Political Science (POL)

POL 117  Introduction to Government & Politics  Credits: 3  

The scope and methods of the study of politics and political systems. Basic techniques and problems for the social and political scientist. Emphasis upon comparative and international political issues such as the exercise of political power, implications of economic inequality, population control, the arms race, disarmament, great power, and North-South rivalries.

Goal: Goal: 08- Global Perspective 09- Ethical/Civic Resp  
Fall: All Years  Spring: All Years  Summer All Years  
POL 120  American National Government  Credits: 3  

Surveys the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the national government; the role of political parties, interest groups and public opinion. Includes discussion of local and state government and the political uses of the law.

Goal: Goal: 05- Hist/Soc/Behav Sci 09- Ethical/Civic Resp  
Fall: All Years  Spring: All Years  
POL 200  International Politics  Credits: 3  

Examination of theories, concepts, and structures instrumental in understanding international relations. Includes a realistic, systematic and political economy analysis of actions and interactions, images and realities in international affairs. Topics include great power rivalry, the arms race, great power intervention in the Third World, trade war and conflict in Southern Africa.

Goal: Goal: 05- Hist/Soc/Behav Sci 08- Global Perspective  
Fall: All Years  Spring: All Years  
POL 221  State Government  Credits: 3  

Examines the role of states in the American federal system. Analyzes intergovernmental relations and issues of current interest such as taxing powers, grants, and responsibilities for providing public services such as education, policing, welfare, and environmental protection. Special attention to Minnesota.

Goal: Goal: 05- Hist/Soc/Behav Sci 09- Ethical/Civic Resp  
Spring: All Years  
POL 227  The Judicial Process  Credits: 3  

Examines the role of lawyers, judges, juries, and citizens in the American legal and judicial systems. Attention is given to various theories behind the law and legal practices; the moral aspects of public law; modern problems confronting the legal system, and efforts to reform the system.

Goal: Goal: 05- Hist/Soc/Behav Sci  
Summer Department Discretion  
POL 252  Introduction to Comparative Politics  Credits: 3  

An introduction to the study of comparative politics. A survey of political concepts (including representation, legitimacy, and the state), ideologies, institutions and processes as applied to selected industrial democracies, authoritarian, totalitarian, communist regimes, and developing countries, ending with a discussion of ethics from a comparative political perspective.

Goal: Goal: 05- Hist/Soc/Behav Sci 08- Global Perspective  
Fall: All Years  
POL 255  Model United Nations  Credits: 1-2  

An examination of history, function, dynamics and future of the United Nations and its role as an international organization. Students will be involved in case studies and problem resolution.

POL 286  Special Topics  Credits: 1-4  

A study of more advanced topics in political science not normally provided as part of the curriculum.

POL 292  Honors Credit Political Science  Credits: 1  

An independent study course designed primarily for Honors Program students. This course allows more in-depth or comprehensive study or research.

POL 300  Political Research Methods  Credits: 4  

Covers the basics of research methodology and an introduction to statistical analysis and data processing with computers as applied to Political Science.

Pre-Requisite : POL 117 AND POL 120  
Fall: Even Years  
POL 324  Local & Rural Politics  Credits: 3  

This course surveys the government and politics of local governments, including counties, cities, and townships. Major topics include contrasts between major urban governments and local governments in Greater Minnesota, intergovernmental relations between local, state and federal levels, elected and appointed leadership, local budget policy, economic development, and land use issues.

Goal: Goal: 09- Ethical/Civic Resp  
Fall: Odd Years  
POL 325  Administrative Law and Regulation  Credits: 3  

This course considers the role of government in the regulation of the market. In doing so, we consider regulatory practice and the mechanisms to adjust market behavior. To that end, we consider rulemaking, adjudication, enforcement, licensing, the collection of information, judicial review, and public sector personnel management.

Spring: All Years  
POL 328  Criminal Justice and Procedure  Credits: 3  

An examination of the role of the U.S. Constitution and the state and federal courts in handling crime and justice in America. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of legal precedents, recent Supreme Court decisions, federalism, criminal procedure, and efforts to reform the American criminal justice system.

Fall: All Years  
POL 331  Western Political Thought  Credits: 3  

The study of political thought from Plato to the 17th century. Special attention is paid to Plato and Aristotle. Various ideas are examined, including the nature of rights, absolutes, the nature of human beings, the necessity of laws and the state, and the relationship between people and society.

Pre-Requisite : POL 117  
POL 340  Public Policy & Administration  Credits: 3  

Examines the initiation, development and implementation of public policy in the U.S. at all levels of government, with special emphasis on national policy-making. Includes study of the role of each branch of government in the policy process, citizen input in the process, current debates over important policies, and the significance of political parties and interest groups in the formulation of policies.

Pre-Requisite : POL 120  
Fall: Even Years  
POL 351  Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties  Credits: 3  

An examination of the various rights, responsibilities, and liberties guaranteed Americans in the U.S. Constitution. Special attention is paid to First Amendment speech, assembly, press and religious rights; governments ability to conduct searches; equal protection; economic liberties; protection against self-incrimination, and rights before and during criminal trials.

Pre-Requisite : POL 120  
Spring: Odd Years  
POL 355  World Political Geography  Credits: 3  

A traditional regional approach to geography combined with a survey of several important subfields, such as urban geography, geopolitics, political geography, and economic geography.

Spring: All Years  
POL 415  Law & Society  Credits: 3  

A study of the impact of American laws, courts, and judicial practices on American society. Includes examination of significant Supreme Court decisions; the changing role of lawyers; the plight of the nations poor; problems associated with civil litigation; public perceptions of the nations judicial system, and efforts to reform the national legal system.

Pre-Requisite : POL 120  
Fall: Department Discretion  
POL 422  American Political Thought  Credits: 3  

A survey of American political ideas, and their consequences, from the American Revolution to the present. Includes an examination of the European origins of the American political tradition. Among the figures studied are John Locke, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John C. Calhoun, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of the dialogue between conservatism and liberalism since World War II.

Pre-Requisite : POL 120  
Spring: All Years  
POL 430  The U.S. Supreme Court  Credits: 3  

An examination of the history, functions, and characteristics of the United States Supreme Court. Special focus is given to the contemporary Supreme Court, current legal and judicial controversies, and the Supreme Courts individual members. The central feature of the course is a mock U.S. Supreme Court trial, which engages all class members (through research, preparation of written briefs, and presentation of oral arguments) in a term project. The trial is judged by local attorneys and other members of the legal community, all of whom appear clad in black judicial robes.

Pre-Requisite : POL 120  
Spring: Odd Years  
POL 455  International Law  Credits: 3  

This course considers the legal regimes that govern how international law is employed, how it is created, its sources, and the substantive bodies of law that have evolved to shape the field. That is, we take a look at human rights, humanitarian law, private international law, and the development of international organizations, all of which influence the structure and governance of the international community.

Fall: Odd Years  
POL 486  Advanced Special Topics Political Science  Credits: 1-4  

Selected topics in Political Science. Special emphasis will be given to individual research projects.

POL 490  Senior Seminar  Credits: 3  

Seminar devotes intensive study to selected topics in the fields of government and statecraft. Includes exposure to scholarly literature in the field, student-led discussions of course material, a major research project, and formal presentation of findings.

Pre-Requisite : POL 117 AND POL 120 and senior status.  
Fall: All Years  
POL 494  Independent Study  Credits: 1-4  

A study of politics through individual research projects. Topic to be selected by the student.

Fall: All Years  Spring: All Years  
POL 499  Internship in Government  Credits: 3-9  

The course gives credit for supervised work assigned in a government agency, political campaign, or interest group for selected and qualified students. Preparation and final report required.

Fall: All Years  Spring: All Years  Summer Department Discretion  
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