Political Science Courses
The mission of the department of History and Political Science at Olivet Nazarene University is (1) to provide students with a conceptual historical framework for a liberal arts education through the general education curriculum; (2) to pursue the integration of Biblically based philosophy of history and the best of current scholarship; and (3) to ground students in these disciplines in the requisite content as well as critical-thinking and research skills.
PSCI 101 - Introduction to Political Science. 3 hours. Offers a factual and conceptual framework for the study of political science. Topics addressed will include basic political theory, political structures, political behavior, and basic approaches to methodology in gathering and analyzed information on the practice of politics.
PSCI 221 - Foundations of International Relations. 3 hours. This course studies the structure and organization of the global, international system. Special attention will be paid to the role of international organizations and international law. Behavior between states will be examined within their larger global context. This course will examine the historical interaction between states and the differing models of state interaction over time.
PSCI 223 - American Government. 3 hours. A study of the structure and functions of the federal government in the United States. Fulfills the teacher education requirement for passing the U.S. Constitution test.
PSCI 242 - Federal Seminar. 1-3 hours. Same as SSCI 242. This course does not satisfy the requirement for American government for Teacher Education majors.
PSCI 343 - American National Politics. 3 hours. This course covers both the constitutional and the non-constitutional elements of American national government. The first half of the course examines the federal governments structure, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, in addition to civil rights and civil liberties. The second half covers the history and development of political parties, elections, and campaigns; the voting process; and political behavior.
PSCI 344 - American Public Policy. 3 hours. A study of the major domestic policy issues in American national politics. Students will be exposed to a variety of viewpoints regarding contemporary issues such as health care, energy and toxic waste, the national debt, homelessness, public education, etc. The ethical dimensions of these issues are integrated into the course. Major emphasis is also placed on understanding the public policy process at the national, state, and local levels. Offered in alternate years.
PSCI 352 - Christianity and Politics. 3 hours. An historical analysis of the ways Christian have participated in culture. Particular emphasis will be placed on an examination of the major, contemporary Christian voices in American politics and the terms of the ethical debates that are taking place. The course is designed to answer the question: What is a Christian view of politics? Offered in alternate years.
PSCI 360 - Politics of Russia. 3 hours. Same as HIST 360.
PSCI 379 - The Developing World. 3 hours. Same as HIST 379.
PSCI 385 - Selected Topics in Political Science. 3 hours. This course is a senior level history/political science course in which the professor or professors choose a topic, event, or development and structure a one-time course around that specific interest. The topic will be given in the schedule of courses when the course is offered. Prerequisite: One lower division History course or permission of the instructor.
PSCI 390 - Historiography. 3 hours. Same as HIST 390.
PSCI 422 - History of Political Philosophy. 3 hours. A survey of the significant political philosophies and theories within the Western tradition. A major focus will be placed in understanding the present state of Western civilization, rooted in its philosophical and ethical context. Part I of this course will cover ancient political philosophy, including pre-Socratic, Greek, Hellenic, and Stoic philosophy. Part II covers medieval political philosophy, including the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Part III covers modern political philosophy from the early Renaissance through contemporary postmodern political philosophy.
PSCI 460 - Postmodern Political Theory. 3 hours. The students will study the most recent significant developments in postmodern political theory. The students will study the arguments of political theorists in the post-Enlightenment age, focusing on the work of theorists in the past 20 years. The students will be challenged to think about postmodern political theory from a Christian perspective.
PSCI 471 - Senior Seminar in Political Science. 2 hours. Same as SSCI 471. Prerequisite PSCI 390.
PSCI 487 - Political Internship. 1-6 hours. This course offers supervised opportunities for senior students to work in a variety of paid and volunteer internship opportunities in local, state, or national government during the school year or in the summer. Each internship is arranged in consultation with the student.
PSCI 494 - Readings in Political Science. 1-4 hours. Same as HIST 494.
