PO 121 Introduction to American Government – 3 CR
Explores a variety of areas that collectively comprise the American political system. Examines the theoretical foundation of American government, the U.S. Constitution, political behavior, Congress, the presidency and the Supreme Court.

PO 122 Introduction to International Relations – 3 CR
Focuses on fundamental factors in understanding international relations. Sovereignty, nation-states, national interests, power, diplomacy, United Nations, war, terrorism, ethnicity and low-intensity warfare, the environment and global politics are studied.

PO 200 Approaches to Political Science – 3 CR
What is politics? And how best can we study it? This course examines how the study of politics has changed since Aristotle coined the term “political science” more than 2,000 years ago. Particular emphasis is on the development of political science as a discipline in the 20th century.

PO 212 American State and Local Government – 3 CR
Examines the subnational level of American politics. Topics include the constitutional position of state governments, federal-state interaction, financing of state governments, political parties, group activity and public policies. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO 215 Political Parties – 3 CR
Focuses on the role of political parties in America's democracy. Examines the structure and function of party organization, behavior of the American electorate and effectiveness of parties in the governing process. Platforms and categories of minor parties are also discussed. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO 216 Congress and the Legislative Process – 3 CR
Examines the Constitutional powers of Congress, historical development, legislative process and relationship with executive branch of government. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO 217 The American Presidency – 3 CR
Traces the role of the chief executive in the American political system. Attention is given to the evolution, functions and limits of executive leadership, as well as to relations with Congress, courts, bureaucracy, public opinion and the role of personal style in the office. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO 218 The Politics of Presidential Elections – 3 CR
Explores the dimensions of presidential elections. Topics include political coalitions, campaign strategy, the role of media and money, conventions and presidential debates. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO 240 War – 3 CR
Topics include the causes of war, case studies of major wars, theories of instinctual aggression, psychological behavior, ethnicity, national inter- ests, imperialism, economics, international systems and other topics.

PO 241 Peace – 3 CR
Presents religious and philosophical roots of peace, functionalism, the changing role of international organizations in the 21st century, international norms, global interdependence and other topics.

PO 242 International Organizations – 3 CR
Focuses on the origin, evolution, structure and functions of regional and global intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations. Special attention is given to the changing role of the post–Cold War United Nations.

PO 244 American Foreign Policy since 1945 – 3 CR
Examines themes of American foreign policy. Topics include containment, deterrence, détente, changing bases of national power, foreign policy development, terrorism, narco-criminality and environmental issues.

PO 285 Future Politics – 3 CR
Explores the transformation of America and the planet. Consequences of shift from industrial to informational to networked economy on environment, society, careers, domestic and international politics are studied.

PO 291 Ethics and International Politics – 3 CR
Role of ethics and morality in international politics. Synthesis of religion and Idealism, national interest and Realism in foreign policy.

PO 299 Special Topics in Political Science – 3 CR
Designates new or occasional courses that may or may not become part of the department's permanent offerings. Courses capitalize on a timely topic, a faculty member's particular interest, an experimental alternative to existing courses, etc. Prerequisites established by the department as appropriate for the specific course. Course title is shown on the student's transcript. Consult the current course schedule for available topics and current prerequisites.

PO 301 Ancient and Medieval Political Thought – 3 CR
What is justice? What is the relationship between politics and philosophy? What is the best way of life? These are questions that Socrates, the founder of political philosophy, took seriously. This course examines such thinkers as Plato and Aristotle as they address Socrates' concerns. This course also includes the medieval response to this tradition, those who sought to reconcile the ancients with revealed religion. Readings for this part may include Augustine, Aquinas, Maimon-ides, or Alfarabi.

PO 302 Modern Political Thought – 3 CR
The problem with the ancient way of thinking, a modern would say, is that it concentrated on how we ought to live, rather than how we do live. Readings include those by the originators of modern political thought (Machiavelli, Hobbes) as well as those questioning whether the modern project is desirable (Rousseau) or even possible (Swift).

PO 303 Radical Political Thought – 3 CR
Have the benefits promised by liberal democracy been realized fully and by all individuals equally? This course focuses on those who claim to be neglected, alienated or oppressed by conventional politics and its institutions. Themes may include socialism/communism, fascism, nationalism, feminism, environmentalism or religious fundamentalism.

PO 304 American Political Thought – 3 CR
The Constitution of 1787 was based on speculation and a series of untested principles: it is possible for a territory as large as the United States to be self-governing; self-interest can be made to serve the common good; and minority rights can be protected in a system based on majority rule. Yet what was once the “American experiment,” we now know as America's gift to the world. This course examines documents related to the founding, such as the Declaration of Indepen-dence and The Federalist Papers, and other readings, including those by Tocqueville, Lincoln and Dewey, as they shape, question and are inspired by political life in our country.

PO 305 Ethics and Politics: Profiles of Practicing Politicians – 3 CR
Readings in ethics and the lives of practicing politicians from George Washington to the present that reaffirm foundations of democratic life, including virtue, integrity, honor and trust. Class time includes dialogue with public officials.

PO 306 Liberalism – 3 CR
Liberalism emerged in the 17th century to advance individual liberty and a free and open society against religious conformity and ascribed status. This course examines this radical change, how liberalism itself has since changed, and the role that liberalism plays in politics today. Texts may include those by Locke, Mill and Croly

PO 307 Conservatism – 3 CR
What conservatives have in common is an unwavering reverence for history and tradition. Consequently, what it means to be a conservative is determined by time and place. This course examines many variants of conservatism, including 18th-century Europe and the contemporary United States. Readings may include those by Burke, Oakeshott and Lewis.

PO/EC 311 Comparative Western European Politics – 3 CR
A comparative analysis of the governments and politics of France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Similarities and differences are explored with respect to patterns of political culture, behavior and institutions.

PO/EC 312 Comparative Eastern European Politics – 3 CR
Examines the political systems of Eastern Europe as they reshape themselves in the aftermath of Soviet domination and tyranny. Political and economic relations with the European Union are studied.

PO/EC 313 The Politics of European Integration – 3 CR
Explores the political complexities associated with the integration of European nations. The structure and function of European governing institutions are examined and analyzed.

PO 314 Middle East Politics – 3 CR
Problems and prospects of the Middle East. Area history, culture, Islam, intrusion of the West, oil, impact of personalities, Arab-Israeli problem, modernization and Islamic fundamentalism are studied.

PO 315 Latin American Politics – 3 CR
An introduction to the political culture and structures of Latin America. Through a series of case studies (e.g., Cuba, Mexico, Brazil), this course addresses key themes and challenges for the region, including democratization, economic development, violence and revolution, militarism and the relationship with the United States.

PO 316 South Asian Politics – 3 CR
Explores the political cultures, religious traditions, governing structures, key personalities and political tensions in several South Asian countries.

PO 318 Interpersonal Communication in the Culturally Diverse Workplace – 3 CR
Theory and practice of -to- communication in culturally diverse organizations. Cultural paradigms of major workforce demographic groups. Emphasis is on acquisition of appropriate communication skills.

PO 321 Public Administration – 3 CR
Survey of organizational theories and professional skills useful to those contemplating public sector service. Addresses public service context, planning, budgeting, communication, leadership and other skills.

PO 322 American Public Policy – 3 CR
Models of policy making. Examines government policies toward civil, gender and minority rights, crime, health, welfare, education, environment and other areas.

PO 323 Leadership of Organizations – 3 CR
Focuses on the role of leadership in organizations. Readings, discussions, workshops, simulations and role-playing to sharpen student skills in career areas. Intended for non-Business majors.

PO 325 Politics, Law and Judicial Behavior – 3 CR
Examines the judiciary's role in the American political process. Topics include the nature of law, political influence in judicial decision making, court organization, judicial recruitment and the powers and limitations of the judiciary. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO 330 Computer-Simulated Foreign Policy – 3 CR
Simulations of international political systems. College students from the United States and around the world interactively conduct foreign policy of actual nations via the Internet.

PO 341 International Law – 3 CR
Traces the development of international law and reviews principles and cases in major topical areas.

PO 351/CJ 200 Constitutional Law – 3 CR
An inquiry into American constitutional law through the study of outstanding cases. Attention is given to the development of constitutional doctrines and the processes of legal reasoning. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO/CJ 352 The First Amendment – 3 CR
Examines U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. Special attention is given to the balance between personal liberty and societal order. Prerequisite: PO 121

PO 391 Internship Program – 3–6 CR
Congressional district staff, state Capitol or Washington, D.C., internships; election campaign and party organization internships; not-for-profit organization internships and others. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair

PO 395 Senior Seminar in Political Science – 3 CR
Advanced study of a particular theme or topic in a seminar setting. Required capstone course for Political Science majors. Prerequisite: Senior standing

PO 399 Independent Study – 1–3 CR
Guided study of a topic that goes beyond normal course offerings under the direction of a member of the Political Science faculty. Approval of the chair of the Political Science program required. By special arrangement