Political Science (POL) CPSO
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Course numbers with the # symbol included (e.g. #400) have not been taught in the last 3 years.
POL 450 - American Government and Politics
Credits: 4
This course introduces the learner to the historical background, the institutions, and the political processes within the United States national government. The focus is on process, but the appropriate attention is given to the institutions of government in which the political processes occur, such as Congress, the courts, and local governments. The course employs a systems model of politics to identify how politics works in the United States. Both process and institutions are studied from a systems perspective so that critical functions and decision points can be identified, described, and assessed. Specific attention will be paid to the legislative process, elections, and enacting change.
Attributes: HumanBehavSocial Sys (Gen Ed); Writing Intensive Course
Equivalent(s): POL 550G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe the historical and philosophical premises underlying the constitutional basis of American politics and government.
- Describe and analyze the purpose of separation of powers and checks and balances.
- Explain how federalism accommodates the politics of states and a continental nation.
- Identify the essential values contained in the Bill of Rights and their relationship to personal liberty and civil rights in constitutional government.
- Describe the electoral processes for staffing public offices from local to national positions.
- Explain and assess the role of interest groups and public opinion in elections and in national policy-making.
- Identify current issues related to domestic and foreign policy and discuss how policy is shaped and implemented.
POL 554 - Law and Society
Credits: 4
This course is designed to provide an interdisciplinary approach to study of the law, incorporating history, philosophy, economics, political science, sociology, and psychology. Students are introduced to law in society by focusing on social and legal theory analysis from a critical perspective. Beginning with a historical overview of the law, learners explore the variety of forces that shape the law as well as its impact on society at large. In addition, the course provides a basic introduction to legal reasoning and the law in the context of society. Landmark United States Supreme Court criminal and civil cases will also be examined.
Attributes: HumanBehavSocial Sys (Gen Ed)
Equivalent(s): POL 554G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe the history and development of modern law.
- Discuss the need for the social contract: lost freedoms in exchange for governmental protection.
- Analyze the interrelationship between law and society and the impact of social change on legislation.
- Explore the Bill of Rights, the relativity of constitutional rights, and the balancing of the government's interests against individual rights.
- Outline the organization and structure of the law including U.S. federal and state governments, courts and administrative agencies.
- Analyze the effects of such categories as gender, race, culture, socioeconomic status, and religion on law and litigation.
- Describe the law-making process and the forces that influence law-making.
- Compare and contrast three primary functions of law: dispute resolution, social control, and social change.
POL 690 - The US in World Affairs
Credits: 4
This course examines U.S. foreign relations since WWII with a particular focus on the late twentieth century through modern day. Students will explore patterns of U.S. policy in a volatile environment marked by fundamental changes to the international system of states since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Students trace the transformation in international relations that has led to the creation of world trade and globalized institutions, the proliferation of regional ethnic and religious conflicts, and most challenging of all, the emergence of transnational terrorism. Students will have the opportunity to analyze the international system and relevant political theories, develop competence in defining both transient and enduring national interests, and build confidence in appraising the policy responses of national actors to those challenges.
Attributes: HumanBehavSocial Sys (Gen Ed); Historical Perspectives(Disc); Writing Intensive Course
Equivalent(s): POL 600G
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe the theories that define international relations as a discipline.
- Identify and describe how key actors influence U.S. policy development.
- Analyze how foreign policy is shaped by considerations of competing and conflicting interests: past, present, and future.
- Distinguish the enduring as well as transient national interests that U.S. foreign policy leaders must address, showing how different theoretical frames for defining interests shape policy alternatives.
- Explain the influence of outside forces, such as international political events, military developments, economic cycles, and social movements, that affect U.S. foreign relations and policy development.
- Assess the challenges to the stability of the international system from a U.S. foreign policy perspective.
- Demonstrate critical, independent thinking through analysis of events, perspectives, and concepts and communicate these findings according to standards of the discipline.