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Course Information & Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-law Studies

Interdisciplinary Minor in Organizational Leadership Studies

International Studies

Mock Trial

Model UN

Student Survey

Pre-Law club

Folwell Lecture

News & Recent Activities

2009-2011

Department of Political Science and

Leadership Studies Curriculum 

PSCI 101         American Government  (+)

PSCI 102         Current Issues in American Politics (+)

PSCI 103         Politics in Film (+)

PSCI/ORGL 104 Contemporary Issues in Leadership (+)

PSCI 110         Law and Society (+)

PSCI 120         Introduction to Political Thought (+)

PSCI 130         Global Issues (+)

PSCI 199/299/399/WI-399 Special Topics                                                  PSCI 301         Campaigns and Elections (+)

PSCI 304         U.S. Constitution and Civil Liberties (+)

PSCI 305         Mock Trial ( 1-3 credits. Max.) (+)

PSCI 306         Model United Nations (1-3 credits. Max)

PSCI 307         Law in Political Thought (+)

PSCI 308         Leadership in Political Thought (+)

PSCI 309         International Politics (+)

PSCI 313         U.S. Foreign Policy (+)

PSCI 316         International Law

PSCI 319         Comparative Politics

PSCI 351/352/353 Internships                                                                   PSCI 360         Administrative Law and Regulation

PSCI 365         Urban Politics

PSCI 370         Public Administration  - WI

PSCI 375         Environmental Social Politics (SOC 375 – cross-listed)

PSCI 380         Public Policy Analysis

PSCI 400         Capstone: Research in Political Science - WI

PSCI 401         Leadership Theory - WI

PSCI 340         Independent Study

STAT 213        Statistics for the social sciences

CRJU 221        Criminal Law and Procedure

CRJU  499       Comparative Justice Systems

(+) = general education course                                                                     WI – designated writing intensive course

Degree Requirements

Requirements for a Major in Political Science (33 credits)                    PSCI 101, PSCI 102 or 130; PSCI 120; PSCI 307 or 308, PSCI 313 or PSCI 319; PSCI 380, PSCI 400 – WI, STAT 213 and 9 credits of electives, six of the nine credits of electives must be 300 level.

Requirements for the PSCI Major with a Concentration in Public Administration (33 credits)                                                                       The following courses are required: PSCI 101, PSCI 102 or PSCI 130, PSCI 104, PSCI 120, PSCI 360, PSCI 365 or PSCI 375; PSCI 370, PSCI 380, PSCI 400-WI, PSCI 401, STAT 213 and Public administration students are strongly encouraged to double major in another field related to public service, for instance sociology, criminal justice, psychology, etc. Public administration students should also complete an interdisciplinary minor related to their studies such as the organizational leadership minor, the environmental studies minor, or the pre-law minor. For approval of second major and interdisciplinary minor consult with PSCI Chair, the Chair of second major Department, and the coordinator/director of the appropriate interdisciplinary minor.

Requirements for the PSCI Major with a Concentration in Pre-Law Studies (33 credits)                                                                                PSCI 101, PSCI 102, PSCI 110, PSCI 120, PSCI 304, PSCI 307 , PSCI 316 or PSCI 360; PSCI 380, PSCI 400 – WI, STAT 213 and CRJU 221 or 3 credits of electives from any 300 level courses in PSCI. Also complete the interdisciplinary minor in pre-law. Program of study must be approved by the Director of Pre-law studies.

Requirements of a Concentration in International Politics (33 credits)   PSCI 101, PSCI 120, PSCI 130, PSCI 307 or 308, four of the following PSCI 309, PSCI 313, PSCI 316, PSCI 319 or CRJU 499; PSCI 380, PSCI 400, STAT 213. Also, an approved set of international courses outside the major to complete general education requirements. Students should also double major or minor in another discipline with an emphasis on international studies such as history, foreign languages, etc. Consult with the Chair of PSCI and the Chair of the other Department or minor to approve program of study.

Requirements for a Teacher Education Major in PSCI (36 credits)        PSCI 101, PSCI 102 or PSCI 110; PSCI 130, PSCI 120, PSCI 301, PSCI 304, PSCI 313, PSCI 365 or PSCI 375; PSCI 370 or PSCI 401; PSCI 380, PSCI 400, STAT 213.

Requirements for a Minor in Political Science (15 credits)                    PSCI 101, PSCI 102 or PSCI 120 and 9 credits of electives six of the credits must be at the 300 level.

Department of Political Science Course Descriptions

+PSCI 101. Government of the United States  3credits                                 An introduction to the Constitution, presidency, congress, courts, and citizen participation in the U.S. political system. The course emphasizes the connection between governmental institutions and our lives as individuals, citizens, and members of various communities. This course satisfies requirements for a teacher’s certificate in Iowa and Illinois.

+PSCI 102. Current Issues in American Politics 3 credits                          An introduction to politics, political theories, and public policy by exploring current issues in American politics. An overview of U.S. governmental institutions, forms of political participation, and the Constitution is also provided to link current events to better understand the American political process.

+PSCI 103. Politics in Film 3 credits                                                        The portrayal of government through film productions with a focus on American politics. Comparison and contrast of politics as presented in movies with the “political science” approach to understanding government and politics.

+PSCI/ORGL 104. Contemporary Issues in Leadership 3 credits               An introduction to the multi-faced concept of leadership studies. Examines historical and contemporary leaders, their behaviors, and styles. Leadership issues unique to minority and women leaders are also explored.

+PSCI 110. Law and Society 3 credits                                                        A study of the nature of law and its place in the development of Western political and social life. Careful attention is paid to American civil, criminal, and constitutional law, and we end with an examination of the contemporary legal profession for students interested in law school. Foundation course for Pre-Law Studies Interdisciplinary Minor.

+PSCI 120 Introduction to Political Thought 3 credits                             This course is designed to provide students inside or outside the political science major with an introductory grasp of the field of political thought. Together, we will explore fundamental political concepts including justice, citizenship, law, constitutional design, democracy, and leadership through the lens of some of the greatest political thinkers.

+PSCI 130 Global Issues 3 credits                                                           This course introduces to students a wide range of current global issues including international conflicts, terrorism, nuclear weapons, human rights, population, poverty, trade, energy, globalization, and the environment. The worldwide implications of these issues will be considered, as well as their effects on local communities, such as the Quad Cities.

+PSCI 199/299/WI-399. Special Topics 3 credits                                   Advanced study of a topic not part of regular course offerings. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): Afro-American Political Thought; Women in Politics; advanced constitutional interpretation.

+PSCI 301. Campaigns and Elections 3 credits                                  Examination of the U.S. political campaign process including organizational and political communications. Voting behavior and forms of political participation including the political party are examined in this context. Special focus on recent Presidential elections.

 +PSCI 304. US Constitution and Civil Liberties 3 credits                    Survey of the U.S. Constitution and its application through leading decisions of Supreme Court. Focus on the development of judicial power, limitations on governmental powers, human rights, civil rights, and personal freedoms.

+PSCI 305. Mock Trial 1 credit                                                        Preparation for mock trial competition. Focus on judicial procedure and the court system, legal argumentation and rhetoric, and courtroom performance. 

PSCI 306. Model United Nations 1 credit                                           Preparation for model United Nations conference.Model United Nations is an annual conference at which key activities of various United Nations bodies are simulated. It is open to all majors.              

+PSCI 307. Law in Political Thought 3 credits                                      Roots of legal theory and practice in the ideas of great political thinkers from Plato to Montesquieu, with a particular focus on the development of the Anglo-American legal system. Prerequisites: PSCI 120

+PSCI 308. Leadership in Political Thought 3 credits                              The theory and practice of leadership as developed in the writings of key political thinkers from Aristotle to Nietzsche, including case studies of exemplary statesmanship. Prerequisites: PSCI 120

+PSCI 309. International Politics 3 credits                                             Among the topics discussed in this course are how foreign policies are made and implemented, the international economy, diplomacy, international law and organization, power, interdependence, arms races, terrorism, and war. In short, this is a course designed to touch upon a wide variety of things that make up international politics.

+PSCI 313. U.S. Foreign Policy 3 credits

This course is designed to improve students’ understanding of the formation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy after WWII. First, the course explores various philosophical and theoretical frameworks of American foreign policy. Second, the course examines significant political, economical, social, and institutional factors (e.g., the international system, the Presidency, the Congress, the State Department, the intelligence community, the media, and the public and the interest groups) that have traditionally shaped American foreign policy. Finally, the course discusses the most significant contemporary issues of US foreign policy.

PSCI 316. International Law 3 credits                                                     This course is essentially designed to convey information about international legal institutions and the body of international law itself (i.e., the rules governing intervention and the use of armed force, uses of the oceans, expropriation of property, etc.) and to provide an understanding of the role of international law in affecting relationships among states and individuals. Prerequisite: 100 level PSCI or instructor permission.

PSCI 319. Comparative Politics 3 credits                                                This course introduces students to the analysis of politics in countries other than the United States. It compares and contrasts the structure of political institutions, the characteristics of main political actors, and types of political systems – from pluralist democracy to totalitarianism and points in between. The course also explores the interconnection between politics and economics with special focus on differences in the role of the state (or government) on economic development. Prerequisite: 100 level PSCI or instructor permission.

PSCI 351. Internship in pre-law 3 credits                                          Directed internship in political or public service. Pass/Fail/ Prerequisites: Upper level political science or public administration major. Permission of the instructor.

PSCI 360. Administrative Law and Regulation 3 credits                    Examination of administrative law regulatory practices, policies, and issues. Impact of administrative law and regulatory policy on politics, the policy process, implementation, and interpretation of law. Prerequisites: PSCI 101 or permission of the instructor.

PSCI 365. Urban Politics 3 credits                                                       Environment and structure of urban governments from the political machine to the present. Problems faced by city residents and their attempt to influence government responses are also identified. The role of leadership, civic, engagement, and social capital in shaping urban political, social, and economic environments is also emphasized.

PSCI 370. Public Administration 3 credits                                       Examines the classics of public administration to help attain a working knowledge of organizational theory and behavior. Prerequisites: PSCI 101 or permission of the instructor.

PSCI 375. Environmental Social Politics 3 credits                                Using sociological and political perspectives, this course examines the interactions between the physical environment in which we live and the human society we have created. We analyze the social causes and consequences of contemporary environmental problems as well as the social and political responses to these problems. There is a special focus on urban environmental issues. Throughout the course we will survey theoretical concerns as they relate to various topics within sociology and political science.

 PSCI 380. Public Policy Analysis 3 credits                                       Advanced coursework in public policy research. Student will develop a research design for the systematic study of a contemporary public policy issue. Major theories of politics and research methods in political science applied as foundations for systematic analysis of American government and public policy.

 PSCI 400-WI 3 credits                                                                      Research in political science employing methodology of legal studies, political thought, or empirical social science. Students develop one project over the semester and provide constructive feedback on one another’s work. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 304, 307 or 308, 380

PSCI 401 Leadership Theory 3 credits                                                   Analysis of contemporary theories and practices of leadership. Emphasis on application of theoretical concepts to actual leadership situations. Comparison and contrast of leadership theory in the context of political, public, non-profit, and private organizations.

Last Updated 4/30/09