Undergraduate Courses Offered in Political Science

POLS 1101: - American Government I (3 hours credit) An examination of the fundamental institutions and political processes of the American system of government.  Students are also given an overview of Georgia's Constitution, state politics, and state government institutions.  This course satisfies legislative requirements for the study of U.S. and Georgia constitutions.

POLS 1101H: - Honors American Government (3 hours credit) A survey course to provide honors students with an under- standing of the institutions and political processes of the American system of government, taught in an enriched en- vironment. Students are also given an overview of Georgia's Constitution, state politics, and state government institu- tions. POLS 1101H satisfies legislative requirements for U.S./Georgia Constitutions.

POLS 2101: - Introduction To Political Science (3 hours credit) An introduction to Political Science as a field of inquiry. Surveys the subfields of the discipline of Political Science, including American, comparative, and international politics; political theory, public law, and public administration.

POLS 2401: - Introduction to Global Issues (3 hours credit) A survey of contemporary political issues arising both in- ternationally and in the United States. Discussion will focus upon a number of controversial political topics current- ly being debated in the United States such as electoral reform, social and welfare issues, and role of the U.S. in the world. The course will also examine issues of a more inter- national nature such as global security, international trade and economics, human rights, and the moral responsibilities of nation-states.

POLS 2401H: - Honors Introduction to Global Issues (3 hours credit) A survey of contemporary political issues arising both in- ternationally and in the United States for honors students, taught in an enriched environment. Discussion will focus upon a number of controversial political topics currently being debated in the United States such as electoral reform, social and welfare issues, and the role of the U.S. in the world. The course will also examine global issues such as international trade and economics, human rights, and the moral responsibilities of nation-states.

POLS 3100: - Scope and Methods of Political Science (3 hours credit) An introduction to the foundations of politics as a science by examining what political scientists (and other social scientists) do and study. The course examines the basic concepts and approaches to understanding the political world and all it embodies, from analyzing a public policy to examining electoral behavior. It is designed to: introduce students to political science research; prepare students to evaluate research critically; interpret social scientific research; and provide students with the requisite skills to initiate and conduct research.

POLS 3200: - American State and Local Government and Politics (3 hours credit) A study of American subnational governments and politics with special emphasis upon intergovernmental relations.

POLS 3210: - The American Legislative Process (3 hours credit) A study of the United States Congress, focusing on the relationship between Congress and other political actors. Course topics will include congressional elections, the interaction between congress and executive and judicial branches of government, the roles of political parties, and leadership in the legislative process.

POLS 3220: - The American Political Process:  Campaigns, Elections and Voters. (3 hours credit) An overview of American elections with a focus on voter turnout, voting behavior, political parties, electoral systems and campaign strategies. Both congressional and presidential elections will be studied. Special emphasis will be placed on the history of American elections, the impact of partisan polarization, and the role of American third parties.

POLS 3230: - American Political Parties and Elections (3 hours credit) An examination of the mental processes that represent the source of public opinion and political behavior. The course addresses how public opinion and political behavior shape and are shaped by institutions such as the media, political parties, and interest groups as well as a consideration of the role of political elites are addressed.

POLS 3240: - American Judicial Process and Behavior (3 hours credit) A comprehensive examination of the workings of the American judiciary, its impact and compliance at both the state and the federal levels and the complex environment within which the courts function. Critical to the examination of both criminal and civil courts is the assumption that decisions made by judges play a powerful role in shaping public policy and that courts themselves are strongly influenced by other institutions and forces in the society.

POLS 3270: - Public Opinion and Political Socialization (3 hours credit) An examination of the origins, content, and impact of public opinion. Special emphasis is placed on the advantages and limitations of public opinion polling. The course also exam- ines the main agents of political socialization. Topics of particular interest include the role of the family in poli- tical learning, racial differences in political socializa- tion, and the influence of television on the formation of pre-adult political opinions.

POLS 3280: - Women and Politics (3 hours credit) A study of African Americans within the American political environment. Specific foci include representation, voting rights, attitudes toward policies seen as impacting African-Americans, and the role of race in elections.

POLS 3290: -  The American Presidency (3 hours credit) The study of the role, powers, and responsibilities of the President of the United States within the constitutional system and the changing nature of the presidency.

POLS 3300: - Comparative Politics (3 hours credit) A study of key concepts and theories of comparative poli- tics. Examines case studies from different types of politi- cal systems and regions of the world.

POLS 3400: - International Politics (3 hours credit) A study of key concepts of international relations. The course examines the evolution of the contemporary international system and conflict and cooperation among nation-states.

 POLS 3520: - Modern Political Ideologies (3 hours credit) An exploration of the dominant political ideologies that shape decisions about and understandings of political events, including but not limited to capitalism, socialism, communism, patriarchy, feminism, environmentalism, liber- theology, liberalism, populism, and nationalism.

POLS 3530: - American Political Thought (3 hours credit) A study of the foundations of American political thought from the Puritan era to contemporary times.

POLS 3600: - Introduction to Public Administration (3 hours credit) A focus on the study of public administration processes and underlying theories within American government structures. Emphasis is on the pragmatic aspects of current government leadership and public agency management.

POLS 4100: - Political Science Capstone Course (3 hours credit) Prerequisite: POLS 3100. An application of Political Science research skills to the study of any topic within political science or its sub-disciplines. Students will prepare and present a formal research paper in political science in general or in their area of concentration.

POLS 4200: - American Constitutional Law I (3 hours credit) A comprehensive study of American constitutional law dealing with the structure and powers of the national government outlined in the first four Articles of the Constitution. The primary focus is on the Supreme Court's decisions and the doctrinal impact of those decisions on the structure and relationships of the three branches of the government (separation of powers) and between the national government and state governments (federalism).

POLS 4202: - American Constitutional Law II (3 hours credit) A comprehensive study of American constitutional law with emphasis on property rights and economic liberties, substantive and procedural due process, obtaining evidence, and rights to privacy. The primary focus is on the Supreme Court's decisions and the doctrinal impact of those decisions on the relationships among the national government, state governments, and citizens of the United States.

POLS 4203: - American Constitutional Law III (3 hours credit) A comprehensive study of American constitutional law focusing on civil rights, civil liberties, and equal protection. Constitutional claims examined include denial of rights under the Bill of Rights, the equal protection of laws under the 14th Amendment, and civil rights legislation enacted by Congress since the Civil War.

POLS 4240: - Politics and the Supreme Court (3 hours credit) A review of landmark decisions of the Supreme Court. This course addresses issues related to the political climate surrounding such decisions. The political ramifications of Supreme Court cases are emphasized.

POLS 4270: - Southern Politics  (3 hours credit) An exploration of the unique and colorful political history and political culture of the American South. After considering the defining characteristics of the "old" southern politics, the course examines the most important features of the "new" southern politics and analyzes the changing role of the South in national politics. This course will focus on the "three R's" of southern politics:race, republicanism, and realignment.

POLS 4300: - European Politics (3 hours credit) A study of the politics and government of Europe.  The course focuses on key political institutions and issues in major European countries, and the impact of integration on the nation-state.

POLS 4301: - The European Union (3 hours credit) A study of European Union politics and policies. The course examines the nature of the EU as a political system, key EU policies, and the EU's evolving role as a global actor. It also examines major theoretical debates about European integration and EU governance, including the relationship between the EU and its member states.

POLS 4310: - Politics in Russia (3 hours credit) A comprehensive study of the Russian political system with careful attention to the Soviet communist era. Major topics include the role of political parties, institutional chan- ges, political culture, and leadership.

POLS 4320: - Latin American Politics (3 hours credit) A study of the politics and governments of the nation-states of Central and South America. The course focuses on key political institutions and issues in major Latin American countries.

POLS 4330: - African Politics (3 hours credit) A study of the domestic and international politics of Africa from the pre-colonial period to the present day.

POLS 4350: - Politics in Developing Nations (3 hours credit) The study of political institutions, processes and behavior within a comparative perspective.

POLS 4400: - International Organization and Law (3 hours credit)Readings, cases, lectures and research on the functioning of the legal structures in the international system with spe- cial emphasis on the relation between law and politics.

POLS 4410: - American Foreign Policy (3 hours credit) A study of the domestic and external pressures that guide American foreign policy planners. Specific policies toward Russia, West Europe, China, and Latin America will receive special attention.

POLS 4420: - Global Security Policy (3 hours credit) The study of the political efforts to deal with threats to world order arising from war, nuclear proliferation, inter- national terrorism, the environment, the economy, and related factors.

POLS 4440: - Model United Nations (3 hours credit) A study of the role of the UN in the world today. Students will obtain experience in practicing diplomatic skills in a mock setting. Prepares students to represent accurately a member state of the UN in regional competition. The course may be taken three times for credit.

POLS 4442: - Model UN II: Negotiation and Diplomacy (3 hours credit) Supervised study of the UN, including all aspects of organizing a Model UN conference on campus and participating in the National Model UN Conference. The course may be taken three times for credit.

POLS 4630: - Public Marketing and Branding for the Public Sector. (3 hours credit) An overview of public marketing and branding practices that exist in the public sector setting. 

POLS 4670- Quality Management in Public Administration (3 hours credit) An examination of key current issues in public administration.  The course explores the most current literature illuminating the issues facing public administrators in today's demanding environment.

POLS 4700: - Directed Study in Political Science (1-3 hours credit) Directed readings in selected areas of political science with regular conferences between instructor and students. The course may be repeated for up to 9 credit hours of credit if topics are different.

POLS 4700H: - Honors Directed Study in Political Science (Thesis) (1-3 hours credit) Directed study in selected areas of political science, with regular conferences between instructor and students, leading to the writing of a thesis. For students in the Political Science Honors Track.

POLS 4820: - Special Topics in U.S. Government and Politics (3 hours credit) Selected topics of political and current interest in U.S. government and politics. The course may be repeated for credit if topics are different.

POLS 4820H: - Honors Special Topics in US Government and Politics (3 hours credit) Special topics in U.S. government and politics for Political Science Honors Track. May be repeated for credit.

POLS 4830: - Special Topics in Comparative Politics (3 hours credit) Selected topics of political and current interest in U.S. government and politics. The course may be repeated for credit if topics are different.

POLS 4830H: - Honors Special Topics in Comparative Politics (3 hours credit) Special topics in comparative politics for Political Science Honors Track. May be repeated for credit.

POLS 4831: - Special Topics in EU Politics. (3 hours credit) A study of selected topics in EU politics. Topics can include EU law and legal systems, federalism and multi-level governance, EU environmental policy, EU social policy, EU science and technology policy, EU media and communications policy, and European economic and monetary union.

POLS 4840: - Special Topics in International Politics (3 hours credit) Selected topics of political and current interest in international politics. The course may be repeated for credit if topics are different.

POLS 4840H: - Honors Special Topics in International Politics (3 hours credit) Special topics in International politics for Political Science Honors Track. May be repeated for credit.

POLS 4850: - Special Topics in Political Theory (3 credit hours) Selected topics of political and current interest in political theory. The course may be repeated for credit if topics are different.

POLS 4850H: - Honors Special Topics in Political Theory (3 credit hours) Special topics in political theory for Political Science Honors Track. May be repeated for credit.

POLS 4860: - Special Topics in Public Administration (3 credit hours) Selected topics of political and current interest in public administration. The course may be repeated for credit if topics are different.

POLS 4860H: - Honors Special Topics in Public Administration (3 hours credit) Special topics in public administration for Political Science Honors Track. May be repeated for credit.

POLS 4861: - Public Economic Development (3 hours credit) An examination of local economic development planning.

POLS 4862: - Effective Writing in Public Administration (3 hours credit) An overview of types of written communications in public administration and effective writing techniques for preparing those documents.

POLS 4863: - Writing and Managing Grants in the Public Sector (3 hours credit) A study of the different grant types and grant requirements. Students will identify an organization and consult with the leadership on a grant opportunity. Students will demonstrate their acquired knowledge through the completion of a grant.

POLS 4864: - Information Management in the Public Sector (3 hours credit) An examination of management of information resources within the public sector and the role of e-Government at local, state, federal, and international levels. Information technology aspects including hardware, software, and systems development will be addressed.

POLS 4865: - Nonprofit Organization Management (3 hours credit) Discussion of the vital role played by the nonprofit sector in society by addressing needs that neither business nor government are prepared to fulfill. Examines the scope, dimensions, and roles of nonprofit organizations, particularly those designated by the IRS as 5019d)(3), in order to understand their distinctive characteristics and functions.

POLS 4866: - Project Management in the Public Sector (3 hours credit) An overview of project management with a focus on public sector projects. Students will learn about project lifecycles including planning, executing, tracking, delivering, and project closure.

POLS 4867: - Public Relations in Public Administration (3 hours credit) An exploration of the importance of communication government and its constituents, which promotes the democratic process. Topics include the role of public information as a communication strategy; the impact of today's technology on public information; crisis and emergency communications; and ethical, legal and political aspects of public communications.

POLS 4868: - Creating and Publishing Public Sector Websites (3 hours credit) An examination of website content strategies used by leaders in government, education, nonprofits, and other organizations.

POLS 4900: - Internship in Political Science (3 -12 hours credit) Supervised study in a structured governmental, political or other suitable environment, as approved by the department. Open to any student, regardless of major. The number of credit credit hours granted is dependent upon the particular program, academic work, requirements, and nature of participation. If a 6, 9, or 12 hour internship is taken, the student must use those additional credit hours as elective courses. The student may not use any additional credit hours above 3 in lieu of a political science course that is part of the major. Graded satisfactory and unsatisfactory.