Political Science

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Department Faculty

Meghan Cherry, Pamela Edwards-Ham, Stewart French, John Kaczynski, Julie Keil, Mark Nicol, Lee Trepanier, Erik Trump, Robert Lane and Jesse Donahue.

The study of politics is an examination of the processes and institutions through which humans create a common life. Ancient and modern political scientists have shown us that politics also is the study of the ideas, interests and expectations people bring to making decisions, and the obstacles they meet in their efforts to forge a common life that will be good for more than a few. This department in particular is concerned with issues of equality and justice. And we feel that it is important for citizens to understand the complexities of politics because governing rarely is a simplistic process.

The course offerings for this major reflect four traditional areas of political study: political theory and culture, American political institutions, public policy, and international relations. Additionally, our program helps students understand the process of analyzing politics through exposure to research methods in the discipline.

The program’s central goal is to offer a liberal arts education that trains students to think critically and communicate effectively in written and oral formats. This training can prepare students for graduate studies in fields such as law, public policy, and political science; or for interdisciplinary studies such as the Master of Administrative Science offered by Saginaw Valley State University. A major in political science is appropriate background for students interested in careers in journalism or in public affairs within the government, non-profit or private sectors. In combination with appropriate minors or majors, the study of political science can also prepare students for graduate work or employment in education or business.

Students will be admitted into the Political Science or the Public Administration major after 1) successfully completing one Political Science course at SVSU with a grade of “C” or better, and 2) meeting formally with the Department Chair to plan a course of study.

Programs

• Political Science Major (B.A.)
• Political Science – Public Administration (B.A.)

• Political Science Minor
• Public Administration Minor

• Political Science Minor for Teacher Certification

Courses

• LS 101 - Seminar in Leadership & Service I
• LS 201 - Applications of Leadership & Service I
• LS 301 - Seminar in Leadership & Service II
• LS 401 - Applications of Leadership & Service II
• LS 490 - Capstone in Leadership & Service
• PS 112 - Writing and Politics (GE10)
• PS 118! - Introduction to Political Science (GE6)
• PS 123 - The American Political System (GE7)
• PS 130! - World Politics (GE8)
• PS 190 - Special Topics
• PS 193 - College Success
• PS 205 - Comparative Government
• PS 206 - International Law
• PS 220 - Art and Politics
• PS 225! - Statistics (GE3)
• PS 230 - Exploring the Legal Profession
• PS 240 - U.S. Parties & Interest Groups
• PS 260 - Understanding & Managing the Bureaucracy
• PS 262 - State & Local Government
• PS 270 - Race & U.S. Political System
• PS 290 - Selected Topics in Polit Sci
• PS 300 - Political Leadership
• PS 307 - Russian & Central Asian Politics
• PS 319 - Gender and Politics
• PS 320 - Art and Politics
• PS 321 - Politics, Literature, and Film
• PS 325 - Native American Politics
• PS 326 - Latin American Politics
• PS 327 - Equal Protection & Race Discrimination
• PS 328 - Moot Court
• PS 329 - Amer. Const. Law: Institutions
• PS 330 - Amer. Const. Law: Rights & Liberties
• PS 331 - American Presidency
• PS 333 - American Congress
• PS 334 - American Political Thought
• PS 339 - Political Ideologies
• PS 340 - Religion and Politics
• PS 341 - Individual Autonomy and the Public Good
• PS 345 - Public Policy Making in U.S.
• PS 346 - Animals, Habitats, and Politics
• PS 354 - Democracy: Origins and Challenges
• PS 355 - Public Budgeting and Finance
• PS 361 - American Foreign Policy & World Politics
• PS 362 - International Institutions/Organizations
• PS 363 - Model United Nations
• PS 364 - Advanced Model UN
• PS 365 - Public Human Resource Management
• PS 368 - Comparative Parties and Elections
• PS 370 - Federal and State Courts
• PS 375 - Education and Democracy
• PS 378 - The Soldier and the State
• PS 379 - Classical Political Thought
• PS 389 - Modern Political Thought
• PS 390 - Special Topics
• PS 391 - Special Seminar in Pol Sci
• PS 392 - Politics & Policies of Cities & Suburbs
• PS 394 - Independent Research
• PS 396 - Internship
• PS 475 - Evaluation Research
• PS 485 - Senior Seminar
• PS 490 - Adv Selected Topics Polit Sci
• PS 493 - Directed Readings in Polit Sci
• PS 494 - Directed Research in Polit Sci
• PS 496 - Field Work in Public Affairs
• PS 497 - Senior Project in Pol Sci
• PS 498 - Honors Thesis

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