42 courses with the subject POL, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
POL 105Introduction to Politics3
This course will introduce students to the study of politics and to the discipline known as Political Science. Focusing on fundamental concepts of power and authority, the course will examine topics central to each of the main subfields of Political Science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Philosophy. It will also explore some contemporary issues and debates that captivate US politics. Course Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This is a survey course designed to give the student a basic introduction to law beginning with the various schools of legal philosophical thought, criminal and civil law and procedure, and basic contract law. The course provides the student with an understanding and overview of how the American legal system functions including introducing students to the principles of law, the administration of the legal system, legal terminology, and the inter- relationship between politics, governmental structures, legal professionals and the functioning of the legal system. Course Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This course introduces students to American Politics by focusing on national politics. In addition to examining the structure of U.S. government at the federal level, this course will also investigate American political behavior (especially political parties, elections, voting) and selected policy debates the animate contemporary political discussion. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for POL 250 and POL 250*D POL 250*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement. Course Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer Credits: (3,0)
An examination of the structures and purposes of state, county, and municipal political institutions, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in community affairs and the election process, in enhancing the effectiveness of state legislatures and judicial systems, county and municipal government, and the protection of civil rights through law enforcement. Course Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer Credits: (3,0)
An introduction to global politics which explores regional issues in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the America etc., as well as genuinely transnational concerns such as pandemics, international terrorism, environmental degradation, etc. Prerequisite(s): Any 100-level or higher HIS or POL course. Course Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Credits: (3,0)
Introduces the role of public administration in governance at the local, regional, state, and federal level. Topics include the development of public administration as a profession and as an academic discipline; administrative and organizational theory; decision-making; the effect of politics; how policies are evaluated; as well as the roles of management, budgeting, finance, accountability, and ethics. By reading and discussing classic texts, and through analysis of case studies, students will understand the institutions, processes, and values that underlie the administration of public policy in both government and non-profit settings. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101 and any 100-level POL course both with a C or higher. Course Offered: Fall Credits: (3,0)
This course examines a broad range of governmental systems utilizing the comparative methods of analysis. In addition to analysis of selected political systems in the developed world (e.g., Great Britain, the United States, and the Russian Federation), students will also explore the governmental structures of at least one country in the developing world (India, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, etc.). Students will also compare plural democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, and neo-authoritarian forms of government, emphasizing policy-making and contemporary problems facing the state in era of globalization, such as the purported victory of neo- liberalism, the threat of terrorism, and the importance of satellite television and the Internet in shaping politics. Course Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This survey course is designed for students who have a lively curiosity about Italy. Employing a historical perspective, students will examine Italy's efforts at "nation-building" from Machiavelli to the present. Students will learn about Italy's unique and extensive contributions to Western Civilization (politics, economics, science, art, culture, societal organization). They will also be introduced to definitions, concepts, distinctions, and theories that are fundamental to the study of political science and, in particular, the subfields of comparative politics and political philosophy. Course Offered: Spring Credits: Credits:3 (3,0)
This course will introduce students to some of the major themes and classic works of Western political philosophy. Focusing on a central theme (e.g. political obligation, human rights, equality), students will examine how that issue is addressed by some classic political philosophers such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx. They will also assess and debate contemporary US theory and practice with regard to the issue at hand. Course Offered: Fall, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This course examines the political influence and impact of Taylor Swift. Throughout American history, women were often excluded from the political sphere. Yet, in recent years women have made tremendous gains in electoral politics. In addition to women's representation increasing in the modern era, the influence of women celebrities has also grown. This class traces cultural changes to discern how women's power has grown over the past few decades with particular emphasis on the rise of political elites and the influence they hold. Using Taylor Swift as a prism, this course explores several concepts from political science, such as political behavior and psychology, media and politics, and polarization, among others. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher POL course Credits: (3,0)
In this course, we examine the psychological bases of people' s political beliefs and actions. Political psychology is an interdisciplinary field that blends theories and approaches from political science and social psychology to examine the ways in which human psychology affects and is affected by overarching political institutions. We will go beyond describing what happens in politics (e.g., who won an election) or how it happened (e.g., who voted for whom) and instead identify explanations for why we observe certain political behavior by looking at the psychology of individuals. For example, what causes people to make decisions and form attitudes-and sometimes change their minds? Or why do individuals identify with certain political groups and not others? This course provides an introduction to the theories, methods, and findings of scientific research in political psychology that aim to explain these processes and help us to apply their insights to make sense of political behavior in the United States. We will cover a range of topics that help us to understand the psychological bases of political behavior, such as attitudes, ideology, personality, emotions, morality, knowledge, and intergroup dynamics like identity politics. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 or POL 250 Credit(s): 3 Credits: (3,0) Course Index • 2026
In the developed world, the issue is not whether the Internet affects politics, society, culture and commerce, but rather how and why it does and to what consequences. How do we comprehend the tensions, contradictions, conflicts, paradoxes created by the rapid spreading of the Internet? This course examines the impact of recent communication technologies on the social system, democracy and government, social movements and interactions, markets and commerce, globalization and governance, and the relations between culture and the state. This course focuses on the intersections among politics, society and commerce through a comparative perspective and asks students to evaluate the central controversial policy dilemmas and problems that have emerged and persisted over the Internet. Prerequisite(s): Any 100 level higher HIS or POL course. Course Offered: Spring Credits: Credits:3 (3,0)
In this course, students will examine pivotal questions of U.S. and global energy policy. Topics covered will include the development of alternatives and emerging technologies, energy efficiency, government intervention in markets, and the future role of conventional sources. While the focus is on the electricity sector, the roles played by food production and transportation will be considered as well. Students will also evaluate the role of localities and states, paying particular attention to how they are responding to changes in federal policy. Prerequisite(s): Any 200 level or higher social science Course with a grade of C or higher Course Offered: Fall Credits: (3,0)
This course offers an in-depth exploration of administrative law, emphasizing its role in shaping public administration and governance in the United States. Building on foundational knowledge from prior coursework in legal studies and politics, students will delve into the complex interplay between administrative agencies, the executive branch, and the judiciary. Key topics will include the federal and state agency rule making and adjudication processes, the legal requirements of private companies and non-profits funded by public money, the formation and ultimate reversal of the Chevron Doctrine, and how administrative law ensures that agencies operate within legal and ethical boundaries, or how it doesn't. Prerequisite(s): POL 110 and any 200-level or higher POL course Credits: (3,0)
This course examines the relationship between women and development, including controversies surrounding the gendered impact of development strategies. It explores issues such as women’s health, education, employment, and population planning in the developing world. The course will analyze how women’s rights, leadership, and political participation are restricted or hindered by various societal and governmental structures. The course will consider a wide range of issues and human rights violations against women and examine how such inequalities affect the political and developmental progress of a country. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-Level or higher social science course. Course Offered: Spring, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This course examines how the international political system was established and how it has changed since the Peace of Westphalia. Focusing on the role of states, complemented by a thorough analysis of non-state actors, students will investigate how the global system works and how the process of globalization is remaking the political and economic world. The art and purpose of diplomacy will also be explored. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher HIS, POL or GEO course. Course Offered: Fall, Winter, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This course examines the strategic, political, and cultural developments and concepts associated with geopolitics from late 19th century through the current era. Combining knowledge of international relations and world geography, students will examine how states and nations interact in an increasingly globalized world. Special topics will include the geopolitics of space, technology, energy, religion, and the environment. Popular media's impact on geopolitics understanding will also be explored. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher HIS, POL or GEO course. Course Offered: Fall Credits: (3,0)
This course is a comparative evaluation of European governments and politics, paying particular attention to challenges facing the Continent such as security, trade policy, ethno-nationalism, immigration, and terrorism. Integration of the former Eastern Bloc into Europe since 1989 will figure prominently in the course. Transnational cooperation and integration through organizations such as NATO and the European Union will be considered, alongside Russia-European relations in the wake of the war in Ukraine. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher HIS, POL, or GEO course. Course Offered: Spring Credits: (3,0)
This course addresses modern African politics, including, but not limited to the colonial background and its consequences, ethnicity, the military, ideology, dependency, democracy and political stability. While a thematic approach to African politics is stressed in the course, an underlying current in the course will be the tensions that exist between opposing forces in African politics. Some of these influences include foreign and indigenous influences, anarchy and order, democracy and authoritarianism, socialism and capitalism, political decay, and development. Prerequisite(s): Any 200- level course in Social Science Course Offered: Spring Credits: Credits:3 (3,0)
This course examines the politics of the Russian Federation and the other post-Soviet republics following the dissolution of the USSR. While the primary focus of the course will be on Russia since the rise of Putin, the shared historical background of Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Central Asia from the tsarist period through the late twentieth century will also be explored. Domestic politics, economic reform, gender issues, religious diversity, regional cooperation/conflicts, and foreign policy will figure prominently in the course. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher HIS, POL or GEO course Credits: (3,0) 7 College Catalog
This course is a comparative evaluation of the politics of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Beginning with the late Ottoman period, students will examine historical and contemporary patterns of regime stability and transformation from empire to modern nation- states. Key concepts of the course include the Arab-Israeli conflict, civil wars, authoritarianism, state-society relations, and economic development. The course will also analyze the impact of Islamism, ethno- religious sectarianism, gender relations, geopolitics, and natural resource exploitation across the MENA region. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-Level or higher HIS, POL, or GEO Course Credits: Credits:3 (3,0)
This course examines the evolution of the environmental movement in the U.S. and worldwide, focusing on the debate over environmental protection, policy-making, and the political ramifications for the national governments. Biodiversity, climate change, population issues, water pollution, regulation of emissions, land preservation, energy policy, transnational cooperation, eco-terrorism, and theories of the global commons will all be explored from a domestic and global perspective. Prerequisite(s): Any 100-level or higher HIS or POL course. Course Offered: Fall, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This course examines the complicated and often fractious relationship between religion and politics. Following a brief introduction to the world's major religions, we will explore how politics and faith interact around the globe. Following a geographic approach, we will focus first on the United States before investigating the politics of religion in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. The themes of theocracy, sectarian conflict, fundamentalism, Islamism, secularism, and so- called "religious terrorism" will be investigated. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-leve or higher HIS, POL or GEO course. Course Offered: Fall, Summer Credits: (3,0)
This course examines the influence of popular culture on political identity within the United States and across the globe. The relationship between the U.S. entertainment industry and the political system will be explored, while the second half of the course will focus on the impact of global popular culture on international relations. Various forms of pop culture will be addressed, including but not limited to: film, television, music, video games, novels, comics, political cartoons, jokes, blogging, fads, and fashion. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for POL 393 and POL 393*D POL 393*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher HIS, POL or GEO course. Course Offered: Summer Credits: Credits:3 (3,0)
This course offers instruction in special content areas not included in other Politic courses. All courses will include component focusing on the interplay between technology, globalization, and politics, either in U.S. or at the international level. This course will require extensive reading and research, focused on the selected topic. Students should consult the department before registering for any Special Topic course. Prerequisite(s): Any 100 level or higher HIS or POL course. Course Offered: Fall, Summer Credits: (3,0)
The internship in public administration offers students an experiential education by providing hands-on opportunities to apply theory in real-world settings. Students will work with public agencies, non-profits, or private companies that interface with public policy. Based on the location of their internship, students may be involved in policy analysis, program evaluation, community outreach, or other forms of entry-level public administration. Prerequisite(s): POL 264 with a grade of C or higher Credits: (1,0,6)
