Northeastern State University

POLITCAL SCIENCE (POLS)

Note: # following course titles indicates a Liberal Arts and Sciences course. At least 50 percent of the major must be advanced (3000, 4000) courses within the College of Science and Health Professions; 50 percent of the major must be earned at NSU.

1113 American Federal Government #

A study of the principles, structure, processes and functions of the United States federal government.

2313 Introduction to International Relations #

Development of the state system; an analysis of contemporary foreign policies, particularly of the major powers; the role of the United Nations and other international organizations; the behavior of states in their relationships with each other.

2353 Introduction to Comparative Politics #

An introduction to the histories, institutions and processes of varying types of contemporary political systems. The course is designed to develop an appreciation and understanding of the issues of politics in the environments of selected nationstates in Europe, Asia, South America, and other regions.

2613 Introduction to Public Administration #

An introduction to Public Administration. The course will examine the role of administration in the public sector. It will explore the various trends in American public administrations, examine the problems in public organizations, and look at the different techniques of public management.

2713 Introduction to State and Local Government #

Organization, structure, functions, and administration of state and local governments.

2813 Introduction to Political Theory #

An examination of the Political philosophies ranging from Plato to the present.

3003 Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature #

Designed to provide practical experience in the legislative/governmental process. Graded Pass/Fail.

3011 Model United Nations

Designed to provide practical experience in the affairs of world governments, international organizations, and international relations. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 hours. Graded Pass/Fail.

3083 Scope and Methods of Political Science #

An analysis of political science as an academic discipline, with special emphasis upon research methods, approaches, bibliography, and contemporary trends.

3513 Legislative Process #

A general study of the legislative process in Congress with special attention to the role of interest groups, constituency, and party in the formation of public policy.

3543 American Presidency #

An analysis of the relationships of the three branches of the national government with special emphasis on the presidency.

3573 American Judicial Process #

The function and role of the Federal court system with emphasis on decision making, the judges, and the administration of the courts. Primary focus on the Federal judiciary with attention given, for comparative purposes, to the state system.

3743 Municipal Government #

City governments, their relations to the state and national governments, the rights and liabilities of municipal corporations, city political parties and pressure groups, the forms of municipal governments.

4000 Workshop #

A concentrated study on a particular aspect of contemporary political problems. The problem studied may be in domestic politics or in international and world politics. May be repeated with different topics to a maximum of 6 hours credit.

4011 Independent Studies #

For students interested in pursuing either a research or reading project; the content will vary with the needs and interests of those who enroll. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 hours credit.

4153 Regional Politics #

Course will analyze the politics of selected world regions, focusing on domestic political issues of individual countries and their relations with countries within that region. The regions examined will vary. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of six hours credit.

4163 Political Development #

Examines the varied issues of political, economic, and social change in “developed” and “developing” regions of the world. The primary focus of study is on the issues surrounding democracy and democratization.

4213 Political Parties #

A survey of the origin and development of political parties in the United States; the nature and role of political parties in a democracy; an analysis of contemporary issues and party policies.

4233 Interest Groups in U.S. Politics #

An analysis of interest groups, their organizational structure, and their relation to our political system and to the public interest.

4253 Public Opinion and Political Behavior #

Theories of public opinion and propaganda; the formation, management, and measurement of political attitudes; behavior of men and groups in politics.

4263 Politics and the American Indian #

An analysis of United States Indian treaty relations and the fulfillment of treaty obligations; American Indian involvement in American political processes; Contemporary Indian protest movements from the perspective of the legitimacy of American political remedies to solve Indian grievances.

4273 Black Politics #

Analysis of the Black in the American political process; interest groups in Black politics; Black leadership; the political goals of the Black in America; the Black in Congress and in the local government.

4283 Campaigns and Elections #

An examination of the past and present roles and significance of campaigns, elections, and electoral politics in the American political process.

4293 Politics and the Media #

Examines the role and impact of the media in influencing the political process and policy decisions in the American political process.

4343 International Law and Organizations #

The development and current operation of international organizations within the system of sovereign states. Organizations such as the European Community and the United Nations will be studied with greatest emphasis being placed on the U.N.

4363 War and Justice

The course examines political realism, political idealism and a well-defined set of normative issues and moral problems related to the ideas of the just war and justicein- war.

4413 American Foreign Policy #

Analysis of foreign policy-making concentrating on the major issues of the post- 1945 period. Earlier periods highlighted to identify trends in policy and policymaking. Particular emphasis on the crucial role of national perception in international affairs.

4533 Contemporary Political Theory #

A description and analysis of democracy, liberalism, conservatism, socialism, communism, and fascism.

4543 Political Philosophy and the Law #

An examination of the legal norms and philosophical values that have historically been used to regulate the social and political community.

4573 American Political Thought #

An historical analysis of American social, political, and philosophical concepts from Puritanism to the present.

4623 Public Policy Analysis#

Public policy analysis focuses upon the roles of information and evaluation in policy making processes. The emphasis is upon how social, political, ethical, and organization factors influence the way policy gets made as well as the “positive” or “negative” results of policies. Attention is given to current problems and issues.

4633 Public Personnel Administration #

Analyzes the role of manpower in complex public organizations. It covers three inter-related topics: traditional public personnel administration, problems in modern public personnel administration, and collective bargaining in the public sector. Emphasis given to those areas important in managing human behavior in public organizations.

4643 Administrative Theory and Behavior #

A comprehensive review of the literature in administrative theory and behavior. Designed to prepare the undergraduate student for advanced graduate, professional or on-the-job training in public or not-for-profit agencies, although it is equally applicable in the private sector as well.

4653 Public Finance and Budgeting #

A survey of public finance and budgeting—government revenues and expenditures, debt, and fiscal policy. Focuses on the various levels of government—how they obtain money through taxation, borrowing, etc., and what they spend revenues on. Considerable time devoted to federal fiscal policy and its effects on other units of government.

4663 Administrative Law #

Focuses on the law associated with the governmental processes for carrying out legislative policy and for reconciling governmental effectiveness with justice for affected parties. Deals specifically with administrative law and the public regulatory process.

4733 U. S. Constitutional Law #

A study of constitutional development in the United States as illustrated in leading decisions of the Supreme Court.

4833 Civil Liberties in the United States #

Examination of our civil liberties such as freedom of speech, press, assembly, freedom of religion, and due process of law in protection of the accused.

4953 Senior Seminar #

A capstone course which will enable the student to integrate the various areas of political science and further develop research and writing skills. To be taken during senior year.

4993 Public Service Internship

Practical experience in an approved public agency or office. Procedures are outlined in the Internship Manual obtained from the Internship Coordinator. Available to students with a major in Political Science or Public Administration, junior or senior standing, and twelve hours of political science credit. Approval of Internship Coordinator and Department Chair required. Six hours maximum credit permitted. Graded by pass/fail.