2008-2009 Academic Catalog - Queens University of Charlotte

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POLS 300 Current Topics in Political Science
The study of selected approaches to the study of political activity or specialized topics of
contemporary political science research. Possible topics include political psychology, political
economics and political fiction. Topics to be announced the term prior to offering. Course may
be repeated for credit with different topics. As needed. 3 Hrs.
POLS 301 European Politics
Comparative analysis of political culture, institutions and behavior in selected modern European
nations; emphasis on the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy. Examination of the role of
the European Union in shaping modern Europe. Prerequisite: POLS 250 or permission of instructor.
Spring Term, odd years. 3 Hrs.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
POLS 302 African Politics
This course familiarizes students with the politics, socioeconomic conditions and cultures of
African states. Emphasis is on the post-colonial period and the effects of ideologies of development
on government efforts to frame national policies that express traditional values within a
rapidly changing economic and technological context. Case study models of nation-building are
contrasted and compared in terms of policy constraints and choices. We analyze the legacy of
the Cold War, Pan-Africanism, contemporary civil and ethnic conflicts and attempts at regional
and continental integration. Prerequisite: POLS 250 or permission of instructor. Fall Term, even
years. 3 Hrs.
POLS 303 Latin American Politics
This course introduces students to contemporary political conditions in Latin America and
examines major theoretical explanations for political and economic development in the region.
The course will focus on issues such as the emergence of democratic rule, efforts to create
political stability, and how issues such as poverty and development affects the political process
in the region. Country emphasis will vary. Prerequisite: POLS 250 or permission of the instructor.
Spring Term, even years. 3 Hrs.
POLS 304 Politics of the Middle East
The Middle East has experienced more crises and generated more political, ideological and religious
controversies than any other region of the "third world," particularly from a Western perspective.
This course addresses the following question: What explains the turbulent politics of
the modern Middle East? Our collective aim is to critically contemplate the wide range of explanations
that have been offered to date. We begin by probing the geographical, historical and
religious contours of the Middle East. We then scrutinize the nature of contemporary politics in
the region, before turning our attention to an examination of the complex relationships among
eco-nomics, ethnicity, nationalism, religion and gender relations that have influenced the lives of
Middle Eastern men and women. Prerequisite: POLS 250 or permission of instructor. Fall
Term, odd years. 3 Hrs.
POLS 306 Politics of Developing Countries
Introduction to the processes of political development and change, and to problems confronting
developmental efforts of an emerging nation; emphasis on selected African, Asian and
Latin American nations. Prerequisite: POLS 250 or permission of instructor. Fall Term, odd
years. 3 Hrs.
POLS 309 Campaigns and Elections
This course will focus on the procedures of campaigns and elections, past and present. It will
examine the various parts of an election campaign money, organization, strategy, use of the
media in order to gain a better understanding of how modern campaigns are run and differ from
campaigns in the past. Case studies will be utilized to illustrate key concepts and ideas. The
course will be taught in the fall of even-numbered years and focus on the congressional and/or
presidential campaigns in progress as the course is taught. Fall Term, even years. 3 Hrs.