Carroll College - Helena, MT

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Department of Political Science
Political Science
PO 100 Justice & the Just Society:Intro Political Science 3 Cr.
  This course introduces students to the basic concepts and realities of political life by exploring the role of politics and the state for the creation of a just society. The age old quest for justice will take us back to early classical and medieval understandings of justice. The course will close with aspects of contemporary legal and social justice and the central importance of the rule of law in making a just society possible. Fall semester.
PO 104 American National Government 3 Cr.
  An introduction to the institutions of American national government. The focus will be on the presidency, congress, courts, and the system of federalism. The class will also probe national elections, political parties, interest groups, and concepts of "checks and balances" and "separation of powers". This course is required for all political science majors and minors. Fall semester.
PO 115 International Relations 3 Cr.
  An introduction to world politics covering the problems of war and peace, power politics, global economic issues, human rights, diplomacy, and recent crises. A prime objective is to develop students' capacity to critically analyze international behavior. Spring semester. Fulfills global diversity requirement.
PO 201 Introduction to the Legal Profession 1 Cr.
  An introduction to various aspects of the legal profession. Lectures by attorneys, law clerks, and judges; supplemented by films and field trips. Pass/fail only. Spring semester; even-numbered years.
PO 206 Modern Political Ideologies 3 Cr.
  This course is an introduction to the dominant and challenging political persuasions of the modern world, including liberalism, conservatism, socialism, fascism, and nationalism. The course also considers environmentalism as a developing postmodern ideology. Required of all political science majors and minors. Fall semester.
PO 210 Introduction to Constitutional Law 3 Cr.
  This general survey course is an introduction to some of the key Supreme court decisions in the development of constitutional law in the United States. Through analysis and briefing of cases, students will be able to develop their thinking and writing skills while they learn how constitutional doctrine emerges and changes in areas such as separation of powers, federalism and civil liberties as the ongoing struggle to interpret the meaning of our Constitution continues. Fall semester, odd-numbered years.
PO 216 American Political Thought 3 Cr.
  This introductory course surveys the central issues of American political thought from the founding of the Republic to the present. The focus will be on selected critical periods in American history characterized by heightened conflict over America's operative ideals, including revolutionary America and the struggle over the Constitution, the Civil War, Depression and New Deal, and the Vietnam era. Spring semester; odd-numbered years.
PO 222 U.S. Foreign Policy 3 Cr.
  An examination of the changing international perspectives, policy instruments, and processes of decision making underlying American foreign policy since 1945. Major objectives of the course include an appreciation of the complexity of interests that shape foreign policy and the development of an analytical capacity to evaluate the ways in which U.S. power has been projected abroad. Fall semester.
PO 230 Montana State Politics 3 Cr.
  An introductory analysis of Montana state politics and political institutions. Emphasis will be placed on Montana politics since the 1972 State Constitutional Convention. Spring semester; odd-numbered years.
PO 244 World Order and Interdependence 3 Cr.
  Examination of various conceptions of world order by focusing on the effects of globalization, both positive and negative, on governments and people around the globe. The quest for a just world order will be an underlying theme of this course. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
PO 250 Contemporary Issues in American Politics 3 Cr.
  An introduction to the major public policy issues in American politics. Course examines the creation and definition of public issues as well as the formulation of public policy solutions. The problems and issues examined will reflect dominant national concerns. Spring semester.
PO 280 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 Cr.
  This course introduces students to government and politics outside the United States. The workings of different forms of government will be studied in a variety of countries each year. Required of all political science majors and minors. Spring semester.
PO 306 Data Analysis for Public Policy 3 Cr.
  This course is about how we study politics by various methods of gathering information and analyzing it. Course material is designed particularly for students of political science, international relations, and public administration who wish to develop basic research and policy analysis skills. Much of the course will deal with the use of quantitative methods for analyzing political problems. Students should have a background in algebra. Recommended for juniors. Spring semester; even-numbered years.
PO 307 Contemporary Europe: Politics, Society and Culture 3 Cr.
  An interpretative course which examines various themes in the history of the Continent since the end of the Second World War. The reconstruction of Europe, the trials of war criminals, the Cold War, the protests of the 1960s, European integration and the collapse of Communism are some of the topics that will be examined. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
PO 311 American Presidency 3 Cr.
  An examination of the personal and institutional powers of the American presidency. Special emphasis will be given to exploring presidential elections and the various domestic and foreign policy responsibilities of the office. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
PO 312 Elections, Political Parties, and Public Opinion 3 Cr.
  An exploration of U.S. elections, political parties, and public opinion and their contribution to the democratic process. The course will specifically examine the origins of individual political opinions. Spring semester, odd-numbered years.
PO 314 Public Administration and Politics 3 Cr.
  This course will explore the political behavior and the influence of public bureaucracies. We will examine public organizations as political institutions capable of affecting the course of public policy. Fall semester; odd-numbered years.
PO 316 U.S. Congress 3 Cr.
  An examination of the structure and powers of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Attention will be given to exploring congressional elections and voting behavior, as well as legislative powers and congressional-executive relations. Spring semester; odd-numbered years.
PO 319 Urban Politics 3 Cr.
  A study of urban problems and municipal government in the U.S. The class will involve historical analysis of cities and a contemporary examination of urban politics and the urban problems of race and economic development. Fall semester; even-numbered years.
PO 324 Western European Politics 3 Cr.
  A comparative study of cabinet formation, electoral systems, and political economy among European parliamentary democracies, particularly Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. Includes analysis of the changing political and military context in post-Cold War Europe, the process of democratization in Central and Eastern Europe since 1989, and the pressures for expansion of the European Union. Fall semester.
PO 328 The Developing World 3 Cr.
  A critical examination of social, political, and economic problems associated with development in the Global South. Students will analyze various ideas and trends in the field and assess the strengths and weaknesses of competing models of development. Fall semester; even-numbered years. Fulfills global diversity requirement.
PO 330 Topics in Political Theory 3 Cr.
  This upper-division discussion seminar focuses on perennial, basic concepts in political theory, such as justice, democracy, liberty, or community as examined through the writings of selected ancient, modern, and contemporary theorists. The seminar has also been organized thematically (e.g., utopian political thought, ecological thought in America, modernity and postmodernity). Previous lower division study of political ideas is helpful but not required. Fall semester.
PO 342 War and Peace 3 Cr.
  Presents a critical examination of contending conceptions of international security, the policy making process as it relates to the formulation of national security priorities, and the role of weapons and force in foreign policy. In short, we will examine age-old questions pertaining to war and peace in the contemporary world. Spring semester; odd-numbered years.
PO 348 International Negotiation Simulation 3 Cr.
  The first part of this course prepares students for participation in an intercollegiate simulation involving negotiations on various international issues by studying how foreign policy is formulated in different countries, reviewing general principles of international relations, analyzing competing negotiation strategies, and researching contemporary issues of global concern. The last part of the course involves student participation in an international negotiation simulation with other collegiate teams via computer networks. Fall semester, odd-numbered years. Fulfills global diversity requirement.
PO 411 Political Internship Program TBD Cr.
  Students participate as interns at various levels of state and local government. They develop work and study details of this internship experience by close and continual consultation with their political science advisor. Prerequisites: PO 230; junior or senior standing; consent of the Department. This course may be taken more than once.
PO 417 Legal Internship Program 3 Cr.
  Practical work experience in a professional legal environment. Students keep a daily journal of their experiences and arrange further study and paper requirements with the pre-law advisor. Prerequisite: PO 201 and junior or senior standing. This course may be taken more than once.
PO 495 Senior Seminar 3 Cr.
  An informal seminar course with selected readings and student research and presentations. Required of all political science majors and minors. Spring semester. Prerequisite: senior standing.