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Law & Government

Political Science Course Descriptions

POLS& 101: Introduction to Political Science

Credits: 5.0

Explores key Political Science concepts, principles, and theories emphasizing an understanding of the nature, purpose, and practice of politics. Consideration of how people and societies deal with social, economic, and political problems. Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the key concepts in Political Science.
  2. Describe the main fields of Political Science and their analytic concerns.
  3. Analyze cases studies AND/OR contemporary events/issues using key concepts and theories.

POLS 155: Special Topics: Political Science

Credits: Maximum of 5.0 possible

Seminars of current interest in political science.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify and explain the basic political structures, functions, and processes governing the topic of study.
  2. Explain the ideological and structural inputs into policy making.
  3. Identify and explain the basic theories used by political science to understand the topic of study.
  4. Choose and apply relevant theory and data to an analysis of contemporary issues and policies.

POLS 198: Individual Project in Political Science

Credits: 1.0 to 5.0

Study of student-selected topics or approved experiences in the field of political science. S/U grade option. Registration permitted first seven weeks as space is available. Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify and explain the basic political structures, functions, and processes governing the topic of study.
  2. Explain the ideological and structural inputs into policy making.
  3. Identify and explain the basic theories used by political science to understand the topic of study.
  4. Choose and apply relevant theory and data to an analysis of contemporary issues and policies.
  5. Explore critically and creatively the diversity of cultures, ethics, values, and ways of thinking across communities.
  6. Communicate their knowledge, analysis, and viewpoint with an audience (via, papers, presentations, poster sessions, or multimedia).

POLS& 201: Introduction to Political Theory

Credits: 5.0

Explores the sources of human conflict, freedom, equaltiy, good governance, the use of power, justice, and the question of obedience. Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the major concepts and themes used in the field of political theory (community and individualism, class, equality and inequality, order, power and its limits, authority, scope and duty of government, scope and duty of citizenship, power and knowledge, and ideology).
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the evolving conversation about the major concepts and themes used in the field of political theory.
  3. Analyze contemporary social, political, and economic issues using political theory concepts.
  4. Make critical judgments regarding social, political, and economic issues using political theory concepts.

POLS& 202: American Government

Credits: 5.0

Introduction to the structure and processes of American government and politics. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between political culture, thought, institutions, and the debate over public policy. Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify the basic structure, functions, and processes of American government.
  2. Explain the historical and philosophical roots of the American political system and its function.
  3. Explain the ideological and structural inputs into policy making.
  4. Identify and explain the basic theories used by Political Science to understand American political behavior and political culture.
  5. Choose and apply relevant theory and data to an analysis of contemporary issues/policies using relevant theory and data.

POLS& 203: International Relations

Credits: 5.0

Current trends in global politics. Emphasis is on the sources of conflict and cooperation, international law and ethics, globalization, and international political economy. Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical roots of contemporary global politics.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and theories used to analyze global politics and political processes.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in international politics.
  4. Critically apply relevant theories to interpret contemporary case studies.
  5. Cultivate an awareness of the linkage between international issues and local issues.

POLS& 204: Comparative Government

Credits: 5.0

Comparison of political systems around the world including: government types, distribution of power, social movements, and social forces influencing political and economic development. Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of political cultures throughout the world.
  2. Apply the theoretical language and practice of political science to analysis of contemporary sociopolitical data.
  3. Describe, analyze, and critically judge contemporary events using course concepts.
  4. Communicate their knowledge, analysis, and viewpoint with other students.

POLS 206: State and Local Government

Credits: 5.0

This course explores the basic problems confronting state and local government with emphasis on state political forces, institutions and processes, and intergovernmental relations. Focus on the characteristics of and recent developments in Washington state politics. Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Explain the ideological and structural inputs into policy making at the state and local level.
  2. Identify and explain the basic theories used by political science to understand political behavior and political culture in state and local politics.
  3. Choose and apply relevant theory and data to an analysis of contemporary issues and policies.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of political institutions and processes at the state and local levels of government, the process through which state and local public policy is made, the shifting relationships between government at the federal, state, and local level, and the institutions, political cultures, and processes of Washington state.

POLS 255: Special Topics: Political Science

Credits: Maximum of 5.0 possible

Seminars of current interest in political science.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify and explain the basic political structures, functions, and processes governing the topic of study.
  2. Explain the ideological and structural inputs into policy making.
  3. Identify and explain the basic theories used by political science to understand the topic of study.
  4. Choose and apply relevant theory and data to an analysis of contemporary issues and policies.

POLS 298: Individual Project in Political Science

Credits: 1.0 to 5.0

Study of student-selected topics or approved experiences in the field of political science . S/U grade option. Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify and explain the basic political structures, functions, and processes governing the topic of study.
  2. Explain the ideological and structural inputs into policy making.
  3. Identify and explain the basic theories used by political science to understand the topic of study.
  4. Choose and apply relevant theory and data to an analysis of contemporary issues and policies.
  5. Explore critically and creatively the diversity of cultures, ethics, values, and ways of thinking across communities.
  6. Communicate their knowledge, analysis, and viewpoint with an audience (via, papers, presentations, poster sessions, or multimedia).
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