POLS - Political Science

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 2150. Law School: Methods and Tactics (3-0-3) A comprehensive overview of the procedures and techniques essential for success in law school. Essential skills and strategies with be emphasized including writing skills, time management, the Socratic methodology, and trial tactics. Special emphasis is placed on inductive and deductive reasoning.

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 2305. Workshop in International Organizations: The Model United Nations (0-3-3)Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of 'C'. The workings of international organizations via participation in model competitions or simulations

POLS 2306. Workshop in International Organizations: The Model Arab League (0-3-3)Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of 'C'. The workings of international organizations via participation in model competitions or simulations.

POLS 2401. Global Issues (3-0-3) This courses introduces students to contemporary issues in global affairs. It assumes no prior knowledge of international relations. The course examines problems facing the global community, as well as the prospects for governments, individuals, and international groups to address those problems. Issues include population and demographics, natural resources and the environment, the globalization of the economy, terrorism and threats to security, development and technology, global security, ethics, human rights, and the role of the United States and other regional powers in world affairs.

POLS 3115. Methods of Political Analysis (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101 and STAT 1127. Examination of the development of the discipline. Focuses on analytical techniques. Required of all Political Science majors

POLS 3126. Political Parties and Interest Groups (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. The nature and role of political parties and of interest groups as central actors in the political process.

POLS 3127. The Presidency (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. 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.

POLS 3128. The Legislative Process (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. An examination of legislative structures, functions and procedures in light of influences, expected outcomes, responsiveness to political context.

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.

POLS 3133. Introduction to Political Theory (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. This class is designed to critically examine the writings of major Western political theorists such as Plato, Machiavelli, Locke, Mill, and Marx from an historical perspective, and analyze their relevance to contemporary political issues and concerns.

POLS 3134. Feminist Political Thought (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. This course will enable students to identify the social interaction processes that seem to maintain continuity in gender-related behavior, identify the contemporary norms associated with hegemonic masculinity and analyze the consequence of those norms for men and their families, and explain how women from different racial or ethnic groups or economic classes differ in their perceptions and attitudes on feminist issues.

POLS 3135. History of Political Thought to 1500s (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. 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.

POLS 3136. History of Political Thought from the 1500s to Marx (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. A study of major political thinkers from the 1500s to the 1800s. A continuation of POLS 3135.

POLS 3137. American Political Thought (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. Major currents of political thought which have justified, guided, or challenged the growth of the American Republic.

POLS 3138. Contemporary Political Thought (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. Contemporary modes and currents of political thought, including modern ideologies and adaptations of classical theories.

POLS 3139. Asian Political Thought (3-0-3)Prerequisites: POLS 2101. A study of the philosophical and religious beliefs which have shaped Asian development, including those of Confucius, the Buddha, Sun Tzu, Mao Zhedong, and Kim Il Sung, as well as Hindu philosophy.

POLS 3141. Comparative Politics (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 3115. This course introduces the student into the comparative study of countries and governments with focus on governmental intitutions and political processes, as well as the comparative study of demographics in those countries. Regions will vary with the instructor. Course may be taken up to three times if the topic varies.

POLS 3145. European Comparative Government (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101 and POLS 3115. A comparative analysis of governmental institutions, political processes, and legal systems of selected European countries.

POLS 3146. Latin American Comparative Government (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101 and POLS 3115. A comparative analysis of governmental institutions, and political processes, and legal systems of the major nations of Latin America.

POLS 3147. Comparative Asian Politics (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101 and POLS 3115. 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.

POLS 3161. American Constitutional Law 1 (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. The effect of Supreme Court decisions on American society and on the development of the American political system.

POLS 3162. American Constitutional Law 2 (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 3161. The Supreme Court as a policy-making body with particular emphasis on civil liberties.

POLS 3165. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. This course provides an in-depth examination of American civil rights and civil liberties, focusing on the differences between them and how they have developed over time.

POLS 3185. Public Administration (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. A study of the American bureaucracy with particular emphasis on the public sector.

POLS 3255. Southern Politics (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 2101. Course focuses on the politics of the American South both historically and contemporarily. Special attention will be given to the politics of individual Southern states as well as the role that race and religion play in the politics of the region.

POLS 3256. Politics in Film (3-0-3) Prerequisite: POLS 2101. A study of the ways by which social and political meanings are generated through motion pictures. Because movies play a unique role in reinforcing and subverting American political culture, it is important to study films as they portray images of politics in America, Americans in politics, and American life relative to politics. 

POLS 3555. Selected Topics In Political Science (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. 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.

POLS 4155. International Relations (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. A study of the nature of interaction among states with specific reference to contemporary international issues of major importance.

POLS 4166. International Law and Organizations (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. 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 as well as legal settlement of international disputes and restraint of force in contemporary world problems. Course will also focus on international endeavors to develop law and order in interstate relations.

POLS 4175. Public Policy (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. A study in selected policy areas and the process and impact of policy formulation.

POLS 4176. American Foreign Policy (3-0-3)Prerequisite: PPOLS 2101. 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.

POLS 4177. American Defense Policy (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. Evolution, formulation, and implementation of American defense policy to include such topics as arms control, nuclear strategy, guerilla warfare, and terrorism.

POLS 4178. U.S. Foreign Policy in East Asia (3-0-3)Prerequisite: POLS 2101. 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.

POLS 4356. Workshop in International Organizations (0-4-2)Prerequisite: Approval of Department Chair. The workings of international organizations via participation in model competitions or simulations. May be taken three times for credit.

POLS 4698. Internship (3-6 hours)Prerequisite: POLS 2101 and approval of Department Chair. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Experience in the field with an approved agency or company under the supervision of the instructor. (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.

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.

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.

POLS 4899. Directed Study (1-3)Prerequisites: POLS 2101, 21 hours in POLS courses and approval of Department Chair. May be taken a maximum of 3 times for credit and may not substitute for any required POLS course.

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.