POLS - Political Science

POLS 1101 American Government (3-0-3) 
The constitutional framework, political processes, structures, and functions of the national government with reference to the state level. Satisfies state legislative requirements concerning United States and Georgia Constitutions.
POLS 2101 Introduction to Political Science (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with C or better. Introduction to the field of political science. Includes approaches to the study of politics, political ideologies, and the functions of law. Does not substitute for POLS 1101. Required of all political science majors.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 2160 Introduction to Public Policy and Administration (3-0-3) 
Course Description: This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and practices of public policy and administration. Through lectures, readings, case studies, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated, as well as the role of public administrators in the policy process.
POLS 2201 State and Local Government (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with C or better. The organization and functions of political power at the state and local level. Required of all Political Science majors. Satisfies state legislative requirements concerning Georgia Constitution.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 2401 Global Issues (3-0-3) 
This courses introduces students to contemporary issues in global affairs. It assumes no prior knowledge of international relations. The course examines problemes facing the global community, as well as the prospects for governments, individuals, and international groups to address those problems. Issues include population and demographics, natural resources and the environment, the globalization of the economy, terrorism and threats to security, development and technology, global security, ethics, human rights, and the role of the United States and other regional powers in world affairs.
POLS 3105 American Institutions: Presidency, Congress, and Judiciary (3-0-3) 
American Institutions offers a comprehensive examination of the essential components of the American political system, providing students with a profound understanding of the Presidency, Congress, and the Judiciary. This course helps students gain the knowledge and insights necessary to engage in informed discussions about the American political system and its enduring significance.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3106 Social Science Research (3-0-3) 
The purpose of this course is to offer students an overview of the research methodological strategies and techniques utilized in the field of social science. The course will focus on quantitative and qualitative methods with a special emphasis for conducting social science research. This course will cover an array of topics including defining and formulating research questions, understanding the importance of ethics, stating hypotheses, sampling procedures, surveying techniques, developing experimental and quasi-experimental designs; collecting data, reliability and validity, and data interpretation.
Restriction(s):

Freshman or Sophomore students may not enroll.

POLS 3116 Theories of Racism (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better History, nature, causes, variations, and political consequences of racism in the United States.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3117 Conflict Resolution (3-0-3) 
Pre-requisite: POLS 1101 with C or better. An analysis of the nature of conflict and the methods to resolve conflict with an emphasis on collaborative problem solving and mediation. A research project and supporting specialized reading will be required.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3125 The Crisis of Modern Civilization (3-0-3) 
This course examines the relationship between politics and economics and how these fields impact American public policy. The course approaches the topic in the context of an increasingly competitive international system. Additionally, the course will examine the changing nature of the international system and the ongoing search for an optimal post-Cold War political-economic paradigm for contemporary international affairs.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3126 Political Parties (3-0-3) 
The nature and role of political parties and of interest groups as central actors in the political process.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3133 Introduction to Political Theory (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of "C" or better. This class is designed to critically examine the writings of major Western political theorists such as Plato, Machiavelli, Locke, Mill, and Marx from an historical perspective, and analyze their relevance to contemporary political issues and concerns.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3134 Feminist Political Thought (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better. This course will enable students to identify the social interaction processes that seem to maintain continuity in gender-related behavior, identify the contemporary norms associated with hegemonic masculinity and analyze the consequence of those norms for men and their families, and explain how women from different racial or ethnic groups or economic classes differ in their perceptions and attitudes on feminist issues.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101
POLS 3137 American Political Thought (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better. Major currents of political thought which have justified, guided, or challenged the growth of the American Republic.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101
POLS 3138 Contemporary Political Thought (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better. Contemporary modes and currents of political thought, including modern ideologies and adaptations of classical theories.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3141 Comparative Politics (3-0-3) 
This course introduces the student into the comparative study of countries and governments with focus on governmental intitutions and political processes, as well as the comparative study of demographics in those countries. Regions will vary with the instructor. Course may be taken up to two times if the topic varies.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
Repeatability: Repeatable for credit up to 2 times or 9 hours.
POLS 3148 Religion and Politics (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of C or better. For much of the history of human civilization, political problems have been theological problems. The separation of the purely political from the purely theological is a recent development that has only involved a relatively small span of human lives. This course will examine the broad and deep contextual factors affecting political-religious thought and practice as well as the dynamic linking of religion and politics in the United States.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3149 Ethics, Identity, and Power (3-0-3) 
Using an interdisciplinary and cross-subfield approach, students are brought into conversation with scholarship that demonstrates the powerful ways that identities influence all aspects of politics. The primary goal of the course is to provide students with a foundation for thinking carefully and creatively about the way that identity and identity-based considerations matter.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3155 Law School: Methods and Tactics (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better. A comprehensive overview of the procedures and techniques essential for success in law school. Essential skills and strategies will be emphasized including writing skills, time management, the Socratic methodology, and trial tactics. Special emphasis is placed on inductive and deductive reasoning.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3156 Politics and Ethics (3-0-3) 
This course examines theoretical tools necessary for understanding the fundamentals of politics and ethics and how the relationship between the two radically changed with the era of modern thought.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3161 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3-0-3) 
The effect of Supreme Court decisions on American society and on the development of the American political system. Special emphasis will be placed on civil liberties, and individual rights guaranteed and protected by the Constitution.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3166 Grant Writing (3-0-3) 
This course introduces students to the world of grant writing and management, and provides an opportunity to experience writing actual grants. Students will learn the process of identifying prospective funders, developing relationships with funders, understanding the basics of writing grants, submitting proposals, working as a collaborative, and preparing for the follow-up. Students will apply course learning to write and prepare actual grant proposals.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 3256 Politics in Film (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better. A study of the ways by which social and political meanings are generated through motion pictures. Because movies play a unique role in reinforcing and subverting American political culture, it is important to study films as they portray images of politics in America, Americans in politics, and American life relative to politics.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
Restriction(s):

Enrollment limited to Sophomore, Junior or Senior students.

POLS 3555 Selected Topics In Political Science (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better. This course will examine issues related to government and institutions in the public sector. Topics will vary with the instructor. Course may be taken three times for credit only if the topic varies.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 4155 International Relations (3-0-3) 
A study of the nature of interaction among states with specific reference to contemporary international issues of major importance.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 4166 International Law and Organizations (3-0-3) 
Prerequisite: POLS 1101 with a grade of “C” or better. A study of various attempts by the United Nations and other organizations to bring about peaceful settlement of international disputes. Disarmament and worldwide coordination of economic and social activities through efforts of international organizations are examined as well as legal settlement of international disputes and restraint of force in contemporary world problems. Course will also focus on international endeavors to develop law and order in interstate relations.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 4175 Public Policy and Administration (3-0-3) 
A study in selected policy areas and the process and impact of policy formulation.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 4176 American Foreign Policy (3-0-3) 
Foreign policy of the United States with focus on procedures and resources used for the development and execution of America's foreign policy with particular emphasis on contemporary era.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of C
POLS 4195 Political Science Capstone (3-0-3) 
The Capstone Course in Political Science is taken by political science majors in their senior year. In this course students engage in a major research project to assess and extend student knowledge of political science. The Capstone Course will provide students with an opportunity to practice standard political science research methods and to undertake a detailed research project culminating in a completed research paper.
Restriction(s):

Freshman, Sophomore or Junior students may not enroll.

Enrollment limited to students major in Political Science.

POLS 4698 Internship (0-0-(3-6)) 
Prerequisite: POLS 2101 and approval of Department Chair. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Experience in the field with an approved agency or company under the supervision of the instructor. (S/U grading)
Prerequisite(s): POLS 2101
Repeatability: Repeatable for credit up to 98 times or 6 hours.
Restriction(s):

Enrollment limited to students in the Department Prerequisite college.

POLS 4899 Directed Study (0-0-(1-3)) 
Prerequisites: POLS 2101, 21 hours in POLS courses and approval of Department Chair. May be taken a maximum of 3 times for credit and may not substitute for any required POLS course.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 2101
Repeatability: Repeatable for credit up to 2 times or 9 hours.
Restriction(s):

Enrollment limited to students in the Department Prerequisite college.

POLS 7167 American Political Process and Policy-making (3-0-3) 
This course will provide a broad overview of public policy making in the United States. It is designed to examine how political influences shape and influence public policy.
Restriction(s):

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Level level students.

POLS 7177 National Security Policy (3-0-3) 
Evolution, formulation, and implementation of American national security policy.
Restriction(s):

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Level level students.

POLS 7187 State and Local Government and Intergovernmental Relations (3-0-3) 
Interaction of American governments at the national, state, and local levels, including relations between governments at different levels.
Restriction(s):

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Level level students.

POLS 7197 Comparative Administration (3-0-3) 
Structures and processes of government administration in differing social, cultural, and political environments.
Restriction(s):

Enrollment is limited to Graduate Level level students.