Political Science
Sarah C. Andrews, Associate Professor
Julie Blase, Professor
John W. Williams, Professor
Why study political science at Principia College? For decades, political science faculty have worked side-by-side with students to develop their capacities to think clearly and fearlessly, and to gain the self-knowledge needed to participate ethically and effectively in the political process.
Politics is about how political players compete to prioritize values, define reality, and distribute resources. Political scientists ponder questions of individual identity, responsibility, and choice, as well as why some systems change and some stay the same. We analyze how ideas about values become institutionalized, and how well institutions fulfill the public’s needs and expectations. Within countries, we study how economic conditions and social movements influence who serves in leadership positions, and how well the public’s interests are served – or not. Across the globe, we study how political conflicts and compromises, historical legacies, and technological capacities impact the lives we are living now and into the future. We focus on power—where it comes from, who has it and how they’re using it, who else wants it, and how they're trying to get more. We seek to understand how and why citizens, government officials, and non-state actors make decisions and behave the way they do. Questions like these are at the heart of politics and governance, which shape our lives individually and collectively in profound ways.
The field of political science is expansive. All Political Science majors and minors take courses representing the three main subfields of political science: American government, International Relations, and comparative politics; majors will also complete a course in the methods of studying politics. Within the general political science degree plan, students may work closely with their major advisor to design their own focus areas in International Relations or US politics and policy, or prepare to attend law school.
All POLS courses are excellent preparation for advanced study, professional employment, and living a life of constructive citizenship. Students will learn theory and practice, to think analytically, to write and speak effectively, and develop their capacity for personal management and performance character. Our graduates are successfully employed in a wide range of fields: government service and administration, policy analysis, diplomacy, law, business, journalism and media, education, and beyond.
To earn a Political Science degree, students must complete 44-45 semester hours of coursework: four required courses and seven electives in POLS, three of which must be at the 300 level, plus two advisor-approved courses from other disciplines. All majors in the Center for Global and Civic Engagement, including POLS, are required to take 2 courses: one 3 SH course at the beginning of a student’s course of study and one 1 SH course at the conclusion of the major. Each student in the Center will practice their active citizenship skills through participating in at least one “engagement activity” approved by their POLS advisor. Students at Principia also have opportunities for internships, to study abroad, and to represent Principia at professional conferences.
Independent study courses on and off campus are available to majors by arrangement with political science faculty. No more than nine semester hours of independent study taken off campus can be applied toward the requirements of the major or three semester hours for the minor; no more than 3 SH may substitute for a 300 level course. Transfer students who choose to major in Political Science must take at least four courses (12-13 semester hours) from Principia political science faculty; two of these courses must be at the 300 level.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will analyze the forces shaping politics, e.g.: institutional design and development; identities and interests; behavior and processes; social and cultural dynamics.
- Students will utilize political science methods or analytical tools to analyze historic or current political events and policies.
- Students will evaluate theories or models relevant to analyzing politics.
College Wide Student Learning Outcomes of Principia College: Defining a Liberal Arts Education
The curricular and co-curricular programs at Principia College are designed for students to be lifelong learners, thinkers, and problem-solvers. To accomplish this, the College has established the following outcomes for its graduates.
Guided by Principle, Principia College students will demonstrate:
- Depth and breadth of knowledge
- Critical and creative thinking
- Effective communication
- Intellectual inquiry and engagement
- Active commitment to community and global citizenship
POLS 020 Model Illinois Government 0.0 SH [ ]
Model Illinois Government is the annual intercollegiate simulation of the Illinois General Assembly, held each winter in the State Capitol. Students serve as the various elected officers of the executive and legislative branches of the state government.
POLS 021 Moot Court (Model IL Govt) 0.0 SH [ ]
Teams of students prepare and argue appellate cases before mock state or U.S. Supreme Courts in the annual collegiate judicial simulations at state or national levels.
POLS 052 Model United Nations 0.0 SH [ ]
Students simulate the actions of the various bodies of the United Nations - the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council - in annual intercollegiate competition.
POLS 120 American Government & Politics 3.0 SH [GESS]
Study of the American political system and formation of public policy, primarily at the national level: political culture, constitutions and constitutionalism, democratic theory, federalism, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, the electoral system, Congress, the presidency, and the judicial system.
POLS 125 Moot Court: Reason & Argument 2.0 SH [ ]
Students prepare legal briefs and argue appellate cases before mock Illinois or U.S. Supreme Court in the intercollegiate judicial simulations at state or national levels. Students learn legal reasoning and analysis, learn to think under intense pressure, and develop oral argumentation skills.
Prerequisite: POLS 120.
POLS 152 Politics Among Nations 3.0 SH [GESS]
Introduction to international politics, with emphasis on what causes conflict between nations, why nations cooperate, and how contemporary forces influence international politics.
Class Level Restriction: Freshman and Sophomore only.
POLS 215 Soc Science Research Methods 4.0 SH <GEM>[GESS]
Explores qualitative and quantitative research methods used in the social sciences. Students conduct social science research projects to learn various research designs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their applications. Students collect, analyze, and interpret data, as well as test hypotheses and develop theories. Also listed as GLBS 215.
POLS 220 American Parties & Elections 4.0 SH [GESS]
Theoretical study of political parties, elections, and public opinion, supplemented with case studies, guest speakers, and field research. Students attend political rallies and conduct surveys. Taught in election years.
POLS 230 US President and Congress 3.0 SH [GESS]
Analysis of executive-legislative relations in the US national government. Specific attention given to theoretical framework, historical development, contemporary structure, legislative process, and public policy development.
POLS 235 International Organizations 3.0 SH [GESS]
This course introduces students to the roles that major international organizations play in addressing global issues and to the controversies surrounding these organizations. Organizations covered may include the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, and regional international organizations. Also listed as GLBS 235.
POLS 240 Women in Politics 3.0 SH [GESS]
Examination of the experience of women in U.S. politics, particularly at the federal and state level. Considers the impact of gender on political participation, political attitudes, policy preferences, voting behavior, campaign styles, and institutional norms.
POLS 252 U.S. Foreign Policy 3.0 SH [GESS]
Values, process, and governmental institutions involved in the formulation of American foreign policy. In-depth analysis of American foreign policy since 1945 dealing with Cold War and post-Cold War challenges, the developing nations, and international organizations including the United Nations.
POLS 254 Latin American Politics 3.0 SH [ ]
Study of the historical, economic, and social forces influencing the politics of contemporary Latin America, with a focus on why countries shift from authoritarianism into democracy, and how to assess the consolidation of democracy.
POLS 255 Contemporary European Politics 3.0 SH [GESS]
Comparative survey of the political process and issues in Britain, France, and Germany: organization of political interests, decision-making processes, governmental bureaucracies, and political responses to social and economic change.
POLS 261 Politics of China 3.0 SH [GESS]
Study of the cultural, historical, and ideological origins of the People's Republic of China, the role of the Chinese Communist Party and its leaders, the structure and processes of its political institutions, and the nature of issues facing contemporary China, from rapid economic growth to human rights.
POLS 264 Russia and the FSU 3.0 SH [GESS]
Study of the cultural and historical origins of post-Soviet Russia and the various former Soviet republics, the person and rule of Vladimir Putin, the structure and processes of Russia's political institutions, and the nature of issues facing contemporary Russia, from reassertion of a global presence to the decline of democratic institutions.
POLS 265 Contemporary Issues 3.0 SH [ ]
Focuses on one or more current political issues. Designed to deepen the student's previous political studies. May focus on either domestic or international topics. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken more than once provided the topics differ.
POLS 271 Middle Eastern Politics 3.0 SH [ ]
Study of the historical, economic, and social forces influencing the contemporary politics of the Middle East, including culture, religion, resources, state formation and development, security, regional/foreign relations, and competing interests. Focused on the most politically-significant countries and issues.
POLS 325 The Legal Process 4.0 SH [ ]
How the nature of law, including its history, development, and efficient administration, affects our political system. Modern American legal system is studied with the idea of understanding law as ongoing process - how the process works and its political ramifications. Useful for students considering law school.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
POLS 330 American Constitutional Law 3.0 SH [ ]
Study of the politics and law of the U.S. Supreme Court. Selected Supreme Court cases are analyzed to show how court decisions shape the American constitutional system of government. Useful for students considering law school.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
POLS 340 Public Policy Analysis 4.0 SH [ ]
Survey of the policy process (agenda setting, adoption, implementation, and evaluation) and conceptual approaches to policy analysis. Seminar addresses specific policy topics and broader theoretical concerns.
Prerequisite: POLS 120 and POLS 215.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
POLS 345 African Politics 3.0 SH [ ]
Study of the forces and actors shaping contemporary African politics. Topics may include legacies of colonialism, institutional development, political participation, the role of ethnicity in politics, and economic development.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
POLS 348 U.S. and Global Security 3.0 SH [ ]
Explores traditional and non-traditional threats in a globalized world and the options for response; how the concept of security is evolving to take into account global technological, social, and political developments; the role of the military in U.S. political culture.
Prerequisite: POLS 152.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
POLS 352 International Relations Theory 3.0 SH [ ]
Advanced study of the means and methods of theory construction in the field of international relations.
Prerequisite: POLS 152.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
Field of Study Restrictions: Political Science Majors only.
POLS 354 Globalization: Theory/Practice 3.0 SH [ ]
Explores globalization and its many facets from both practical and theoretical viewpoints, including the processes and institutions that cause and advance globalization; evaluating the utility of current theories to explain globalization; debating the effects of globalization.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
POLS 365 Advanced Issues 3.0 SH [ ]
Advanced study and analysis of one or more current political issues. Designed to deepen the advanced student's previous political studies. May focus on domestic or international topics. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken more than once provided the topics differ.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
