POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PRE-LAW CORE REQUIREMENTS:
REQUIRED PROGRAM FOR B.A. DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
FRESHMAN YEAR
See Freshman Year Experience 33.00
POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PLS 231 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 3 SEM. HRS.
This course will analyze the functions of the three branches of the federal government and focus on how the federal
branches of government relate to state/local governments.
PLS 232 STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
An examination will be made of the political structures and processes at the state and local level, and their
interrelationships with the national government. Prerequisite: PLS 231
PLS 233 COMPARATIVE POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
Political institutions in selected countries will be compared. Attention will be devoted to ideology, government
structures, and the relationship between political authorities and the people. Focus will be placed on a comparison of
the political processes of different political systems. Prerequisite: PLS 232
PLS 234 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3 SEM. HRS.
This course introduces the basic principles of international politics and factors that determine the relationship
between leading actors in the international system. Additionally, a comparative structural-functional analysis of the
political process of developing and relatively new political systems will be conducted. Prerequisite: PLS 232
PLS 331 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 3 SEM. HRS.
This is a study of the basic principles of public administration, with an analysis of problems of bureaucracy,
organization, financial management and public control. Prerequisite: PLS 234
PLS 332 POLITICAL BEHAVIOR AND PARTIES 3 SEM. HRS.
This course studies why and how people behave politically and the influence of political parties and interest groups
within the American political system. Prerequisite: PLS 234
PLS 333 POLITICAL THEORY 3 SEM. HRS.
A comprehensive survey is made in this course of the historical origins and development of western political thought
from the Greeks until today. Prerequisite: PLS 331
PLS 334 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 3 SEM. HRS.
Selected themes will be examined as they relate to the historical development of the American Constitution and its
interpretation by the Supreme Court. Emphasis will be placed on issues of constitutional legitimacy, judicial review,
federalism, separation of powers, property rights, civil rights and liberties. Prerequisite: PLS 331
PLS 335 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICIAN AMERICAN POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
This course will introduce students to both historical and contemporary trends in African-American political
behavior. Particular emphasis is given to the attitudes, ideologies, and institutions, which structure African
American political behavior. The course highlights the forces underlying the attitudes and behaviors, which
influence political ideologies and mobilization. Prerequisite: PLS 333.
PLS 431 SEMINAR ON CURRENT ISSUES IN POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
This is the senior capstone course for political science majors designed to involve students in careful analysis of
current political issues. This course also provides the direction for the final preparation for the completion of the
senior paper project. Prerequisite: PLS 334, ENG 332, SOS 335 and senior status.
PLS 432/ CRJ 332 CRIMINAL LAW 3 SEM. HRS.
This course introduces the student to the social, political and psychological perspectives of criminal law It offers an
analysis of factors necessary to establish proof of a crime and the limits of the law. Prerequisite: PLS 334
PLS 433 BLACK POLITICAL THOUGHT & MOVEMENT 3 SEM. HRS.
The course introduces students to the various political movements of African-American from the 1700's until today.
Students will examine and analyze a sundry of movements for social and economic change in the United States.
Prerequisite: PLS 334
PLS 434 URBAN GOVERNMENT & ADMINISTRATION 3 SEM. HRS.
A study will be undertaken of the function and role of urban government; administrative organizations and control;
electoral party systems and popular control and of contemporary problems in urban government.
Prerequisite: PLS 334
PLS 435 LAW & LEGAL STUDIES 3 SEM. HRS.
This course is designed to acquaint students with fundamental principals of law and legal studies. Students will gain
experience in writing briefs of cases and analyzing legal problems. Prerequisite: SOC 330; SOS 335; PLS 334
| Courses | Credit Hr | |
| PLS 231 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| PLS 232 | State & Local Politics | 3 |
| PLS 233 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PLS 234 | International Relations | 3 |
| HIS 235 | African American History | 3 |
| PLS 331 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| PLS 332 | Political Behavior and Parties | 3 |
| PLS 333 | Political Theory | 3 |
| PLS 334 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| PLS 335 | Introduction to African American Politics | 3 |
| PLS 431 | Seminar on Current Issues in Politics | 3 |
| PLS 433 | Black Political Thought and Movement | 3 |
| PLS 434 | Urban Government and Administration | 3 |
| PLS 460 | Internship in Political Science | 6 |
| Total Hours | 45.00 | |
REQUIRED PROGRAM FOR B.A. DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
FRESHMAN YEAR
See Freshman Year Experience 33.00
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | Credit Hr | |
| PLS 231 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| PLS 232 | State & Local Politics | 3 |
| SOS 231 | Introduction to Social Science | 3 |
| HUM 233 | Introduction to Humanities | 3 |
| PLS 233 |
Comparative Politics | 3 |
| HIS 235 | African American History | 3 |
| AEP 211/212 | Academic Enrichment Program | 1 |
| PLS 234 | International Relations | 3 |
| BEC 231 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or | ||
| BEC 232 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 332 | Advanced Writing | 3 |
| REL ___ | One Course in Religion | 3 |
| One Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 34.00 | |
| JUNIOR YEAR | ||
| SOC 231 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PLS 331 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| PLS 332 | Political Behavior and Parties | 3 |
| PLS 333 | Political Theory | 3 |
| PLS 334 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| PLS 335 | Introduction to African American Politics | 3 |
| SOC 331 | Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOS 330 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| SOS 335 | Social Science Research Methods | 3 |
| SOW 330 | Social Welfare Problems | 3 |
| Two Courses in One Foreign Language | 6 | |
| Two Electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 42.00 | |
| SENIOR YEAR | ||
| PLS 431 | Seminar In Current Issues in Politics | 3 |
| PLS 433 | Black Political Thoughts and Movements | 3 |
| PLS 434 | Urban Government and Administration | 3 |
| SOS 412 |
Senior Comprehensive Review Seminar | 1 |
| SOS 423 | Senior Thesis | 2 |
| PLS 460 | Internship | 6 |
| Three Electives | 12 |
| Total Hours | 30.00 | |
| Total Semester Hours Required for Graduation | 139.00 |
POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PLS 231 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 3 SEM. HRS.
This course will analyze the functions of the three branches of the federal government and focus on how the federal
branches of government relate to state/local governments.
PLS 232 STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
An examination will be made of the political structures and processes at the state and local level, and their
interrelationships with the national government. Prerequisite: PLS 231
PLS 233 COMPARATIVE POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
Political institutions in selected countries will be compared. Attention will be devoted to ideology, government
structures, and the relationship between political authorities and the people. Focus will be placed on a comparison of
the political processes of different political systems. Prerequisite: PLS 232
PLS 234 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3 SEM. HRS.
This course introduces the basic principles of international politics and factors that determine the relationship
between leading actors in the international system. Additionally, a comparative structural-functional analysis of the
political process of developing and relatively new political systems will be conducted. Prerequisite: PLS 232
PLS 331 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 3 SEM. HRS.
This is a study of the basic principles of public administration, with an analysis of problems of bureaucracy,
organization, financial management and public control. Prerequisite: PLS 234
PLS 332 POLITICAL BEHAVIOR AND PARTIES 3 SEM. HRS.
This course studies why and how people behave politically and the influence of political parties and interest groups
within the American political system. Prerequisite: PLS 234
PLS 333 POLITICAL THEORY 3 SEM. HRS.
A comprehensive survey is made in this course of the historical origins and development of western political thought
from the Greeks until today. Prerequisite: PLS 331
PLS 334 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 3 SEM. HRS.
Selected themes will be examined as they relate to the historical development of the American Constitution and its
interpretation by the Supreme Court. Emphasis will be placed on issues of constitutional legitimacy, judicial review,
federalism, separation of powers, property rights, civil rights and liberties. Prerequisite: PLS 331
PLS 335 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICIAN AMERICAN POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
This course will introduce students to both historical and contemporary trends in African-American political
behavior. Particular emphasis is given to the attitudes, ideologies, and institutions, which structure African
American political behavior. The course highlights the forces underlying the attitudes and behaviors, which
influence political ideologies and mobilization. Prerequisite: PLS 333.
PLS 431 SEMINAR ON CURRENT ISSUES IN POLITICS 3 SEM. HRS.
This is the senior capstone course for political science majors designed to involve students in careful analysis of
current political issues. This course also provides the direction for the final preparation for the completion of the
senior paper project. Prerequisite: PLS 334, ENG 332, SOS 335 and senior status.
PLS 432/ CRJ 332 CRIMINAL LAW 3 SEM. HRS.
This course introduces the student to the social, political and psychological perspectives of criminal law It offers an
analysis of factors necessary to establish proof of a crime and the limits of the law. Prerequisite: PLS 334
PLS 433 BLACK POLITICAL THOUGHT & MOVEMENT 3 SEM. HRS.
The course introduces students to the various political movements of African-American from the 1700's until today.
Students will examine and analyze a sundry of movements for social and economic change in the United States.
Prerequisite: PLS 334
PLS 434 URBAN GOVERNMENT & ADMINISTRATION 3 SEM. HRS.
A study will be undertaken of the function and role of urban government; administrative organizations and control;
electoral party systems and popular control and of contemporary problems in urban government.
Prerequisite: PLS 334
PLS 435 LAW & LEGAL STUDIES 3 SEM. HRS.
This course is designed to acquaint students with fundamental principals of law and legal studies. Students will gain
experience in writing briefs of cases and analyzing legal problems. Prerequisite: SOC 330; SOS 335; PLS 334
