Political Science Degree Program

Credits: 3

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

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 360 Colonial and Revolutionary America (3 credits) – Traces the growth of America from the first settlements to the establishment of the Constitution in 1789. 
   
• HIS 385 America, 1945 to the Present (3 credits) – A survey of America in the latter half of the century. Topics include World War II, Industrialism, the Cold War, and changes in American domestic and foreign policies. 
   
• 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.

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.

Choose one of the following courses:
 

• POS 430 Public Policy (3 credits) – The study of domestic policymaking processes and institutions at all levels, taught from an intergovernmental relations perspective.
   
• 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.

Credits: 3

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

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.

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.

Choose two of 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 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. Note: only topics on American politics will satisfy this requirement.

Select one of 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. Note: only topics on international relations or comparative politics will satisfy this requirement.

Choose two of the following courses not previously taken:

• POS 402 State and Local Politics (3 credits) - The study of the political institutions and process at state and local levels.
   
• POS 410 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3 credits) - Public policy analysis consists of systematically exploring alternatives to defined public policy problems. Program evaluation consists of post hoc examination of the process and impact of public policy. This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and practice of public policy and program evaluation. Students will learn qualitative and quantitative methodological skills used in these processes and employ these skills in research. Prerequisite: POS 430 Public Policy
   
• 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. Note: only POS 444 with topics on public administration and policy will satisfy this requirement.
   
• 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.
   
• SSC 319 Statistics for the Social Sciences (3 credits) - Introduction to the statistical measures commonly used in Social Sciences research and their application to research problems in the various Social Sciences disciplines. Includes use of computer statistical packages for Social Sciences. Prerequisite: 3 hours of mathematics.

For students pursuing the 42-hour concentration, you'll take one upper-level political science course (for another 3 credit hours) that you have not previously taken.

Students pursuing the 48-hour concentration will take three upper-level political science courses (for another 9 credit hours).