Political Science Courses
101 American Politics (3)
Core: Societal Structures in North America
A study of American national politics. Emphasis is on the social context, constitutional foundations, processes, and functions of American politics. Different faculty employ a wide variety of teaching methods, from lectures to small groups to simulations.
102 Canadian Politics (3)
Core: Societal Structures in North America
This course examines Canadian national government and politics, focusing on 1) the development of the Canadian state and constitution, 2) the ongoing issue of French and English Canada, 3) the processes by which institutions and groups formulate and implement public policy, 4) individual, group, and institutional behavior in policy making, and 5) methods of evaluating the Canadian political system.
110 Persons in Political Community (3)
Core: Persons in Community
This course examines how different conceptions of identity relate to different understandings of political community, and therefore, to the question of who and what a citizen is. Students analyze a variety of conceptions of citizens, drawn from a variety of philosophical traditions and empirical models. They then explore how a Reformed understanding of citizenship affects the way we think of ourselves as members of different political communities.
202 American State and Local Politics (3)
A study of American politics at the state and local levels. Emphasis is on state policy-making, urban politics, and metropolitics.
207 Introduction to International Politics (3)
Core: Global and Historical Studies
This course explores different theoretical approaches to the study of international politics. Students are introduced to a variety of explanatory frameworks for phenomena such as war, ethnic conflict, economic inequalities, environmental degradation, international trade, and globalization.
208 Urban Politics (3)
This course examines urban politics in the United States, giving attention to the historical development of urban government in America, power and politics in contemporary American cities, and metropolitics and metropolitan reform.
209 Public Administration (3)
An introduction to public administration, focusing on political management (political environment, intergovernmental relations, administrative ethics), program management (planning, decision-making, organizing, leading, implementing) and resources management (personnel management, budgeting, information management). The course examines the politics of public agencies and non-profit organizations.
212 American Public Policy (3)
Core: Societal Structures in North America
American public policy is studied, focusing on 1) the ways in which social, economic, and political institutions influence policy formation, 2) methods of evaluating public policy, and 3) the historical development and current content of American public policy in key areas such as defense, social welfare, criminal justice, and education.
240 Political Ideas in Historical Perspective (3)
An introduction to the history of political thought. By examining such concepts as freedom, authority, and justice, as they are understood by representative modern and pre-modern political thinkers, the course attempts to uncover the major strands of historical development in western political thinking.
241 Study in Washington, D.C. (1)
A one-hour course offered each fall as an orientation and preparation course for the spring semester in Washington, D.C.
251 Methods in Political Analysis (3)
A study of the philosophical assumptions, theoretical issues, methodological approaches, and the analytical tools used in analyzing American, comparative, and international politics. Recommended for Sophomores or higher.
271 Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective (3)
Core: Global and Historical Studies
This course examines religion as an agent of political mobilization and change across different cultural contexts in terms of its historical development, cultural manifestation, and its effects on the political system. Attention is given to such topics as the Christian Right movement in the United States, the Liberation Theology movement in Latin America, the Islamic fundamentalist movement in the Middle East, and the role of ultra orthodox Jews in contemporary Israeli politics.
272 Global Democratization (3)
This course is designed to examine the factors that have contributed to and hindered the recent emergence of democratic governance in Southern Europe, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Russia, and Africa. Attention given to the relationship among democracy, development, and human rights.
275 European Politics (3)
A study of the government and politics of Great Britain, France, and Germany. Attention is given to historical development, current political structures, and movements toward economic and political union.
276 Latin American Politics (3)
Core: Global and Historical Studies
A study of modern Latin American politics with special emphasis on how different types of political regimes address the challenge of economic development.
277 Asian Politics (3)
Core: Global and Historical Studies
A study of the government and politics of China, Japan, and selected Asian states such as the Philippines and South Korea.
279 African Politics (3)
Core: Global and Historical Studies
This course is a study of the politics and governments of the African states. The course examines why some states make better progress towards the goals of stability, democratization and socioeconomic development than others. Specific issues studied are military rule, corruption, ethnic and religious strife, poverty, population growth, environmental threats, human rights (including women’s rights), and the AIDS pandemic.
285 Model United Nations (1 or 2)
Preparation for participation in a national-level Model U.N. conference. Students research international issues and country positions and study international diplomacy and negotiation techniques. Course fees for the conference are approximately $100. May be taken a second time for 1 hour of credit.
295 American Political Thought (3)
This course covers major thinkers and themes in American political development from Puritan origins to the present. The first portion introduces the fundamental principles underlying American politics, their origins in British and other European thought and their relationship to the creation and early operation of our national political institutions. The remainder of the class explores American political thought through some of the social and political problems America has faced since the founding era. The course will also consider Christian perspectives on American political issues and political thinking.
Course Level: 100 | 200 | 300
304 International Peace and Security (3) An examination of the theory and practice of international peace and security since the end of the Cold War; causes of war and war termination; military strategy; proliferation, nonproliferation, and counterproliferation; civil wars and ethnic conflict; peacekeeping and peace enforcement; human security; international order.
306 History of Modern Political Thought (3)
A study of representative political theorists from the sixteenth through the nineteenth century.
307 Terrorism (3)
This course explores the origins, motivations, and methods of political terrorism as well as possible responses to it. Questions to be addressed include: What is political terrorism? How is it like or unlike war, crime, or revolution? What factors- economic, political, religious, or ideological-feed terrorism? What methods-old and new-do or could terrorists employ? Could the ends of terrorists ever justify their means? How should nations generally, and the United States more specifically, respond to terrorism and its underlying causes?
308 Principles of American Foreign Policy (3)
An analytical view of American foreign policy; its domestic sources; the process of formulating policy; the instruments of American diplomacy; the nature of U.S. relations with hostile powers, allies, emerging powers, and the United Nations; and the limitations and potential of American foreign policy. Not offered 2008-2009.
309 International Organizations and Law (3)
An examination of international organizations and international law; their function and processes, their limits and possibilities, and their relationship to the international system.
310 Constitutional Law and Judicial Process (3)
A comprehensive study of the role of the courts in the American political system, focusing on the Supreme Court's role in constitutional interpretation.
312 Men, Women and Politics: Domestic and International Issues (3)
This course explores how ideas about men and women affect the way public policy and legislation is made. Issues concerning the differences and relationships between men and women, such as marriage and employment will be considered. An effort will be made to develop a Christian perspective on whether men and women have the same, equivalent, or radically different rights and responsibilities. The course includes case studies of recent legislation and court opinions and offers comparisons between the U.S. and other states.
314 The President and Congress (3)
An analysis of the powers and processes of these two institutions of American government and the changing relationship between them.
317 Parties and Elections (3)
An analysis of the nature and importance of political parties and elections to American politics. Topics included are party development, party organization, political campaigns, electoral laws, public opinion, voting behavior, and election reforms. Attention is also given to other mediating institutions such as the media which compete with political parties. In election years, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to participate in the political campaign of the party or candidate of their choice. In the fall of 2010 this class produced a voter's guide for the Grand Rapids, MI area voters.
318 American Politics and Mass Media (3)
A survey of the relationship between American politics and the mass communications media. The course covers the way the federal government, through its regulations and its dissemination of information, affects the operations of the media, and how the media influence the social and political values of Americans and the functioning of the political system. Also listed as Communication Arts and Sciences 318.
319 International Political Economy (3)
This course examines how competing political philosophies and ideologies explain different economic practices of states; how political forces and institutions affect the operation of international markets; and how global economic institutions operate. The course investigates the political controversies that surround the actions of central global economic institutions as well as the domestic political issues that result from international economic forces. Recommended: POLS 207, ECON 222.
320 20th Century Political Thought (3)
A study of the representative contemporary political theorists, their points of emphasis, and their fundamental assumptions regarding politics and political reality.
328 The Global Politics of Human Rights (3)
This course examines the emergence and institutionalization of human rights in the international arena during the 20th century. It begins with a careful analysis of the idea of human rights and then examines the place of this idea in particular areas of concern, such as race, gender, religion, and the meeting of basic material needs. It raises as well questions regarding the assertion and defense of human rights, by examining issues such as genocide, displaced persons, humanitarian intervention, and the proper role of international organizations.
342-344 Study in Washington, D.C.
See off-campus programs.
380 Internship in State or Local Government (4-8)
These internships, which require students to apply the tools of political science in state or local govenment settings, involve sixteen hours of work a week under the direction of an agency supervisor and a Calvin instructor. Students apply for spring internships by contacting the Calvin Office of Career Services early in the fall semester. Each intern keeps ananalytical journal, submits a final summary paper, and participates in a weekly seminar. Prerequisites: sophomore, junior, or senior status; appropriate course background in political science or related fields, and permission of the Calvin instructor.
390 Independent Study (1-6)
Reading or directed projects for majors. Open with the permission of the chair and the instructor under whom the work will be done.
399 The Christian Faith and Public Life (3)
Core: Integrative Studies
This capstone course examines the relationship between Christian faith and public life. The first half of the course reviews and addresses what our public responsibilities are as Christians generally and Reformed Christians more specifically, and how such responsibilities may relate to life in our contemporary pluralistic, democratic context, and to the state within the context of the broader international order. The second half of the course permits students to engage in a major research project of their choosing that focuses on the relationship between their Christian faith and some particular aspect of public life. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing; Biblical Foundations I or Theological Foundations I, Developing a Christian Mind, and Philosophical Foundations.
Off-Campus Programs
241 Study in Washington, D.C. (1)
A one-hour course offered each fall as an orientation and preparation course for the spring semester in Washington, D.C.
342, 343, and 344 Study in Washington, D.C. (14)
Students going on Calvin's Semester in Washington, D.C. (STDC) program are offered a comprehensive program of work and study in the nation's capital. Fourteen total hours of credit are given for courses in field research, integrating Christian faith and public life, and a four-days-per-week internship. (A maximum of 9 hours may be applied to the major; 6 hours to the minor.) For further details look at the Henry Institute website or the Study in Washington DC on Calvin's Off-Campus Progams website.
