Course Offerings in Political Science

POL 101: Constitutional Government. (1 hour)

This course covers the provisions and principles of the U.S. and Missouri constitutions, with a focus on civil rights and on how governmental institutions have evolved through history.

This course meets the Missouri Statutory Requirement.

POL 161: American National Government (3 hours)

This course covers the principles, organization, and functions of American national government. The role of public attitudes, voting and elections in shaping the behavior of that government are also studied.

This course meets the Missouri Statutory Requirement and the Social Science Mode of Inquiry in the LSP beginning in the Fall of 2008. It also may be applied toward the Public Administration Minor.

POL 171: Introduction to Political Science (3 hours)

This course provides an overview of the basic concepts, principles, approaches and methods used to study politics in the United States and abroad. This course will also introduce students to political thought and to international politics.

This course may be used to satisfy the Social Science Mode of Inquiry and meets the Intercultural Requirement in the LSP.

POL 250: International Relations (3 Hours)

This course covers the national state system, national policies of great and small powers, and the rise of lesser developed states in a 21st Century context.

This course meets the Social Science Mode of Inquiry and the Intercultural Requirement in the LSP beginning with the Fall of 2008. This course may be applied toward the International Studies major.

POL 251: Peace and Security (3 Hours)

This course provides a broad introduction to the problem of peace and security in the contemporary world. The course reaches beyond the traditional definition of security and discusses several nonmilitary aspects of security, such as technology, the environment, and demographic change. Special attention will be paid to "rogue" states and security concerns stemming from conflicts in the developing world.

This course also fulfills the Social Science Mode of Inquiry in the LSP and may be substituted for the International Studies Minor.

POL 252: Women, Gender and Politics (3 hours)

This course addresses the role women play in politics in sub-national, national, and global arenas and is comparative in nature. Examples will be drawn from a variety of countries and contexts. The conceptual components of the course explore the social and cultural construction of gender, its impact on politics, as well as the politics of changing gender roles.

This course fulfills the Social Science Mode of Inquiry in the LSP. You may also get a substitution to count this class toward the Women’s Studies Minor

POL 262: American State and Local Government (3 hours)

This course provides an analysis of politics and government at the state and local levels. Topics include the study of governmental structures and processes, the nature of the political struggle at these levels, the political environment within which this struggle occurs, and major policy issues of concern today.

This course meets the Missouri Statutory Requirement.

POL 275: Environmental Politics and Policies. (3 hours)

This course introduces students to the most important institutions and actors that shape environmental policies, with a focus on the United States. The provisions of landmark environmental laws are review, as well as current issues such a climate change, conversation and preservation.

This course may be applied toward the Environmental Studies Minor.

POL 275: Politics and Film (3 hours)

In this course you will watch and analyze a number of films with politically relevant content, from the era of silent films to the present. While you will be entertained by the films themselves, the primary educational purpose is to help you develop critical analytical skills toward the cinema as a conveyer of political messages and images

POL 275: Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict (3 hours)

This course will explore forces and the relationships between nationalist feelings, ethnic loyalties and how these interact to fuel conflict around the globe today. Dr. Justice has a very dynamic classroom presence, and you will enjoy learning about this important subject matter from him.

You may also get a substitution to count this class toward the International Studies Minor.

POL 300: Political Science Methodology (3 hours)

This course will instruct students in the important political inquiry methods and approaches. During the semester each student will plan and execute an empirical research project.

POL 315: Principles of Comparative Politics (3 hours)

This course covers the most important theories and concepts used to study political systems around the world, and applies these to come to a more systematic understanding of different nations and political systems.

This course may be applied to the International Studies Minor.

POL 344: Principles of Public Administration (3 hours)

This class examines the nature and scope of public administration as a field of study and as a major element of the American political process and considers the basic characteristics of formal organizations. (Prerequisite: POL 161 or POL 162)

This course is required for the Public Administration Minor.

POL 345: Public Policy-Making (3 hours)

This course reviews the basis concepts and theoretical and methodological approaches used in public policy studies. The factors, criteria and processes involved in the formulation and implementation of public policy are also a focus of the class.

This course is required for the Public Administration Minor and for the Environmental Studies Track Interdisciplinary Major.

POL 351: International Organization and Law (3 hours)

This course reviews the principles governing states in their legal relations with each other and to the international organizations to which they belong.

This course may be applied to the International Studies Minor.

POL 355: Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa (3 hours)

This class gives an overview of the major approaches, institutions, issues, problems, and trends essential to an understanding of the current politics of African nations south of the Sahara. Topics include the impact of colonialism, the problems of development and underdevelopment, the role of political parties and the military, and the role of Africa in the international system.

This course may be applied toward the International Studies Minor and the Africa/African-American Studies Minor. It also is a General Honors Course.

POL 357: American Foreign Relations (3 hours)

This course reviews the formulation, content, and conduct of United States foreign policy.

This course may be applied toward the International Studies Minor and is a General Honors Course.

POL 361: Law and the Judicial Process (3 hours)

This course studies the nature of the law, the types of law, court structures, the adversary system, and the policy-making role of the courts.

POL 362: Public Opinion (3 hours)

This course explores the formation, content, and distribution of public opinion and its influence on the American political system. Methods of survey research are also covered.

POL 363: Political Parties (3 hours)

This class covers the origin and evolution of political parties together with analysis of their current roles in the political system and their possible future development.

POL 364: The Presidency (3 hours)

The focus of this course is the Presidential Office, noting its changing nature and powers.

This is a General Honors Course.

POL 365: Congress and the Legislative Process (3 Hours)

This course reviews the functions, achievements, and limitations of the legislative branch of American Government.

POL 366: Interest Group Politics (3 hours)

This course explores the major theories and concepts used to stud group politics in the United States. Special consideration is given to the role of lobbyists and Political Action Committees in the political process

POL 370: Current Issues in Political Science (1-3 hours)

A wide array of special topic courses are offered here, covering the entire range of the political world.

POL 370: Political Economy (3 hours)

In this course, students learn the fundamentals concerning the rise of international economic cooperation and conflict. The course acknowledges an overlapping historical and theoretical approach to this sub-field of International Relations, though with a strong overlap with Comparative Politics. It examines the rise of international economic institutions and norms as well as some current international economic concerns through three primary theoretical prisms: Liberal, Realist, and Marxist (and their associated schools of thought). At the end of the course, students should understand the rise of international trade and financial institutions, the current state of such institutions, their evolving nature, and the basics of the three paradigms which seek to explain these phenomena.

This course may be applied to the International Studies Minor.

POL 370: Model U.N. (1-2 hours)

In this experience students enhance their knowledge of international relations by studying and engaging in simulations of the United Nations. The Model U.N. team will compete in the national competition every year in Chicago.

POL 371: Constitutional Law (3 hours)

This course examines the development of constitutional law as it relates to the relationships between individuals and the government and intergovernmental relationships.

POL 454: Policy Analysis and Budgeting (3 hours)

This course focuses on budgeting practices and procedures for the federal government. The evolution and approaches to budgeting are emphasized, as well as the key institutions and actors in the process. Prerequisite: POL 344.

POL 460: Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 hours)

This course provides an overview of the most significant concepts, models and methods used throughout the discipline. It is designed as a capstone experience with some focus on readiness for the job market, professional training, or graduate school, as well as on preparation for the senior exam. Prerequisite: Political Science major of junior or senior standing.

POL 461: European Politics (3 hours)

This course focuses on the governments and politics of the major European nations, with a stress on the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the former Soviet Union.

This course may be applied to the International Studies Minor. It is also a General Honors Course.

POL 468: Political Thought (3 hours)

This course examines the great political thinkers from Plato to Marx. Emphasis is placed on the origin and development of modern modes of political thought.

POL 470: Advanced Seminar in Political Science--A) Political Thought; B) American Government and Politics; C) Comparative Politics; D) International Relations; or E) Public Administration. (3 hours)

A variety of topics may be offered under this special issues listing involving substantive and methodological developments in important subdivisions of political science.

POL 471: Internship--Political Science (3-12 hours)

Internships provide on-the-job specialized training in fields generally accepted as needing political science field experience to complement the student's academic training. This course may be taken on a pass/fail basis only. A special Application procedure is required and must be completed the semester prior to starting the internship. Please refer to the Internships Link on the Menu to the left.

POL 472: Internship Evaluation and Analysis (1-3)

This is an academic component to the internship which involves research, evaluation and analysis of the internship experience. This course must be arranged with the instructor before the internship commences.

POL 489: Readings in Political Science (1-3 hours)

This experience involves selected readings in a specific subject in political science as assigned by the instructor. A maximum of 3 semester hours in Readings can be applied to the Political Science Major. Prior permission of the instructor is required.