Course Category: Political Science

A survey of the basic constitutional principles, political institutions and public policies of American national government. Meets the social science requirement.

A study of the changing international order and the collapse of Soviet communism; international conflict and cooperation; international organizations and a revitalized UN; the Third World and international diplomacy. Meets the social science requirement.

This course compares and contrasts various aspects of the political process in pluralistic democracies, modern authoritarian systems, and developing nations. Students are introduced to political institutions in different states and will learn how to compare them in order to develop a better understanding of events in the modern world.

This course contends that political symbolic action extends to popular culture. Individuals are exposed to the precepts of specific cultures through popular culture, which express current and prevailing ideas, values and social relations in political society. In an era when human beings in advanced industrial societies increasingly devote time to the consumption of popular culture, it becomes increasingly important to recognize that popular culture supports or challenges existing political organization.

A survey of the basic principles, organizations and functions of government on the state, county, municipal, township and district levels. Meets the social science requirement.

Special Topics courses are studies of selected problems, periods or movements in the subject area not otherwise included in the curriculum. They are typically chosen from a faculty member’s particular expertise and field of scholarly inquiry, and offered to a student or group of students forming an interest in the particular subject matter. The 250 designation denotes a General Education level of instruction and may include an appropriate General Education task to be completed. The 450 designation denotes a senior level degree of sophistication expected in both learning and instruction. A single course may be offered at both levels simultaneously, in which case the syllabus will clearly differentiate the course expectations and assessment measures for students enrolled at each of the two levels. A Special Topics course must be approved by the School of Liberal Arts Curriculum Committee before it is offered, and it must address one or more Major Outcomes within the discipline.

A compilation of student work produced for completion of the Pre-Law Minor, along with evaluation of that work. Required for successful completion of the Pre-Law Minor.

A survey of U.S. foreign relations from colonial time to the present, with emphasis on the constitutional, institutional and political factors shaping the formation and execution of American diplomacy. Same as HIST 342.

A general introduction to American representative assemblies, with primary attention given to the U.S. Congress. Emphasis is on the interplay of relationships with legislative bodies affecting the shaping of legislation.

This course is intended to provide an in-depth survey of American political parties and interest groups. This course is designed to examine not only theories concerning political parties and interest groups but also the practical operation and reality of political parties and interest groups in American politics.

A study of the interaction in the policy-making roles of the President and Congress of the United States. Emphasis is on federal legislation, crisis politics and the system of checks and balances.

This course examines the role of the judiciary and the U.S. Supreme Court in the American political system. A case approach is taken to the development of U.S. constitutional law. Topics include the powers of the President and Congress, Federalism, the commerce clause, the taxing and spending power, and the contract clause.

Topics covered include civil liberties, equal opportunity and equal protection under the law for minorities, freedom of speech and religion and the right to privacy, and the rights of those accused of crimes.

Special Topics courses are studies of selected problems, periods or movements in the subject area not otherwise included in the curriculum. They are typically chosen from a faculty member’s particular expertise and field of scholarly inquiry, and offered to a student or group of students forming an interest in the particular subject matter. The 250 designation denotes a General Education level of instruction and may include an appropriate General Education task to be completed. The 450 designation denotes a senior level degree of sophistication expected in both learning and instruction. A single course may be offered at both levels simultaneously, in which case the syllabus will clearly differentiate the course expectations and assessment measures for students enrolled at each of the two levels. A Special Topics course must be approved by the School of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee before it is offered, and it must address one or more Major Outcomes within the discipline.