Political Science Degree Program

Social sciences core courses (12 credit hours)

• GEO 120 World Regional Geography

  Credits: 3

  Description: A global survey of the geographic interrelationships between people and their environments.

• History elective

  Choose one of the following history courses:

  • HIS 310 The Renaissance and Reformation (3 credits) – This course surveys the fundamental changes in European society that resulted from the Renaissance and Reformation from 1450 to 1650.
     
  • HIS 315 The Age of Enlightenment (3 credits) – This course surveys European history focused on the history of ideas, politics, and culture during the long 18th century.
     
  • HIS 425 History of the British Empire (3 credits) – This course examines the culture, economy, and politics of the British Empire from the loss of the American colonies in the late 18th century through the 20th century. It will examine the reciprocal relationship between Great Britain and two types of colonies: those of conquest in such areas as the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, and those of settlements such as those in North America and the Antipodes. This course will pay special attention to nationalist responses to the British Empire and more contemporary legacies.
     
  • HIS 447 Warfare and Society in World History (3 credits) – This course examines the role of class, race, and gender in warfare, from the earliest recorded wars to the most recent conflicts through a broad range of readings. Students will also conduct a formal research project.
     
  • HIS 450 The American West (3 credits) – The history of the western U.S., with special emphasis on defining the West as a region, the relation to and impact of the West on the rest of the U.S., and changing historical and popular culture interpretations of the West.
     
  • HIS 451 American Indian History (3 credits) - This course will teach the history of Native American peoples from the Pre-Columbian Period to the 21st century. This class will explore the historical implications of the contradictions between American Indian institutions and beliefs and Euro-American institutions and beliefs, and the events and policies that governed the conflict. The focus will be on understanding the diversity of native civilizations and cultures in the Western hemisphere and the varied responses to contact with European culture. Using both primary documents and works by respected historians, this course will examine the complex cultural history of the nation, with a special emphasis on the tribes in Nebraska.
• Political science elective

  Choose one of the following political science courses:

  • POS 350 The American Presidency (3 credits) - The study and analysis of the development of the contemporary presidency, presidential powers, responsibilities, and political relationships.
     
  • POS 355 Politics of the Supreme Court (3 credits) - This course focuses on the political forces that shape the Supreme Court’s decision-making process. Landmark cases will be closely examined and placed in their political, cultural, and historical context. In addition, students will examine different theories of adjudication, the selection process, and the Supreme Court’s relationship with the other political branches.
     
  • POS 365 Comparative Government and Politics (3 credits) - Analysis and comparison of the political systems and processes of selected countries.
     
  • POS 420 American Constitutional Law (3 credits) - A study of the U.S. Constitution and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the Constitution: judicial review, governmental powers, and rights of citizens, including both civil and criminal rights.
     
  • POS 425 Rights and Liberties (3 credits) - A study of the Bill of Rights and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations on its provisions. Subjects include freedoms of religion, freedoms of speech, freedom of the press, the right to keep and bear arms, search and seizure, the right to counsel, cruel and unusual punishment, discrimination, and the right to privacy.
     
  • POS 445 Public Administration and Management (3 credits) - Concepts of public administration and management processes, introduction to administrative processes of personnel, budgeting, and program management; analysis of public bureaucracy’s function from a public policy perspective.
• Concentration-based elective

  Choose one of the following courses, depending on your concentration:
  
  Note: Geography majors must take GEO 315 World Economic Geography. History majors must take SSC 490 Social Sciences Research Seminar, or appropriate Honors Course 395 or 499. Political Science majors must take POS 430 Public Policy, or appropriate Honors Course 395 or 499.

  • GEO 315 World Economic Geography (3 credits) – A study of resource use, locational choices, and regional specialization in the global economy. Special emphasis is given to the factors involving uneven patterns of social and economic development and the impact of globalization at various scales.
     
  • POS 430 Public Policy (3 credits) – The study of domestic policymaking processes and institutions at all levels, taught from an intergovernmental relations perspective.
     
  • SSC 485 Social Sciences Senior Seminar (3 credits) – Students will complete a written project on a topic chosen with their advisor. This project is intended to integrate all disciplines and approaches taken in the major, demonstrating the interrelation of the social sciences. The advisor will meet with various faculty members to facilitate discussion of the integration of ideas through the student’s coursework. Prerequisite: Senior standing, permission of the advisor.
     
  • SSC 490 Social Sciences Research Seminar (3 credits) - A study of the techniques of historical and Social Sciences research and writing. Students will complete a major research project on a topic of their choice and present the results to the seminar. Students in Honors Colloquium 499 are exempt from SSC 490 when required in a major endorsement.
     
  • Honors Course 395 Independent Study (3 credits) - Advanced reading and research in special problems, resulting in written evidence of quality work completed. Prerequisites: 3.3 cumulative GPA and consent of instructor, department chair, and Director of the Honors Program.
     
  • Honors Course 499 Senior Honors Colloquium (3 credits) - Seminar presentations. Students present senior project during honors colloquium presentations on campus either in spring or fall term. May be applied to the major or minor or endorsement. Prerequisites: 3 credit hours of 395 Independent Study and a GPA of 3.3 or better in the major, and a cumulative GPA of 3.3.

• POS 100 American National Government

  Credits: 3

  Description: The study of the institutions and political processes of the national government.

• POS 110 Introduction to World Politics

  Credits: 3

  Description: An introduction to the basic concepts of world political activity, offering a broad overview of the application of political science to world politics and international relations.

• POS 315 Seminar in Political Theory

  Credits: 3

  Description: This seminar allows detailed examination of one or more of the historical and current theoretical positions in political science. Among the possible topics are: classical theory of government, non-western theories, revolutionary theory, American political theory, and the European political tradition.

• American Politics courses

  Choose 6 hours from the following courses:

  • POS 350 The American Presidency (3 credits) – The study and analysis of the development of the contemporary presidency, presidential powers, responsibilities, and political relationships.
     
  • POS 355 Politics of the Supreme Court (3 credits) – This course focuses on the political forces that shape the Supreme Court’s decision-making process. Landmark cases will be closely examined and placed in their political, cultural, and historical context. In addition, students will examine different theories of adjudication, the selection process, and the Supreme Court’s relationship with the other political branches.
     
  • POS 360 Congressional Politics (3 credits) – Analysis of the decision-making structure and process in Congress with a focus upon the organizational constraints on legislative behavior, recruitment of congressional candidates, congressional elections, legislative voting behavior and presidential influence in Congress.
     
  • POS 420 American Constitutional Law (3 credits) – A study of the U.S. Constitution and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the Constitution: judicial review, governmental powers, and rights of citizens, including both civil and criminal rights.
     
  • POS 425 Rights and Liberties (3 credits) – A study of the Bill of Rights and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations on its provisions. Subjects include freedoms of religion, freedoms of speech, freedom of the press, the right to keep and bear arms, search and seizure, the right to counsel, cruel and unusual punishment, discrimination, and the right to privacy.
     
  • POS 444 Topics in Political Science (3 credits) – Current or special issues in political science will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to discuss relevant issues facing society. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics.
• International Relations/Comparative courses

  Choose 3 hours from the following courses:

  • POS 365 Comparative Government and Politics (3 credits) – Analysis and comparison of the political systems and processes of selected countries.
     
  • POS 444 Topics in Political Science (3 credits) – Current or special issues in political science will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to discuss relevant issues facing society. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics.
• Political science electives (6-12 credits)

  The 6 hours of electives may be selected at the student’s discretion from any of the three areas above in consultation with the academic advisor. An approved internship may qualify for 3 hours of elective credit.

  For students pursuing the 36-hour concentration, you'll take an additional two upper-level political science courses (for another 6 credit hours) that you have not previously taken.