Political Science (POL)

10001    Introduction to Political Science (3)
This course introduces the history and structure of political science, including its relationship to neighboring disciplines. This course thus asks: What does it mean to study politics? What does it mean to study politics scientifically? What are the consequences of different conceptions of politics? Prerequisite: none.

10004    Comparative Politics (3)
This course introduces the different institutional structures of governance (e.g., parliamentary vs. presidential systems) in a range of different states; for different types of regimes (e.g., democratic and authoritarian); and at the international level. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the Kent Core and diversity requirements.

10100    American Politics (3)
This course covers the basic elements of politics at the national level in the United States: structures, processes, behaviors, institutions, policies. Special emphasis is given to conflicting theories of power as they apply to different economic, sexual and racial groups. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the Kent Core and diversity requirements.

10300    Public Policy (3)
This course provides a survey of basic public policy concepts and processes within an historical context. It incorporates applied work to bridge conceptual understanding and empirical cases. Prerequisite: none.

10301    Diversity in American Public Policy (3)
This course focuses on the electoral and institutional aspects of sex, race, age and social class as those classifications function as both causes and effects of voting behavior and public law. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the Kent Core and diversity requirements.

10500    World Politics (3)
A practical, theoretical introduction to a study of systematic patterns in international relations. Includes analysis of rules, instruments, processes, decision-making factors, conflict resolution. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the Kent Core and diversity requirements.

30001    Political Methods (3)
This course is designed to bring students to a basic level of “statistical literacy” by introducing the fundamentals of research design and interpretation, as well as basic descriptive and inferential statistics. Prerequisite: none.

30002    Political Thought (3)
This course is designed to introduce the student to basic methodological and substantive concerns in the tradition of Western political thought. Prerequisite: none.

30003    Political Economy (3)
This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental questions surrounding the relationship between the public and private sectors, considered from the perspective of the state and its major political institutions. Of central concern is the growing internationalization of capital and its consequences for both domestic and international politics. Prerequisite: none.

30100    American Political Theory (3)
Major political ideas and controversies associated with the development of American political thought. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

30110    The Congress (3)
This course deals with the powers of Congress, its organization, leadership of the two houses, role of the parties, relationships with the chief executive and the executive agencies, and recent reforms enacted by the House and Senate. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

30120    Presidency and Executive Bureaucracy (3)
Intensive study of the American presidency focusing on personality, organization of the office, use and misuse of power, and policy making. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

30130    Courts (3)
Intensive study of the judicial process in the United States and the relationship between the judicial system and the larger American social system. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

30300    Public Policy Theory (3)
The core issues of public policy process, institutional contexts and ethical considerations form the basis of this introductory survey of traditional and contemporary theories of public policy. Prerequisite: POL 10300.

30301    Introduction to Public Administration (3)
Introduction to the theory and practice of governmental administration, including structure, organization, direction and control of governmental departments and agencies. Prerequisite: POL 10300.

30310    Qualitative Policy Analysis (3)
Introduces students to qualitative data analysis techniques used in social science research and policy analysis. Includes research design, tracking, textual analysis, cluster analysis techniques and cross-case analysis. Prerequisite: POL 10300.

30350    Public Sector Dispute Resolution (3)
Examines alternative dispute resolution principles applicable to public sector disputes, especially environmental and land use disputes. Prerequisite: POL 10300.

30430    State Government (3)
Comparative analysis of state political systems, including political cultures, political parties, pressure groups, executives, legislatures, judiciaries and selected state policies. Prerequisite: POL 10100 or 10300.

30440    State and Local Government (3)
Covers the fundamental aspects of governing at the municipal, county and state levels, including financing and dealings with the federal government. Prerequisite: none.

30450    Metropolitan Governance (3)
Discusses local governance in the context of metropolitan change and issues such as governing capacity, local democracy, individual choice and economic and racial inequality. Examines the formal and informal arrangements that shape change and public policy. Prerequisite: POL 10100 or 10300.

30460    Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (3)
This course introduces the theoretical and legal infrastructure of federalism and intergovernmental relations. Subsequent course coverage addresses the political, fiscal and management/administration dimensions of recent developments in the intergovernmental system. Prerequisite: POL 10100 or 10300.

30500    International Relations Theory (3)
This course introduces competing theoretical approaches to the study of international relations; an examination of the historical developments followed by an examination of current issues in world politics. Prerequisite: POL 10500.

30501    Comparative Theory and Concepts (3)
Introduces logic and methods of comparison in politics, institutions and policy. Students apply the comparative method through an individual project and reading, comparing political systems and policies. Prerequisite: POL 10004.

30511    Problems of International Organization (3)
Intensive study of major European problems handled by international organizations, including the United Nations, and nongovernmental organizations. Combines classroom and field investigations. Registration in the Geneva Semester required. Prerequisite: special approval.

30520    European Politics (3)
This course examines major European national political systems (British, French, German, Russian and Scandinavian), relations between the European states, the institutions of the European Union and prospects and problems of European integration. Prerequisite: POL 10004.

30530    Asian Politics (3)
This course examines the politics of China, Japan and the Koreas by looking at the relationship between state and industry in these countries. We will look at the rise of the state in each nation and the subsequent roles they have played in industrialization. Prerequisite: POL 10004. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

30540    African Politics (3)
An analysis of major issues in African politics and international relations. The contemporary development of Africa will be analyzed in the global context of the historical forces of imperialism and colonialism. Prerequisite: POL 10004. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

30550    Latin American Politics (3)
Analysis of political culture/process in selected Latin American states, with particular emphasis on Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. Prerequisite: POL 10004. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

30551    U.S.-Latin American Relations (3)
Survey of U.S.-Latin American diplomacy, contemporary hemispheric issues and relations between Latin American states themselves. Prerequisite: POL 10004.

30810    Politics of the Global Economy (3)
Examines interaction between economics and politics in international relations. Topics: poverty and uneven economic development, political prerequisites for free trade, intrawestern and north-south economic conflict and distributive justice. Prerequisite: POL 10300 or 10500.

30820    International Organization and Law (3)
This course introduces the subject matter in historical and theoretical contexts, then devotes detailed attention to the full range of international organizations that exist today. A final section addresses the role of international law in world politics. Prerequisite: POL 10300 or 10500.

30840    Nongovernmental Organizations (3)
This course introduces the diverse range of nongovernmental organizations which exist today and explores their varying roles in setting agendas, shaping legislation and implementing public policy reforms. Prerequisite: POL 10300 or 10500.

30991    Seminar: Columbus Program in Intergovernmental Issues (6-12)
Annual fall semester resident-study in Columbus, Ohio. Students spend three days per week working at an internship; two days per week attending briefings and completing POL 30430. Prerequisite: minimum 2.50 GPA and special approval. Corequisite: POL 30430.

39592    Geneva Internship (3)
Allows students to earn academic credit while performing intern’s duties as part of the Semester in Geneva program. Prerequisite: none.

40112    Politics and the Mass Media (3)
This course examines the multiple roles played by the mass media in contemporary politics and analyzes the implications of those roles. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

40116    Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3)
Analysis of determinants of public opinion and political behavior. Study of how the public makes up its mind and impact of public opinion on government policy. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

40118    Political Parties and Interest Groups (3)
An examination of the changing roles of political parties and interest groups in the American political system, including a comparison of their respective electoral activities. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

40182    Constitutional Law: Government Powers (3)
Nature and scope of constitutional government. Study of judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, commerce and taxation. Prerequisite: POL 10100.

40183    Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties (3)
Nature and scope of constitutional limitations. Study of First Amendment, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, criminal rights, due process, equal protection. Prerequisite: POL 10100. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

40191    Seminar in American Politics (3)
(Repeatable with special approval) A required, writing-intensive seminar for juniors and seniors in the American politics concentration. The focus of the seminar will vary depending on instructor. Prerequisite: political science (POL) major and POL 10004 and 10100 and 10300 and 10500 and 30001 and 30002 and 30003 and special approval. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive course requirement with approval of major department.

40320    Ethics and Public Policy (3)
The ethical obligations of public policy makers are examined in this course, within a series of applied cases. The goal is to empower students with the intellectual tools of critical analysis within diverse policy environments. Prerequisite: POL 10300.

40391    Seminar in Public Policy (3)
(Repeatable with permission) A required, writing-intensive seminar for juniors and seniors in the public policy concentration. The focus of the seminar will vary depending on instructor. Prerequisite: political science (POL) major and POL 10004 and 10100 and 10300 and 10500 and 30001 and 30002 and 30003 and special approval . This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive course requirement with approval of major department.

40440    U.S. Environmental Politics and Policies (3)
This is a course in United States environmental politics and policies. It deals with topics such as the history of the U.S. environmental movement, public opinion and environmental issues, environmental racism and classism and environmental policy making and implementation. Prerequisite: POL 10100 or 10300.

40450    Social Welfare Policy and the Politics of Poverty (3)
Course surveys American social welfare policy and the politics of poverty in the United States. It deals with the shape of the welfare state, political forces shaping its development, the contours of poverty politics and the dilemmas of political participation and activism for/by the poor. Prerequisite: POL 10100 or 10300.

40470    Women, Politics and Policy (3)
Examines origins, development, current record of century-old women’s movement unique in U.S. annals; compares it with other contemporary social movements. Examines issues of women and public policy. Prerequisite: POL 10100 or 10300. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

40530    Politics of War (3)
Examines central questions concerning the justification, explanation, characteristic features and consequences of war. Specific cases will be examined, such as WWI, the Chinese Revolution, Vietnam’s Civil War and potential nuclear war. Prerequisite: POL 10500.

40540    Politics of Development (3)
Examines practice, record and theories of political development for less developed, developing and developed political systems. Includes extensive analysis of issues, problems through case studies. Prerequisite: POL 10004 or 10005. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

40560    Human Rights and Social Justice (3)
Examines the relationship between human rights and problems of the Third World in the civic, political, social and cultural arenas. Particular attention is placed on the struggle of women. Prerequisite: POL 10004 or 10005. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

40591    Seminar in International Relations-Comparative Politics (3)
(Repeatable with permission) A required, writing-intensive seminar for juniors or seniors in the IR-comparative politics concentration. The focus of the seminar will vary depending on instructor. Prerequisites: political science (POL) major and POL 10004 and 10100 and 10300 and 10500 and 30001 and 30002 and 30003 and special approval. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.

40810    Government-Business Relations (3)
This course focuses on the relationship between the public and private sectors, including a theoretical as well as historical analysis of the evolving relationship between the two. Domestic, comparative and international aspects are featured. Prerequisite: POL 10004 or 10300 or 10500.

40830    U.S. Foreign Policy (3)
Examines policy objectives, patterns of decision making and foreign policy actions, roles of interest groups, public opinion, Congress, executive and external influences on policy. Prerequisite: POL 10300 or 10500.

40840    Comparative Foreign Policy (3)
Comparative analysis of foreign policy patterns and determinants on the basis of the examination of foreign policy of selected countries. Prerequisite: POL 10004 or 10300 or 10500.

40920    Politics of Social Movements (3)
Examines the role of social movements in industrial democracies. Focuses on the labor movement and the push for industrial and economic democracy for comparative study of social and political change in France, Germany, Scandinavia and the United States. Includes transnational dimension in European Union and the challenges posed by economic globalization. Prerequisite: POL 10100 or 10004 or 10300 or 10500.

40991    Washington Program in National Issues (15)
Annual spring semester resident-study in Washington, D.C. Credit hours divided among three units: preparatory colloquium, on-site briefings seminar and internship. Prerequisites: junior standing and 2.75 GPA and special approval of the director.

40992    Public Service (1-3)
Allows academic credit for approved participation in variety of political processes, or as an intern with governmental or private agencies dealing with public affairs. Prerequisites: political science (POL) major and special approval.

40993    Variable Title Workshop in Political Science (1-6)
S/U grading. Prerequisite: none.

40995    Selected Topics in Political Science (1-3)
Special course, not regularly offered. Subject varies depending on the emerging issue, staff availability and competencies. Precise title always listed in the Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

40996    Individual Investigation (1-3) 
For students desiring research into subjects beyond level of completed coursework or on subjects for which no regular course is offered. Prerequisites: political science (POL) major and special approval.