POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLI-101 American Federal Government

3 Credits (Social and Behavioral
Sciences Core)

The student will evaluate and critically analyze the following areas of American Government: first, the origins, principles and interpretation of the American Constitution including the tensions between federalism and nationalism; secondly, politics and the people: public opinion, political parties, elections and interest groups; thirdly, the institutions of government which include the presidency, congress, judiciary and federal bureaucracy; fourthly, issues in public policy including economic policy, foreign policy and social issues such as crime, energy, obscenity, and affirmative action. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)

POLI-102 State and Local Government

3 Credits

The student will evaluate, debate, and critically analyze the public policies which emerge from the political processes of state and local government by examining the following: (1) the constraints on state and local governments in making and implementing policy; (2) the policy roles of the legislative, executive, judicial, and administrative branches; (3) the successes and failures of state and local governments in dealing with the following public policy areas - criminal justice, welfare, education, housing, transportation, and the environment; (4) the role of citizen influence on public policy and an examination of some alternatives to the conventional channels of state and local government. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)

POLI-201 Comparative Government

3 Credits (Social and Behavioral
Sciences Core)

The student will be able to compare and contrast the political, military, social, and economic characteristics of governments in three different environments. They are: nations in transition (developing Third World States to be selected in class); countries in a western democratic setting (United States, Britain and France) and post Cold War communist governments. The student will also be able to examine and evaluate modern political thought and ideologies such as rational philosophies; liberal and conservative doctrines; socialistic and Marxist ideologies; Fascism, anarchism, terrorism and nationalism. Prerequisite: ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)

POLI-202 International Relations and Contemporary Foreign Policy

3 Credits (Social and Behavioral
Sciences/Interdisciplinary and
Emerging Issues Core)

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the study of American foreign policy. The course will explore the nature of foreign policy, the idea of national interest, the historic impulses driving foreign policy in the US, the crucial historical challenges shaping American foreign policy, the institutional context of American foreign policy and will investigate the principle challenges facing American policy makers today and in the future. Prerequisite ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)