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Northwest Missouri State University

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Course Descriptions (Political Science)

102 Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 hours)
Attention is directed toward the fundamental principles, institutions, and problems of American Constitutional Government–national, state, and local. Particular emphasis is given to the Missouri Constitution, as well as to national Constitutional growth.

103 Introduction to Political Economy (3 hours)
An examination of the interaction of political and economic systems in the U.S. and other countries, how groups in societies are helped and harmed by this interaction, and the decision-making processes used.

105 The African World (3 hours)
An introduction into Africa’s rich histories and cultures, as well as its complex social, economic and political realities. This course fulfills a humanities general education requirement. (F., alt. years.)

201 Missouri Politics (1 hour)
The provisions and principles of the Constitution of the State of Missouri will be examined.

Hesse Teaching203 State and Local Government (3 hours)
A study of the functions and structures of state, county and city governments.

205 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours)
A study of the agencies and processes involved in the criminal justice system: legislature, the police, the prosecutor, the public defender, the courts and corrections.

301 Parties and Interest Groups (3 hours)
This course will examine, compare, and contrast the development, organization, and function of both political parties and interest groups in American politics within the context of elections at all levels of government.

302 The American Presidency (3 hours)
This course will encompass the political, legal, organizational, and policy-making aspects of the American Presidency.

303 The American Congress (3 hours)
This course will examine the political and institutional development of Congress. The study will span both the formal legal powers and the internal dynamics of this major national policy-making institution.

310 Comparative Government (3 hours)
A study of the various types of political and governmental structures operative in the contemporary world as well as the various types of political functions performed within national systems. Emphasis is placed on the comparative study of national political systems.

311 Practicum in Political Science (1-2 hours)
A course designed to provide structure and acadmic focus to non-traditional work by students within the curricular structure of the department. Activities given credit under this course must be relevant to the student course of study, approved by the chair, and mentored by a faculty member.

315 Juvenile Justice System in America (3 hours)
An investigation of the American criminal justice system’s response to socially dysfunctional youth: prevention, diversion, law enforcement, the courts, probation, parole, schools, correctional institutions, and alternative placement.

320 Propaganda in the Movies (3 hours)
An investigation into the definition and use of motion pictures as a means of spreading political propaganda. Feature movies, cartoons and documentaries will be studied to illustrate the varied themes used as propaganda in both domestic
and international contexts. The course studies the environment within which the movies were made and the techniques used by the moviemakers that enhance

325 American Legal System (3 hours)
A critical analysis of the judicial process from pre-trial through final appellate review, including the activities and motivations of the major participants in the legal system. Consideration is given to the judiciary’s policymaking capabilities as well as the legal system’s role in the greater political and social context.

332 Principles of Public Administration (3 hours)
A study of decision-making processes in public organizations.

355 Economic Development (3 hours)
The course is broken into thirds: one-third focusses on international economic development, particularly in the developing world;  one-third on U.S.-centered economic development;  and one-third on regional, state and local economic development in and around northwest Missouri. (F, alt. years).

401 Public Opinion, the News Media, and Politics (3 hours)
An examination of the theories and studies of how public opinion is formed, measured, and related to the behavior of public officials. The final third of the course focuses on the politics of the relations between public officials and journalists during the news-gathering process.

421 International Relations (3 hours)
Taught as a current events class, the course provides a survey of international relations. (F)

434 Modern Organizational Theory (3 hours)
An examination of the evolution of organizational theory in the public sector. Emphasis will be placed upon the public organization’s role in society, as well as theory of public management, organizational goals, structure and behavior.

436 Constitutional Law (3 hours)
A study of the constitutional structure of the U.S. government, with particular emphasis on the Supreme Court’s role in interpreting the Constitution. Topics include Presidential, Congressional, and Judicial power; federal-state relations; the development of equal protection; and the electoral system.

438 Civil Liberties (3 hours)
A study of the U.S. Constitution’s protection of fundamental rights, particularly those reflected in the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment, and the legal and political context of their exercise. Topics include freedom of speech and expression, religious freedom, rights of the accused, privacy, and economic rights.

439 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations (3 hours)
Investigation and analysis of the American federal system, including its constitutional, political and administrative characteristics.

440 Early Western Political Thought (3 hours)
Main currents of political thought in their historical setting from Plato to the 17th century, with a critical evaluation of those elements of continuing worth.

441 Modern Western Political Thought (3 hours)
Main currents of political thought from the 17th century to the present, with a critical evaluation of the elements of continuing worth.

490 Senior Seminar (1 hour)
A one hour course designed to give pre-graduation students the opportunity to integrate diverse elements of the substance of the major in a meaningful way; and to review key skills targeted by the major and departmental mentor.

495 Field Problems in Public Administration (3-8 hours)
A supervised internship in an approved local, state, or federal governmental agency including the preparation of a formal written report. Award of credit hours will vary according to the nature of the project undertaken.

499 Independent Study in Political Science (1-3 hours)
Offered only by special arrangement, with the consent of the instructor involved and the department chairperson.

502 Public Policy (3 hours)
An intensive, advanced course in American policy making processes and problems of policy development at the national level. The focus is on the analysis of current public policies and their consequences.

510 Comparative Political Systems (3 hours)
A study of the politics of various regions with an emphasis on a comparative analysis. Topics may vary as events and interests dictate.

511 Special Topics in Political Science (1-4 hours)
A variable topics course designed to meet curricular and student needs not fulfilled by the rest of the political science curriculum. Content of the course will be described in the title. The course may be repeated more than once as long as the topic is different.

525 Transnational Politics (3 hours)
An investigation of the structures and functions of international organizations of a political and economic nature. This is an interdisciplinary course that emphasizes the interdependency of international political and economic organizations of a governmental and non-governmental nature.