Political Science

An overview of the major disciplines represented in the International Studies major. This course will also offer an introduction to contemporary global concerns through a study of current political, economic, and social issues. Discussion of important global issues will lead to a more critical analysis of news and an awareness of the responsibilities of national and international citizenship. ELO4 Global Learning - World Citizenship

The nature, philosophy, and history of the United States federal system with major consideration given to the national government, its organization, and the interrelation and functions of its component parts. A consideration of the political processes and legal concepts implicit in the American government. ELO5 Social Science - Innovation.

Introduces the field of peace studies with a survey of the historical and philosophical bases for peacemaking, patterns of conflict resolution, nonviolence, history of peace movements, world order models, alternative futures, positive peace, and career options. ELO5 Histories - Peace, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace

Examines immigration in an interdisciplinary way, focusing on how politics affects, obscures or exacerbates inequalities of power, wealth and safety among immigrant populations worldwide. Explores motives for migration across or within states, the means by which people migrate, and the reception immigrants receive in their destination countries. ELO4 Global Learning - Equality, ELO4 Global Learning - Equality and Peace

This course examines the politics of Latin America past and present, with an emphasis upon examining inequalities of power, wealth, gender, race and origin among populations throughout Latin America. The course will explore the legacy of colonialism, the functioning of local and national government institutions, challenges posed by neoliberal globalization, and migration flows both within and outside of Latin America. The course also explores the politics of identity concerning what, in each country and across them, is defined as “Latin”, “American”, and other identity markers such as “Latino”/”Latina”, “Hispanic”, “Chicano”/”Chicana”, “Mestizo”/”Mestiza”, and how these intersect with other forms of inequality. ELO4 Global Learning - World Citizenship, ELO4 Global Learning - Equality and Peace.

A study of the history of the creation and evolving interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, with emphasis on important issues decided by the Supreme Court. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.

The evolution of the office of the President, the recruitment of Presidents, and the various functions performed by the President. +This course is only offered every other year.

A study of the courts and the judicial process in the United States, with special emphasis on the development of the constitutional system, the interpretation of the law by the courts and effects on the American system of government, both state and national. Supreme Court cases are extensively studied. +This course is only offered every other year.

A history of the interaction of the United States with the people and governments of foreign nations from 1898 to the present. Topics include US imperial ambitions, the world wars, the Cold War, and US concerns with foreign nationalist movements. ELO5 Social Science - World Citizenship, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.

Survey of the history, scope, and nature of criminal law in the United States. Includes study of the legal process and rules of evidence.

Through study of US Supreme Court decisions, students explore the meaning of criminal procedure, the 4th Amendment and the exclusionary rule, arrest and stop procedures, search warrants, warrantless searches, right to counsel, interrogation and confessions, identification of suspects, pretrial process and trial process. Special readings are used to teach the workings of US Supreme Court, and to examine use of expert witnesses in criminal cases, false confession issues, special issues relating to interrogation of children, problems of eyewitness identification, and comparative police line-up techniques. Students learn legal research techniques and write motion to suppress illegal search as final project.

An advanced experiential course of study in which students propose, research, write and present a paper at a professional or student conference. Students will gain a detailed understanding of a particular topic in history as well as the process of abstract submissions, preparation of a paper of appropriate structure and length for professional acceptance, the process of presentation itself, and the following critique. Students will be encouraged to rework a paper that they have written for a previous history or political science class and earn 1 semester hour of credit. In exceptional circumstances, students may write a new paper and earn 3 semester hours of credit. Students need not be history majors to make a request to sign up for this course, but must work closely with a history or political science faculty member in order to prepare an appropriate conference paper. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours. No more than 6 hours may be applied to the history, political science, and social science major requirements. No credits earned through the Practicum may be applied to History area distribution requirements; all credits will be treated as electives.

An in-depth study of topics from various areas of political science such as Europe, Middle East, war and peace, etc. Course topics to be announced prior to each semester they are offered. May be repeated for credit as topics change.

Designed to help the history majors professionalize their knowledge and experience through writing a scholarly paper. History majors only. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of "C" in HIST2400 Historical Inquiry. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)

The research, writing, and evaluation of the completed seminar paper. Prerequisite: HIST4900.