Courses marked with * are part of the University's General Education
program.
*PO 106 The Government of the United States (3)
Theory, organization and functioning of our democratic government in
modern society with special emphasis on the national government and
its relations with the states. The role of government in a democratic
society as a supplier of services, the embodiment of values and the
arbiter of conflict is stressed. Distinctions are drawn of autocratic
systems and the maintenance of our values and interests in our relations
with other nations.
*PO 107 American State and Local Government (3)
Examines American grassroots democracy with special emphasis placed
on the institutions of state and local government, how these institution
actually operate, and how they differ from the national government.
PO 200 Special Topics in Political Science (1-3)
Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in
advance.
PO 210 Political Corruption in America (3)
An historical and analytical probe of political corruption in the United
States. Special emphasis will be placed on analyzing the reasons why
corrupt politicians exist, why they survive, and how they have fallen.
The reform movements and their impact also are discussed.
PO 211 American Political Parties (3)
American party history, organization and operation.
PO 225 Introduction to International Politics
(3)
Theory and practice of international politics with special attention
to foreign policy and decision-making
process, major issues facing the international system, the role and
functions of international and transitional organizations with respect
to conflict and cooperation in the international community.
PO 235 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3)
Basic concepts, theories and methods in comparative analysis of political
institutions, processes, and policies of nations. Case studies of selected
political systems-developed and developing, Western and nonwestern,
democratic and non-democratic illustrate the analytical approaches.
PO 245 Introduction to Public Administration
(3)
Designed to acquaint the student with the organization and functioning
of the administration of government. Includes introduction to theories
of administration, policy and administration values, and study of the
governmental bureaucracy and administration behavior.
PO 255 Introduction to the American Legal System
(3)
Designed to acquaint the student with the basic institutions and procedures
of the American legal system. Also a very basic introduction to substantive
areas of American law such as: torts, contracts, civil procedure, regulation
of business.
PO 265 American Political Theory (3)
Our understanding of the founding period will involve us in the debate
between Federalists and anti-Federalists regarding the great dialogue
between ancient and modern theory. The Federalists make a case for a
large republic; the Anti-Federalists, agreeing that some sort of Union
was needed, were inclined as a matter of principle toward the ancient
view that smaller states are best. That difference, in turn, points
to more fundamental questions; questions that will be emphasized in
the course: What is human nature? Are human beings "political animals?"
What does it mean for one human being to "represent" another?
Similarly, the ratification debate asked perennial questions with an
even more contemporary sound: Should war or peace be the first principle
on which institutions are premised? Is foreign policy only a necessity,
or are positive goals to be sought in international politics? What is
the place of religion in political society? What are rights, human and
individual? What case can be made for private property? What is democracy?
Can rule by the many be made compatible with the rights of the few?
These are some of the more important questions and concepts that will
be examined.
PO 300 Special Topics in Political Science (1-3)
Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in
advance.
PO 304 Public Opinion and Voting Behavior (3)
Study of the formation and implementation of public opinion and participation
in governmental decision-making. Analysis of voter behavior by means
of electoral and other data. Introduction to techniques of measuring
public opinion. Discussion of issues as related to the democratic process
of public decision-making.
PO 305 Public Policy (3)
Examines the role of government as a supplier of services to its citizens.
It will cover the following topics: the nature of politics and policy,
social problem identification and articulation, interest group aggregation
and the formation of public policy, the analysis of policy content,
policy implementation, and policy evaluation.
PO 306 Urban-Metropolitan Government (3)
Analysis of historical, political, economic, and social development
of urban America. Emphasis will be placed on discussion of contemporary
urban problems through investigation of the legal status of municipal
and county governments, machine, reform, and ethnic politics, socioeconomic
class status and urban society, community power, forms of participation
in urban politics, the problems and politics of urban policymaking,
and suggestions for improving urban-metropolitan governments.
PO 307 Internship in State and Local Government
(3-6)
Experience in an operating office of state and local government in order
to gain insight into government at these levels. Problem paper required.
Prerequisites: Political Science 107 and/or consent of instructor. Junior
and Senior standing.
PO 308 Federalism and Public Policies (3)
A study of the nature, patterns, and impact of American federalism,
including historical, fiscal, economics, policy and political significance.
PO 320 The Legislative Process (3)
Analysis of the special role of legislative bodies as they function
within the American system of separation of powers and checks and balances.
Emphasis is placed on Congress and its significance to our democratic
system of government.
PO 321 The Presidency (3)
The President in the American system of democratic government. His role
as national and international leader, as chief of party and arbiter
of interest conflicts. Comparison between the American Presidency and
beads of government of other states.
PO 331 Politics Through Literature (2)
Offered in Winter Intersession.
PO 333 Classical & Medieval Political Theory
(3)
Analysis of Western Political Thought from the Classical Greek period
through the thirteenth century. Drawing upon selected political philosophers
particular emphasis will be placed on such concepts as: human nature,
the nature of the state, political authority, political obligation,
citizenship, the nature of constitutions, justice, virtue, and political
rights, to mention only a few.
PO 334 Modern and Contemporary Political Theory
(3)
Analysis of Western Political Thought from the fourteenth century to
the present. Drawing upon selected political philosophers particular
emphasis will be placed on history, literature, philosophy, science,
social and religious thought, and the paradigmatic structuring of both
modern and contemporary political thought.
PO 336 Marxism (3)
Political philosophy of Marx and Engels and the Marxist movements after
the death of Marx. The objective is to help the student develop a capability
for critical analysis of political movements and to understand the cultural
frame- works within which these movements develop.
PO 338 Contemporary American Politics (3)
Principal issues, trends, and personalities in current American politics
and election campaigns. Normally taught in the first semester of even
numbered years. Prerequisite: PO 106.
PO 339 Constitutional Law I (3)
Analysis of Supreme Court cases dealing with the separation of powers,
federalism, and government regulation of property. Conducted like a
law school class, the student is required to brief cases daily and the
Socratic method is the pedagogical approach.
PO 340 Constitutional Law II (3)
Analysis of Supreme Court cases dealing with civil rights and civil
liberties. More specifically the subject matter covers the 14th Amendment
and the Bill of Rights. Conducted like a law school class, the student
is required to brief cases daily and the Socratic method is the pedagogical
approach.
PO 343 Administrative Law (3)
The scope of the law as it applies to administrative agencies of the
government. Focuses on the powers of agencies, administrative rule-making,
regulatory activities, due process, and judicial review of administrative
actions.
PO 346 Problems in Public Administration (3)
Problems and cases involved in administering public policy.
PO 351 International Law (3)
Nature, general principles and development of international law by examination
of appropriate cases and materials. The development of international
legal principles within the framework of cultural diversity, competing
religious and value systems, and conflicting economic and national expectations.
PO 353 American Foreign Policy (3)
Analysis and evaluation of post-World War II American foreign policy.
Assessment of the sources and the substance of policy as well as some
of the enduring issues in American foreign policy.
PO 354 Current Issues in Foreign Policy (3)
Analysis of selected foreign policy issues confronting the United States
in the 1990s. The focus of the course varies from year to year.
PO 361 European Politics (3)
Study of the government and politics of selected European countries.
Analysis of the political process and government policies of the United
Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia as well as the movement toward
European unity.
PO 363 Revolution in the Third World (3)
Study of both theories about revolutions, e.g., causes/consequences
of revolutions, participants in revolutions, and selected revolutions
in the Third World, including China, Iran, and Nicaragua.
PO 386 Directed Readings (1-3)
Readings in the selected fields of Political Science. Prerequisite:
Senior Political Science major or approval of the department head. May
be taken until three credit hours are earned.
PO 390 Applied Political Research (3)
Introduction to utilization of basic research techniques in public administration
and political science.
PO 391 Public Personnel Administration (3)
The principles and techniques involved in managing public employees.
Particular attention is given to staffing, separation, and administrative
functions related to public employment.
PO 392 Urban and Regional Planning (3)
Principles and theories of the administrative implementation of land
use, housing, and transportation policies and planning procedures.
PO 393 Public Budgeting (3)
The politics of planning, financing, and managing governmental budgets
at the national, state, and local levels.