Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

POLITICAL SCIENCE460 Advanced Directed Study(Variable course credit)464 Teaching/Learning ParticipationAn individualized study that includes sharingin the instructional process for a particularphysics course under the supervision of the facultymember teaching the course. Open only tocertain highly qualified juniors and seniors byinvitation. (Additional details given in the sectionon Other Learning Opportunities.)490, 491 Independent StudyThis course is designed to meet individualneeds, interests, and abilities of students,including students participating in the HonorsProgram. Prerequisite: approvalof Physics Department.492 Independent StudyOff-Campus/NSOCPOLITICAL SCIENCEFrank J. Rohmer, chair; Nathan Bigelow,Donald Rodgers, Shelton WilliamsJohn D. Moseley (President Emeritus)Kenneth W. Street (Emeritus)The political science major allowsstudents to study theoretical and practicalapplications of politics within thefour major subfields of the discipline,including American politics, politicaltheory, international relations, andcomparative politics.A major in political science consists ofat least eight course credit units in politicalscience, including Political Science495, and at least one course fromeach of the following groups:■ American politics — Political Science110, 210, 212, 215, 310, 311,312, 315, 318, 410, 411;■ international relations and comparativepolitics — Political Science130, 140, 235, 240, 335, 430,432, 440;■ political theory — Political Science120, 420, 425.At least three courses must be numbered300 or above.A minor in political science consistsof at least five course credit units inpolitical science, including at least onecourse from each of the above subfields.A minimum of two courses mustbe at the 300-level or above.110 American Government and PoliticsAn introduction to the institutions and politicalprocesses of American and Texas government,including an overview of the cultural and ideologicalbackground of the American systemof government, its constitutional foundations,the various actors at all levels of the politicalsystem, individual rights and liberties, and thepolicy-making process. (Each spring)120 American Political ThoughtAn introduction to the political theory of theAmerican republic and the Texas Constitutionthrough a study of primary texts, includingthe Declaration of Independence, Articles ofConfederation, the Constitution, the FederalistPapers, and Anti-Federalist writings, as well asthe writings and speeches of Jefferson, Marshall,Calhoun, Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and MartinLuther King, Jr. Special attention is given to theconnection between politics and government,the origin and purpose of civil government, theforms of government, the spirit of democraticregimes, federalism, the geographical, governmental,and sociological configuration of theAmerican democratic republic, and the Americandilemma of racial inequality. (Each fall)130 Contemporary International PoliticsAn introduction to the post-Cold War internationalpolitical system with emphasis on theinstitutions, issues, and geopolitical forces thataffect the interactions of the state and non-stateactors in the contemporary global community.(Every other fall)140 Introduction to Comparative PoliticsAn introduction to the theories, methods, andapproaches of the field of comparative politicsproviding a foundation for understanding andanalyzing contemporary political systems. Whydo we compare, what do we compare, andhow do we compare when analyzing politicalsystems? Why do some societies have democraticpolitical systems and others authoritarianones? What contributes to political stabilityand instability?COURSES OF INSTRUCTION| 135