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
P: Complete 6 credit hours of Political Science
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.