Political Science Courses (2007-2008)
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 organization theory, public management, human resource administration, and budgeting. The course examines the politics of public agencies and non-profit organizations.
212 American Public Policy (3)
Core: Societal Structures in North America
An examination of American public policy, focusing on the process of policy-making, methods of evaluating public policy, and the 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 political effects. Attention is given to such topics as the Christian Right in America, liberation theology in Latin America, and Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and elsewhere.
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.
275 European Politics and the Politics of the European Union (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
A study of the politics and governments of the African states and India. Emphasis is on the issues and problems of political and economic development.
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.
295 Special Topics in Political Science: Political Thought of Tocqueville (3)
295 courses are special topics courses, whose content varies each semester.
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.
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 gender affects the way public policy and legislation are made. Students will consider various issues concerning the differences and relationships between men and women, such as marriage, employment, education, military service, parental rights, etc., and develop a Christian perspective on whether men and women have the same rights and responsibilities.
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 survey research and the analysis of poll data. In election years, students enrolled in the course are encouraged to participate in the political campaign of the party or candidate of their choice.
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 affects the operations of the media and how the media influence the social and political values of Americans.
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 political theorists of the twentieth century, 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 at end of this page.
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 reviews and addresses what our public responsibilities are as Christians generally and Reformed Christians in particular. The second half of the course permits students to engage in a major research project of their choosing that focuses on these questions.
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.
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