POLITICAL SCIENCE

POL 101 U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS / 3 credits

This course will examine the development, structure, and operation of the United

States political system. It will examine the basic principles of the constitutional system

and the political environment that has developed around that system. Main topics will

include the Constitution, federalism, the three branches of government, political par-ties,

elections, and interest groups.

POL 201 COMPARATIVE POLITICS / 3 credits

A survey of governments and politics in the industrialized and developing nations. The

course examines what it means to compare political systems and explores the ideological

foundations, political institutions, and political performance of governments in Europe,

Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

POL 205 WORLD POLITICS / 3 credits

This course reviews the main issues and problems confronted by nation-states as they

interact with each other in the international system. Peace and war, integration and disintegration,

and the nature of foreign policy formulation will be among the issues dealt

with.

POL 206 MODEL UNITED NATIONS / 1 credit

Study of the structures and procedures of the United Nations in preparation for student

participation at intercollegiate Model United Nations conferences. Students will be

expected to become familiar with both the United Nations as an institution and the

policies of the countries they will be representing. Approval of the instructor is required

for enrollment.

POL 250 POLITICAL ISSUES AND PUBLIC POLICY / 3 credits

The study of significant issues in public policy. Emphasis will be placed on the ability to

address those issues from different philosophical and ideological perspectives.

POL 288 POLITICAL PARTIES, CAMPAIGNS & ELECTIONS / 3 credits

A study of the nature, organization, and operations of American political parties in government

and in the electoral process. We will examine different types of elections and

how campaign strategies differ depending on the type of election and the political environment.

Prerequisite: POL 101.

POL 297 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT / 3 credits

Analysis of the phenomena of war and conflict between nation-states. Explores various

explanations for war and evaluates these through examination of various conflicts in the

twentieth century. Methods for limiting conflict will also be assessed. Prerequisite: POL

205.

POL 302 ARKANSAS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT / 3 credits

General features of state constitutions, powers of governors, state legislative structure

and processes, state judicial systems and structure and form of municipal and county

governments. Emphasis on Arkansas government.

POL 305 MOOT COURT / 1 credit

In preparation for intercollegiate moot court tournaments, students will hone their

advocacy skills; they will learn to analyze constitutional law cases, to select appropriate

case precedents, and to build oral arguments. Sophomores, juniors and seniors will be

eligible to take the course. If they wish, students can participate all three years, though

this is not required. Only three total credits of moot court experience can be applied to

the major; no more than six moot court credits may count toward graduation.

Prerequisites: POL 362 or POL 380 or permission of instructor.

POL 315 U.S. FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY / 3 credits

Covers the evolution of U.S. foreign and security policy with particular attention to the

Cold War and post-Cold War eras. The policy-making process, including the role of

public opinion, the mass media, and Congress, will also be covered. Prerequisite: POL

205 or permission of instructor (Same as HIS 315)

POL 320 TOPICS IN POLITICS / 3 credits

An examination of a major thinker, concept, or principle that has helped shape our

understanding of the political realm. Prerequisites: 100- or 200-level introductory course

in politics or instructor’s permission.

POL 323 ELEMENTARY SOCIAL STATISTICS / 4 credits

A study of scaling, correlation, descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency and

deviation) and inferential statistics (including Z, T, analysis of variance, and nonpara-metric

tests of significance). A problem solving lab is included in the requirements for

this course. Prerequisite: MTH 101 or 110 (Same as MTH 123)

POL 346 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS / 3 credits

An introduction to the basic principles of public international law in such areas as the

rules of war, the law of the Seas, and human rights; and a survey of the related functions

of the United Nations. Prerequisite: POL 205.

POL 347 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT / 3 credits

A survey of the ideas that shaped the American political system.

POL 349 THE GERMAN POLITICAL AND CULTURAL TRADITION /3 credits

This course will consider the development of German political ideas and the evolution

of German constitutional arrangements from the Reformation to the present. In addition

to the Sonderweg thesis – which seeks to explain and understand Germany’s historical

embrace of authoritarian political institutions – the course will also explore the rich

German liberal and democratic tradition. In order to comprehend the complexity of

German political thought, students will study the artifacts and writings of artists,

philosophers, filmmakers, and poets, as well as historians and politicians. Prerequisite:

HIS 202 or RPH 202. (Same as HIS 349)

POL 351 ANCIENT POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY / 3 credits

POL 353 MODERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY / 3 credits

A study of some major political thinkers such as Machiavelli, Locke, Rousseau, Hume,

and Marx. Concentration will be on selected works and topics that have influenced

contemporary politics. (Same as RPH 353)

POL 358 MODERN RUSSIA / 3 credits

The transformation of Russia in the 20th century, with special attention to the factors

leading to the collapse of communism in the Gorbachev era and to the efforts to establish

democratic institutions in the region thereafter. Prerequisite: POL 201, or permission

of the instructor. (Same as HIS 358)

POL 362 U.S. CONSTITUTION / 3 credits

Topics covered in this course include the evolving interpretation of the scope of power

allotted to each separate branch of the national government, federalism, the legal and

philosophical justifications for judicial review and the politics of Supreme Court decision

making. (Same as HIS 362)

POL 368 ASIAN POLITICS / 3 credits

A comparative survey of government and governmental institutions in Asia. Particular

emphasis will be placed on identifying key political, economic, and social trends affecting

the region.

POL 370 POLITICAL ECONOMY OF PUBLIC ISSUES / 3 credits

Each year topics of current public debate and interest in which both governmental and

economic forces and interests are joined are used as the basis for discussion and for student

research. Students present their research to the class and write a major paper.

Prerequisite: ECO 102 or consent of instructor. Same as ECO 370.

POL 380 CIVIL LIBERTIES / 3 credits

This course examines the civil rights and liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

Special attention will be given to the study of criminal defendants’ rights (the Fourth,

Fifth, and Sixth Amendments), freedom of speech and religion (First Amendment),

equal protection (Fourteenth Amendment) and the right to privacy.

POL 399 POLITICAL SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL COURSE: Variable topics / 1 credit

Studies of varying topics in political science, including a 2-week

Nichols trip. Prerequisites will vary depending upon course topic.

POL 450 DIRECTED STUDY / 3 credits

Concentrated study in one or more areas of government.

POL 455 SENIOR SEMINAR / 3 credits

POL 460 PRACTICUM IN POLITICS / variable credit