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Undergraduate Academic Policies and Information
Graduate Academic Policies and Information
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Departmental Mission Statement
Chair, Associate Professor Sandra Joireman Professor Amstutz Associate Professor Black Assistant Professors Anderson, Hawkins
The Department of Politics and International Relations aims to foster a deeper appreciation for domestic and international politics through the study of political behavior, governmental institutions, and the international system. In fulfillment of this aim, the department offers courses that: 1) expose students to the major areas of the discipline, including American politics, international politics, comparative politics, public policy, law, and political philosophy; 2) emphasize concepts, theories, and tools that are essential in political analysis; 3) address key issues involved in the building of just and peaceful political communities; and 4) examine the relationship of Christianity and politics. The department offers majors in Political Science and International Relations that are firmly rooted in the traditional liberal arts curriculum of Wheaton College. Due to the large overlap between the two majors, department policy does not allow a double major in Political Science and International Relations.
The major in political science serves as preparation for: a) graduate study in politics, government, and related fields, including area studies, public policy, and public administration; b) law school; c) careers in government and public affairs; and d) work in the private and non-profit sectors that require knowledge of government and politics. Requirements for a Political Science major are 36 hours of political science and international relations courses that include a core of 16 hours of courses in the four major subfields of the discipline of political science, a course in research methods (PSCI 342), an internship (PSCI 496), senior seminar (PSCI 494), plus ten hours of departmental electives from courses offered in PSCI or IR. Core courses are PSCI 135 American Politics and Government; PSCI 145 Political Philosophy; IR 155 Comparative Politics; IR 175 International Politics. Students may also substitute the following courses for the core requirements: for IR 155, four hours from IR 350-370 or 410-420; for IR 175, four hours from IR 371-409. Note prerequisites for IR courses. A maximum of four hours each of PSCI 495 and 496 may be counted toward the major. Once a student is admitted into the major, all core requirements must be taken at Wheaton College. Requirements for a Political Science minor are 20 hours, including four hours of course work from each of the four subfields in political science including PSCI 135; PSCI 145; IR 155 and IR 175 . Upper division IR courses may be substituted for the 100 level courses in the appropriate subfield. Note prerequisites for IR courses.
PSCI 135. American Politics and Government. A study of the origins, institutions, and behavior of the United States government in a comparative perspective. Emphasis is given to the U.S. Constitution and the federal government system. PSCI 145. Political Philosophy. A text and film-based exploration of the political philosophic dimensions of contemporary political issues such as nationalism, racism, feminism, and environmentalism. Texts and films will be drawn from both Western and non-Western sources. PSCI 231x. Chicago. See URBN 231. (2) PSCI 232. Campaigns in Context. An examination of federal, state, and local campaigns with an emphasis on the politics and context of the November election. Wheaton-in-Washington Program. (2) PSCI 233. Washington Workshop. Reflections on the meetings, briefings, and excursions in Washington, D.C. Wheaton-in-Washington Program. (2) PSCI 234. Interest Groups and American Politics. An examination of the role of interest groups in the American political process. Wheaton-in-Washington Program. (2) PSCI 235. Iowa Caucus. A hands-on exploration of the presidential nomination process including campaign work and observation of Iowa precinct caucuses. (2) Presidential election years. PSCI 271. Introduction to Law. A study of the nature and function of law in society. Various disciplinary perspectives employed. (2) PSCI 292. Abortion and the Law. An examination of human reproduction issues and abortion, focusing on the constitution and legal issues surrounding the topic. (2) PSCI 334. Politics and Policy. A detailed exploration of the policy process including a simulation of legislative work on Capitol Hill. Wheaton-in-Washington Program. PSCI 335. Politics and Pop Culture. An exploration and evaluation of portrayals of political themes and concepts in various forms of popular culture including films, television, and plays. (2) Prerequisite: PSCI 135 or instructor’s permission. PSCI 337. Women and Politics. An exploration of the role of American women and politics in the late nineteenth century and its transformation into the role of American women in politics by the late twentieth century. (2) Prerequisite: PSCI 135 or instructor’s permission. PSCI 341. Topics in Political Theory. A topical course in political theory that includes such subjects as Shakespeare & Politics, Technology & Politics, and the Power of the Powerless (Gandhi, King, and Havel). Periodic. (2) PSCI 342. Research Methodology. An introduction to the various methods of research used by political scientists. Special attention is given to survey research and to computer applications and data analysis. PSCI 346. Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy. This course surveys the varieties of political philosophy found among the Greeks and Romans, and culminates with the ordering of European political thought by Christian philosophers. Thinkers considered include: Homer, Sophocles, Plato, Thucydides, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, and Aquinas. PSCI 347. Renaissance and Modern Political Philosophy. This course chronicles the replacement of the Christian order and the development of its theoretical alternative, modernity. Thinkers considered include: Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Mill, Nietzche, and Freud. PSCI 348. American Political Thought. An analysis of central ideas in the history of American political thought, from the founding to the present. (2) PSCI 349. Christian Political Thought. A critical examination of central concepts within the history of Christian political thought, from Augustine to the present day. (2) PSCI 362. Global Cities: Cities & the World. This course examines the effects of globalization on major urban centers in the world system, comparing and contrasting cities in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Students will study the economic, political and social impact, as well as responses of government and civil society. PSCI 373 Environmental Politics. The discourses, institutions, and practices that govern our relations with ‘nature’ and environmentally-medicated social relations are considered. Examining local, national, and global levels of environmental governance, the course focuses on four issues: cities and the environment, energy, biodiversity, and climate change. In so doing the course engages such themes as sustainable development and environmental justice and explores various perspectives on nature-society relations. PSCI 381. Constitutional Law. An examination of the American constitutional system, with special emphasis given to the role of judicial institutions and the impact of Supreme Court decisions. PSCI 382. Media & Public Opinion. This course explores the interrelationship between the mass media (including print, broadcast, and new media), public opinion, and American politics. Prerequisite: PSCI 135 or equivalent. PSCI 383. Religion and American Politics. An assessment of the role of religion in American politics, focusing especially on the contemporary era. Particular attention is given to the role of evangelicals. Periodic. PSCI 384. The Presidency. Examines the role of the presidency in the U.S. political system, focusing on such themes as leadership, decision-making, and Congressional-Executive relations. PSCI 385. Urban Politics. An analysis of the politics of urban areas, including relationships with state and national governments, decision-making, and urban public policy. (2) PSCI 386. Congress and the Policy Process. An examination of the role of Congress in the American political process, including historical development, structure and functions, and decision-making. Recommended for those seeking Washington internships. Alternate years. PSCI 411. Campaigns and Elections. Explores the structures and institutions of American electoral politics, including the nomination process and general elections. Gives special attention to the elements of the modern campaign, including campaign finance, research, polling, advertising, and media use. Alternate years. PSCI 494. Senior Seminar. An analysis of the interrelationship of politics and the Christian faith, focusing on conceptual, legal, and domestic public policy issues. Senior majors only. (2) PSCI 495. Independent Study. A guided individual reading and research problem. Junior and senior majors, or discretion of professor. (2-4) PSCI 496. Internship. A series of programs designed for practical experience in professions frequently chosen by Political Science majors, such as law, government, and public service. Prerequisite: Political Science major with junior or senior standing and a minimum of 16 credits in the department. PSCI 499. Honors Thesis. An independent research project requiring original research, developed into a scholarly paper and culminating in an oral examination. By application only. The honors thesis may not be counted toward the total hours to complete the major. Prerequisite: PSCI 342 Research Methods.
Trends toward interdependence and globalization through greater integration and expansion of world markets have provided opportunities for international cooperation and conflict. The increased importance of international relationships between governments, corporations, and nongovernmental organizations has created a considerable demand for individuals trained to understand this complex environment. The major in International Relations stresses integrated knowledge in the areas of politics, economics, history, and languages. The International Relations major provides focused training for students who plan to work in a wide variety of international career fields, including international affairs, international business, area studies, development work, international law, and graduate study in foreign affairs, international relations, and comparative politics. Requirements for an International Relations major are 22 hours of courses in IR, four hours in history, four hours in economics and 16 hours of supporting courses. Students will be required to take 14 hours of core courses: IR 155 Comparative Politics; IR 175 International Relations; IR 494 Senior Seminar; and IR 496 Internship. In addition, a student must take 16 hours of electives from the approved list of IR electives. The electives must include at least four hours from courses in comparative politics (IR 350-370 or 410-420) and four hours in international politics (IR 371-409). The electives must also include four hours of approved courses from economics (B EC 331, 347, 365, 366, 371, or 456) and four hours of approved courses from history (HIST 292, 331, 334, 349, 361, or 373). Students must also take 16 hours of supporting courses, including PSCI 135, B EC 211, and eight hours, or its equivalent, of a modern language beyond the 201 level. The department recommends that students take B EC 211 as their general education Society cluster requirement outside the IR major. IR 379 may be counted as either the economics elective or international relations elective, but may not count for both requirements. Courses taken at other, unaffiliated institutions must have the prior approval of the department chair. Once a student is admitted into the major, all core requirements must be taken at Wheaton College. Requirements for an International Relations minor are 20 hours including IR 155, 175, and 12 hours of courses from the approved list of electives. A maximum of 4 hours history and 4 hours economics may count toward IR minor.
IR 155. Comparative Politics. An introduction to the comparative analysis of the political systems of nations around the world. Attention will focus on political processes and political institutions. Examples will be drawn from nation-states in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the former Soviet Union , and the Islamic world. IR 175. International Politics. An introduction to the politics among nations. Themes emphasized include: international security, diplomacy, conflict resolution and war, human rights, international law and organization, and global political economy. IR 342x. Research Methodology. See PSCI 342. IR 353. Comparative Public Policy. An examination of key public policies, such as health, education, environment, and family in advanced industrial democracies. (2) IR 354. African Politics. Investigates the political history and current regimes of African states. Special emphasis is given to the dual processes of democratization and development. IR 355. Latin American Politics. A survey of the political values, practices, and institutions in major Latin American states, with special emphasis on opportunities and impediments to political development. IR 356. European Politics. A comparative assessment of the politics and government of selected European nations. IR 357. Third World Politics and Development. A comparative examination of the nature and processes of political change and development in Third World countries. Emphasis is given to the political economy of national development. IR 359. Forgiveness and Political Reconciliation. This class explores the potential role of forgiveness in confronting and overcoming systemic regime crimes. The course emphasizes theory and case studies and focuses on processes that foster political reconciliation. (2) IR 361 Postcommunist Politics. A comparison of the postcommunist political development of a select number of Central and East European states. Examination is given to both the common “Leninist legacies” of communism and the great diversity of political practice now found across the region. Special emphasis is given to political institutions, European Union integration, and select contemporary political issues. IR 362x. Global Cities: Cities in the World. See PSCI 362. IR 372. International Law. Analyzes the nature and role of law in the international community through leading case studies. (2) IR 373x Environmental Politics. See PSCI 373. IR 376. Ethics and Foreign Policy. An examination of the role of moral values in foreign policy, with special emphasis on war, human rights, and foreign intervention. Prerequisite: IR 175. (2) IR 378. U.S. Foreign Policy. An analysis of the processes and institutions involved in making U.S. foreign policy. Emphasis given to understanding the development of contemporary issues. Prerequisite: IR 175. IR 379. International Political Economy. An analysis of the interaction of economics and politics at the international level. Topics covered will include the origins and nature of the World Bank, IMF and WTO, regionalization, trade policy, and the world monetary system. Prerequisite: B EC 211. IR 412. Islam and Politics. This seminar course focuses on central Islamic concepts relating to politics and the role of Islam in political movements and individual political action. Pre-requisite: IR 155. IR 415. Nationalism. A comparative examination of ethnic identity as a motivation for political behavior in the modern world. Prerequisite: IR 155. IR 494. Senior Seminar. An analysis of the interrelationship of politics and the Christian faith, focusing on international and comparative issues. Senior majors only. (2) IR 495. Independent Study. A guided individual reading and research problem. Junior and senior majors, or discretion of professor. (2-4) IR 496. Internship. A series of programs designed for practical experience in professions frequently chosen by International Relations majors, such as law, government, and public service. Prerequisite: International Relations major with junior or senior standing and a minimum of 16 credits in the department. IR 499. Honors Thesis. An independent research project requiring original research, developed in a scholarly paper and culminating in an oral examination. By application only. The honors thesis may not be counted toward the total hours to complete the major. Revision Date: May 1, 2008
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