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Political Science Course Offerings

POL 105 American National Government

3 credits

An examination of the structure and function of the national government of the United States and of the political forces of the governmental process; including the nature of democracy, constitutional development, the Presidency, the Congress, the judicial system, federalism, intergovernmental relations, and foreign policy.

POL 106 Introduction to Politics

3 credits

This course answers the question, “what is politics?” through the study of how politics has been defined and practiced from a variety of perspectives. The emphasis will be on concepts that are central to politics such as power, authority, liberty, obedience, and domination. Spring

POL 107 Fundamentals of Moral Leadership (Cross-listed as SOC 107)

3 credits

This course starts by teaching basic leadership skills. The second part of the course looks at a wide variety of successful and moral leaders. Spring

POL 115 U.S. Constitution – Values and Principles (Cross-listed as HIS 115)

3 credits

The United States is a creedal nation defined by the Constitution. This course examines the basic values and principles of the Constitution that determine our form of government, outline our rights and responsibilities as citizens, and shape the parameters of our civic discourse and life. Fall

POL 205 The American Presidency

3 credits

An analysis of Presidential campaigns and elections, Presidential personality, Presidential power, Constitutional limitations, and Presidential relations with Congress and the executive branch. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Fall of even numbered years)

POL 206 American Foreign Policy

3 credits

An analysis of the principles, bases, and instruments of American foreign policy; the policy-making process; political-military interrelations. Special emphasis will be given to contemporary problems and trends in American foreign policy. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106 or GEO 105. (Spring of even numbered years)

POL 207 American Political Thought

3 credits

A survey of American political theorists from the “founding fathers” to the present. The emphasis is on understanding how their viewpoints have defined the purposes and affected the evolution of the United States government. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Spring of odd numbered years)

POL 208 State and Local Government

3 credits

Consideration is given to the state political systems including the constitutions and structure and the workings of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. Special attention is given to the role of the governor, the state and the legislative process. The workings of the county and municipal governments and their interactions with the state are studied. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Fall of even numbered years)

POL 209 Public Policy Analysis

3 credits

Integration of the formal and informal elements of domestic public policy. Substantive concentration on federal economic policy with a survey of the various political-economic philosophies and their implementation in the United States and the West European democracies. An explanation of the current policy process and projected trends in policy formulation will be provided. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Spring of even numbered years)

POL 215 Politics and Ethics

3 credits

Framed around Aristotle’s Politics and Nicomachean Ethics, this course examines the major theories of ethical analysis in relationship to the spectrum of political philosophies and their contemporary economic, foreign policy, social policy, and constitutional manifestations. The course also explores the unique contribution of Christian ethicists Reinhold Niebuhr, Peter Paris, John Bennett, H. Richard Niebuhr, Paul Tillich, and Karl Barth, among others, to social and political thought. (Spring of even numbered years)

POL 216 Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (Cross listed as HSV 216, PSY 216, and SOC 216)

3 credits

An introduction to statistical and data analysis techniques for students majoring in the social and behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics for central tendency, variation and association, fundamentals of probability, sampling distributions, the logic of inference, estimation and hypothesis tests for means and percentages, and an overview of more advanced techniques including the analysis of variance and correlation and regression. Prerequisite: MAT 106. Open to majors in HSV, PSY, SOC, and POL only. Spring.

POL 217 History and Political Thought Premodern East Asia (Cross-listed as HIS 217)

3 credits

POL 217 will survey the basic narrative of East Asian History (especially that of China and Japan) from the time of the Zhou Dynasty until the seventeenth century A.D. The course will stress extensive primary source readings in translation, particularly from the Confucian, Taoist, Legalist, and Buddhist traditions. (Fall of even numbered years)

POL 305 Jurisprudence

3 credits

An analysis of the concept of law, its historical development, and its relation to political society; includes consideration of philosophies of law — such as natural law and positivism — and the valuation of law in terms of justice, liberty, and the good society. Recommended for, but not limited to, pre-law students. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106, or PHL 105. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)

POL 306 American Constitutional Law

3 credits

The study of the interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court. The case method is used and various leading decisions of the Supreme Court are analyzed. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Fall of even numbered years)

POL 307 The Legislative Process

3 credits

A study of the various processes associated with the legislative system, including representation and the electoral system, internal processes and power structure, external influence on a legislator’s behavior, and Congress’ involvement in policy-making. Concentration is on the United States Congress, although state and foreign legislatures are used for comparison. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Fall of odd numbered years)

POL 309 International Relations

3 credits

A study of the methods and objectives of diplomacy, portraying the forces and ideas molding the actions of statesmen and nations. Detailed consideration is given to the origins and operations of international institutions. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Spring of odd numbered years)

POL 315 Political Theory

3 credits

This course presents a critical examination and appraisal of the major schools of political thought from the Greeks through Marx. Students will read and discuss selections from major works such as Plato’s The Republic, Machiavelli’s The Prince, Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, and Marx and Engel’s The Communist Manifesto. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106 or PHL 105. (Fall of odd numbered years)

POL 316 Comparative Politics

3 credits

This course examines and compares the political systems of three or more major modern nation-states. This study will include examination of the performance of legislative, executive, and judicial functions, the operations of interest groups and political parties, and the relevance of ideology and political culture to politics. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106 or GEO 105. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)

POL 465 Internship

3-3 credits

Practical experience in government, social service agencies, or other appropriate public or private agencies. Internships are designed to serve two major purposes: first, to provide an opportunity for study and experience outside the traditional setting of the classroom and laboratory, yet within the framework of disciplined inquiry; and second, to provide a special opportunity for the participants to refine their emerging professional vocational interests. Students may earn three or six credits in one or two semesters, but no more than a total of six credits. May not be used to satisfy the area emphasis requirement. Prerequisites: POL 105 or 106, social science major, the department chair’s permission, and junior or senior standing. Graded credit.

POL 475 Advanced Faith and Learning Integration

3 credits

In the spirit of the mission of Waynesburg University, this course intends to provide junior and senior level students with an unparalleled opportunity to integrate the Bible materials and its history of interpretation to the academic disciplines. Students who wish to engage in this level of theological reflection on vocation should consult with both their academic advisors and with the Chair of the Biblical and Ministry Studies Major Program. See BMS 475 for further information. This course will not substitute for senior capstone/research courses required in the majors. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing; three credits in BMS courses; 3.00 minimum grade point average. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)

POL 487 Honors Course

3-3 credits

Intensive research in some particular area of political science and the preparation of a research paper under the direction of the instructor; open only to seniors majoring in social science with an emphasis in political science who have a “B” average in political science and with the permission of the departmental chairman and the instructor. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)

POL 195, 295, 395, 495 Special Topics in Political Science

3 credits

An analytic survey of selected topics in political science. Examples of such topics are comparative government of non-European areas (Asia, Latin America, Africa), and civil liberties. Prerequisite: POL 105 or 106. (Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.)