Course presents philosophical principles, governmental machinery and political processes of the federal government. Content includes political culture, the Constitution, civil liberties and civil rights, government institutions, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, and public policy decision-making.
Course examines the primary fields within political science. Content includes political philosophy; empirical political theory; American politics; comparative politics; international relations; research techniques; general concepts used in the study of politics, such as socialization, groups, etc.
Course examines political parties in the United States. Content includes the historical development, and modern status, the role political parties play in the American political process.
Course presents functional aspects and governmental structures of a variety of political systems. Content includes totalitarian, democratic, and mixed forms of government as seen against a backdrop of current issues of world politics.
Course provides theoretical foundation, historical background, and conceptual framework for understanding contemporary international relations. Content includes international relations theory; evolution of the modern international political system; power, diplomacy and foreign policy; war and peace; international law and organizations; international political economy and globalization. Case studies used extensively to exemplify the problems and potential solutions of contemporary international politics.
Course examines basic characteristics, underlying causes and dynamics of contemporary international terrorism in an historical and international relations context. Content includes developing an analytical framework for understanding terrorist groups, motivations, tactics, strategies, and targets, as well as international counterterrorism efforts.
Course examines contemporary American foreign policy making and conduct within historical and international political context. Content includes an analysis of U.S. foreign policy institutions, actors, traditions, and choices. Historical case studies and current international issues used to exemplify underlying principles and values of U.S. foreign policy.
Course surveys the political, social and economic history of selected non-western cultures since 1945. Content includes the study of at least four cultures, drawn from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Course examines the causes and consequences of wars as well as strategies for peace in world politics. A variety of topics such as the nature and origins of war and peace, terrorism, ethnic and religious conflicts, intervention, globalization, and arms proliferation will be analyzed from a theoretical and historical perspective. Current world events relating to these topics will be discussed.
Course explores major political issues and/or aspects of political life that are related to and grow out of the political science courses taught at the College. Course has a different focus and/or scope than the courses currently offered in the department and may be taken for credit up to four times on different topics. Fee Varies. Prerequisite may vary by topic.