General Catalog for 2008-09

(PSCI) Political Science


1013.0 Introduction to Politics
An introduction to the study of politics and the discipline of Politi-
cal Science, focusing on individual, collective and institutional
political behavior.
Fall/Spring
2003.0 State and Local Governmnt and Politics
An introduction formal and informal political institutions at both the
state and local level, including a student simulation of political
choices and behavior.
On Demand
2013.0 American National Government
A survey of the guiding principles, dynamic processes and enduring
institutions of American national government and politics.
Fall/Spring
2023.0 Philosophy and Methods of Political Science
A consideration of the philosophy and research methods of Political
Science for students who have had no previous training in statistics
and only a normal high school mathematical background.
Fall
2033.0 Arkansas Government and Politics
An institutional and behavioral analysis of Arkansas government and
politics.
Spring Odd Yrs
2043.0 World Politics
An introduction to the study of how countries as well as other inter-
national actors interact with each other.
Fall
2123.0 Comparative Politics
A survey of concepts, approaches and methodologies for theory-building
in comparing political systems.
Spring
3033.0 Constitutional Law
A case method analysis of landmark Supreme Court Decisions addressing
institutional conflict, basic criminal rights and procedures, first
amendment freedoms, the fourteenth amendment and federalism.
Spring Odd Yrs
3043.0 The Judicial Process
A consideration of various theories explaining judicial decision-
making, the political impact of these decisions, court structures and
procedures, and the politics of judicial selection.
Spring Even Yrs
3053.0 Western Political Thought I.
As a systematic intellectual enterprise, theories of political philo-
sophy address perennial problems of political relations. This course
is an intensive analysis of the principal political theorists in the
Western tradition fromPlato through Machiavelli. Primary emphasis on
their texts is complemented by consideration of the historical con-
texts within which they wrote. Also listed as PHIL 3053. [CAC-W]
Fall
3063.0 Western Political Thought II.
As a systematic intellectual enterprise, theories of political philo-
sophy address perennial problems of political relations. This course
is an intensive analysis of the principal political theorists in the
Western tradition extending from Hobbes onward. Primary emphasis on
their texts is complemented by consideration of the historical con-
texts within which they wrote. Also listed as PHIL 3063. [CAC-W]
Spring
3072.0 Washington Seminar
An on-site, in-depth topical study of American national political
institutions and processes. A Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory graded
course.
On Demand
3080.0 Model U.N. Seminar
Students study the issues and procedures of the United Nations. Pre-
requisite: permission of the instructor is required. Also listed as
HIST 3080 and INTL 3080.
Fall
3083.0 Model U.N. with Practicum
Students prepare for a regional simulation of the United Nations by
learning about their country's history, government, and foreign pol-
icy. Students enroll for this only if this is their first time atten-
ding a Model U.N. simulation as a Ouachita student. Prerequisite:
permission of the instructor and HIST/INTL/PSCI 3080. Also listed as
HIST 3083 and INTL 3083.
Spring
3091.0 Model U.N. Practicum
Students prepare for a regional simulation of the United Nations by
learning about their country's history, government, and foreign pol-
icy. This course cannot be in the same department that HIST/INTL/PSCI
3083 was taken. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and HIST/
INTL/PSCI 3083. Also listed as HIST 3091 and INTL 3091.
Spring
4003.0 Parties, Campaigns and Elections
An examination of the place of political parties in the study of
politics, with a heavy emphasis on American parties, their role in
electoral politics, the conduct of election campaigns and the meaning
of elections.
Spring Even Yrs
4013.0 American Political Thought
A critical consideration of the origins, development and content of
American political thought, emphasizing the expressions of major
political actors and the interpretations given to fundamental
political concepts.
Spring
4033.0 Public Policy
An analysis of the formulation, making and content of American
domestic public policies, acquainting students with salient issues on
the policy agenda.
Fall Even Yrs
4043.0 Public Administration
An in-depth seminar in the theory and behavior of large social organi-
zations, specifically bureaucracies, focusing on the national govern-
ment's administration of public policy.
Fall Odd Yrs
4053.0 American Diplomacy
A study of foreign policy in the United States in fact and theory,
analyzing America's involvement in World Affairs from 1776 to the
present. Current diplomatic policy of the United States is examined in
relation to the past. Also listed as HIST 4053.
Fall Odd Yrs
4063.0 European Politics
A study of political institutions, policies, and major changes occur-
ring in the region.
Fall Even Yrs
4073.0 The American Congress
A consideration of the evolution, organizational structures, functions
and processes of the contemporary American Congress and its place in
the American political system.
Fall Odd Yrs
4083.0 The American Presidency
An inquiry into the evolution, organizational structure and operation
of the contemporary American presidency, focusing on the relationship
between the president and the political environment.
Fall Even Yrs
4123.0 International Relations Theory
A study of the major theoretical ideas regarding the interactions of
countries and other international political actors.
Spring Even Yrs
4133.0 Third World Politics
A substantive and theoretical study of the political processes and
major issues confronting Latin America, Africa, and Central and
Southern Asia.
Spring Odd Yrs
4801.0 4801-4893. Special Studies in Political Science
Directed research in Political Science. Admission by consent of the
instructor.
On Demand