Political Science

An introduction to American government and politics with an emphasis on the basic constitutional structure of the government and on the political institutions that surround it. Attention given to current political events and issues.

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

An introduction to the nature and function of law, to the structure and operation of the court systems of the United States and to the legal professions. Also considers current legal controversies.

A study of public policies and their ethical implications. Models and methods used by policy analysts will be studied.

An introduction to the theory and practice of government in major contrasting political systems. Liberal democratic, authoritarian and developing systems are considered.

Selected readings from original sources in the area of modern and contemporary political philosophy. Topics covered include various ideologies' ideal government, liberty, equality individualism, and the role of women in the public sphere. Emphasis is on developing writing and analytic skills. 

This course is an in-depth examination of campaigns and elections. Students will learn how successful campaigns are run, how elections are conducted, as well as assisting with the composition and conducting of the Meredith Poll. Topics of the poll will vary.

An introduction to world politics. A survey of current issues and trends in major regions and the principles of interactions among nations, blocs, international organizations, and multinational corporations.

In this course, students will learn to use quantitative data through participation in an applied research project. Students will identify appropriate quantitative data to answer a research question and then use technological tools to organize, analyze and present that data. By the conclusion of the course students will generate a tangible product showcasing their participation in this project.

This course will address cultural, social and political issues in the Middle East since the late 19th and into the 21st century. Topics covered will include imperialism, nationalism, the creation of modern states, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Iranian Revolution, the politics of oil, U.S. - Middle East relations, and the emergence of activist Islamic groups.

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

The law and practice of constitutional interpretation with a focus on civil liberties and the bill of rights. The case method and intensive discussion are used to introduce the process of legal reasoning and disciplined analytic thinking.

This course is an examination of the development of United States civil rights law in the areas of gender and race. Students will read Supreme Court opinions and analyze how these decisions might be applied to modern racial and gender issues. The case method and intensive discussion are used to introduce the process of legal reasoning and disciplined analytic thinking.

An introduction to the field of public administration. The executive branch of American government will be examined. Methods, theories, and skills of administration in the public sector will be studied.

This course will introduce students to the role that nonprofit organizations plan in American life and how they intersect with government. Students will also learn about topics affecting now nonprofits are managed including: leadership, budgeting, fundraising, and advocacy. This course offers a theoretical and practical overview of the sector.

This course will examine the role women play in politics and the participation of women in government as voters, elected and appointed officials, and party leaders. Topics of discussion will include women in political theory, the history of women in American politics, and current gender issues.

This course examines the politics of international economic relations between countries and in the world as a whole. The course orients students with the basic underpinnings of international economic policymaking and the basic theoretical paradigms of the field of international political economy. Specific topics of discussion include the politics of international trade, the effect of globalization on the U.S. economy and political system, the role of multinational corporations and nongovernmental organizations in global politics, relations between the developed and developing worlds, and the rise of regional economic blocs.

This course explores the structure and dynamics of American Public opinion, providing a broad-based introduction to the forces that shape citizens' social and political attitudes in the contemporary United States. The content of the course will focus on three major areas: definitions of public opinion and theories of opinion formation, how public opinion is influenced and how it in turn influences governmental policy, and public opinion in specific areas of the contemporary American political scene.

A study of global issues involving the United States vis-a-vis Europe, the former Soviet Union, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and Asia.

This course will examine the politics and policy of environmental issues both in the United States and globally. We will study the forces and constraints that shape policy at local, state and national levels of government. We will also examine the issues and problems of the global environment and international policy being developed to address those issues. Students will examine and assess proposed solutions to the problems.

This course provides a broad overview of the nature of inquiry in political science and is intended to give students an understanding of how to do empirical research. Students will finish the course knowing how philosophy of science, research design, and statistical and causal inference are understood in the discipline of political science. 

This course provides a survey of politics and policy at the state and local levels of government. Institutions, processes, and behaviors of governments and political participants will be studied. The federal system will be examined from the viewpoint of states and localities.

What does it take to be an effective political leader? How can you become a political leader at the local, state, or even national level? This course examines theories of effective political leadership. It also helps students develop their attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary for contemporary political leaders.

The course will cover the history and current practices of legislative lobbying and public issue advocacy. The students will learn to prepare legislation and lobby for its passage, as well as how to move public opinion through advocacy. Students will learn how to build effective political coalitions and conduct policy campaigns.

This course will introduce students to the origins, function, structure and issues facing the contemporary international organizations such as the United Nations and prepare students to participate in a simulation such as a Model United Nations conference, a Model Arab League conference, or an online world politics simulation among other venues. Participation in the conference or simulation is a requirement for the course.

This course exposes students to the workplace environments in which political scientists and practical politicians function; puts "flesh on the bones" of the theory of political science that students learn in the classroom; demonstrates how the ideals of political science sometimes inform and sometimes are transformed by actual practices in the field.

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

This course will prepare students to participate in moot court competitions, which simulate the experience of arguing a constitutional law case for the Supreme Court. Students will gain hands-on experience in legal research, critical thinking, and effective argument. 

This course will involve traveling to either Washington, D.C. or political conventions in order to see and experience politics in action, with a particular focus on the importance of democratic engagement. It will be a one-week or two-week experience offered in summer only. Convention trips will focus on themes of the current election, while Washington, D.C. trips will involve a current topics in political discourse. Topics will be chosen in accordance with faculty and student interests, and may include current events, current trends in research, and/or professional practice. A description of the topic will be included in the registration schedule for the upcoming semester.

This course is a capstone experience for the Political Science majors and is an opportunity for them to use their political science training to understand the interplay between theory and methods and the actual world of political organization and movements. Students will complete a placement with a community or government agency involved in a political campaign or other activity, as approved by the instructor. All students will utilize political science theories, literature, methods and data to explore the phenomena they encounter in their fieldwork. Findings of the semester long project will be presented to political science faculty, students, and the broader Meredith community. 

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

A research and seminar course required of Honors Scholars and Teaching Fellows in which each student will formulate and execute an original research project that will culminate in a paper and an oral presentation. The director of the research project must approve a preliminary research proposal during the semester before the student takes this course, as must the appropriate director(s) of Honors and/or Teaching Fellows. The project must meet Honors and Teaching Fellows requirements, as well as those of the History and Political Science Department.

This course is a capstone experience for Political Science majors in which each student will formulate and execute an original research project that will culminate in a paper. The director of the research project must approve a preliminary research proposal during the semester before the student takes this course.