POLS - Political Science

Note: In order to facilitate program description and advising, upper level POLS courses are designated as either Area I (American Government), Area II (Political Theory), Area III (International Relations and Comparative Government), or Area IV (Public Administration).

POLS 1101. American Government (3-0-3) The constitutional framework, political processes, structures, and functions of the national government with reference to the state level. Satisfies state legislative requirements concerning United States and Georgia Constitutions.

POLS 2101. Introduction to Political Science (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. Introduction to the field of political science. Includes approaches to the study of politics, political ideologies, and the functions of law. Does not substitute for POLS 1101. Required of all political science majors.

POLS 2201. State and Local Government (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. The organization and functions of political power at the state and local level. Required of all Political Science majors. Satisfies state legislative requirements concerning Georgia Constitution.

POLS 3115. Methods of Political Analysis (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 2101. Examination of the development of the discipline. Focuses on analytical techniques. Required of all Political Science majors. Area II.

POLS 3126. Political Parties and Interest Groups (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. The nature and role of political parties and of interest groups as central actors in the political process. Area I.

POLS 3127. The Presidency (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. An examination of the American presidency within the context of the political process, with reference to the historical development of the office, and to the domestic and international roles of the office. Area I.

POLS 3128. The Legislative Process (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. An examination of legislative structures, functions and procedures in light of influences, expected outcomes, responsiveness to political context. Area I.

POLS 3129. Judicial Process (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. The functioning of the judiciary in the American political system and its impact on political, social, and economic institutions. Area I.

POLS 3135. History of Political Thought to 1500s (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study of Western political thought from the Hellenic era (Socrates) to the Modern era (Machiavelli), with consideration of both content and mode of theorizing. Area II.

POLS 3136. History of Political Thought from the 1500s to Marx (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study of major political thinkers from the 1500s to the 1800s. A continuation of POLS 3135. Area II.

POLS 3137. American Political Thought (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. Major currents of political thought which have justified, guided, or challenged the growth of the American Republic. Required of all Political Science majors. Area II.

POLS 3138. Contemporary Political Thought (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. Contemporary modes and currents of political thought, including modern ideologies and adaptations of classical theories. Area II.

POLS 3139. Asian Political Thought (3-0-3) Prerequisites: POLS 1101 and PHIL 2106. A study of the philosophical and religious beliefs which have shaped Asian development, including those of Confucius, Lao Tsu, Buddha, Sun Tzu, Mao Zhedong, and Kim Il Sung, as well as Hindu philosophy. Area II.

POLS 3145. European Comparative Government (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A comparative analysis of governmental institutions, political processes , and legal systems of selected European countries. Area III.

POLS 3146. Latin American Comparative Government (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A comparative analysis of governmental institutions, and political processes, and legal systems of the major nations of Latin America. Area III.

POLS 3147. Comparative Asian Politics (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study of the recent history, political systems, and international relations of Asian nations. Primary focus is on the governmental institutions of these nations and on the origins of these institutions. Area III.

POLS 3161. American Constitutional Law 1 (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. The effect of Supreme Court decisions on American society and on the development of the American political system. Area I.

POLS 3162. American Constitutional Law 2 (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. The Supreme Court as a policy-making body with particular emphasis on civil liberties. Area I.

POLS 3185. Public Administration (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study of the American bureaucracy with particular emphasis on the public sector. Area IV.

POLS 3555. Selected Topics In Political Science (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. This course will examine issues related to government and institutions in the public sector. Topics will vary with the instructor. Course may be taken three times for credit only if the topic varies. Area I, Area II, Area III, Area IV, depending upon topic.

POLS 4155. International Relations (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study of the nature of interaction among states with specific reference to contemporary international issues of major importance. Area III.

POLS 4165. International Law (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study of international endeavors to develop law and order in interstate relations. Legal settlement of international disputes and restraint of force in contemporary world problems are examined. Area III.

POLS 4166. International Organizations (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study of various attempts by the United Nations and other organizations to bring about peaceful settlement of international disputes. Disarmament and worldwide coordination of economic and social activities through efforts of international organizations are examined. Area III.

POLS 4175. Public Policy (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. A study in selected policy areas and the process and impact of policy formulation. Area I.

POLS 4176. American Foreign Policy (3-0-3)  Prerequisite: POLS 1101. Foreign policy of the United States with focus on procedures and resources used for the development and execution of America's foreign policy with particular emphasis on contemporary era. Area I, Area III.

POLS 4177. American Defense Policy (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. Evolution, formulation, and implementation of American defense policy to include such topics as arms control, nuclear strategy, guerilla warfare, and terrorism. Area III.

POLS 4178. U.S. Foreign Policy in East Asia (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POSL 1101. The development of U.S. relations, conflicts, and alliances with Japan, the Koreas, and the nations of southeast Asia from the early 1800s to the present. Area III.

POLS 4356. Workshop in International Organizations (2-0-2) Prerequisite: Approval of Department Chair. The workings of international organizations via participation in model competitions or simulations. May be taken three times for credit. Area III.

POLS 4698. Internship (3-9 hours) Prerequisite: Approval of Department Chair. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours. Experience in the field with an approved agency or company under the supervision of the instructor. Area I, Area II, Area III, Area IV. (S/U grading.)

POLS 4795. Seminar in the American Political Process (1-0-1) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. In-depth study of an aspect of the American political process. Required of all Political Science majors. Area I.

POLS 4796. Seminar in Global Affairs (1-0-1) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. In-depth study of an aspect of global affairs. Required of all Political Science majors. Area III.

POLS 4797. Seminar in Public Policy (1-0-1) Prerequisite: POLS 1101. In-depth study of an aspect of public policy. Required of all Political Science majors. Area IV.

POLS 4899. Independent Study (1-3) Prerequisites: 21 hours in POLS courses and Approval of Department Chair. May be taken three times for credit. Area I, Area II, Area III, Area IV.

POLS 7167. American Political Process and Policy-making (3-0-3) Institutions and processes of the American political system.

POLS 7177. National Security Policy (3-0-3) Evolution, formulation, and implementation of American national security policy.

POLS 7187. State and Local Government and Intergovernmental Relations (3-0-3) Interaction of American governments at the national, state, and local levels, including relations between governments at different levels.

POLS 7197. Comparative Administration (3-0-3) Structures and processes of government administration in differing social, cultural, and political environments.

POLS 7899. Independent Study (1-3 hours) Prerequisite: Permission of the chair of the Department of Political Science. May be repeated under different topics for a total of six credit hours.