1993-1994 Academic Catalog

POLS-166 Christian Social and Political Responsibility--Sp 4 hours An examination of the social and political thinking activities of a broad spectrum of groups within contemporary Christendom. The course is designed to help Christian laymen be prepared for social and political involvement. POLS-261 American National Government--A 5 hours An introductory study of the development and structure of the Constitution and the operation of our national political institutions. POLS-262 American State and Local Government--W 5 hours The organization and function of states and their political subdivisions form the basis of study in this course. POLS-264 Problems in American Politics--W 5 hours An analysis of key issues affecting various levels of government such as abortion, social welfare, terrorism, and nuclear war. POLS-321 Historical and Political Development of East Asia--A 4 hours A study of the historical, political, geographical, social, and diplomatic developments of East Asia from the 18th century to the present. May be counted as either history or political science, or geography credit. POLS-322 The Middle East: and Politics--Sp hours An analysis of the major historical, political, geographical, and social forces, such as religion and nationalism, that have shaped the contemporary Middle Eastern states. May be counted as either history, political science, or geography credit. POLS-336 The Judicial Process--Sp 3 hours A study of the American judicial system, its development, contemporary character, and the effect of the legal system on the American citizen. Actual observations of judicial process are included. POLS-361 The American Presidency--Sp 4 hours An overview of the office of the American president, the various responsibilities which he holds, the contrasting theories held in regard to the execution of his office, and a consideration of the increasingly important influence his actions have upon the nation and the rest of the world. (even years) POLS-362 The Supreme Court--W 4 hours An introductory course to the United States Supreme Court as an institution of lasting permanence within the American governmental structure. POLS-363 The Legislative Process--Sp 4 hours An in-depth analysis of the real mechanisms which undergird the role to the Congress of the United States as shown by the current literature and exemplified by present members. (odd years) POLS-365 International Relations--W 5 hours A survey of contemporary world affairs in relationship to the struggle for power within the nation-state system. Divisive and cohesive factors among nations are stressed. POLS-367 Research Methodology--A 3 hours In the presentation of the scientific method of research, particular emphasis will be placed upon hypothesis formation, questionnaire design and administration, sampling, interviewing and data collection. POLS-368 Data Analysis--W 3-5 hours The basic concepts of descriptive and inductive statistics are presented for the purpose of analysis of data sets. Among the concepts emphasized are levels of analysis, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, correlation, simple tests of significance and linear regression. The course will utilize a major statistical software program to familiarize the students with the power of the computer in data analysis. Prerequisite: POLS-367 Research Methodology. POLS-369 Public Policy--Sp 4 hours A focus on decision-making, problem-solving, and methods of program analysis. Prerequisites: HIST-111,112 U.S. History; PUAD-161 Introduction to Public Administration: POLS-261 American National Government. (even years) POLS-405 Great Power in the Modem World--W 4 hours An examination of international relations in the era of nationalism, colonialism, revolution, and ideological conflict. Emphasis is given to the origins and development of contemporary world crises. (Serves as an elective for history/political science majors.) (odd years) POLS-459 Political Science Seminar I--A 2 hours The collection and analysis of data, from a normative and/or empirical perspective, pertaining to a political topic chosen in conjunction with a professor who directs the research project. POLS-460 Political Science Seminar II--W 3 hours The completion of data analysis, the preparation of the research report and the oral defense of the research project under the guidance of the research director. Prerequisite: POLS-459 Political Science Seminar I. POLS-461 Political Dynamics--Sp 3 hours An analysis of public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting behavior; a study of the formation of political attitudes and their influence on the political process. Prerequisite: POLS-261 American National Government and POLS-368 Data Analysis. (odd years) POLS-463 American Constitutional Law--Sp 5 hours An in-depth analysis of some of the classic supreme court decisions with their particular relevance to political, social, economic, and religious dimension of life. Prerequisite: POLS- 362 The Supreme Court. POLS-468 History of Ancient Political Thought--A 3 hours A study of early political theory with special attention to Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine. Stress is on the reading and analysis of primary documents. (even years) POLS-469 History of Modern Political Thought--A 3 hours A historical development of political thought from Locke to the present. An examination of representative contemporary ideas on the nature of the state, anarchism, communism, fascism, socialism, conservatism, and democracy. (odd years) POLS-470 Prelaw Seminar--W 5 hours Individual projects acquaint the student with legal procedures and research in such areas as briefs and contracts. Internships give students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom and to gain valuable job experience.