Political Science (POL)
Professors Hulme and Lorenz; Assistant Professors Cartrite and Gorton.
How do government and politics operate both within the United States and in foreign countries? How do nations and people interact in the international arena? What consequences result from these activities? How can we use knowledge to promote our human and social values through the political process? Alma's Political Science Program is designed to help students learn the answers to these questions and thereby become more effective citizens and professionals.
Courses in comparative politics broaden our political knowledge by the examination and comparison of the political systems in other countries. International relations courses focus on the problems and conflicts in international politics and the ways by which they can be resolved or minimized. Courses in American politics offer both an introductory and an in-depth understanding of American political institutions and processes, public management, policy making and policy analysis, and public law. Political theory relates politics to ethical and normative considerations, human values, and means-end problems.
Graduates completing Alma's Political Science Program are successfully pursuing careers in government, law, business, teaching, journalism, public administration and non-profit organizations, and public relations.
Major Requirements
- Thirty-six credits which must include Political Science 101, 201 and 401; eight credits selected from among Political Science 111, 121, 211, 212, 221, 225, 226, 227, 313, 315, 325, 326 and 327; eight selected from among Political Science 131, 141, 231, 235, 241, 245, 331, 335, 336, 341 and 345; and at least 24 credits at the upper level. Only eight credits of POL 226/227 and 328/329 may count towards the major.
- All Political Science Majors must satisfactorily complete the Graduate Record Advanced Examination, or the MFAT, or a departmental comprehensive examination to satisfy the College comprehensive evaluation requirement.
Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits which must include POL 101 and 201 and at least 16 credits at the upper level. POL 401 is recommended. Only four credits from 226/227 and 328/329 may count for the Political Science Minor.
Political Science Teaching Major
Thirty-six credits which must include POL 101, 111, 121, 141, 201, 231, 245, 401 and a four credit upper level POL course.
Political Science Teaching Minor
Twenty-four credits which must include POL 101, 111, 121, 141, 231 and 245.
| 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 | |
| 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 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 and Legal Thinking (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| Introduction to normative and empirical political thinking, both historical and contemporary. Overview of the nature and importance of politics, and great issues of Western political thought. Scope and methods of political and rhetorical analysis. Special attention to legal reasoning as a form of political thinking. | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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. | Social Movements in Michigan (SO-2) | |
|
4 credits | |
| Social movement activities in the United States with an emphasis on Michigan, the land of the SDS, Port Huron Statement, civil rights and labor activism, militias, and other forms of political collective action. | ||
| POL *218. | Foreign Policy Simulation | |
|
2 credits | |
| Permission | ||
| Analysis of domestic roots of international issues including cultural differences in international problem solving. Organization and supervision of a computer-assisted foreign policy simulation. | ||
| 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 101 or 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 *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 *313. | Developing World | |
|
4 credits | |
| POL 111 | ||
| Comparative analysis of political systems of developing countries. Introduces Majors and non-Majors to selected concepts of human rights conditions, conflict and revolution, economic development, modernization and political culture. | ||
| POL *315. | Comparative Social Movements | |
|
4 credits | |
| 100 level course in POL or SOA | ||
| Analyzes causes and dynamics of social movement activities, especially movement mobilization and development in the United States, Europe and Latin America. | ||
| 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. | ||