Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

PSYCHOLOGY440 Comparative PoliticalDevelopmentThis course provides an advanced investigationinto the process of political development.We discuss the major political, social, andeconomic theories that explain the process ofpolitical development. Attention is given to theinteraction between politics and economicsand the construction of national and nationstateidentity that contributes to specific politicaloutcomes in different systems. Prerequisite:any 100-level political science course or permissionof instructor.350, 450 Advanced Topicsin Political ScienceA study of selected topics in political sciencedrawn from any of the subfields of politicalscience and offered on an occasional basis.Prerequisite vary. May be repeated when subjectvaries.460 Advanced Directed Study(Variable course credit)464 Teaching/Learning ParticipationAn individualized study that includes sharingin the instructional process for a particular politicalscience course under the supervision ofthe faculty member teaching the course. Openonly to certain highly qualified juniors and seniorsby invitation. (Additional details given inthe section on Other Learning Opportunities.)480 Internship490 Independent Study491 Political Science Honors Thesis492 Independent StudyOff-Campus/NSOC495 Senior ConferenceA capstone seminar for all department majors,with a separate section offered for politicalscience and international relations majors.Emphasis is placed on understanding thecentral concepts of the various subfields ofthe discipline and the connections betweenthese subfields (with more emphasis placedon international/global issues in the politicalscience/international relations section of thecourse). Attention is also given to the relationbetween political science and liberaleducation and to the applications of politicalscience in career planning and development.(Each spring)INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSA major in international relations allowsstudents to specialize within thesubfield of international relations whilestill completing a major that is firmlygrounded within the broader disciplineof political science. The major consistsof at least eight course credit units inpolitical science, including PoliticalScience 430 and Political Science 495,at least four electives in the subfields ofinternational relations and/or comparativepolitics (at least two of the fourmust be numbered 300 or above), atleast one course each from the Americanpolitics and political theory subfields,and study in a modern languagethrough the 236-level.PSYCHOLOGYHank Gorman, chair; Lisa M. Brown,Melinda Kowalsky, Karen Nelson, JillSchurr, Howard StarrRose Rothmeier (Director of StudentServices and Counseling)Michele Helfrich (Adjunct)Gerald Middents and Paul Thomas(Emeriti)The Psychology Department offers studentsexposure to the subject matter,methodologies, and professional practiceof psychology. As a subject matter,psychology is the study of behavior andhuman experience. Students explorethe methodologies of psychology inthe required courses for the minor andthe major with specialized courses,internships, and practica encouragingstudents to use experimental, correlational,and observational approaches inresearch and practice.The ethics and forms of professionalpractice of psychology are modeled bythe faculty in their scholarly research,138 |COURSES OF INSTRUCTION