POLS - Political Science

Required of all first-year students to be taken in their first semester on campus. This seminar provides an overview of academic requirements for graduation and helps establish meaningful career goals and objectives. Discussion of policies, standards, procedures, expectations, and resources that will contribute to student success not only during the first semester but throughout the student's academic career at GCSU.

How societies resolve conflicts over values and resources. Focusing on the institutions of government, this course also compares conflict resolution in the American system with that in other national systems. Successful completion of this course at GCSU satisfies the state legislative requirement on the U.S. and Georgia constitutions.  

This course was previously listed as POLS 1150 Politics and Society. Students may not earn credit for both POLS 1101 and POLS 1150.

How societies resolve conflicts over values and resources. Focusing on the institutions of government, this course also compares conflict resolution in the American system with that in other national systems. Successful completion of this course satisfies the state legislative requirement on the U.S. and Georgia Constitutions. This course is required for all Political Science majors.

Effective Fall 2024, this course will be replaced by POLS 1101 American Government. POLS 1101 will automatically fulfill any requirement that previously required POLS 1150. Students may not earn credit for both POLS 1101 and POLS 1150.

An introduction to the political science discipline, its subfields, and research methods.

Prerequisite: POLS 1150. A study of the structures, functions, and problems of contemporary state governments. The changing role of the states is examined in relation to their subunits and with other states and the federal government.

A basic introduction to the nature of American law, providing an overview of the functions, limits and future of the law. Taught by lecture and case-study method. (Cross-listed with CRJU 2350.)

A study of the international system of nation-states, including examinations of regional alliances and the United Nations. Areas of international conflict and cooperation will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Permission of department. Consideration of topics in which courses are not otherwise offered, but for which there is a current need at the freshman/sophomore level.

Prerequisite: POLS 2101 with a grade of C or better. An overview of the writing process and research methodologies in political science.

A study of the origins, development and contemporary roles, structures, and problems of parties. The recruitment of candidates and the conduct of campaigns and elections are examined.

Prerequisites: POLS 2201 or permission of instructor. A study of political structures, processes, and trends in American urban life and local government. Attention is given to those factors shaping political issues and governmental response in the metropolis.

Prerequisite: POLS 2350 or permission of instructor. A study of the federal process concentrating on the role of the Supreme Court as the judicial policy making institution in the American political system. Required for the legal studies concentration. (Cross-listed with CRJU 3315.)

Prerequisite: POLS 1150 or permission of instructor. A general survey of the field of Public Administration, including coverage of the executive branch, executive-legislative interactions, administrative procedures, and classical and contemporary bureaucratic problems. Required for the public administration concentration.

An introduction to the nonprofit sector and the complex social, political, legal and economic environments in which they operate. Specific attention is given to the operationalization of concepts as this is a community based engaged learning course with direct involvement with several local nonprofit organizations.

Prerequisite: POLS 3340. Continued study of the nonprofit sector with emphasis on case studies and specific application of nonprofit management including the complex social, political, legal and economic environments in which they operate. Students complete a grant proposal over the course of the semester as this is a community based engaged learning course with direct involvement with several local nonprofit organizations.

Prerequisite: POLS 2350 or permission of instructor. The source and technique of legal research, its application to specific legal problems, and the use of legal authority to construct a written legal argument. Required for the legal studies concentration.

Prerequisite: POLS 2350 or permission of instructor. The legal foundation and practice of civil law, including torts, real estate, and family law.

Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor. A study of major issues confronting the study and practice of law.

A study of the ways in which people structure their societies, with emphasis on the defining characteristics of democracies and autocracies. Other topics include different models of the welfare state, causes of nationalism, and types of political party systems.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401. An in-depth examination of the causes of conflict between countries. Covers the democratic peace, bargaining theory, and diversionary theory. Emphasis on the scientific study of war.

A study of contemporary American defense policy. Emphasis is placed on how and why national military policy is generated and its employment in international relationships.

This course provides an overview of the dominant threats to international security today. International security threats covered in this course include cyber warfare, nuclear proliferation, drone warfare, and private security firms.

This course is repeatable for credit.

Prerequisite: POLS 3000 with a grade of C or better. Completion of MATH 1401 or equivalent is recommended.A study of applied empirical methods for analyzing political behavior and related phenomena. Required of all majors.

A study of political theory from the Classical Greeks through the sixteenth century. The political views of the traditional theorists are studied and their relevance to contemporary events is examined.

A study of political theory from the seventeenth century to the present. The political views of the modern and contemporary theorists are studied and their relevance to contemporary events is examined.

A study of American political thought from the Colonial Era through the Civil War period. Special attention is paid to the Declaration of Independence, Constitutional Convention, Bill of Rights, and political controversies involving the Civil War.

A study of American political thought from the late 19th century to the present. The development of liberalism and conservatism in the U.S., and the political thought animating the Progressive, New Deal, Great Society, and Civil Rights periods are emphasized.

Prerequisite: POLS 1150 or permission of instructor. A study of the legislative process with particular emphasis on Congress. Relationships with the executive branch and with interest groups and the functions of parties and the committee system are emphasized.

Prerequisite: POLS 1150 or permission of instructor. A study of the presidential institution, its environment, and the people who have occupied the office. Special attention is given to presidential roles, powers, and policy making within the executive and legislative branches.

Prerequisite: POLS 1150 or permission of instructor. A study of the acquisition, distribution, and significance of political opinions held by the American public. Opinion sampling and opinion analysis are emphasized.

Prerequisite: POLS 1150. Explores the political development of the American South from the end of Reconstruction to the modern era. Topics include the development and maintenance of subnational authoritarianism, the emergence of the Republican party, political mobilization and campaign politics, and the impact of civil rights on the region.

Prerequisite: POLS 2101 or permission of instructor. A study of the development and current application of constitutional law, focusing on federal questions, such as the commerce and supremacy clauses and individual political and civil rights questions. Recommended for the legal studies concentration.

A study of the development and current application of constitutional law, focusing on criminal procedure questions. Recommended for the legal studies concentration.

Prerequisite: LENB 3135 with a grade of C or better or POLS 2350 with a grade of C or better. The Capstone Legal Studies Practicum teaches students to think, write, and practice like lawyers. Specifically, students will litigate a hypothetical case involving complex legal issues. In so doing, students will draft a variety of real-world legal documents, and learn to how argue persuasively before a court of law.

A study of the institutions and processes of policy making with special consideration of the national executive branch. The political environment of the policy making process is emphasized, and several policy areas are explored.

A study of the political and economic implications of environmental problems both on a national and international level.

Prerequisite: POLS 2201 or permission of instructor. A study of the principles and practice of planning at the sub-state level. Topics such as land-use and functional planning, and political, legal, and social influences on the process of planning will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: POLS 2101 or permission of instructor.

Study of the development and operations of the European Union, including current policy challenges and future prospects. Required for the European Union Studies Certificate program. This course is repeatable for credit.

A study abroad course that compares law, governmental institutions and processes, political developments, and criminal justice systems. Time is also spent visiting historical and cultural locations. Can serve as the senior capstone experience. This course is repeatable for credit.

This course briefly examines Russian history before turning to an overview of Russia's political system and priorities in international relations. Some of the topics covered include Russian media, corruption, and relations with the United States.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401 or permission of instructor. This course explores the contemporary political significance of this region, noting relevant leaders, institutions, power rivalries, elements of cooperation, and patterns of superpower involvement.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401 or permission of instructor. An examination of the diverse political systems and regions of contemporary Africa, stressing the historical, governmental, economic and cultural factors essential to an understanding of the African continent.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401 or permission of instructor. A study of the political systems of Latin America including the impact of institutions, class, and religion on the development of democratic and authoritarian regimes in the region.

Prerequisite: ANTH 1102 or ANTH 1104 or permission of instructor. An advanced course which covers the theories of the rise and fall of civilizations with case studies of ancient civilizations from around the world. (Cross-listed with ANTH 4600). This course is repeatable for credit.

A study of international security and governance in a highly globalized world with a focus on understanding the various conceptions security, competing forces and tensions existing within global governance, and an examination into the ability of international institutions to provide and manage global policy.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401 or permission of instructor. An examination of the most critical problems in world affairs, with emphasis on those areas which have the greatest potential for increasing the level of tension.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401 or permission of instructor. A comparative examination of superpower and non-superpower foreign policies. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing those factors which may affect the foreign policy of any nation.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401. Examines past and present American foreign policy challenges, as well as the ideas and political actors responsible for creating that foreign policy. (Cross-listed as HIST 4650.)

A study in international law that will provide the student with an understanding of the nature, scope, and sources of international law, as well as specific areas of international law including territorial questions, laws of the sea and space, and violent conflict.

Prerequisite: POLS 2401. A study of the major theories in international relations, focusing on issues of power, morality, and the social construction of reality. Emphasis on developing and critiquing arguments.

Prerequisites: POLS 4000 with a grade of C or better and senior status. A capstone course for seniors. Topics will vary, but will include discussion and demonstration of substantive and methodological competency.

Prior approval by department chairperson is required. Investigation of a topic of special interest, with reports to the instructor.

Consideration of topics in which courses are not otherwise offered, but for which there is current need. Examples include: international affairs, media and politics, legal trends, policy issues and other relevant themes. This course is repeatable for credit.

An individually designed and planned learning experience involving off-campus field experience and study in the private or public sector. Must be approved by the department chairperson or department internship coordinator. This course is repeatable for credit.

A capstone course involving a detailed research project developed with close faculty supervision. The final product should be a paper demonstrating substantial methodological expertise and significant findings. This course is repeatable for credit.