Introduction to the dynamics of global interaction and international relations. Developing of a basic understanding of the international system and modes of conflict and cooperation in international problem areas such as Bosnia, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Chiapas, East Los Angeles, Haiti, Somalia, American Embassies, Tokyo subways, Iraq, Kuwait, Arab-Israeli relations, human rights violations, armed conflict, poverty, environmental degradation, religious confrontation and diplomacy.

This one credit course is designed for first-time participants in the Michigan Model Arab League. Students will practice all the skills of diplomacy, negotiation, problem-solving, and role-playing in this important Regional International Organization. Specific committees include “Political Affairs,” “Social Affairs,” “Palestinian Affairs,” “Environmental Affairs,” “Economic Affairs,” and “Defense Affairs”. Significant time will be spent preparing country specific policies of the 22 member states of the League of Arab States. Students will generally work in pairs representing specific countries on specific committees. Additional emphasis is placed on the development of crucial cooperative and compromise skills of mediation and diplomacy. Students can earn up to three credits of PS 192, 292, 392, 492, 193, 293, 393, 493, 194, 294, 394 or 494 as elective credit toward the Political Science major or Political Science minor. There is no pre-requisite to this course – ANYONE can join.

The governance and problems of cities is the focus of this course. Planning, decision-making, issues and solutions are developed in this introduction to the politics and power structures in America’s Urban settings.

In-depth look at these branches of national government, relationships to each other and to other parts of the political community. Prerequisite: PS101.

Modern political campaigns, election process, role of political process in government. This course is not accepted for the Social Science requirement.

Students practice all the skills of diplomacy including negotiation, problem solving, role-playing, and compromise while representing diplomats from the 193 member states of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Security Council, or one of many other UN Agencies at an annual Collegiate Model United Nations conference. Issues range from the US embargo on Cuba to nuclear weapons proliferation to AIDs and world hunger, to war and conflict. Emphasis is placed on the development of knowledge of the UN as well as policies of the country represented. PS 292 Model United Nations Collegiate Conference is for second-time participants. Students can earn up to three credits of PS 192, 292, 392, 492, 193, 293, 393, 493, 194, 294, 394 or 494 as elective credit toward the Political Science major or Political Science minor. Prerequisite: PS-192

This one credit course is designed to prepare students for their participation in hosting, organizing, and leading the Annual Aquinas College High School Model United Nations Conference otherwise known as AQMUN. We will host around 100-135 high school students who will participate in role-playing delegates on separate Security Councils and an International Court of Justice simulation. AQ students will be trained as Security Council Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and Rapporteurs, as well as leadership in the ICJ. Additional staff will work in Home Government and the Emergency Crisis Simulation. Unlike the fall semester version of Model UN (where AQ students are the delegates), this class provides a very different set of experiences and skills including but not limited to: leadership, research, parliamentary procedure, public speaking, diplomacy, role-playing, team-work, decision-making, and organization. PS294 is for second-time leaders. Students can earn up to three credits of PS192, 292, 392, 492, 193, 293, 393, 493, 194, 294, 394 or 494 as elective credit toward the Political Science major or Political Science minor. Prerequisite: PS-194

Highlights of the history of political philosophy, Ancients, Medieval, Modern social contract theories, Marxism, liberalism, and postmodernism, using primary and secondary source materials. Deals with the relationship between politics and truth; the nature of political authority; democratic theory; the nature of the good society and its relationship to particular theories of human nature. This course is not accepted for the Social Science requirement.

This course is to provide undergraduate students exposure to the constitutional interpretations regarding American civil rights and liberties as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court. Specific clauses of the U.S. Constitution covered in this class include: Judicial review (authority of the federal courts), the contracts clause, the due process clause, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, (dis) establishment of religion, free exercise of religion, guarantee against unreasonable search and seizures, exclusionary rule, 5th Amendment guarantee against self-incrimination, police interrogation, right to counsel, guarantee against cruel and unusual punishment, the right to privacy, and the equal protection clause prohibiting discrimination. Prerequisites: PS101.

Fundamental principles derived from the Constitution and The Federalist as context of modern problems. Prerequisite: PS101 or HY101 or HY102.

Government and politics of England, France, West Germany, and the Soviet Union, comparison to each other and to the United States.

Comparative examination of politics and governments in Latin America. Examine the internal politics and policy making, political institutions, cultures and locus of power in “newly industrialized states,” socialist states, less developed states, and developing states of Latin America.

The comparative examination of the politics and governments of African states. Issues of development, culture, and political economy are discussed. Political interaction within and between African states is examined.

A study of the contexts in which public policy is made and implemented; includes analysis of how people’s lives are affected differently by specific public policies.

This course is designed as a critical inquiry into social scientific research practices. While the course is primarily concerned with practical problems of how to conduct research, it also addresses philosophical problems that lead people to approach research in different ways. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior

Public Sector Economics is the study of tax and expenditure policy and theory. Public goods (education, infrastructure, etc.) require unique funding mechanisms to induce economic efficiency. Public sector economics is the study of these mechanisms. Beginning with a treatment of the median-voter model and utility maximization, the course charts a robust discussion of the interaction between government and citizen as taxes are collected, revenues are spent, and the efficiencies/inefficiencies of these mechanisms are uncovered. The course will focus on both the theoretical foundations of public sector economics and what the empirical research as to say about theory. Prerequisites: E211 and ES212. An understanding of algebra is mandatory and an understanding of calculus will be beneficial. This course is not accepted for the Social Science requirement.

This course is designed as a critical examination and in-depth evaluation of American Foreign Policy. The actors and processes involved in making and executing foreign policy will be examined, along with the policy perspectives of the major nation-states and international organizations with which the United States interacts. We will look at the history of US foreign policy, with a special emphasis on 20th century interaction. Specifically, we will study: US–Soviet/Russian relations, the rise and decline of US Hegemony, United States–Japanese and Sino relations, American policy toward West and East Europe, US policy in Central and Latin America, US policy toward Africa, and American foreign economic policy. Emphasis is placed on counter-revolution and counter terror policies. Prerequisite: PS150 or Instructor approval.

In-depth study of law and mores guiding nations and individuals in relations with other nations and peoples. Prerequisite: PS150 or Instructor approval.

Students practice all the skills of diplomacy including negotiation, problem solving, role-playing, and compromise while representing diplomats from the 193 member states of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Security Council, or one of many other UN Agencies at an annual Collegiate Model United Nations conference. Issues range from the US embargo on Cuba to nuclear weapons proliferation to AIDs and world hunger, to war and conflict. Emphasis is placed on the development of knowledge of the UN as well as policies of the country represented. PS 292 Model United Nations Collegiate Conference is for second-time participants. Students can earn up to three credits of PS192, 292, 392, 492, 193, 293, 393, 493, 194, 294, 394 or 494 as elective credit toward the Political Science major or Political Science minor.  Prerequisite: PS292

This one credit course is designed to prepare students for their participation in hosting, organizing, and leading the Annual Aquinas College High School Model United Nations Conference otherwise known as AQMUN. We will host around 100-135 high school students who will participate in role-playing delegates on separate Security Councils and an International Court of Justice simulation. AQ students will be trained as Security Council Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and Rapporteurs, as well as leadership in the ICJ. Additional staff will work in Home Government and the Emergency Crisis Simulation. Unlike the fall semester version of Model UN (where AQ students are the delegates), this class provides a very different set of experiences and skills including but not limited to: leadership, research, parliamentary procedure, public speaking, diplomacy, role-playing, team-work, decision-making, and organization. PS394 is for third-time leaders. Students can earn up to three credits of PS192, 292, 392, 492, 193, 293, 393, 493, 194, 294, 394 or 494 as elective credit toward the Political Science major or Political Science minor. Prerequisite: PS294

Individually-negotiated program of readings on selected topic established by contract between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar. Prerequisite: approval of the department chairperson.

This 2-credit course is designed as a Senior Capstone for Political Science Majors. It will include review of the discipline as well as a critical examination and in-depth evaluation of the work produced in various required courses for the major. It will also require the development and presentation of a major thesis-driven paper. To be taken fall semester of the senior year.

This one credit course is designed for fourth-time participants in the Michigan Model Arab League. Students will practice all the skills of diplomacy, negotiation, problem-solving, and role-playing in this important Regional International Organization. Specific committees include “Political Affairs,” “Social Affairs,” “Palestinian Affairs,” “Environmental Affairs,” “Economic Affairs,” and “Defense Affairs”. Significant time will be spent preparing country specific policies of the 22 member states of the League of Arab States. Students will generally work in pairs representing specific countries on specific committees. Additional emphasis is placed on the development of crucial cooperative and compromise skills of mediation and diplomacy. Students can earn up to three credits of PS 192, 292, 392, 492, 193, 293, 393, 493, 194, 294, 394 or 494 as elective credit toward the Political Science major or Political Science minor.  Prerequisite: PS393