Classes

POL 200. Understanding Contemporary Politics (3) This course provides an introduction to the essentials of the art of politics. In order to do this it will focus on all aspects of what is political: the practical and theoretical; the domestic and international; the historic and current; the individual and the group; the institutional; and the United States' system as well as other political systems. The aim is to prepare students to be responsible citizens of their own state and of the modern world. (back to list)

POL 231. Current International Affairs (3) A course designed to explore all facets of the most current issues that affect the international community. The actual topics will be determined by what events and issues seem to have the greatest influence on world affairs. Offered occasionally. (back to list)

POL 252. Morality and Politics (3) A course that examines the moral and political responsibilities of government and Christian citizens with regard to a variety of social, economic, and cultural public policy problems. Offered occasionally. (back to list)

POL 255. American Government (3) A survey of the structure and operation of government in the United States at all levels: national, state, and local. Offered spring semester. (back to list)

POL 325. Social Science Research Methods and Statistics (3) A course that covers primary statistical research methods, how and when statistics are used, and also helps the student to better understand and evaluate research studies. (back to list)

POL 330. International Relations (3) An introduction to international politics and the challenges that face the global community including a brief overview of the major subfields of International Political Economy, International Organizations, and International Law. Offered spring semester. (back to list)

POL 332. U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security (3) A survey of the history, structure, instruments, and operation of U.S. foreign policy including the place of the United States in the global community. (back to list)

POL 333. International Political Economy (3) A course focused on the politics of international economic relations. Various theories, processes, structures, and issues will be examined for their value in helping to understand and evaluate the historical development and current operation of the world economy. (back to list)

POL 334. International Law and Organizations (3) An exploration of the intricacies of international law including its creation, different legal processes, the institutions that deal with international law, and some of the main jurisdiction issues. This course will also examine the many and various kinds of international organizations (both political and economical), their creation, function, and affect on the global community, with special focus on the United Nations. (back to list)

POL 345. Comparative Governments (3) A comparison of differing forms of government in the international community with a look at the science of comparative politics. Recommended: POL 255. Offered fall semester. (back to list)

POL 346. Global South: The Developing World (3) A course that explores the the unique issues, challenges, and solutions as faces by countries in the developing world. Various theories, processes, structures, and issues will be examined for their value in helping to understand and evaluate the historical development and current position of the two-thirds world. (back to list)

POL 351. State and Local Governments (3) A survey of the structure and operation of all branches of government in the United States at the state and local levels. Recommended: POL 255. (back to list)

POL 353. The Congress (3) A study of the legislative branch of the United States government focusing on its history, political institutions, leadership, and the legislative processes in general. Recommended: POL 255. (back to list)

POL 355. The Presidency (3) A study of the office of the U.S. President focusing on its political structures, politics, institutions, history, and the men who inhabited the office as well as focusing on leadership in general. Recommended: POL 255. (back to list)

POL 356. Constitutional Law I (3) The Constitution as it has evolved as a basic law by means of interpretation through Supreme Court decisions. Special emphasis is placed on major cases affecting the scope of state and federal powers, individual rights, and civil liberties. Prerequisite: POL 255. (back to list)

POL 357. Constitutional Law II (3) This is a study of the changes being wrought through the judicial process to the rights of individuals. With special focus on minorities, such issues as fundamental liberties, the criminally accused, family matters, morality, consumer rights, environmental pollution, sex discriminations, and political representations are also examined. Offered spring semester. (back to list)

POL 359. Parties and Elections (3) An introduction to the American party system as well as to the strategies and tactics of modern political campaigns Recommended: POL 255. Offered every other year. (back to list)

POL 361. Introduction to Public Administration (3) Allows students to develop an understanding of public administration as a field of academic study and an area of professional practice. Specifically focuses on the evolution of public administration as an academic discipline, the context in which public administration takes place, the meaning of public service in a democratic society, and the importance of personal and professional ethics. Conducted as a seminar. Includes reading assignments and case studies. Prerequisite: POL 255. (back to list)

POL 391. Foundations for Policy Analysis and Public Involvement I (1) Introduction of important foundational concepts concerning Christian involvement in public affairs. This unit includes the study of biblical revelation as a framework for analysis. The history of evangelical public involvement is also explored. Prerequisite: Admission to the American Studies Program and POL 255. (back to list)

POL 392. Foundations for Policy Analysis and Public Involvement II (1) Introduction of important foundational concepts concerning Christian involvement in public affairs. This unit includes the study of biblical revelation as a framework for analysis. The history of evangelical public involvement is also explored. Prerequisite: Admission to the American Studies Program and POL 255. (back to list)

POL 393. Topics in Domestic Policy (3) Examination of domestic political issues and important foundational concepts of political science. This course will explore various biblical perspectives on societal involvement within evangelical, social, and political activism. The biblical demand for doing justice then becomes the point of departure for focusing on current domestic issues facing our nation. Prerequisite: Admission to the American Studies Program and POL 255. (back to list)

POL 394. Topics in International Policy (3) Examination of major international issues, introduction to members of Washington's international community, and the development of a biblical perspective on foreign policy, especially justice and peacemaking. Prerequisite: Admission to the American Studies Program and POL 255. (back to list)

POL 399. Honors Independent Study (1-4) An independent study supervised by three faculty members that provides the student who qualifies under the honors guidelines the opportunity to pursue a special topic of his/her choice. (back to list)

POL 401. Legal Internship I (3) This is the supervised internship placement of a student in the United States legal system for practical experience. Prerequisite: POL 356 or 357. (back to list)

POL 402. Legal Internship II (3) This is the supervised internship placement of a student in the United States legal system for practical experience. Prerequisite: POL 356 or 357. (back to list)

POL 408. Internship in Political Science (8) Political internship in student's field of interest in order to integrate faith with practice in a professional setting and for the purpose of providing exposure to the many government agencies in Washington. Prerequisite: Admission to the American Studies Program and POL 255. (back to list)

POL 445. European Politics (3) An examination of the politics and issues in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe focusing on the most recent events in the region and how these affect the states of Europe and the world. Recommended: POL 345. (back to list)

POL 460. Political Sociology (3) A study of the social bases of political phenomena including electoral processes, the institutions of government, power structures, and political ideologies. (back to list)

POL 470/HIS 450. History of Political Thought (3) A survey of the major works in political theory from ancient times to the more modern theories which impact the world. Offered spring semester. (back to list)

POL 471. Ancient and Medieval Political Theory (3) A focused study of key themes of political theory (power, authority, legitimacy, obligation, citizenship, etc.) in major ancient and medieval philosophers and thinkers. Offered as part of the Political Theory sequence. (back to list)

POL 472. Modern Political Theory (3) A focused study of key themes of political theory (authority, tyranny, obligation, Church and State, citizenship, etc.) in modern major philosophers and thinkers. Offered as part of the Political Theory sequence. (back to list)

POL 473. Contemporary Political Theory (3) A focused study of key themes of political theory (power, knowledge, authority, feminism, the self, relativism, etc.) in major post-modern philosophers and thinkers. Offered as part of the Political Theory sequence. (back to list)

POL 474. American Political Theory (3) This class is a survey of the American political mind from the early republic to contemporary controversies. The problems of popular rule, federalism, and representation will also be emphasized. Offered as part of the Political Theory sequence. (back to list)

POL 480/490. Seminar in Political Science (3) An intensive study of selected topics, including research in the materials of political science and the writing of analytical reports. (back to list)

POL 495. Capstone Course: Christianity and Politics (3) A course that seeks to provide students the opportunity to integrate the concepts and theories of political science with Christian theology. Students will be challenged to confront and resolve key issues they will face as they seek to live out their biblical faith in their profession and in their civic and personal lives. Prerequisite: POL 331 or the permission of instructor. (back to list)

Political Science Classes Offered At Lee University

Political Science Classes
Offered At Lee University