Political Science (POLI)

Surveys and introduces the student to the terminology, methodology, and scope of the discipline of political science.

Addresses how to study international politics, balance of power, state system, causes of war, the balance of terror, global eco-politics, the foreign policy process; origins, sources making and effectiveness of international law; world and regional international organizations, political economy, North/South relations, trade and tariffs.

Covers the description and analysis of the basic institutions and process of the federal government: the Presidency, the Congress, the courts; democratic theory and Constitutional development; political parties, voters and elections; current political issues.

Examines the major political ideas which have evolved from colonial times to the present. Alternative interpretations of social, racial, economic and political issues, contemporary protest ideologies, conservatism, liberalism, and capitalism are reviewed.

Analyzes current national problems including income distribution, welfare, the sexual revolution, energy, pollution, unemployment, race, health, monetary and fiscal policy.

Compares Western and non-Western political systems; similarities and differences among institutions, decision makers, ideology, and policies; primary focus is placed on the United States, the former Soviet Union, Great Britain, China and Japan.

This course provides the student with a general introduction to the study of law. Students will learn to read and understand court decisions, analyze the roles of lawyers in the judicial process, be able to write briefs, learn about careers in law, prepare for admission to law school, become familiar with the Illinois and U. S. Constitution.

Analyzes the public management process. Among the major topics covered are: management theory, policy implementation, human resource management, public and non-profit budget issues and processes, privacy, information and intergovernmental relations.

Studies the political systems and policy-making at the state and local levels in the United States emphasizing the process of policy-making, the problems and behaviors of political actors and institutional evolution. The roles of legislators, governors, and interest groups will be examined as well as parties, interest groups, participation, community development, and machine politics.

Studies the behavior, organization and role of political parties; the electoral process, representation, campaign strategy and finance; types of interest groups and their impact on American politics.

Examines the relationship of political institutions and actors and the media in American society. The interaction between these institutions and their impact on policy and on society are examined.

Explores the history and culture of Latin America, a region which includes Mexico, Central American, South America and the Caribbean. The region’s indigenous civilizations, European colonization, independence movements, and social and political events and issues of the 20th century will be explored. Time will also be spent discussing the U.S./Latin American relationships and the culture of Latin America today.

Surveys the long history of East Asia with an eye to the present. Special emphasis will be given to the influences of imperialism, diplomacy, nationalism, communism and religion in the East Asia – specifically Japan and China – from roughly 1600 to the present. Recent diplomatic and political history will be emphasized. Of particular interest will be how the civilization of East Asia was transformed as a result of interaction with the West.

Involves an overview of the region. The major focus of the course concentrates on contemporary issues and politics in the Middle East: political Islam, the impact of the Iranian revolution, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Russian inroads in the Middle East and Afghanistan, oil, U.S. policy toward the Middle East and the Palestinian question. In addition, the course covers specific problems and prospects of individual states in the Middle East.

Studies the content of United States' foreign policy since World War II; containment and communism, the Cold War, detente, impact of Vietnam; contemporary relations with Russia and Eastern Europe, China, the Western alliance and the developing countries; how American foreign policy is made; analysis of arms control, warfare, military technology and deterrence; economic policies, and contemporary issues confronting U.S. foreign policy.

Is a title given to a course which covers broad themes, practices, and subject content not currently offered in the curriculum. This course is directed primarily at non-majors and may be used for general education where approved.

Studies the political development of Eastern Europe and Russia from the formation of the Soviet Union to contemporary times with an emphasis placed on the Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Gorbachev and Yeltsin eras; Marxist ideology; study of Soviet politics and breakdown of the Soviet Union; current social and economic problems and policies.

Examines the processes and tools for analysis, implementation and evaluation of public policy. Emphasis will be given to framework, modes of policy argument, the policy process, and evaluation.

Involves the study of basic concepts of political philosophy from a historical point of view. Through a comparison with ancient political philosophy, the development of modern political philosophy will be assessed. Topics to be studied include: the nature and purpose of political association: the origin of obligation in natural law, natural rights, and historical process; the role of authority, law, and liberty, property, equality, and justice. Philosophers to be studied may include Aristotle, Plato, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Burke, and Marx.

Examines the major issues and trends facing the United States in the contemporary international system. Included will be an examination of the nature of international relations and of its principles, as well as a brief overview of traditional American foreign policy until WWII. Major emphasis is placed on United States involvement in world affairs since WWII.

Examines American society, culture, and politics from the end of World War II to the 1990s. Some of the major topics addressed include life in the 1950s, the war in Vietnam at home and abroad, the civil rights movement, the women's movement, the counterculture of the 1960s, the new conservatism of the 1970s and 1980s, and current issues in the 1990s.

Studies the content of United States' foreign policy since World War II; containment and communism, the Cold War, d'tente, impact of Vietnam; contemporary relations with Russia and Eastern Europe, China, the Western alliance and the developing countries; how American foreign policy is made; analysis of arms control, warfare, military technology and deterrence; economic policies, and contemporary issues confronting U.S. foreign policy.

Explores the various subfields of the field of the discipline, including: American politics, public policy, comparative, and international politics, and political theory. Student will also learn about political science research methods and will learn how to select topics, review literature, collect and analyze data, and write reports. Student attendance at the Midwest Political Science Association meeting is mandatory. Prerequisite for senior internship and senior thesis.

Analyzes the American constitutional development; the Supreme Court as a political institution; major judicial decisions regarding taxation, commerce, civil rights and civil liberties, federalism, the powers of Congress and the President.

Examines the Supreme Court decisions concerned with the definition of American rights in the areas of freedom of speech, press, assembly, association and religion, church-state relations, race and sex discrimination, privacy; criminal rights.

Explores the judicial and trial process in the American legal system. Includes structure and function of courts, rules of evidence, presentation of case materials, and roles of civil and criminal procedures.

Examines the evolution of office of the Presidency; legislative executive conflict; powers, duties and roles of modern presidents; conceptions of the office; the institutionalized presidency and the process.

Examines the major approaches to International Relations, including realism, idealism, complex interdependency, dependency theory, and feminist theory, to study US Foreign Policy since 1945. Current policies will also be scrutinized.

Studies Congress and the formation of public policy; legislative-executive relations; the legislative process; Congressional politics, parties and Congress, Congress and committees, organization and behavior; home style, the influence of pressure groups, political representation, Congress and the conduct of foreign policy.

Studies the welfare state and the reform movement. The course examines the Progressive Era, the New Deal, the Great Society, and the conservative backlash using appropriate public policy tools. Specific issues such as Medicare, welfare, civil rights, and public housing will be scrutinized.

Examines the contents, institutions and process of public policy formation in the United States through case studies of major issue areas.

Examines a specific policy problem. Themes for the course will change from year to year but might include policy for the aging, disabled, housing, defense, the environment, health care. The course is taught in seminar format.

Offers students the opportunity to research topics generated through directed foreign travel; credit by special arrangement with the chairperson of the department.

Is a title given to a course which covers specific themes, practices, and subject content not currently offered in the curriculum. This course is directed primarily to student majoring in the subject area and could be used to complete major requirements. The course will provide an in-depth study of a specific topic.

Is an intensive directed study and research in any of the sub-fields of Political Science. No more than six hours of directed study may be taken. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Allows students to select their own topic of investigation and determine their own way of pursuing and reporting work. A faculty advisor serves as resource person. Students provide goals, materials, and criteria for evaluation. Prerequisite: permission of department chair.

Is an independent research experience which requires investigation of a political question using appropriate methodologies. The thesis will require a proposal with outline and bibliography, regular meetings with adviser, and a formal presentation of the completed project.

This course allows students selected for this program to spend a portion or all of one semester in Washington, D.C. The intern carries out such duties as are assigned by the Washington staff. A research project based on the internship is required and, normally, a journal.

Offers students who meet the requirements an opportunity to apply the theories which they have learned and to test their skills in real world settings. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.