Courses-POS

Political Science Courses

POS-1100: American Government and Politics - 3 hours
Various components of American constitutional government and political life: its origins, the institutions of the Congress, the executive-presidential branch, and the courts with an emphasis placed on America's Constitutional Christian tradition. The Illinois Constitution. IAI: S5 900.

POS-2310: Social and Political Philosophy - 3 hours
Cross-listed with PHI-2310.

POS-4010: State and Local Government - 3 hours
An examination into how government closest to the people operates. Attention will be given to sub-national matters such as public education, poverty, crime, economic development, and public service.

POS-4020: International Relations - 3 hours
A course to introduce and evaluate differing U.S. foreign policy responses in the international arena with opportunities existing for students to participate in role-playing foreign policy decision-making. Cross-listed with HIS-4020. IAI: S5 904N.

POS-4040: Classical and Medieval Political Theory - 3 hours
An analysis of the major political theories of the classical and medieval periods. Includes works by Plato, Aristotle, the Roman Legalists, Augustine, Aquinas, and Machiavelli.

POS-4050: Modern Political Theory - 3 hours
A comparative look into twentieth century philosophies of liberalism, conservativism, nationalism, capitalism, socialism, communism, fascism, nazism, and the latter century theories of radical feminism, and 'political correctness.'

POS-4060: Political Parties and Elections - 3 hours
Introduction to history and structure of the American party system. American political parties and ideologies will be compared. The U.S. electoral system: primary elections, nominations, conventions, and the general election.

POS-4070: The American Presidency - 3 hours
An examination of the office of the United States presidency and the various roles of the person who occupies it. Attention will be given to current issues regarding the president.

POS-4090: Criminal Justice - 3 hours
The processes, institutions, and administration of criminal justice in the United States, focusing on the police, courts, and corrections.

POS-4100: American Legal Process - 3 hours
The structure and functions of American civil and criminal court systems at both the national and state levels. Roles of court personnel will be examined as well as basic rules of pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedure.

POS-4110: Constitutional Law of Civil Liberties - 3 hours
By reviewing court decisions, the course considers the changing interpretations of the Constitution by the courts regarding the fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and the press. Particular focus on the religious establishment clause and the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.

POS-4120: Constitutional Law of Civil Rights - 3 hours
By reviewing court decisions, the course considers the changing interpretations of the Constitution by the courts regarding fundamental issues of federalism and political power. Attention is focused on civil rights laws and issues.

POS-4130: Substantive Criminal Law - 3 hours
This course examines the legal elements of individual crimes and examines the fundamental elements of a criminal act, intent, conspiracy, defenses and liability.

POS-4140: Procedural Criminal Law - 3 hours
By reviewing court decisions, the course considers the changing interpretations of the Constitution by the courts regarding fundamental issues of police procedure including arrests, searches, seizures of property, confessions, right to counsel and related matters.

POS-4150: Public Policy - 3 hours
An overview of the field of public administration, organization, personnel administration, leadership, administrative law and public policy making.

POS-4310: Statistical Methods for Behavioral Sciences - 3 hours
Cross-listed with PSY-4310

POS-4510: Law and Society - 3 hours
Cross-listed with SOC-4510

POS-4605: Teaching Middle/Secondary Political Science - 3 hours
Cross-listed with EDU-4605

POS-4950: Independent Study - 1-6 hours POS-4990: Internship in Political Science - 3-6 hours
A supervised practice within an agency or organization, providing students with an applied Political experience. Prerequisite: minimum of 15 credits in courses with POS prefix.