Required Courses for the International Politics Minor

Required Courses

INS 270: The Global Village (1c)
PSC 210S: International Politics (1c)
PSC 215S: Peace and World Order (1c)
PSC 225: United Nations Politics I (.5-1c) (simulation in New York, spring semester each year)

Two (2.0) of the following courses:

PSC 325: United Nations Politics II (.5-1c) (simulation in New York, spring semester each year)
PSC 330D: Issues in Politics: International/Comparative (1c)
PSC 371C: Politics in the Third World (1c)

Required Courses for the American Politics Minor

Required Courses
(May not include PSC internship credits)

PSC 101S: Introduction to Political Science (1c)
Two (2.0) PSC courses at the 200 level.
Two (2.0) PSC courses at or above the 300 level.
Elective PSC credit may include internships.

Political Science Courses

PSC 101S: Introduction to Political Science
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Introduces the student to study of contemporary politics. Major emphasis is given to investigation of the structures and processes of the major political systems, to contemporary ideologies and to the struggle for human rights.

PSC 201S: American Government: Structure and Process
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Introduces the student to the basic structures and processes of the American political system. The focus of the course is on national government, public opinion, interest groups and elections. Particular attention given to the ways in which the American political system enhances or hinders full participation by women and ethnic minorities.

PSC 210S: International Politics
(l.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Introduction to the perceptions, theories and practices of contemporary international politics. Particular attention given to war and peace, human rights and the search for international order.

PSC 215S: Peace and World Order
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ENG 102 or permission of instructor)
An introduction to peace and world-order studies. Examines how past and present arrangements of institutional power and authority in international and domestic politics aid or hinder the realization of peace and economic well-being, social justice and ecological balance.

PSC 220S: Campaigning and Lobbying
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Will focus on the role of interest groups in American politics. Examines the degree to which various interests in American society are represented through organized groups. Students will also learn the basic lobbying techniques and skills.

PSC 225: United Nations Politics I
(.5-1.0 course)
(Open to all students; may be repeated for credit)
Study of the foreign policy of the country to be represented by Stephens College students in the National Model United Nations during the year of enrollment. A participation fee is charged.

PSC 240: Research Methods in Political Science
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: PSC 101S or PSC 201S)
Helps students learn the skills necessary to conduct research in political science and other social sciences. The topics include the definition of political science, research design, data analysis and statistical software.

PSC 280: Topics in Politics
(.5-1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Course will focus on one timely political issue about which concerned student citizens should be informed.

PSC 320D: Contemporary China: Politics and Culture
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101 and PSC 210S; completion of the English requirement and lower-level liberal arts requirements recommended)
An introduction to the politics of culture of contemporary China. Topics include political ideology, organization, political/economic reforms, the family, social cohesion and conflicts, literature and the arts.

PSC 325: United Nations Politics II
(.5-l.0 course)
(May be repeated for credit)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101S and PSC 210S)
Advanced study of the foreign policy of the country to be represented by Stephens College students in the National Model United Nations during the year of enrollment. A participation fee is charged.

PSC 330D: Issues in Politics: International/Comparative
(1.0 course)
(May be repeated for credit with different issue)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101S and PSC 210S) Deals with a central issue, theory, institution, policy or process in international/comparative politics. Consult course schedule for current topic.

PSC 350: Political Theory
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101S or PSC 201S; junior or senior standing)
A study of the history of political thought and the current controversial issues in democratic theory. Emphasizes the underlying assumptions and development of modern democracies.

PSC 352: The American Political Parties
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 201S; junior or senior standing)
Examines the role of political parties in American politics. Discusses how the major political parties have been able to organize various interests in American society into a coherent political institution.

PSC 354: American Urban and Minority Politics
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 201S and junior or senior standing)
Course will focus on the structural aspect of the urban political system. Furthermore, the urban/suburban governance concerning the most important issues, such as the concentration of poverty, women/minorities' equal rights and interracial relationships will also be systematically examined.

PSC 360: The Supreme Court and American Politics
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101S and PSC 201S; junior standing or permission of instructor)
Study of the place and role of the Supreme Court and Constitutional law in American politics. Examines how the Court makes its decisions, the kinds of decisions it makes and the impact of its decisions on American society and politics.

PSC 363: The American Presidency
(1.0 course) (Prerequisites: PSC 101S and PSC 201S; junior standing or permission of instructor)
A study of the development, current status and future of the American presidency. Emphasis on presidential/congressional relationships.

PSC 366: The American Legislative Process
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101S and PSC 201S; junior standing or permission of instructor)
Study of American national and state legislatures, legislators and public policy interest groups. Special attention is given to the theory of representation, to federalism and to legislative/executive relationships.

PSC 368: Washington, D.C., Internship
(2.5 courses)
(Prerequisite: PSC 366)
Political internship, usually in a congressional office or lobbying organization.

PSC 369: Legislative Internship
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 366, junior standing)
Provides practical experience in the legislative process by assisting members of the Missouri General Assembly.

PSC 371C: Politics in the Third World
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101S and 210S; junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor)
Study of selected less-developed nations. Emphasizes the role of nationalism, conflict and institution building in political processes. Various countries studied.

PSC 375D: Politics and the Press
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ENG 102, completion of at least 1.0 "S" category liberal arts course and junior standing; cross-listed as MCO 375D)
Course focuses on relationship of electoral politics and mass media. Topics include historical look at media in campaigns, negative and positive influence of media on campaigns, impact of political ads and debates, political communication theories, campaign reform and election/media laws, and improvements in political coverage. Course also relevant to those interested in political science or public policy. Offered each semester.

PSC 380: Topics in Politics
(1.0 course)
(May be repeated for credit)
(Prerequisites: PSC 101S and PSC 201S)
Deals with a central issue, theory, institution, policy or process in politics. Consult course schedule for current topic.

PSC 390: Political Science Seminar
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: two 300-level PSC courses and senior standing)
Advanced study in selected topics.

PSC 492: Senior Essay
(.5-1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: permission of department; recommended for political science majors)
Independent research in political science.

PSC 494: Senior Seminar
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: junior or senior standing)
Capstone experience.

Independent Study

Independent studies (special studies, tutorials, readings, projects) may be proposed by students who wish to investigate a subject not otherwise available. Information about independent study may be obtained in department offices or the Office of the Registrar.