This course teaches students the basic writing skills needed for college success, including grammar and composition. Students practice sentence construction (in the context of short writing assignments), paragraph construction, and the organization of ideas. They build on these basic skills by planning, writing, and revising short essays and experiencing writing as a multi-step process. The course also teaches several types of, purposes of, and audiences for general essays. Required for the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Fall and spring semesters. 3 credits.

Students develop critical thinking skills in writing, reading, and speaking through the context of multiple points of view about cultural identities. Prerequisite: C- or better in SLA100 or score of 8 or higher on essay portion of SAT or ACT. Required for the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Fall and spring semesters. 3 credits.

Component of first year experience; incorporates academic strategies and orientation to college life and resources. Fall and spring semesters. Corequisite: SLA100 or SLA101. 1 credit.

An exploration of the foundational roles of faith and spirituality in human growth and development and in the shaping of human cultures. Opportunity to engage with the spiritual traditions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This course is strongly recommended for the first semester of enrollment. Fall and spring semesters, J-Term. 3 credits. Fee.

A capstone seminar which provides students an opportunity to examine personal values in relationship to society. Students reflect on their discipline, pursuit of knowledge, and personal life philosophy. Seniors only. Fall, spring and summer, J-Term. 3 credits.

A comprehensive introduction to the study of political science. Key concepts and theories are explored. Emphasis on the development and organization of the modern state; functions, processes, and ideologies of contemporary political systems; and introduction to the subfields of political science. Fall semester. 3 credits.

The background and general principles of American government with emphasis on the Constitution; critical analysis of political processes, political behavior, and aspects of public policy. Fall semester. 3 credits. Fee.

A comparative examination of the world's different governmental and political systems and political culture, both Western and non-Western. Emphasis on European political systems and non-Western political systems including China, Russia, and Iran. Spring semester, odd numbered years. 3 credits.

A comprehensive introduction to the Pennsylvania governmental structure - - state and municipal - - and its role in our federalist system. Explores the historic and present-day relationship between the Federal government and the Pennsylvania government and its people. Fall semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits. Fee.

A survey of Western political thought and philosophy with emphasis on modern political ideologies. Writing Intensive course. Prerequisite: SPS103. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Introductory analysis of major theories of international relations and their applications to current problems of world politics. Differing perspectives on the nature of the international system; the significance of power and global norms; patterns of conflict and cooperation between nations; and role and influence of non-state actors. Fall semester. Prerequisite: SPS103. 3 credits.

Different topics from a variety of subfields of political science. Fall semester, even-numbered years. Repeatable for credit. 3 credits.

This course covers a variety of topical issues in global affairs, including peacemaking, human rights, global governance, and democratization. Satisfies the Global Perspectives component of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Repeatable for credit. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Development and implementation of government policy at the national level. Students research and report on the development of policy in particular issue areas such as military and defense or welfare policies. Juniors and seniors only. Spring semester. 3 credits.

This course introduces students to the debates and methods that deal with the scientific study of political phenomena. Students will learn to write in the field and develop a research design, as well as practice the variety of methods used to conduct research in political science. Fall semester, odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: SPS103 and SSS250. 3 credits.

Open to qualified political science majors and minors. Ordinarily taken for 3 credits. Repeatable for credit. Permission required. Variable credit.

Designed to enable students to read as well as do research. Explores descriptive and inferential statistics. Treats small and large samplings with such parametric and non-parametric probability distributions as Z, t, F, and chi-squared. Uses statistical computer software. Satisfies the Mathematics requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Fall and spring semesters and ADP sessions 1, 3, and 4. Prerequisites: SMA100 or higher, sophomores or above. 3 credits.

Students develop informative, persuasive, and expressive speaking abilities. Students practice personal communication skills, including writing for the ear, effective listening, oral reports, the use of body language, visual aids, speaking technologies, and occasions to motivate and enhance communication. Fall semester and ADP session 4. 3 credits. Fee.

Study of how the First Amendment and its press, speech, religion, assembly, and petition clauses shape public discourse and artistic endeavors in the communication media and other public forums. Focus on how judicial decision-making has established the parameters within which the clauses have their impact. Examination of why some speech may not be protected under the First Amendment umbrella. Spring semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits.

An introduction to geographic thought with emphasis on the importance of geographical factors in history and politics. Spring semester. 3 credits.

A survey of the politics, events, and individuals involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, focusing on the post-Second World War era. May be taken as Political Science elective. Satisfies the U.S. Cultures requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Upper level students only. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. 3 credits.

Surveys current world and domestic events, read and analyzed using a variety of newspapers and newsmagazines available online, in various sites. Students follow the news generally and select one or more issues for independent research and presentation. Fall and spring semesters. Variable credits as determined by the instructor for the term. Repeatable for credit. Note: A maximum of three credits may be applied toward the fulfillment of the Political Science major or minor requirements.

This course provides an overview of the U.S. legal system with emphasis on the Constitutional framework of American law. Fall semester. 3 credits. Fee.

This course provides behind-the-scene perspectives on Washington politics, power, and public policy. Course is offered in Washington,DC. Lectures, site visits, tours, and special events allow students to see the impact of the political process and learn how the nation’s leaders address important contemporary issues. Student must apply and be accepted into the “Washington Experience” program sponsored by the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. All expenses of the experience are the student’s responsibility. J-term only. 0-3 credits. Pass/Fail only.

This course explores human rights as an important international norm that is reflected in polices, practices, and laws at the international and national levels. It addresses such topics as: the use of military force to promote human rights; the development of international criminal courts; humanitarian and human rights law, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. Satisfies the Global Perspectives requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Places the Holocaust and other cases of genocide in comparative historical and cultural context. Investigates factors that cause genocide, the use of survivor testimony in documenting genocide, and the role of the international community in responding to acts of genocide. Satisfies the Global Perspectives requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. ADP session 3. 3 credits.

The enduring legacy of the 1960’s; the sixties as an historic period of culmination in U.S. politics; movements, ideologies, and pressures of the social and political movements of that era. Satisfies the U. S. Cultures requirement of Liberal Arts Curriculum. Fall semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits.

Content and formation of American foreign policy since World War I. Emphasis on the formal and informal institutions and structures which contribute to the making of foreign policy, including domestic politics . Focus is on the dilemma of America's role as global sheriff in world affairs. Spring semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits.

A comprehensive introduction to the study of political science. Key concepts and theories are explored. Emphasis on the development and organization of the modern state; functions, processes, and ideologies of contemporary political systems; and introduction to the subfields of political science. Fall semester. 3 credits.

The background and general principles of American government with emphasis on the Constitution; critical analysis of political processes, political behavior, and aspects of public policy. Fall semester. 3 credits. Fee.

Surveys current world and domestic events, read and analyzed using a variety of newspapers and newsmagazines available online, in various sites. Students follow the news generally and select one or more issues for independent research and presentation. Fall and spring semesters. Variable credits as determined by the instructor for the term. Repeatable for credit. Note: A maximum of three credits may be applied toward the fulfillment of the Political Science major or minor requirements.

A comparative examination of the world's different governmental and political systems and political culture, both Western and non-Western. Emphasis on European political systems and non-Western political systems including China, Russia, and Iran. Spring semester, odd numbered years. 3 credits.

A comprehensive introduction to the Pennsylvania governmental structure - - state and municipal - - and its role in our federalist system. Explores the historic and present-day relationship between the Federal government and the Pennsylvania government and its people. Fall semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits. Fee.

A survey of Western political thought and philosophy with emphasis on modern political ideologies. Writing Intensive course. Prerequisite: SPS103. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Introductory analysis of major theories of international relations and their applications to current problems of world politics. Differing perspectives on the nature of the international system; the significance of power and global norms; patterns of conflict and cooperation between nations; and role and influence of non-state actors. Fall semester. Prerequisite: SPS103. 3 credits.

Content and formation of American foreign policy since World War I. Emphasis on the formal and informal institutions and structures which contribute to the making of foreign policy, including domestic politics . Focus is on the dilemma of America's role as global sheriff in world affairs. Spring semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits.

Different topics from a variety of subfields of political science. Fall semester, even-numbered years. Repeatable for credit. 3 credits.

This course covers a variety of topical issues in global affairs, including peacemaking, human rights, global governance, and democratization. Satisfies the Global Perspectives component of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Repeatable for credit. Spring semester. 3 credits.

This course introduces students to the debates and methods that deal with the scientific study of political phenomena. Students will learn to write in the field and develop a research design, as well as practice the variety of methods used to conduct research in political science. Fall semester, odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: SPS103 and SSS250. 3 credits.

An intensive analysis of contract, utilizing the case method of study. The study of agency and partnership, with emphasis on the essential contractual nature of these fields. Fall semester and ADP session 2. 3 credits.

Covers American and early United States history from the Revolutionary era through the Era of Good Feelings (1763 to 1820). The course explores the formation of and challenges to constitutional government, including the growth of republicanism, federalism, and Jeffersonian democracy. Regional and cultural conflicts are central themes of this course. Satisfies the U.S. Cultures requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Prerequisite: SHY103 or SLA101. Fall semester. 3 credits. Fee.

A comprehensive introduction to the Pennsylvania governmental structure - - state and municipal - - and its role in our federalist system. Explores the historic and present-day relationship between the Federal government and the Pennsylvania government and its people. Fall semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits. Fee.

Examines contemporary and ancient logic to create and judge logical argument, informal fallacies, and the syllogism. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. Satisfies the Philosophy requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. 3 credits.

The background and general principles of American government with emphasis on the Constitution; critical analysis of political processes, political behavior, and aspects of public policy. Fall semester. 3 credits. Fee.

This course provides an overview of the U.S. legal system with emphasis on the Constitutional framework of American law. Fall semester. 3 credits. Fee.

Reviews philosophies of law and visions of social justice developed over the course of American history. Considers the role laws have played in promoting and impeding democracy and equality. Focuses on pivotal and controversial laws and cases such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade. Satisfies the U.S. Cultures requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Spring semester, even-numbered years, and ADP session 3 odd-numbered years. 3 credits.