Oct 14, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Courses


 

Peace Studies

  
  • PAX 3600 - Theories of Non-violence

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102 or PAX 1102.
    This course is a survey of the major figures and texts on the topic of non-violence from both Western and non-Western perspectives.

  
  • PAX 3780 - Trends in Peace Studies

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1101.
    This course focuses on current issues, trends, and activism in the field of Peace Studies. The course is interdisciplinary and includes international content in English. Course may be repeated with a change in content.

  
  • PAX 4400 - Directed Study in Peace Studies

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    Directed Study in Peace Studies. Covers special topics and seminars of an advanced nature and external to regular course offerings.

  
  • PAX 4490 - Special Topics in Peace Studies

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1101.
    A study of selected special topics of interest to faculty and students. Course may be repeated with a change in content.

  
  • PAX 4499 - Seminar in Peace Studies

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: PHIL 3303 and completion of 60 credit hours.
    A seminar course for the Peace Studies Minor that integrates students’ prior coursework with the field of peace studies. Working in a collaborative manner, students design their own capstone learning projects in consultation with faculty.


Philosophy

  
  • PHIL 2100 - Values and Society

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1101.
    The course is a philosophical examination of contemporary values and their place within society from a global perspective, focusing on issues of global inequality, cultural relativism, and the question of a global ethic.

  
  • PHIL 2110 - Religions of the World

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1101.
    The course is a study of selected world religions with concentration on the origin and major periods of the conceptual, scriptural, and doctrinal development of these religions. Some topics include the nature and identity of religious experience, hermeneutics, mysticism, religious practice, and the place of religion in contemporary society.

  
  • PHIL 2200 - Ways of Knowing

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 0099 and READ 0099, if required; ENGL 1101 recommended.
    A philosophical, critical examination of the different ways of knowing and thinking in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences including ethical and religious perspectives. Emphasis is on the nature and purpose of philosophical inquiry as applied to selected issues within philosophy and the broader implications of these methods and questions for other disciplines and in everyday contexts.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • PHIL 2300 - Logic

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102 and MATH 1101 (or equivalent).
    The course is an introduction to deductive logic with focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of categorical propositions and syllogisms, truth function logic, the method of natural deduction, and predicate logic.

  
  • PHIL 3000 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of the topics, problems, and doctrines of ancient and medieval western philosophers including the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas.

  
  • PHIL 3010 - Modern Western Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of the topics, problems, and doctrines of modern western philosophers beginning with Descartes and concluding with Kant.

  
  • PHIL 3020 - American Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of major topics and philosophers in the United States from the colonial period through the twentieth century including Jefferson, Emerson, Royce, DuBois, James, and Dewey.

  
  • PHIL 3030 - Existentialism

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    A study of Existentialism and Phenomenology including their historical roots in the nineteenth century, their major exponents of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and their impact on philosophy, literature, and other academic disciplines.

  
  • PHIL 3100 - Ethics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of the major approaches to ethical thought and the applicability of these approaches to selected issues in the humanities, sciences, and professional areas including business, medicine, and education.

  
  • PHIL 3110 - Social and Political Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a survey of the foundational figures and texts in the history of social and political philosophy, with focus on the concepts of freedom, obligation, authority, power, legitimacy, and social differences in the formulation of the purpose and foundation of political society.

  
  • PHIL 3120 - Philosophies of Peace

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1101.
    Philosophies of Peace introduces students to the texts, figures, movements, theories, and practices in the study of peace from western and non-western perspectives. Figures may include Tolstoy, Gandhi, and Thoreau. Selected topics include just war theory, positive and negative peace, nonviolence, and art and peace.

  
  • PHIL 3130 - Feminist Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of the main currents of feminist philosophy, including criticisms of traditional philosophical paradigms and new frameworks for approaching the diversity of human experience.

  
  • PHIL 3200 - Asian Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a survey of the major texts, figures, and schools in the philosophies of India, China, and Japan. Texts include the Vedas, Upanishands, Analects, and Zhuangzi. Major figures include Shankara, Patanjali, Confucius, Mencius, Dogen, and Nishida.

  
  • PHIL 3210 - Latin American and Caribbean Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    This course is a survey of the central concepts, themes, and figures of Latin American and Caribbean philosophy. Some of these figures may include: Enrique Dussel, Lewis Gordon, Frantz Fanon, Sylvia Wynter, Maria Lugones, and Jose Marti.

  
  • PHIL 4000 - Nineteenth Century Western Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a survey of post-Kantian thought in continental Europe and/or the Anglo-American world with focus on the concepts of critique, history, modernity, idealism, and the significance of the human sciences. Figures may include Mill, Hegel, and Marx.

  
  • PHIL 4010 - Contemporary Western Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of major movements in twentieth century western philosophy, including positivism, pragmatism, phenomenology, philosophy of language, and post-modernism, and of the impact of these philosophical movements on other areas including the arts, sciences, and politics.

  
  • PHIL 4200 - Indian Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of important texts, schools, and figures of the Indian philosophical and cultural tradition. Texts include the Vedsa, Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita, and Yoga Sutras. Figures include Buddha, Mahavira, Patanjali, Sankara, Ramakrishna, Aurobindo, and Gandhi.

  
  • PHIL 4210 - Chinese Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a study of the representative thinkers and schools in the Chinese philosophical and cultural tradition starting in the classical period. Important figures include Confucius, Zhuangzi, Mencius, Sunzi, and Huananzi.

  
  • PHIL 4220 - Japanese Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    The course is a survey of Japanese philosophical thought from ancient times to the present, including its cultural, religious, ethical, and aesthetic dimensions. While providing a broad overview of the development of Shinto, Confucianism, and Buddhism in the Japanese context, the course also examines the contributions of contemporary Japanese thinkers to world thought.

  
  • PHIL 4400 - Directed Study

    1-3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor and department chair prior to registration.
    Special topics of an advanced nature not in the regular course offerings.

  
  • PHIL 4450 - Major Figures in Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: At least two upper-division courses in philosophy or permission of the instructor.
    An in-depth examination of a major figure in western or non-western philosophy from the ancient to contemporary periods. Figures may include Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Patanjali, Dogen, Spinoza, Irigaray, Heidegger, and James. Course may be repeated if the course content is different.

  
  • PHIL 4460 - Major Themes in Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: At least two upper-division courses in philosophy or permission of the instructor.
    An in-depth examination of a major theme in the history of philosophy. Topics may include time, justice, love and friendship, beauty, materialism, aesthetics, epistemology, and metaphysics. Course may be repeated if the course content is different.

  
  • PHIL 4490 - Special Topics in Philosophy

    1-3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 1102.
    A study of selected topics within philosophy.

  
  • PHIL 4499 - Senior Seminar

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor; PHIL 4450 or 4460, with “C” or better.
    The course is a combined tutorial and seminar in which students research and write a senior thesis in addition to making a computer-based presentation in class.


Physics

  
  • PHYS 1111 - Introductory Physics I

    3 Class Hours 3 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in MATH 1113 or MATH 1112.
    The introductory physics sequence (PHYS 1111 and PHYS 1112) is a survey of the primary fields of physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. Elementary algebra and trigonometry will be used in the course, with laboratory exercises supplementing the lecture material. The first course of the sequence will focus on the field of classical mechanics and its applications.

  
  • PHYS 1112 - Introductory Physics II

    3 Class Hours 3 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in PHYS 1111.
    The introductory physics sequence (PHYS 1111 and PHYS 1112) is a survey of the primary fields of physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. Elementary algebra and trigonometry will be used in the course, with laboratory exercises supplementing the lecture material. The second course of the sequence will focus on the field of electromagnetism and its applications.

  
  • PHYS 2211 - Principles of Physics I

    3 Class Hours 3 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in MATH 1190.
    The Principles of Physics sequence (PHYS 2211 and PHYS 2212) is a survey of the primary fields of physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. Elementary calculus will be used in the course, with laboratory exercises supplementing the lecture material. The first course of the sequence will focus on the field of classical mechanics and its applications.

  
  • PHYS 2212 - Principles of Physics II

    3 Class Hours 3 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in PHYS 2211.
    The Principles of Physics sequence (PHYS 2211 and PHYS 2212) is a survey of the primary fields of physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. Elementary calculus will be used in the course, with laboratory exercises supplementing the lecture material. The second course of the sequence will focus on the field of electromagnetism and its applications.

  
  • PHYS 3100 - Classical Mechanics and Applications

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in MATH 2202 and PHYS 2212 (or equivalent).
    This course provides a modern coverage of topics in classical mechanics, including a deeper understanding of the dynamic laws and a focus on connections to other topics in physics and to real life applications of the topics. Topics include a review of Newton’s laws of motion which is followed by an examination of conservation laws in physics, Newton’s theory of gravitation, the two-body central force problem, the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian frameworks, and a study of simple harmonic motion and oscillations. Connections with other fields of physics and to applications are made when appropriate to broaden, deepen, and strengthen students’ physical insights and understanding.

  
  • PHYS 3300 - Analysis of Physical Systems

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in MATH 2202; PHYS 1112 or 2211.
    An examination of the mathematical tools used across different fields of physics combined with their application to specific problems selected from areas such as classical mechanics and electromagnetism. Practical physics problems will illustrate the use of vectors, matrices, differential equations, complex variables, probability and error analysis.

  
  • PHYS 3305 - Physics of the Micro World and the Cosmos

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in MATH 2202; PHYS 2212 or equivalent.
    This course focuses on topics in non-classical physics. The students will be exposed to the main ideas of 20th and 21st century physics. Special relativity will be covered in some detail and the broad ideas of general relativity will be introduced. The framework of quantum mechanics will be presented and applications to the study of the atom and nucleus will be made. More recent advances in particle physics and cosmology will be described. Connections with other fields of physics and to applications to real life and technology are made when appropriate to broaden, deepen, and strengthen students’ physical insights and understanding.

  
  • PHYS 3310 - How and Why - The Physics in Everyday Life

    2 Class Hours 2 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in any core lab science sequence.
    This course focuses on fundamental physics concepts, including mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, and how we can use them to explain “how and why” everyday systems work. Students will build devices and conduct hands-on laboratory activities that illustrate these concepts and demonstrate how we can use these concepts to explain the operation of common technologies.

    Notes: Students with credit in PHYS 1111/1112 or PHYS 2211/2212 may not take this course without permission of the instructor.
  
  • PHYS 3311 - Concepts of Modern Physics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in any core lab science sequence.
    A look at quantum mechanics (the physics of the very small) and relativity (the physics of high speeds and high energies) for the general audience. The puzzles of modern physics and some philosophical implications will be considered. Topics will include the wave-particle problem, the uncertainty principle, time dilation, and why the speed of light is the “speed limit” for the universe. The strong experimental evidence supporting these (seemingly) strange and paradoxical ideas will also be discussed.

  
  • PHYS 3312 - Concepts of Optics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in any core lab science sequence.
    A survey of optics and its applications for the general audience. Topics will include the nature of light, optical instruments and methods, color perception and depth perception. Techniques of color reproduction will be examined in areas such as photography, printing, art, color TV, and computer graphics. The course will include the fundamentals of optical systems such as holography, photography, microscopy and fiber optics. Emphasis will be on the applications of optical principles.

  
  • PHYS 3340 - Electronics

    3 Class Hours 2 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in PHYS 1112 or 2212.
    The primary objective of this course is to present the fundamental principles of analog and digital electronic circuitry and their application to modern technology. The course will begin with basic DC and AC circuits with resistors, inductors and capacitors. Next the p-n junction will be discussed and its use in diodes and transistors, with a particular emphasis on applications for signal processing. The course will finish with the development of logic gates and flip-flops and their use in digital electronics. This course will serve the student in the understanding of basic workings of instruments as well as everyday electronic devices. The lab involves hands-on work with both analog and digital electronic components.

  
  • PHYS 3400 - Electricity & Magnetism with Applications

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in MATH 2202 and PHYS 2212 (or equivalent).
    The primary objective of this course is to present the experimental and theoretical basis of the principles of electricity & magnetism and their application in everyday phenomena and devices. The course will begin with the concept of an electric field and will develop the idea of electric potential energy differences. Application to conductor, capacitors and simple electric circuits will be discussed. Lastly unification of electricity and magnetism will be established through the Theory of Special Relativity and will culminate in the derivation of the electromagnetic waves equation from Maxwell’s Equations. To underscore all of the conceptual developments of the course electromagnetic phenomenon will be further explored in the natural world in both terrestrial and astrophysical contexts.

  
  • PHYS 4400 - Directed Study

    1-4 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor, major area committee and Biology/Physics department chair prior to registration.
    Special topics of an advanced nature that are not in the regular course offerings.

  
  • PHYS 4490 - Special Topics in Physics

    1-4 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Varies as to topic.
    Selected special topics of general interest to the faculty and students.


Political Science and International Affairs

  
  • POLS 1101 - American Government in a Global Perspective

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: ENGL 0099 and READ 0099, if required.
    Examination of the institutions and processes of American government and Georgia State government. Global comparisons are made between the governments of the U.S. and other modern nation-states.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 2212 - State and Local Government

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course is a general survey of state and local government; recent and current trends.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 2240 - Introduction to Comparative Politics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    An introduction to the comparative approaches for the study of politics, focusing on patterns of development and change in contemporary political systems.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 2250 - Introduction to International Relations

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course provides an introduction to the study of international relations. Sources of international order, conflict and war, determinants of foreign policy, global actors and the dynamics of political interaction between nation-states are examined.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 2260 - Current Political Issues

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course exposes students to critical contemporary political and government related issues and provides some context and background. It ties the various issues to subfields of political science. Domestic-international linkage is emphasized.

  
  • POLS 2270 - Political Ideologies

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Emphasizes the political development and application of contemporary ideologies such as nationalism, capitalism, socialism, democracy, Marxism, conservatism, liberalism, feminism, communitarianism, fascism, liberation movements, and others.

  
  • POLS 2280 - Research Methods

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101; MATH 0099 if required.
    An introduction to the empirical methods in social science research. It provides the student with a working knowledge of the design, implementation and evaluation of social science research.

  
  • POLS 3300 - U.S. Constitution and Courts

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course provides an overview of American law. The course covers the basic design and structures of the United States court system, trial and appellate legal process, and Constitutional law basics including governmental powers and civil rights and liberties.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 3313 - Public Policy Analysis

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Introduction to public policy analysis using data and methodological approaches as well as political and social inputs into the policy process. Analysis of policy outcomes.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 3315 - American Constitutional Law: Federalism

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 and POLS 3300.
    The constitutional powers and limitations of national legislative, executive and judicial branches are examined. The course includes analyses of the constitutional relationship of these political institutions to each other and to the states.

  
  • POLS 3320 - Legal Research

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    An introduction to legal resources for law-related courses and to problems that demonstrate the effective utilization of legal research and reference tools in a manner designed to meet the needs of the student in both law and non-law fields. An understanding of legal rules is necessary for scientists, archaeologists and other professionals.

  
  • POLS 3328 - African American Politics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course is an intensive introduction to ideologies, theories, and empirical research on the role of African Americans in the American political process. The course emphasizes black voting behavior, elite policymaking, public opinion, and the relationship of black information networks with mainstream media.

  
  • POLS 3340 - Legal Analysis

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 3300.
    This course involves students in the processes of reasoning objectively and arguing persuasively within a socio-legal framework. Set against a background of formal and informal logic that guides reasoning in general, the course is primarily concerned with the reasoning underlying the construction of legal arguments from judicial, legislative, and scholarly points of view. Theoretical analysis is illustrated by investigating and writing about the law, with an emphasis on topics related to crime.

  
  • POLS 3343 - Principles of Public Administration

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    The methods and procedures of governmental administration and the control of public bureaucracies in democratic societies.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 3350 - American Foreign Policy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course explores the conduct, substantive policy issues and problems associated with American foreign policy. The contemporary aspects and problems evolving out of and confronted by America’s foreign policy are emphasized.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 3356 - U.S. Environmental Policy & Politics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Explores U.S. environmental policy and politics from the implicit early efforts (conservationist and preservationist) to the explicit policy that emerged out of postwar environmental movements and culminated in the 1970 with the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Emphasis is on the politics of making and implementing of environmental policy and on the effectiveness of environmental protection.

  
  • POLS 3360 - The United States Congress

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Presents an in-depth treatment of the origins, development, operation of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

  
  • POLS 3370 - The United States Presidency

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Examines the historical development of the presidency, the constitutional powers, the personalities, the roles and the relationship with other governmental entities.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 3380 - Mass Media and Politics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Examines the role of the mass media in society. Emphasis is placed on the media’s role in the social, legal and political processes in the United States, as well as other democratic and nondemocratic countries.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 3385 - Campaigns and Elections

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    An in-depth look at the process of selecting governmental leaders in the United States. Includes a segment on foreign elections.

  
  • POLS 3388 - Lobbying and Interest Groups

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course familiarizes students with public sector lobbying and the role of interest groups in a democratic society. The processes, procedures, and techniques of lobbying government entities will be examined in depth, as well as the issue concerns and persuasion strategies of interest groups. The course will focus on applied learning, and will help prepare students for employment in professional political environments.

  
  • POLS 3390 - Political Research On-Line

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course will help students become familiar with and adept at using on-line resources to perform political and governmental research. Students will be coached on using Internet tools and processes to improve their ability to find and use political and governmental information. Students will be assessed on their proficiency in on-line political research.

  
  • POLS 3394 - Public Polling and Survey Techniques

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course introduces students to the techniques and uses of polls and surveys in political science and public policy. Students will learn the art of questionnaire design, questionnaire construction, sampling, data collection, coding, and analysis. Students will learn the basics of telephone survey techniques and focus group moderation for the purposes of collecting information. Class projects may include the construction and implementation of a survey, reading and critiquing existing surveys and questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative approaches will be examined.

  
  • POLS 3396 - Cooperative Study

    1-3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101; approval of the department chair and coordinator of cooperative education/internship (Career Services).
    A supervised work experience program in business, industry or government. For sophomore, junior or senior level students who wish to obtain successive on the job experience in conjunction with their academic training.

  
  • POLS 3398 - Internship

    1-12 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101; approval of department chair and department internship coordinator.
    A supervised, credit-earning work experience with a previously approved business firm, private agency or government agency. Students must make application with the Internship Coordinator before the end of the semester prior to the semester in which the internship is planned.

  
  • POLS 4000 - Practicum in Political Science and International Affairs

    1-9 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101; 60 hours and permission of the instructor and department chair/program director.
    A pre-approved service and/or experiential activity that occurs domestically or internationally and links meaningful community service or cultural immersion with academic learning, personal growth, and civic or global responsibility. The activity may be part of a preexisting volunteer program, NGO project, or international exchange or it may be individually designed with the instructor and approved by the chair. Students will be expected to keep a reflective journal and prepare a presentation that demonstrates learning objectives.

  
  • POLS 4100 - Directed Applied Research

    1-3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor and department chair, and POLS 2280 or ACCT 2100 or ECON 2300.
    This course will offer students an opportunity to investigate political science-oriented concepts and issues by participating in faculty-supervised research or scholarship. Course content and instructional methodologies will be determined by the student and faculty member. The amount of work expected per student will be based on the number of assigned credit hours.

  
  • POLS 4200 - Homeland Security Administration

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course examines the anatomy and response cycle of emergencies as they are managed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A study of pertinent laws, executive orders, and preparedness and response activities at the national, state, and local levels enables each student to understand the nature of crisis management, appropriate responses, and the resulting impact on society.

  
  • POLS 4280 - Advanced Research Methods and Data Analysis

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in POLS 2280.
    This course teaches students advanced techniques in political and social research methods. The course covers both qualitative and quantitative methods, including hands-on training in computer-based analysis of large datasets and social science statistical methods.

  
  • POLS 4400 - Directed Study

    1-3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101; approval of instructor, advisor and department chair prior to registration.
    Covers special topics and seminars external to regular course offerings.

  
  • POLS 4402 - Political Parties

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Examines the nature, structure and functions of political parties in differing national cultural contexts with particular attention to the electoral activity of political parties in the United States.

  
  • POLS 4405 - Comparative Legal Systems

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 and POLS 3300.
    An examination of the ways in which the courts and the law in different countries affect public policy. The source and methods utilized in different legal systems (both democratic and nondemocratic) as transforming agents of society and/or means for maintaining order within it are explored.

  
  • POLS 4410 - American Legal System

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 and POLS 3300.
    POLS 4410 is designed to be a capstone to the political science legal studies concentration. Potential topics include the structure and function of the U.S. legal system, as well as criminal justice and alternative dispute resolution, judicial behavior, and the connection between law and society.

  
  • POLS 4411 - Criminal Law

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 and POLS 3300.
    An examination of those areas in which the U.S. Constitution affects criminal justice. Emphasis on understanding the role of the Supreme Court of the United States in interpreting provisions of the Constitution that affect criminal justice. An attempt to understand the content of important decisions in this area as well as the reason given by the Court for decisions.

  
  • POLS 4412 - Urban Affairs and Problems

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Emphasis on the changing patterns of local and municipal governments and politics, impact of reapportionment and other problems generated by an urbanized society.

  
  • POLS 4415 - Civil Liberties

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 and POLS 3300.
    An intensive study of the rights of Americans as guaranteed by the Constitution. The changing character of civil liberties problems in the United States will be stressed with attention given to the legal, historical and political context of the cases studied.

  
  • POLS 4416 - Law and Gender

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 and POLS 3300.
    POLS 4416 examines the relationship between law and gender in the United States, from the New Deal Era to the present day. Topics include how gender impacts the legal regulation of employment, education, reproduction, family life, and constitutional rights. Additionally, the course examines how women participate in the legal system as attorneys, judges, and mediators.

  
  • POLS 4420 - Judicial Process

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 and POLS 3300.
    Courts and judges as agents in the political system; focus is on the judicial decision-making process, with attention to psychological and other variables in that process. Relation of judicial process to legislative, administrative and electoral processes emphasized.

  
  • POLS 4423 - Great Political Thinkers

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    A survey of classical, medieval, and modern political thinkers and their political thoughts. It discusses their impacts on the development of political processes and institutions.

  
  • POLS 4427 - American Political Thought

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course explores the diverse spectrum of American political thinking from the pre-revolutionary period to the present. Beginning with colonial discourse, this comprehensive review captures the depth and distinctiveness of American thought as expressed by and through the writings and actions of philosophers, politicians, radicals, and revolutionaries.

  
  • POLS 4428 - Race, Gender, and the Politics of Difference

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course examines contemporary theories and politics of “difference,” broadly understood as institutionalized hierarchies which marginalize and oppress certain groups and inhibit their political power. Students use race, gender, sexuality, and class as intersecting analytical frameworks to understand how multiple hierarchies of difference are structured and reproduced in the political process. Using critical race, feminist, queer, and political theory, students explore how political dynamics are shaped by difference.

  
  • POLS 4429 - Legal Theory & Philosophy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course examines different theories of jurisprudence and great thinkers of law. Students will learn about leal procedures, the stages of a trial, the appeals process. Students will also analyze core legal concepts such as habeas corpus, judicial power, judicial review, originalism, stare decisis, positivism, consequentialism, strict construction, judicial activism, judicial nominalism, and judicial restraint.

  
  • POLS 4430 - International Law and Organization

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 2250.
    This course examines the system of law governing relations between nation-states, and the roles and functions of international organizations. It explores the conventional international law in the areas of diplomacy, territorial questions and armed conflicts, as well as the developing regimes in trade and human rights. In addition, the course examines the structures and functions of some contemporary organizations in the security and economic areas and evaluates their performance and contribution.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 4431 - Politics of International Terrorism

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    A study of the history and tactics of modern terrorism as well as efforts by modern government to counteract them.

  
  • POLS 4433 - European Union Politics

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course explores the politics and policy-making processes of the European Union (EU). It is divided into three parts. The first part addresses the history of European integration and the major theories utilized to explain its origins, evolution and operation. The second part of the course examines the structures and processes that constitute the machinery of EU policymaking. The third part of the course examines the politics of policy-making in an array of issue areas, including the single market, the Euro, and external trade policy. We also examine various noneconomic policy areas such as foreign and security policy.

  
  • POLS 4435 - Comparative Foreign Policy

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    A study of governmental formulation and conduct of foreign policy, focusing on major foreign policy issues that dominate the contemporary world.

  
  • POLS 4436 - Politics of Developing Areas

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 2240 or POLS 2250.
    This course confronts the patterns of development of governmental institutions and use of political processes in meeting the problems of the emerging nations of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

    Notes: Offered as an online course.
  
  • POLS 4437 - Global Security

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 2250.
    This course explores the primary threats to international security in the 21st century and examines the response of national governments, the United Nations, and regional international organizations in meeting the challenges posed by those threats.

  
  • POLS 4438 - Politics of International Economic Relations

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 2250 and ECON 2200.
    An exploration of the fundamental questions about government and policies, about market systems and about relations between the two.

  
  • POLS 4444 - Administrative Practices and Organization

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Problems of personnel, finance, administrative law, and the growth and significance of administrative legislation and adjudication.

  
  • POLS 4446 - Governmental Budgeting

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to the role of budgeting in the governmental process. Budgetary actors, their motivations, their stakes and their behaviors are investigated. Students examine the legislative process of the budget and budgetary implementation. Students are introduced to cutback management, funding mandates and other current issues in governmental budgeting.

  
  • POLS 4450 - Canada & North America

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101 or permission of the instructor.
    This course focuses on the commonalities and differences in the political systems and public policies of Canada and the United States, with emphasis on Canada. Issues such as political culture and value systems, electoral politics, federalism and regionalism including the status of Quebec, public opinion, NAFTA, health care, immigration, political integration, the treatment of indigenous peoples, ethnic and gender representation are explored.

  
  • POLS 4451 - Politics and Government in Post-Communist Europe

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course explains the collapse of communist rule in the former Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe. It introduces the contemporary political institutions and processes of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and other key countries of the region. The course uses a comparative approach and develops country profiles to assess the varied degrees of success in achieving stable multiparty democracy. It examines the widely divergent strategies for meeting the severe economic, environmental, social and political challenges confronting these countries during this difficult and volatile transitional era.

  
  • POLS 4452 - Politics of the Pacific Rim

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    The course is designed to acquaint students with political institutions and processes of China, Japan and Korea. Particular emphasis will be placed on analysis of the relations of these countries with the United States on selected issues of contemporary relevance.

  
  • POLS 4453 - Latin America: Democracy and Development

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    Examines contemporary socio-political and economic characteristics as well as political institutions needed to understand the countries of Latin America. Two important themes (democracy building and development) will form the central focus of this course. Driving forces which facilitate and/or hinder the Latin American quest for political stability and economic development will also be examined. These include political parties, labor and peasant movements, economic elites, religious organizations and the military. The role and influence of the United States on Latin American politics will also be examined.

  
  • POLS 4454 - Politics of the Middle East

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course examines contemporary socio-political and economic characteristics needed to understand the many countries of the Middle East/North Africa. The role of Islam, the Gulf war, the quest for development, the Palestine issue, and democracy versus authoritarianism are themes which will be covered in the course. In addition, a “country profile” approach will also be used. This course examines key countries and studies their political structures in detail.

  
  • POLS 4455 - International Relations of Africa

    3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
    Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
    This course examines the international relations of African states within a conceptual context, with particular reference to Africa’s position in the global political economy. It covers both intra-African relations and African relations with the outside world. The main purpose is an attempt to understand African external politics in order to deal with them, by analyzing past practices and projecting new trends.

 

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