2012-2013 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Page 266 2012–13 Undergraduate Catalog Introduction Admissions Academic Information Academic Departments Course Descriptions Financial Information Appendix Index POLS-3610 Presidency –Sp 3 hours This course analyzes the organization, behavior, and impact of the american presidency on American politics, policy, and culture. Attention is given to historical developments in the American presidency, the roles that presidents play in the American political system and the interaction of presidents with the public, interest groups, political parties, and the media. Prerequisites: GSS-1100 Politics in American Culture. POLS-3630 Congress –Fa 3 hours This course is a study of the legislative power in the American government. It focuses on the nature of the legislative power, and how that power was institutionalized in the Constitution. Emphasis is also placed upon the way our conceptions of Congress and the legislative power, have changed from the early national period to the present. The course also introduces the student to contemporary functions and procedures of Congress. Prerequisites: GSS-1100 Politics in American Culture POLS-3640 Campaigns and Elections –Fa 3 hours This course examines the fluid nature of political campaigns and elections in modern American politics. Students will study the strategies of political campaigns, including use of the media, fund raising, and resource allocation, as well as individual-level voting behavior as it is practiced in the context of campaigns. Prerequisite: GSS-1100 Politics and American Culture. (even years) POLS-3650 International Relations –Fa 3 hours A survey of contemporary international affairs and principles of interstate relations, focusing on forces that unite and divide our world. Crosslisted as INTL or POLS. POLS-3690 Public Policy –Sp 3 hours See course description for PUAD-3690 Public Policy. Prerequisite: GSS-1100 Politics and American Culture POLS-3710 3 hours History of Political Thought I: Ancient Through Medieval –Fa See course description for HIST-3710 History of Political Thought I: Ancient Through Medieval. POLS-3720 3 hours History of Political Thought II:Modern andContemporary –Sp See course description for HIST-3720 History of Political Thought II: Modern and Contemporary. POLS-3730 American Political Thought –Fa 3 hours Survey and examination of the course of political thought in the American colonies and the United States from the 1600s to current times. Includes special attention to American founders and the rise of political liberalism in the thought of Woodrow Wilson. Crosslisted as POLS or HIST. (even years) POLS-3760 Jurisprudence –Fa 3 hours A survey of historical and contemporary theories of law, including natural law, Yoderian theories, Theonomy, positivism, critical legal studies, historical jurisprudence, and others, as well as crucial legal concepts such as justice, due process, and current issues. Prerequisite: GSS-1100 Politics and American Culture. (even years) POLS-3790 Comparative Politics –Fa 3 hours This course will familiarize students with major historical developments, political debates, and scholarly research in the subfield of comparative politics. Particular emphasis will be placed on topics of the modern state, nationalism, economic development, political culture and ideology, identity structure, regime types, regime transitions, and comparative political economy. Crosslisted as POLS or INTL. (odd years) POLS-4050 3 hours Issues in International Diplomacy –Sp See course description for HIST-4050 Issues in International Diplomacy. POLS-4300 Great Books in History and Politics –Sp 3 hours This course will require the student to read a single classic work of history and political thought (or a limited number of related works) and with other students, to closely and critically analyze the argument of the work. Crosslisted as POLS, INTL, PUAD, or HIST. Prerequisite: GSS-1100 Politics and American Culture (odd years) POLS-4440 Special Topics-Political Science 1–3 hours Investigation of specific topics in Social Science and History that have intrinsic worth and engage student interest. POLS-4620 Church and State in America –Fa 3 hours This course examines the historical, political, theoretical, and legal relationship between church and state in America. Particular attention will be paid to the American founding and changing perceptions of church and state over time. (odd years) POLS-4630 3 hours American Constitutional Law — Civil Liberties and Rights –Sp The United States Constitution defines the powers and scope of the American government and delineates the rights and liberties retained by the American people. This course focuses on the supreme Court’s interpretation of those rights and liberties by examining the Court’s decisions in their legal and historical contexts. Crosslisted as CRJU. Prerequisites: GSS-1100 Politics and American Culture POLS-4640 3 hours American Constitutional Law — Government Powers and Federalism –Fa This course provides an in-depth analysis of landmark Supreme Court decisions pertaining to the power struggles between the three branches of government at the national level and the power struggles between the national government and state governments. In addition, this course will analyze how Supreme Court Justices interpret the Constitution and construct their opinions. Prerequisite: GSS-1100 Politics in American Culture (even years) POLS-4700 Prelaw Seminar –Sp 3 hours Individual projects acquaint the student with legal procedures and research in areas such as briefs and contracts. POLS-4800 Seminar in International Studies –Fa 3 hours A seminar/readings course intended to prepare senior students for graduate study. Through readings and discussion, students explore classical writings on international relations and international issues that are shaping our contemporary and future world. Crosslisted as INTL or POLS. POLS-4900 Research in Political Science –Sp 3 hours Senior capstone thesis course in which students engage in original research and writing for the completion and defense of thesis before a committee of professors. Course emphasizes substantive cross-disciplinary and biblical integration within research topic. Prerequisite: all political science major requirements or permission of instructor. (Fee: $100) POLS-4930 1–3 hours Independent Study in Political Science Provides the means whereby gifted and interested students may explore, in a more in-depth and intensive manner, general information acquired in the major courses. Further, independent study provides a logical way to complete required hours not obtained in normal sequencing. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Course Descriptions | POLS-3610 – POLS-4930