Political Science Minor Requirements (24 Credit Hours)
24 semester hours including:
PLSC 101 American National Government (3 Credit Hours)
A survey of the principal characteristics of the American National Government; examination of constitutional principles, federalism, political participation, institutions of government, and the politics of public policy. Please see the Department of History, Religious Studies & Languages section of the catalogue for information on the History and Political Science Major.
4 Sub-Fields include 21 required hours
Sub-Field 1: 6 required hours of American Institutions courses:
PLSC 405 / CRJU 405 The American Founding (3 Credit Hours)
The American Founding is an inquiry into the governing principles of the Declaration of Independence and how its transformation culminated in the Constitution of the United States. To understand the modern American political system requires a re-examination of first principles and the relationship between the two fundamental documents of the American republic. Even years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 405.
PLSC 408 American Presidency (3 Credit Hours)
Analysis of the institution of the presidency, its functions, formal and informal relationships, and its limitations within the American political system.
Sub-Field 2: 3 required hours of Comparative Politics choose 1 of the following:
PLSC 470 / CRJU 470
Political Violence (3 Credit Hours)
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the issues relating to violence as a component of politics. Topics such as terrorism, warfare, and arms proliferation will be analyzed. In addition, the course will familiarize the student with several regional conflicts, e.g., Northern Ireland. Cross-listed with CRJU 470.
PLSC 409 / CRJU 409
Statesmen, Soldiers & Leadership (3 Credit Hours)
This course is an inquiry into the nature, purpose, origin, structure, and practical consequences of political and military leadership. Questions concerning the elements of great leadership from perspectives of personal attributes and implementation of policy will be of prime import. Odd years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 409.
Sub-Field 3: 6 required hours of Political Theory
PLSC 382 / CRJU 382
Legal Political Thought-Classical (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines ancient understandings of law, statesmanship, and the good society. Problems relating to these interwoven components of the political arena are considered on both theoretical and practical levels, the first concerning what the relationship of citizen and state should be, the latter involving review of practices as seen through the lives of actual rulers from ancient Greece and Rome. Cross-listed with CRJU 382.
PLSC 383 / CRJU 383
Legal Political Thought-Modern (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the way in which seminal questions with relation to the proper foundations and structures of society have been approached in the modern era. Analysis includes examination of founders, religion, and the military, especially in connection to the concepts of fortune and necessity. Cross-listed with CRJU 383.
Sub-Field 4: 6 required hours of Public Law
PLSC 486 / CRJU 486
Constitutional Law I: Civil Liberties (3 Credit Hours)
The development and interpretation of the Constitution examined through analysis of the decisions of the Supreme Court and secondary sources, focusing on the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. The course serves as an introduction to how our national heritage of civil liberties has been articulated by the Court to form law and legal doctrine over the course of two centuries, including consideration of the areas of privacy, public morality, defendant’s rights, and the death penalty. This dual registration course is also available for upper-division elective credit in Criminal Justice. Prerequisites: CRJU 201 and CRJU 205, or permission from instructor. Odd years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 486.
PLSC 483 / CRJU 483
Constitutional Law II: National Powers (3 Credit Hours)
An overview of the United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of Articles I, II, and III of the federal constitution. These articles divide the powers of the federal government between three ostensibly co-equal branches. The respective branches may only exercise those powers granted to them by the respective Articles. Powers not delegated to one of the branches are reserved to the states. These two constitutional principles - separation of powers and federalism - invariably generate conflicts among the three branches and between the branches and the various states. The Supreme Court’s efforts to arbitrate such conflicts are examined through analysis of its decisions and its efforts to interpret the “plain meaning” of the Constitution’s language, and to discern the “intent of the founders.” Even years only. Cross-listed with CRJU 483.
Note: the minor in Political Science requires the completion of 18 unduplicated credit hours (hours not also applying to another degree)
