UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG - Mercy College

Course Descriptions / 259
POLS 361 (LAWS 361) Constitutional Law and Policy:
An examination of major constitutional problems in the United States; analysis of Supreme Court
decisions concerning federalism; separation of powers; individual rights. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 363 American Political Parties:
The colonial and revolutionary background of the development of parties; the emergence
of the Federalists and Democratic Republicans; party struggles of the Jacksonian era; the
influence of the Civil War; the role of third parties in the 19th and 20th centuries; the impact
of social, economic, and ideological forces on the two-party system in modern America. 3
sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 364 Community, State, and Regional Politics:
Structure and function of subnational governments in the United States; politics of
intergovernmental conflict and cooperation, including emerging developments in federalism;
problems of policy formulation and administration, involving such issues as taxation,
transportation, education, welfare, and population shifts. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 365 (HIST 365) The American Presidency:
A review of the office and its occupants covering the legal, constitutional, and political
development of the Executive Branch, as well as the contributions of several major presidents.
3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 367 (HIST 367) American Foreign Policy:
The development of the political, military, economic, and cultural relations of America with
the rest of the world. How United States foreign policy is made. Traditional institutions and
means of diplomacy and newer techniques. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
POLS 370 (INBU 370) International Relations:
The international system. Topics include historical background, East-West and North-South
conflicts, international organizations, economic power, environmental issues, non-governmental
organizations, international law and diplomacy, negotiation, war, military power, disarmament,
regionalism and integration, and ideology. Case studies are used to illuminate problems.
Prerequisite: ENGL 110. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 372 International Organization/United Nations:
This course involves participation in the National Model United Nations. Each spring, colleges
and universities send delegations of students to represent countries in a series of meetings
modeled after those held by the United Nations. Preparation is extensive. It involves thorough
studies of the country to be represented; the United Nations; delegate behavior; and, especially,
the past actions of the delegation to be represented. The course culminates in a five-day stay
in New York, during which time the Mercy delegation participates in meetings in or near
U.N. headquarters. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 373 International Organization/Case Studies:
A study of the United Nations and other international and transnational organizations
through the analysis of selected cases. The focus on peacekeeping, economic development,
human rights themes will enlarge the student’s understanding of global politics. The course
will be offered in alternate years with POLS 372 International Organization/United Nations
and will include student participation in the National Model United Nations as part of its
requirements. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
POLS 380-381 Cooperative Education in Political Science, I and II:
This course is designed to link college with the world of work by assisting students to obtain
meaningful, academically relevant work experiences directly related to their career goals.
Possible placement sites for students in Political Science include Federal, state and local
government offices. Students professional development is enhanced through meetings with