.
 

From candidate recruitment to the election aftermath, this course analyzes the roles of political parties, monetary contributions, the media, public opinion, and other forces in determining how campaigns are run and who wins/loses. The electoral mechanisms (primary v. general elections, popular v. electoral votes, etc.) are also dissected to assess their ability to affirm meaningful citizen choice. Ultimately, students evaluate the power of campaigns and elections to renew, but also endanger, American democracy.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in working on campaigns or running for office.

See the additional information for POL 370.
 

This course analyzes the contexts in which American foreign policy is made; describes the players, historical patterns, and basis of U.S. foreign policy; and evaluates U.S. policy choices in the post-September 11 era.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in a career in politics, public service, issue advocacy, or international business.

See the additional information for POL 380.
 

The major judicial decisions which have shaped the development of the American system and philosophy of government. The development of our constitution, our concepts of government, and our political and legal institutions from their origins in England and colonial America to the present time.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in a career in law or public administration.

See the additional information for POL 395.

Students examine the representative and lawmaking functions of the U.S. Congress. The process of transforming bills into law is detailed; however, examination of the impact of committee/subcommittee discretion, leadership imperatives, party strategy, White House initiatives, media agenda-setting, and other forces illustrate how the ideal of orderly, coherent lawmaking may be inhibited.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in a career as a legislative staffer, lobbyist, or elected official.

See the additional information for POL 401.
 

POL 410:  The American Presidency

The nature of the American presidential system. Emphasis on the constitutional, institutional, and political elements of presidential power in national and foreign affairs. The people of the presidency, various concepts of presidential power, and the relationship between the president, Congress, the bureaucracy, the party system, and the American public.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in a career in politics (including campaign management/consulting) or journalism.

See the additional information for POL 410.
 

POL 440:  Urban Politics and Policy

Examination of the implications of urban growth, the organization of urban and metropolitan areas, and political forces operating at that level.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in a career in public service.

See the additional information for POL 440.
 

COURSES IN

RESEARCH METHODS, POLITICAL THEORY, COMPARATIVE POLITICS & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
 

A hands-on lesson in how researchers explain social issues, and even solve social problems, through application of the scientific method. Students learn how to: pose a research question; plan and design their research approach; employ a variety of research methods; and interpret and present their research results.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Required of all political science majors, preferably taken in the junior or even sophomore year. Recommended for any student interested in graduate study in political science, public policy, or any field related to the social sciences.

See the additional information for POL 350.

POL 355:  Contemporary Events  (1 credit)

Major domestic and foreign events and problems of the present day. Periodical reading and individual reports.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

POL 355 may be taken twice for not over two hours credit.

Recommended for students seeking a greater understanding of the news and public affairs.

POL 450:  Special Topics in Political Science

An advanced seminar analyzing a specialized topic in political science. Topic to be chosen by instructor.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Students may apply two sections of POL 450 (6 credits total) toward their political science degree.

Recommended for any student interested in the course topic, especially those who plan to move on to graduate study in political science, public policy, and related fields.
 

POL 451:  Political and Social Philosophy

A study of alternative philosophical systems as they interpret such concepts as liberty, authority, justice, and law in human societies and politics.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

This course is cross-listed with Philosophy as PHL 451.

Recommended for any student interested in the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of politics; especially good for those who plan to move on to graduate study in political science, public policy, and related fields.
 

POL 460:  Advanced Comparative Politics

A presentation of major political systems found around the world. Students dissect the fundamental components of structure and process in governments, from open democracies to authoritarian systems. Special attention is paid to political, economic, and social challenges faced by governments in the 21st century.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Required of all political science majors. Recommended for any student interested in world affairs, especially those who plan careers in politics, civil service, international business, law or journalism.

See the additional information for POL 460.

POL 472:  International Relations

A study of the relationships among governments, international organizations, corporations, and other participants in world politics. Assesses the balance between "high politics" (war, defense, formal diplomacy) and "low politics" (economics, environment, ethnic conflict) in the 21st century. Poses questions for student discussion regarding future security, health and well-being of our world.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Required of all political science majors. Recommended for any student interested in world affairs, especially those who plan careers in politics, civil service, international business, law or journalism.

See the additional information for POL 472.

POL 475:  Terrorism

The attacks of September 11, 2001 reinforce the value of a strategy long employed by the weak: terrorist violence to intimidate or destabilize a society. This course examines why terrorism is chosen and under which conditions it has succeeded in attaining desired political objectives. It then explores various counterterrorism methods and how they have succeeded (or not) in stopping/preventing such violence. Students ultimately assess the consequences for conducting world politics in what is described as an era of global terror.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201.

Recommended for any student interested in world affairs, especially those who plan careers in politics, law enforcement, international business or journalism.

See the additional information for POL 475.
 

CONCLUSION: THE POLITICAL/GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE
 

POL 490:  Internship/Practicum  (3 or 6 credits)

An experiential program that allows students to apply their academic preparation to particular political/governmental settings. Students work for a political organization, government agency, city hall, or other relevant institution and complete written assignments for academic credit. Placement opportunity must be approved by instructor. Assignments require students to assess institutional functions, political behavior and relevant public policy with respect to standards presented in other courses in the political science major.

Prerequisite: POL 101 or POL 201, advanced standing and permission of the department chair.

A student must work on site at least 120 hours for 3 credits and at least 240 hours for 6 credits.

Required of all political science majors; best reserved for a student's final year. Also recommended for those non-majors with particular interest in politics, civil service, issue advocacy, or journalism.

See the additional information for POL 490.