GERPOLS 240 German Cinema: Art and Politics (3) (A,W)
GERPOLS 340 German Cinema: Art and Politics (3) (A,W)
POCJMB 373 Conflict Management (3) (S,W)
POLCJ 270 The Constitution and Criminal Procedure (3)
POLCJ 370 The Constitition and Criminal Procedure (3)
POLHHS 343 Public Administration (3) (S)
POLS 101 Politics and Literature (3) (V)
Offers a non-technical, literary path to the exploration of the human experience and the role that politics plays in that experience. Through readings and discussions, understanding about not only what it means to be human, but also how politics shape that human experience is gained. Topics such as racism, poverty, totalitarianism, morality, and the role of government are explored through books that deal with some of the most challenging political issues that face societies. Such works as Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grapes of Wrath, Brave New World, and The House on Mango Street are used toward these ends. Offered each fall.
POLS 103 Global Realities: Issues and Resources For Navigating Today's World (3) (S)
Designed to open a window on a wider world for students who want to begin learning about international relations. It begins with a broad overview of political, economic, and cultural patterns in today?s global environment, which is followed by an inventory, evaluation, and comparison of information sources about international affairs, including print, broadcast, and cable media, the Internet, and CD-ROM and simulation software. The course concludes with one or more case studies of current global issues, such as international terrorism, the control of rogue states, denuclearizing warfare, international women?s issues, international environmental problems, and the impact of global consumerism. Through these case studies, we learn how to identify key international problems, track them in the media, gather information about them, and develop and evaluate possible solutions. Offered each spring.
POLS 105 Politics Through Film (3)
Film, one of the human community's most comprehensive forms of cultural expression, offers unique opportunities for exploring the political dimension of life. Drawing examples from the extensive category of politically relevant films, this course introduces and illumines a wide range of fundamental concepts in the study of politics. Although the focus is on politics, this course also offers the opportunity for students to learn some basics of film analysis and cultivate a critical perspective. Offered each spring.
POLS 111 Introduction to Political Science (3) (S)
Introduces students to the fundamental concepts and issues in the study of politics. Primary emphasis is placed on ideologies, such as liberal democracy, conservatism, socialism, communism, fascism, nationalism, political institutions and behavior, including legislatures, executives, interest groups, political parties, political socialization, participation, the expression of political opinion, revolution, and types of political systems. These concepts and issues are considered from both behavioral and traditional perspectives. Offered each fall.
POLS 112 Introduction to American Government (3) (S)
Offers a citizen's guide to the American political system, providing a brief overview of the Founders' constitutional design, the federal system, and politics and policy-making in the Presidency, Bureaucracy, Congress, and the Supreme Court. Covers key judicial rulings on civil rights and liberties and national powers. Gives special attention to the electoral process, the media, and the ways that ordinary citizens can influence governmental policies. Offered each semester.
POLS 201 State & Local Government & Politics (3) (S)
Based on both theoretical and practical experiences in state and local government and politics. The relationship between local, state, and federal systems is explored. Office holders and local officials are guest speakers on practical aspects. Offered each fall.
POLS 202 Ethnicity and Politics: Latinos in America (3) (S)
Ethnic groups must adapt to U.S. political ways in order to press their political agenda. Spanish-Americans have adapted, mixing agendas from their country of origin, experience in the U.S. and with other minority ethnic groups. How Latinos have adapted to and participated in U.S. politics is studied. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
POLS 203 Local Politics:S.Hmpton Roads (3)
POLS 204 Introduction to Feminist Political Thought (3) (V,W)
Feminist theory has always had a political agenda: to improve the situation of women in society. It also has theoretical import, asking basic questions about personal identity and equality, about ethical obligations to others, about justice and fairness, and about the history of political theory. This course bring together both of these strands, focusing on feminist theory, feminist politics, and the contributions that feminist theory can make in thinking about politics in general. Offered each spring.
POLS 205 Law in American Politics & Culture (3)
Examines how law is defined, its philosophical roots, the relationship between law and justice, the role it plays in American society, and how it is represented in American culture. Using films, plays, novels and other cultural artifacts in addition to sources in political science, we focus especially on the American Constitution, the concepts of the rule of law and due process of law, the institutions and politics of the law-making and enforcing processes, and the unique roles of the lawyer and the judge. Offered each fall.
POLS 206 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3) (S,W)
An introduction to cross-national comparative analysis, with particular attention to social movements, democratization, globalization, and the relative political and economic autonomy of the countries examined. Country cases include Britain, Germany, India, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and the United States. Students engaged in cross-country case-studies compare and contrast major political and economic institutions, political culture, parties and interest groups, and discuss class-based perspectives on political conflicts over wealth distribution and social justice. Offered spring of odd numbered years.
POLS 207 The American Presidency (3)
Analyzes the nature and development of the American presidency, its impact on American politics and the making of domestic and foreign policy. Offered intermittently.
POLS 210 Introduction to International Relations (3) (S)
Drawing on both historical and contemporary experience, students study the behavioral and institutional features of the nation-state and its global environment in their political, military, economic, and cultural aspects. Main topics include power, foreign policy, diplomacy, international organization and law, arms control, and the global economy considered in the context of the post-cold-war world. Issues examined include overpopulation, food and energy scarcity, national and ethnic movements, economic development, environmental problems, and militarism. Offered each fall.
POLS 215 Comparative Politics: Europe (3)
Evaluates the government and politics of selected European regimes as alternative examples of efforts at representative democracy. Typically, we examine the political systems of Great Britain, France, and Germany. We also examine factors leading to integration and/or disintegration in post-cold-war Europe. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
POLS 216 Comparative Politics: Communisum in Transition--The Former Soviet Union (3)
Examines Russia and the former Soviet Union. These transitional regimes offer excellent opportunities to study the problems and prospects for radical economic and political reform and the hazards of reactionism in societies previously dedicated to Communist economic systems and non-democratic, non-parliamentary political systems. We focus particular attention on the challenges posed by rebellious national groups and chronic economic crisis. Also, we examine the relationship of ideology to government policy and the ways in which those regimes have reinterpreted such traditional Western political values and institutions as constitutionalism, the rule of law, natural and civil rights, participatory democracy, and the representation of interests.
POLS 217 Comparative Politics: Asian Pacific Rim (3) (H)
Examines political systems and the dynamics of political change in the 11 East and Southeast Asian nations of the Pacific Rim, a region that has assumed a commanding presence in world politics and the world economy. Normally included are Japan, China, and selected nations from among Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
POLS 218 Comparative Politics: South Asia (3)
The confrontation of Western political forms with traditional non-Western and pre-colonial cultures and alternative strategies for political and economic development highlight this analysis of the politics of nation-building in the South Asian portion of the Third World. India and Pakistan are the main cases to be studied, although examples may be taken from Iran, Afghanistan, and perhaps Bangladesh and Malaysia as well. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.
POLS 220 Comparative Politics: Latin America (3)
Examines major problems of political and economic modernization by considering Latin American political systems in their various approaches to development. Focus is on key examples of the successes and failures of the various developmental strategies: e.g., Cuba, Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Mexico. Further, the impact of United States' policies upon the region as a whole receives special attention. Identical to SPAN 220/320. Offered each spring.
POLS 228 Comparative Politics: China (3)
The political system and the dynamics of political change in China are examined.
POLS 229 Comparative Politics: SE Asia and Japan (3)
The political system and the dynamics of political change in Japan and selected Southeast Asian nations are examined.
POLS 237 American Legislative Process (3)
Deals with structure and function of law making in Congress and the state legislatures, including consideration of such topics as: committees, representation, policy making, leadership and interest group influence. We also examine the impact of Congress and state legislatures on vital issues of public policy ranging from foreign policy to urban policy, or from taxation to energy policy. Finally, the role of party politics and campaigns in the legislative process are considered. Offered on demand.
POLS 238 Comparative Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (3)
Offers students a basic understanding of broad trends of social change, state building and economic development in the modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA) during the post World War I period. The class attends to distinctions across MENA states along these three major dimensions, with special attention to public and private responses to modernization, democratization and globalization. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
POLS 239 American Political Thought (3) (V)
Focuses on major ideas shaping American institutions of government and politics from the founding generation to the present. The writings of many different individuals relating to such issues as: slavery and race; capitalism and social justice; and feminist political theory are evaluated. Readings include the Federalist Papers, selections from Democracy in America, works by Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Betty Friedan.
POLS 240 German Cinema: Art and Politics (3) (A,W)
Identical to GER 240/340.
POLS 250 Introduction to International Political Economy (3) (S,W)
An overview of the political institutions and conflicts that structure our contemporary international economy. Readings and discussions examine major issues at the center of current political science research, policy debate and popular political discourse. Postwar systems of international trade and finance, as well as divergent policy goals of states and societies of the North and South are examined. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
POLS 265 Research Methods (3) (E,W)
Introduces the political science major to the methods of political research. Students learn how political scientists know what they know, and how they gain tools with which to explore, describe, explain, present and debate this knowledge. Students actively experience every dimension of the research process as they conceptualize, design and operationalize their own projects, and communicate their findings in written and oral formats. Daily classes include lecture and discussion of class readings, and individual student research. Offered each fall.
POLS 270 The Constitution and Criminal Procedure (3)
Using the case-study method in texts and class discussion, media reports of current Supreme Court actions, artifacts from popular culture, and a hands-on simulation of the Supreme Court itself, this course surveys the American approach to constitutionalism, the overall framework of the American legal system, the decision-making processes of the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court's interpretation of those civil rights and professional procedures associated with the operation of the criminal justice system. Fourth Amendment search and seizure requirements, the Exclusionary Rule, Arrests, Fifth Amendment due process issues, the Miranda Warnings, Sixth Amendment right to counsel and jury trail issues, and Eighth Amendment bail, fine, and punishment issues, including asset forfeiture and capital punishment are of particular interest. Identical to CJ 270. Offered spring of even-numbered years.
POLS 302 Ethnicity and Politics: Latinos in America (3) (S)
Ethnic groups must adapt to U.S. political ways in order to press their political agenda. Spanish-Americans have adapted, mixing agendas from their country of origin, experience in the U.S. and with other minority ethnic groups. How Latinos have adapted to and participated in U.S. politics is studied. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
POLS 303 Urban Politics (3)
Students examine scholarly perspectives on the evolution of political processes, institutions, the intergovernmental context, key actors and contemporary issues in urban politics such as urban sprawl and economic development. A major part of this class is a six-week simulation of a city government where students take roles of city councilors, lawyers, business leaders, and citizen activists in making important decisions about the city's future. Prerequisite: junior status. Offered each spring.
POLS 305 Law in American Politics & Culture (3)
As an honors-level course, we examine how law is defined, its philosophical roots, the relationship between law and justice, the role it plays in American society, and how it is represented in American culture. Using films, plays, novels and other cultural artifacts in addition to sources in political science, we focus especially on the American Constitution, the concepts of the rule of law and due process of law, the institutions and politics of the law-making and enforcing processes, and the unique roles of the lawyer and the judge. We also use cultural and political criticism to take a closer, more interdisciplinary look at how motion pictures, novels, plays, and other forms of cultural expression reveal the politics and patterns through which American culture understands and represents the law and its institutions. Prerequisite: Honors and Scholars student or consent. Offered each fall.
POLS 307 The Presidency and the American Political System (3)
Focuses on the institutions and processes of American government in regard to the presidency. Offered intermittently.
POLS 315 Comparative Politics: Europe (3)
Evaluates the government and politics of selected European regimes as alternative examples of efforts at representative democracy. Typically, we examine the political systems of Great Britain, France, and Germany. We also examine factors leading to integration and/or disintegration in post-cold-war Europe. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
POLS 316 Comparative Politics: Communism in Transition--The Former Soviet Union (3)
Examines Russia and the former Soviet Union. These transitional regimes offer excellent opportunities to study the problems and prospects for radical economic and political reform and the hazards of reactionism in societies previously dedicated to Communist economic systems and non-democratic, non-parliamentary political systems. We focus particular attention on the challenges posed by rebellious national groups and chronic economic crisis. Also, we examine the relationship of ideology to government policy and the ways in which those regimes have reinterpreted such traditional Western political values and institutions as constitutionalism, the rule of law, natural and civil rights, participatory democracy, and the representation of interests.
POLS 317 Comparative Politics: Asian Pacific Rim (3) (H)
Examines political systems and the dynamics of political change in the 11 East and Southeast Asian nations of the Pacific Rim, a region that has assumed a commanding presence in world politics and the world economy. Normally included are Japan, China, and selected nations from among Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
POLS 318 Comparative Politics: South Asia (3)
The confrontation of Western political forms with traditional non-Western and pre-colonial cultures and alternative strategies for political and economic development highlight this analysis of the politics of nation-building in the South Asian portion of the Third World. India and Pakistan are the main cases to be studied, although examples may be taken from Iran, Afghanistan, and perhaps Bangladesh and Malaysia as well. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.
POLS 320 Comparative Politics: Latin America (3)
Examines major problems of political and economic modernization by considering Latin American political systems in their various approaches to development. Focus is on key examples of the successes and failures of the various developmental strategies: e.g., Cuba, Chile, Peru, Brazil, and Mexico. Further, the impact of United States' policies upon the region as a whole receives special attention. Identical to SPAN 220/320. Offered each spring.
POLS 321 Political Writings of Latin America (3)
Readings of the political writings of selected Latin American thinkers. Relationship of political writings to contemporary culture, society and government of Latin America. Also cross-listed as SPAN 321 in which case readings and writing are done in Spanish. Offered each fall.
POLS 323 Topics in Public Policy Analysis (3)
Using policy analysis models students examine a set of substantive public policy issues to establish the issue context, define the policy problems, and evaluate alternative solutions. Topics may differ each semester and include, but are not limited to, the environment, health care, crime, urban policy, poverty, and welfare. Identical to ENVS 323. Offered each spring.
POLS 326 Environmental Policy Analysis (3)
Examines environmental politics and policy by studying a set of substantive environmental policy issues to establish the issue context, define the policy problems and evaluate alternative solutions. Offered each semester.
POLS 328 Comparative Politics: China (3)
The political system and the dynamics of political change in China are examined.
POLS 329 Comparative Politics: SE Asia and Japan (3)
The political system and the dynamics of political change in Japan and selected Southeast Asian nations are examined.
POLS 335 American Government (3) (S)
Acquaints students with the workings of our system of federal government. The Constitution, the presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, political parties and the regulatory agencies are treated as separate units of a unified focus upon our institutions of national government. Offered each fall.
POLS 337 American Legislative Process (3)
Deals with structure and function of law making in Congress and the state legislatures, including consideration of such topics as: committees, representation, policy making, leadership and interest group influence. We also examine the impact of Congress and state legislatures on vital issues of public policy ranging from foreign policy to urban policy, or from taxation to energy policy. Finally, the role of party politics and campaigns in the legislative process are considered. Offered on demand.
POLS 338 Comparative Politics of the Middle East and North Africa (3)
Offers students a basic understanding of broad trends of social change, state building and economic development in the modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA) during the post World War I period. The class attends to distinctions across MENA states along these three major dimensions, with special attention to public and private responses to modernization, democratization and globalization. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
POLS 339 American Political Thought (3)
POLS 340 German Cinema: Art and Politics (3) (A,W)
Identical to GER 240/340.
POLS 343 Public Administration (3) (S)
Contemporary approaches to policy-making and decision-making techniques are reviewed in light of the values represented in them and their promises for serving the public interest. We review classic and modern theories of bureaucracy; the history, development, and philosophical assumptions of the science of administration; the structure and functioning of American federal, state, and local administration; the budget-making process; government regulations of business and society; and the major challenges facing governmental professionals in our time. Identical to HHS 343. Offered each spring.
POLS 344 European Union in World Politics (3) (S)
Examines the foreign policies of European countries, both individually and collectively through the European Union, toward each other, regional and intergovernmental organizations, and other regions of the world. Explores other issues related to Europes economic and political integration, including national identities, democratic accountability, the Unions expansion, US-European relations, the European Constitution, Turkeys bid to join the Union, and immigration and Islam in Europe. Prerequisite: junior status or consent. Offered on demand.ýý
POLS 353 Globalization and Its Discontents (3) (S)
The theoretical, political, economic, and institutional foundations and practices of free trade are studied. Case studies are developed by students from Internet data on the issues and stakeholders in the globalization debate and the impact of their activities. Included among these are human rights, environment, and labor groups; the World Bank; the World Trade Organization; and global corporation. Offered in selected Winter Sessions.
POLS 359 Political Science Study Abroad (3)
Offers students the opportunity to combine the study of political science with travel abroad. This faculty-led course focuses on subfields such as theory, comparative politics, international relations and/or public policy in a meaningful foreign location. Offered on demand.
POLS 360 The Media and 20th Century American Foreign Policy (3)
Tells the story of American foreign policy in the 20th Century, "The American Century" as Henry Luce put it, focusing not only on traditional themes and interests, such as Isolationism, Imperialism, The Open Door, Interventionism, Internationalism, and Anti-Communism, but also on the interplay of media, public perceptions and opinion, and foreign policy choices by presidents and other decision-makers in the pursuit of national security, the American way of life, and prosperity during times of peace and war. Prerequisite: junior status or consent. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.
POLS 370 The Constitution and Criminal Procedure (3)
Using the case-study method in texts and class discussion, media reports of current Supreme Court actions, artifacts from popular culture, and a hands-on simulation of the Supreme Court itself, this course surveys the American approach to constitutionalism, the overall framework of the American legal system, the decision-making processes of the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court's interpretation of those civil rights and professional procedures associated with the operation of the criminal justice system, particularly Fourth Amendment search and seizure requirements, the Exclusionary Rule, Arrests, Fifth Amendment due process issues, the Miranda Warnings, Sixth Amendment right to counsel and jury trail issues, and Eighth Amendment bail, fine, and punishment issues, including asset forfeiture and capital punishment are of particular interest. Students have a comprehensive coverage of these issues and valuable practice in briefing relevant cases. Identical to CJ 370. Prerequisites: junior status or consent, for CJ 370, either CJ 200 or 205. Offered spring of even-numbered years.
POLS 371 Constitiutional Law I: The Federal System (3)
Government regulation of business, privacy, abortion, the origins and extent of the Supreme Court's authority, and due process of law are among the specific topics that this course considers, using the case study method in light of current historical and political analyses. We focus on the relationship of the federal government to the states and the Supreme Court to the Congress and the president, as well as the role played by the court and the judicial philosophies of individual justices. Prerequisite: junior/senior status or consent. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
POLS 372 Constitutional Law II: Sutstantive Rights (3)
Privacy rights, rights of accused criminals, racial, economic, and sex discrimination in schools, jobs, and housing, reverse discrimination, and freedom of expression and religion are particular concerns of this course, which examines through the case study method, together with historical and political analyses, the nature of the Supreme Court's authority and its relationships to other branches of American government, equal protection of the laws, and First Amendment rights. Prerequisite: junior/senior status or consent. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
POLS 373 Conflict Management (3) (S)
Examines conflict processes within and between organizations and alternative approaches to conflict management, drawing on the contributions of several disciplines and experience in organization, community and labor dispute management. Identical to CJ 373 and MBE 373. Offered each fall.
POLS 374 Conflict Management II (3)
Identical to CJ 374.
POLS 380 Arab-Israeli Conflict (3)
A political history of the Arab-Israeli conflict at multiple levels of analysis. Not only does it examine traditional macro-level (interstate and national) accounts of the conflict, but it also draws from supplementary academic articles and works of fiction to illustrate a variety of additional perspectives, including individual and group-level experiences. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.
POLS 390 Resrch Methods: Politics&Admin (3)
Examines the logic and methods of empirical research in political science. Students learn how to develop research questions in politics and translate them into appropriate research strategies and alternative designs. Prerequisite: junior or senior status or consent. Offered on demand.
POLS 412 Comparative Government II (3)
POLS 433 Political Theory: Ancient (3) (W)
Introduces students to the classic works in ancient political philosophy. The readings and discussions center on the works of ancient philosophers, historians, and playwrights. How did political philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle deal with issues such as justice, obligation, equality, the common good, the role of reason, the aims of government and the nature of politics? Many of the problems that political theorists confront in light of certain fundamental questions about society and politics are examined. The work of theorists from Plato to Aquinas are included. Prerequisite: junior status or consent. Offered each fall.
POLS 434 Political Theory: Modern (3) (V)
Students analyze and evaluate some of the major themes in modern political theory such as natural rights, political equality and distributive justice. Selections include the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Smith, Marx, and Nietzsche. Our goal is to consider the ideas of these authors and to understand more clearly the profound and complex role that ideas have played, and continue to play, in society. In addition, we deal with some contemporary responses to their work. Offered each spring.
POLS 435 Contemporary Theories of Justice (3)
In this seminar, students read and discuss four of the most important texts in contemporary liberal debates about justice. The aim is to understand the alternative views of political society and justice presented in these texts and to consider the choice worthiness of each alternative. The books read are: Anarchy, State, and Utopia; A Theory of Justice; Justice Gender and the Family; and The Limits of Justice. Offered on demand.
POLS 440 Seminar: American Foreign Policy (3)
Examines American foreign policy formation. The first section focuses on the foreign policy process, while the second section is devoted to case studies of specific foreign policy decisions in American history. Provides a framework for informed evaluation of American foreign policy. Prerequisite: junior/senior status or consent. Offered intermittently.
POLS 465 Wisdom of the Sages: Chinese Political Thought (3) (V,W)
A survey of Chinese political thought from classical times to the 20th century. Included are works from the Confucian, Legalist, and Daoist schools, as well as such 20th century figures as Sun Yat-sen, Mao Tse-tung and Deng Shao-peng. Prerequisite: Honors and Scholars students or consent. Offered spring of even-numbered years.
POLS 495 Pre-Internship Seminar (3)
Designed to prepare the student for a successful internship experience. Students explore the meaning of work and careers and examine how their knowledge and values are part of the work and career in which they are interested. Application for admission to the program must be made to the political science faculty during the student's junior year. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of political science and an overall grade point average of at least 2.5. Offered each fall.
POLS 497 Political Science Internship Seminar (3)
Students learn to use theories, knowledge, and values studied in political science and other courses to interpret their internship field experiences and make generalizations about their learning. Corequisite: POLS 498. Offered on demand.
POLS 498 Political Science Internship Program (12)
Political science majors apply the knowledge and skills learned in their political science classes in a full-time, semester-long internship. The field experience can be in, but is not limited to, government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels; law, law enforcement, non-profits, political parties, social service. Prerequisites: 15 semester hours of political science, including POLS 495. Offered on demand in the spring semester.
POLS 499 Senior Seminar (3) (I)
Required of all students wishing to graduate from Virginia Wesleyan with a major in political science. The course is team taught by members of the department and focuses upon a different topic each spring. Examples of seminars offered in the past are: Democratization and Development; Politics and the Media; War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Political Development and Changes in Latin America and Asia; and Images of Justice. Open to all students. Offered each spring.