Political Science
253.535.7595
www.plu.edu/~pols

Course Offerings

The student of politics seeks to understand how governments are organized and structured, how political processes are employed, and the relationship of structures and processes to societal purposes. Since political activity may embody and re?ect the full range of human values, the study of politics includes realities of politics while at the same time asking how well political systems work, what purposes are and ought to be served, and what effects result from political phenomena. Political science encourages a critical understanding of government and politics in the belief that a knowledgeable, interested, and aware citizenry is needed in a democratic society.

Faculty: Spencer, Chair; Dwyer-Shick, Grosvenor, Kelleher, Olufs.

Courses in political science explore various topics in American government and politics, international relations and foreign policy, comparative government and area studies, political philosophy and theory, and public policy and law. The department provides pre-professional training leading to careers in teaching, law, government, and related fields.

The study of politics touches upon other disciplines, which inquire into human behavior and development, ranging from history and philosophy to psychology, communication, and cross-cultural studies. Students of political science have the opportunity to combine the academic study of government and politics with practical experience by participation in one of the internship programs sponsored by the department.

The department sponsors or otherwise encourages active student participation in political life through class activities and through such campus organizations as the Young Democrats and the Young Republicans.

There are no prerequisites for political science courses, except as noted. Prior consultation with the instructor of any advanced course is invited. Students wishing to pursue a major or minor in political science are requested to declare the major or minor with the department chair as soon as possible.

Bachelor of Arts Major: 36 semester hours.

Required courses: 101, 151, 325, 499 (16 semester hours).

Distributional requirement: One course from each of Group A and Group B (8 semester hours).

Group A - American Government and Public Policy: 345, 346, 354, 361, 363, 364, 368, 371, 372, 373.
Group B - International Relations, Comparative Government, and Political Thought: 326, 331, 338, 347, 381, 382, 383, 385, 387.

Electives: Minimum of 12 semester hours selected from the Political Science curriculum.

Major programs should be planned in consultation with a departmental advisor. In some instances, an internship (450, 458, 464, or 471) may be substituted for 499; however, students must plan this option with the appropriate faculty intern supervisor, in consultation with the departmental chair.

Minor: Minimum of 20 semester hours including 101 and 151. Minor programs should be planned in consultation with a departmental advisor.

Concurrent Attainment: No more than 8 semester hours taken to satisfy other major or minor requirements may also be applied to the political science major. No more than 4 such semester hours may also be applied to the political science minor.

Residency: A minimum of 12 semester hours for the major and 8 semester hours for the minor must be taken in residence.

Minor in the Americas: See Americas.

Minor in Public Affairs: 24 semester hours, including 345 (required) and 20 hours from business, economics, political science, sociology, or statistics.

This minor offers an interdisciplinary study designed to support many major programs whose content has implications for public affairs and is particularly useful to students contemplating careers in public service or graduate study in public administration, public affairs, and related programs.

The Public Affairs minor includes the following requirements: (1) Political Science 345, Government and Public Policy; (2) at least five additional courses from three of the following groups (courses which are taken as part of a major program may not also count toward the Public Affairs minor):

Political Science (minimum of 8 hours if this group is selected)

151 American Government
354 State and Local Government
363 Politics and the Media
364 The Legislative Process

Economics (minimum of 8 hours if this group is selected)

151, 152 Principles of Macroeconomics and Microeconomics (or 130 Global and Environmental Economic Principles)
321 Labor Economics, Labor Relations, and Human Resources
362 Public Finance
371 Industrial Organization and Public Policy

Sociology (minimum of 4 hours if this group is selected)

240 Social Problems
386 Equality and Inequality
413 Crime and Society

Statistics (minimum of 4 hours)

231 Introductory Statistics

On approval by the Public Affairs advisor, up to 8 hours may be earned through participation in an internship program as a substitute for courses listed above (except Political Science 345). Internship opportunities are offered through several departments and provide students with actual work experience in state and local legislative and administrative agencies. Students interested in internships are urged to consult with their academic advisors and with intern faculty advisors at an early date.

Students interested in the Public Affairs minor should declare the minor in the Department of Political Science and consult with the department's Public Affairs advisor.

Minor in Legal Studies: 20 semester hours. For additional information, see Legal Studies.

Pre-Law: For information, see Pre-professional Programs.

Bachelor of Arts in Education: For information, see School of Education.

Back to topCourse Offerings

101 Introduction to Political Science - S1
An introduction to the major concepts, theories, ideas, and fields of study relating to politics and governmental systems. (4)

151 American Government - S1
A survey of the constitutional foundations of the American political system and of institutions, processes, and practices relating to participation, decision-making, and public policy in American national government.

170 Introduction to Legal Studies - S1
An examination of the nature of law, judicial process, and participant roles in the legal system. (4)

210 Global Perspectives: The World in Change - C, S1
A survey of global issues: modernization and development; economic change and international trade; diminishing resources; war and resolution; peace and justice; and cultural diversity. (Crosslisted with ANTH 210 and HIST 210.) (4)

231 Current International Issues - S1
A survey course in international relations with emphasis on current events. (4)

282 Politics in the Americas - S1
A comparative study of the contemporary politics of the western hemisphere, covering the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Key themes are governmental systems, political culture, economic development, and the historical background to current conflict and cooperation. (4)

325 Political Thought - S1
A survey of the origin and evolution of major political concepts in ancient, medieval, and early modern times. (4)

326 Recent Political Thought - S1
A critical examination of the major ideologies of the modern world. (4)

331 International Relations - S1
A systematic analysis of the international system highlighting patterns in state interaction. (4)

338 American Foreign Policy - S1
The role of the United States in international affairs. An analysis of the major factors in the formulation and execution of the United States foreign policy and its impact on other powers. (4)

345 Government and Public Policy - S1
An integrated approach to the nature of public policy, with emphasis on substantive problems, the development of policy responses by political institutions, and the impacts of policies. (4)

346 Environmental Politics and Policy - S1
An examination of environmental problems from political perspectives, including international and domestic political contexts and methods of evaluating policies. (4)

347 Political Economy - S1
An examination of the ways that politics and economics coincide. Topics include the development of capitalism, socialist approaches, international issues, regional examples, and methods of study. Prerequisite: 101; ECON 151, 152; (or 130). (4)

354 State and Local Government - S1
Governmental structures, processes, and policy at the state, local, and regional levels of the American system. (4)

361 Political Parties and Elections - S1
Study of party and electoral systems with particular emphasis on American parties and elections. Examination of party roles in elections and government; party financing; interest groups and political action committees; and voting behavior. (4)

363 Politics and the Media - S1
The role of mass media in American government, politics, and policy. Attention to political culture, public opinion, polls and surveys, press freedom and responsibility, and governmental regulation, secrecy, and manipulation. (4)

364 The Legislative Process - S1
A study of theory, organization, and procedure of the Congress and other legislative bodies in the United States. (4)

368 The American Presidency - S1
Study of the nation's highest political office in terms of the roles and expectations of the office, styles of leadership, presidential decision-making, powers and limitations, and the interaction of personality and institution. (4)

371 Judicial Process - S1
An examination of legal processes in various adjudicatory settings. Primary attention given to judicial processes focusing on American civil and criminal law. (4)

372 Constitutional Law - S1
The constitutional basis of governmental powers in the United States with special emphasis given to judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, interstate commerce, and political and constitutional restrictions on governmental power. (4)

373 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - S1
The constitutional basis of rights and liberties in the United States with special emphasis given to freedom of expression and association, religious freedom, rights in criminal proceedings, due process, and equal protection. (4)

374 Legal Studies Research - S1
Introduction to various methods of legal analysis, research, and writing. (4)

381 Comparative Legal Systems - C, S1
Study of legal systems around the world as they actually work within their respective political, economic, social, and cultural contexts. (4)

382 East Asian Politics - S1
A comparative analysis of the politics of Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Comparative themes include the regional context, constitutions and institutions, political culture, political power, and economic and social policy. (4)

383 Modern European Politics - S1
A study of the origins and development of the European Union and an examination of the governmental systems and political cultures of key European states, including France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. (4)

385 Canadian Government and Politics - S1
The governmental system and political life of Canada, with special attention to the constitution, political parties, nationalism and separatism in Quebec, self-government of native peoples, and comparative study of Canadian and U.S. political cultures. (4)

386 The Middle East - S1
Contrasts the history and aspirations of the Arab Nations with the reality of European dominance and its legacy, the formation of the present Arab states and Israel. (4)

401 Workshops and Special Topics - S1 (1-4)

431 Advanced International Relations - S1
Examines various theories of international conflict management, including in-depth analysis of historical examples. The development of international law and international governmental organizations are also considered. Prerequisite: 331. (4)

450 Internship in Politics - S1
Internship in the political dimensions of non-governmental organizations. By departmental consent only. (4-12)

458 Internship in Public Administration - S1
An internship with a government department or agency. By departmental consent only. (4-12)

464 Internship in the Legislative Process - S1
An opportunity to study the process from the inside by working directly with legislative participants at the state or local level. By department consent only. (Internships with the Washington State Legislature are open only to juniors and seniors with at least one year at PLU who have taken or take concurrently 364. ) (4-12)

471 Internship in Legal Studies - S1
An internship with a private or public sector agency or office engaged in legal research, litigation, or law enforcement. By departmental consent only. (4)

491 Independent Studies
By department consent only. (1-4)

499 Capstone: Senior Seminar - SR
Intensive study into topics, concepts, issues, and methods of inquiry in political science. Emphasis on student research, writing, and presentation. By departmental consent only. (4)