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• Undergraduate Spring 2024
• Political Science

Undergraduate Political Science

2024 Spring Term

Class Schedule

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

POLISCI 141

An introductory course covering the history, structure and functioning of American national government and its relation to state and local government.

Class Schedule

AMERICAN MINORITY POLITICS

POLISCI 217

The central concern of this course is to provide the student an awareness of the political development of racial and ethnic minorities in today's political arena. It will compare and contrast the development of the white ethnic communities of the 19th and 20th centuries with our modern day racial and ethnic minorities.

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LAW AND SOCIETY

POLISCI 240

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the development of law and legal practices from a political science perspective. Special emphasis will be paid to the political factors in our society that shape law. The manner in which law affects the politics of our society will also be stressed.

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ISSUES AND CRISES IN AMERICAN POLITICS

POLISCI 247

An examination of selected major issues and crises confronting the American political system today. Attention will also be given to the response to these issues and crises as reflected in recent policies and proposals of the national government. Repeatable one time (different topic) for a maximum of 6 credits in major/degree, but not repeatable for general studies credit.

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POLITICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS

POLISCI 301

An introduction to basic research methods in political science. Topics will include various data collection and analysis techniques on the U.S. Presidency, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, political socialization, political parties, interest groups, civil violence, rebellion, and revolution. Students will obtain "hands-on" experience with computer software designed specifically for political science and the social sciences. This is not a statistics course, and no previous knowledge of statistical methods is assumed.

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WRITING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLISCI 302

This course will allow students to improve their analytical and writing skills through various writing assignments involving different formats. Some of the assignments will involve multiple drafts, based on peer and instructor feedback.

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THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

POLISCI 317

The study of the organization and functioning of the legislative bodies, with particular attention to Congress: functions, membership, committee system, executive-legislative relations, pressure groups, lobbying, movement for reform.

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PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY

POLISCI 330

A systematic introduction to the study of public policy through an analytical problem-solving approach and the use of that evidence-based approach to advocate for policy change. The course will also examine and explore public problems and policy issues.

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US ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICY

POLISCI 343

This course will explore opportunities and constraints in the development of environmental policy in the United States.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

POLISCI 351

An introductory survey of political relations among nation-states, including the topics of war and peace, nationalism, elements of national power, conventional and nuclear weaponry, diplomacy, economic interdependence, the Third World, and international and regional organizations.

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BLACK POLITICAL AND SOCIAL THOUGHT

POLISCI 365

This course will utilize a Pan-African approach to provide an organized and systematic pattern of social and political ideologies/thought put forth by Black publicists and theorists concerning the organization of their society. As such, it will survey the principal personalities and major protest movements that have emerged both in the Diaspora African Community as well as those in Africa.

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ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT: GREEK, ROMAN, CHRISTIAN

POLISCI 410

This course will examine the political thought of the ancient and medieval worlds, focusing on the Greek, Roman and early Christian periods. Through study of texts by Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, and others, this course will highlight how these texts both reflect their own times, and inform political thinking today.

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CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE CONSTITUTION

POLISCI 415

This course examines the role of the major participants in the criminal justice system-defendants, police, prosecutions, courts, and corrections-and the development of constitutional law regulating their behavior.

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LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING

POLISCI 418

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to research and writing in the field of public law. Students will learn how to use a variety of legal resource materials and how to cite the materials appropriately. Students will also demonstrate a mastery of these skills by completing homework assignments and by writing two major papers.

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THE JUDICIAL PROCESS

POLISCI 419

A study of the American judicial system as a part of the larger framework of the political, social and economic systems of the nation. Emphasis will be on topics such as the judicial role, judicial organization and jurisdiction, judicial power, and the decisional process rather than legal cases.

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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF ASIA

POLISCI 460

A comparative study of the political structures, institutions, and processes of the nations of Asia.

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SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY

POLISCI 462

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge about the process of social welfare policy formulation and implementation and with policy analysis skills. The effects of social welfare policies and organizations on both clients (especially the poor and minorities) and on social workers will be emphasized.

Class Schedule

GLOBAL GENDER POLITICS

POLISCI 464

This course takes seriously the explanatory power and importance of gender in the study of global politics. It explores the roles of women and men, femininities and masculinities in the shaping, defining, and legitimating of world affairs. Using a critical, interdisciplinary perspective, this course considers how gender helps us better understand security, the global political economy, and global governance.

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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

POLISCI 471

An intense investigation of the social, economic, and political conditions of Islamic, Arab and non-Arab countries of the Middle East. Topics include basic tenets of Islam: political culture, formation of nation states, political systems (monarchies and republics), consequences of political development and modernization, and the role of the Middle East in international politics.

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SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

POLISCI 489

A study of the complex aspects of administrative organization, behavior and decision-making in the area of public policy through the examination of a variety of pertinent cases.

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TRAVEL STUDY

POLISCI 491

Variable topics. Group activity oriented presentations emphasizing `hands on` and participatory instructional techniques.

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INTERNSHIP IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLISCI 493

Study and work with a government unit or in some area of public affairs under the direction of a faculty supervisor. Students will have the opportunity to combine academic learning with practical experience in government and politics. Repeatable for a maximum of 12 credits in major/degree.

Class Schedule

INDEPENDENT STUDY

POLISCI 498

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 credits in major/degree. Department Consent required.