| POL 100. | Introduction to Political Science (SO-2) | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | ||
| Introduction to the discipline of political science. Explores certain key themes and concepts of the discipline, such as politics and power, and considers some of the different approaches that political scientists use to study the political world. Introduces the discipline's four subfields of political theory, comparative politics, international relations and American politics, and explores the connections between them. | ||
| POL 101. | The American Political System (SO-2) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| Study of institutions and processes of politics and government. Contemporary political problems. Primary focus on federal government with some attention to state and local politics. | ||
| POL 103. | Reel Politics | |
 |
2 credits | |
| Exploration of the portrayal of American politics in historical and contemporary films. | ||
| POL 111. | Introduction to Comparative Politics (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 100 or Permission | ||
| Examines concepts and approaches to comparative political study, comparative functions, processes and structures. Explores issues and concerns such as political change, democracy, effectiveness and stability. | ||
| POL 115-*315. | Ethnic Politics Case Studies (SO-2 for 115) | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 215 for 315 | ||
| Explore the nature of ethnic identity, its potential for and actualization of political activism and violence, and survey the role political institutions play in mitigating or eliminating ethnopolitical activism. | ||
| POL 121. | World Conflicts and Problems (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| Examines a selection of world conflicts in terms of their causes and prospects for war, control or settlement. Explores world-wide problems, needs and efforts among states to deal cooperatively. | ||
| POL 127-*327. | Presidential Library Research (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| Research visit to a presidential library. Lower level focuses on primary source investigations on topics of student interest. Upper level is preparation for a substantial research paper potentially leading to a senior thesis and/or published article. | ||
| POL 131. | Introduction to Political Theory (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| Introduction to normative political theory, both historical and contemporary. Includes analysis of central concepts of politics, such as power, freedom, justice, democracy and equality. Explore key modern ideologies, such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, fascism and political Islam. | ||
| POL 141. | Introduction to Public Management and Policy Analysis (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| Study of leadership and administration in public organization, including relationship between bureaucracy and the executive, judicial and legislative branches; development of organizational theory; policy-making and implementation process; bureaucratic ethics; and reconciliation of democracy and bureaucracy. Recommended for those considering careers in public service or jobs affected by public policy. | ||
| POL 180. | Topics and Problems in Political Science | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| Examines special political subjects in both the foreign/international and American realms. | ||
| POL *201. | Nature of Political Inquiry | |
| 4 credits | ||
| An introduction to political science research, including the nature of political inquiry and research methodology. Development of an actual research project. | ||
| POL *205. | Electoral Politics | |
|
2 credits | |
| Exploration of the challenges of contemporary political campaigning at the presidential, state and local levels. | ||
| POL *211. | Western European Politics (SO-2) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 111 or Permission | ||
| Comparative study of the main political systems of Western Europe. Examination of European Union and its policies, processes and outcomes. Comparative analysis of short- and long-term implications of European economic integration for the rest of the world. | ||
| POL *212. | Eastern European Politics (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| A survey of contemporary Eastern European politics at a turbulent time that often attracts international attention to that region. Analysis of some of the transformation and continuity in the region's politics and society. | ||
| POL *215. | Ethnic Politics | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 111 or Permission | ||
| Explore the nature of ethnic identity, its potential for and actualization of political activism and violence, and survey the role political institutions play in mitigating or eliminating ethnopolitical activism. | ||
| POL *217. | Arctic Politics and Science (SO-2) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 111 or Permission | ||
| Survey the current state of scientific research examining polar melting. Explore the international legal and strategic implications of polar melting globally, with particular emphases on the five countries claiming polar waters (the U.S., Russia, Canada, Denmark and Norway). | ||
| POL *221. | Analysis of International Politics (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 121 or Permission | ||
| Study roles of the state, international and non-state actors in international politics; theories of conflict, conflict control and resolution; and prospects for world community. | ||
| POL *225. | International Law and Organizations (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 121 or Permission | ||
| Analyzes historical evolution of international law, its purposes, principles and relationship to the international arena. Study of international organizations and their impact on international legal order. | ||
| POL *226-*227. | Model United Nations (SO-2) | |
| 2 credits each | ||
| Permission | ||
| Preparation to represent an assigned country at a Model UN competition through examination of current international issues and UN organizational structures and processes. | ||
| POL *231. | American Political Thought (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 131 | ||
| Historical and contemporary meanings of democracy, its assumptions and implications: tensions between theory and practice, majority rule and minority rights, civil disobedience, economic-political democracy, institutionalization of democratic procedures, and the future of democracy. | ||
| POL *232. | Ancient Political Thought | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 100 or 131 | ||
| Exploration of key ideas in ancient and medieval political thought. The works of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, Epicurus, Augustine and Aquinas are considered. Key questions addressed include: Is democracy superior to rule by the enlightened few? Are humans by nature political creatures? What is the proper relation between the individual and the state? Is the state a natural entity? | ||
| POL *233. | Current Controversies in U.S. Politics (SO-2) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| Examine the ethical and empirical dimensions of some current political controversies in the U.S., such as the death penalty, gay marriage, torture, terrorism, affirmative action and euthanasia. Introduction to relevant concepts in ethical theory, law, political philosophy and empirical inquiry in order to provide the framework to think knowledgeably and critically about these issues. | ||
| POL *235. | The Legal Experience (SO-2) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 101 or 131 | ||
| Exploration of legal/political system, including public, private, civil and criminal law. Integrates cognitive and experiential learning suitable to a first-hand, in-depth study of legal system at state and local levels. | ||
| POL *241. | Public Policy Making: Presidential Leadership | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 101 or 141 and 201 | ||
| Study of presidential leadership in making domestic policy. | ||
| POL *242. | Comparative Environmental Health Policy (SO-2) | |
 |
4 credits | |
| Comparative analysis of the environmental- health policy process. Emphasis on applied research related to current government or non-governmental organization projects or concerns. | ||
| POL *245. | The Political Experience (SO-2) | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 101 or 141 | ||
| Explores nature of elective and administrative politics in state and local governments. Integrates cognitive and experiential learning. Includes field trips and interviews with state/local leaders in government, interest groups and media. | ||
| POL *280. | Topics in Political Science | |
| 2-4 credits | ||
| Variable topics in political analysis. | ||
| POL *325. | U.S. Foreign Policy (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 121 or Permission | ||
| Study of goals of American foreign policy and U.S. role in changing world; structure, processes and politics of foreign policy-making; and U.S. foreign policy since end of WWII. Analysis of selected current U.S. foreign policy concerns. | ||
| POL *326. | U.S. National Security Policy (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 121 or Permission | ||
| Analyzes emergence and evolution of post- WWII national security state. Assesses impact of changing international environment on conceptions of "national security." | ||
| POL *328/*329. | Advanced Model UN | |
| 2 credits each | ||
| POL 226 and 227 | ||
| Examine in detail the functioning of the central bodies of the UN community, including the General Assembly, Security Council, ECOSOC and specialized agencies. Also address the role of nongovernmental organizations, regional and subregional organizations and individual states. Only four credits may count toward the major. | ||
| POL *331. | Classics of Political Thought | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 101 or 131 | ||
| Analysis of selected original works of Plato, Aristotle, the Bible, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Marx. Emphasis on relevance to contemporary political thought and issues. | ||
| POL *335. | Constitutional Law I | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 101, 131 or HST 121 | ||
| Case law study of the Supreme Court's interpretations of U.S. Constitution in the areas of the governmental structures and processes. | ||
| POL *336. | Constitutional Law II | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 101, 131 or HST 121 | ||
| Case law study of the Supreme Court's interpretations of the U.S. Constitution in the areas of civil rights and civil liberties. | ||
| POL *341. | Public Policy Analysis | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 141 | ||
| Study of policy process, particularly policy evaluation. Focuses on such policies as educational, environmental, economic and social welfare. Emphasis on learning evaluation methodologies through application to current public policy issues. | ||
| POL *345. | Public Administration History and Theory | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 101 or 141 | ||
| Study of the development of modern public bureaucracies and the relationship of bureaucracy and other governmental institutions, particularly through analysis of original works on public administration from Woodrow Wilson and Max Weber to more recent commentaries. | ||
| POL *380. | Topics and Problems in Political Science | |
| 4 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| Courses on special political subjects in both the foreign/international and American realms. | ||
| POL *381-*382. | Washington Semester | |
| 4 credits each | ||
| Permission of WSP Advisor | ||
| Credit awarded for student participation in seminars and coursework. (American University) | ||
| POL *385-*386-*387. | Practicum | |
| 1-4 credits each | ||
| Permission | ||
| Placements in government, political institutions and related agencies may be made available by the Department or may be arranged by students in consultation with the Department. | ||
| POL *401. | Senior Seminar | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 201; Senior Majors and Minors; Permission | ||
| Comprehensive capstone study of politics within the context of a distinct theme in political science. | ||
| POL *499. | Independent Study: Readings | |
| 1-4 credits | ||
| POL 201 and Permission | ||
| Individual study of particular topic or problem area; intensive reading; problem formulated with instructor consent. | ||
| POL *500. | Senior Thesis | |
| 4 credits | ||
| POL 201 and Permission | ||
| Under supervision, student formulates a project topic or research program, conducts research, then prepares and publicly presents a Senior Thesis. Required for departmental honors. | ||
Courses
Alma College provides a network of opportunities for students to become responsible leaders, including the Robert D. Swanson Responsible Leadership Speaker Series and the Leadership Fellows’ Program. The 2006 class of Leadership Fellows participated in an International Leadership Institute at Wroxton College in England in August 2007.
Graduate Profile
Rev. Barbara Phillips Pekich
Graduation: 1972
Major: Political Science
Rev. Barbara Phillips Pekich didn't major in religious studies at Alma because there were no opportunities for women ministers.
But things began to change. Graduating from Western Theological Seminary in Holland in 1992, Pekich could no longer deny that the ministry had been calling to her.