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Political Science Minor

About Political Science Minor more

Political Science coursework takes students beyond memorization of facts and teaches them to think critically, practice written and oral argument and understand differing interpretations and viewpoints. Students also learn to do independent research, understand their world and community and therefore, become better citizens. The coursework emphasizes the global and community knowledge students need to compete in the 21st century. One-on-one relationships with faculty ensure students obtain the necessary skills for maximum employability.

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Course for Political Science Minor

POL-131 American Government

This course introduces the student to mechanics, institutions, problem and principles of American national government. It stresses the relationship of constitutional principles to American political practice. Emphasis is placed on change in the political environment and judicial interpretation of constitutional tenants as major factors in a viable and dynamic American political system. Racial and Ethnic minorities are also examined in this course.

POL-241 Cont. World Problems:Glbl Pol.

Survey and examination of the current issues and problems around the world. Course will also discuss themes and approaches in the study of global politics. Students will specifically examine how the current global system is constructed and how nations interact. Topics include contemporary issues like globalization, trade, immigration, war and peace, arms control, terrorism, climate change, and global poverty.

POL-242 State & Local Government

State and local government is the primary contact a citizen has with government. In a creative learning experience students use Minnesota Legislature as their laboratory for learning and participating in the governmental process.

POL321 POL321 Minnesota Politics

Examination of the political system and Constitution of the state of Minnesota. Focus will be on how the state developed, and how the political system currently operates.

POL-325 U. S. Business History

The course will primarily examine the role of business in the American economy from the colonial period to the present. The course will focus on the development of capitalism and the corporation, with an emphasis on the interaction between business firms and other institutions in American life�including labor unions and the government. Students will study business, labor, and other economic institutions starting in the 17th century and ending with the modern global corporation. Topics will

POL-331 The Constitution

Examination of American Constitutional developments and its history. Students will specifically study the major branches of government and their development. More specific topics would include: Bill of Rights, civil liberties. Judicial review, war powers, federalism, and the amendments.

POL-332 The Cold War: A Global Persp

This course examines the causes, actions, and results of a conflict between world's superpowers that shaped the direction of global affairs for more than forty years. The course will allow the students to view the Cold War through the eyes of the United States, the Soviet Union, their allies, and many other countries that served as proxies during this period. The international system will be emphasized.

POL-334 United States Foreign Policy

This course examines the goals and consequences of American foreign policy from the founding of the republic to the present day. Topics include commercial and territorial expansion, America's relationships with other states and nations, World Wars I and II, the Cold War, Vietnam, U.S. Imperialism, and the current conflicts over terrorism and natural resources. Special emphasis will be placed on how foreign policies are formulated. The perspectives of other peoples and nations will also be

POL-337 Parties, Campaigns, & Election

Analysis of party organizations, campaigns, and presidential and congressional elections in the United States. Attention will be given to state and local party structures and activities, third-party movements, and historical patterns of voting behavior.

POL-340 Slavery & Freedom the Americas

This course explores the history and demise of chattel slavery in the Americas by using a global approach to examine developments and conditions of slavery and emancipation in Latin America, the Caribbean region, and the United States. By comparing slavery in the U.S. to other slave systems the class will explore whether the legacy of race relations in the Southern U.S. was exceptional or typical. Topics will include: the Atlantic slave trade, slave life and slave culture, the expansion of

POL-341 Civil Rights Movement in U.S.

This course will explore the major campaigns, personalities, organizations, and guiding themes of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. This course will focus on the long civil rights movement; that portion of the struggle characterized by an organized mass movement(s) from World War II through the 1970s, highlighting the shift from protest to electoral politics. The class will place the civil rights movement within the context of American political, economic, and social

POL-390 Vietnam War

This course examines, from historical and political perspectives, the Vietnam War era. While an emphasis will be placed on America's role in the conflict; international geopolitical factors will also be investigated. Other topics might include the development of Vietnamese nationalism, the Cold War, French colonialism, Washington's initial commitment to Vietnam, the increase in American involvement from 1954-1965, the Gulf of Tonkin, the failure of military strategy, antiwar protests, the war's

POL-401 Rsrch & Writing in Pol. Scienc

This serves as research and writing capstone course for all students in the Political Science program. After reading other scholars' ideas and interpretations in various classes, students will now have the opportunity to research, analyze, and write their own original work of scholarship. Students will do original research projects using primary source materials (government documents, policy reports, newspapers, election data, personal correspondence, etc.), rather than scholarly articles or

POL-487 Rdngs Seminar: Tpcs in Pol Sci

Readings/Research Seminar in Political Science covering selected topics. This course will emphasize the use of scholarly and primary source materials, individual research, and student participation.

POL-488 Political Science Ind. Study

Independent Study provides a more flexible educational experience for the student as well as college credit for work done outside the classroom. These courses are designed and supervised by a faculty member.

POL489 POL489 Pol. Science Ind. Study

No details available

POL-498 Internship or Service Learning

Students participate in an internship or perform a Service Learning project. These sites might include: legislature, government agencies, or other related fields of interest.

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