Professors Rubongoya (Chair), Warshawsky, Wilson; Associate Professor Peppers, Assistant Professors Court; Mihalache-O'Keef; Teaching Associate Scott; Adjunct Associate Professor Joyner; Visiting Instructor Kirby.
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science is awarded to students who successfully complete 12 units from the program of study outlined below:
I. Core Requirements (students must complete each of the following):
101 Introduction to Political Science
209 Research Methods
231 International Politics
250 Public Policy
401 Seminar in Public Policy
II. American Perspective and Public Law (at least one from category):
201 State and Local Government
202 American Political Behavior
205 American Political Institutions
214 The Judicial Process
270 Public Administration
311 American Constitutional Law
312 Civil Liberties
III. Comparative Politics (at least one from category)
221 Comparative Political Systems: Europe
222 Comparative Political Systems: Asia
224 Comparative Political Systems: Africa
225 Comparative Political Systems: Latin America
IV. Political Theory (at least 1 from category
242 Western Political Theory
243 American Political Theory
247 Theory in International Relations
Electives (four)
These can be selected from any of the other Political Science courses not listed among the core requirements, or one from among INQ 260 PS or INQ 177, 277 or 377 with approval of the department chair, or any Honors 301 course whose topic is appropriate and approved by the department chair.
Minor in American Politics
A minor consists of six units:
Required:
POLI 101 Introduction to Political Science
POLI 250 Public Policy
POLI 311 American Constitutional Law or POLI 312 Civil Liberties
Electives (three)
POLI 201 State and Local Government
POLI 202 American Political Behavior
POLI 205 American Political Institutions
POLI 214 The Judicial Process
POLI 270 Public Administration
POLI 351 Environmental Public Policy
POLI 353 The Making of U.S. Foreign Policy
Courses from among Political Science 260-262, 395-396, 401, 406, and 416, and 495-497 or one from among INQ 260 PS or INQ 177, 277 or 377may be substituted when they include topics related to American politics with approval of the department chair, or any Honors 301 course whose topic is appropriate and approved by the department chair.
Minor in Foreign Politics
A minor consists of six units:
Required:
POLI 231 International Politics
POLI 247 Theory in International Relations
POLI 353 The Making of U. S. Foreign Policy
Electives (three) from among the following; at least one of which must be a comparative:
POLI 209 Research Methods in Public Affairs
POLI 221 Comparative Political Systems: Europe
POLI 222 Comparative Political Systems: Asia
POLI 224 Comparative Political Systems: Africa
POLI 225 Comparative Political Systems: Latin America
POLI 232 International Organizations
POLI 233 International Law
POLI 333 Global Political Economy
POLI 351 Environmental Public Policy
POLI 352 Human Rights Policy
Courses from among Political Science 260-262, 395-396,401, 406,416, and 495-497 or one from among INQ 260 PS or INQ 177, 277 and 377 or any Honors 301 course may be substituted when they include topics related to international politics; whose topic is appropriate and approved by the department chair.
101 Introduction to Political Science
An introduction to the science of American and global politics with emphasis on concepts, methods and principles. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
201 State and Local Government
An examination of the politics, structures, and policies of American state and local governments. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101, or ENVI 250, or permission.
202 American Political Behavior
An analysis of the political process in the United States, including political parties, interest groups, public opinion, elections, and voting behavior. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101, or ENVI 250, or permission.
205 American Political Institutions
An examination of the power, restraints, and politics of the Presidency, the Congress and the Supreme Court. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101, or ENVI 250, or permission.
209 Research Methods in Public Affairs
An examination of the research methodologies and techniques used in the study of public policy and politics. The course emphasizes both qualitative and quantitative methods. The lab focuses on statistical applications. (1) (Cross-listed as CJUS/I.R. 209).
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 and at least one other courses in the major or ENVI 250, sophomore status, or permission.
211 Criminal Justice
An introductory analysis of the criminal justice system in the United States, its structure, processes, and problems. (1) (Cross-listed as CJUS 211)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
213 Criminal Law
A study of the criminal justice system at work in the courtroom setting, emphasizing the relationship between substantive criminal law, criminal procedure, and the rules of evidence. (1) (Cross-listed as CJUS 213)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
214 The Judicial Process
An exploration of the politics of the American judicial system. This includes such topics as the structure of courts, selection of judges, actors who participate in the judiciary, judicial behavior, and the civil and criminal varieties of courts. (1) (Cross-listed as CJUS 214)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
221 Comparative Political Systems: Europe
The government and politics of Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and selected other European states as well as the operations of the European Union. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
222 Comparative Political Systems: Asia
The government and politics of Japan, China, and Indonesia and ASEAN. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
224 Comparative Political Systems: Africa
The government and politics of Sub-Saharan African politics. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
225 Comparative Political Systems: Latin America
The government and politics of Latin America, including Central America and the Caribbean. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
231 International Politics
An examination of the nature of the international political system, the perspectives and behaviors of nation-states, and the role and influence of both intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental actors. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
232 International Organizations
An examination of global, regional, and functional organizations. The nature and functions of both governmental and non-governmental institutions will be discussed. A model United Nations Security Council simulation exercise is an integral course component. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission.
233 International Law
An examination of the nature, structure, functions and evolution of the international legal system. The impact of international law on the behavior of international actors and the dynamics of the international system will be explored. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
240 Public Opinion Polling
Supervised participation in a large scale survey research project. Course includes interviewing, data analysis, and report writing. (1) (Cross-listed as COMR-240)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk
Prerequisite: Permission.
242 Western Political Theory
A study of western political theory from Plato to Rawls, emphasizing the modern period. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: POLI 101 or permission.
243 American Political Theory
A survey of American political theory from colonial precursors to the present. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
247 Theory in International Relations
In-depth examination of the theoretical lenses in the field of International Relations, complemented by the application of the theories to contemporary global issues. (1)
Lecture: 3hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 231 or permission.
250 Public Policy
An examination of the scope, nature and outcomes of the American public policy decision-making process. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101.
260, 261, 262 Selected Topics in Political Science
Student research, reports, and discussion on selected problems and themes. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
270 Public Administration
A survey of the role of public administration in the modern state, with emphasis on the development of bureaucracy, organizational theory, and management functions. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 250 or permission.
311 American Constitutional Law
An introduction to decision-making in the Supreme Court and its past and present roles in American government. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: POLI 101 and one additional course in American politics (201, 202, 205, 270) or permission.
312 Civil Liberties
An examination of Supreme Court decisions dealing with the Bill of Rights with emphasis on the First Amendment. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: POLI 101 and one additional course in American politics (201, 202, 205, 270) or permission.
333 Global Political Economy
A introduction to the relationship between politics and economics at the theoretical and policy levels. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 231.
351 Environmental Public Policy
An examination of environmental policy-making and environmental issues at local, national, and international levels. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101, or ENVI 250, or permission.
352 Human Rights Policy
An introduction to the principles of human rights from a comparative policy-making perspective. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
353 The Making of U.S. Foreign Policy
An introduction to the foreign policy process of the United States. Selected issues in United States foreign policy in The Cold War and post – Cold War eras will also be analyzed. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: POLI 101 or permission.
395, 396 Henry H. Fowler Public Policy Seminar
A seminar taught with a scholar-statesperson that deals with a policy issue of public significance. (Made possible by the Henry H. Fowler Endowment. Open to selected students with department permission.) (1, 1/2)
401 Seminar in Public Policy
Supervised review of a literature and research project in the discipline of political science. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor; senior major status; POLI 209 and 250.
406 Independent Study
Supervised reading and research which results in a monograph on a particular aspect of political science. (1)
Prerequisite: A minimum of 3.0 major GPA and both Departmental and instructor permission.
416 Public Internship
Practical experience in working with a public agency or non-governmental organization as a participant-observer, leading to the preparation of an experience report which describes and evaluates that agency’s activities. (1)
Prerequisites: A minimum of 2.5 major GPA and Departmental and instructor permission.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance.
Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)