POL - Political Science

A study of American federal government in all its important phases with an introduction to the major fields of political science, including political thought, domestic politics, political economy, and international politics.

A study of the design and operation of state and local government within the American federal system with an emphasis on practical issues, citizenship principles, and Christian involvement. Gives credit for majors in Criminal Justice, Political Science, or Social Work.

This course provides a general introduction to the major concepts and themes of political science. As a comparative survey of the questions, approaches and methods in political science the course offers an analytical foundation for evaluating and explaining a wide variety of political phenomena. Throughout the semester several of the subfields comprising political science including American politics, comparative politics, world politics, law and public policy are introduced and highlighted to prepare students for upper-division coursework in these specific areas of study. All through the course consideration is given to determining how a Christian worldview can be applied to the complex realities of governing in modern societies.

This course is designed to guide students in the exploration of a selected contemporary or historical issue in the field of political science.

The purpose of this course is to introduce the study of world politics. By surveying the key concepts and theories utilized to assess contemporary global affairs this course provides a framework for analyzing world politics in a systematic and sophisticated manner. Course topics will provide a brief overview of the major areas of study within the field of international relations including foreign policy analysis, global politics and governance, international political economy and the continuing evolution of the international system.

This course surveys the most important concepts, approaches and methods in the comparative study of politics. Students are introduced to comparative politics as a method of research and a field of study examining the domestic politics of governments throughout the world. Course material discusses and applies the conceptual, theoretical and methodological tools of comparative political analysis, examines the characteristics and effects of various types of contemporary political systems, and surveys the politics of and recent trends in select countries and regions throughout the world.

This course is an introduction to public policy processes in the United States. An important part of the course involves helping students to develop the potential to formulate, assess and evaluate public policy in terms of ideas, actors, and steps, and to begin to develop expertise in policy in issue areas of concern to them. The course is also intended to develop students in analytical thinking, primary and secondary research, and social science writing.

Directed personalized study to prepare Pre-Law students for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Required each semester for all Pre-Law students. May be repeated for credit for up to three credits. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

Designed to give a basic understanding of law. The legal process is examined including a study of the fundamentals of criminal and tort law, law enforcement, society and the law, contracts, agency, and employment law. Gives credit for majors in Political Science or Criminal Justice. Prerequisite: POL-100 or CRJ-181.

This course will provide students with an introduction to research methods and statistical techniques used in social science research, particularly in the fields of economics and political science. This will include basic knowledge of the concepts and models employed for conducting experimental research, policy analysis and program evaluation, and unobtrusive research from data sets. Emphasis will be placed on using and applying the qualitative and quantitative techniques most widely utilized in social science research. This course gives credit for political science and history majors. Prerequisite: MAT-112, MAT-305 or BUS-320.

The purpose of this course is to cover a variety of theoretical and ethical approaches to the problem of understanding international conflict. Strong emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of the empirical literature attempting to explain the causes of war and peace. Historical continuity and change in international conflict will be examined via the analysis of a variety of case studies of global, regional and intrastate war. By combining a theoretically sophisticated understanding of the causes, results, and resolution of conflict, coupled with concerns about the moral justification of war, students will emerge prepared to formulate thoughtful, concrete opinions on issues of global conflict. Prerequisite: POL-230.

This course is designed as an international travel seminar to observe, understand, and comparatively assess the systems and governments of select countries around the world. Course content examines the history, culture, environment, economics, governing processes, healthcare, public policy, and/or international interactions of the designated country. The course blends international travel, interdisciplinary study, intercultural interactions with peers, instructors, and nationals, lectures, site visits, and interactive meetings to provide a unique experiential learning environment. Attention is given to synthesizing course content and in-country experiences from the journey as students individually and corporately reflect upon matters that relate to their chosen areas of study and being agents of change in the world.

Directed experience in politics or law. Required of all Political Science majors. (POL-371, POL-401, or HST-450 may be substituted for this requirement.) May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of the department. Offered every semester.

A study of historic and contemporary types of governments in relation to their social, economic, and ideological backgrounds. Prerequisite: HST-185 and HST-190 or POL-100.

The purpose of this course is to examine the various political processes and linkages that connect citizens to political outcomes. Course content will focus on theoretical frameworks from political scientists regarding the formation, nature, and function of political parties, interest groups, and political action committees. The primary focus will be on current scholarship, including both books and journal articles from respected scholars in the field of Political Science. However, students will also be introduced to important works by political scientists that date back to the 1950s. The course format is a combination of lecture and discussion; therefore, relevant questions and other student contributions are an essential element of the course. Prerequisite: POL-215.

This course is intended as an inquiry into the process of policy formation at the national level in the U.S., in the developing country context, and at the transnational (international, multilateral) level. The emphasis will be on social and environmental policy, with some discussions of other issue areas. Prerequisites: POL-100 and POL-240 or consent of department.

The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth analysis of the connection between religion and politics. The course will explore some historical examples demonstrating various relationships between Church and State. The place of Christianity and/or involvement of the institutional church with government is central; however, students will examine other religions and political arrangements to see if there are universal principles. Course content will focus on scholarly research in these and related areas. This course is designed for Political Science and History majors, but also will have strong relevance and appeal to Religion and Education majors. Prerequisite: POL-100 or consent of department.

A survey of political thought from ancient systems to modern totalitarianism. Emphasizes Christian and modern Western-American political theory and systems. Gives credit for majors in Political Science or Philosophy. Prerequisite: HST-185 and HST-190; or POL-100.

International travel, observation, and study of the political patterns of foreign nations. Extra fee: air travel, lodging, meals, and miscellaneous. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

This course examines the way international actors make decisions regarding how they will interact with other members of the international community. Students will be introduced to the variety of ways in which the foreign policy-making processes within and across countries operate and can be explained. A number of influences on foreign policy are discussed, including individual policy makers, characteristics of the domestic political environment, and international systemic factors. The course surveys these influences, concepts and theoretical approaches in preparation for the in-depth and hands-on analysis students will undertake in the later part of the semester. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.

Work with a faculty mentor and in cooperation with an Honors College advisor, producing a research thesis or creative project.

Travel course to Washington, D.C., designed to provide students with a greater understanding of the American governmental and political infrastructure . Extra fee: travel, lodging, meals, and miscellaneous. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

The purpose of this course is to provide an advanced study of the institutions of American government. The formal political institutions include: the presidency, Congress and federal courts (Supreme Court). The course examines the interrelationship and interactions among these three political institutions, with particular emphasis on institutional approaches, development, and structure. The course will also explore some of the foundational mechanisms that provide support for the formal institutions, including voting, federalism, and religion. Course content will focus on scholarly research in these and related areas. This course will provide both a broad overall conception of the current field of Political Science, as well as major areas of specialization. Prerequisite: POL-215.

This course is designed to understand different federal contexts for policymaking and policy implementation from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North & South America. The primary objective of the course is to help students understand the relationship between federalism and democracy as the growing debate about the future of democratic governance in a globalizing world is increasingly cast in federal terms. Prerequisite: POL-100 or permission of the department.

This course is an advanced survey of the norms, institutions and processes increasingly constituting some type of governance at the global level. Students will be acquainted with the knowledge and analytical tools needed to cope with an increasingly complex and interconnected global system. Towards this end, the course introduces the key dimensions, actors and nature of global governance; identifying the most significant concepts and theoretical approaches to understanding global rule. The course also addresses the various debates about global governance and explanations for the increasing demands in global governance structures. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.

This is an advanced seminar in the methodological study of political phenomenon. Students will enhance their research, analysis and critical thinking skills through practical experience in the process of scholarship. As a capstone experience students will plan, research and write a scholarly research piece addressing an empirical puzzle relevant to their interests. The course is highly recommended for students pursuing graduate education. Prerequisite: Upper-division Status.

This is an advanced seminar in the methodological study of political phenomenon. Students will enhance their research, analysis and critical thinking skills through practical experience in the process of scholarship. As a capstone experience students will plan, research and write a scholarly research piece addressing an empirical puzzle relevant to their interests. The course is highly recommended for students pursuing graduate education. Prerequisite: Upper-division Status.

This is an advanced seminar in the methodological study of political phenomena serving as a cumulative and integrative capstone experience. Students will enhance their research, analysis and critical thinking skills through practical experience in the process of scholarship. As a capstone experience students will design, research and write a scholarly piece addressing an empirical puzzle relevant to their interests. Prerequisite: POL-215 and POL-322 or consent of the department.

Individually arranged research and writing in political science. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

An introduction to urban economic theory, urban spatial form, and urban policy problems. Topics include theories of urban evolution and form, regional comparative advantage and trade, urban economic growth and development, the limits to metropolitan size, land-rent gradients, public goods and externalities in urban areas, and urban policy problems including: poverty, housing, segregation, transportation networks, congestion, land use planning, and issues in local and regional governance and public finance.

This foundational course introduces students to the complex social, economic, political, and ethical context of public administration in the United States. Students gain an understanding of values of public institutions and the importance of public involvement in decision-making. Students develop skills for interpreting and critically evaluating the competing concerns and complexities of American public service issues.

This course will provide students with an introduction to research methods and statistical techniques used in social science research, particularly in the fields of economics and political science. This course will include basic knowledge of the concepts and models employed for conducting experimental research, policy analysis and program evaluation, and unobtrusive research from data sets. Emphasis will be placed on using and applying the qualitative and quantitative techniques most widely utilized in social science research.

This class explores the contemporary theories and practice of managing public sector organizations through the lenses of organizational theory and behavior and decision-making.

This course is designed to introduce the foundations of public policy. The course will enable students to understand why some public problems reach the public agenda, why some policy options (solutions and strategies) are adopted and others rejected, and why some policies appear to succeed while others appear to fail. This course will develop the student's ability to understand how public policy is imagined, created, implemented, and evaluated.

This course introduces students to the practice of analytical thinking as it is applied to the social sciences and policy analysis. As a foundational course for skill development, attention is given to detailing the practice of scholarly inquiry and introducing the logic of social science research. Emphasis is placed on developing and refining fundamental research skills involved in the evaluation, conduct, and communication of empirical work.

This course examines economic theory and methods of analysis used for making, implementing, and evaluating government policies. The course covers how key theories of macro and microeconomics can be used in formulating public policy decisions. Methods of evaluating public policies will be covered with particular focus on marginal analysis and cost/benefit analysis. The course will also cover the concepts of public goods, externalities, and public choice theory.

This course examines the management of public investments and theories of taxation and non-tax revenues.

This class examines the responsibilities and benefits of ethical public sector leadership. This class will cover critical thinking, normative decision-making, and the role of values in public policy and public affairs. Ethical theories and principles commonly used in public administration are emphasized.

This class explores processes through which public demands are communicated, converted into public policy, and implemented in the context of the American democratic system. Examines the intersection of politics, policy, and administration as well as the diverse strategies and tools of public action through the lenses of current events.

This first course in a two course sequence introduces students to applied research design, data collection, data management, data analysis, and analytical reporting to allow students to conduct original research, be informed consumers of research, and be ultimately improved decision makers in public sector settings.

This course is designed for acquisition of practical skills in policy analysis. Policy analysis is the art, craft, and science of collecting and interpreting information that clarifies the causes and effects of public problems and the likely consequences of policy options. Policy analysis requires technical understanding of analytical tools and diverse policy contexts, as well as the ability to produce and communicate practical advice. To this end, policy analysis draws from the ideas and methods of many disciplines including political science, economics, and environmental science.

This second course in a two course sequence introduces students to qualitative research and various aspects of scholarly writing. This class prepares students to communicate research clearly and effectively as public service leaders.

This course is designed as an international travel seminar to observe, understand, and comparatively assess the systems and governments of select countries around the world. Course content examines the history, culture, environment, economics, governing processes, healthcare, public policy, and/or international interactions of the designated country. The course blends international travel, interdisciplinary study, intercultural interactions with peers, instructors, and foreign nationals, lectures, site visits, and interactive meetings to provide a unique experiential learning environment. Attention is given to synthesizing course content and in-country experiences from the journey as students individually and corporately reflect upon matters that relate to their chosen areas of study and being agents of change in the world.

A penetrating analysis of public administration and expenditures. Explores revenue including taxation, budget examination, and the effect of fiscal policy on the economy.

This course is an advanced application seminar serving as a cumulative and integrative experience that draws together the various research and content components of the MPA curriculum. The course facilitates an analytical exercise through which students address relevant public affairs issues and problems. In consultation with the course facilitator students may complete a policy analysis, program assessment, or research thesis identifying and exploring real world problems facing policymakers in the public and private sectors. Additionally, the course provides a summative assessment of the knowledge accumulated by students throughout the program.

In this class, students will conduct an in-depth analysis of a real-world case study of their choosing that has public sector implications in order to develop lessons learned that speak to the broader public affairs audience. Students are expected to apply concepts and theories presented throughout the program in a capstone paper.