Political Science (POLS) - For a syllabus or more detailed course information, please contact the department at 610-758-3340.

 

Course Listings

 Course#        Course Title (Credit Hours)                        CRN      Day/Time         Location    Session   Instructor

100-010 Intro. to Political Thought (4) 20449 M/W 7-10:00pm MG 111 First Matthews
282-010 First Ladies & The Changing Role of Women (4) 20536 Hours arranged   First Olson
331-010 Community Politics Internship (4) 20450 Hours arranged   First Olson
331-011 Community Politics Internship (4) 20323 Hours arranged   Second Olson
354-010 U.S. Heath Care Policies (4) 20721 Hours arranged   Second Olson
356-010 Seminar: Political Philosophy (4) 20451 M/W 4-7:00pm MG 260 First Matthews
381-* Special Topics (4) *Individual Sections & Instructors Listed in Banner          
397-010 Public Opinion Research (4) 20331 M/W 7-10:00pm MG 103 Second Staff
433-010 The Politics of Health Care (3) 20585 Hours arranged   Second Olson
435-010 Power, Persuasion & The American Presidency (3) 20537 Hours arranged   First Olson
456-010 Seminar: Political Philosophy (3) 20452 M/W 4-7:00pm MG 260 First Matthews
481-* Special Topics (3) *Individual Sections & Instructors Listed in Banner          
497-010 Public Opinion Research (3) 20332 M/W 7-10:00pm MG 103 Second Staff

Course Descriptions

   

100.  Introduction to Political Thought:   Why are humans willing to die for freedom, justice, democracy?  What do people believe about politics and how does that effect their actions?  This course answers these questions through an examination of modern political ideologies—Liberalism, Communism, Fascism, and Islamism.  Works by Locke, Marx, Jefferson, Mussolini, and others will be read.  ND

 

282. First Ladies & the Changing Role of Women:  Americans have debated the role of presidential wives since Martha Washington first held the position. How much power does she or should she hold? What is this demanding, unpaid, non-elected position? How does the evolving role of the first lady mirror the situation of women overall since the 1780s? This course will examine selected presidential wives from Martha Washington to the current occupant of the White House, and the social, political and cultural context of their times. Particular attention will be focused on the decades since 1932, beginning with Eleanor Roosevelt. CONSENT OF INSTRUCTOR .  SS

 

354.  U.S. Healthcare Policies:  This course explores a range of health care programs and policies and their impacts on American society. Topics include the development of the U.S. approach to health care; public sector plans (Medicare and Medicaid); the role of managed care; the employer-sponsored system; the situation of the medically uninsured; the health care vested interests and lobbyists; movements for national health care; and options for change. CONSENT OF INSTRUCTOR .  SS

 

356.  Seminar:  Political Philosophy:  Critical examination of several of the “great books” and/or “great ideas” in political thought. Students will help select the material for critical discussion. Course may be repeated with permission of the instructor. SS

 

381. Special Topics:   A seminar on a topic of special interest in a particular political institution, process, or policy.  Consent of Instructor.  ND

 

397.  Public Opinion Research:  This course examines the fundamental process and tools employed in public opinion research.  The class is designed to provide students with the ability to develop, implement and evaluate various forms of public opinion research including surveys, focus groups and individual interviews.  Students will be introduced to numerous aspects of public opinion research including, questionnaire design, sampling, interviewing, data analysis and focus group moderation.  In addition to learning fundamental research techniques, students will be introduced to contemporary survey research technologies such as computer aided telephone interviewing (cati) systems and web-based interviewing software.  The class will engage in the development and fielding of an actual survey within the Lehigh Valley regarding a contemporary topic of interest.  POLS 497 – Departmental approval.   ND 

 

433.  The Politics of Healthcare:  Few issues present greater difficulties for modern societies than assuring medical services for their populace. This course examines the politics of American health care and its impact on society. It will address issues ranging from the role of the private sector to government-supported programs. We will also focus on ways to restructure the system, based on alternatives in selected nations.  CONSENT OF INSTRUCTOR

 

435.  Power, Persuasion, &The American Presidency:  Some scholars argue that the power of the presidency is the power to persuade and some modern presidents have been better at the role than others. This course will examine selected modern presidents, from FDR to the current occupant of the White House, and their effectiveness as communicators and policy makers. CONSENT OF INSTRUCTOR

456.  Seminar:  Political Philosophy:   Critical examination of several of the great books and/or great ideas in political thought.  Students will help select the books to be discussed in class.   

495.  Presidential Wives & The Politics of Women:  This course will examine the developing role of American First Ladies with that of the role of women in politics generally.  It will begin with the early social history of women, beginning with Martha Washington and the writing of the American constitution, and show the evolution over time.  Particular attention will be focused on mid-twentieth century Presidential wives, especially from Eleanor Roosevelt and Nancy Reagan to Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush.  This course involves both group study and one-on-one tutorial sessions with the instructor.  Consent of Instructor.  SS

481.  Special Topics:  Individual inquiry into some problem of government. Reading, field work, and other appropriate techniques of
investigation. Conferences and reports. May be repeated for credit.

497.  Public Opinion Research:  This course examines the fundamental process and tools employed in public opinion research.  The class is designed to provide students with the ability to develop, implement and evaluate various forms of public opinion research including surveys, focus groups and individual interviews.  Students will be introduced to numerous aspects of public opinion research including, questionnaire design, sampling, interviewing, data analysis and focus group moderation.  In addition to learning fundamental research techniques, students will be introduced to contemporary survey research technologies such as computer aided telephone interviewing (cati) systems and web-based interviewing software.  The class will engage in the development and fielding of an actual survey within the Lehigh Valley regarding a contemporary topic of interest.  DEPARTMENT APPROVAL