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Middle East and Islamic Studies |
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POL-231 Mediterranean Democratization
HB (Human Behavior)
POL-102
The basic principles, theories, conceptual tools, and comparative methods useful for understanding the processes of, and challenges to, democratization in the Mediterranean region. 4
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Politics and International Affairs: Introductory Courses |
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POL-101 Introduction to American Government
GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
The basic political science course focusing on American politics. Emphasis on the principles, institutions and politics of the federal government. Topics include: the U.S. Constitution, the presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, political parties and interest groups, and the federal bureaucracy. 4 credits.
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POL-102 Introduction to World Politics
GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
Examination of similarities and differences between the institutions, processes and policies of selected nations, in the context of globalization and the evolution of international politics. 4 credits.
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POL-103 Introduction to Political Thought
GER: UQ (Ultimate Questions)
A survey of major political philosophers in which students consider alternative conceptions of reality as they come to light in ancient, medieval, and modern political orders. 4 credits.
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POL-150 Introduction to Political Analysis
GER: WR (Writing-Research Intensive) and HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
Prerequisite: any first year writing seminar and POL-101 or POL-102
The methodology of contemporary political science, including research techniques for studying political behavior. 4 credits.
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Politics and International Affairs: American Politics |
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POL-202 American Presidency
Prerequisite: POL-101
The constitutional and political evolution of the presidential office, with emphasis on relations with Congress, the federal bureaucracy and the judiciary. Focus on presidential functions such as legislative leadership, budgeting, administrative coordination and making foreign policy. 4 credits.
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POL-203 Judicial Processes and United States Supreme Court
GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
Prerequisite: POL-101
The judicial process and the federal system through the case method. 4 credits.
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POL-204 Civil Rights and the United States Constitution
GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
Prerequisite: POL-101
Study of the civil rights of the American constitution through readings and the case method. 4 credits.
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POL-205 Public Policy in the United States
Prerequisite: POL-101
Study of public policy in the United States with an emphasis on influential policy actors, theories of the policymaking process, the tools of policy analysis, and important policy areas, such as education, the environment, and defense policy. 4 credits.
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POL-206 Law and Public Policy
Prerequisite: POL-101
Do court rulings effect significant change in public policy? We examine this question by investigating U.S. Supreme Court holdings and public policy in the following areas: education, death penalty, abortion, land preservation, access to justice, abortion and voting rights. 4 credits.
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POL-207 State Politics
Prerequisite: POL-101
Comparative analysis of politics in the American states. Emphasis on federalism (intergovernmental relations), state governmental services and functions. 4 credits.
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POL-208 Urban Politics
Prerequisite: POL-101
Study of problems facing cities, including community power structures, poverty, welfare, education, housing, urban renewal and law enforcement. 4 credits.
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POL-209 Southern Politics
Prerequisite: POL-101
An investigation of how the American South has developed politically and how the region has helped to shape American politics as a whole. Focus includes race, economics, and religion and how they have affected the political dynamics of the region. 4 credits.
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POL-210 Interest Groups and Political Movements
Prerequisite: POL-101
Analysis of the role of interest groups and political movements in the United States, with a focus on the origins, maintenance and strategies of these organizations. 4 credits.
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POL-211 Racial and Ethnic Politics
Prerequisite: POL-101
Examination of African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American efforts to organize for political action in the face of political, social and economic constraints. Groups are compared to other politically active groups in U.S. politics. 4 credits.
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POL-212 Women and Politics
Prerequisite: POL-101
Examination of the experience and role of women in the political arena, including such topics as campaigns and elections, political leadership, social movement participation, media coverage, public policy formation and public opinion. 4 credits.
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POL-213 Environmental Policy
GER: NE (Humans and the Natural Environment)
Examination of environmentalism from cultural, historical, and political perspectives in the United States. Consumption, development, environmental risk, and environmental justice. Historical development of American environmentalism, environmental policy including styles of regulation, uncertainties in risk assessment, the usefulness of cost-benefit analysis, and the debates over public lands, biodiversity, toxic and hazardous substances, the use of renewable energy, and science and technology. Special emphasis is placed on current environmental issues and debates in the Greenville area. 4 credits.
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POL-214 Environmental Law
GER: NE (Humans and the Natural Environment)
Exploration of how environmental law interplays with the public policy dimensions of science, media and politics providing students with an understanding of the breadth of environmental law and the range of tools of conservation advocacy. The constant and ever-changing interplay between the law, politics, media and science leading to public policy in the environmental/conservation/ energy field will be a key focus. Emerging interpretations (both domestic and international) of the impact of the law on climate and policy will also be addressed. 4 credits.
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POL-215 Public Administration
Prerequisite: POL-101
Study of public administration with emphasis on major theories of administration and democracy, the role of bureaucracy in American society and the challenges facing public administrators at the national, state and local level. 4 credits.
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POL-216 Campaigns and Elections
Prerequisite: POL-101
An examination of campaigns and elections in American politics. Topics include campaign financing, the presidential nomination process, theories of campaign strategy, and voting behavior.
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POL-217 Pursuing Justice: The Fight to Kill Jim Crow
In 1896 the United States Supreme Court announced in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson that the separation of people by race was legal as long as public accommodations are equal. The “separate but equal” doctrine ushered in full-scale segregation in the south. This seminar will study the legal and social campaigns of prominent civil rights leaders and civil rights groups to overturn the social and political impact of the Plessy v. Ferguson decision in the lives of African-Americans. 4 credits.
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POL-218 Healthcare, Public Policy, & Law
Providing a framework for understanding the social, political and economic dimensions of health policy. Introducing the policy-making and legal system of the United States and providing a
platform to develop knowledge about the organization of the health care system in the U.S. Providing the practical knowledge to identify legal issues and to understand the legal and ethical ramifications of strategic decisions. Emerging health policy issues that courts are likely to confront. How the law balances collective and individual rights. 4
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POL-219 Crime and Policing
HB (Human Behavior)
POL-101
This course offers a theoretical, empirical, and normative study of crime policy and law enforcement in the U.S. Students will come away from this course with a deeper understanding of why our society punishes, whether some communities suffer disproportionate punishment, and how crime policy is made and enforced. Students will also learn about alternatives to current crime policies and law enforcement methods. 4
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POL-301 American Congress
Prerequisite: POL-101 and POL-150
The development and operation of the U.S. Congress, focusing on its constitutional and political bases. Topics include elections, representation, congressional parties and committees, policy making, and relations with the presidency. 4 credits.
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POL-304 Jurisprudence, Law and Ethics
This course examines a broad range of contemporary legal issues from the theoretical standpoint of ethics and jurisprudence. Theory is employed to present legal developments within their particular social and historical context. 4 credits.
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POL-315 Media and Politics
Prerequisite: POL-101 and POL-150
The place of the media as an institution in the American political system. Topics include the nature of the U.S. media, their relationship to the president and the bureaucracy, Congress, the courts and interest groups, the media’s role in political campaigns and policy-making, and the media’s influence on opinion and political behavior of elites and the public. 4 credits.
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POL-317 Political Behavior
Prerequisite: POL-101 and POL-150
Formation, organization and change of attitudes about American politics; study of political participation and its correlates. Methods of survey design and analysis including computer adaptations. 4 credits.
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POL-360 Black Political Traditions
An exploration of the works of African American scholars, writers and activist and the struggles they chronicle of the Black experience in pursuing the goal of full inclusion in the American body politic. Including an examination of conflicting and synchronous political ideologies, activist, movements, organizations, and institutions that influence the current political position of African Americans. 4 credits.
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Politics and International Affairs: Comparative Politics |
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POL-220 Political Psychology
GER: UQ (Ultimate Questions)
Examination of how political psychologists explain political behavior and how it is manifested in the political world. The psychological, social and political underpinnings of terrorism, genocide, torture and mass killings, will be studied, as will the factors contributing to heroic and altruistic political behavior. Consideration of the ethical and moral requirements for human behavior. 4 credits.
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POL-221 Politics of European Union
Prerequisite: POL-102
Study of the institutions, policies and processes of the European Union and the major theories of regional integration. 4 credits.
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POL-222 Politics of Russia
GER: WC (World Cultures)
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of the development of institutions, policies, processes and cultures in the late Soviet and post-Soviet eras. 4 credits.
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POL-223 Politics of Developing Nations
GER: WC (World Cultures)
Prerequisite: POL-102
Introduction to politics of the non-Western nations, with emphasis on the political development of the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Presentation of a comparative framework for understanding diverse political cultures. 4 credits.
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POL-224 Politics of Africa
Prerequisite: POL-102
Comparative study focusing on traditional political structures, the impact of colonialism, and contemporary political systems and parties. 4 credits.
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POL-225 Politics of the Middle East
GER: WC (World Cultures)
Prerequisite: POL-102
Focus on the interplay of religion, nationalism, colonialism and regional conflict in the context of national as well as world politics. 4 credits.
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POL-226 Politics of China
GER: WC (World Cultures) and HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
Examination of the political, social and economic factors affecting the Chinese Communist Party and its relationship to the Chinese citizenry. Analysis of the domestic and international challenges confronting the Chinese state. 4 credits.
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POL-227 Environmental Politics in China
GER: NE (Humans & the Natural Environment)
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of the key environmental challenges facing China, efforts to combat environmental destruction, and prospects for China’s sustainable development. Will explore the interaction of minority and environmental concerns and the impact of tourism on both. 4 credits.
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POL-229 Politics of Asia
GER: WC (World Cultures)
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Common issues facing disparate regimes will be explored through case studies from Communist regimes, military and transitional systems, and restricted democracies. The region’s changing international role and influence will be discussed. 4 credits.
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POL-230 Politics of Latin America
Prerequisite: POL-102
Emphasis on the institutions, processes and policies through which Latin American countries attempt to accommodate the forces of tradition and of political, economic and social change. 4 credits.
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POL-231 Democratization in the Mediterranean
HB (Human Behavior)
POL-102
The basic principles, theories, conceptual tools, and comparative methods useful for understanding the processes of, and challenges to, democratization in the Mediterranean region. 4 credits
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POL-232 Islam and Politics
GER: WC (World Cultures)
Prerequisite: POL-102
An investigation of the complexity and diversity of Islam in its political forms to create a more nuanced understanding of how politics has shaped Islam, and a deeper knowledge of how Islam has influenced political developments in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the West. 4 credits.
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POL-235 Politics of Religious Movements
Prerequisite: POL-102
Effects of religious movements on the politics of modernizing societies, comparing Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Latin America. 4 credits.
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POL-236 Political Parties
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of political parties as they appear in established and emerging democracies. Special emphasis on U.S. political parties in comparative perspective. 4 credits.
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POL-320 Politics of Europe
Prerequisite: POL-102 and POL-150
Study of political institutions, policies and processes in European democracies. 4 credits.
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Politics and International Affairs: International Relations |
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POL-250 International Relations
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of the sources of conflict and cooperation in the international system and their effects on the development of foreign policy. 4 credits.
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POL-251 International Peace and Security
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of security challenges facing leaders in the twenty-first century. Topics include: WMD, wars of insurgency, terrorism, peace keeping, nation building, and ethnic conflict. 4 credits.
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POL-252 American Foreign Policy
Prerequisite: POL-102
Emphasis on the nature of U.S. national interests, major foreign policy actors and institutions, and principal modes and patterns of decision-making. American foreign policy toward selected allies and adversaries is also considered. 4 credits.
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POL-254 Foreign Policy Analysis
GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of the personalities, beliefs, and cultural milieus of foreign policy leaders and how these leadership factors contribute to historical and contemporary peace and conflict processes in world politics. Also, considering leadership assessment techniques. 4 credits.
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POL-255 Understanding Terrorism
The phenomenon of terrorism warrants continued study. What qualifies as terrorism and why? What types of terrorism are there? What motivates terrorism? How can it be tackled? 4
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POL-256 International Political Economy
Prerequisite: POL-102
The relationship between politics and economics on the national and international levels, focusing on the impact of political forces on the functioning of the international economic system. 4 credits.
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POL-258 International Organization
Prerequisite: POL-102
International organization is the ordering principle in the international system including institutions, regimes, law and norms. The goal of the organization is to govern the interactions among state and non-state actors. Challenges to these ordering principles and their effectiveness in specific cases will be studied. 4 credits.
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Politics and International Affairs: Political Thought |
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POL-270 Classical Political Thought
GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
Prerequisite: POL-103 or PHL-101
Textual analysis of selected works by classical authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, and Aquinas. 4 credits.
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POL-272 Modern Political Thought
GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
Prerequisite: POL-103 or PHL-101
Textual analysis of works by authors such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Marx, Mill, and Nietzsche. 4 credits.
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POL-273 American Political Thought
GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretation of Texts)
Analysis of the principles underlying American politics, focusing on textual analysis of the writings of America’s most influential statesmen, stateswomen, and public intellectuals. 4 credits.
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POL-278 Readings in Political Thought
Prerequisite: POL-103 or PHL-101
Patterned on the model of a reading group, students will focus on a significant author or theme in the tradition of political philosophy. Readings will vary by year and instructor. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-375 Issues in Political Thought
GER: TA (Critical, Analytical Interpretations of Texts)
Prerequisite: POL-103 or PHL-101
Examination of selected moral and political themes in light of the tradition of political thought, which combines classic texts with the writings of contemporary scholars and public intellectuals. Topics each semester are addressed in more detail on the Tocqueville Program web site. 4 credits.
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Politics and International Affairs: Engaged Learning |
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POL-405 Fieldwork in Politics
Prerequisite: POL-101 or POL-102
Through internships and related assignments, students employ research methods, test previous political science research, and acquire a deeper understanding of domestic and international affairs. 4 credits.
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POL-406 Fieldwork in State and Local Public Affairs
Prerequisite: POL-101
Through 25-hour-per-week internships in local or state governmental agencies (both political and administrative) or nongovernmental agencies (such as interest groups, media or nonprofits), students are exposed to the way in which subnational policy is formulated, implemented and evaluated. In addition, students attend a weekly seminar that integrates various themes in public administration, public policy and state and local government. 4 credits.
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POL-407 Washington Experience
Prerequisite: POL-101 or POL-102
Examination of political, civic and cultural aspects of the American political system while living in Washington, DC. Includes internship in a government agency or political organization, with appropriate academic perspectives. 8 credits.
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POL-408 Brussels Experience
Prerequisite: POL-102
Internship in a European Union institution or related organization with appropriate academic perspectives. Variable credit.
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POL-409 Fieldwork in State Legislatures
Prerequisite: POL-101
State legislative interns compare and contrast their internship experiences with the appropriate political science literature to gain a deeper understanding of the representation process. 4 credits.
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POL-411 Mediation and Conflict Resolution
An introduction to the theory and practice of mediation, a non-adversarial method for resolving disputes. Students will practice active listening skills, facilitative responses, non-verbal communication skills, and mediation techniques (brainstorming, settling on a mutual option, and writing an effective agreement). The broader implications of conflict resolution such as restorative justice and forgiveness studies will also be explored. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-412 Trial Advocacy
Historical foundations of trial advocacy; analysis of the structure of a trial from opening statements to closing arguments; students practice all components of a trial (e.g., direct and cross examination) and stage several trials in local courthouses. Cases rotate between civil and criminal fact patterns. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-413 Conservation and Renewable Energy
Fostering and incentivizing conservation behavior and the goal of carbon neutrality and the challenges associated with pursuing those endeavors. Mechanics of renewable energy technologies and the study of encouraging environmentally sustainable behavior. The political context in which college campuses finds themselves with regard to renewable energy policy will also be examined. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-414 Campaigning for Office in SC
Explores the roles of candidates, consultants, activists, political parties, and the media in state-wide elections in South Carolina. Students will travel the state to speak with key figures in South Carolina politics and to attend political meetings as participant observers. May Experience ONLY. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-415 Poverty and the Law
Through readings, discussions and field trips (to courtrooms, Legal Aid, public defenders, ICE, DSS, prisons) considering the factual and ethical aspects of the relationship between poverty and the law in the US. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-416 Farm
An introduction to farm policy, agricultural history, and contemporary issues in agriculture policy (nitrogen run-off, impact of global markets, biofuels). Course is taught on a working farm in north central Iowa. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-417 Politics & National Integration in Ireland
Examines theories of national integration, democratic accountability, political culture, and nation-building. Students will explore these ideas in the political contexts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-418 Democracy the Scandanavian Way
Exploration of politics and policies in the United States and Scandinavia. The course includes briefings by experts and policy makers on location. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-419 Welfare States in America and Scandinavia
Prerequisite: POL-101
Advanced exploration of welfare states in the United States and Scandinavia. The course includes briefings by experts and policy makers on location. May Experience ONLY. 2 credits.
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POL-422 South Carolina Politics and Policy
Prerequisite: POL-101
Constitutional underpinnings, politics, institutions and policies of South Carolina’s government. Typically offered in conjunction with the State Capital Experience travel study program in Columbia, SC. Typically offered in conjunction with the State Capital Experience travel study program in Columbia, SC. 4 credits.
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POL-423 The European Union in Theory
Prerequisite: POL-102
Exploration of prescriptive and explanatory approaches to the post-World War II integration of Europe. The course includes briefings by academics on location in Europe. 4 credits. 4 credits.
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POL-424 The European Union in Practice
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of the institutions, policy-making processes and policies of the European Union. Includes visits to EU institutions and briefings by experts and policy makers on location in Brussels and other European capitals. 4 credits. 4 credits.
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POL-440 Economics and Political Analysis of the Eurpoean Union
Prerequisite: POL-102
Same as ECN-371 . An examination of the formation, implementation and operation of the European Union, with special emphasis on political and economic issues. Taught as part of the Furman program in Europe. Students may not receive credit for both ECN-371 and POL-440. 4 credits. 4 credits.
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POL-441 Issues in Central and Eastern European Politics
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of change in Central and Eastern Europe, with emphasis on such topics as the politics of democratization, economic transformation, international security, and environmental degradation and protection. 4 credits.
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POL-442 Issues in African Politics
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of change in Africa, with emphasis on such topics as the politics of democratization, ethnicity, economic development, the environment and international relations. 4 credits.
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POL-443 Issues in Chinese Politics
Prerequisite: POL-102
Examination of China in the post-Mao era, focusing on the pressures for reform and the central government146s ongoing struggle to maintain control while liberalizing the political and economic system. Includes interviews with government officials and citizens in Shanghai. 4 credits.
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POL-444 Issues in Latin American Politics
GER: HB (Empirical Study of Human Behavior)
Prerequisite: POL-102
A comparative analysis focusing on the persistence of authoritarianism and the processes and challenges associated with democratic transition and consolidation in selected Latin American countries. Taken as a component of Furman’s Latin America study away program. Taken as a component of Furman’s Latin America study away program. 4 credits.
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Politics and International Affairs: Seminars and Individualized Instruction |
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POL-370 Capstone Seminar in Politics & International Affairs
Prerequisite: POL-101 , POL-102 , POL-103 and POL-150
Reading, research and writing course for majors that covers a specific topic in political science. 4 credits.
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POL-371 Senior Research Seminar
Prerequisite: instructor permission
Guided research and writing on a topic in any field of political science proposed by the student and approved by the instructor. 4 credits.
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POL-504 Directed Independent Study
Prerequisite: instructor and department permission.
Variable credit.
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