Politics and International Relations / Rigelhaupt Pre-Law Center

The program of Politics and International Relations is housed on the fourth floor of DeBartolo Hall.  The professors who make up the program are considered experts in their fields and are often quoted in regional, national, and international publications.

In addition to the Political Science major, students can choose to focus on two additional areas:  Public Management or Foreign Affairs.  When receiving their degree, students will be given a certificate by the department certifying that they have completed either the Foreign Affairs or the Public Management track described in this Undergraduate Catalog.  Four areas of study are offered as minors.

Politics and International Relations includes many programs and student organizations.  The Urban Internship Program, Peace and Conflict Studies, the Global Education Program, and the Columbus Internship Program offered in conjunction with the State Legislature are just four examples of curricular programs. An annual Law Day is organized by the program faculty, which brings in Law School representatives from throughout the country to YSU to discuss admission criteria and answer questions.  The program also prepares a Moot Court team each year, which is nationally rated and competes in regional and national tournaments sponsored by the American Collegiate Moot Court Association.

The program is also home to Alpha Alpha Rho, YSU's local chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society.

For more information, please contact the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at (330) 941-3456 or call the program offices at (330) 941-3436.

Pre-Law

Pre-Law Advisor: Dr. Paul Sracic

Pre-Law advisement is available in the Rigelhaupt Pre-Law Center to acquaint students with the various fields of legal practice, which require specialized undergraduate study, and to help students prepare for the law school entrance examination (LSAT).

Law school admission standards generally require an undergraduate point average of at least 3.00 and placement above the 50th percentile in the Law School Admissions Test, which is designed to measure capacity for analytic thought and for precision in the use of language. Regional and national law schools may have more rigorous requirements. Interested students are advised to visit the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) website.

Professor

Adam L. Fuller, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Cryshanna A. Jackson Leftwich, Ph.D., Professor

Paul A. Sracic, Ph.D., Professor

POL 1550    Introduction to Political Science    3 s.h.

Study of politics, government, and societal institutions at both national and international levels.
Gen Ed: International Perspectives, Social Science, Social and Personal Awareness.

POL 1550H    Honors Introduction to Political Science    3 s.h.

Study of politics, government, and societal institutions at both national and international levels.
Gen Ed: International Perspectives, Social Science, Social and Personal Awareness.

POL 1560    American Government    3 s.h.

The foundations of American democratic government with an emphasis on the responsibilities of citizenship, civil rights, and civil liberties, parties and elections, and American political institutions. Students are encouraged to understand and discuss issues of social justice, equality and freedom, and majoritarianism. Topics include the civil rights movement, campaign finance reform, federalism, and affirmative action.
Gen Ed: Social Science.

POL 2640    Contemporary World Governments    3 s.h.

A comparative analysis of the development of institutions, attitudes, public policy, economic, and social systems of a number of foreign political systems.
Prereq.: POL 1550 or POL 1560.
Gen Ed: International Perspectives, Social Science, Social and Personal Awareness.

POL 2660    International Relations    3 s.h.

An examination of theoretical and practical issues in the development of modern international politics, law and organization and political economy, with special attention to contemporary global and regional issues.
Gen Ed: International Perspectives, Social Science, Social and Personal Awareness.

POL 2695    Model United Nations    1 s.h.

A comparative study of foreign policy, contemporary global issues, international law, and international governmental organizations. Stresses interactive and role playing educational methodologies. Students are required to participate in one or more approved conference or field trips. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 s.h.
Prereq.: Consent of instructor.

POL 3700    American Presidency    3 s.h.

An examination of the role of the chief executive officer within the governmental framework. The offices of mayor and governor are treated, but the primary emphasis is on critical evaluation of the American presidency.
Prereq.: POL 1560.

POL 3701    American Legislative Process    3 s.h.

An examination of the lawmaking function. Emphasis on the United States Congress, with limited consideration of state and local government legislative practices.
Prereq.: POL 1560.

POL 3702    Law and Society    3 s.h.

The American judicial system, its institutional development and its role in policy determination, as evidenced in leading Supreme Court decisions. Limited coverage of state judicial systems.
Prereq.: POL 1560.

POL 3704    American Political Parties and Elections    3 s.h.

A descriptive analysis of the role of political parties in a democratic society, with emphasis on development of a theory of party, an examination of the history and characteristics of the American party system, and a quantitatively structured description of the national electorate.
Prereq.: POL 1560.

POL 3706    African-American Politics    3 s.h.

The politics of African Americans within American society in terms of organization, behavior, objectives, relative influence and power.
Prereq.: POL 1560 or AFST 2600.

POL 3707    Moot Court 1    3 s.h.

An introduction to appellate advocacy through the practical application of legal analysis and synthesis. This course analyzes one or two specific constitutional issues based on pre-determined U.S. Supreme Court cases. Students will analyze and synthesize Supreme Court decisions and present simulated oral argument as if before the U.S. Supreme Court based on those decisions. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 s.h.
Prereq.: POL 3702 and consent of chairperson.

POL 3708    American Constitutional Law 1: Government Power, Structure, and Limits    3 s.h.

Constitutional interpretations by the Supreme Court based on the examination of leading cases. Focus is on the powers of Congress, the President, the Courts, and the States.
Prereq.: POL 3702.

POL 3709    American Constitutional Law 2: Civil Rights and Liberties    3 s.h.

Constitutional interpretations by the Supreme Court based on the examination of leading cases. Focus is on Civil Rights and Liberties.
Prereq.: POL 3702.

POL 3712    Political Behavior    3 s.h.

An introduction to the primary research theories, perspectives and methodologies common to the study of government and global affairs, including computerize quantitative analysis.
Prereq.: POL 1550 or POL 1560.

POL 3714    American Public Opinion    3 s.h.

An introduction to the origins, uses, effects, and analysis of public opinion, including a practicum in opinion polling requiring field work and computerized quantitative analysis.
Prereq.: POL 1550 or POL 1560.

POL 3717    Health Care Policy    3 s.h.

A comprehensive overview of the American healthcare system. Particular attention given to the design and implementation of the Affordable Care Act.h.
Prereq.: BIO 1545 or EMS 1501 or MATC 2600 or MLT 1501 or AHLT major or POL 1560 or permission of instructor 3 s.

POL 3718    American Public Policy and Policy Analysis    3 s.h.

The formation, implementation, and evaluation of contemporary American public policy.
Prereq.: POL 1560.

POL 3720    Public Management    3 s.h.

A study of administrative organizations in American federal and state governments, with special attention to their role in the formulation and implementation of public policy as demonstrated in case studies.
Prereq.: POL 1560.

POL 3722    State and Local Government    3 s.h.

The political processes and institutions of state and local governments, with special attention to Ohio government.
Prereq.: POL 1560.

POL 3724    Public Budgeting    3 s.h.

Study of the politics, theories, and techniques of public budgeting. Includes the process of budget preparation, adoption and execution. Topics include debt management and capital budgets. This course is.
Prereq.: POL 3720.
Cross-Listed: ECON 3724.

POL 3725    Individualized Study    1-3 s.h.

A supervised individual study of a special topic or issue in any area of contemporary politics and political science. An academic plan of study including a syllabus is required and will be placed in the student's file. May be repeated for up to 6 s.h.
Prereq.: POL 1560 or POL 2640 or POL 2660, and permission of the chairperson.

POL 3741    Russia and China: From Revolution to Reform    3 s.h.

A comparative analysis of politics in the Russian Federal Republic and the People's Republic of China, emphasizing contemporary issues of domestic governance and regional international relations as seen in the context of revolutionary Communism and the appearance of post-Communist reform politics.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660 or ASST 1550.

POL 3742    Political Development and Political Regimes    3 s.h.

A comparative analysis of political development of selected states, with a focus on the social and political forces that lead to the formation of democracies and dictatorships.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660.

POL 3744    European Politics    3 s.h.

Comparative analysis of the political development, governing systems, political behavior, public policy, and interrelations of selected European states, emphasizing the role of the European Union and the formation of new democracies in Eastern Europe.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660.

POL 3751    Latin American Politics    3 s.h.

A comparative analysis of the political development, governing systems, political behavior, public policy, and international relations of selected Latin American states.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660.

POL 3757    Aging and Social Policy    3 s.h.

Critical examination of the social policies and social systems which affect aging and retirement.
Prereq.: SOC 1500, GERO 1501, or POL 1560.

POL 3760    International Political Economy    3 s.h.

Study of the relationship between global capitalism and the interstate political system, with emphasis on post-Cold War issues and American policy.
Prereq.: POL 2660.

POL 3761    United States Foreign Policy    3 s.h.

Examination of the domestic political formulation and international execution of U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing regional issues of security and political economy and the changing U.S. role in the post-Cold War world.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660.

POL 3763    International Law    3 s.h.

Analysis of the principles and formation of international law as it has developed through customs and international agreement.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660.

POL 3764    International Organizations    3 s.h.

Analysis of the development, organizational structure, public policy and political behavior of regional and international organizations, with focus on the United Nations.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660.

POL 3765    Israeli Politics    3 s.h.

A survey of the government and politics of the state of Israel, focusing on the role of Zionism, the various Israeli political parties, the problems of Israel's lack of a constitution, the operations of the Israeli parliamentary system, and the social, religious, economic, ethnic, cultural and foreign policy debates within Israeli government.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660 or HIST 1512 or HIST 3788 or HIST 3789 or HIST 2600.

POL 3767    Asian Politics    3 s.h.

A comparative analysis of the political development, governing systems, political behavior, public policy, and international relations of selected Asian states, with emphasis on their role in the global economy relative to the U.S.
Prereq.: POL 2640 or POL 2660.

POL 3768    International Conflict    3 s.h.

Examination of the dynamics of international political conflict, with special attention to issues of the use of force, the nature of ethnopolitical conflict, and the relative effectiveness of various approaches to negotiation, conflict management, and conflict resolution.
Prereq.: POL 2660.

POL 3785    Political Thought 1    3 s.h.

The development of western political thought from the time of classical Greece through the Medieval period. Among major figures treated: Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, and Machiavelli.
Prereq.: 9 s.h. of Political Science.

POL 3786    Political Thought 2    3 s.h.

The development of western political thought from the Renaissance to the Modern period. Among the major figures treated: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Smith, Publius, Tocqueville, and Mill.
Prereq.: 9 s.h. of Political Science.

POL 3787    Political Thought 3    3 s.h.

The development of western political thought of the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the major figures treated: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Arendt, and Rawls.
Prereq.: 9 s.h. of Political Science.

POL 4801    Senior Research Seminar    3 s.h.

Investigation and presentation of a research project. Students explore a research topic, using appropriate political science methods, and present their results in oral and written form.
Prereq.: 24 hours of political science.
Gen Ed: Capstone.

POL 4810    Urban Internship Seminar    2-4 s.h.

This course is designed to give students firsthand experience working in the field of public management, government, law, and/or urban public service. Intern appointments are for one semester. The intern is scheduled for fifteen (15) hours a week in the sponsor agency on a calendar confirmed with the agency supervisor. Interns are responsible to agency supervisors for satisfactory performance, as indicated by the supervisor's signature on the weekly Journal Form, and on the end-of-the-term Summary Sheet.
Prereq.: Junior or senior standing; POL 1560; and acceptance into the program by the urban internship coordinator prior to registration.

POL 4850    Sustainability, Climate Change, and Society    3 s.h.

Explores environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainable development, with an emphasis on economy and society. Examines the roles of institutions, humans and policies in sustainable development as well as reconfiguring relationships between our institutions and the natural world. Listed also as ENST 5820.
Prereq.: Minimum junior standing.

POL 5800    Select Problems, American Government    2-4 s.h.

Seminar/capstone course examining topical issues of American Government.
Prereq.: 15 s.h. of Political Science and consent of chairperson.

POL 5860    Select Problems of Global Affairs    2-4 s.h.

Seminar/capstone course examining topical issues of contemporary global affairs and international relations. This course may be repeated once.
Prereq.: 15 s.h. of Political Science and consent of chairperson.

POL 5880    Select Problems, Political Thought    2-4 s.h.

Seminar/capstone course examining selected political issues and ideologies within the context of the broader traditions of political thought.
Prereq.: 15 s.h. of Political Science and consent of chairperson.