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Philosophy Courses may be classified as follows:
- Core curriculum: PHL 110 PHL 210 , PHL 1110
- Historical courses: PHL 307 , PHL 308 , PHL 309 , PHL 312 , and PHL 314
- Systematic courses: PHL 319 , PHL 320 , PHL 332 , 335, PHL 375 , and PHL 420
- Contemporary courses: PHL 211, PHL 305 , PHL 321 , PHL 327 , PHL 337 , PHL 346 , PHL 351 , PHL 353, PHL 356 , PHL 360 , PHL 365 , PHL 366 , and PHL 381
- Independent research: PHL 400
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PHL 210 - Action & Character: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy
This course examines central themes in moral philosophy through a consideration of fundamental questions about human nature, action, and character. In what sense is moral philosophy a normative discipline? Are human beings selfish by nature? Should we always act exclusively in our own interest? Is morality relative (to culture, to individuals) or are there universal and objectively valid moral principles? Are moral judgments cognitively meaningful or simply expressions of attitude or emotion? What role does reason play in making moral judgments? Are there such things as moral facts and properties; can we ever really know such facts? What is valuable or good for us? What determines whether an action is right or wrong, obligatory or permissible? Are actions right or wrong in terms of their consequences? What do motives or intentions have to do with the morality of an action? Is morality fundamentally about performing certain kinds of actions or more about being a certain kind of person? What is the relationship between action and character? Such questions are considered in light o leading theories in moral philosophy, e.g., egoism, relativism, utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. We will also apply these theories to specific moral problems.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 215 - Matters of Life and Death
This course examines some of the major themes and problems of moral philosophy with special emphasis on matters of life and death. The nature of moral reasoning, virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology as they have been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition will be studied and applied to contemporary problems in the areas of bioethics and mortality. Examples of such problems are the moral status of abortion, euthanasia, genetic modification, capital punishment, torture, terrorism, and war. The course also considers the question of what makes a life good and meaningful as well as the proper attitude towards the inevitability of death.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 216 - Freedom and Morality
This course examines the relationship between morality and various accounts of freedom, most notably freedom of the will. The question of free will and the major positions in the free will debate are considered in light of the nature of moral reasoning, virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology as they have been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition. Particular emphasis is placed on the nature of the relationship between freedom and moral responsibility.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 217 - Morality and Skepticism
This course studies various skeptical challenges to morality. The course examines the nature of moral reasoning, virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology as they have been displayed in some of the most important texts of the moral tradition with special emphasis placed on a variety of skeptical positions with respect to morality; most notably that morality is not distinct from enlightened self-interest, religios commands, cultural mores, or personal preferences.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 218 - Markets and Morals
This course is designed to provide an introduction to several key concepts in moral philosophy as it relates to business and markets. What is the relationship between business and ethics? Do we have obligations to others in our role as employees or consumers? Do corporations have moral agency? Which economic systems are just? Such questions are considered in terms of the moral concepts in virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontology, and social contract theory. Through evaluation of those concepts, including agency, integrity, self-interest, and obligation, special emphasis will be placed on our role and responsibilities within a global economy.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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PHL 305 - Philosophy of Sport
This course addresses questions and issues that comprise the field known as the philosophy of sport, including the areas of ethics and social philosophy. What is sportsmanship and what is fair competition? Is it ever ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs? Should there be gender equity in sports participation? Does winning justify any means necessary to achieve it? These are but a few of the questions that will be addressed.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHL 307 - Major Representatives of Ancient Philosophy
A historical study of philosophy in the ancient world. Examination of the principal philosophical texts and doctrines of one or more of the following: ancient Eastern thought; pre-Socratic Greek philosophy; the Sophists and Socrates; Plato; Aristotle; post-Aristotelian Greek and Roman philosophy; Neoplatonism.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 308 - Major Representatives of Medieval Philosophy
A study in-depth of one of the following: Augustine; Aquinas; Bonaventure; Duns Scotus; medieval Islamic philosophy or medieval Jewish philosophy.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 309 - Major Representatives of Modern Philosophy
The origins of modern philosophy in terms of the most important ideas of the rationalist and empiricist traditions and the major movements of modernity will be examined.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 312 - Major Representatives of Contemporary Philosophy
An examination of the new foundations of philosophical thought claimed by phenomenology, existentialism, and analytic philosophy will be undertaken.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 314 - Major Representatives of American Philosophy
The development of the central themes of American Philosophy as found in one or more of the following: Peirce; Royce, James; Dewey; Whitehead; Quine; Rorty.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 319 - Philosophy of Reality
An analysis of central metaphysical terms and concepts: ‘being;’ ‘reality;’ ‘existence.’ A detailed study of significant metaphysical problems: universals and essence; process and substance-attribute, relations; necessity and contingency; God.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 320 - Philosophy of Knowledge
This course examines the nature, origins and limits of human knowledge. Dominant themes in epistemology, such as the claims of perceptual and a priori knowledge, the question of truth and justification, and the issue of skepticism, will be explored through a careful reading of classical and contemporary texts.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 321 - Philosophy of Mind
A review of recent criticisms and developments of the Cartesian Theory of mind and self-consciousness in the light of contemporary theories of language and behavior. Topics include minds and machines, intentions and mental states, materialism and the mind-body problem.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 327 - Moral Problems
A study of individual and social moral questions. Religion; the nature of the right-to-life in relation to self-defense; euthanasia; abortion and medical ethics; sexual morality in relation to spousal and parental relationships; property rights in relation to theories of collectivism and private ownership (wage contract and the morality of strikes); Political rights (ground and limits of political authority); the doctrine of the just war and its applicability to nuclear armaments; international moral law.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 332 - Logic: Basis of Correct Reasoning
A study of the logical principles of argument and a consideration of numerous common fallacies; an examination of the basic principles of deductive symbolic logic and of the inductive logic and design of research.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 337 - Philosophy and Culture
This course seeks to explore philosophical conceptions of the unity and development of reason as it is reflected in man’s most distinctive cultural activities: art; religion; science and morality. The emphasis will center on how certain modern and contemporary philosophers have sought to relate forms of knowledge to various forms of man’s cultural and social activity.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 346 - Philosophy of Religion
This course will locate the philosophical issues raised by religious belief in a personal, historical and cultural context. Present day possibilities for belief and unbelief will be analyzed and evaluated as an experiential option and not as an abstract subject. Authors who share this approach, such as Sigmund Freud and William James, will figure prominently in readings and discussions.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHL 351 - Revolution in Sexual Morality
A philosophical attempt to interpret and evaluate normative shifts in sexual morality resulting from the breakdown of established customs. The concepts of sexuality, love, fidelity and perversion will be considered in relation to questions about marriage, promiscuity, homosexuality, pornography and contraception.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 354 - Feminist Philosophy
This course surveys a broad range of concepts, themes, and debates central to feminist philosophy. We will discuss issues of identity: What does it mean to be a feminist? What does it mean to be a woman? Why do we have different - and at times competing - notions of feminism? We will also explore how our identities are shaped by other social constructions such as race, ethnicity, class, and sexual orientation. Our engagement with seminal feminist texts will help us reexamine social practices and reconstruct moral theories through feminist lenses.
Lecture
3 Credits
Prerequisite: One Philosophy Core Course
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 355 - Thomas Paine and the Revolutionary Tradition
Beginning with a study of the philosophical foundations of The Declaration of Independence, this course will examine the relation of Thomas Paine to the revolutionary traditions of the 18th Century. The course will end with an examination of the relevance of Paine’s thought to the contemporary world
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHL 356 - Social and Political Philosophy
This course will seek to explore the philosophical foundations of ideas like rights, justice, freedom and obligation in political and social contexts. The emphasis will be on the conceptual problems associated with attempts to formulate arguments and theories about these topics.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 360 - Ethics and Business
This course seeks to develop a moral perspective that is applicable to the structure and practices of business. Themes to be discussed are: a normative theory of ethics; economic justice; corporate-labor responsibility with respect to wage and price, investment, advertising, preferential hiring, ecology, and consumer protection; and the new functions and responsibilities of multinational corporations.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 361 - Ethical Issues in Science and Technology
This course seeks to develop a moral perspective through philosophy as it applies to the practical and ethical problems that emerge from contemporary technologies. Emphasis will be placed on ethical problems that professionals face in the field, such as privacy in data technologies, intellectual property rights, environmental ethics, ethical issues in engineering and the physical sciences. The goal of the course will be to clarify the issues involved and to help students develop tools of ethical analysis and evaluation to confront such issues.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHL 365 - Philosophy of Science
A survey of the development of the relations between the philosophical tradition and modern science. Special attention will be given to scientific revolutions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the philosophical schools of thought during this same period.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHL 366 - Problems in Medical Ethics
This course will focus on the nature of medical ethics and on the ethical implications of current problems in medical practice and research.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 375 - Aesthetics
A study of major theories of art and their relation to individual art forms, especially literature and music. Includes an examination of some central critical concepts, such as value, intention, expression, and insight, as well as the philosophical problems surrounding modern art.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHL 381 - Philosophy of Law
An examination of some classical and contemporary attempts to define and/or explicate the concept of law, the nature of legal reasoning, and the relationships among legal systems and customs, traditions, and moral ideas. Attention directed to theories of natural law, legal positivism, legal realism, sociological jurisprudence. Consideration of problems involved in notions of international law, legal obligation, due process and the morality of the criminal law.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHL 400 - Independent Study
A program of readings in an area of philosophical interest or a program of research leading to the writing of a major philosophical paper with the advisor’s approval, under the supervision of a member of the department.
Independent Study
3 Credits
Prerequisite: Approval of Dept Advisor
Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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PHL 401 - Special Topics in Philosophy
Special topics courses are designed to offer the opportunity for investigation into the work of individual philosophers, historically important philosophical movements, or contemporary philosophical themes. Specific topics wll be indicated when these courses are offered.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHL 402 - Special Topics in Philosophy
Special topics courses are designed to offer the opportunity for intensive philosophical investigation into the work of individual philosophers, historically important philosophical movements, or contemporary philosophical themes. Specific topics will be indicated when these courses are offered.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHL 410 - Special Topics in Philosophy
Special topics courses are designed to offer the opportunity for investigation into the work of individual philosophers, historically important philosophical movements, or contemporary philosophical themes. Specific topics wll be indicated when these courses are offered.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHL 420 - Capstone Seminar
The seminar will focus on major philosophical works. Study of these works will enable students to perform two crucial integrative tasks - bringing together what was learned in the courses taken as a philosophy major and linking that with what was learned from the courses which constitute the liberal arts core curriculum.
Seminar
3 Credits
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
Capstone Course Open to Seniors Only Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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Physics |
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PHY 101 - General Physics I
A general course in the fundamental phenomena of mechanics, heat, and sound.
Lecture
4 Credits
Corequisite: MTH 231
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHY 102 - General Physics II
A general course in the fundamental phenomena of electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Lecture
4 Credits
Prerequisite: PHY 101 . Corequisite: MTH 232 or MTH 270 .
Offered in Fall & Spring
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PHY 103 - General Physics I Without Lab
A general course in fundamental phenomena of mechanics, heat, and sound. Course construct is without a lab.
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHY 104 - General Physics II Without Lab
A general course in the fundamental phenomena of electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics
Lecture
3 Credits
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PHY 105 - Earth Science
A basic course involving the study of the earth, its structure and development. Phenomena such as earthquakes, mineral resources, storms, tides, continental drift and weather will be examined.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHY 106 - General Astronomy
A basic course applying physical principles to the study of general astronomy with an emphasis on the solar system.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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PHY 120 - Computer Music System
A course designed to develop the foundation for literacy necessary to deal with science and technology through a study of computer music using the MIDI. The course will employ the student’s understanding of science, technology, and systems to assess the societal impact of computer music along with its costs, benefits and detriments. Two lectures per week and two hours of laboratory per week. Not open to students who have taken STL 145.
Lecture and Laboratory
3 Credits
Offered in Fall & Spring; Written Intensive
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PHY 300 - Mathematical Mechanics I
A course in theoretical mechanics with an emphasis on mathematical model building using calculus. Introductory applications of vector analysis and ordinary differential equations in Newtonian mechanics will be studied to develop physical intuition and mathematical ability simultaneously.
Lecture
3 Credits
Prerequisite: Introductory Calculus and PHY 101 or permission of dept chair
Offered When Needed
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PHY 301 - Mathematical Mechanics II
A theoretical course in mechanics treating central forces; accelerated reference systems; generalized coordinates; Lagrange’s Equation; Hamilton’s Equations; small oscillations; normal coordinates; wave equation; rigid body motion in three dimensions; Euler’s Equations.
Lecture
3 Credits
Prerequisite: PHY 300
Offered When Needed
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PHY 315 - Electricity and Magnetism I
A study of electrostatics employing vector formalism; Gauss’ Law; Laplace’s Equation; dielectrics and polarization; direct current circuit analysis and measurements.
Lecture
4 Credits
Prerequisite: PHY 101 , PHY 102 , MTH 302
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHY 316 - Electricity and Magnetism II
A study of charged particles and conductors in magnetic fields; magnetism and magnetic materials; alternating current circuits, Maxwell’s Equations and electromagnetic waves.
Lecture
4 Credits
Prerequisite: PHY 315
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHY 324 - Modern Physics II
A treatment of atomic and nuclear physics in terms of the Schroedinger Theory. Topics include: relativity, thermal radiation and the origin of quantum theory; Bohr Theory, particles and waves; Schroedinger Equation and Solutions; one-electron atom, magnetic moments; spin; multi-electron atoms; x-rays; composition of nuclei, nuclear models, alpha, beta, gamma radiation, nuclear reactions, nuclear forces, and elementary particles.
Lecture
3 Credits
Prerequisites: PHY 102 , MTH 302
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHY 423 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
A consideration of the concepts of equilibrium thermodynamics, such as thermodynamic functions, equations of state, and the laws of thermodynamics. Attention is given to the statistical principles necessary to deal with physical systems containing large aggregates of particles: Maxwell-Boltzman; Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics.
Lecture
3 Credits
Prerequisite: PHY 300 , PHY 323
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHY 424 - Quantum Mechanics
A treatment of the formal theory which embodies the present day physicist’s understanding of atomic and sub-atomic systems. The course deals mainly with the Schroedinger representation and emphasizes applications to atomic phenomena. The nature of Hilbert space, the role of operators in the theory of eigenvalue equations, and time-dependent perturbation theory are among the topics treated.
Lecture
3 Credits
Prerequisite: PHY 323
Offered in Alternate Years
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PHY 430 - Internship in Physics
Student participation in an off-campus, supervised work experience related to physics with regular reporting to an assigned faculty member. A written report relating this work experience to the student’s course of study will normally be expected.
Internship
3 Credits
Department Approval Required. Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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PHY 441 - Research I
A course in which the student carries out a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Open only to a limited number of selected students.
Lecture
2 Credits
Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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PHY 442 - Research II
A course in which the student carries out a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Open only to a limited number of selected students.
Lecture
2 Credits
Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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PHY 450 - Seminar
A survey of selected topics designated to integrate the major coursework and to illustrate the use of current literature in research. Presentations by individual students. One period per week.
Seminar
1 Credits
Prerequisite: Senior status
Capstone Course Open to Seniors Only Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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PHY 451 - Seminar in Science, Technology and Society
A seminar experience for senior science majors which explores the interplay of science, technology and society. Students will present and discuss perspectives based on the humanities and social sciences in the context of selected science case studies and they will compose new case studies which illustrate human dimensions of the scientific endeavor. Required of all majors in senior year. This course and the 450 seminar course together satisfy the capstone graduation requirement.
Lecture
2 Credits
Capstone Course Department Approval Required. Open to Seniors Only Offered in the Spring Semester
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Political Science Courses may be classified as follows:
Corequisites: POL 201 , POL 203
Major Core: POL 302 , POL 497
- Political Theory: POL 313 , POL 314 , POL 315 , POL 316 , POL 317
- American Politics: POL 320, POL 323 , POL 324 , POL 325 , POL 326 , POL 327 , POL 328 , POL 329 , POL 332 , POL 333
- Policy and Administration: POL 380 , POL 381 , POL 382 , POL 383
- International Politics: POL 331 , POL 362 , POL 364 , POL 365 , POL 366 , POL 368
- Comparative Politics: POL 341 , POL 346, POL 347
- Scope & Statistics: POL 301 , POL 305
- Special Topics, Seminars, Internships, & Independent Studies: POL 336 , POL 385 , POL 483 , POL 484 , POL 491 , POL 492 , POL 499
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CDS 1101 - Contemporary Political Issues
This course traces the historical origin of contemporary “trouble spots” in the international community. The roots and present day implications of both Western and Non-Western political issues will be examined. (Ex. Poland, Ireland, El Salvador, Lebanon).
Lecture
1 Credits
Offered When Needed Weekend Intensive
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CDS 1173 - Introduction to Law
This course is designed to provide the undergraduate student with a realistic exposure to the study of law. Through the simulation of a typical first-year law school classroom situation and individual assignments, students will develop a fundamental understanding of legal reasoning, research and analysis. The major focus will be upon case law and statutory analysis, substantive law, legal research and writing. 1 credit, weekend intensive.
Lecture
1 Credits
Weekend Intensive
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IDS 451 - Legislative Internship
This program gives students firsthand knowledge of the legislative process. Interns perform research and administrative tasks important in the daily operation of a legislative office. Students approved by Iona’s campus liaison and accepted by the New York State Senate/Assembly or United States House of Representatives/United States Senate Intern Committee, or counterpart legislative internship liaison organization, spend thirty hours per week in a semester-long program and meet academic requirements established by Iona.
Lecture
12 Credits
Offered When Needed
Department Consent Required
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IST 300 - West and the Muslim World
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore some aspects of the relationships between the West and the Muslim world, including political, religious, and cultural commonalities and differences. In addition to regular class meeting with the instructor, students will participate in a real time exchange with students from the Muslim world for a two hour period each week with their assigned Soliya group.
Lecture
3 Credits
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IST 403 - Internship for International Studies
Students participate in a supervised off-campus work experience in an international corporation or organization in the United States or abroad, such as an airline, bank, airport, brokerage firm, travel agency, the United Nations, import-export company, multinational, the fashion or film industries, foreign consulate, chamber of commerce, etc. Students report regularly to the coordinator and submit materials to meet the academic requirements for the course.
Lecture
3 Credits
Prerequisite: Senior standing
Open to Seniors Only Offered in Fall & Spring
Department Consent Required
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IST 491 - Special Topics in International Studies
This course examines some of the key problems, debates, and issues in global politics today. Emphasis will be placed on the role of national and international institutions, and non-governmental organizations in identifying and seeking to address global problems.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Spring Semester
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IST 497 - Capstone Seminar in International Studies
As stated in the Iona College catalog, the goal of this course is to demonstrate through an independent senior thesis, class discussion, and oral presentations, the skills and knowledge the student has gained in the degree program. To that end, the course will provide the opportunity for majors to critically review concepts theories, approaches, and the literature pertinent to the topic under review and to engage in independent, original, and rigorous research.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 201 - American Government 1
An introduction to the governmental process in the United States: Constitutional basis; federalism; civil rights; interest groups and party politics; organization of the federal government; dynamics of policy formulation.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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POL 203 - Introduction to Global Politics
Introduction to the study of politics and government. Emphasizes the study of political institutions, ideology, political culture, participation and party systems. Analyzes patterns of political change and global interactions with a reference to current issues.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Spring Semester
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POL 301 - Scope and Approaches to the Study of Political Science
An introduction to the variety of contemporary approaches to the study of politics and government. Students will become familiar with the analytical tools necessary for conducting research and writing organized papers. This course emphasizes a critical analysis of various methodologies.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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POL 302 - Research Methods in Political Science
An introduction to political research methods. The course will make students better practitioners and consumers of political research. Focus is on basic qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on the stages in the research process and computerized data analysis. Among the topics covered: research design, strategies, ethics, conceptualization, measurement, sampling, causation, generalizability, reliability, methods (surveys, observation/participation, evaluation…), elementary and advanced data analysis, reviewing, proposing, and reporting research. Particular attention is paid to computerized data analysis using the GSS and SPSS.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 305 - Social Statistics
An introduction to statistics commonly used by political and social scientists. Focus is on the use of basic statistics prevalent in the political and social science literature, as well as statistics that students will use in their research. Among the topics covered are descriptive statistics, such as measures of central tendency, variability, graphics, bivariate analysis, cross-tabulation, regression, and inferential statistics, such as normal distribution, sampling, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, chi-square and ANOVA. The course also emphasizes computerized data analysis using GSS and SPSS.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 313 - Revolution in Theory and Practice
An examination of some of the major theories that have been put forward to define and explain the nature of revolution. Attention will be focused on the causes of revolution, the role of revolutionary leaders and the organization of revolutionary movements. Specific historical cases of revolution will be studied and certain contemporary revolutionary movements analyzed.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 314 - American Political Thought
This course is an introduction to many of the major thinkers, traditions and themes in the history of American political thought. The course explores the degree to which these thinkers and intellectual traditions influenced the development of American political institutions. Special attention is paid to thinkers who were also political actors, including the Founders and Lincoln. Intellectuals and philosophers such as Emerson, Melville, Veblen, James, Du Bois, Dewey and Rorty are also covered.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 315 - Great Political Thinkers
This course offers a survey of Western political thought from the Classical Greeks to the present. The course emphasizes the perennial problems of politics: the nature of man, the nature of the political relationship, the meaning of freedom, authority, political obligation, power, justice, citizenship, etc.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 316 - Inequality and American Democracy
This course explores the causes and effects of socio-economic inequality in the United States. The course focuses particularly on the effects of inequality on our democratic institutions and on the major political theorists who have contributed useful insights to the inequality debate, including John Rawls and Michael Walzer. Careful attention is paid to theories of democracy and to the social and economic conditions that can undermine popular sovereignty.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 317 - The Politics of Evil
This course is an exploration of the origins, nature, and meaning of evil in a political context. It will examine instances of political evil, particularly those committed in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, through a theoretical lens. Students will read seminal philosophers and theologians who have shed light on this topic, including Augustine, Machiavelli, Nietzsche, Freud, Niebuhr, Morgenthau, Buber, and Arendt. The course will also explore the implications of the debate about evil between social and evolutionary psychologists. A particular focus will be given to totalitarianism, a manifestation of political evil that has assumed many forms since the early twentieth century. Other themes may include colonialism, genocide, terrorism, and war.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 319 - Thomas Paine and the Struggle for Democracy
The structure of the course will explore the main features of Paine’s political philosophy, their origins, achievements and impact. Paine’s philosophy is rooted in axioms based on common sense - equality (the source of natural rights), materialism (the world is knowable and objective), human progress (“no one should live in a state worse than before civilization”), and the inherent goodness and collectivist nature of mankind. Based upon these axioms, Paine erected a four-fold paradigm of democracy: social and economic justice, evolving democratic structures and the nature of constitutions, free thought, and mass participation (right of revolution). Each will be examined historically as Paine’s life and writings are played out against the backdrop of the rise of the age of the democratic revolutions. Attention will be paid to how Paine advanced these ideas, and the seminal revolutionary nature of his philosophy.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 323 - Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights
A study of current American conceptions of civil liberties, including the judicial policy-making role of the Federal Courts in developing modern constitutional doctrines concerning the Bill of Rights, the 14th Amendment and important recent civil rights legislation. The course concentrates on these topics: freedom of speech, press and assembly; racial and ethnic equality; women’s rights; criminal justice and police procedures; obscenity and pornography; rights to privacy and freedom of personal lifestyle; voters’ rights and political equality; and such new constitutional frontiers as abortion, gun control, gay liberation and capital punishment.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 324 - The American Political System: The Presidency
A survey of the constitutional basis and historical evolution of presidential powers; the rise of the administrative state and executive-centered government in modern American history; and the institutional and political resources of influence of the Office of the President, especially in foreign affairs. Theories are applied to recent presidential case histories and case studies of presidents who changed the contours of the executive office.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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POL 325 - State and Local Government
An analysis of factors influencing state and local governments as political systems through an examination of intergovernmental relations; the interdependent roles of governors, legislatures, and courts in policy-making and implementation; the organization, functions, and jurisdiction of local governments; and the interaction of political parties and interest groups with formal governmental institutions and processes. The course highlights socioeconomic and political trends leading to change in state and local governments, with an emphasis on state and local governments in New York State.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 326 - Politics and Criminal Justice
An introduction to the politics of the American criminal justice system from crime and arrest to parole and probation. Attention will be given to the processes of defining crime, its causes and remedies. The course will deal with contemporary problems of police, courts and penal systems in American society, as well as recent constitutional decisions in criminal justice.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 327 - Politics and Media
An analysis of the relationship between government and various forms of media-broadcast (television and radio), print (newspapers, magazines), and the internet; the influence of television on elections, campaign spending, public opinion formation; limits on the First Amendment in times of crisis, and government censorship of news reporting in times of war. The course includes benchmark Supreme Court cases defining the limits and extent of freedom of the press and the role of the Federal Communications Commission in defining the bounds of medial industry action.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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POL 328 - The American Political System: Judicial Branch and the Constitution
The purpose of the course is to expose students to a wide range of materials concerning the judicial process, including aspects of court structure and rules of court operation as well as to provide a detailed study of constitutional law through US Supreme Court decisions. The consistent themes explored in this course focus on the politics of the judicial branch, including the policy-making role of the courts, and the dynamics of the US Constitution. Supreme Court cases will cover such topics as judicial review, federalism, the commerce power, separation of powers, and substantive due process.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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POL 329 - Political Parties, Campaigns and Elections
Examination of the history, role and function of political parties in American elections and the governing process. Study of why and how people participate in politics, voting patterns, voting rights, direct democracy lawmaking, campaign finance, interest group influence, media and public opinion influence in elections.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 331 - American Foreign Policy
An introduction to the basic structure, function and processes of American foreign policy. Examination of the role of the President, the intelligence community (CIA, FBI, NSA), Congress, and departments of Defense and State. The course examines constitutional sources of foreign policy powers and constraints on the Executive branch and Congress imposed by the public, media, interest groups and others. Students will gain a working knowledge of several key American foreign policy decisions.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 332 - Public Opinion and American Democracy
This course examines and assesses the role of public opinion in American democracy. The course emphasizes both the normative and practical aspects of the study of opinion in the American political system. To this extent, it emphasizes both the theoretical aspects (opinion formation, role of opinion in campaigns, elections, policy-making, the current state of research, the history and development of opinion, etc.). In addition, the course focuses on the empirical aspects of opinion (how it is measured, practical aspects of conducting survey research, basics of computerized data analysis, etc.).
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 333 - The Politics of Non-Violence
The Twentieth Century was the most violent in recorded human history. Two catastrophic world wars, the rise of totalitarian regimes, the Holocaust, the manifest destructive powers and subsequent proliferation of nuclear weapons of mass destruction, and the Cold War (or numerous “proxy” wars between the superpowers in resource-rich developing countries) resulted in millions of deaths. But the most violent century also bore remarkable efforts by men and women to resist these brutalizations, critique violent methodologies, and struggle for alternative methods of political persuasion. This course will explore Twentieth Century theories, practices and dilemmas of nonviolent resistance and transformative struggle. It will encourage examination of questions of means and ends, use of violence and expressions of nonviolence, social justice, and methods of fighting injustice without creating more injustice.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 334 - American Politics in Film
This course uses the medium of film to help students of politics understand the nature of American government and politics. The course uses a mixture of films and film genres to explore various aspects of the American political system and to assess how these have been covered and dramatized by movies and television. In particular, the course addresses issues arising from the portrayal of American framers, institutions, politicians, campaigns, elections, leadership, opinion, as well as key policy issues and important historical/political events.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 335 - Famous Political Trials
An examination of the famous political trials in American and European history (from Ancient times through the 20th C.). In addition to looking at the history, politics, and legal issues surrounding these trials, the class also considers questions such as: What are the fundamental elements of political trials? How have scholars sought to distinguish between various types of political trials? What role did the trial play in public discourse at the time as well as later? How did the trial crystallize certain political and social issues of its time? How did/does the trial operate in terms of spectacle and drama? How does legal reasoning and literary narrative or storytelling interact in these trials? What conflicts emerge in the trials between individuals and the state, the church and the state, and actors in public and private arenas? How do the trials contribute or detract from public discourse? And what lessons can be learned from these trials?
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 336 - Contemporary American Politics
An analysis of the emerging patterns, behaviors, issues, controversies, debates, and challenges integral to contemporary American government and politics. Attention is directed to major constitutional, political challenges and controversies of the day as determined by faculty/instructor. Examples include: the role of the media, electoral and campaign reform, radical individualism, the impact of separation of powers, etc. The goal of the course is to give students a deeper appreciation of the political context in which governmental decisions are made, a better understanding of the process of constitutional adjudication, and a clearer sense of the constitutional, political, and ethical principles involved in these controversies.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 337 - Gender and Politics
This course examines the role of gender in American politics. The word, gender, includes more than biological differences between men and women, and includes how the public interprets these differences and values some qualities over others. Elections are highly gendered, how we interpret political behavior is influenced strongly by gendered language (metaphors of war and professional sports), and our expectations about the characteristics, behavior, and appearance of political actors are shaped by gender. Current research on gender differences in seeking public office, and the influence of gender on the political behavior of elected officials will be explored.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester Alternate Years
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POL 341 - Comparative Politics: The Western World
An introduction to the study of comparative politics with emphasis on Britain and Western Europe. Comparison is made with American and non-Western systems and consideration is given to general concepts and tools of analysis.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 346 - The Third World: Politics and Development
This course examines the political and economic contexts for development. The course explores pathways and options for growth and and the changing understandings of human development. In addition the course examines key issues including the political economy of north-south relations, urbanization, trade, health, critical institutions, and globalization.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 347 - Comparative Politics: The Non-Western World
Description and analysis of the structure and process of government in various non-Western governments, including Latin America. Theoretical frameworks of structure-functionalism, modernization and dependency theory will be examined to be used in explaining the political system under discussion. Emphasis will be placed on the formal and informal structure of power, on the role of political groups and on the influence of economic, military, religious and ethnic forces.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 362 - International Relations
Major theories and recent theoretical approaches to the study of international relations. The evolution of the nation-state system. Basic factors affecting the power positions and policies of states. Conceptions of national interest and national security. The formulation, instruments and patterns of foreign policy. Conflict and cooperation among states through law, diplomacy, international organization and war.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in the Fall Semester
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POL 364 - International Law and Organizations
Based largely on the study of cases, the course examines the nature, sources, development, principles and application of the rules that govern the legal relationships among members of the modern state system. Emphasis will be placed on the role of international law in world politics and on contemporary problems of enforcement and further development. The course will also focus on the role of key organizations such as the United Nations, The World Trade Organization and the International Criminal Court.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 365 - Contemporary Global Politics
An analysis of the emerging patterns in recent international behavior. Attention directed to the bipolar and post-bipolar international system; East-West conflict and cooperation; the Third World and non-commitment; international economics; arms and disarmament; world order under law.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 366 - International Politics and Film
This course is designed to use the medium of film to explain and discuss important topics in international politics. Film provides a window to the world and this course will explore how various aspects of international politics have been covered and dramatized by movies and television. The course will focus on how international political processes, institutions and leaders have been portrayed on screen and what those renderings say about political decisions, ideologies and actions.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 368 - Environmental Politics
This course is designed to introduce you to the basic issues, concepts, and theories of environmental politics. We will examine the major debates and problems in the field, significant events inspiring change in the international system, and the relevance of the debates to current events. Among the most important issues will be sustainable development, security, and international governance.
Lecture
3 Credits
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POL 370 - Human Rights
This course is designed to introduce you to the basic issues, concepts, and theories of human rights. The course will examine the major debates in both the domestic and international context paying particular attention to key contemporary problems regarding the rights of children, women, refugees, and others.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered Spring Semester Alternate Years
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POL 371 - Politics of Global Health
An exploration of the political controversies surrounding global public health, with a special emphasis on poverty and development. This course looks at how the world cooperates to confront the most persistent global health emergencies, such as HIV/AIDS, maternal health, tuberculosis or malaria. Multilateral institutions including the UN system and World Bank figure prominently, as do the perspectives of developing countries.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered Spring Semester Alternate Years
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POL 372 - Environmental Law
This course provides a broad, practical understanding of some important federal environmental statutes and case law. The course is designed to introduce you to the fascinating variety of important environmental challenges addressed by environmental laws, the difficult policy issues surrounding environmental problems, and the legal complexities of environmental regulation and administration.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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POL 373 - Global Cities and the Environment
This course explores the interrelationship between the world’s cities and the global environment in an era of rapid urbanization, resource depletion and climate change. It critically engages the economic, cultural, architectural, and aesthetic dimensions of global urbanization as rapidly expanding cities confront ecological limitations.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered When Needed
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POL 380 - American Bureaucracy: The Administration of Public Policy
The study of executive branch organization in American government and the role of the “fourth branch”- full time executive departments and agencies - in administering and shaping the substance of public policies. Analysis of public administrative hierarchy, leadership, personnel, expertise, operating procedures and sources of bureaucratic power from political, legal, and managerial perspectives.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 381 - Administrative Law
The study of the actions of executive branch departments and agencies, political and legal constraints on bureaucratic power, the legal sources and practical effects of regulatory rules and regulations, the power to investigate and enforce rules, and due process rights of individuals and corporations affected by public administrative actions.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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POL 382 - Public Personnel Administration
Analysis of the organization and management of the public workforce in the executive branch, the civil service, labor-management relations and dispute-resolution procedures, organization theory, comparative leadership studies in the public and private sectors, career versus political executives, and current challenges facing public managers and employees.
Lecture
3 Credits
Offered in Alternate Years
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