Courses marked with ** and also marked as "General Education
Course" are part of the University's General Education program.
** PO 106 The Government of the United
States (3) General Education Course.
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) General Education Course.
Examines American
grassroots democracy with special emphasis placed on the institutions of state
and local government, how these insti- tution 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) General Education course
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 transnational organizations with respect to
conflict and cooperation in the international community.
** PO 235 Introduction to Comparative
Politics (3) General Education Course
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 non-western, democratic and non-democratic illustrate
the analytical approaches.
PO 245 Introduction to Public
Administration (3)
Designed to acquaint the student with the
organization and func- tioning 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
intro- duction to substantive areas of American law such as: torts, contracts,
civil procedure, regulation of business.
PO 275 Introduction to Political Theory
(3)
Will introduce students to the great philosophers and thinkers,
and issues of politics which have shaped western and non-western world
civilization.
PO 300 Special Topics in Political Science
(1-3)
Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be
announced in advance.
PO 304 Political Behavior (3)
Study of the formation of public opinion, and participation in governmental
decision-making. Analysis of voter and interest group behavior by means of
electoral and other data. 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 groups 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-metro 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.
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 short terms sessions.
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 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 352 Peace Studies and Conflict
Resolution (3)
A survey of the literature on peacekeeping, stable
peace, the kinds of peace and conflict resolution techniques, in diplomacy, and
in case studies of nation-states relations.
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 International
Politics & Security (3)
Analysis of selected foreign policy
issues confronting the U. S. A. in the 1990s. The focus of the course varies
from year to year.
PO 356 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 360 China, Japan, and Asian Politics
(3)
A study of the governments, politics, policies and political
cultures of China, Japan, and selected Asian countries. Analysis of the
political process, government institutions, policies, political economy,
cultures, interest groups, and leaders that shape the political landscape of
East, Southeast, and South Asia. A special emphasis on the forces of political
and economic change.
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 362 Mexico and Latin American Politics
(3)
A study of the governments, politics, policies and political
cultures of Mexico and selected Latin American countries. Analysis of the
political process, government institutions, political economy, policies,
interest groups, cultures, and leaders that shape the political landscape of
Mexico and Latin America. A specific emphasis on the forces of political and
economic change.
PO 365 Democratization and International
Political Economy (3)
Describes the growth of democracy in world
political systems, and the inter-relation of democracy, human rights, economic
development, trade options, and their effects on the nation states and
populations in the modern world, especially in 3rd or southern world regions.
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.
PO 450 Senior Seminar (1) This is required
for graduating Seniors majoring in political science.
It is a
capstone course offered every semester. It is a review of the major theories in
the sub-fields of Political Science (Political Theories, American Politics,
Comparative Politics, Public Administration, and International Relations, plus
quantitative research methods. Team taught by several members of the faculty.
Student proficiency in the discipline will be measured by a national
performance exit exam over subfields of Political Science.