Requirements

Major/Minor

A major in political science opens the door to a variety of career possibilities, in and out of government. Whether we want big government or less government, the comprehensive character of political authority means that political science cannot avoid exploring the full range of human activities. Thus topics as current as environmental politics or trade with China and topics as timeless as human nature itself are part of political science.
Government service, government and business relations, management of non-governmental organizations, environmental action, journalism and law are just a few of the many professions for which political science provides a solid foundation.
The political science discipline offers courses in three areas: American politics, world politics and political philosophy. Students are encouraged to take classes in all areas or focus their attention by selecting one of the concentration areas explained below.
Students considering graduate studies should consult an advisor about taking Political Science 376 Introduction to Methodology. In addition to the courses listed here, Study Abroad 402 China: Modernization and Tradition, is also available for political science credit. Students are urged to consider this opportunity to study abroad. See the Study Abroad section.

Major Requirements
Thirty-three semester hours, including requirements in one of the following concentrations:

General Program
Political Science 170; two courses in political philosophy; two courses in American politics; two courses in world politics; and four additional political science courses;

Political Philosophy
Political Science 170, 310 or 320; four courses in political philosophy; one course in world politics; one course in American politics and three additional political science courses;

International Affairs (see also International Relations and Diplomacy)
Political Science 170, 240 or 250; four courses in world politics; two courses in political philosophy; three additional political science courses. Two years of a foreign language are strongly recommended, as are courses in economics and U.S. history.
Pre-Law
Political Science 170, 280 or 282, 325, 380 or 381 or 382; two political philosophy courses; five additional political science courses; Philosophy 250 or 251; Economics 191 or Accounting 101. History 262 is strongly recommended.
A minimum of one half the courses in the major field must be completed at Dominican.

Minor Requirements
A minimum of eighteen semester hours in political science.
A minimum of one half the courses in the minor field must be completed at Dominican.

American Politics Courses
170. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT (3)
An introduction to the founding principles of the United States government. Centering on the Constitution, the course discusses political socialization, ideology, and the main departments of the United States’ government. The powers and the political role of the Congress, the Executive, and the Judiciary will each be examined. In addition, the civil liberties present in the “Bill of Rights” will be discussed.
Listed also as American Studies 170.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

280. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)
The study of the principles, organization and operation of the United States federal bureaucracy and how they implement, impede or create public policy.
Listed also as American Studies 279.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

282. ENVIRONMENTAL ADMINISTRATION AND
LAW (3)
A study of the development and implementation of environmental law. Emphasis is on the organization of government regulatory agencies, the sources of environmental regulation and the methods of federal, state and local individuals in environmental protection and enforcement. The relationship between government, business, private groups and individuals in environmental protection will also be examined.
Listed also as Business Administration 282 and Environmental Studies 282.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.
286. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (3)
Why do cities and states matter in the United States? What is their relationship with each other? How do these questions illustrate the system of federalism in America? Politics as well as policy in Illinois are considered as paradigms of state and local politics. Examination of state and local governments within federal system, intergovernmental relations, metropolitan problems, dynamics of electoral process, including impacts of public policy discussions on individual lives. Several policy areas may be studied.
Listed also as American Studies 286.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

290. POLITICAL PARTIES AND VOTING
BEHAVIOR (3)
Why should I vote when both the Democrats and Republicans are terrible? This course takes on both those points by examining what political parties are and what they do in the system, including why dozens of “other” political parties are obscured by the dominance of the R’s and D’s. Voting turnout in the United States is one of the lowest in the world. Why is it that low? Is there a simple solution? Who are those people who do vote? These are a few of the questions that will be explored.

291. CONGRESS AND CONGRESSIONAL
ELECTIONS (3)
A study of what the founders saw as the strongest of the three departments of government, the congress. The course will study both the House and Senate individually and the Congress as a whole. How does Congress work? Why does Congress not seem to work? Who has the power? Offered during midterm election years (when the president is not running), current elections will be used to discuss money in elections and campaigning. The course will examine the political makeup of the post-election congress and its possible direction.

295. POLITICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (3)
Federal control of environmental issues has been replaced by a new phenomenon: civic environmentalism, or cooperation between the private and the public sectors—businesses and nonprofit groups, local, state and federal governments. Students will use an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to a local area or issue in order to explore this developing field.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

297. WOMEN IN POLITICS (3)
Women are both actors in and subjects of politics and legislation. This interrelationship will be explored focusing either on women who have been active in the political sphere or on women’s political campaigns.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

374. PUBLIC OPINION AND POLLING (3)
As a democracy, knowing what “the people” want is considered essential. Public opinion polling has assumed an increased role in politics as every major politician, newspaper, and organization uses polls to prove they are right, their opponent is wrong, or “the people” support them. This course examines if public opinion really exists, what form it may take, how it is measured, and how it is used politically. The course will examine question wording, question ordering, types of polls, who is polled, and very basic interpretive tools such as sample types and error measuring. No statistics training is necessary.

375. THE PRESIDENCY AND ELECTORAL COLLEGE (3)
This course studies the role of the president in the United States political system. Both the institution of presidency (constitutional powers, relations with congress, and changes) and the individuals that have been president (personalities and styles) will be examined. Offered during presidential election years, the politics and processes of presidential elections through the electoral college, including candidates, campaign, predictions, and evaluation of the future president will be included.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

376. INTRODUCTION TO METHODOLOGY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)
An introduction to the application of quantitative research methods to the discipline of political science. The course will cover formulating research questions, collecting data, and using statistical techniques to test hypotheses. Statistical techniques will include measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) through to the basics of multiple regression.

380. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I: INSTITUTIONAL POWERS (3)
This course emphasizes how the Supreme Court of the United States approaches landmark cases in constitutional law and governmental principles of the Constitution. Topics include the powers and processes of the Supreme Court, powers of the Congress under the “commerce clause,” the president’s power to “wage war” and organize the executive department, and the role of individual state power in relation to the United States government. These topics will be addressed utilizing historic and current Court cases.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

381. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II: CIVIL LIBERTIES (3)
This course will focus on the most controversial issues confronted by the Supreme Court in the area of civil liberties, primarily stated in the “Bill of Rights.” Topics may include the Court’s approach to the First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, and the press. In addition, the rights of the criminally accused, including search and seizure, Miranda Rights, rights to an attorney, and the death penalty, will be addressed utilizing historic and current Court cases.
Prerequisite: Political Science 170 or junior standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

382. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW III: GENDER AND
RACE (3)
The issues of gender and race in America have challenged the society and the Courts throughout our history. This course will focus on the complex issue of race and gender and the Court’s approach to these issues. Topics may include the historic legal difference between men and women, whether laws or legal judgments that favor women in fact benefit them and/or disadvantage men, the legal arm of the Civil Rights movement, economic, educational, and voting discrimination. These and other topics will be examined through the study of court cases and their effects.
Prerequisite: Political Science 170 or junior standing or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

WORLD POLITICS COURSES
240. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3)
Ways of managing power among nations will be related to contemporary issues of war, peace and diplomacy.
Listed also as International Studies 200.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

250. COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3)
Four modern political systems will be compared. Different countries will be studied in different years.
Listed also as International Studies 250.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

255. BRITISH POLITICS (3)
An introduction to the British political tradition and the problems of contemporary Britain.
Listed also as International Studies 255.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

260. RUSSIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS (3)
This course will study the former states of the Soviet Union, their problems and their political evolution as they move into the 21st century.
Listed also as International Studies 260.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

262. POLITICS AND FILM (3)
This course will consider the relationship between politics and film, whether in government propaganda or in the director’s depiction of a contemporary issue. Hollywood’s view of the world will be compared to the views portrayed by directors in other countries and cultures. Political issues such as war and peace, race relations, culture vs. economics, will be studied. Films and focus will vary.
Listed also as Communication Arts and Science 385.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

263. CHINA: MAO TO REFORM (3)
This course will cover the civil war in China, China’s role in World War II, Mao’s consolidation of power, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, the influence of Chou En-lai and Deng Xiaoping, China’s foreign policy, including the split with the Soviets and the accommodation with the US under Nixon, the economic reforms of the past decade, the Tiananmen Square protest and the future of China as a major economic power. The course will also include an introduction to the history and culture of China.
Listed also as International Studies 263.
This course will satisfy the social science core area and multicultural core requirements.

264. POLITICS IN AFRICA (3)
This course will deal with a number of topics in the politics of Africa: the religious conflict along the coast of North Africa, the internal political problems of Nigeria, the building of a new nation in South Africa, the role of the Organization of African States and general topics concerning the economic and political future of African states.
Listed also as International Studies 264 and African/African-American Studies 264.
This course will satisfy the social science core area and multicultural core requirements.

265. MIDDLE EAST POLITICS (3)
This course will cover the political culture of the area as well as the Arab-Israeli conflict and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism.
Listed also as International Studies 265.
This course will satisfy the social science core area and multicultural core requirements.

269. WOMEN LEADERS OF THE WORLD (3)
How have women leaders in the world gained their preeminent positions, and what is the nature of their leadership and policies? The power and policies of one or more women as political leaders will be studied.
Listed also as International Studies 269.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

341. AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (3)
A course covering American foreign policy since World War II.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

343. INTERNATIONAL LAW (3)
This course will explore law as an alternative to force in international relations. Topics include sovereign rights of nations, human rights, international organization, law in war and treaty obligations.
Listed also as International Studies 343.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

348. THE POLITICS OF EUROPE (3)
The evolution and present structure of the European Union and its political and economic ramifications will be covered.
Listed also as International Studies 348.

403. CHINA: MODERNIZATION AND TRADITION (3)
Listed also as Study Abroad 403.

Political Philosophy Courses
215. AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)
The American regime, politics and character as seen from a theoretical point of view.
Listed also as American Studies 215.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

220. POLITICAL LEADERSHIP (3)
An exploration of the sources of, opportunities for and obstacles to political leadership, using varied readings from ancient, medieval or modern political works.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

228. POLITICAL THOUGHT OF CHINA (3)
Confucianism and Taoism are the two original paths of political thought in China. They are still important aspects of the Chinese character, and it is necessary to know them in order to understand China as a major twenty-first century power. We will enter into the thought of their founders, Confucius and Lao-ze, as well as study other lasting influences on Chinese political thought.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

230. SHAKESPEARE’S POLITICS (3)
The artist as thinker and political philosopher.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

235. WOMEN IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (3)
Since Plato’s Republic first asserted the equality of women in political life, the issue of the role of women, in and out of the family, has been a central theme of political reflection by men and women whose provocative writings will be the focus of this course.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

301. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS (3)
This course explores values (philosophy) and ecology (science) to understand how political decisions affecting the environment are made and what their consequences are. The issues covered may include animal rights, cloning, and effects on the third world. The course is recommended for students in the environmental sciences or environmental studies program.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

310. CLASSICAL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (3)
Philosophers of classical Greece, such as Plato and Aristotle, will be studied, especially regarding the political question, “What is the best way to live?”
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

317. NON-WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)
This course will draw on materials from traditional African thought, philosophic and religious thought within Islam, Confucian and Hindu thought and texts in exploring non-Western approaches to politics.
This course will satisfy the social science core area and multicultural core requirements.

320. MODERN POLITICAL THEORY (3)
A survey from Machiavelli to Nietzsche. Different political philosophers will be emphasized in different years.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

323. CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THEORY (3)
Reaction to the foundations of modern political thought has led to the attempt to discover new bases for and ways of thinking about the human condition. One or more post-modern, critical or radical thinkers, such as Sartre, Derrida, Strauss and Lyotard will be considered.

325. PHILOSOPHY OF LAW (3)
A study of various theoretical foundations behind legal systems.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

Other Courses
299. SERVICE LEARNING (1)
An additional credit hour may be earned in conjunction with a regularly listed political science course, through community service related to the subject of the course.

450. INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4)

455. INTERNSHIP (1-8)
Internships in government and politics are available under faculty supervision. Students will participate in relevant internships while pursuing concurrent research interests.

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty
mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor