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Political Science Courses
CORE COURSES
100. Introduction to Politics. 4 cr. hrs. The course introduces students to the study of politics by asking them to compare political systems. They will explore the differences and similarities of the United States and a non-Western or non-liberal country (for example, China, Mexico or Iran). Students will explore differences in what great philosophers have argued justice should mean in these systems, what is expected from politics, and how the state and society relate to each other.
200. Introduction to Political Theory. 4 cr. hrs. An introductory course that examines the nature of politics; considers the meaning of such terms as liberty, equality, justice, power; and overviews the major Western political philosophies and ideologies, including liberalism, conservatism, Marxism and fascism.
250. Introduction to World Politics. 4 cr. hrs. An introductory course where students examine conflict and cooperation in a political sphere with states but no central government. Topics include Realism and Liberalism, explaining war and peace, the role of human rights in world politics, and the debated place of the United States in international relations.
400. Senior Seminar. 4 cr. hrs. The senior seminar gives majors a forum in which to integrate the problems and topics that have informed their coursework in the department. The seminar combines empirical and theoretical approaches while addressing themes common to the four key subfields of political science — political theory, American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. Empirical and conceptual analysis will be pursued alongside ethical and spiritual questions of human conduct and destiny. The central topic of the course will vary.
POLITICAL THEORY
200. Introduction to Political Theory. 4 cr. hrs. See description under “Core Courses.”
211. American Political Thought. 4 cr. hrs. Focuses on the development of American political thought from its European roots. Special attention is given to the construction and changing meaning of the Constitution, and to a critical examination of contemporary American political thought. Also considers the American polity today. Recommended background: POL 200.
313. Classical and Medieval Political Thought. 4 cr. hrs. Traces the development of classical political thought in Greece, explores the changes made by the Romans, and subsequent decline, and the various modifications proposed by Augustine, Aquinas, and other medieval thinkers. Generally covers Plato, Aristotle, the Romans, Augustine, and Aquinas. Recommended background: POL 200.
314. Modern Political Thought. 4 cr. hrs. Explores the characteristics of modern political thought, compares and contrasts its different representatives, and considers critically the importance these representatives have had in shaping modern political life. Generally covers Machiavelli, Calvin, Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Marx, and Nietzsche.Recommended background: POL 200.
AMERICAN POLITICS
150. Introduction to American Government. 4 cr. hrs. An introductory survey of the structures and functions of American political institutions. Areas of study include the founding, political parties and participation, the mass media, Congress, the Presidency, courts, state and local government, interest groups, and the federal bureaucracy. Students may not receive credit for both POL 102 and 150.
201. Congress and the Presidency. 4 cr. hrs. Examines Congress dynamically in terms of participant roles, committee systems, party influence and leadership, legislative functions and representative democracy, legislative and executive relations, and current efforts at reform. Second half of course will cover the development of the modern presidency from 1789 to the present. Topics include presidential leadership, power, and influence in relationships with Congress, courts, parties, bureaucracy, and the public in the formulation and administration of domestic and foreign policy. Nominations, campaigns and elections.
210. Campaigns and Elections. 4 cr. hrs. A study of trends in political campaign techniques and their impact on American democ-
racy as political parties decline. Identifying the actors on the political scene—personal organizations, interest groups, Political Action Committees, and campaign consultants. Examines the development of modern campaigns in terms of campaign finance, techno-
logical innovation, and professionalization.
308. Political Communication. 4 cr. hrs. This course is designed to survey the major institutions of political communication in the United States. Areas of study include campaign advertising and the development of sound-bite politics, government-press relations, the impact of the media on agenda setting and the policy process, the corporate structure of the mass media and its political consequences, the role of symbols in political discourse and the manipulation of cultural icons. Recommended background: POL 150.
COMPARATIVE POLITICS
225. Comparative Policy and Dynamics. 4 cr. hrs. Students will examine a current or historical issue or policy debate in American national life and compare how other countries have grappled with the issue. The topics will vary, but might include “The Welfare State in the US, Germany and Japan,” “Executive Control of Foreign Policy in the US, France, and China,” or “Regulating Death in the USA, the Netherlands, and Japan.” Topics will be announced in the semester course listing.
325. Cases in Comparative Politics. 4 cr. hrs. Students explore the political system of a state or those of a region, or of a significant political dynamic. Examples: Politics of Russia, Politics of East Asia, Democratization.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
250. Introduction to World Politics. 4 cr. hrs. See description under “Core Courses.”
334. U.S. National Security Policy. 4 cr. hrs. Students examine the historical development of American grand strategy, as well as current debates and policy over what American foreign policy should be after the Cold War.
452. Senior Seminar. 4 cr. hrs. The capstone seminar for International Relations majors designed to integrate the interdisciplinary program. Topics vary; past topics have included “Realism and Anti-Realism” and “Just War and the Gulf War.” Political Science majors may enroll with the instructor’s consent.
PUBLIC LAW
221. Constitutional Law: National and State Powers. 4 cr. hrs. The nature and extent of constitutional power, the separation-of-powers doctrine, federal-state relations, the power of Congress and the Presidency, commerce and property rights. Recommended background: POL 150.
222. Constitutional Law:Civil Rights and Liberties. 4 cr. hrs. Course reviews the development of political and civil rights in the American constitutional system and the limitations on government powers with emphasis on freedom of speech, press, religion, and the rights of the accused. Briefing and analysis of cases and statutes. Discussion. Recommended background: POL 150.
OTHER COURSES, SEMINARS, DIRECTED READINGS,
INTERNSHIPS, INDEPENDENT STUDY, and SPECIAL PROGRAMS
100. Introduction to Politics. 4 cr. hrs. See description under “Core Courses.”
215. Intermediate Seminar. 2-4 cr. hrs. Topics of this seminar will vary; past topics include “Fundamentals of Political Philosophy,” “Politics and Literature,” “States and Markets in World Politics.” Topics announced in course listings.
400. Senior Seminar. 4 cr. hrs. See description under “Core Courses.”
431, 432. Directed Readings or Research. 1-4 cr. hrs. Students may pursue independent work under an agreed form of supervision by faculty. Individual or group research or reading on selected topics determined by student interest may be arranged. Results may be presented orally or in a short thesis, or both. Personal conferences and/or group meetings will be arranged by agreement between students and faculty. This work may endure through two semesters. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
472. Internship. 2-6 cr. hrs. Academic credit for internships in the political arena at the international, federal, state, or local level. This experience could be with a Senator or Representative, a state legislator, a non-profit advocacy group, etc. Internships will usually be taken in the junior and senior years. Students will often have to complete research projects attached to the internship. Offered on demand. Credit will be Pass/Fail only.
Special Programs:
- Institute for Comparative Political & Economic Systems, at Georgetown University: Students take courses and an internship through the Fund for American Studies Program during the summer. See Prof. Gary Armstrong for particulars.
- Missouri Legislative Internship Program: Students intern at Missouri's General Assembly in Jefferson City during the spring semester. See department chair for particulars.
- Washington Semester Program: Students take course work and an internship through the Washington Semester Program, offered in cooperation with the American University in Washington, D.C. See department chairman for particulars.
- United Nations Semester of Drew University is available to students. See department chair for particulars.
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