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Saint Xavier University Chicago Campus Residence Halls

Political Science Courses


Prerequisite/Corequisite Key

P = Course must be taken previously C = Course must be taken concurrently E = Course can be taken previously or concurrently
(RQ) = Required (RM) = Recommended  

POLSC 101

Introduction to United States Government

3 credit hours

An analysis of the political structures and processes in the United States. Topics include the Constitution, parties and elections, interest group politics and public policy. Offered every semester.

POLSC 102

World Politics

3 credit hours

Explores political processes among nations. Students explore various approaches to the study of international relations. Topics include the rise of nation-states, political development, war and peace, international political economy and international organizations. Offered every semester.

POLSC 103

Introduction to Comparative Politics

3 credit hours

The only subfield of political science defined by a method, comparative politics seeks to understand the variation in political systems, institutions, cultures and behaviors around the globe. This course explores key concepts of comparative politics including democracy, authoritarianism, development, ethnicity, and political violence in a variety of national and cultural contests. Offered spring.

POLSC 203

Introduction to Public Policy

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the study of government at work -- making, implementing, and evaluating policies. Students will learn about the policy-making context, models of policy making and implementation and be introduced to basic methods of policy analysis. A major component of the course is learning to write policy memos employing evidence-based analysis. Offered fall.

POLSC 206

State and Local Government

3 credit hours

Explores Governance and policy-making at the sub-national level in the United States. Topics may include the federalism, agenda setting, budgetary politics and sub-governments.

POLSC 207

Urban Politics

3 credit hours

Contemporary and historical analysis of American urban politics. Topics will include uneven development of cities, segregation, and the concomitant development of suburbs, as well as the evolution of urban political machines.

POLSC 208

Public Administration

3 credit hours

An introduction to concepts, ideas and issues of administrative practice in the United States. Topics will include bureaucratic organization, administrative responsiveness, and the practice and ethics of public management.

POLSC 213

National Security Policy

3 credit hours

This course examines various theoretical approaches to national security and the institutions and actors involved in defining and implementing national security policy in the U.S. and in the international system. Students use this information to explore challenges to national security of the post-Cold War era and their implications for the conduct of American foreign policy in the contemporary international environment. Key issues may include: international terrorism and failed states, regional conflicts, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, environmental degradation, economic security, and arms and drug trafficking.

POLSC 215

Political Parties and Elections

3 credit hours

An analysis of electoral politics and political parties in the United States. Topics may include party alignments and critical elections, party organization, representation and the role of parties in organizing government.

POLSC 216

Congress and the Presidency

3 credit hours

Explores the interaction of executive and legislative bodies in national-level policy making in the United States. Topics may include the legislative process, agenda setting, budgetary politics and policy sub-governments.

POLSC 225

Latin American Politics

3 credit hours

This course is the study of political processes and institutions in Latin American nations. Topics may include the impact of colonialism and international dependency, state-society relations, and the sources of authoritarianism and democracy. Offered spring even years.

POLSC 227

African Politics

3 credit hours

Explores political and social processes in sub-Saharan Africa. Topics to be covered include the legacies of colonialism, state-building, the bases of political identity, and the impact of the international economy.

POLSC 228

Politics of Less Developed Areas

3 credit hours

This course explores various strategies developing countries use to achieve economic growth, political stability and improve basic human needs. Cases will be drawn from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Topics include ethnicity in state-society relations, social movements and political unrest, state formation and strategies of economic development.

POLSC 240

Political Theory

3 credit hours

This course is an exposition and analysis of selected political philosophers. These may include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Nietzsche. Satisfies a Political Theory requirement for Political Science majors. Offered fall odd years.

POLSC 241

American Social and Political Thought

3 credit hours

Explores the central ideas of American politics from the Puritans to the present through an analysis of treatises, novels, and speeches. Satisfies a Political Theory requirement for Political Science majors. Offered fall even years.

POLSC 242

African-American Political Thought

3 credit hours

*This course fulfills a requirement in the African-American Studies program This course explores the central ideas of African-American political thought through an analysis of treatises, novels and speeches. Some of the thinkers treated in this course may be Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Offered alternate years.

POLSC 250

Scope and Methods Political Science

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the methodological and conceptual questions in the discipline of political science. Topics may include definitions of political science, philosophy of the social sciences, and qualitative, quantitative and formal methodologies. This course is required of all political science majors and is a prerequisite for the Senior Seminar, POLSC 350. Offered spring. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours in Political Science or consent of the instructor.

POLSC 260

Special Topics in Political Science

3 credit hours

This course focuses on special topics in political science. Course may be repeated when a new topic is offered.

POLSC 261

Special Topics: Research

1 to 3 credit hours

Independent research course for advanced students to work with a faculty member on their research. Only by permission of the instructor. May be taken for 1-3 credits.

POLSC 262

Politics and Film

3 credit hours

Explores political theory and culture as revealed through film. Using ideological and cultural analysis of popular films, the course examines the intersection of art and politics. Offered spring odd years.

POLSC 263

Politics and Superheroes

3 credit hours

The superhero narrative is a 20th century phenomenon in the United States. Coinciding with America's rise in globalism, the superhero narrative has constructed, reflected and commented on the national community in a global U.S. This course uses the superhero narrative as a venue to explore how Americans have defined themselves as a nation, as people and as a global actor over the last century. Special attention is given to issues relating to international threats, racial and gender constructions, and portrayals of national mission. Offered spring even years.

POLSC 264

Mock Trial I

3 credit hours

This course gives students the opportunity to learn the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance communication skills. It teaches students the procedural and substantive issues and skills required to compete in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) annual mock trial tournaments. Students learn the modified Federal Rules of Evidence used by the ATMA and how to apply those rules to the facts of the case. Students learn effectively to articulate and argue evidence objections and responses to a judge, the structure and preparation of effective direct and cross-examination and the basic skills needed to effectively conduct witness examination. Travel required. Offered fall. Students who complete this course are expected to also complete POLSC-265 in spring semester.

POLSC 265

Mock Trial II

1 credit hour

P: POLSC-264

Students are assigned to a trial team that competes in the AMTA regional competitions. This course gives students the opportunity to continue to learn the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance communication skills. It teaches students the procedural and substantive issues and skills required to compete in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) annual mock trial tournaments. Students learn the modified Federal rules of Evidence used by the AMTA, and how to apply those Rules to the facts of the case. Students learn to effectively articulate and argue evidence objections and responses to a judge, the structure and preparation of effective direct and cross-examination, and the basic skills needed to effectively conduct witness examination. Travel required. Offered spring.

POLSC 268

Media in Politics

3 credit hours

This course explores political communication, public opinion and the media in American politics. Topics include the role of media in democracy, constructing and consuming political news, campaign communications, and the impact of changing platforms from newspapers to television to the internet and the rise of citizen journalism. As a significant part of the course, students will develop and implement a multi-platform political campaign. Offered fall odd years.

POLSC 301

Public Policy Analysis

3 credit hours

P: POLSC-101 POLSC-250

Examines different approaches to analyzing public policy. Policy making implementation and outcomes of policy will be addressed. Specific areas of focus may include education policy, health policy, welfare policy, or economic development policies.

POLSC 304

Special Topics in Political Science

3 credit hours

Course may be repeated when a new topic is offered.

POLSC 305

Bargaining and Conflict Resolution

3 credit hours

In this course you will learn to model bargaining situations and develop strategies for conflict resolution. You will use negotiation strategies and game theory to analyze various administrative and management situations, and apply these skills practically in simulations and role-playing exercises. Offered spring.

POLSC 308

American Constitutional Law

3 credit hours

Leading principles of the Constitution as seen in court decisions with special emphasis on government powers, federal-state conflicts, and the fundamental rights of individuals. Pre-requisite: 3 credit hours in U.S. history or government. Offered fall.

POLSC 324

Contemporary Democracy

3 credit hours

This course explores both the idea and practice of democracy in the contemporary world. Topics will include democratic theory, institutions of governance, participation, the relation of democracy and capitalism and the impact of globalization on democratic processes.

POLSC 334

War, Peace and Alliances

3 credit hours

P: POLSC-102 POLSC-250

Explores the strategic interaction among states, focusing on international conflict. Topics covered may include theories of war, initiation, balance of power, collective security, offense-defense balance and alliance patterns.

POLSC 336

Global Money and Power

3 credit hours

P: POLSC-102 POLSC-250

Explores the interaction of states in the areas of trade, finance and production. Topics covered may include the nature and extent of international cooperation, North-South relations and the relations between international economic policy and international security.

POLSC 350

Senior Seminar

3 credit hours

P: POLSC-250, one 300-Level POLSC course, senior standing or instructor's consent.

An advanced discussion and research seminar centered upon significant problems, movements and issues. This course is the capstone of students' disciplinary training in political science. Offered fall.

POLSC 370

Field Experience

1 to 9 credit hours

The course is for students who perform internships, work for government agencies, or present an off-campus experience judged by the faculty advisor and division director to be of significant value in political science education. Prerequisite: Junior/senior standing; and/or instructor's consent.