2013-2014 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

142 POLITICAL SCIENCEPOLITICAL SCIENCE143Chart continued from previous pageSub-disciplinary studiesPOLS 206Introduction to Comparative PoliticsPOLS 210Introduction to International RelationsPOLS 335American GovernmentPOLS 343Public Administration16MethodologyPOLS 265 4Research MethodsElectivesFour courses from the list below (at leastthree must be 300/400 level). Studentsmay elect an interest track which permitssome specialization within thedepartment’s offerings. Essential coursesare in bold.Pre-Law TrackPOLS 239, 345, 371, 372, 373Public Policy and Administration TrackPOLS 303, 323, 326, 440Comparative Politics TrackFour of the following:POLS 317, 318, 320, 321, 334, 344, 338International Relations TrackFour of the following:POLS 250, 345, 348, 350, 353, 440American Government TrackFour of the following:POLS 201, 302, 307, 308, 337, 37316Senior Integrative ExperiencePOLS 499 4Senior SeminarTOTAL 48Minor Requirements: Political ScienceCOURSE NUMBER AND TITLESEM.HRS.One of the following:POLS 103Global Realities OR 4POLS 111Introduction to Political ScienceOne of the following:POLS 205Introduction to Political TheoryPOLS 2394American Political ThoughtPolitical Science elective 4Political Science electivesat the 300/400 level 8TOTAL 20POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES(POLS)103 Global Realities (4) SDesigned for students who want to begin learningabout international relations. Begins with a broadoverview of political, economic, and cultural patternsin today’s global environment; followed by aninventory, evaluation, and comparison of informationsources about international affairs, including print,broadcast, and cable media, the Internet, and CD-ROM and simulation software. Concludes with oneor more case studies of current global issues, such asinternational terrorism, the control of rogue states,denuclearizing warfare, international women’s issues,international environmental problems, and theimpact of global consumerism. Through these casestudies, students learn how to identify keyinternational problems, track them in the media,gather information about them, and develop andevaluate possible solutions. Offered each semester.111 Introduction to Political Science (4) SIntroduces students to the fundamental conceptsand issues in the study of politics. Primary emphasisis placed on ideologies, such as liberal democracy,conservatism, socialism, communism, fascism,nationalism, and on political institutions andbehavior, including legislatures, executives, interestgroups, political parties, political socialization,participation, the expression of political opinion,revolution, and types of political systems. Theseconcepts and issues are considered from bothbehavioral and traditional perspectives. Offered eachsemester.112 Introduction to AmericanGovernment (4)SOffers a citizen’s guide to the American politicalsystem, providing a brief overview of the Founders’constitutional design, the federal system, and politicsand policy-making in the presidency, bureaucracy,Congress, and the Supreme Court. Covers keyjudicial rulings on civil rights and liberties andnational powers. Gives special attention to theelectoral process, the media, and the ways thatordinary citizens can influence governmental policies.Offered each fall.201 State and Local Politics andGovernment (4)SBased on both theoretical and practicalexperiences in state and local government andpolitics. Explores the relationship between local, state,and federal systems. Features office holders and localofficials as guest speakers. Offered each fall.203 Politics and Literature (4) TProvides a literary path to exploring the humanexperience and discovering the role politics plays inthat experience. Through readings and discussion ofclassical utopian and dystopian novels, studentsexplore arguments and concepts detailed in classicpolitical philosophy. Offered fall of odd-numberedyears.204 Introduction to FeministPolitical Thought (4)VFeminist theory has always had a political agenda:to improve the situation of women in society. It alsohas theoretical import, asking basic questions aboutpersonal identity and equality, about ethicalobligations to others, about justice and fairness, andabout the history of political theory. This coursebrings together both of these strands, focusing onfeminist theory, feminist politics, and thecontributions that feminist theory can make inthinking about politics in general. Offered ondemand.205 Introduction to Political Theory (4)Introduces students to the classic works ofpolitical philosophy. Readings address issues ofjustice, obligation, equality, the common good,human rights, the role of reason, aims of government,and the nature of politics. Students consider thepower of ideas in political life. Offered each fall.206 Introduction toComparative Politics (4)SAn introduction to cross-national comparativeanalysis, with particular attention to socialmovements, democratization, globalization, and therelative political and economic autonomy of thecountries examined. Country cases include Britain,Germany, India, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and theUnited States. Students engage in cross-country casestudiesto compare and contrast major political andeconomic institutions, political culture, parties, andinterest groups; and discuss class-based perspectiveson political conflicts over wealth distribution andsocial justice. Offered each spring.210 Introduction to InternationalRelations (4)SDrawing on both historical and contemporaryexperience, students study the behavioral andinstitutional features of the nation-state and its globalenvironment in their political, military, economic,and cultural aspects. Main topics include power,foreign policy, diplomacy, international organizationand law, arms control, and the global economyconsidered in the context of the post-Cold Warworld. Issues examined include overpopulation, foodand energy scarcity, national and ethnic movements,economic development, environmental problems,and militarism. Offered each fall.239 American Political Thought (4) VExplores major ideas shaping Americaninstitutions of government and politics from thefounding generation to the present. Evaluates thewritings of many different individuals relating to suchissues as slavery and race, capitalism and social justice,and feminist political theory. Readings include theFederalist Papers, selections from Democracy inAmerica and works by Malcolm X, Dr. Martin LutherKing, and Betty Friedan. Offered each spring.250 Introduction to InternationalPolitical Economy (4)SAn overview of the political institutions andconflicts that structure our contemporaryinternational economy. Readings and discussionsexamine major issues at the center of current politicalscience research, policy debate, and popular politicaldiscourse. Postwar systems of international trade andfinance, as well as divergent policy goals of states andsocieties of the North and South are examined.Offered each spring.265 Research Methods (4) QIntroduces the political science major to themethods of political research. Students learn howpolitical scientists know what they know, and howthey gain tools with which to explore, describe,explain, present, and debate this knowledge. Studentsactively experience every dimension of the researchprocess as they plan, design, and carry out their ownprojects, then communicate their findings in writtenand oral formats. Daily classes include lecture anddiscussion of class readings, and individual studentresearch. Offered each fall.302 Ethnicity and Politics:Latinos in America (4)SA study of how Latinos have adapted to U.S.political ways in order to participate in U.S. politicsand press their political agenda. Offered each fall.