Political Science Major
36 hours are required for the completion of a Political Science Major. It includes the following required courses:
PSCI 101 — Introduction to Political Science. 3 hours.
Offers a factual and conceptual foundation 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 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 390 — Historiography. 4 hours.
A study of the craft of the historian and social scientist, including traditional schools of interpretations; comparison of Judeo-Christian philosophies of history with past and present secular philosophies; and the exploration of the impact of philosophy on conceptualization, compilation, and writing in the social sciences. The course will also involve the preparation of a proposal for the senior thesis.
SSCI 302 — World Regional Geography. 3 hours.
A survey of the human societies of the world by regions, including political, cultural, economic, religious, and environmental characteristics, concentrating on the interaction of human societies and their physical environments.
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 on 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 also be challenged to think about postmodern political theory from a Christian perspective.
PSCI 471 — Senior Seminar in Political Science. 2 hours.
A course to correlate the fields of social science and summarize current problems of society with a view of their possible solutions. The student will be required to apply social science research methods to a topic of interest.
Plus at least 12 hours from the following:
PSCI 242 — Federal Seminar. 1-3 hours.
Credit is given for participation in an extended seminar in Washington, D.C., involving lectures, group sessions, and visits to various governmental agencies. Attendance at, and participation in, campus-based class sessions and follow-up activities may also be required. This course may not be applied toward the general education history requirement, nor does it fulfill the teacher education requirements of American history or American government.
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 government's 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 352 — Christianity and Politics. 3 hours.
An historical analysis of the ways Christians 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?
PSCI 379 — The Developing World. 3 hours.
A critical historical analysis of the development of Third World countries in the modern period. Special focus is placed on the cultural and political response of developing countries in Asia to "the West" and to the general developmental problems of national growth and equity. This course will be taught each semester with a different regional focus, including Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The course may be repeated, but with a different topic.
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 chooses 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.
PSCI 447 — American Constitutional Law. 3 hours.
Includes the study of the origin, adoption, and the Supreme Court's interpretation of the federal Constitution in such areas as judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, interstate commerce, contract clause, taxing powers, due process clause, equal protection of the laws, and civil liberties. Recommended for all Pre-Law students.
HIST 348 — The US in the Cold War. 3 hours.
A study of modern America since World War I examining such issues as government and business, reform, political change, foreign relations, and the United States' role in world politics. Major emphasis is placed on social change and race relations in the period since 1945.
HIST 360 — History of Russia. 3 hours.
This course includes a survey of the history of Russia from the Kiev period to the election of Mikhail Gorbachev, and an intensive study of the social, political, and religious developments of the last decade.
HIST 450 — Evidence and Argument in Historical Interpretation. 3 hours.
An intensive study of the logical and philosophical principles that historians use to understand and explain historical causation. The development and use of models and paradigms and the implications of secular and religious worldviews will be explored and critiqued.
ECON 308 — Comparative Economic Systems. 3 hours.
An examination of the alternative forms of economic organization that exist around the world. Areas of emphasis will include the existing variations in the democratic capitalist framework, the ongoing process of transition in formerly socialist nations, the emergence of new sources of competition within the global economy, and the interaction between economics, politics, and culture in various societies.
PSCI 486 — 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.
Self-study of historical readings under faculty direction in an area of special interest. Suggested for seniors and qualified juniors with a major in History/Political Science. All other students must secure the approval of the instructor. No more than four hours of credit may be earned through readings in History and Political Science combined.
Up to nine hours of credit may be applied to the major through participation in a departmentally approved off-campus study program.