Government and Politics BA, Political Science MA: combined degree

CRIM6010 This course examines emerging issues as they influence the U.S. Constitution, public policy, and the criminal justice system. Topics such as criminal procedure, individual rights, gun control, decriminalization of drugs, social justice, crime prevention, juvenile justice, sentencing policies, incarceration, and capital punishment will be addressed.

CRIM6015 This advanced course in social research exposes students to the methods and techniques associated with identifying and defining problems and developing hypotheses, experimental design, surveys, testing instruments, gathering and analyzing data, and preparation of reports.

CRIM6025 This course will emphasize the conceptual foundations and methodological approaches used in social science research. This course introduces tools of quantative reasoning and statistics that can be used to address problems in basic research and policy within social sciences, particularly in the criminal justice field. The primary objectives of the course are to build familiarity with the fundamentals of probability and statistical analysis, central concepts of research design and norms of ethical behavior in research.

CRIM7020 This course examines classical and contemporary theories and philosophies relevant to ethical thought and behavior in relationship to the administration of justice. Ethical issues confronting criminal justice practitioners, to include the role and influence of politics, are explored through the use of case studies and critical incidents, and examining appropriate and applicable strategies.

CRIM7025 This course will conduct a comparative analysis between the criminal justice system of the United States with those of other major countries throughout the world. The similarities and differences between the policing, adjudication and penal systems will be discussed. Issues such as alternatives to incarceration, technologies utilized and legal mandates will be examined.

CRIM7030 The objective of this course will be to examine the principles, practices, and complexities of effective leadership. The course will examine the skills and competencies needed to be an effective leader. The benefits of effective leadership and the consequences of ineffective leadership in an organization will be studied.

CRIM7080 Topics will include the Constitution of the United States and how the safeguards in the Bill of Rights have evolved over time. The course will also focus on how laws and Criminal Justice policies are formulated, as well as why certain acts are considered serious crimes and other are not. Issues of how money and power affect policies in criminal justice will be examined. Topics of victims'rights police brutality, court process, sentencing, prisoner treatment and other policy matters in the criminal justice system will be reviewed.

CRIM7084 This course will examine the systemic problem of crime that transcends international borders that capitalizes on the use of violence and corruption in a technologically advancing global society. Transnational crime includes but is not limited to gambling, money laundering, human smuggling, prostitution, cyber-crime, terrorism and the trafficking of humans, drugs, weapons, endangered species, body parts and nuclear materials. The course will examine the legal,economic, tactical, technological and geopolitical dynamics to combat transnational crime with a specific focus on coordinating domestic and international public policy.

CRIM7085 The course provides individually designed internships within federal, state and local police/law enforcement agencies, courts and adjudication, corrections & probation, private security, juvenile justice, crime victims? advocacy and child protection. Students develop hands-on experience in all facets of the respective agency that they select. The internship provides the students with insight, experience and an available network of professional colleagues.

GOVT1000 Structure and function of American national government: roles of interest groups and political parties, voting behavior, powers of president, Congress, bureaucracy and federal judiciary, Fall, Spring.

GOVT2130 Theories and problems of international politics and foreign policy.

GOVT2216 This course is designed to link current events in the American and international political systems with political theory and contemporary research in political science and related disciplines. Students will make use of a variety of news media, including written, video and podcasts on a weekly basis to inform themselves about current events in the political system, then combine this with readings from scholarly research to understand what's really driving politics in the US and around the world. Students will discuss these events, and linkages to the scholarly reading, in seminar style class meetings.

GOVT2400 This course surveys and critically examines the dominant approaches to political ethics, including deontology and rights, consequentialism and utilitarianism, and contemporary critiques of liberalism. Students will explore the substance and implications of these approaches in applications to contemporary ethical and political problems and questions.

GOVT2500 Theory and method of the study of politics, research designs, theory building techniques of data collection and analysis.

HIST6714 An analysis of the political and economic relationship of the United States with selected developing regions of the world in the context of growing global interdependence.

HIST7712 Analyzes the impact and process of change resulting from political, economic and social challenges to constitutional thought over the last century.

POLS6682 The course will consider the various stages of U.S. Diplomatic policies with an emphasis on the U.S. as a major world player.

POLS6711 Will examine the roots, the methods and the impact of Genocide on the Global community, from an American perspective. Will include selected case studies from Armenia to Dafur.

POLS6753 Examines political, economic and social themes and will emphasize dynamic encounters with ideas from other societies.

POLS6800 Independent Study in Political Science (POLS) at the first year graduate level.

POLS6871 This is a study of the modern relationship between the U.S. and specific Latin American Nations. It will stress the alliance for progress, NAFTA, etc.

POLS7810 Examines the modern roles of the president, the Congress and the Supreme Court in the conduct of foreign policy.

POLS7815 The political and social bases of Nationalism, its relation to culture identity, ethnicity, language, and ideological narrative manifesting movements for change. Selected contemporary and historical examples are examined, as well as their sub- cultural and subnational disidentifications.

POLS7820 Comparative analysis of modern democratic and totalitarian governments and institutions. With emphasis on the developing nations and their interpretations of these systems through a study of political culture, political parties and political crises.

POLS7821 Traces the main developments in modern political thought from Hobbes to Mao. Emphasizes problems regarding liberty, political obligation, the common good, etc.

POLS7822 An examination of selected revolutionary movements with emphasis on cause, organization and outcome.

POLS7825 Intensive analysis of the dynamics of world politics in the independent post-World War II era; the conceptions of world order among major actors, national and global interests, transnationalism, instrumentalities of foreign policy development and diplomatic processes.

POLS7830 Typology of organizations: League of Nations to the United Nations, regional organizations, public and private international organizations and transnational organizations.

POLS7831 Origin of international law and its relationship to municipal law. Challenges and responses to current issues.

POLS7832 Causes and possible solutions to major international conflicts. Topics will include superpower relations and regional problems.

POLS7833 Impact of insurrection, nonconventional warfare and terrorism on the international community.

POLS7834 A study of the relationship between political motivations and economic actions on the international economy. With emphasis on the interplay between the free market and planned economies.

POLS7835 Examines the political ramifications of environmental decay, economic and environmental refugees and the utilization of finite resources.

POLS7851 Examines the trends and political forces at work in the region, past struggles, current issues and future aspirations.

POLS7853 The state system of Europe: integration and consolidation since World War II and global implications for East-West relations.

POLS7854 Examines the dissolution of the Communist Bloc and the movement toward new ideologies. Emphasizes nationalism, ethnicity and economic organization.

POLS7863 Examines diverse systems of government among selected Middle East states. Emphasizes historical development, current ideologies, institutions and practices.

POLS7867 Examines contemporary issues in Africa. Project trends in political development, human rights and environmental programs.

POLS7868 Examines the conditions that encourage intervention, clandestine political action, demonstration of force, unconventional warfare and terrorism. Discusses impact on the global community.

POLS7871 Examines the development of selected Asian states with an emphasis on historical influences, ideologies, institutions and economic philosophies.

POLS7874 Political responses to the economic and social challenges of modernization. Focuses on democratization efforts and economic cooperation.

POLS7875 Examines the growing interdependence of the North American nations. Emphasizes political, diplomatic and economic interaction and identifies future trends.