Political Science

This course is a study of the structure, role, and procedure of the United Nations. Emphasis is on preparation for student participation in a simulated United Nations conference. This course may be repeated for credit. 

What makes a story “dystopian,” and what does this have to do with politics? What does it mean when we describe current events as “dystopian”? How can individuals - fictitious or real - challenge the oppressive worlds in which they find themselves? In this course, students explore the connections between dystopian fiction and authoritarian reality.

This course will help students gain an understanding of the law school process, beginning with the law school search and application for admission processes. This course will also provide students with an introduction to first-year law student coursework and a glimpse into the lives of newly practicing attorneys from the surrounding area. By the end of this course, students will be able to make informed decisions on whether to attend law school once they graduate from Bethany.

In this course, students approach an understanding of “Black Identity Politics” and “The Black Experience” through the lens of Black Politics. In simple terms, “Black Politics” is the effort of Blacks to improve their condition. Thus, this course focuses upon the evolution, nature, and role of African American politics within the American Political System as well as what the history of America has meant and still means to the Black experience. What occurs today for Blacks can be better understood by knowing how history and institutions shape Black lives throughout their time in America.

In this course, we strive to comprehend the logic of voting and political participation in America. This is an intensive study of various means and mechanisms of participation in the American political system with special focus on grassroots movements, interest groups, and voting. The importance of public opinion and mass political behavior in the American political process will be examined while taking issues of gender, race, social class and other elements of identity in the American electorate into account.

Case studies and moot cases examine the historical development of important constitutional issues before the United States Supreme Court. Students become familiar with the basic structure and functions of the federal court system. (This course may be taken for credit as HIST 401.)

As an introduction to modern and post-modern political thought, students examine the writings of important political thinkers of the past 500 years. Emphasis is on the development of political theories regarding issues such as democracy, citizenship, justice, equality, race, gender, sexuality, and the environment. (This course can be taken as PHIL 362.)

How does what we learn in the political science classroom connect to life after college? This course explores many potential opportunities for carrying political knowledge and skills forward with you after graduation. Students connect with professionals in fields of interest, prepare resumes, and practice professional skills such as interviewing. Additional focus is given to making connections between the political science curriculum and life skills such as critical consumption of news media and political organizing.

This internship is a faculty supervised off-campus experience that relates to political science. The off-campus experience must be approved by the chair of the department prior to the beginning of the internship. Off-campus work is supervised jointly by a faculty supervisor and a designated off-campus mentor. After completing the internship, students submit reflective essays regarding the quality of the internship experience and its connections to political science. The student is evaluated by the faculty supervisor who may take into consideration the evaluation of the mentor.