Political Science Course Descriptions

This global history course will examine important developments in the civilizations of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere from prehistory to the rise of globalism in the 21st century. Themes to be investigated will include: Politics and government, art and ideas, religion and philosophy, family and society, science and technology, earth and the environment, and interaction and exchange. An emphasis will be placed on showing how these meta-themes are manifested in cultures throughout the world. This course will also serve as an introduction to the methods historians use in the field. Three hours.

The cultural and physical elements of human habitats, the significance of the elements of the earth to humans, and the use of maps and their importance. Three hours.

This survey course includes major themes and tensions in American history with attention to citizenship, concepts and processes of historical/social studies inquiry, chronological thinking, and principles related to interpreting primary and secondary sources. It includes politics, major people, events, and movements in the history of the United States as well as Paleo-Indian cultures. This course also explores the relationship between the US and other nations. 3 credits.

This introduces students to how the political system in America functions. It focuses on the actual workings of the American government and starts with the cultural and constitutional contexts of American politics. Three hours.

This team-taught and interdisciplinary seminar is among students’ final educational experiences before degree completion. As such, its components allow students to showcase the academic abilities they have acquired through their degree program (through a thesis or project) and to think about and prepare for the next steps in their professional careers. Students participate in both interdisciplinary plenaries and discipline specific seminars. Students give a final presentation of their theses or projects at an interdisciplinary symposium. Prerequisite: COM 3500. Three hours.

This varsity academic team focuses on learning and practicing important mediation skills. Students may participate in regional and national mediation conferences and tournaments. Three hours, repeatable.

Students are to observe and to participate in the activities of an organization that promotes professional development. Students may choose from a wide range of activities involving work with political organizations or specific politicians. Credit is awarded based upon the intensity and length of involvement and the number of learning objectives accomplished. Students are to meet in a seminar format once a month with an instructor for encouragement and personal development and assessment. Three hours.

This course includes several approaches to political philosophy. First, it provides a general overview of the dominant political ideologies from the ancient to the contemporary world. Second, it provides a general survey of some of the most influential political thinkers whose writings and theories have given rise to the modern political landscape. This will focus heavily on the development of western political thought but may include selections from Islamic civilization, southeast Asia, or other non-western contexts. Third, this course will include an introduction to more recent thinkers, or even popular personalities, whose work is relevant to the intersection of faith and politics. Three hours.

This is an examination of the structure and interplay between state, county, and local governments. Issues such as social security, zoning, welfare, public health, and the environment will be examined from the point of view of how they originate at the local levels yet how they exist and grow within federal guidelines. This contains a module on Indiana politics and history. Three hours.

This is an investigation into the principles and concepts which govern the relationship of the United States with the nations of the global community. Three hours

This junior-level seminar course is an overview of the history and confluence of rhetoric and policy decisions. Content spans the history of American identity in an effort to identify and understand the traits that have constituted American political discourse. Topics include, but are not limited to, the speeches and writings of early explorers, presidents, civil rights leaders, suffragists, businesspeople, and religious leaders. Three hours.

This course covers major themes in post-World War II American history with special focus on foreign policy and American involvement throughout the globe. Three hours.

An introductory course to the study of political communication. Topics include political theory, campaign communication, public address, navigating media, and electoral politics. Three hours.

From major world religions to a host of small religious movements, the variety of religious expression in America is almost endless. Indeed, religious pluralism and diversity has become one of the defining features of American society. Naturally, this diverse religious landscape has not taken shape overnight. Rather, it has developed over centuries and has included a complex spectrum of theological approaches, ethical positions, charismatic men and women, ordinary citizens and even political involvement. This course is meant to provide students with an introduction to the religious diversity in America while emphasizing its historical context and development. Three hours.

This course is an introduction to the history of England from the Later Middle Ages through the Stuart era. Major themes include social, religious, and economic change and how those changes influenced politics and culture from the Wars of the Roses through the Elizabethan Age, the English Civil War, and the Glorious Revolution. This can be used for Political Science credit. Three hours.

This course examines the religious origins, political development, and geographic expansion of the Islamic World and its relationship to western society. It addresses the relationship between Islam, Judaism and Christianity, examines the Crusades, the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict as well as recent political tensions between the United States and the Middle East since the 1970s. It also examines perceptions of Islam as well as the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and Jihadist movements. Three Hours.

This is a directed program of reading and discussion concerning specifically selected topics in political science. This may involve a field trip experience. Three hours.