*Starred courses are being offered Spring 2006

POLS  101 Contemporary Political Questions
This course provides an introduction to the basic questions and approaches to the study of politics. It examines basic concepts and ideas of political discourse such as power, security, legitimacy, leadership, social structure, inequality, political institutions, and collective action. A central question of the course will be: "What is the best political society?" Case studies, novels, and videos will be used to relate concepts and ideas to current political issues. 3 Hrs.

POLS 201 American Politics
Origins and development of the constitution and the federal system; introduction to the presidency, Congress, Supreme Court; political parties and pressure groups as actors in politics; conservatism and liberalism as motivating philosophies. 3 Hrs.

*POLS 250 Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduction to the comparative study of politics. Examines the nature of contemporary political systems and explanations for how and why they vary. Examines the historical process of political change and development as well as country-specific political institutions, practices and policies. This course fulfills the writing-intensive course requirement. 3 Hrs.

POLS 270 Introduction to World Politics
Introduction to the behavior of nation-states in the contemporary world system; examination of concepts and problems regarding security, international organizations and human rights. ECON 203 recommended. 3 Hrs.

*POLS 299 Experiential Learning in Political Science
This course will offer students an opportunity for practical learning experience by participating in an experiential activity related to their study of political science. Possible activities include the Model United Nations, Moot Court, Mock Legislature, and research projects supervised by the political science faculty. Students will be required to take examinations and do other tasks in preparation for the experiential activity and write a paper after the activity summarizing their participation and what they learned from it. At least two hours of this course will be required of all political science majors. To meet the requirement for the political science major, the course must be taken for a grade. The course can be taken on a Pass/No Record basis in all other cases. This course will be offered every fall and spring semester. Course may be repeated for additional credit up to 9 hours.  1-3 Hrs.

POLS 300 Current Topics in Political Science
The study of selected approaches to the study of political activity or specialized topics of contemporary political science research. Possible topics include political psychology, political economics and political fiction. Topics to be announced the term prior to offering. 3 Hrs.

POLS 301 European Politics
Comparative analysis of political culture, institutions and behavior in selected modern European nations; emphasis on the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy. Examination of the role of the European Union in shaping modern Europe. This course fulfills the writing-intensive course requirement. Prerequisite: POLSe 250 or permission of instructor. 3 Hrs.

POLS 302  African Politics
This course familiarizes students with the politics, socioeconomic conditions, and cultures of African states. Emphasis is on the post-colonial period and the effects of ideologies of development on government efforts to frame national policies that express traditional values within a rapidly changing economic and technological context. Case study models of nation-building are contrasted and compared in terms of policy constraints and choices. We analyze the legacy of the Cold War, Pan-Africanism, contemporary civil and ethnic conflicts, and attempts at regional and continental integration.  3 Hrs.

POLS 303 Latin American Politics
This course introduces students to contemporary political conditions in Latin America and examines major theoretical explanations for political and economic development in the region. The course will focus on issues such as the emergence of democratic rule, efforts to create political stability, and how issues such as poverty and development affects the political process in the region. Country emphasis will vary. Prerequisite: POLS 250 or permission of the instructor. 3 Hrs.

POLS 304  Middle East Politics
The Middle East has experienced more crises and generated more political, ideological and religious controversies than any other region of the "third world," particularly from a Western perspective. This course addresses the following question: What explains the turbulent politics of the modern Middle East? Our collective aim is to critically contemplate the wide range of explanations that have been offered to date. We begin by probing the eographical, historical, and religious contours of the Middle East. We then scrutinize the nature of contemporary politics in the region, before turning our attention to an examination of the complex relationships among economics, ethnicity, nationalism, religion, and gender relations that have influenced the lives of Middle Eastern men and women.  3 Hrs.

*POLS 306 Politics of Developing Countries
Introduction to the processes of political development and change, and to problems confronting developmental efforts of an emerging nation; emphasis on selected African, Asian and Latin American nations. This course fulfills the writing-intensive course requirement. Prerequisite:  POLS 250 or permission of instructor. 3 Hrs.

POLS 309 Campaigns and Elections
This course will focus on the procedures of campaigns and elections, past and present. It will examine the various parts of an election campaign money, organization, strategy, use of the media in order to gain a better understanding of how modern campaigns are run and differ from campaigns in the past. Case studies will be utilized to illustrate key concepts and ideas. The course will be taught in the fall of even-numbered years and focus on the congressional and/or presidential campaigns in progress as the course is taught. Prerequisite: POLS 201 or permission of the instructor. 3 Hrs.

*POLS 313 Constitutional Law and the Judicial System
Examines major decisions by the United States Supreme Court in areas of legislative and executive power, commerce, civil rights and civil liberties. Examines the structure and function of the American court system, its relationship to the political process, the basis for legal argument and judicial decision-making. Preparation in moot court exercises required. This course fulfills the writing-intensive course requirement. Prerequisite: POLS 201 and sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.  3 Hrs.

POLS 315 Congress and the Presidency
Examination of the structures, functions and politics of the United States Congress and the Presidency including the electoral process, conflicts in decision-making, and policy outcomes. Prerequisite:  POLS 201 or permission of instructor.  3 Hrs.

POLS 320 Ethnic, Minority and Gender Politics
An examination of the struggle for political, social, and economic rights on the part of ethnic minorities, religious minorities, and women in America. Focus is on political struggles, past discrimination, and present inequalities. A central question of the course looks at the extent to which opportunities for success are available to all groups. Groups examined include African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Jews, and women.  3 Hrs.

POLS 326 Contemporary American Foreign Policy
Analysis of the role of the United States in contemporary world politics; emphasis upon the nature of the foreign policy-making process and the rationale, content and impact of contemporary American international action and policies. Prerequisite: POLS 201 or permission of instructor.  3 Hrs.

POLS 335 Social and Political Thought
Examination, comparison and evaluation of major past and contemporary political thinkers, their ideas and impact upon society. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. 3 Hrs.

POLS 340 Environmental Politics
This course examines key issues in the area of environmental protection, focusing on how political actors make decisions about environmental policy.  A look at the historical evolution of environmental issues, the extent of an environmental "crisis" and related moral and ethical questions. Topics include population growth, land and water protection, air quality (including ozone depletion and the greenhouse  effect), the protection of animal life, and the disposal of regular, toxic and nuclear waste. 3 Hrs.

POLS 345 International Human Rights
This course examines the philosophical origins of international human rights, the institutional mechanisms established to promote and protect international human rights, and the contending discourses over human rights policies between states, international agencies and governmental organizations and citizen action. Case studies include Bosnia, Kosovo, Rwanda, China and Guatemala.  3 Hrs.

POLS 350 Directed Study
Investigation of a specialized topic in political science through research, special instruction and assigned readings. A paper and oral or written examination by staff are required. Prerequisite: Approval of department.
1, 2, or 3 Hrs.

*POLS 425 Contemporary Chinese Politics
Analysis of the domestic and foreign politics of the People's Republic of China. Emphasis on modernization and political change. Prerequisite: POLS 250 or permission of instructor. 3 Hrs.

POLS 450 Independent Study
Opportunity for independent investigation of a topic by means of a thesis or a program of directed readings; oral examination by department members. Open to seniors with permission of the department. 1, 2, or 3 Hrs.

POLS 460 Major Issues in Politics
In-depth examination of a major issue through readings, major writing assignments and class discussion. Topics vary based on faculty and student interest. Possible topics include democracy, nationalism, religion and politics, women in politics, revolution, development, the world system, environmental law, international political economy, state, and society. Prerequisite: Junior standing, 12 credit hours in political science, or permission of the instructor. 3 Hrs.