Political Science

POLS 115 - American Government 3
What can you do that the government does not control or regulate in some way? How well do you know the processes of the government of the United States? This course introduces the basic concepts of the political process such as democracy and Constitutional government. We will also examine the structural relationships of the national government. Fall

POLS 116 - State & Local Government 3
Where can you have the most direct impact on your government? Who delivers the most governmental services? State and local politics have often been considered dull and uninteresting. However, state and local governments are the most immediate link that we have with our government. This course will introduce the Constitutional inter-relationship of national, state, and local governments. Special emphasis will be placed on the powers and functions of the various branches of state and local governments. Spring, alternate years

POLS 201 - The Criminal Justice System 3
An introductory overview of the American criminal justice system, including the police, courts, probation, jails, prisons, and parole systems. The emphasis is on the United States, but comparisons with criminal justice systems in other societies may be included. Offered on demand

POLS 240 - Political Ideologies 3
What is democracy? What is the difference between Communism and Socialism? What are the fundamental ideas of Islam? These questions and more will be answered in Practical Political Thought. This course examines the basic principles and features of contemporary political ideologies. This is a “must have” course if you want to understand world events that affect you. Spring, alternate years

POLS 315 - Public Opinion 3
A review of the social and political forces which shape public opinion, with emphasis on the linkages between public opinion and voting behavior. Students will learn the methods of survey research and data analysis. Offered on demand

POLS 325 - Research Methods 3
“According to a recent survey ...” Have you ever been presented with the results of a survey and wondered how they arrived at the answer? Well, now you can understand how social scientists reach their conclusions. This course introduces basic research techniques of the social scientist. Offered on demand

POLS 330 - History of Political Thought 3
What is the best way to organize society? Plato thought he knew, so did Aristotle and Marx, and now you can, too. This course examines the development of political thought from Plato to the present. The focus of the course is on the ideas of political thought that retain their relevance for today’s society. Offered on demand

POLS 340 - American Political Parties and Elections 3
Do the political parties still have relevance in the United States? Can the political parties still function as a linkage mechanism between the people and the government? What do elections tell our leaders? The focus of this course will be on the dynamics of the political parties in the United States. Special consideration will be given to the structure, functions, and operation of the political parties in the United States. As an expansion of one of the fundamental goals of the political parties, the essential role of elections in a mass democracy will be examined in detail. Offered on demand

POLS 345 - U.S. Presidency 3
Just how powerful is the President of the United States? Are the president’s hands tied by the bureaucracy that the president oversees? This course will examine the nature, the scope, and the limits of the president’s power. Special emphasis will be placed on those individuals surrounding the president. The president’s role in the development of public policy will also be examined. Offered on demand

POLS 346 - The Legislative Process 3
Most Americans seem to hold a very low opinion of the institution of Congress, but their own member of Congress is beyond reproach. Why do Americans hold such a low opinion of Congress? In this course we will examine the role that the Congress plays in our representative democracy. We will study the process of law making and the impact of elections, campaign financing, etc., on the process of legislation. Offered on demand

POLS 347 - The Judicial System 3
Whether you have interacted with the judicial system or not, it is important to understand how the judicial system affects your life. The course emphasizes the structure of the judicial system at both the state and national level. Furthermore, we will examine the decision making process of the courts. We will scrutinize the role that the judiciary has played in the development of the United States. Offered on demand

POLS 348 - The Bureaucracy 3
Is the bureaucracy the problem or the solution? Do we need the bureaucracy? We will address the nature of bureaucracies and the important role that they play in the United States. We will examine the influence that bureaucracies have on public policy, from policy making and policy implementation to policy evaluation. Offered on demand

POLS 350 - International Relations 3
Are we on the verge of a new world order or will we continue to exist in a state of anarchy? Just how do countries interact? In this course we will examine the theories that underpin international relations and the impact that those theories have on our understanding of the world. This course focuses on efforts to control international relations through balance of power, international law, national self-interest, etc. Offered on demand

POLS 355 - Soviet Union 3
Beginning with the origins of Russian radicalism in the 19th century, the Russian Revolutions of 1917 bring Imperial Russia to its end. While largely a political history within the global context of the Cold War, Soviet internal and foreign policies were guided by the leaders of the Communist Party. While domestic policies focused on economic objectives, Soviet foreign policy evaluated competing political and social systems through the lens of its ideology. Similar to Imperial Russia, the Soviet Union proved incapable of internal political reform and failed to provide the economic growth its propaganda had promised. On the other hand, the Soviet Union served as the political and military counter to the United States and deserved of the title super-power for over 40 years. Offered on demand

POLS 395 - Comparative Government 3
How are the parliamentary governments of Canada and Great Britain different from the government of the United States? Who influences the government of Mexico? This course emphasizes the theory and techniques of examining the government of foreign countries. We will study the structure, functions, and political processes of the government of other countries. Offered on demand

POLS 291, 491 - Political Science Seminar 1-6
This course is designed for the exploration of specific topics which are not covered in regularly scheduled course work.

POLS 292, 492 - Experimental Course 1-4
A unique course, designated by an instructor and/or department, not currently listed in the University catalog. An experimental course may be offered for a maximum of two semesters. After that time, the course must be either assigned an appropriate permanent course number and formally listed in the University catalog, or its usage must be discontinued.

POLS 293, 493 - Peer Tutoring 1-6
Students may earn credits by offering their services to other students by assisting them with their studies as an academic tutor. Tutors are needed every semester in almost all academic areas. Interested students should contact Student Support Services (second floor) May Hall, room 211, for specific information. (Maximum eight credits may be applied to graduation.)

POLS 294, 494 - Independent Study, Undergraduate Research 1-6
INDEPENDENT STUDY: An individualized study not listed as a regular course in the University catalog. Content, etc., to be determined by instructor and student. Requires approval by department chair. Offered on demand
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH: Research topic must be approved prior to registration by instructor. Written analysis of research activities required at end of semester. Requires approval by department chair. Offered on demand

POLS 295, 495 - Service Learning 1-6
Credits may be granted for extra-curricular activities for which there is a direct connection and correlation between the activity and the academic objectives of a specific course in the University catalog. The appropriateness of the activity and subsequently awarding of academic credit will be at the discretion of the appropriate departmental chair.

POLS 296, 496 - Study Tours 1-6
Provides students the opportunity to make an extensive trip to a location either inside or outside the United States, which will subsequently provide the student with life experiences that relate directly to a specific academic discipline. Not available in all departments. Available at departmental and discipline discretion only.

POLS 297, 497 - Political Science Internship, Externship, Cooperative Education 1-12
Students will be placed in an off-campus company or agency which will provide the student with specific activities that will demonstrate the correlation between academic study and an actual work experience. The number of credits will be determined by the length of the internship and the hours worked.

POLS 299, 499 - Special Topics, Readings 1-6
SPECIAL TOPICS: A uniquely-designed advanced topics course within a specific discipline. Course content and other related academic requirements to be determined by the instructor.
READINGS: Readings in educational and various specific professional publications and journals related to a specific academic discipline.