Politics Courses
Required Courses for Major
POLS 1101
American Government I
Analysis of the origin, structure, and operations of the national government, with emphasis upon the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial functions, and the formation and content of public policy.
POLS 1105
Intro to Comparative Politics
An introduction to comparative political methodology and a study of cross-national political processes, functions, and institutions of modern and developing political systems.
SOC 2301
Social Science Research
An introduction to the process of social science research and an overview of the research methods most commonly used in sociology, political science, psychology, and related fields. Prerequisite: at least one course in political science, psychology, or sociology.
Select ONE of the following:
POLS 2200
State and Local Politics
A description and analysis of the structure and operation of American state and local government, federal-state relationships, the political process, and the formation of public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
POLS 2210
International Politics
An examination of international and transnational politics and the basic elements of the international political system, to include the concepts of war, peace, power, alliances and diplomacy.
Select ONE of the following:
POLS 2300
Ancient Political Theory
A critical analysis of the basic political writings of selected modern authors important to the development of western civilization, e.g., Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine and St. Thomas. (Same as PHIL 2060 and HIST 2301).
POLS 2310
Modern Political Theory
A critical analysis of the basic political writings of selected modern authors important to the development of western civilization and political thought, e.g. Machiavelli, Boden, Hobbes, Harrington, Locke and Rousseau. (Same as HIST 2310 and PHIL 2400).
Select ONE of the following:
POLS 3300
Legislative Politics
An analysis of the U.S. Congress, with a focus on legislative organization and powers, the law making process, relations with other branches of government, the electoral process as it relates to the legislature, and the legislature's influence on public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
POLS 3310
Presidential Politics
An analysis of the role of the Presidency, with a focus on executive organization and powers, relations with other branches of government, the electoral process as it relates to the presidency, and the executive branch's influence on public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
POLS 3320
Bureaucratic Politics
A study of public administration and the bureaucracy in the American governing system, with a focus on the bureaucratic powers and responsibilities, interactions between the political branches and the bureaucracy, staffing and funding the bureaucracy, and government operations and management. Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years).
POLS 3330
Judicial Processes
An analysis of the structure and functions of federal and state courts as they relate to the operation of the American political system with an emphasis on the role of judges, juries, police and other actors in the adjudication process. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
Select ONE of the following:
POLS 3110
Political Parties/Int Groups
An analysis of the roles played by political parties and interest groups, with a focus on the organization, electoral activities, and influence on public policies. Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years).
POLS 3115
U.S. Campaigns & Elections
An analysis of campaigns and elections within the American political system, including a study of modern day campaign organizations and strategies at the national, state and local levels, electoral behavior by the voters, and the role and impact of the media on campaigns and elections. Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years).
POLS 3150
Southern Politics
A comparative study of the politics of the modern South since World War II, with a focus on the evolution from a one-party dominated region to a competitive two-party region and the effects on the national political environment, the impact of the modern civil rights movement on Southern politics, and analyses of Southern political identification and behavior in electoral politics. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
Select ONE of the following:
POLS 3500
Politics and Public Policy
An examination of the public policy process in the United States, with a focus on the development, enactment, and implementation of public policy through governmental institutions. Topics will include substantive policy areas (e.g., education, social welfare, environmental, and other policy topics.). Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years).
POLS 3510
US Con Law: Powers
A study of constitutional law as developed by the U.S. Supreme Court and its political impact on national and state governments and U.S. citizens, with a focus on questions of federalism, separation of governmental powers, economic regulations, and civil and political rights. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
POLS 3520
U.S. Con Law: Civil Liberties
A study of the constitutional law as developed by the U.S. Supreme Court, with an emphasis on the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment and a focus on freedoms of speech, religion, the media, and civil rights. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
POLS 3530
International Law
A study of sources, schools of thought, major cases and applications of public international law, focusing on the laws of war, diplomacy, the sea, space and nationality. Prerequisite: POLS 2210.
POLS 3540
Political Economy
An analysis of the relationships between politics and economics, exploring how political institutions, the political environment, and economic systems influence each other. Topics include the development of U.S. capitalism, the U.S. federal fiscal and monetary policy processes, and the development of globalization. Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years).
POLS 3550
U.S. Foreign Policy
A critical analysis of American global security interests and contemporary decision making by elements of the government responsible for foreign policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1101
POLS electives at 2000 level or above. (12 hours)
The department has found that the student is well-served to enroll in specific elective courses not listed above. The student should contact the department chair for a list of these suggested electives.
