Political Science

Chair: Bernard Rowan

Faculty: Philip Aka, Phillip Beverly, Agber Dimah, Carol Leach, Bernard Rowan

The Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor sequence in Political Science for students majoring in other disciplines. All department majors must complete the assessment requirements specific to their major field, copies of which can be obtained in the departmental office.

Political science as a discipline seeks to explain the development of political attitudes and behavior, the nature and function of contemporary political institutions, the development and implementation of public policies, and the limits and possibilities of government, both at the national and international levels. Students will learn to critically evaluate public policies and institutions, and are encouraged to become actively involved in the community through internships in government and public law. A degree in political science helps prepare students for careers in government, law, campaign management, business, international organizations, and research.

Areas of emphasis within the major are:

American politics and public law; international relations and comparative politics; public administration and public policy; and political theory and methodology. The department also offers a minor sequence in political science for students majoring in other degree programs.

Internships

The department prepares students for careers in government and industry through internship opportunities. Political science students have completed internships in national, state, and local government agencies, state and federal legislators’ offices, campaign organizations, and law firms. Students may earn up to 12 credit hours of internship credit in political science; no more than six credit hours may count toward the major.

Prelaw Studies

Although no specific major is required for law school, political science is the most common major for students attending law school and is strongly recommended, as either a major or minor. The coordinating Pre-law advisor at the university is based in the political science department.

General Requirements

Admission to the program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department. The department will not accept D transfer credit in the major and students must achieve a grade of C or better in all major courses at Chicago State University. Students must complete 120 semester hours of work: 6 hours in composition; 36 hours in general education (refer to the liberal arts curriculum outline) consisting of 6 hours in one foreign language; 3 hours in fine arts; 6 hours of humanities courses; 3 hours of mathematics; 9 hours of natural science, no more than 6 of which may be from the same discipline; 9 hours of social science, (excluding political science), no more than 6 of which may be from the same discipline; 3 hours of critical thinking (may be counted as one of your humanities or social science classes); 3 hours of a diversity course (may count as a course within the major or as a social science or humanities; and a 3 hour interdisciplinary course. For freshmen and transfer students with less than 30 hours, there is a required one hour cognate elective (POL 1099) to acclimate student majors to the university academic experience.

Specific Requirements

Required Courses (42 credit hours)

Core Requirements:

POL 1010/101, 1020/102, 2210/221, 2500/150, 3030/203 or 3040/204, 3500/250.

Select at least one course from each of the following four fields

American Government/Public Law: POL

2010/201, 2050/205, 2060/206, 2070/207, 2080/208, 2150/215, 2540/254, 3150/315, 3160/316, 3200/320, 3370/337, 3380/338, 3510/350, 4030/303, 4050/305

International Relations/Comparative Politics:

POL 2600/260, 2610/261, 2650/265, 3000/300, 3270/327, 3550/255, 4040/304, 4320/332.

Political Theory:

POL 1000/100, 2020/202, 3030/203, 3040/204.

Public Administration/Public Policy:

POL 2210/221, 2230/223, 3220/322, 3240/324, 3250/325, 3260/326, 3280/328, 3290/329, 3300/330, 3350/225, 4330/333, 4400/340.

Twelve additional credit hours selected from at least two of the four fields of concentration. At least 12 hours in the major must be at the 3000-4000 levels.

Required Cognate Courses:

ECON 1010/101 or 1020/102; ENG 2790/279 or 2800/280.

Elective Cognate Courses (18 credit hours)

18 credit hours of upper division courses in a related field, selected with the approval of the departmental academic advisor, or completion of a minor. 

Completion of 15 credit hours of general electives selected with the approval of the departmental academic advisor.

Honors in Political Science:

Students approved for the honors program in political science must:

• Complete two designated political science classes or independent studies at the 3000-4000 level as honors classes (6 credit hours).
• Complete a two-semester honors thesis project with a faculty mentor (6 credit hours), taking POL 4750 and POL 4850
• Earn a B or better in each honors course.
• Maintain a major GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Qualified students interested in beginning honors-level work in their freshman or sophomore years are encouraged to apply to the Honors College for advanced study in general education.  See the Honors College section of this catalog for further details.

Minor in Political Science (21 credit hours)

The requirements for minors must be completed prior to graduation in order for the minor to appear on the transcript. For more information about minors, see the chairperson of the department.

Required Courses for Minor:

6 credit hours POL 1010/101 and 1020/102

Elective Political Science Courses:

15 credit hours

Must have at least one course in three of the four sub- fields, selected with the approval of the departmental advisor. The department will accept only courses with grades of C or above for completion of the minor.

Major in International Studies:

The Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and a minor sequence in International Studies for students majoring in other disciplines.

All program majors must complete assessment requirements, which may be found on the program webpage.

The International Studies program goals are to provide students with an understanding of international issues and problems; to extend skills needed to engage the global community in a variety of careers and from a variety of perspectives; to provide knowledge of basic forms of international behavior and interaction, based upon student interests

A major or minor degree in International Studies at Chicago State can enable the student better to compete on an equal footing with peers in our ever-growing global society. A student with knowledge of International Studies is better-positioned for entry-level positions in the foreign and diplomatic and intelligence services of national and international governments and organizations. The U.S. State Department, the Peace Corps, the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization are some of the first-level employment institutions that value students with knowledge of our global society and its dynamics in relation to national and local contexts.

The International Studies degree offers students a distinctive curriculum consisting of 42 credit hours of course work. The instructional component of the International Studies degree features a core curriculum of 15 hours, an intensive foreign language requirement, an area or component specialization, a study abroad or internship experience, and a senior level methods and writing course. In addition, students are required to complete the general education requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Sciences. For freshmen and transfer students with less than 30 hours, there is a required one hour cognate elective (I S 1099) to acclimate student majors to the university academic experience.

Core Requirements

The core curriculum consists of five required courses (15 credit hours) in the sub-fields of international studies:

POL 2500; HIST 2200; ECON 2030; GEOG 1100; ANTH 1010; Two years foreign language study; Internship of Study Abroad experience (6 hours) chosen with the coordinator of International Studies and the Office of International Programs.

Second, students must complete two years of study in a single foreign language, after which they may choose to pursue oral proficiency certification in that language. The first year of study may fulfill the existing university general education requirement of six hours.

Third, students must complete a study abroad and/or internship experience (6 hours). The study-abroad courses may be selected according to the student’s academic college and interests, with the approval of the Office of International Programs and the International Studies degree coordinator. Should students choose to complete an associated internship experience, the internship would need to be approved by the International Studies degree coordinator. Students will need to have completed the study abroad or internship before the beginning of their senior year.

Area Specialization

Each student is required to complete 12 hours of course work in one of the six subfields below (NOTE: Many of these courses have significant prerequisites. It is recommended that students choose a minor in a related field):

International Economics and Business

ECON 2110, 2120, 3010, 3030; FIN 3650; MKTG 4820; GEOG 2230; MGMT 3240, 4850.

International Relations/Comparative Government/International Law

POL 3550, 2600, 2650, 4040, 3000, 4320; CJ 4334, 4368, 3373.

International History, Culture and Society

ANTH 2110, 2120, 2130, 3180, 3130; ENG 2210, 2410, 4316; GEOG 2210, 2230, 2020, 3050, 3055, 3060, 3020, 3040, 3045, 4250, 4460; HIST 2830, 2930, 4280, 2300, 4620, 4810, 4900.

International language and Literatures

Two years of an additional foreign language or equivalent; two semesters of foreign literature taught in the target language.

International Public Health

ECON 2200, H SC 2250, H SC 3310, H SC 2375, GEOG 4210, GEOG 4270.

International Environmental Studies

GEOG 3450, 4800, 4250, 4460; BIOL 4730; CHEM 3650 or 3660; HS 4060.

Capstone Course

All International Studies students must complete a required senior-level capstone course entitled International Studies Seminar (IS 4000) that will cover theory and methods of international studies. This course also will involve the preparation of a seminar paper and attention to special topics in international studies.

Honors in International Studies:

Students approved for the honors program in International Studies must:

• Complete two designated international studies classes or independent studies at the 3000-4000 level as honors classes (6 credit hours).
• Complete a two-semester honors thesis project with a faculty mentor (6 credit hours), taking IS 4750 and IS 4850
• Earn a B or better in each honors course.
• Maintain a major GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• Qualified students interested in beginning honors-level work in their freshman or sophomore years are encouraged to apply to the Honors College for advanced study in general education.  See the Honors College section of this catalog for further details.

Minor in International Studies (21 credit hours)

Requirements for Minor:

HIST 2200, POL 2500, ECON 2030, GEOG 1100, ANTH 1010, plus six hours from one of six tracks.

Tracks—Select six hours from one track with approval of the International Studies Minor Coordinator:

• International Economics and Business : ECON 2110, 2120, 3010, 3030, FIN 3650, 4820, 3240, 4850, GEOG 4560
• International Relations/Comparative Government/International Law: POL 3550, 2600, 2650, 4040, 3000, 4320; CJ 4334, 4368, 3378
• International History, Culture, and Society: ANTH 2110, 2120, 2130, 3180, 3130; ENG 2210, 2410, 4316; GEOG 2210, 2230, 2020, 3050, 3055, 3060, 3020, 3040, 3045, 4250, 4460: HIST 2830, 2930, 4280, 4620, 4810, 4900
• International Language and Literatures : Two years of a single foreign language or equivalent; two semesters of foreign literature taught in the target language
• International Public Health : Econ 2200, H SC 2250, 2375, HS2375; GEOG 4210, 4270
• International Environmentalism: GEOG 3450, 4800, 4250, 4460; BIOL 4730; CHEM 3650, 3660; HS 4060
• Study Abroad: Study abroad courses according to the student’s academic college and interests, with the approval of the Office of International Programs and International Studies Minor advisor, may be taken to fulfill part or all of the Minor Track requirement.

International Studies (IS)

1099 FRESHMAN SEMINAR IN INTERNTIONAL STUDIES (1)

Prerequisite : Freshmen or transfer students with fewer than 30 credit hours .

Introduction to the expectations of the university. Promotion of effective study skills, utilization of university resources, including the academic library and computer laboratories.

3314 FIFELD INTERNSHIP (3-6)

Prerequisites: IS Major, Junior Standing, Minimum 2.5 GPA, and Consent of Instructor.

Special assignments or a research project related to work in an office or institution associated with international and blobal studies.  One hundred twen-two clock hours for three credit hours.  Course may be repeated for credit up to six hours of credit. 

4750 HONORS THESIS I (3)

Prerequisites: Admission to Honors Program in International Studies .

Intensive readings and research for preparation of seniors honors thesis. Open to students approved for program honors only.

4850 HONORS THESIS II (3)

Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program in International Studies, Completion of IS 4750 with a grade of B or better.

Open to students approved for program honors only. Completion and defense of Honors Thesis.

Political Science (POL) Course Offerings

0920/092 LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST PREPARATION (2)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the instructor.

Preparation and practice for the Law School Admissions Test. Credit does not count toward graduation.

1000/100 CRITICAL THINKING IN POLITICS AND LAW (3)

Reasoning processes in politics and law. (A critical thinking course.)

1010/101 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (3)

Nature and function of our national system of government, with attention to the impact of the Constitution and the Supreme Court on the definition of civil liberties.

(Enrichment core course.) IAI: S5 900 PLS 911

1020/102 SURVEY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

Presentation of methodology, political theory, international relations, comparative government, public administration, American political institutions, and political economy. IAI: S5 903

1099 FRESHMAN SEMINAR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (1)

Prerequisite: Newly admitted freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 30 credit hours.

Introduction to the expectations of the university. Promotion of effective study skills, utilization of university resources, including academic library, and computer laboratories. Acclimation to university life. 

1110/111 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE (1)

An introduction to the basic rules of parliamentary procedure.

1310/131 LAW SCHOOL APPLICATION (1)

Preparation for Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and law school applications, visits to law schools, internships, and financial aid.

2010/201 POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICS (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Development, organization, and function of political parties.

2020/202 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the English Qualifying Examination or consent of the department.

American political thought from the colonial era to the present. Topics include the founding, the issue of slavery, African American political thought, and feminist/womanist contributions. (Writing emphasis course.)

2050/205 CHICAGO POLITICS (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

An analysis of the political processes and institutions in the City of Chicago.

2060/206 THE PRESIDENCY (3)

Prerequisite: sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Office, powers, and limits.

2070/207 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of department.

Comparative analysis of legislative systems in Congress, state legislatures, and city councils.

2080/208 NEIGHBORHOOD /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

An examination of the policies and issues involved in neighborhood/community development. Focus will be on planning, project management, evaluation and citizen participation.

2150/215 CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Political campaigns and elections in the American democratic process; electoral procedures and the roles of political parties and special interest groups.

2210/221 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PRINCIPLES (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

A comprehensive analysis of the components of the field of public administration. Organization, management problems, personnel policy, financial administration, and administrative responsibility within a democratic political system. Writing emphasis course.

2230/223 PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Origin, development, and implementation of government policies by administrative agencies.

2390/239 MODEL ILLINOIS GOVERNMENT (2)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Opportunity for a practical understanding of the principles, operations, and institutions of Illinois state government, with required participation in Model Illinois Government simulation.

2500/150 THE WORLD IN CRISIS (3)

An introduction to current international questions. Trends in global politics leading to conflicts, and theoretical frameworks for understanding and analyzing to those conflicts.

2540/254 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of department.

Structure, organization, and operation of state and local governments in the United States. Writing emphasis course. IAI: S5 902

2600/260 AFRICAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Political development in African nations through the pre-colonial, colonial, and post independence eras.

(This course satisfies the elective course requirements for the African American Studies major or minor.)

2610/261 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

A survey of the objectives, formulation, and implementation of American foreign policy.

2650/265 POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CARIBBEAN (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

An examination of the political process in the Caribbean states with special emphasis on the economic problems arising in the transition from colonial status to independence.

2930/293 WORKSHOP IN WORLD PEACE ORGANIZATIONS (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Study of world peace-keeping organizations from the 19th century through a workshop approach, based on the structure of the United Nations. Individual students will participate in Model UN conferences. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours. Does not count as political science elective credit for political science majors or minors, or in general education. Credit not given for both POL 293 and HIST 293 during the same semester.

3000/300 INTERNATIONAL LAW (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

A study of the basic principles, political nature and juridical procedures of contemporary international law, including an examination of its role in international relations.

3030/203 POLITICAL THEORY: CLASSICAL (3)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the English Qualifying Examination or consent of the department.

Explores a variety of classical political theorists, both western and non-western, including Plato, Aristotle, and Lao-Tzu. Students will read original texts and commentary on the theorists. (Writing emphasis course.)

3040/204 POLITICAL THEORY: MODERN (3)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the English Qualifying Examination or consent of the department.

Development of liberalism through Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and other theorists including African American philosophers. Emphasizes issues of race, gender, class and ethnicity. (Writing emphasis course.)

3140/314 ADMINISTRATIVE INTERNSHIP FIELD (3-12)

Prerequisite: Junior standing, 2.5 GPA., completion of 9 semester credit hours of political science, and consent of the instructor.

Special assignments or a research project in a government office, a law office or public-related private organization. Thirty to 225 clock hours field experience. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 12 hours.

3160/316 JUDICIAL PROCESS (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Introduction to the structure and process of the judiciary in the United States, England, and France.

3350/225 URBAN POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Effect of government organization, community participation, and economic power structure on the policy making process in metropolitan areas, with emphasis on Chicago.

3200/320 FEDERALISM AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS IN AMERICA (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

A critical examination of American federalism and of selected areas of intergovernmental relations such as the evolution and development of the grant-in-aid system.

3220/322 PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION (3)

Prerequisite: POL 2210/221 or consent of the department.

A study of the recruitment, position classification, pay politics, employee relations, promotion, transfer and training of public employees.

3240/324 PROBLEMS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

An analysis of administrative problems in government, such as those relating to financial and personnel management, administrative responsibility and control, regulation, secrecy and freedom of information.

3250/325 POLITICS AND EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Analysis of the links between politics and education in the United States; the role of schools in political socialization; the impact of economic and political structures on schooling, with special emphasis on the relationship between race, class and education.

3260/326 POLITICS OF BUDGETING (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

An examination of the national budgetary conflict in order to discover priorities and the strategies of the winners and losers in the allocation of public money.

3270/327 POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICA (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Analysis of contemporary political systems of Latin American nations.

3280/328 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Supreme court cases on administrative rule-making by governmental agencies, with emphasis on labor/management relations, affirmative action, and consumer protection.

3290/329 COMPARATIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

A comparative analysis of the structure, management and functions of governmental bureaucracies in the United States, Western Europe and the Third World.

3300/330 PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Analysis of leadership roles, decision-making models, and management by objectives in governmental agencies.

3310/331 MOCK TRIAL I: TRIAL ADVOCACY (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Theory and practice of trial advocacy (including opening statements, direct and cross-examination techniques, closing statements and evidentiary objections) in preparation for participation in the American Mock Trial Association annual competition and invitational tournaments. May not be used in fulfillment of political science requirements. Credit not given for both POL 331 and POL 335.

3370/337 WOMEN IN POLITICS (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

The role of women in the political arena with focus on grass roots and elite politics at the national and international level within historical context. Cross listed as HIST 4390/339. Credit not given for both POL 33770/337 and HIST 4390/339.

3380/338 WOMEN AND THE LAW (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Study of state laws, federal laws, and U.S. Supreme Court cases dealing with the legal rights of women in the United States.

3500/250 POLITICAL INQUIRY AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Methodology of political science and the use of computer facilities to analyze political data. 

3510/350 BLACK POLITICS IN AMERICA (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Structure and dynamism of recent and contemporary Black political movements. (This course satisfies the elective course requirements for the African American Studies major or minor.)

3550/255 COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT (3)

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of the department.

Comparison of political systems of principal foreign governments. IAI: S5 905 PLS 914

4030/303 AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (3)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of English and reading qualifying examinations. Junior standing or consent of the department.

Development of constitutional law; Supreme Court, Congress, presidency, state powers.

4040/304 CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Principles of international politics. IAI: S5 904N PLS 912

4050/305 CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

Analysis of the United States Constitution and relevant court cases in the area of civil liberties and civil rights.

4320/332 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (3)

Theory and practice of international organizations with a focus on the United Nations and some consideration of regional organizations as well.

4330/333 POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

The process of program formulation and administration; approaches to organizing fiscal support for policy implementation; and introduction to the methods used to evaluate program impact and effectiveness.

4340/334 MOCK TRIAL II: PRACTICUM (3)

Prerequisite: Junior Standing or consent of the department.

Intense preparation for the American Mock Trial Association Tournament. The team will compete at invitational and regional tournaments and, if successful, at the national championship. Study and practice of criminal and civil procedure as used in the simulation. May not be used to fulfill political science major requirements. May be repeated once for credit.

4400/340 POLICY SEMINAR (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

A detailed examination of selected policy areas of current political relevance. At least one seminar will be offered each year on such policy fields as health and welfare, energy, transportation, housing and communications.

4420/342 PUBLIC POLICY AND AGING (3)

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the department.

An examination of the development, implementation, analysis and implications of major public policies and programs affecting the elderly in the United States, with some cross-national comparisons. Demographic, economic, and political forces that give rise to aging policy.

4520/352 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (1-3)

Prerequisite: Political science major; Junior standing; consent of the department.

Staff-directed study in special topics. May be repeated once under a different topic for one to three additional hours.

4650 SENIOR THESIS (3)

Prerequisites: Completion of related independent study (POL 4520) in prior semester and approval of the department.

Intensive readings, research, and preparation of a senior thesis.

4750 HONORS THESIS I (3)

Prerequisites: Admissions to Honors Program in Political Science.

Intensive readings and research for preparation of senior honors thesis. Open to students approved for program honors only.

4990/399 SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of the department.

Intensive study of a selected subject in political science. May be repeated once under a different topic.