Political Science
PolS 225 — 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. Taught as needed.
PolS 226 — Introduction to 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 227 — American State and 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 interrelationship 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 230 — Practical Political Thought 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
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. Taught as needed.
"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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed. 49
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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed.
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. Taught as needed.
PolS 491 — Seminar in Political Science 3
This course is the capstone course in political science. In this course you will use all of the knowledge that you have acquired from your study of political science. You will focus on a single topic, utilizing your methodological skills, and your substantive knowledge for an in-depth study. Spring
PolS 294, 494 — Independent Study in Political Science 1-3, 1-3
Directed study and research in subject areas of political science for which a student has a special interest.
PolS 297, 497 — Internship in Political Science 1-6
Practical experience in using the knowledge and techniques of political science.
PolS 299, 499 — Readings, Special Topics in Political Science 1-3, 1-3
Readings and appropriate related projects in political science or interdepartmental areas. Offered on the basis of student and faculty interest.