A basic course on the nature and purpose of our U.S. political system; includes the Constitution, institutions, processes and persons that combine to form our federal government. The student is exposed to a variety of approaches to political study.

This course examines the major social science perspectives in conjunction with an instruction in the logic and procedures of gathering information about social phenomena. The course covers such topics as: the logic of the scientific method, research design, hypotheses formation, theory and methods of scaling, and research analysis.

This course is devoted to an interdisciplinary examination of fundamental questions regarding the nature of man, politics and social relations. Values, ideas and practice as gleaned from the theories and writings of major thinkers from the 14th through early 20th centuries are explored. Special focus is directed toward ideas of Khadun, Machiavelli, Locke, and Durkheim. Other theorists such as Marx, Weber and Gandhi are also considered.

This course is devoted to an interdisciplinary examination of fundamental questions regarding the nature of man, politics and social relations. Values, ideas, and priorities as gleaned from the theories and writings of major thinkers from the late 19th and 20th centuries are explored. Special focus is directed toward ideas from the Federalists, Economic Interventionist and Social Elitists. Other topics are selected based on student and instructor interests.

This course examines the basic structures of the international system including: 1) states, nations, transnationals, international organizations, diplomacy, etc.; 2) global issues including: war/peace, deterrence, arms control, political economy, trade, human rights, peace-keeping, etc.; and, 3) global ideas: sovereignty, nationalism, modernization, etc. This course deals extensively with the contemporary international system and the issues arising from the limitations of power in international affairs. Students apply this knowledge in a United Nations simulation.

This course studies the ideas, institutions and individuals responsible for American foreign policy, the mechanics of its determination and implementation, with emphasis on current problems, policies and objectives in foreign policy.

Courses in this section are devoted to a thorough review, analysis, and evaluation of topics and methods that are relevant to the study of international relations and politics. Topics may include but are not limited to the following: war and peace, international political economy, international organizations, non-state actors in world politics, comparative foreign policy, trade and aid in the international system, global issues, regionalism in international relations, and other topics.

This course examines how different types of countries, i.e. established democracies, transitioning nations, and non-democracies, are governed. The course examines first the broader trends and concepts about political systems and then engages in more in-depth case studies on a number of countries representing different regions, colonial and post-colonial experiences, levels of economic development, and government types.

Courses in this series are devoted to a thorough review, analysis, and evaluation of topics and methods that are relevant to the current study of comparative politics and government. Topics may include but are not limited to the following: Asian politics and governments; Latin American politics and government; European politics and governments; comparative political leadership; political and economic development; comparative revolutionary movements; regimes, movements, and ideologies; and other topics.

This course examines the social, philosophical and legal problems faced by the Supreme Court in translating the abstract language of civil liberties contained in the U.S. Constitution into concrete reality with an emphasis upon current problems and the evolving nature of the process.

These courses are devoted to a variety of significant issues, developments, institutions and outcomes which are important to an understanding of American government and law. Topics may include the study of American constitutional law, the American presidency, Congress, great American political thinkers, American foreign policy and diplomacy and more. Courses and topics vary according to faculty and student interest.

This course offers a working experience in the purpose and tools of qualitative field methods. The course covers rapport, methods of observation, field notes, data coding and analysis, ethnography, focus groups and interviews, as well as an introduction to quasi-experimentation.

• PS242 Logic of Analysis
• S250 Logic of Analysis

This course is designed to develop student facility in the use of statistical methods and the understanding of statistical concepts. The course takes a practical approach based on statistical examples taken from everyday life. Topics include: descriptive and inferential statistics, an intuitive introduction to probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, chi-square tests, regression and correlation. Appropriate technology is used to perform the calculations for many applications, and correspondingly an emphasis is placed on interpreting the results of statistical procedures.