May 09, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


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Philosophy

  
  • PHIL 217 - Buddhist Philosophy

    (4)
    A survey of the main philosophical themes, arguments and analyses presented in the different versions of Buddhism, including Theravada Abhidharma, and Mahayana schools like the Madhyamaka and Zen. Themes included range from contemporary Buddhist topics like socially engaged Buddhism and women in Buddhism to traditional Buddhist themes of contemplation, impermanence and no-abiding-self. Even years Fall.
  
  • PHIL 230 - Introduction to Metaphysics and Epistemology

    (4)
    An introduction to the main questions, methods, and figures in the fields of metaphysics and epistemology. Important topics include the nature of knowledge, the reliability of human cognitive abilities, the nature of fundamental entities, and causation. Emphasis will be placed on students developing their individual responses to fundamental issues in metaphysics and epistemology. Fall.
  
  • PHIL 250 - Ancient Greek Philosophy

    (4)
    A historical survey of philosophies from ancient Pre-Socratics to Stoicism, with special emphasis on Plato and Aristotle. Attention will be given to ancient Greek women philosophers and developments in non-Greek traditions as well. Fall.
  
  • PHIL 255 - Medieval Philosophy

    (4)
    An introduction to the work of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish philosophers from the medieval period. Topics to be covered include ethics, politics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 260 - Modern Philosophy

    (4)
    Introduction to the major movements of Western philosophy since the Renaissance: British empiricism, continental rationalism and German Idealism. Specific treatments of concepts like knowledge, mind, body and causation among others will be covered. Completion of either PHIL 250 or 255 is strongly recommended. Fall.
  
  • PHIL 302 - Philosophy of Sex and Gender

    (4)
    Theories of sex and gender, such as the link between sex and gender, the social construction of sex and gender and the power dynamics that operate in and around both construction of sex and gender and lived experience of each. Issues such as sexual ethics, gender presentation and sexual orientation; special emphasis on feminist analysis of these issues. Even years Fall.
  
  • PHIL 303 - Philosophy of Religion (RELS 303)

    (4)
    Examines major approaches to the philosophical understanding of religion. Drawing from classical, medieval and contemporary authors from Western and non-Western traditions, questions such as the nature of religion, the nature and existence of God, the problem of evil, the nature of religious experience, the relationship between faith and reason and the nature of immortality will be investigated. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 304 - Social and Political Philosophy

    (4)
    A critical study of the development of historical and contemporary philosophical thought about social, political and legal issues. Fall.
  
  • PHIL 305 - Philosophy of Law

    (4)
    Differing interpretations of the nature of judicial decision making, law and justice, rationales for punishment, concepts of responsibility and causation in the law. Readings from both hilosophical and legal sources. Even years Spring. Fall.
  
  • PHIL 307 - Philosophy of Science

    (4)
    Philosophical examination of concepts, assumptions, methods and human implications of both the natural and social sciences. Topics include scientific realism, law, explanation, confirmation, causation, and science and value. Even years Fall.
  
  • PHIL 308 - Philosophy of Literature

    (4)
    An exploration of some of the most intriguing and illuminating points of intersection between philosophy and literature, including interpretation in criticism, the nature of critical evaluation, truth in fiction, and metaphor. Coursework may include philosophical approaches to the understanding of literary texts (issues of truth, authorship, selfhood), literary texts that explicitly invoke philosophical problems or approaches, and/or problems raised by certain philosophical texts whose proper use requires careful attention to their form. The specific literature the course examines will change according to the interests and needs of the instructor and the students. Examples include science fiction, classics, existential novels/drama or Asian literatures. Course may be repeated as literatures change. Odd years Spring.
  
  • PHIL 310 - Aesthetics

    (4)
    A study of the nature and significance of art and beauty. Particular emphasis is given to understanding the nature of creativity and the place of artistic production and understanding in contemporary society. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 312 - Applied Ethics

    (3-4)
    A topical study of basics in ethical theory and practice and their application to specific fields or problems. Students will study contemporary issues such as biomedical ethics, environmental ethics, criminal justice ethics or business ethics. Topics will rotate according to interest and demand. May be repeated as subject matter changes. See department chair.
  
  • PHIL 313 - Asian Philosophy (ASIA 313)

    (4)
    A survey of major philosophical ideas and traditions, both classical and contemporary, originating in India and China, and developed generally in Asia. Attention will be given to questions of metaphysics, epistemology and ethics with relation to nature of reality, self and society. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 315 - Islamic Philosophy (RELS 315)

    (4)
    A survey of the major philosophers from the Islamic tradition, with a focus on the Islamic golden age (8th–13th centuries). Topics to be covered include ontology, philosophy of religion, and ethics. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 317 - Africana Philosophy (AFST 317)

    (4)
    A survey of the philosophical work that has come out of Africa and the African diaspora, beginning with ancient Africa and Egypt, and moving through more recent African philosophies to Afro-Caribbean philosophies and African American philosophies. Philosophical issues such as ontology, the meaning of personhood, and problems of racial discrimination. Fall.
     
  
  • PHIL 320 - Existentialism

    (4)
    An examination of representative themes from philosophical and literary works of various existentialists, e.g. Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre and de Beauvoir. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 321 - Philosophy of Disability

    (4)
    A philosophical examination of impairment and disability in personal and social contexts. Students will be introduced to histories of disability and Disability Studies. Topics in Disability Studies will be addresses from the perspectives of metaphysics, philosophy of religion, history of (Western) philosophy, feminist and queer theory, political philosophy, and ethics. Odd years Fall.
  
  • PHIL 323 - Philosophy of Third World Feminism

    (4)
    Philosophical analyses of issues faced by women in their various third world contexts and feminist theorizing about third world women’s oppression, resistance and activism that is historically, socially, economically and geographically situated. This course analyzes how various factors of cultural, religious, economic and familial institutions, traditions and practices interact to shape women’s lives and their everyday experience of marginalization. The term “third world” is used in this course to enable critical engagement with its range of connotations. Feminist theorizing enables us to highlight how solidarity compliments equality in feminist consciousness in the third world contexts. Finally, third world feminist analyses also help us recognize dimensions of feminist agency and autonomy that would otherwise have remained underexplored. Odd years Spring.
  
  • PHIL 352 - Contemporary Philosophy

    (4)
    A major tradition of 20th-century philosophy, e.g. American pragmatism, Phenomenology, linguistic analysis, hermeneutics, contemporary ethics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, or contemporary political philosophy. This tradition will be both analyzed and placed in the context of contemporary philosophical practice. May be repeated as subject matter changes. Prerequisite: two courses in philosophy or permission of instructor. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 365 - Feminist Theory (WGSS 365)

    (4)
    An investigation of selected feminist theories on a variety of topics and from a variety of disciplines and social locations, such as feminist epistemologies, feminist narrative theories, and political theories from feminists of color. Issues such as intersectionality of oppressions and the dynamics of power involved in maintaining oppressions, as well as resistance to oppressions. Odd years Fall.
  
  • PHIL 497 - Senior Thesis I

    (2)
    First semester of the research seminar for the production of a senior thesis. Emphasis upon significant methodological literature in philosophy and extensive use of scholarly source work, with faculty supervision. Completion and acceptance of a formal thesis proposal, an annotated bibliography, and the signed agreement of the second faculty advisor are required. The thesis proposal will be presented as the final exam. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of department chair. Fall.
  
  • PHIL 498 - Senior Thesis II

    (2)
    Second semester of the research seminar emphasizing the writing process with additional research incorporated. Writing and Information Literacy competencies will be demonstrated through completion of the formal thesis. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor. Prerequisites: PHIL 497; senior standing or permission of department chair. Spring.
  
  • PHIL 499 - Undergraduate Research in Philosophy

    (1-4)
    Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 8 hours credit. See department chair.

Philosophy - Special Topics and Colloquia

  
  • PHIL 171-4 - Special Topics in Philosophy

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
  
  • PHIL 178 - Liberal Arts First-Year Colloquium (LA 178)

    (3-4)
    Courses offered to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements. See Liberal Arts section of catalog for course descriptions. May not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements.
  
  • PHIL 271-4 - Special Topics in Philosophy

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
  
  • PHIL 371-4 - Special Topics in Philosophy

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
  
  • PHIL 378 - Liberal Arts Colloquium for Transfer Students

    (3-4)
    Courses offered to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements. See Liberal Arts section of catalog for course descriptions. May not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements.
  
  • PHIL 471-4 - Special Topics in Philosophy

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.

Physics

  
  • PHYS 101 - Light and Visual Phenomena

    (3)
    A course for the general student covering basic optics with applications in the areas of photography, vision, color and art. Corequisite: PHYS 121. Spring.
  
  • PHYS 102 - The Physics of Sound and Music

    (3)
    A course for the general student covering the principles of sound, with applications in the areas of music, perception, audiology and electronic sound production. Corequisite: PHYS 122. Fall.
  
  • PHYS 121 - Light and Visual Phenomena Lab

    (1)
    A laboratory course developed for non-science majors covering the properties of light. Experiments include color mixing, prescribing eyeglasses, color blindness, and optical illusions. Corequisite: PHYS 101. Spring.
  
  • PHYS 122 - The Physics of Sound and Music Lab

    (1)
    A laboratory course developed for non-science majors covering the properties of sound. Experiments include combining sound waves, Fourier analysis, hearing tests, and applications to music. Corequisite: PHYS 102. Fall.
  
  • PHYS 131 - Introductory Physics I

    (4)
    An introduction to mechanics and thermodynamics with laboratory, for students not interested in studies leading to a degree in Physics, Chemistry or Engineering. Prerequisite: MATH 167 or 191 or equivalent. Fall and Spring.
  
  • PHYS 221 - Physics I

    (4)
    Introductory calculus-based physics for science and engineering students with laboratory covering Newtonian statics and dynamics, fluids, heat and sound. Prerequisite: MATH 191; pre- or corequisite: MATH 192. Fall and Spring.
  
  • PHYS 222 - Physics II

    (4)
    Continuation of PHYS 221, with laboratory, covering electrostatics, circuits, magnetism and light. Prerequisite: PHYS 221; pre- or corequisite: MATH 291. Fall and Spring.
  
  • PHYS 231 - Introductory Physics II

    (4)
    An introduction to electricity, magnetism, optics and elementary concepts of modern physics with laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 131 or 221. Fall and Spring.
  
  • PHYS 310 - Electronics

    (4)
    A study of analog and digital electronics, devices and test equipment with laboratory. Applications focus on audio recording. Prerequisite: PHYS 222 or 231. Spring.
  
  • PHYS 323 - Modern Optics

    (3)
    A study of geometrical and physical optics. Prerequisite: PHYS 222. Even years Fall.
  
  • PHYS 325 - Thermal Physics

    (3)
    The basic principles of heat, thermodynamics and introductory statistical mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS 222. Even years Spring.
  
  • PHYS 326 - Modern Physics

    (3)
    Special relativity, quantization, fermions, bosons, molecular physics, laser physics, solid state physics, nuclear physics and elementary particle physics. Prerequisites: CHEM 132 or a satisfactory score on the Chemistry Placement Examination; PHYS 222. Corequisite: PHYS 331. Spring.
  
  • PHYS 331 - Experimental Physics I

    (1)
    Selected experiments with emphasis in modern physics introducing the student to experimental design and analysis of data. Students give oral presentations of their experimental work in each course in a seminar setting where other faculty, students and guests may attend. PHYS 331 corequisite: PHYS 326. PHYS 332 prerequisite: PHYS 331. PHYS 331: Spring. PHYS 332: Fall.
  
  • PHYS 332 - Experimental Physics II

    (2)
    Selected experiments with emphasis in modern physics introducing the student to experimental design and analysis of data. Students give oral presentations of their experimental work in each course in a seminar setting where other faculty, students and guests may attend. PHYS 331 corequisite: PHYS 326. PHYS 332 prerequisite: PHYS 331. PHYS 331: Spring. PHYS 332: Fall.
  
  • PHYS 401 - Classical Mechanics

    (3)
    Intermediate theoretical mechanics of particles and systems with an introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations. Prerequisite: PHYS 326. Even years Fall.
  
  • PHYS 402 - Electromagnetic Theory

    (3)
    An intermediate study of electromagnetic fields, Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite: PHYS 323 or 325. Odd years Spring.
  
  • PHYS 414 - Quantum Mechanics I

    (3)
    Quantization, the uncertainty principle, the Schrodinger equation, applications of quantum mechanics to one-dimensional examples, application of quantum mechanics to the Hydrogen atom, spin. Prerequisite: PHYS 326. Odd years Fall.
  
  • PHYS 418 - Quantum Mechanics II

    (3)
    An intermediate study of quantum mechanics, including commutation relations, Hamiltonians, Hermitian operators, Dirac notation, and a study of Hilbert space. Perturbation theory will also be discussed. Prerequisites: MATH 365; PHYS 414. Even years Spring.
  
  • PHYS 499 - Undergraduate Research in Physics

    (1-6)
    Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. See department chair.

Physics - Special Topics and Colloquia

  
  • PHYS 171-4 - Special Topics in Physics

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
  
  • PHYS 178 - Liberal Arts First-Year Colloquium

    (3-4)
    Colloquium offered to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements. See Liberal Arts section of catalog for course description. May not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements.
  
  • PHYS 271-4 - Special Topics in Physics

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
  
  • PHYS 371-4 - Special Topics in Physics

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
  
  • PHYS 378 - Liberal Arts Colloquium for Transfer Students

    (3-4)
    Colloquium offered to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements. May not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements. See Liberal Arts section of catalog for course description.
  
  • PHYS 471-4 - Special Topics in Physics

    (1-4)
    Course not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.

Political Science

  
  • POLS 220 - Introduction to American Politics

    (4)
    An introduction to the basic dynamics of American politics, including the forces that shape political behavior and institutions. Fall and Spring.
  
  • POLS 235 - Introduction to Law

    (3)
    An introduction to the American legal system. Readings and discussions center on representative legal opinions in a various areas including constitutional, criminal, contract, and property law, materials examining how cases are brought to court and the factors that shape judicial decisions. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 240 - Political Ideas and Imagination

    (4)
    An introduction to classic works of political thought and the way ideas can be used to understand the political world. Close readings of select ancient, modern, and contemporary political thinkers explore such issues as the nature of politics. What is political power? What makes for a just political order? What is the relation between ends and means in politics? And what role ought citizens to play in a democratic society? Every year.
  
  • POLS 261 - People, Governments and Conflict

    (4)
    An introduction to the study of political institutions, processes, and outcomes within and across countries. Special emphasis is placed on important themes of contemporary comparative politics, including political regimes, democratization, political institutions, political culture, and conflict with examples drawn from different countries and historical periods. Every year.
  
  • POLS 281 - Principles of International Relations

    (4)
    An introduction to the basic concepts, theories and methods dealing with the study of international relations. The course emphasizes the current forces and trends that have shaped and are shaping the international system. Every year.
  
  • POLS 290 - Political Analysis

    (4)
    An introduction to political inquiry and methodology, focusing on the process of making and supporting knowledge claims about political phenomena based on political science theory and methods. The class will also include instruction on reviewing the literature and using proper citation, as well as using and interpreting data. Fall and Spring.
  
  • POLS 311 - Politics of Violence

    (4)
    A comparative exploration of political conflict and collective violence based on a comparative analysis of cases from different countries and time periods. Topics include social revolutions, regime change and democratization, ethnic conflict and civil war, as well as protest movements and state repression. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 316 - Comparative Parties and Elections

    (4)
    Modern democratic government is unthinkable save in terms of parties. This course explores the role political parties play in the democratic process. It examines party formation, organization, influence, and electoral competition across varying institutional, economic, and cultural contexts. By comparing the processes used in democracies from different regions, the course seeks to evaluate how institutional arrangements affect the ability of parties to translate citizens’ preferences into policy outcomes. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 318 - Political Parties in the United States

    (4)
    Political parties play an important but ambiguous role in the US political system. In this class, we discuss why political parties emerge, why the US has a two party system, and how parties seek to accomplish their goals. We will also focus on the heightened partisanship that appears to have marked Congress and the electorate in recent years and what, if any, consequences that may have for the operation of our government. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 320 - Challenges to American Democracy

    (4)
    An analysis of the institutional development of the presidency, legislature, courts and political parties in response to changes in the cultural, economic and social environment of American politics. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 321 - The American Presidency

    (4)


    An analysis of presidential behavior that emphasizes the forces shaping the potential for success. Topics include the nature and exercise of presidential power; the influences of personality, political context, and government structure; and the various meanings of leadership. Prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.

     

  
  • POLS 325 - Urban Politics

    (4)
    A study of the policy-making process in city government: the role of mayor, the organization of urban government, personnel problems, planning and zoning. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220.
  
  • POLS 326 - The Legislative Process

    (4)
    Detailed examination of the congressional process. Emphasis on internal workings, relationships with other parts of political system, and their impact on public policy. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 327 - Constitutional Law

    (3)
    Major issues of contemporary constitutional law using case studies with an overview of context for these issues; the role of the Supreme Court. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220. Spring.
  
  • POLS 330 - Individual Rights and Civil Liberties

    (3)
    Examines judicial decisions regarding the relation between the individual and the state. The course covers cases involving individual rights and First Amendment freedoms. Fall.
  
  • POLS 331 - Immigration and Refugee Law and Policy

    (3)
    Examines the demographic, economic and political forces which shape the response of the United States to a major characteristic of globalization. Emphasis is placed on the legal and public policy issues facing the country. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 333 - United States Courts and Public Policy

    (4)
    An introduction to the political science of law and courts. We evaluate law and the courts as political institutions and judges as political actors and policy-makers. Some of the topics we will cover are: what courts do, the power of courts, the constraints on judicial decision-making, judge/justice selection and appointment, conflict within the federal judicial hierarchy, case selection, and the role of ideology and constitutionalism on the courts. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 336 - Money in Politics in the United States

    (4)
    Two important questions are examined in this course: How much influence does money have in determining who seeks and wins elective office in the United States? How much do money and lobbying influence government actions and the public policy we see? Students will debate the role of money in politics by looking at interest group activity, campaign finance reform, and the behavior of elected officials. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 337 - ReStorying Community

    (4)
    Through the use of oral histories, analysis of documents, and reflection on the political theory and practice of civic engagement and community building, this community service learning course examines the nature of power, politics and memory in community. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 338 - Origins of Democracy

    (4)
    Drawing on classic works of political theory and ideas from contemporary social science and humanities, the course explores the origins of democracy and its implications for the contemporary world. Issues examined include the origins of the franchise, the relationship of language to power, the role of myth making in establishing democratic regimes, and democracy’s relationship to law, culture, empire, and religion. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 343 - Politics of the Civil Rights Era

    (4)
    Explores the racial politics of the United States in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The nonviolent citizen actions led by people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, and Lou Hamer are critically paralleled with alternative actions led by Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, Huey Newton, and others. Local, state, and federal government responses to these challenges will be examined in an effort to evaluate the era’s accomplishments and failures. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 344 - Black Political Thought

    (4)
    A comparative examination of ideas that have shaped the political institutions and processes affecting African-Americans and Africans since 1619. Topics include racism, separatism, assimilation, accommodation, pluralism, nationalism, womanism, Pan-Africanism and Afrocentrism. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 346 - American Political Thought

    (4)
    Historical examination of the ideas that have influenced and shaped American institutions and the political process, from the Puritans to contemporary theorists. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 347 - Contemporary Political Ideologies

    (4)
    The major ideological movements that have influenced domestic and world politics, including the various shades of communism and socialism, racism, liberalism and anarchism. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 348 - Women and Politics

    (4)
    Examines the place women occupy in public life by exploring the historical and philosophical assumptions that inform gender politics, the economic and social status of women in society, and their political behavior. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 349 - Political Science Fiction

    (4)
    Examines the possibilities for human relationships predicated on yet-to-be- developed science and technology and the types of political systems envisioned in major works of science fiction including novels, short stories, films, and TV series. Topics examined include the distribution and use of power and political resources, individual rights and liberties, and the nature and function of government. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 351 - Public Policy and Administration

    (4)
    Examines the executive branch of the federal government in the implementation of laws as well as the executive’s role in creating and shaping public policy. The principles of public administration are explored in the context of the politics of bureaucracy. Special attention is given to the role the professional civil service plays in the policy making process, specifically, and in representative democracy, generally. Prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 353 - Politics and Social Welfare Policy

    (4)
    An analysis of the politics of welfare and the social and economic forces that shape it. Special emphasis is given to the attitudes of policy-makers, recipients and the general public. Programs examined range from Social Security to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANIF). See department chair.
  
  • POLS 354 - Environmental Politics

    (4)
    Examines the political conflicts and compromises resulting from different interpretations of environmental protection. Special emphasis is placed on the choices regarding the distribution of costs and benefits and the trade-offs between environmental goals and other public and private objectives. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 357 - Civic Engagement in Community

    (4)
    Drawing on the insights of political theory, documentary, and ethnographic field methods, this project based service learning course explores the multiple meanings of service, citizenship, and community, in local, regional, and global contexts. Particular attention is paid to issues of power and powerlessness as it relates to race, class, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 358 - State and Local Government

    (4)
    Examines various state and local policy-making institutions. Central topics include the delivery and quality of services, the participation of citizens and the character of intergovernmental relations. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 359 - Politics, Policy and Social Democracy

    (4)
    Explores the types of public goods and services the U.S. government provides for citizens including children, women, the elderly, workers, and the unemployed. Current policies including health care, Social Security, education, civil rights, poverty programs, national security and safety are among the topics covered. Prerequisite: POLS 220. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 362 - African Politics

    (4)
    Examines the Colonial and Independence political eras on the African Continent. Topics include the identification of values and beliefs that underlie African political behavior, the role of the West in continental affairs, the status of women, and the behavior of individuals, institutions, and processes instrumental in Africa’s economic, social, and political development. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 363 - The Political Economy of Development

    (4)
    Examines the interaction of domestic and international political, economic and social forces in the evolution of less developed countries. Prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of instructor. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 365 - European Politics

    (4)
    Examines political institutions and processes in selected European countries, and how these forces affect the politics of the European Union. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of instructor. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 368 - Latin American Politics

    (4)
    An introduction to the historical and political evolution of major Latin American States. Recommended prerequisite: POLS 281. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 383 - International Political Economy

    (4)
    Investigates patterns in the organization, competition and distribution of power and wealth within and between nations by examining the actors, institutions, and processes that regulate the competition for influence and control at the center of international public relations. Emphasis is placed on the interplay of political competition and compromise on issues such as production, trade, and finance. Prerequisite: POLS 281. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 387 - International Organizations

    (4)
    Examines the evolving goals and methods and strengths and weaknesses of some of the most influential international organizations. Special emphasis is placed on the United Nations system. Prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of instructor. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 388 - Human Rights and International Politics

    (3)
    Examines the political, social and legal dimensions of the modern human rights movement and its implications for international affairs and United States foreign policy. Analyzes contemporary debates on various issues including the hierarchy of rights, conflicts between individual rights and societal priorities, refugees, international migration, asylum, repatriation, and the challenges created by transition to democracy. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 389 - International Law

    (3)
    Examines the institutions, processes and decision rules traditionally used to adjudicate disputes between nations but increasingly applied to conflicts involving individuals. Prerequisite: POLS 281; or permission of instructor. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 391 - Application of Political Methods

    (2)
    Examines various methods Political Scientists use to investigate the political world. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: POLS 290. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 395 - Advanced Readings on Politics

    (1-3)
    An independent readings course in which students pursue, in consultation with a faculty member, advanced study on a particular topic. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 396 - Quantitative Reasoning: Telling Stories with Numbers

    (4)
    Focuses on exploring, illustrating and communicating compelling stories hidden in data. Part art, programming and statistical reasoning, data description and visualization skills have become critical for anyone who seeks to substantiate claims to knowledge. A proficiency in data analysis is essential for those pursuing careers in policy advocacy and evaluation, business consulting and management, or academic research in the fields of education, health, medicine, and the social sciences. This course introduces students to the open-source programming language R, statistical techniques to analyze data, and the fundamentals of creating data-analysis graphics. No prior background in programming is required or expected. Prerequisites: POLS 290; STAT 185 or STAT 225. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 400 - Internship

    (2-6)
    A semester-long internship with participating organizations, firms, government agencies, and community service or non-profit organizations. Prerequisite: 15 hours of Political Science courses or approval of instructor. May be repeated once for a total of six hours credit. Internship credits will not be counted for the major until POLS 401 has been completed. See department chair.
  
  • POLS 490 - Senior Research Capstone

    (4)
    A research class in which students undertake supervised investigation of political phenomena and present the findings of their research in an oral presentation. This course fulfills the senior competency requirements for Political Science majors, as well and the oral, writing and information literacy competencies. An IP grade may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor. Fall and Spring.
 

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