Political Science

Examination of the basic principles, institutions, and processes of American national government, with a focus on the Constitution, the Presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, political parties, and other political and public institutions. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall.

Introduction to the theory and practice of public administration. Emphasis on the role of public servants, the relationship between politics and public management, political accountability of public agencies, organizational theories and administrative policymaking. Spring.

Study of perennial philosophic questions of political life including, “What is justice?” “What is the purpose of government?” and “What is the best possible regime?” Such questions will be considered by carefully reading classic works of political philosophy and literature. Prerequisite: ENGL 102. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall.

Introduction to the theory and practice of international politics through examination of the economic, military, and political forces which operate among states, international organizations, and other actors. Prerequisite: ENGL 102. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Spring.

Comparative study of political systems of industrialized and developing countries. Fall

Study of the nature of the public policymaking process as it reveals itself in the creation, formulation, and implementation of public policy. Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Spring.

An introduction and survey of the field of law for students interested in understanding the diverse nature of the field of jurisprudence and legal studies. Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or POLS 100. Spring.

Study of state, county, and municipal government. Emphasis on the institutional structure of government, the principles of federalism as they apply to state and local governments, the policymaking process, and inter/intra agency relations. Prerequisites: POLS 100 OR POLS 220 OR Engl 102.

This is a study of major developments and cases in constitutional law as interpreted by the Supreme Court. This account of the living Constitution traces practices, customs, traditions, and fundamental legal ideas in their historic setting. Prerequisites: ENGL 102 or POLS 100. Fall.

Understanding the legislative process with special attention given to the role of interest groups, constituency, and political parties. Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Spring.

Study of the history and evolution of the political and constitutional roles of the U.S. presidency. Emphasis on presidential elections, the president's relationship to the legislative and judicial branches, and the expanding foreign policy role. Prerequisites: ENGL 102, POLS 100

Study of the major issues relating to American foreign policy and national security including the foreign policymaking process, economic agreements, geopolitical rivals, terrorism, weapons proliferation, and energy concerns. Prerequisite: POLS 250.

An in-depth study of the origins and evolutions of the concept of liberal democracy and its prominent critics, including those from conservative, Marxist, and existential perspectives. Examines the work of Locke, prominent American founders, Mill, Rawls, Rousseau, Burke, Marx, Nietzsche and MacIntyre. Prerequisite: POLS 240.

Seminar on selected problems in political science. Fall/Spring as needed. Prerequisites: POLS 100, and Senior status. Spring.

Staff/apprentice work at a law firm, government or other political or large organization or agency. Each credit hour earned requires 60 hours of logged-on, on-duty work. The student must submit a written report or journal at the conclusion of the internship and other requirements as stated in syllabus. The internship is monitored and evaluated by a faculty sponsor, in verification and close consultation with the supervising representative of the organization. Prerequisites: POLS 100. Fall/Spring/summer as needed.