Courses and Syllabi

POLI 101 Introduction to World Politics
Principal forces and factors influencing world affairs with emphasis on the role of the United States in issues relating to resources food arms control human rights the environment rich and poor countries the development gap and detente.

Professor: Pamela Martin View Syllabus

POLI 110 The American Criminal Justice System
An introduction to the structure of the law enforcement systems in the United States from the local and state levels to the federal level. A consideration of the principal issues in law enforcement: arms control internal security organized crime and other problems of criminality.

POLI 200 Communication in Political Science.
(3) An introduction to the discipline of political science with an emphasis on researching, writing, and communicating orally.

POLI 201 American National Government
The formation and development of the national government its organizations and powers.

POLI 300 Introduction to Political Theory
(Writing Intensive) Major themes in political theory and one basic theme as treated by three or four of the classical writers. Such matters as political obligation, order and freedom the state, and justice are assessed to illustrate the enterprise of political theory.

POLI 302 Political Thought of Thucydides
(Writing Intensive) (= Classical Studies 302) (Prereq: Politics 300, 301 or permission of instructor). A study of the political thought of Thucydides through an intensive reading of The War of the Peloponnesians and the Athenians.

POLI 303 American Government Through Literature and Film
A survey of the various actors, institutions and processes in the American political system by the use of fiction (motion pictures, novels and plays). The roles of legislators, the judiciary, chief executives, and the press at the national, state, and local levels of government are included.

POLI 304 Latin America Through Film
(Prereq: sophomore standing or permission of instructor) An examination of major topics in Latin American civilization through lecture, reading and writing, and the viewing and critical analysis of feature-length film.

POLI 305 Introduction to Empirical Political Inquiry
(Prereq: Statistics 201 or Psychology 225 or Business 291 or Philosophy 110 or permission of instructor.) An introduction to modern empirical methodology in political inquiry. A survey of the theoretical foundations of the modern quantitative approach to political inquiry; an introduction to theory building, data gathering, data analysis, data evaluation, and to the writing of a written report.

POLI 309 African-American Political Thought
(Prereq: Politics 201 and sophomore standing.) A survey of the issues and major figures in the African-American political tradition. Primary writings of selected thinkers, statesmen, or activists such as Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X will be the major focus of the course.

POLI 315 International Relations
International political behavior and institutions.

Professor: Pamela Martin View Syllabus

POLI 316 Comparative Politics
Comparative approaches to political systems, behavior and institutions.

Professor: Pamela Martin View Syllabus

POLI 318 International Political Economy
(Prereq: sophomore standing or permission of instructor) Examines the interaction between international politics and international economics.

Professor: Pamela Martin View Syllabus

POLI 320 Introduction to Latin American Civilization
(=History 320) (Prereq: sophomore standing or permission of instructor) A survey of Latin American civilization from earliest times through the wars for independence.

POLI 321 State and Society in Modern Latin America
(=History 321) (Prereq: sophomore standing or permission of instructor) A survey of social, economic, political, and cultural development in Latin America during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

POLI 330 Introduction to the Middle East
(3) (Prereq: POLI 101) An introductory survey of the Middle East including a study of the Islamic religion, the historical and geographical background of the region, the problems of Arab North Africa, the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict, the petroleum issue, instability in the Persian Gulf, and the problem of violent religious extremism.

POLI 331 The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
(3) (Prereq: POLI 101) A consideration of the historical background and contemporary status of the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict, covering the geographic, cultural, religious, economic, and political aspect of the crisis.

POLI 332 Conflict in the Persian Gulf
(3) (Prereq: POLI 101) This course examines the political, cultural, economic and military aspects of the Persian Gulf Region with particular attention to problems in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The region’s status as a major source of crude oil will also be examined.

POLI 333 Islam and World Politics
(3) (Prereq: POLI 101) An examination of the Islamic religion as it relates to Middle Eastern and world politics. Topics include the Sunni-Shi’ite divide, traditionalist or fundamentalist variants of Islam, political movements challenging regional governments, and violent groups like al-Qaeda, Iraqi insurgent groups, and the Taliban.

POLI 335 Chinese Politics
(3) (Prereq: POLI 101) A study of the politics of mainland China with an emphasis on the politics of the post-Mao era (after 1978).

POLI 338 Introduction to Political Linguistics
(3) (Prereq: POLI 101) An introductory survey of the role played in contemporary world politics by the multi-lingual character of individual countries and the global community, with special focus on the connection between languages and confl ict.

POLI 339 Diplomacy
(3). An examination of the role of diplomacy in advancing national interest, with a particular emphasis on the role of the diplomat.

POLI 340 International Negotiations
(3) A study of the theory and practice of international negotiation. Special emphasis will be paid to the various styles of decision making and negotiation associated with different cultures and countries. In addition, the various stages of the negotiation process will be analyzed.

POLI 341 Contemporary American Foreign Policy
(=History 377) A historical and political analysis of twentieth century American foreign policy.

POLI 343 Terrorism and Political Violence
A survey of the historical and ideological origins of selected revolutionary and/or terrorist movements with a consideration of the role played by political violence in modern society.

POLI 344 Politics and Society in the United Kingdom
A consideration of political and social structures in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Ulster).

POLI 345 Politics and Governments of the Middle East
Politics, religion, and conflict in the contemporary Middle East, with emphasis upon the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Persian Gulf situation.

POLI 360 American Political Parties
(Prereq: Politics 201 or permission of instructor) A survey of the role of political parties in the American political system. Following an examination of the historical evolution of party systems in the United States, primary attention is given to three aspects of contemporary political parties: the parties as an organization, the party as an electorate, and the party as a governing elite.

POLI 361 American Politics: Interest Groups
An examination of the role of interest groups in the operation of the American political system, with a particular emphasis on pluralist and elitist theories of democracy.

POLI 362 Mass Media and American Politics
(Prereq: Politics 201) The development and nature of the mass media; the influence of the media on American culture, politics, and government.

POLI 363 Southern Politics
Selected political patterns and trends in the eleven states of the American South, focusing on the post-1950 period.

POLI 365 State Government
A study of state-federal relations, relations among states, state constitutions, and the structure and functions of the three branches of government. Emphasis is given to South Carolina.

POLI 370 Introduction to Public Administration
A study of the basic principles and theory of administrative structure, responsibility, and control in relation to governmental management.

POLI 371 Public Policy
(3) This course is an introduction to the nature of public policy in the U.S. Topics include theories and models of policy making, policy formation and implementation by political institutions, and the formation of the policy agenda. A signifi cant focus is placed on the content and design of policy in selected areas, including health, education, welfare, criminal justice, and environmental policy.

POLI 372 Women and Public Policy
(3) This course examines the expanding role of women in political life. Students will study women as emerging political players in society, with a particular focus on strategies for gaining political power, the evolution of public policies that affect the lives and opportunities of women, and the present political status of women in the U.S.

POLI 375 Government and the Economy
(Prereq: Politics 201) A study of the historical and theoretical relationship between questions of economic policy and the character of the American political order.

POLI 399 Independent Study
(Prereq: Written contract between student and instructor approved by the Associate Dean, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. May be repeated for credit under different topics.

POLI 401 History of Political Thought I
(Writing Intensive) (= Classical Studies 401) (Prereq: Politics 300, 301, or permission of instructor) A study of the history of political thought from Socrates through Aristotle.

POLI 402 History of Political Thought II
(Writing Intensive) (Prereq: Politics 300, 301, or permission of instructor) A study of the history of political thought from St. Augustine through Hooker.

POLI 403 History of Political Thought III
(Writing Intensive) (Prereq: Politics 300, 301, or permission of instructor) A study of the history of political thought from Hobbes through Rousseau.

POLI 404 History of Political Thought IV
(Writing Intensive) (Prereq: Politics 300, 301, or permission of instructor). A study of the history of political thought from Hegel through Nietzsche. NOTE: Any course in the HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT SEQUENCE (Politics 401-404) may be taken independently of the others.

POLI 420 Global Environmental Politics
(3) A comparative study of environmental politics and policy in industrialized countries (with special attention to the U.S.) and developing countries.

POLI 431 The Model United Nations
(1) A brief study of the history, mission, policies, and procedures of the United Nations designed to prepare students for competitive participation in the annual Southern Regional Model United Nations conference in Atlanta. May be taken up to three times for credit.

POLI 435 Globalization
This course will survey the various theories and issues surrounding the process of Globalization and anti-Globalization within the study of International Relations. It will draw on historical, economical, financial, cultural, and political issues-areas of Globalization in a multitude of regions.

Professor: Pamela Martin View Syllabus

POLI 438 International Human Rights
3) (Prereq: POLI 101) Development of the promotion and protection of international human rights and fundamental freedoms.

POLI 439 International Law
(3) The origin, development and principles of the inter na tion al law of peace and the enforcement of these principles. The law of war and pacifi c settlement disputes.

POLI 440 South Carolina State Legislative Process
(Prereq: Politics 201 or permission of instructor) An introduction to the practice of state legislative procedures. Students are required to participate in the South Carolina Student Legislature activity. Students may take the course up to three times for elective credit only. (Pass/Fail grading only).

POLI 449 Constitutional Law I
(Prereq: Politics 201 or permission of instructor) An investigation of the U.S. Constitutional principles and the Supreme Court decisions that have shaped the development of the Document.

POLI 450 Constitutional Law II
A study of judicial review, the political role of the courts, American federalism, the jurisdiction and limitations of the judicial branch, the power of taxation, the commerce power, the substantive and procedural rights of the individual, and the powers of the President.

POLI 452 The Judicial Process
A study of the growth of law, the law-making function of the courts, the structure and organization of federal and state courts, the procedures involved in civil and criminal cases, and the problems and proposals for reform in the administration of justice.

POLI 453 Regulatory Policies
An examination, primarily by the case method, of the law of public offices, the types of powers exercised by administrative authorities, the scope and limits of such powers, including relevant aspects of the procedural process of law, and remedies against administrative action.

POLI 455 American Jurisprudence
(Prereq: sophomore standing or permission of instructor) An examination of the approaches and controversies concerning legal interpretation and legal reasoning in the American political order. A major focus of the course is constitutional interpretation. Readings will be drawn principally from the writings of major figures in American jurisprudence.

POLI 462 The Legislative Process
(Prereq: Politics 201 or the permission of instructor) A study of the structure, organization, powers, functions and problems of legislative bodies.

POLI 463 The American Chief Executive
(Prereq: Politics 201 or permission of instructor) The constitutional powers and political roles of the American President with lesser emphasis upon state governors. An analysis of the chief executive and administration, executive relationships with legislatures, and party and popular leadership by the executive.

POLI 466 South Carolina Government and Politics
(3) (Prereq: POLI 201) A study of the politics and government of South Carolina with special attention paid to the state political and legal institutions, their power, and limits to their power.

POLI 467 American Local Government
A study of the powers, organizations, processes, and programs of municipal government, with special emphasis upon government in metropolitan areas.

POLI 488 Politics and Governments of Contemporary Latin America
The development, principles, political thought, and politics of the several Latin American states.

POLI 491 Topics in Government and International Studies
Reading and research on selected subjects in Politics. Open to juniors and seniors with the permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit under different topics.

POLI 495 Internship in Political Science
(Prereq: Politics 201 and junior level with 2.5 GPA, or consent of instructor) Internships are available in local, state, or federal government offices. Students may do an internship for academic credit of three(3) hours and must work at least 120 hours at an organization during the summer registered. Grades are determined by a combination of the evaluation of the internship performance by the internship supervisor faculty advisor. Requirements are specifically stated in a contract to be signed by the student and faculty advisor.

POLI 496 Topics in Latin American Politics and Culture
(=History 496) A topical approach to Latin America employing a variety of teaching materials and techniques. Among the topics treated are women and race, recent and contemporary themes in Latin American civilization, political institutions and ideology.

POLI 497 The Discipline of Political Science
(Writing Intensive) (Prereq: completion of 75 credits or permission of instructor) Designed to be the capstone course for students majoring in Political Science this course focuses on the nature and development of the discipline of Political Science. Particular attention is given to controversies concerning the scope and methods of conducting research in political science. Political Science majors should take this course no earlier than the last semester of their junior year. Since the concerns of this course are common to all of the social sciences, the course is open to and recommended for non-majors.

POLI 499 Senior Thesis
A course designed both to assess and improve research skills, writing ability, and general mastery of the field of politics. Under the close supervision of a member of the department, students will review primary and secondary source materials and write one 25-page thesis of graduate school quality.