29 courses with the subject POLS, 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.
Introduction to the study, analysis, scope, and sources of government. Emphasis will be given to the comparative institutions of government, the nature of politics and the manner in which people organize themselves for purposes of governing.
An introduction to the political theories, political institutions, political behavior, and operations and policies of the national government of the United States.
An introduction to comparative political methodology and a study of cross-national political processes, functions, and institutions of modern and developing political systems.
Topics selected by the department focusing on specialized interests within the discipline and with an emphasis on non- Western themes. 210 | CATAWBA COLLEGE 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Topics selected by the department focusing on specialized interests within the discipline and interests of department majors and non-majors with little or no background in politics.
A description and analysis of the structure and operation of American state and local government, federal- state relationships, the political process, and the formation of public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
An examination of international and transnational politics and the basic elements of the international political system, to include the concepts of war, peace, power, alliances, and diplomacy.
An introduction to the study of state governments and politics in the United States, including an overview of different approaches to governing institutions, political behavior, and policies made at the state level. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
POLS 2300 Ancient Political Theory OR POLS 2310 Modern Political Theory .................................................... 3
Same as HIST 2301. A critical analysis of selected early texts foundational to the development of western political thought, e.g., works by Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Same as HIST 2310. A critical analysis of the basic political writings of selected modern authors important to the development of western civilization and political thought (e.g., Machiavelli, Bodin, Hobbes, Harrington, Locke, and Rousseau).
Topics selected by the department focusing on specialized interests within the discipline and interests of department majors.
An analysis of the roles played by political parties and interest groups, with a focus on the organization, electoral activities, and influence on public policies. Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years)
An analysis of campaigns and elections within the American political system, including a study of modern day campaign organizations and strategies at the national, state, and local levels, electoral behavior by the voters, and the role and impact of the media on campaigns and elections. Prerequisite: POLS 1101 (Offered in alternate years)
This course will focus on the modern context of the polarized politics of the United States and its divisions, with a focus on the following questions through a political science and other disciplinary perspectives: how divided is America? Who is divided? How did this divide occur? What caused/causes this division? And what, if anything, can we do to address the division/polarization in U.S. politics?
One course from following ........................................................................................................................................ 3 POLS 3500 Politics and Public Policy POLS 3530 International Law POLS 3510 U.S. Constitutional Law: Powers and Federalism POLS 3540 Political Economy POLS 3520 U.S. Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Rights POLS 3550 U.S. Foreign Policy POLS Electives at 2000 level or above...................................................................................................................... 12 Total: 36-37 The department has found that the student is well-served to enroll in specific elective courses not listed above. The student should contact the department chair for a list of these suggested electives. Optional Politics Concentrations
An analysis of the U.S. Congress, with a focus on legislative organization and powers, the law making process, relations with other branches of government, the electoral process as it relates to the legislature, and the legislature’s influence on public policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1101. 211 | CATAWBA COLLEGE 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog
An analysis of the role of the Presidency, with a focus on executive organization and powers, relations with other branches of government, the electoral process as it relates to the presidency, and the executive branch’s influence on public policy.
A study of public administration and the bureaucracy in the American governing system, with a focus on the bureaucratic powers and responsibilities, interactions between the political branches and the bureaucracy, staffing and funding the bureaucracy, and government operations and management. Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years)
An examination of the public policy process in the United States, with a focus on the development, enactment, and implementation of public policy through governmental institutions. Topics will include substantive policy areas (e.g., education, social welfare, environmental, and other policy topics). Prerequisite: POLS 1101. (Offered in alternate years.)
Total: 18 124 | CATAWBA COLLEGE 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Legal Foundations (Must be from two different prefixes) .................................................................................. 6
Area 3: Economics
A critical analysis of American global security interests and contemporary decision making by elements of the government responsible for foreign policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1101.
A supervised application of theory to practice in a functional area related to Politics.
Self-directed study following a contractual plan initiated by the student and accepted by the staff.
Source: Catawba College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
