This information is current as of 7/22/06, but courses are subject to change. Please refer to the Mercer Registrar site where information about class schedules and the Mercer Bulletin can be found.
POL 101: Introduction to American Government: A study of the structure, organization, power, and procedure of the government of the United States .
POL 200: Introduction to Political Theory: This course is designed for political science majors and non-majors alike. The course introduces students to major thinkers and themes that have shaped our thinking about politics. As a broad survey of the history of political thought, the course considers both ancient and modern authors.
POL 253: Introduction to International Relations: (Same as IAF 253) This courses designed for political science majors and non-majors alike. The course surveys the diplomatic, military. Economic, legal, and organizational theories and variable that shape our understanding of relations between countries. Special emphasis is placed on contemporary world problems such as the environment, human rights, conflict, population, and poverty.
POL 305: State and Local Government: Intergovernmental relations in the federal system, and the organization, functions, and politics of state and local governments.
POL 310: West European Political Systems: An analysis of Western European political systems in terms of their institutions, political processes, and behavior. Emphasis on comparative analysis with examples drawn from the full range of European parliamentary democracies.
POL 312: Politics of Developing Nations: This course treats the major problems of development in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East . Special emphasis is placed on the interaction of domestic political, social, and economic variables in determining the pace and character of the development process.
POL 313: Middle East Politics: This course is designed to introduce the student to the history and political trends of the region. The forces of change such as nationalism, Islamic revivalism, the Arab-Israeli peace process, and regional conflicts are given special attention.
POL 330: Race and Politics in the United States (Same as AFR 330) This course explores the unique political experiences of people of color with particular emphasis on traditional (ie: voting, office holding, and lobbying) and nontraditional (ie: riots/protest, music, mass movements) efforts to gain additional political status. This course will focus on the quality of minority leadership, ideology, participation, representation, and strategies for empowerment.
POL 335: Congress and the Legislative Process: Prerequisite: POL 101 or consent of instructor. An examination of the United States congress, with emphasis on recruitment and composition, systems of representation, leadership, the role of interest groups, and the executive in the legislative process, organization, and functions.
POL 336: Campaigns and Elections: Prerequisite: POL 101 or consent of instructor. A study ofAmerican electoral politics, with primary emphasis on the development, organization, and contemporary role of political parties in the United States .
POL 339: The American Presidency: Prerequisite: POL101 or consent of instructor. The historical development and constitutional base on the U.S. Presidency, its contemporary roles and responsibilities, and its relationships with other political institutions.
POL 345: Environmental Justice: (Same as AFR/ENV 345) This course examines the impact of institutional racism on environmental and health policies, industrial practices, government regulations and rule making, enforcement, and overall quality of life in people of color communities. The course will examine the nexus between environmental protection and civil rights, and the impact of the environmental justice national environmental groups.
POL 348: Constitutional Law: Separation of Power and Federalism: Prerequisite: POL 101 or consent of instructor. An examination of the historical development of American constitutional law and of national governmental powers.
POL 349: Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Rights: Prerequisite: POL 101 or consent of instructor. An examination of the individual's constitutional rights.
POL 350: Judicial Politics: An examination of contemporary political issues and the constitutional law cases establishing the legal boundaries within which these issues are given legitimacy, or by which certain practices are considered to be inconsistent with established law. The issues to be explored may include. but not limited to: religion, speech, privacy, assembly and civil rights.
POL 351: American Foreign Policy: Prerequisite: POL 101 or consent of instructor. The institutionsand procedures involved in the formulation and implementation of American foreign policy, with some consideration of the important elements and strategies of American foreign policy from World War II to the present.
POL 352: US National Security Policy: Prerequisite: POL 101 or 253. This course is designed as an introduction to US national security policy and is aimed at those who seek specialized and non-specialized knowledge in the field. The course will examine US security policy in light of US strategy, particularly nuclear strategy, military roles and missions, disputes between defense needs and the needs of strategy, the relationship between arms control and military strategy, and the like.
POL 354: Principles of International Law: Prerequisite: POL 253 or consent of instructor. This course considers the nature, sources. and evolution of public international law its relation to domestic law; subjects and jurisdiction of international law; peaceful settlement of disputes; international agreements; state responsibility in treatment of aliens; the use of force; and the role of international organizations and courts.
POL 355: International Conflict and Security: Prerequisite: POL 253 or consent of instructor. This course examines interactions between less-developed countries and the international system by reference to the notion of national security. Topics discussed include: colonial legacy, the international financial and trade systems, global economic inequalities, food and health security, conflict and its resolution, and nuclear proliferation.
POL 356: International Political Economy: Prerequisite: POL 253 or consent of instructor. An examination of the political determinants and consequences of economic relations between the nations of the world. Topics explored include international trade, international finance, international financial organizations, regional economic organizations, and economic treaties and conventions.
POL 372: Advanced Studies in Political Thought (Same as PHI 372): Prerequisite: POL 200 or consent of instructor. This course is a survey of Western political thought from Machiavelli to the present. This course will focus on the ideas of such political theorists as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Wollstonecraft, Rousseau, Tocqueville, and Mill. The answers that these writers offer to vexing questions about human nature, war, justice, liberty, violence, equality, freedom, and obligation will be studied in their historical contexts.
POL 373: American Political Thought: Prerequisite: POL 200 or consent of instructor. A survey of American political and legal thought from the American colonists (1607) through Present.
IAF 400: Senior Project in International Affairs (3 hours): Prerequisites: POL/IAF 253 and senior status, or consent of director. Supervised independent study, with an emphasis on the correlation of different approaches to international affairs.
POL 480: Seminar on Political Topics: Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. A seminar involving intensive study of a major political or legal topic. May be repeated with different topics. Permission of instructor required.
POL 490: Internship Program: Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An internship program offering to majors a practical field work experience in following phases of government: local, state, national, or international. The instructor in the governmental field selected must approve and supervise the student's project. The student is responsible for all arrangements. (Variable credit from 3 to 6 semester hours).
POL 493: Supervised Independent Reading : Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An intensive reading program concerning a major issue in political science under the supervision of the instructor selected. Permission of the instructor required.
POL 495: Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 hours): Prerequisite: Senior status. The capstone experience in the political science discipline, providing an overview of its current intellectual state. The seminar will focus on the tensions between theory and practice, the science and art of politics. The contributions of natural and social science theories, methods, and results are high-lighted for their relevance to the study of political science.
POL 496: Directed Independent Research: Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An intensive research project concerning a major issue in political science under the direction of the instructor selected. Permission of the instructor required.