Political Science Course Descriptions

33-103. INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE. 3:3:0
A survey of the major concepts, issues, and controversies in the discipline of political science and its various sub-fields. Credit: three hours.

33-200. AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. 3:3:0
An examination of the structure and operation of the Presidency, Congress, Bureaucracy, and Supreme Court and the role of political parties, elections, interest groups, and the news media in American politics. Credit: three hours.

33-210. CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES. 3:3:0
A study of political ideologies which shape the values, beliefs, and actions of contemporary regimes and political movements. The focus will be on democracy, socialism, communism, anarchism, and fascism. Credit: three hours.

33-220. COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT. 3:3:0
A study of the government and politics of Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia and various nations of Africa. The choice of governments may vary depending on the interests of the students and the instructor. Credit: three hours.

33-230. INTERNATIONAL POLITICS. 3:3:0
A study of the economic, diplomatic, military, and legal relationships among states. Designed to provide a conceptual framework leading to a better understanding of world affairs. The course will cover such topics as the nation-state system, the sources of national power, conflict and conflict resolution, international law, and organization. Credit: three hours.

33-250. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 3:3:0
A study of state and urban governments with special emphasis on Delaware. Credit: three hours.

33-307. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. 3:3:0
The principles of constitutional law as interpreted by Supreme Court decisions on the allocation of powers to the state and between the three branches of the federal government. Prerequisite: Either Political Science 103 or Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-308. CIVIL LIBERTIES. 3:3:0
An examination of the Supreme Court's interpretation of constitutional freedoms under the First Amendment (press, speech, religion, assembly, and petition), the Due Process Clause (racial and sexual equity), and criminal rights (arrests, search and seizure). Prerequisite: Either Political Science 103 or Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-310. AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT. 3:3:0
The evolution of American political thought from colonial times to the present with an emphasis on how ideas influence government policy and political behavior. Prerequisite: History 201 and History 202. Credit: three hours.

33-315. PARTIES, CAMPAIGNS, AND ELECTIONS. 3:3:0
The nature and function of political parties in the American two-party system; the role of money and television in modern campaigns;. voting behavior and electoral reform. Prerequisite: Either Political Science 103 or Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-320. BLACK POLITICS IN AMERICA. 3:3:0
An investigation of black political movements and thought; participation of blacks in the American political process; power structures in black communities. Prerequisite: Either Political Science 103 or Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-325. POLITICS OF DEVELOPING NATIONS. 3:3:0
A study of political development and change in the nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Credit: three hours.

33-330. FIELD WORK IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. 3:3:0
A supervised experience designed to give the student firsthand knowledge of some aspect of political behavior. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Credit: three hours.

33-340. GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS. 3:3:0
A survey of corporate-government relations in the United States focusing on how corporations influence government decision-makers and how government policies affect business operations. Credit: three hours.

33-355. AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. 3:3:0
A study of the American foreign policy-making process and the role of the United States in international relations. Prerequisite: Either Political Science 103 or Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-400. THE PRESIDENCY. 3:3:0
A study of the office, powers, and behavior of the president with an analysis of his major roles as chief administrator, legislator, opinion leader, foreign policy-maker, and commander-in-chief. Prerequisite: Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-403. THE CONGRESS. 3:3:0
A study of the U.S. Congress to include the structure of the House and Senate (the committee system, legislative rules and procedures, party leadership, and caucuses) and congressional behavior (campaigning, constituency representation, and decision-making). Prerequisite: Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-405. THE SUPREME COURT. 3:3:0
The organization and powers of the federal judiciary; the selection of federal judges; judicial philosophy and behavior; judicial decision-making and the impact of the Supreme Court on the political process. Prerequisite: Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-408. BUREAUCRACY AND PUBLIC POLICY. 3:3:0
The role of bureaucracy in modern American government; bureaucratic power and politics; decision-making and the implementation of public policy; political constraints on bureaucracy. Prerequisite: Political Science 200 or approval of the political science advisor. Credit: three hours.

33-410. RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. 3:3:0
Research design techniques including hypothesis testing, sampling, questionnaire construction, and aggregate data analysis. Students will be introduced to the elements of survey research (polling) and conduct either an individual or group research project. No prior knowledge of statistics is necessary. Required for political science majors in junior or senior year. Prerequisite: minimum junior level status and consent of the instructor. Credit: three hours. [An equivalency for this course is Sociology 314.]

33-420. INDEPENDENT STUDY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. 3:3:0
An intensive investigation of a topic within the discipline of political science under the guidance of a faculty member. Course requirements include regular conferences, reading assignments, and a research paper. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor and 15 hours of prior course work in political science. Credit: three hours.

33-466. SEMINAR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. 3:3:0
A specific topic will be developed and publicized at registration each time this course is offered. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Credit: three hours.

33-470. POLITICAL SCIENCE INTERNSHIP. 3:3:0
Students interested in an internship experience with a local, state, or federal government agency should consult with the department chairman for program information. Credit: three to nine hours.

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