1996-1997 Academic Catalog

Social Sciences and History HIST-411 Interpretations in American History-A 5 hours A study of selected historical problems in America. Emphasis placed on new interpretations and their impact. (even years) HIST-468 History of Ancient Political Thought-A 3 hours A study of early political thought with special attention to Plato, Aristotle, and Augustine. Stress is on reading and analyzing prima1y documents. (even years) HIST-469 History of Modern Political Thought-A 3 hours An historical development of political thought from Locke to the present. An examination of representative contemporary ideas on the nature of the state: anarchism, libertarianism, philosophical conservatism, 20th century liberalism, socialism, fascism, nazism, and communism. (odd years) Political Science 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 subdivi- sions 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 See course description for HIST-321 Historical and Political Development of East Asia. POLS-322 The Middle East: History and Politics-Sp 4 hours See course description for HIST-322 Middle East: History and Politics. 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. Includes observations of the judicial process. POLS-361 The American Presidency-Sp 4 hours An overview of the office of the American president, the various responsibilities that he holds, the conh·asting theories held in regard to the execution of his office, and 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 that undergird the role of 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 contempora1y 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 5 hours The basic concepts of descriptive and inferential 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, hypothesis testing, simple tests of significance correlation, 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: CRJU-367 Research Methodology. POLS-369 Public Policy-A 4 hours See course description for PUAD-369 Public Policy. ., Political scientist, Joseph Halsey, advises pre/aw students and teaches courses in American government. POLS-405 Great Power Diplomacy in the Modern 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; POLS-368 Data Analysis. (odd years) POLS-463 American Constitutional Law-Sp 5 hours An in-depth analysis of selected Supreme Court decisions and their relevance to political, social, economic, and religious dimensions of American life. POLS-468 History of Ancient Political Thought-A 3 hours See course description for HIST-468 History of Ancient Political Thought. POLS-469 History of Modern Political Thought-A 3 hours See course description for HIST-469 History of Modern Political Thought. POLS-470 Prelaw Seminar-W 5 hours Individual projects acquaint the student with legal procedures and research in areas such as briefs and contracts.