POLS-110 Introduction to U. S. Politics 4 Cr.
An introduction to the major political institutions in U. S. national politics and the behavior of individuals and groups involved with these institutions. No prerequisite.
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POLS-122 Bioethics and the Law 4 Cr.
Examination of the ethical and legal issues raised by developments in human biology and medicine. Topics discussed will include euthanasia, abortion, AIDS and genetic privacy. No prerequisite.
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POLS-125 Approaches to Women's Studies 4 Cr.
As an introduction to Women's Studies, this core course examines gender relations between and among women and men, explores the relationships among gender, race, class, and sexual orientation, and examines feminist struggles all over the world for equality and justice. No prerequisite.
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POLS-150 Ideology and Politics
The goal of the course is to familiarize students with the history, people and events that shape Western politics today. We will explore the origins and developments of the concept of ideology by surveying the rise, fall, and integration of various "isms" including: Classical Liberalism, Classical Conservatism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, and the related ideals of democracy, freedom and liberation.
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POLS-195 Walk Tall: Political Themes in the Lyrics of Bruce Springsteen 3 Cr.
This course examines political themes in the life and lyrics of musician and "Poet of the Turnpike," Bruce Springsteen. Particular themes explored include populism, republicanism, nationalism, patriotism, the work (and play) ethics, religion, manhood, love, and human relationships. The course will feature substantial in-class exposure to Springsteen's music while maintaining both a scholarly perspective and a spirit of joy and fun. No prerequisite.
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POLS-200 Political Ideas 4 Cr.
Considers major perennial political problems. Introduces concepts and analytical techniques used in the search for appropriate responses to those problems. No prerequisite.
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POLS-309 The Politics of Black and White 4 Cr.
Provides an in-depth examination of the role played by race in the U.S. politics past and present and compares this to the role played by race in the Republic of South Africa, pre- and post-apartheid. The course considers the connections between economic systems and racism, the symbolics of representing people as belonging to so-called races, the role of race in elections, and the controversies concerning policies such as affirmative action. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or SOCI-110 or permission. Counts towards Africana Studies Minor.
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POLS-312 Crime and Justice 4 Cr.
An introduction to the U. S. legal system with emphasis on the criminal justice system. Recommended prerequisite: POLS-110. Required for Criminal Justice Major.
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POLS-314 Politics and the U. S. Economy 4 Cr.
Role of the state in the economy: debate over post-industrialization and political consequences. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission.
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POLS-315 History and Politics of Native America 4 Cr.
An examination of the relationship between the indigenous people of what is now the United States and the government of that country. This course traces the development of U.S. attitudes toward the tribes and discusses how they responded. Prerequisite: POLS-110.
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POLS-316 Power and Democracy in U. S. 4 Cr.
Structure of power in U.S. society. Emphasis on social class, economic structure and political ideology in distribution of political power; assessment of implications for democratic theory and practice. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or POLS-200.
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POLS-317 Politics of Basketball 4 Cr.
This course will introduce students to politics, defined as "who gets what, when, and how," in the world of basketball. Students will learn about the political dimensions of both the game and environment of basketball including: rules, gender, race, commercialism, drugs and violence. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or POLS-200.
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POLS-318 Congress and the Legislative Process 4 Cr.
Structure, norms and procedural considerations that govern the legislative decision-making process. Primary emphasis on United States Congress. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission.
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POLS-319 The U. S. Presidency 4 Cr.
Evolution of presidential. Formal powers of presidency; presidential elections and administration; relations among executive, legislative and judicial branches; and execution of presidential foreign policy. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission.
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POLS-321 Politics & The Judicial Process 4 Cr.
A legal-political analysis of the institutions and factors shaping judicial behavior and decision-making. Emphasis is placed upon the federal political system, particularly the Supreme Court of the U.S. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission.
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POLS-323 Politics of Social Welfare 4 Cr.
Social policy in U. S. political economy. Emphasis on factors influencing development of the modern social welfare state and its effects on poor. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or POLS-125 or SOCI-101 or permission.
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POLS-325 Public Administration 4 cr.
Course will provide an overview of the environment of public administration, concentrating on the functions of administrators and the contemporary problems facing public administration today. Understanding Public Administration will provide students with the working knowledge necessary for them to become actively involved in shaping democratic decision making at the local, state and federal levels. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission.
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POLS-328 World Politics 4 Cr.
Analyzes the evolution of international relations and contemporary sources of violence. Emphasis is placed upon alternative approaches (realism, idealism, neo-liberalism, structuralism, modernization, and environmentalism) to the modern world system and selected issues. Prerequisites: POLS-110 or POLS-200 or permission. Required for all Political Science Majors.
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POLS-330 International Relations 4 Cr.
An exploration of epistemological, theoretical, research and policy trends in the field of International Relations, focusing on contemporary debates among realists, Marxists, post-structuralists and feminists. Prerequisite: POLS-200 or permission.
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POLS-332 Women and Politics 4 Cr.
Explores impact of male-dominated politics on women and development of feminist politics from U.S., international and comparative perspective. Examines gender, race and class relations in politics of international relations, state, workplace, community and family. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or POLS-125 or POLS-200 or permission.
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POLS-333 Globalization in South Africa 4 Cr.
Examines South African political life and its economic context, with a focus on the dilemmas and opportunities created by the increasingly interconnected world economy. Issues addressed include the legacy of apartheid, the intersection of race and class in South Africa, and the unique mix of "first world" and "third world" problems in South Africa. Africana Studies elective. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or POLS-200 or SOCI-101 or SOCI-110.
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POLS-338 International Human Rights 4 Cr.
This course will provide students with an understanding of the origins and evolution of international issues through a study of human rights. In particular, we will examine institutional struggles over policy definition and application as exemplified in the various interpretations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the cultural context of international debate, and the personal and conflicting stories that challenge the myth of international relations as a universalist story of human destiny. Prerequisite: POLS-200 or permission.
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POLS-340 International Environmental Policy 4 Cr.
This course examines the global context of problems and solutions to transboundary environmental issues. The course focuses on the activities of the United Nations. It examines the critical perspectives for collective action and examines in-depth issues like global warming, biodiversity or acid precipitation.
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POLS-341 Political Analysis and Methods 4 Cr.
Philosophical, theoretical and methodological questions concerning approaches to study of politics. Emphasis on political science as a science and methods and problems of scientific study of politics. Prerequisite: POLS-200.
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POLS-353 Feminist Political Theory 4 Cr.
Explores feminist critiques of Western political theory and multiple feminist political theories from Western and non-Western perspectives. Prerequisite: POLS-125 or POLS-200 or permission.
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POLS-354 Western Political Thought 4 Cr.
A selective survey of original classics of Western political theory plus a look at commentary. We will consider, e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Weil, Arendt, and Foucault. Prerequisite: POLS-200 or permission.
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POLS-355 Politics and the Environment 4 Cr.
Covers a broad range of domestic and global environmental issues emphasizing the political dimensions of those issues; i.e., the conflict and conflict resolution surrounding "problems" such as air and water pollution and threats to the survival of indigenous peoples. Solutions to those problems requires an understanding of the complexities of their power-political contexts. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission.
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POLS-400 Senior Seminar 4 Cr.
Acquaints students with principles of performance and recording of research in discipline of political science. Prerequisite: priority senior major, POLS-110, POLS-200, POLS-328.
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POLS-410 Politics of the Family 4 Cr.
Explores the relationships between family structures and other political structures to determine how family forms and ideals effect political participation and democratization. Prerequisite: POLS-125 or POLS-200 or SOCI-101 or permission.
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POLS-412 Constitutional Law 4 Cr.
Study of the early formation of U. S. Constitutional law role of the U. S. Supreme Court, with emphasis on issue of federalism. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission.
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POLS-413 Civil Liberties 4 Cr.
Legal-political analysis of the development of national policy regarding the First Amendment with emphasis on Supreme Court decisions dealing with obscenity, libel, subversive speech and religious freedom. Required prerequisite: POLS-110 or permission. Recommended prerequisite: POLS-321.
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POLS-420 Recent U. S. Foreign Policy 4 Cr.
Political process by which foreign policy is made; origins and character of Cold War; and role and interests of the United States in a post-cold war world. Prerequisite: POLS-110 or POLS-328 or permission.
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POLS-195, 295, 395, 495 Special Topics 4 Cr.
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POLS-198, 298, 398, 498 Tutorial 4 Cr.
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