Political Science

A study of the government of the United States, its structure and functions. This course fulfills the Cultural and Global Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This course introduces some of the central issues facing the global community. Topics include global health, conflict, arms trade, and trafficking. Current approaches to solving these complex issues and what more can be done are covered. Guest speakers provide real-life insights into ongoing progress and future action. The course will help students better understand and evaluate the state of the world today.

Introduces students to key political thinkers and ideologies throughout human history. In the process, they will learn both how to rule a nation and how not to rule a nation. This course fulfills the Cultural and Global Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

A study of foreign governments. Prerequisite: PLS 101.

This course studies communication as it serves the political system, society, and Americans as individuals. Topics include communication in the governing process and in campaigns, and communication as a way of expressing and reinforcing political values. Course goals are to help students understand the roles and functions of communication in American Politics, to identify the variables and actors in political communication, and to investigate the roles of the mass media in American Politics. Prerequisites: ENG-112 or WRI-118. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum. Cross-listed with COM-325.

There is perhaps no term so thoroughly associated with the United States as freedom. America has long taken pride in being the "land of the free" and the "leader of the free world." This course will explore the meaning of freedom in the context of American history, the tension between freedom and equality, American failures to live up to a commitment to freedom, and the ways in which our conceptions of freedom have shaped the development of America's political institutions. Prerequisite: HIS 150, HIS 160 or PLS 101.

A study of the state system, national power, the balance of power, nationalism, imperialism and colonialism, war as an instrument of national policy, economic instruments of national policy, diplomacy, collective security, international law and organization, and regional integration. Prerequisite: HIS 150, HIS 160 or PLS 101.

A study of the development of the Constitution of the United States and its interpretation as a result of judicial interpretation, statutes, and amendments. Prerequisites: HIS 150 and HIS 160 or PLS 101. (Fulfills a Group A: United States History Elective or Group C: History Elective.)

A study of the American Chief Executive. The course will focus on the development of the Presidency as an institution and as an expression of the men who have held the office. Prerequisites: HIS 150 and HIS 160 or PLS 101. (Fulfills a Group A: United States History Elective or Group C: History Elective.)

A study of events and policies which have dominated the history of American foreign relations from 1776 to the present. Prerequisites: PLS 223, HIS 225, and HIS 226. Cross-listed as HIS 463.

There is perhaps no term so thoroughly associated with the United States as freedom. America has long taken pride in being the "land of the free" and the "leader of the free world." This course will explore the meaning of freedom in the context of American history, the tension between freedom and equality, American failures to live up to a commitment to freedom, and the ways in which our conceptions of freedom have shaped the development of America's political institutions. Prerequisite: HIS-150, HIS-160 or PLS-101.

An intensive course in research methods and analysis of a selected topic of historical and political significance. Prerequisites: PLS 101 and consent of Instructor. May be cross-listed as HIS 495.

A seminar at The Washington Center. The topic will vary from year to year, and may be taken for credit any number of times, provided a different topic is studied each time but only 3 hours may be applied to the major. Prerequisite: Permision of the Instructor. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

This is a supervised experiential learning course. It is intended to enhance the classroom experience. Prerequisites: Three (3) hours of political science and the consent of the Instructor, Division Chair, and Dean. It may be repeated for up to 9 hours of credit. Only 3 hours may count toward the history/political science major.

With the consent of the Division Chair, seniors may pursue an approved course of independent study in a field of political science. Required will be weekly reports to the instructor, a paper or papers, embodying the results of study, and an examination. Prerequisites: PLS 101 and consent of Instructor, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Plan 1 course to meet a Political Science elective: PLS 323, PLS 423, PLS 448, PLS 455, PLS 490, PLS 495, PLS 496, PLS 497, PLS 498 or PLS 499. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.