| Faculty | BA Major | Minors | Course Offerings |
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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 reflect 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: Kelleher, Chair; Dwyer-Shick, Grosvenor, Olufs, Spencer.
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.
Required courses: POLS 101, 151, 325, 499 (16 semester hours)
Distributional requirement: One course from each of Group A and Group B (eight semester hours)
Group A - American Government and Public Policy
POLS 345, 346, 354, 361, 363, 364, 368, 371, 372, 373
Group B - International Relations, Comparative Government, and Political Thought
POLS 326, 331, 332, 338, 347, 380, 381, 382, 383, 385, 386
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 (POLS 450, 458, 464, or 471) may be substituted for POLS 499. However, students must pre-plan this option with the appropriate faculty intern supervisor, in consultation with the departmental chair.
Minimum of 20 semester hours including POLS 101 and POLS 151. Minor programs should be planned in consultation with the departmental chair or a designated adviser.
No more than eight semester hours taken to satisfy other major or minor requirements may also be applied to the political science major. No more than four such semester hours may also be applied to the political science minor.
A minimum of 12 semester hours for the major and eight semester hours for the minor must be taken in residence at PLU.
24 semester hours, including POLS 345 (required) and 20 from 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) POLS 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):
POLS 151: American Government
POLS 354: State and Local Government
POLS 363: Politics and the Media
POLS 364: The Legislative Process
ECON 101, 102: Principles of Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
(or ECON 111: Principles of Microeconomics: Global and Environmental)
ECON 321: Labor Economics
ECON 327: Public Finance
ECON 325: Industrial Organization and Public Policy
SOCI 240: Social Problem
SOCI 413: Crime and Society
STAT 231: Introductory Statistics
On approval by the Public Affairs advisor, up to eight semester hours may be earned through participation in an internship program as a substitute for courses listed above (except POLS 345). Internship opportunities are offered through several departments, and through the Cooperative Education Program, and provide students with actual work experience in diverse public and private 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.
Requires 20 semester hours as follows:
Four required courses:
POLS 331: International Relations (4)
POLS 332: International Conflict Resolution (4)
COMA 340: Conflict and Communication (4)
COMA 441: Conflict Managment (4)
One elective course chosen from the following, or another course selected in consultation with the minor's faculty coordinator:
POLS 210: Global Perspectives (4)
COMA 304: Intercultural Communication (4)
20 semester hours. For additional information, see Legal Studies.
For information, see Pre-professional Programs.
POLS 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)
POLS 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. (4)
POLS 170: Introduction to Legal Studies – S1
An examination of the nature of law, judicial process, and participant roles in the legal system. (4)
POLS 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. (Cross-listed
with ANTH 210 and HIST 210.) (4)
POLS 231: Current International Issues – S1
A survey course in international relations with emphasis on current events. (4)
POLS 325: Political Thought – S1
A survey of the origin and evolution of major political concepts in ancient, medieval, and early modern times. Can count for a Philosophy major or minor. (4)
POLS 326: Recent Political Thought – S1
A critical examination of the major ideologies of the modern world. (4)
POLS 331: International Relations – S1
A systematic analysis of the international system highlighting patterns in state interaction. (4)
POLS 332: International Conflict Resolution - S1
This course will study several examples of peace processes and
compare them with conflict reduction/resolution models. At any given
time in recent years, over thirty violent conflicts, most of them
internal but some also external, tear apart societies, produce
extensive suffering, and threaten regional stability. Several
strategies have been tried, some relatively successfully, to end such
violence and begin the long, difficult process of achieving peace. (4)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 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: POLS 101 and ECON 101 or 102 or 111. (4)
POLS 354: State and Local Government – S1
Governmental structures, processes, and policy at state, local, and regional levels of the American system. (4)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 364: The Legislative Process – S1
A study of theory, organization, and procedure of the Congress and other legislative bodies in the United States. (4)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 374: Legal Studies Research – S1
Introduction to various methods of legal analysis, research, and writing. (4)
POLS 380: Politics of Global Development - S1
Designed to provide information, concepts, and alternative
perspectives needed to study development as a global issue within the
international political context. Examples of how general world trends
manifest themselves in specific countries will be covered as well as
case studies of successful development projects. (4)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 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)
POLS 386: The Middle East – C, 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)
POLS 401: Workshops and Special Topics – S1 (1–4)
POLS 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: POLS 331. (4)
POLS 450: Internship in Politics – S1
Internship in the political dimensions of non-governmental organizations. By departmental consent only. (1-8)
POLS 455: Internship in International and Comparative Politics
Internship overseas or with a US agency or organization that engages in international issues and activities. By departmental consent only. (1-8)
POLS 458: Internship in Public Administration – S1
An internship with a government department or agency. By departmental consent only. (1-8)
POLS 464: Internship in the Legislative Process – S1
An opportunity to study the process from the inside by working directly with legislative participants at the national, 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.) (1–12)
POLS 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. (1-4)
POLS 491: Independent Studies
By department consent only. (1–4)
POLS 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)