Political Science Course Descriptions

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.

A wide-ranging survey of the similarities and differences among major contemporary political systems. Included are examinations of government and politics in liberal democracies, communist and postcommunist countries, the newly industrializing states, and the less developed countires. This course is specifically designed for international students as a substitute for POLS 1113. It may also be taken by domestic students to fulfill the cross-cultural study requirement for general
education. (Fall, Spring)

This course meets the State of Oklahoma college degree requirements for three semester hours of American Government.

(See INDP 2103)

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.

A study of legislators and legislative institutions at the state, national and local levels of government.

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.

(See PHIL 2613) (Spring, odd)

See HIST 2713. (Spring, odd)

Survey of structure and process of public agencies, including study of patterns of communication and authority; of relations with elected officials, public, and interest groups, and of personnel practices. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003

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

Interdisciplinary study of politics in Latin America with emphasis on political issues, institutions and processes in Latin America. Prerequisite: POLS 1013

Chinese politics, economics, and history from the end of the Cling dynasty, including the Chinese economic reform movement and beyond. Prerequisite: POLS 1112. May be dual-listed with POLS 5113. (Fall, odd)

An introduction to history, politics, and economics of modern Southeast Asia, inlcuding Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Cross-listed HIST 3313. (TBA)

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.

Politics and governmental systems in the Middle East. Surveys roots of current events in the regiona historically and thematically with emphasis on state building, legacies of Islam, regime stability and change, types of leadership and democratization. Examines patterns in state domestic politics and the facots thtat effect state governance in the MIddle East. Prerequisite: POLS 1013.

Traces the history of Japan from 1867 to the present, including the growth and ruin of Japan as a military power and rebirth as an economic giant. Prerequisite: POLS 1113. (Fall, even)

An examination of the theory and application of power with special reference to interest groups, political parties and participation. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003.

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

An interdisciplinary study of the theory and practice of violence and non-violence in various contexts.

Description and analysis of contemporary efforts to achieve cooperation among nations including the United Nations and various regional organizations.

An inquiry into the major issues of United States foreign and military policy, the instruments of policy, and the process of policy-making

Study of the contemporary presidency with emphasis on presidential power, presidential selection, and perspectives for assessing the presidency. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003.

See PHRH 3813. (TBA)

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.

Restricted to majors with Junior or Senior standing.

Major trends, theories and approaches in the study of comparative politics; emphasis on issues of relevance to comparative politics. Prerequisite: POLS 1013.

Students learn a systematic approach to legal case analysis, applying the system in practice exams, legal memos, and legal briefs. (TBA)

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.

Origins and significance of political violence, with emphasis on terrorism. Emphasizes academic approaches to understanding terrorism, including nature of terrorism, variety of terrorist motivations, means by which governments have attempted to deal with the, and the variety of research questions that remain unanswered. Prerequisite: POLS 1113 Governance in America

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.).

A general survey and background history of the development of international law, its modern applications, and changes. Emphasis on specific cases and issues.

(See Multinational Business 4543)

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 court in law making; lawyers in legislature; policy function of authors of Uniform Codes, and determinants of judicial decision making. Prerequisite: Political Science 1003

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.

(See HIST 4713)

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.

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.

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