POLITICAL SCIENCE
Course Descriptions

POLITICAL SCIENCE MINOR

(This minor is also available via the Division of Distance Education. See Philosophy, Politics and Economics)

Program Faculty:

Jeffrey Dense jdense@eou.edu

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

All societies develop institutions of political authority as a means of allocating material goods and social values. The study of how authority is created and utilized is the essence of political science.

Awareness of the political process is a necessity for all citizens. Not only are Americans affected by government at the local, state, and federal levels, but increasingly they must also act as knowledgeable citizens of the world.

Courses in political science are valuable for students in education, business, social sciences, the liberal arts, and the natural sciences. Political science is also strongly recommended for those with career interests in law, law enforcement, government agencies, and planning. At EOU political science is an integral part of the (1) major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and (2) the preapproved Liberal Studies programs in Small City and Rural County Management and Environmental Studies.

Students in the five year education program who are interested in teaching government at the elementary or secondary school level are encouraged to major in one of the above programs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who complete a minor in Political Science should:

- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structures and functions of a range of governmental systems: unitary, federal, and confederal; international, state, and local; e.g., be able to analyze and discuss contemporary issues confronting these institutions.

- Be able to participate actively in the processes of policy articulation, formulation, and implementation across a range of government branches; e.g., be able to participate as a citizen, activist, lobbyist, or employee of a government agency orpolitical organization.

- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of political participation across a range of countries, including: voting, elections, political parties, interest groups, the mass media, public opinion, and non-traditional forms of participation.

- Be able to participate as an informed citizen in politics and government within the context of the forces of global change, including: demographics, economics, the environment, technology, social movements, and globalization.

- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of ideology, political socialization, and political culture across a range of social movements, societies, and countries; e.g, be able to act as a citizen or activist in a variety of political activities, such as lobbying, petitioning, campaigning, and/or engaging in non traditional forms of political participation.

- Be able to demonstrate a broad under- standing of the methodologies of political science, and the social sciences in general; e.g., be able to participate as citizen informed by a knowledge of statistics and scientific analysis.

MEANS OF ASSESSMENT

Political Science students are evaluated in a variety of ways across the curriculum. Evaluation modes and strategies attempt to measure a multiplicity of outcomes. For example, objective exams measure student command of the discipline's knowledge base, critical thinking, and logic skills. Formal and informal writing provide evidence of student abilities in political communication, persuasion, and critical thinking. Role-playing exercises and group processes demonstrate similar dynamics and provide an opportunity for faculty and class evaluations. Assessment of student discourse skills occurs in evaluation of class participation, group work, reports, debates, and other participatory activities. Students are encouraged to take an active part in self-assessment as well as to understand the evaluative strategies used by faculty.

OTHER PROGRAMS

The degrees that are available with an emphasis in Political Science are B.A. or B.S. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics or a B.A. or B.S. in Liberal Studies.

Students in the five year education program who are interested in teaching government at the elementary or secondary school level are encouraged to major in one of the above programs.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

The taxing, spending and regulatory decisions of government affect the activities of virtually every profession, from the fine arts to the hard sciences. Therefore, a minor in Political Science is a valuable complement to any major. The study of politics is particularly relevant to Education and History.

1. A minor will consist of the following:

A. A minimum of 30 credit hours in Political Science, 20 of which must be graded.

B. At least 15 upper division credit hours in Political Science.

C. A "C-" or better in all courses counted toward the minor.

D. A 2.00 or better GPA in all Political Science courses.

POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

POLS 101 - American Nat Gov
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
An introductory analysis of American politics, including the historical and philosophical origins of the system, institutions of govern-ment, political processes, and contemporary issues.

POLS 110 - Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00
An in-depth presentation of a topic of interest. Topics will vary from year to year depending on the interests and availability of faculty.

POLS 200 - Comparat Politic
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
A comparative study of political culture, institutions, and processes in a selected group of countries.

POLS 210 - POLS 210
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00
An in-depth presentation of a topic of interest. Topics will vary from year to year depending on the interests and availability of faculty.

POLS 221 - Internatl Relations
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
A study of the contemporary nation-state system with an emphasis on the sources of national power, the causes of war and the prospects for peace, economic relations, inequality, and the problems of development.

POLS 310 - Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00
An in-depth presentation of a topic of interest. Topics will vary from year to year depending on the interests and availability of faculty. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

POLS 311 - Congress
Credits: 5.00
A study of decision-making processes in legislative bodies, with an emphasis on the U.S. Congress. Included are congressional elections, and the interactions between legislators and citizens. Prerequisite: Any lower division Political Science course

POLS 314 - State & Local Govt
Credits: 5.00
Analysis of the politics and the organization of American state and local governments. Prerequisite: Any lower division Political Science course

POLS 320 - The Presidency
Credits: 5.00
(Writing Intensive) A study of the Presidency as the development of the institution and the person who holds it. It examines the sources of presidential power, and the limitations that modern politics has put upon the office. Prerequisite: Any lower division Political Science course

POLS 340 - Politics and Media
Credits: 5.00
This course, primarily designed for lower division students, demonstrates the application of political theories, concepts and issues to the world of sport.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

POLS 350 - Public Policy
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
(Writing Intensive) An evaluation of the American political system by following individual programs through their origins, design and formation, and implementation. Prerequisite: Any lower division Political Science course. Cross listed with ECON 350

POLS 351 - Public Admin
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
An investigation of the role of public management in the political process; including the social and political environment of public administration and issues of organizational behavior, efficiency, responsiveness, and ethics. Prerequisite: Any lower division Political Science course
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

POLS 360 - Gender & Power
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

POLS 381 - Law & Politics
Credits: 3.00
(Writing Intensive) A study of the role of law, courts, and lawyers in American society with attention to the decision processes and political impact of the United States Supreme Court. Prerequisite: Any lower division Political Science course

POLS 382 - Constitutional Law
Credits: 5.00
A survey of the principles of Constitutional Law, focusing on the guarantees of Federalism and Separation of Powers. Appraisal of case management tools (standing,ripeness, mootness) utilized by the court. Assessment of the judicial politics underlying constitutional development.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

POLS 383 - Civil Liberties
Credits: 5.00
Particular emphaisis will be placed upon constitutional guarantees of Freedom of Religion and Expression, the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, along with the application of substantive due process to contemporary social issues.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

POLS 402 - Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 5.00
This course is recommended for advanced students wishing to gain in depth knowledge of a particular subject.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

POLS 407 - Seminar
Credits: 5.00
Capstone
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

POLS 409 - Field Placement
Credits: 1.00 to 15.00
Designed to offer the student an opportunity to explore career areas and to extend the educational experience beyond the classroom.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

POLS 410 - Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 5.00
(Writing Intensive)Topics will vary, but may include theory, law, behavior and conflict regulation, and regional studies. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

POLS 440 - Political Theory/Philosophy
Credits: 5.00
Political theory, is a topic oriented examination of an issue, major thinker, or historical period in western political theory from Plato to Locke, a historical and conceptual investigation of the social contract, and an examination of contemporary theories of justice focusing on the work of John Rawls. (Cross-Listed: PHIL 440)
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

POLS 477 - Gambling Policy
Credits: 5.00
Overview of theoretical explanations of the public policy process, and their applicability to the study of gambling. Analysis of the role of state lotteries within public finance. Survey of emerging gambling types (Indian gaming, Casino gambling, Internet).
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

POLS 480 - Political Sci Ed
Credits: 1.00 to 3.00
Designed to provide an overview of the discipline of Political Science for those intending to teach it as a primary and secondary school subject. This course is a supplement for education majors who already have substantial course work in political science.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

POLS 710 - Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 5.00
A graduate-level seminar course for teachers dealing with special topics in political science education.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Level(s):
Denied Adm Undergraduate
Non-Admitted Undergraduate
Undergraduate
Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Graduate
Non-Admitted Graduate
Post-Baccalaureate

POLS 808 - Pol Sci Ed Wkshp
Credits: 1.00 to 5.00
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Level(s):
Denied Adm Undergraduate
Non-Admitted Undergraduate
Undergraduate
Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Graduate
Non-Admitted Graduate
Post-Baccalaureate