In addition to all other SUU graduation requirements, students must earn a total of 37 degree specific credits by completing the Political Science courses set forth below. In doing so, students may elect to complete either POLS 2100 or POLS 2200. All Political Science courses must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better to be counted toward the degree.
Courses available for the 2020-2021 academic year are as follows: POLS 1100 (Each session of both Fall and Spring semesters), POLS 2300 (Second Session, Fall semester), POLS 3510 (First Session, Spring semester), and POLS 2100 (Second Session, Spring semester.) Political Science Online Degree Curriculum Summary
POLS 1100 - American National Government (3) - Source of democratic ideas and principles of the constitutional system. Cultural, group, party, and governmental influences on the process of public policymaking. The administration and impact of public policy. All students must successfully complete POLS 1100 as a prerequisite to the other courses of the program.
POLS 2000 - Research Methods in Political Science I (2) - Methods and approaches of social science and political science, including theory and techniques of qualitative and quantitative research design.
POLS 2001 – Research Methods in Political Science II (2) - This lab provides an engaged learning experience with emphasis on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data using spreadsheets and statistical software to apply critical-analysis concepts learned in POLS 2000 - Research Methods in Political Science.
POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Relations (3) - A fundamental introduction to the essential definitions, concepts, theories, authors, institutions, and contemporary background for an understanding of current international affairs. NOTE: Students may elect to complete POLS 2200 in lieu of this course.
POLS 2200 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (3) - Introduction to basic concepts of political analysis and their application in comparing societies and their politics. NOTE: Students may elect to complete POLS 2100 in lieu of this course.
POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Thought (3) - An introductory survey of key political ideas, concepts, and movements from antiquity to the 21st century.
POLS 3030 - State and Local Government (3) - Function, structure, and politics of state and local government policymaking within the context of the federal system.
POLS 3110 - American Presidency: Executive Process (3) - Examination of the American presidency, including historical foundations, constitutional provisions, the various constituencies the president is expected to serve, the different roles the president fills, and comparisons with executives in other government organizations.
POLS 3120 - Courts (3) - Examination of law, courts, judges, the legal profession and their roles in the larger political system with an emphasis on judicial processes, U.S. courts compared to other nations, and current issues surrounding the legal system. Can also be counted as Criminal Justice credit.
POLS 3130 - American Legislative Process and Behavior (3) - Organization, procedures, and leadership of Congress. The committee system, legislative-administrative relationships and inter-legislative relationships. Problems of legislative leadership and procedures.
POLS 3410 - Public Administration (3) - Examination of the mechanics and dynamics of government administration. Emphasis on the rise and impact of bureaucratic state, tasks of administrators, technical aspects of administration, and administrative responsibility.
POLS 3510 - Constitutional Law (3) - The study of the development of constitutional law as it pertains to separation of powers, governmental authority, federalism, economic issues, war powers, taxing and spending, and the elections process.
POLS 3520 - Civil Rights & Liberties (3) - Origins and philosophic basis of the Bill of Rights; a case-law approach focusing on the First Amendment, equality, and privacy.
POLS 4890 - Internship (3) - Credit given for practical experience with a public official or government agency.
POLS 4990 - Capstone Seminar in Political Science (3) - The completion of a substantial capstone paper based upon an in-depth study of contemporary issues in political science. The paper will be related to the content of the course and approved by the professor. The subject may vary from one semester to the next.
