Course Descriptions
2023-2024 School Year
POLITICAL SCIENCE

INR2002  International Relations  3.0   P
A study of the basic principles of politics among nations, encompassing both the dynamics and organizational dimensions of international relations. It includes examination of U.S. Foreign Policy and the foreign policies of other world powers, plus a survey of important issues and disputes relevant to the balance of power and well-being of the world. The primary General Education learning outcome for this class is Informational Literacy: Collect, verify, document, and organize information from a variety of sources.... Full Description

INR2500  Model United Nations  3.0   P
This is an introductory course to the study of the Model United Nations. The course will provide students with a better understanding of the United Nations system, its history and international issues under its consideration. Students will be encouraged to understand the blocks of states that exist in the UN and how they engage diplomatically with each other. Students also will be expected to assume the role of a UN member state and understand its views with regard to a few, select international issues and participate in a simulated UN session using parliamentary style of debate. This course has been designed under the assumption that students have a minimal or no understanding of world politics or of the United Nations system.... Full Description

POS2425  American Legislative Politics  3.0   P
Students will explore the U.S. Congress; its role, its processes, its history, its members, the role the public has in electing and influencing its members, and problems that plague our contemporary Congress. There will be a significant focus on current events and controversies. The course also looks at state legislatures and the legislative systems in other countries. We will cover the basics for students who come in with little prior education about U.S. government and politics, while also addressing higher-level questions and concepts to encourage sophisticated thought. The course will also help to prepare those students who desire to participate in extracurricular opportunities such as the Model U.S. Senate and the Model Florida Legis Full Description

CPO2030  Politics of the Developing World  3.0   P
This course will introduce students to the politics of the developing world by analyzing the historical, cultural, economic and political institutional structures that characterize Africa, Asia and Latin America. Students will be asked to understand and question different definitions of development, as well as consider how multiple theoretical approaches try to account for this process. The course also will analyze how different factors such as religion, ethnic conflict, and the legacy of colonialism have affected political development in less developed countries. The course will explore the challenges and complexities associated with development by comparing and contrasting the political evolution of countries that are considered to be bot Full Description

POT2002  Introduction to Political Theory  3.0   P
This course provides students the opportunity to explore the main threads of Western political philosophy, studying the work of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, J.S. Mill, Nietzsche, and possibly more recent theorists. We will explore the great philosophical questions of politics such as: What is the nature of man, and thus, what form of political society is best suited to our nature? What is justice? What is liberty? What is the legitimate basis of governmental authority? What is the appropriate purpose and role of government? What goals and values should a society strive toward? Students will learn about political ideas and their importance, the historical development of ideas that are politically importan Full Description

ASN2002  Introduction to Contemporary Asian Societies  3.0   P
This interdisciplinary introductory course will exam the regions of East, South, and Southeast Asia. A variety of academic disciplines will be used to explore diverse Asian societies within the context of the increasingly globalized world and the focus will be on the following dynamic social aspects: nation/state, social class, gender, family and communities, ethnicity, religions and philosophy, art and media, urbanization and sustainability, globalization and national/cultural identities.... Full Description

POS2041  American National Government  3.0   P
A study of the structures and processes of American national government. Topics include the Constitution, the presidency, Congress, the federal court system, political parties and elections, foreign policy formulation, and current critical and controversial issues. Special focus on the dynamics of government will include the role of the media in politics, minority and civil rights, and economic policy formulation. The primary General Education learning outcome for this course is Critical Thinking: Demonstrate the skills necessary for analysis, synthesis, evaluation, decision making, critical and creative thinking and the creative process.... Full Description

POS2112  State and Local Government  3.0   P
This course will examine the structures, politics, and functions of non-national government in America. The course examines state and local systems and their interrelationships with the American federal system of government. Topics covered in the course include: the Governors, the Legislature, the State Judiciary, finance, urban government, political participation and community diversity. In addition to general education credit, this course is a writing-intensive course, wherein multiple writing assignments make up a substantial part of assignments and assessment. As a research and writing intensive course, this course will allow students the chance to explore the subject through a variety of college-level writing exercises that will inclu Full Description

CPO2001  Comparative Politics  3.0   P
A comparative study of the world's political systems and institutions, the role of ideologies, and problems of modernization in transitional societies. Emphasis is on the major governments of the world, authoritarian systems, and developing countries. The primary General Education learning outcome for this course is Critical Thinking: Demonstrate the skills necessary for analysis, synthesis, evaluation, decision making, critical and creative thinking and the creative process.... Full Description