Political Science

Faculty
Description
Requirements
Program Policies
Course Descriptions

Faculty

Shelley L. Tomkin, Professor of Political Science (Program Chair)
Kathleen McGinnis, Professor of Political Science 

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Description

The Political Science Program emphasizes both the study of political science as a discipline and the active, practical participation of students in the political process. In addition to course work, students participate in a wide variety of internships and fieldwork classes in Washington, D.C., to learn politics through direct observation and involvement.

The major in political science is designed to help students effectively fulfill their expanding roles in public life. Knowledge of governmental affairs in combination with communication and research skills can open a wide vista of challenging opportunities. Trinity looks to its political science majors to provide the much-needed dedication and leadership qualities aimed at achieving an enriched and more just society.

Political science provides students with grounding in several fields including American government, comparative political systems, international relations, political theory, and field experience afforded by Trinity's location in the nation's capital. This resource serves students in two ways: first, through utilization of the city's political and governmental institutions as learning laboratories and second, by providing students with professional contacts and networking opportunities well before they graduate. In addition, political science majors can combine a thorough grounding in political science theory and methodology with a self-directed focus on selected public policy topics and/or with multidisciplinary course selections through the general education curriculum and complementary courses in other disciplines.

An analysis of the many aspects of leadership as well as the concept itself is woven into every political science course. The Political Science Program is also sensitive to the needs of women not only through gender-specific courses but also through many other courses that address issues and processes of special significance to women. The comparative politics sequence and international relations courses in particular provide an essential resource for the development of multicultural awareness.

Courses in the Political Science Program fall into the following categories: international relations (IR), comparative politics (COMP), political theory (PT), American politics (AMER), field experience/internship (FD), and advanced seminars (SEM). Each course taken may be counted to fulfill only one distribution requirement for the major, even if the course falls into two categories.

The Political Science Program supports a major and minor in the College of Arts and Sciences.

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Requirements

Major Requirements (39-40 credits)

ONE introductory course chosen from:

POLS 101 Politics, Power, and You: Democracy at the Crossroads
POLS 103 The American Political Process 

TWO courses in international relations (IR) 
TWO courses in comparative politics (COMP) 
TWO courses in political theory (PT) 
TWO courses in American politics (AMER) 
TWO courses in internships or field work (FD)* 
ONE approved research methods course, such as MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics or
        additional field work in political science 
TWO advanced seminars (SEM)

* Students may take either one field work course and one internship, two internships, or two fieldwork courses.

Minor Requirements (18 credits)

Students pursuing the minor should complete 18 credits of political science courses. Internships cannot be counted toward the minor.

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Advanced Placement credit will be accepted by the Political Science Program in American government and comparative politics at the 4 or 5 level. 

CLEP Policy:
Students wishing to receive credit for CLEP examinations should consult the Program Chair. 

Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of "C-" (1.7) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major.

Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling the major requirement may not be taken pass/no pass, except for POLS 491 Internship.

Senior Assessment:
Students must achieve a passing grade on the senior comprehensive examination in order to graduate with a major in political science.

TELL Policy:
Students may receive no more than 12 political science elective credits through the TELL Program.

Transfer Credits:
No more than 15 credits in courses equivalent to those required for the major may be accepted toward the major in political science. No more than nine credits may be accepted toward the minor in political science.

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Course Descriptions

POLS 103 The American Political Process
Offers an introduction to the American political and governmental system, with emphasis on the processes, institutions, and actors involved in the system. Case studies are used to focus on contemporary issues and their backgrounds. Formerly PSC 123 American Political Process
3 credits

POLS 121 D.C. Politics (AMER)
Introduces the student to the current political processes, institutions, and issues of the District of Columbia, including questions of home-rule, leadership, and the relationship with the Federal government. Formerly PSC 150 D.C. Politics.
3 credits

POLS 201 Civil Rights and Liberties (AMER) or (PT)
Provides an introduction to legal opinions that focus on the 1st and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The cases and the societal issues surrounding them are presented in their historical context. Some specific topics examined in the course are Supreme Court decisions that affect the civil rights movement, free speech, and privacy issues involving Internet communications. Formerly PSC 216 Civil Rights and Liberties.
3 credits
FLC Area V

POLS 211 Women and the Law (AMER)
Examines Supreme Court rulings, as well as federal and state statutes and court decisions affecting women. Topics include women and employment, sexual harassment, and legal issues involving pregnancy and privacy rights. Formerly PSC 328 Women and the Law.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V

POLS 231 Introduction to Comparative Politics (COMP)
Offers an introduction to the major concepts and analytical frameworks of the sub-field. While it is designed as the appropriate first course in comparative politics, its theoretical focus makes it appropriate for more advanced students as well. Formerly PSC 200 Introduction to Comparative Politics.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V

POLS 241 Introduction to International Relations (IR)
Offers an introduction to the theories, actors, arenas, and techniques of international politics. The course examines case studies on issues of current international importance. Formerly PSC 312 Introduction to International Relations.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V

POLS 243 The Politics of Globalization (IR)
Examines the nature and implications of the rise of globalization for the world's political economies. Formerly PSC 214 The Politics of Globalization.
3 credits

POLS 275 Politics and Fiction (COMP)
Introduces students to political themes and concepts in fiction, including the portrayal of political actors, institutions, political values and attitudes, and specific political issues. Formerly PSC 220 Politics and Fiction.
3 credits
FLC Area V

POLS 277 Personality and Political Leadership (AMER) or (COMP)
Examines "political leadership" through a consideration of psychological studies and biographies of political leaders and by investigating theoretical frameworks that guide the study of political leadership. Formerly PSC 209 Personality and Political Leadership.
3 credits

POLS 299 Honors Seminar: The Political Lives of Women (COMP)
Explores the interaction of women and the political system through a variety of life story forms, including biographical and autobiographical writing and film. Particular focus is placed on the cultural, ethical, and gender contexts of women's political lives. Formerly PSC 310 The Political Lives of Women.
3 credits
FLC Area V
Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program or POLS 120 or higher level political science course

POLS 301 Congress and Policy Making (AMER)
Examines the internal politics of the legislative branch, its relationship to other branches, historical development, and modern theories of decision making. Students may take a related internship. Formerly PSC 325 Congress and Policy Making.
3 credits

POLS 303 The American Presidency (AMER)
Views the presidency from two perspectives: as an institution and as a reflection of the individual in office. Leadership styles, relationships with other governmental branches, and policymaking roles are examined. Formerly PSC 334 The American Presidency.
3 credits

POLS 305 Public Policy (AMER)
Focuses on the overall policy-making process including its various stages and actors. Integrates material on the presidency, Congress, political parties, interest groups, courts, and public administration courses into an understanding of the whole policy process. Formerly PSC 352 Public Policy.
3 credits

POLS 307 Public Administration (AMER)
Focuses on bureaucratic structures, organizational and decision-making theories, and policy implementation. Formerly PSC 351 Public Administration.
3 credits

POLS 309 Environmental Politics (AMER)
Examines the process of making environmental policy. Includes case studies from federal, state, and local levels of government. Related internships can be arranged. Formerly PSC 337 Environmental Politics.
3 credits

POLS 311 Constitutional Law (AMER) or (PT)
Studies the United States Supreme Court, including its composition, decisions, and role in the American political process. Students read and brief court opinions involving issues such as racial discrimination, First Amendment rights, and separation of powers among the three branches of national government. Formerly PSC 326 Constitutional Law.
3 credits
Prerequisite: POLS 201 or POLS 299

POLS 313 Religion, Law, and Politics in the United States (AMER) or (PT)
Examines the relationship among religion, law, and politics in the United States constitutional and political systems. The free exercise and establishment clauses of the First Amendment to the Constitution and key Supreme Court opinions involving separation of church and state are studied as well as democratic theory pertaining to this topic. Other topics to be discussed in the class include policy issues involving government aid to faith-based social welfare efforts and empirical studies of public attitudes concerning the interplay among religion, public policy, and political leadership. Formerly PSC 226 Religion, Law, and Politics, in the United States.
3 credits

POLS 323 Urban Politics (AMER)
Focuses on the politics of cities and metropolitan areas. Content will include structures of government, decision-making processes, and intergovernmental relations. Formerly PSC 371 Urban Politics.
3 credits

POLS 331 Comparative Politics: Western Europe (COMP)
Studies the political systems of Western European countries, emphasizing the unique differences among the states as well as efforts at regional cooperation. Formerly PSC 301 Comparative Politics: Western Europe.
3 credits

POLS 332 Comparative Politics: Developing Areas (COMP)
Focuses on the concepts of modernization and development in developing nations, using both the theoretical and case study approaches. Formerly PSC 302 Comparative Politics: Developing Areas.
3 credits

POLS 333 Comparative Politics: Russia and Eastern Europe (COMP)
Explores post-Soviet and East European political systems, emphasizing Russia and including ideology, leadership, reform, and transition. Formerly PSC 303 Comparative Politics: Russia and Eastern Europe.
3 credits

POLS 334 Comparative Politics: China, Korea, and East Asia (COMP)
Examines the political systems of China, Korea, Japan, and others from a comparative perspective. Formerly PSC 304 Comparative Politics: China and East Asia.
3 credits

POLS 335 Comparative Politics: Latin America (COMP)
Studies the political systems of Latin America, emphasizing the unique differences among the political units as well as the regional similarities. Formerly PSC 305 Comparative Politics: Latin America.
3 credits

POLS 336 Comparative Politics: Middle East (COMP)
Examines the political systems of the states in this region, their structural similarities and differences, and their approaches to modernization and development. Formerly PSC 306 Comparative Politics: Middle East.
3 credits

POLS 337 Comparative Politics: Africa (COMP)
Examines the political systems of the African states, their similarities and differences, regional distinctions, and approaches to modernization and development. Formerly PSC 307 Comparative Politics: Africa.
3 credits

POLS 341 International Law and Organizations (IR)
Examines the development and current status of international law as the legal framework for international conflict and cooperation, as an academic discipline, and as a practical procedure. Looks at international organizations as conflict managers and functional mechanisms. Formerly PSC 318 International Law and Organization.
3 credits

POLS 343 United States Foreign Policy I (IR) or (AMER)
Examines United States foreign policy, focusing on the content or substantive nature of the policy. Formerly PSC 314 United States Foreign Policy I.
3 credits

POLS 344 United States Foreign Policy II (IR) or (AMER)
Examines United States foreign policy, concentrating on the policy-making process. Formerly PSC 315 United States Foreign Policy II.
3 credits

POLS 351 Political Thought: Plato to Rousseau (PT)
Provides an introduction to the primary sources in political thought, including the differing interpretations of political theories and the methods and significance of interpretation. Explores political thought of Plato, Aristotle, the Hellenic period, the Romans, the Middle Ages, Machiavelli, the Renaissance and the Reformation, and the emergence of the modern state. Also examines the political thought of the English revolution, the Enlightenment, and Rousseau. Formerly PSC 362 Political Thought: Plato to Rousseau.
3 credits

POLS 353 Modern Political Thought (PT)
Considers political thought from Rousseau to the present, focusing on theories of change including violence and revolution and alternatives, and the forms of socialism from the 18th century through its contemporary expression, as well as the views of its opponents. Also examines the methods and the significance of political thinking and the relations between political thought and modern life. Formerly PSC 363 Modern Political Thought.
3 credits

POLS 361 Field Work: Applied Research Techniques in Political Science (FD) or (AMER)
Focuses on non-library research sources and techniques for conducting research in political science. Research project emphasized. Formerly PSC 327 Field Work: Applied Research Techniques in Political Science.
3 credits

POLS 363 Field Work: Legislative Tracking (FD) or (AMER)
Focuses on legislative research and emphasizes the development of professional legislative tracking skills. Students learn to "track" federal legislation from the introduction of a bill in Congress, through the legislative process, to the writing of federal regulations for implementation. Formerly PSC 329 Field Work: Legislative Tracking.
3 credits

POLS 365 Field Work: Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections (FD) or (AMER)
Provides an introduction to electoral processes and political party politics in the United States. Students learn specific skills and techniques used in political campaigns such as fundraising and targeting. Students work in a political campaign organization to fulfill part of their course requirements. Formerly PSC 330 Field Work: Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections.
3 credits

POLS 367 Field Work: Public Opinion Polling (FD) or (SEM)
Examines the dynamics of public opinion formation and political socialization as they apply to politically salient attitudes and voting behavior. Students conduct a class poll on a current topic designed to provide them with "hands-on" experience in all stages of the survey research process. Formerly PSC 331 Field Work: Public Opinion Polling.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Applications Area

POLS 369 Field Work: Political Advocacy (FD)
Focuses on the development of skills necessary for effective political advocacy at federal, state and local levels of government. Particular emphasis is placed on political communication, organization and research. Related internships available. Formerly PSC 335 Field Work: Political Advocacy.
3 credits

POLS 401 Seminar in American Politics: Change (AMER) or (SEM)
Focuses on the topic of political change in the American political system. Provides an overview of major trends in electoral, presidential, congressional, intergovernmental, and personal politics. Students investigate a specific project of their own design as part of the course. Formerly PSC 424 Seminar in American Politics: Change.
4 credits

POLS 403 Political Power: Interest Groups, Lobbying, and Public Policy (AMER) or (SEM)
Uses case studies to test ideas about the nature of political power and the behavior and impact of organized groups on the American political process. A historical perspective on lobbying and lobby reform highlights the moral and political dilemmas. Formerly PSC 422 Political Power: Interest Groups, Lobbying, and Public Policy.
4 credits

POLS 405 Seminar in Public Policy: Children (SEM) or (AMER)
Offers an interdisciplinary examination of public policies affecting children, including issues of child welfare, health, education, and the family. The course also includes an in-depth review of the policy-making process. Related internships are encouraged. Formerly PSC 452 Seminar in Public Policy: Children.
4 credits
General Education Curriculum: Applications Area
FLC Seminar II

POLS 431 Seminar in Comparative Politics and International Relations (SEM) or (COMP) or (IR)
Identifies methods and arenas of comparative and international politics of current concern. A case study approach is used extensively. Formerly PSC 412 Seminar in Comparative Politics and International Relations.
4 credits

POLS 433 Seminar in Comparative Politics: Global Democratization (SEM) or (COMP)
Explores varying international meanings, interpretations, and measures of democracy and the process of transforming Marxist and authoritarian regimes in the Third World, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union toward democratic values, practices, and institutions. Formerly PSC 414 Seminar in Comparative Politics: Global Democratization.
4 credits

POLS 441 Seminar in International Relations: International Public Policy (SEM) or (IR)
Explores the international, political, and legal aspects of global environmental problems and issues, focusing specifically on resource depletions and shortages, pollution and technology problems, and the use or misuse of the oceans and atmosphere. Focus is on energy and food issues. Formerly PSC 413 Seminar in International Relations: International Public Policy.
4 credits

POLS 443 Seminar on Conflict Theory and Management (SEM) or (IR)
Provides a multidisciplinary examination of theories about conflict, including the causes and arenas of conflict and proposed methods for regulating it. Includes seminar discussions, guest lecturers, and experimental learning situations. Formerly PSC 461 Seminar on Conflict Theory and Management.
4 credits

POLS 445 The Cold War and Its Legacies (SEM) or (IR)
Examines the Cold War, the world order that it created, and its enduring effects on contemporary international issues, with particular emphases on its social, political, and economic contexts. Among questions to be addressed are: What events and ideas provoked the Cold War? How did the Cold War shape international political and economic institutions? How did advances in science and technology help fuel a global arms race? How did the Cold War condition society and culture? What traces of the Cold War continue to influence world politics in the early 21st century? This course is taught in a seminar format. Cross-listed with SSC 317. Formerly PSC 417 The Cold War and Its Legacies.
3 credits
FLC Seminar II

POLS 471 Politics and the Media (AMER) or (SEM)
Examines coverage of politics, elections, and related topics. Current events are treated within a theoretical and historical perspective of major communications issues facing the ongoing American democratic experiment. Formerly PSC 420 Politics and the Media.
4 credits

POLS 491 Internship
By special permission of the program faculty and under the supervision of a faculty member during fall or spring semester only. Projects must be agreed upon in advance in writing. Formerly PSC 384 Internship.
2-12 credits

POLS 498 Independent Study
Provides students the opportunity to pursue an individualized course of study under the direction of a faculty member. Formerly PSC 399.
1-3 credits

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