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Law & Government

Political Science Course Descriptions

POLS& 101: Introduction to Politics

Credits: 5.0

Explores political problems that affect our lives using Political Science concepts. Emphasizes an understanding of politics' nature, purpose, and practice and 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 in Political Science

Credits: 1.0 - 5.0

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 - 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 (six in summer) as space is available. 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, equality, good governance, the use of power, justice, and the question of obedience. Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101 is required to take this course.

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

Prerequisite(s): Placement in ENGL& 101.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify the basic structure, functions, and processes of the US Government.
  2. Explain the historical and philosophical roots of the US political system.
  3. Explain political behavior and culture in US politics. 
  4. Explain inputs into policy making.
  5. Analyze contemporary issues/policies using appropriate data.

POLS& 203: Introduction to International Relations

Credits: 5.0

Explores challenges to peace and security in the 21st-century global community. Focuses on politics between countries, globalization, trade, human rights, international law and organization, terrorism, and environmental and human security. 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 in Political Science

Credits: 1.0 - 5.0

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 - 5.0

Study of student-selected topics or approved experiences in the field of political science. S/U grade option. 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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