Political Science (PSC)

Examines the development, institutions, processes, and problems of state and local government in the United States and their interaction with each other and with the federal government.

Traces main streams of American foreign policy from the twentieth-century to the present. Major American foreign policy decisions are used in the analytical development of American foreign policy processes. The various influences upon foreign policy decision-making are identified and evaluated.

Examines the political systems and political cultures of Asian countries from Afghanistan to Southeast Asia, with major emphasis on India, China, and Japan.

An examination of the government and politics of a variety of different national states that includes the concepts, ideas, and analytical tools necessary to understand the structures and processes of different types of political systems. Covers western and non-western, developed and less developed, communist and post-communist, and newly industrializing countries. The impact of globalization is also examined.

Students learn about global issues by representing other countries in model simulations such as Model United Nations and Model Arab League. Students research, write, debate, negotiate, and pass resolutions on issues of international concern. Repeatable up to 4 times.

An examination of American legal decision-making processes with emphasis on legal theory and application, a review of our blended statutory-common law system and the associated legal processes, and the methodology of legal research and writing.

Fundamental principles of U.S. Constitution and its development including powers of President and Congress, federalism, interstate commerce, and others; textbook and case method.

Relationship between individual and government as revealed through constitutional law cases; civil liberties based on interpretation of Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment; textbook and case method.

An examination of the party system of the Southern states in terms of its origin, nature, distribution of power and impact on national politics.

Forces affecting politics, public opinion, and elections in the U.S.; examines the election structure, as well as individual and group political participation.

Role and behavior of American executives at national, state, and local levels in the U.S. political system with emphasis on American presidency.

Examines political thought from ancient Greece to the late Middle Ages in Europe. An emphasis is placed on the historical-cultural context in which these theories developed and their influence on modern concepts.

Examines the major trends in political thought from the Early Modern Era of the 1600's to the present with emphasis upon the development of classical (conservative) liberalism, progressive or new liberalism, socialism, Marxist communism, fascism, and national socialism.

Principal ideas of leading political thinkers in America from colonial period to the present.

This course is an overview of the interdisciplinary connection between political and psychological processes. The incorporation of political science and psychology might help in the understanding of why leaders behave as they do and why citizens support or oppose political leaders. The course will include: social cognition and decision making, personality and identity, and environmental factors that affect individual political ideologies.

Procedures involved in judicial process; attendance at actual court trials in the local area.

Permission of the instructor and approval of the department head. Requires in-depth research/study of specific topics under close supervision by the instructor. A letter grade will be assigned for this course.

Permission of the instructor and approval of the department head. Requires in-depth research/study of specific topics under close supervision by the instructor. A letter grade will be assigned for this course.

Permission of the instructor and approval of the department head. Supervised assignment in offices of area district attorneys, judges, or law firms. Minimum of 8 hours per week. Grades: Pass/Fail.

Permission of the instructor and approval of the department head. Supervised assignment in offices of area district attorneys, judges, or law firms. Minimum of 8 hours per week. Grades: Pass/Fail.