Department of Political Science
Course Descriptions

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

* 1003 GOVERNANCE IN AMERICA ........................ 3 hours

This course meets the State of Oklahoma college degree requirements for three semester hours of American Government. (Every semester)
* 1012 INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL STUDIES ............... 2 hours

A survey of ethics and jurisprudence; English and American legal history; salient features of the legal system; the nature of the legal profession; the various areas both traditional and emerging of law and legal practice; and a brief introduction to legal research and law school Socratic method. Prerequisite: POLS 1003. (Fall)
* *2103 ISSUES IN WOMEN'S STUDIES .................. 3 hours

(See INDP 2103)
* 2114 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL RESEARCH........... 4 hours

An introduction to the scientific study of politics, including specific research techniques and the nature of theory in behavioral science. (Spring)
* *2304 STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES ...... 4 hours

(See PSYC 2304) (Fall)
* 2403 OIL/LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP ..................... 3 hours

An introduction to parliamentary procedure, and to the legislative process through participation in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature. On-campus sessions extending from the beginning of the Fall Semester until late October cover parliamentary procedure and legislative organization. In late October, students spend four entire days at the State Capitol at the Autumn Session of OIL. (Fall)
* 2413 LEGISLATIVE BEHAVIOR ........................ 3 hours

A study of legislators and legislative institutions at the state, national and local levels of government. (Spring, odd)
* 2513 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ..................... 3 hours

A study of how nations behave with particular attention being directed toward the nature of the state-system, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, alliances, arms control, and domestic determinants of national behavior. (TBA)
* *2613 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY ....................... 3 hours

(See PHIL 2613) (Spring, odd)
* 3003 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ...................... 3 hours

Survey of structure and process of public agencies, including study of patterns of communication and authority; of relations with elected officials, publics, and interest groups, and of personnel practices. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003 (Fall 2001)
* 3013 EUROPEAN POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT ............ 3 hours

A survey of political trends and governmental institutions in Europe. Included is a detailed examination of the political systems of Britain, France, Germany and Russia with comparisons to the United States. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003 (Fall 2003)
* 3213 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION ... 3 hours

The course focuses on the structures and politics of states, counties, and cities as well as policy formulation and decision-making processes. Topics on Oklahoma politics and policy are included. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003. (Spring, even)
* 3313 MODERN JAPAN ................................. 3 hours

(See ASTD 3213)
* *3413 POWER AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION ............ 3 hours

An examination of the theory and application of power with special reference to interest groups, political parties and participation. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003. (TBA)
* 3503 ELECTIONS SEMINAR .................... 3 hours

Examines the election process, emphasizing issues, political parties, and profile campaigns with the goal of giving students and in-depth understanding of the campaign process and of the major actors and institutions in campaigns. Examined are election results and their implication for governing. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003 (Fall, 2002)
* 3513 THE VIOLENT SOCIETY .......................... 3 hours

An interdisciplinary study of the theory and practice of violence and non-violence in various contexts. (Spring 2003)
* 3603 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION . ................ 3 hours

Description and analysis of contemporary efforts to achieve cooperation among nations including the United Nations and various regional organizations. (Fall 2002, Fall 2005)
* 3613 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY ...................... 3 hours

An inquiry into the major issues of United States foreign and military policy, the instruments of policy, and the process of policy-making (Fall 2001)
* 3713 AMERICAN PRESIDENCY ............................. 3 hours

Study of the contemporary presidency with emphasis on presidential power, presidential selection, and perspectives for assessing the presidency. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003. (Spring 2002, Spring 2005)
* 3913 POLITICS OF THE THIRD WORLD .................. 3 hours

An examination of the special characteristics of Latin American and non-Western government and politics. Particular attention paid to problems of instability, relations with the Western world, and the role of the military. (Spring 2001, Spring 2004)
* 3951-6 DIRECTED READINGS.................................. 1-6 hours

Restricted to majors with Junior or Senior standing.
* *4103 SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE U.S. ................... 3 hours

(See HIST 4103)
* *4114 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW .......................... 4 hours

Emphasis on landmark U.S. Supreme court cases pertaining to criminal procedure. First Amendment issues, racial and sexual equality, relations between the three branches of the national government, and federal-state relations. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003. (Spring)
* *4313 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THEORY ........ 3 hours

An examination of political philosophy and theory in the 20th century. May be taught by movements (e.g., fascism, communism, capitalistic imperialism, etc.), or by key political thinkers (e.g., Lenin, Wilson, Dewey, Trotsky, Hitler, Weizmann, Oakeshott, Mao, Nozick, Rorty, etc.). (Spring, even)
* 4513 INTERNATIONAL LAW ......................... 3 hours

A general survey and background history of the development of international law, its modern applications, and changes. Emphasis on specific cases and issues. (TBA)
* *4543 CURRENT ISSUES IN POLITICAL ECONOMICS ..... 3 hours

(See Multinational Business 4543) (Spring)
* 4613 THE POLITICS OF LAW ........................... 3 hours

Study of the political function of civil law; the political role of attorneys; the policy function of the American Bar Association, and state and local associations, the self-regulating functions of the legal profession; judicial selection methods; legal education; role of the courty in law making; lawyers in legislature; policy function of authors of Uniform Codes, and determinants of judicial decision making. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003 (Fall 2002)
* *4703 PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY ANALYSIS ... 3 hours

An introduction to public analysis and decision making with emphasis on the examination of selected domestic policy issues. The use and ethical questions of policy research and administration will be considered. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003. (Spring 2002)
* *4713 AMERICA IN THE MID-EAST .................... 3 hours

(See HIST 4713)
* 4803 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS ......... 3 hours

This course explores the political, administrative and fiscal relationships among federal, state and local units of government, along with the origins, development, and operational aspects of federalism in the U.S. Included is the study of the effects of decentralization and reorganization upon the administration of government programs. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003. (TBA)
* 4813 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW & POLITICS .......... 3 hours

This course will emphasize the legal and political aspects of administrative rules and regulation. Students will examine the origins and justification of regulation, as well as the structures and processes for formulating and implementing administrative law. Current criticism of administrative law and procedures will be analyzed with an eye towards new recommendations for legal reform. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003. (TBA)
* 4863 SENIOR SEMINAR .................................. 3 hours

The capstone course in the major which allows students to fulfill their advanced study requirement. Students will engage in either a directed research project, advance focused readings in a specific area of the discipline, or an internship under the guidance of the instructor. The class will meet together at least once every other week in order to share experiences and explore broad topics relating to the discipline. (Offered every Spring Semester contingent upon Adequate Demand)
* 4981-9 POLITICAL INTERNSHIP ..................... 1-9 hours

Normally restricted to majors who have junior or senior standing, and to transfer students who have completed at least one semester of classwork at OCU. Absolute minimum of nine hours or permission of Department Chair.
* 4991-6 INDEPENDENT STUDY ........................... 1-6 hours

Restricted to majors with junior or senior standing, except with permission of Department Chair.