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 transnational 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 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 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 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 Int’l 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 Int’l 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 areas 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 areas of Political Science.