Political Science Course Descriptions:

POL 101 - American Politics

A study of the formal and informal institutions of American national government and politics: The Constitution, the Presidency, Congress, the federal court system, political parties, pressure groups, public opinion, recent foreign policy, the federal bureaucracy, voting behavior. Attention is also given to current problems and issues.

POL 102 - Comparative Politics

A comparison of modern political life in different types of societies. Similarities, differences, and alternative explanations of the patterns of modern politics are evaluated.

POL 103 - World Politics

An examination of the modern context of international relations: nationalism, imperialism, power politics, the evolution of supranational forms of political organizations, and the politics of international security, global trade, and international law. Major power shifts of the 1990s will guide discussion about the future prospects for international conflict and peace.

POL 104 - Political Theory

An analysis of a number of concepts and ideas through a consideration of the work of such authors as Ayn Rand, Elie Wiesel, Albert Camus, Upton Sinclair, Ursula Le Guin, Arthur Koestler, and Aldous Huxley.

POL 204 - Major Issues in Constitutional Law

A concentrated analysis of the work of the United States Supreme Court in a specific area of law. In addition to the work of the Court, students in this class are also exposed to a large number of extra-legal analyses of the areas under consideration.

POL 209 - U.S. Foreign Policy (HST 209)

A survey of the major ideas, factors, and decisions that have and continue to shape U.S. foreign policy. The course includes in-depth analysis of several challenges and decisions facing current foreign policy makers.

POL 223 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences (HST 223; SOC 223)

An introduction to the qualitative and quantitative methods employed by social scientists. Emphasis is given to alternative choices of design, sampling techniques, instruments and appropriate interpretive and analytical procedures encountered in the process of social scientific research.

POL 225 - Statistics (PSY 225; SOC 225)

An introduction to statistical methods covering data description, graphing techniques, measurement scales, standardized scores, correlation, regression, elementary probability, repeated measures and independent-groups t-tests, one way and factorial analysis of variance, chi-square, and general non-parametrics. The approach to these topics is more conceptual than numerical or mathematical. A prior knowledge of junior high school algebra is strongly encouraged.

POL 248 - The Cold War, Since 1945 (HST 248)

The major European developments since World War II. The rise of the U.S.-Soviet competition for world-wide supremacy, with special stress on its implications for Europe. Post-war European reconstruction and movements toward European unity are treated.

POL 304 - The Presidency and Congress

An examination of the evolution of the Presidency and Congress from Independence to the present.

POL 310 - Women in Politics and Development

A survey of women worldwide who are involved in processes of change. A review of the literature and appropriate methodologies serve as the framework. Over sixty case studies are examined. Topics of study include women in the world political economy, resistance politics, formal political structures, human rights, and sustainable development.

POL 341 - Traditional Political Philosophy (PHL 341)

The perennial problems of political and social life, centering on law, justice, equality, the common good, and power, as seen by the Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and including modern restatements by Christian thinkers and others.

POL 342 - Modern Political Philosophy (PHL 342)

Beginning with an analysis of the thought of Machiavelli and Hobbes, this course focuses on modern "isms" such as Liberalism in both its classical and modern form, Conservatism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism and Nationalism.

POL 401 - Seminar in Political Science

Builds on classes the student has taken in the discipline and the College's Core program by emphasizing reflective assessment and the development of an original research proposal. Junior or Senior standing.

POL 403 - Constitutional Law - The American Community

An examination of Supreme Court decisions concerned with the separation of powers, federalism, the regulation of commerce contracts, taxing and spending, and the state police power.

POL 404 - Constitutional Law - The Bill of Rights

An examination of Supreme Court decisions concerned with the definition of American rights in the areas of freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and religion; church-state relations; racial discrimination; political radicalism and subversion; procedures in criminal prosecution.

POL 405 - Policy Analysis

An introduction to theories of policy making, policy evaluation, policy implementation, agenda setting, etc., through an analysis of government and private activity in such areas of foreign policy, school desegregation policy and housing policy.

POL 406 - Human Rights

An investigation of human rights practices and violations worldwide with a focus on the theoretical foundations of human rights claims.

POL 407 - International Law and Organizations

A study of the origins, relevance, and potential of international law and organizations. Areas such as human rights, international criminal law, environmental law, women's rights, and organizations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization and non-governmental organizations are covered.

POL 415 - Topics in Political Science

POL 434 - Philosophy of Law (PHL 434)

An analysis and evaluation of the principle theories on the nature and the purpose of law currently taught in the great law schools of the United States; natural law, legal positivism, and legal realism or sociological jurisprudence. Through critical discussion of these theories and some of the practical and contemporary consequences, students are encouraged to formulate their own philosophy of law. Especially recommended to pre-law and political science students.

POL 443 - Collective Action and Social Change (SOC 443)

A study of the origins and nature of collective behavior and its relationship to social change. Topics covered include: social movements, community organizations, obstacles to change, patterns and strategies of change.

POL 454 - Social Science Seminar (HST 454, SOC 454, PSY 454)

Intensive consideration of a problem or issue of interest to social scientists. This is an interdisciplinary course in which students interact with faculty and students from other departments in the social sciences and undertake a research project utilizing the methods and perspectives found in their own major discipline. For upper-level students. By invitation only.

POL 455 - Independent Study

This class provides students with an opportunity to develop an original research program with consent of the instructor. While students are encouraged to register for Independent Study, the course cannot be counted toward progress in the major or minor.

POL 490 - Internship

Students are strongly encouraged to consider the possibility of obtaining practical experience in a political organization/institution of their choice. Organizations with an international or domestic focus might be considered by the student. Faculty support is available for arranging internship credits. Up to nine credits can be earned for the internship. Internship credits can be taken as part of the student's general college electives and cannot be counted toward progress in the major or minor.