Course Descriptions
Political Science
POL 300
American Politics
3 credits
This course is a survey of the political institutions of the federal republic of the U.S.A. and their interaction, strengths, and weaknesses. The survey includes a description of the U.S. federal system contained in the Constitution as amended formally and through legislation, the institutions which make up the vertical and horizontal separations of powers, the role of interest groups and elections in society, and the concept of civil rights and equality as opposed to freedoms in the culture.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
POL 304
Constitutional Law and Procedures
3 credits
The focus of this course is the interaction, strengths, and weaknesses of the U.S. federal government. The course includes a study of selected Supreme Court cases which have clarified the roles of government and police power. It also includes a description of the U.S. federal system contained in the Constitution as amended formally and through legislation, the institutions which make up the vertical and horizontal separations of powers, the role of interest groups and elections in the society, and the concept of civil rights and equality as opposed to freedoms in the culture.
Prerequisite(s): POL 300 and ENG 122
POL 315
Comparative Government and Politics
3 credits
This is a survey that approaches different forms of government from a theoretical and structural basis. The survey includes a review of political ideologies and the resultant governmental institutions of selected nation-states from democratic, communist, and other governmental forms. The institutional aspects reviewed are the organization of nation-state governments, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; political parties; the role of individual leaders; and domestic policies and stability.
Prerequisite(s): POL 300 and ENG 122
POL 321
International Organization and Politics
3 credits
This course surveys the international arena, with a focus on political relations among states. It includes a description of the international political environment and its historical development; the principal institutions; the American organizations that conduct foreign policy; the contemporary issues resulting in cooperation and conflict; and the nature of, and reasons for, war.
Prerequisite(s): POL 300 and ENG 122
POL 325
Healthcare Compliance
3 credits
This course will focus on the fundamental healthcare laws and regulations that impact the healthcare industry and compliance. The course will include topics, such as, fraud and abuse laws (the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and Stark Law), the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA, HITECH, and many more topics. Additionally, this course will address law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating and enforcing the healthcare law. The course materials will allow students to test their knowledge and understanding of the statutory and regulatory principles of compliance in a variety of health care settings. This course is cross-listed with HSC 325.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
POL 326
Public Policy and Social Issues
3 credits
This course studies how American societal problems become public policy issues; how those issues become part of the public agenda; and how public problems reshape or reorganize governmental institutions, structures, programs, and budgets. It includes both the process and the principles–public and private.
Prerequisite(s): POL 300
POL 335
Global Financial Compliance
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the global regulatory landscape and issues arising cross borders, particularly with regard to the financial services industry. This course will also provide insight into the many opportunities available within the field of regulatory compliance. Emphasis is placed on the international regulatory environment, the role of regulators, application of laws and regulatory structure, the development and governance of the compliance function within organizations, risk management, ethical concerns, trends, and the conflicts presented when the laws and principles of multiple jurisdictions are in conflict.Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
POL 340
Criminal Justice Policy
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the policies and ethics surrounding criminal justice. Topics covered include capital punishment, drugs, violent crime, decriminalization, gun control, mandatory sentencing, public assistance, inequality, and redistribution of wealth.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
POL 345
Fundamentals of Compliance Management
3 credits
This course provides students with a broad understanding of important topics related to corporate ethics and compliance management. The course provides a foundation in ethics, then delves into compliance management, and finally explores aspects of regulatory compliance.Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
POL 350
Economic, Welfare and Income Policy
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the policies and ethics surrounding the economy, welfare, and income. Topics covered include taxation and tax reform, guns vs. butter, poverty, Social Security, public assistance, inequality, and redistribution of wealth.
Prerequisite(s): POL 326 and ENG 122
POL 355
Corporate Governance and Regulation
3 credits
This course provides students with an overview of governance issues including financial risks and compliance related to the following laws Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) / USA PATRIOT Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Anti-trust compliance, HIPAA compliance and non-financial reporting.Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
POL 360
Education Policy
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the policies and ethics surrounding education. Topics covered include federal, state and local involvement in education, school choice, student achievement, multiculturalism, and the No Child Left Behind Act.
Prerequisite(s): POL 326 and ENG 122
POL 365
U.S. Regulatory Compliance
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to American public law with emphasis on the growth of administrative and regulatory law since the 1930s. Topics will include the roles and relationships between the three constitutional branches of government and the quasi-fourth branch of government known as administrative agencies as well as the rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudicatory functions of agencies at the state and federal levels. Students will also gain exposure to reading and analyzing statutes and regulations including the APA.Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
POL 370
Energy and Environmental Policy
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the policies and ethics surrounding energy and the environment. Topics covered include policies effecting the production, distribution, and consumption of traditional and alternative energy sources, natural resources, air pollution, water pollution, toxic wastes, the Clean Air Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Prerequisite(s): POL 326 and ENG 122
POL 380
Health Care Policy
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the policies and ethics surrounding health care. Topics covered include managed care, quality of health care, cost of and payment for health care, access to health care, Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and health care reform.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122 and (POL 326 or Nursing or Health Sciences Major)
POL 385
Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
3 credits
Money laundering and terrorist financing are on the rise and are becoming a main focus for regulation and enforcement among government agencies around the world. The financial sectors are growing their expertise to combat these white collar crimes. There is an increasing need for qualified investigators in the financial industry to understand and implement a risk-based approach to these issues. This course will provide students with foundational skills in this approach. This course is crosslisted with CRJ 385.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
POL 401
Special Topics: Chinese Politics
3 credits
This course examines China’s political institutions and their interaction, strengths, and weaknesses, both historically and since 1949. The study includes the Chinese Communist Party, the National People’s Congress, and the Supreme People’s Court. Students will also examine the differences between the Mao Zedong era and the post-Mao Zedong era, including China’s status as an emerging superpower.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
POL 402
Analysis of Public Policy
3 credits
This course combines theory and application. From a theory perspective, it evaluates the processes through which policy is created and the dynamics of power and access to the policy process. Measurements of policy success and ways to improve both policy quality and the efficiencies of its implementation are evaluated and explored. From an application perspective, each student selects a hypothetical new law that is of interest. Students conduct research, using primary as well as secondary sources, to justify and design their potential laws. They also analyze potential allies and foes, and develop strategies to get their issues on the ''public agenda.''
Prerequisite(s): POL 326 and junior or senior status
POL 403
Writing for Public Policy
3 credits
This capstone course examines the theories, principles and ethics of government writing. Students apply this learning to the potential laws they researched in POL 402. Specifically, each student writes press releases, memos, and speeches relating to building public awareness and support as well as drafting an original law.
Prerequisite(s): POL 402
POL 405
Special Topics: Political Strategy
3 credits
This course will give students an objective look at how candidates maneuver, plot, position, calculate, attack, defend, and strategize in order to give themselves the best chance at winning in November. Students will learn the power of perception over reality, the role of truths and half-truths, how to add up election math, how to use the media, how to win a debate, and identify parallels between this election and elections of the past.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122 and POL 300
POL 413
Food and Drug Law and Policy
3 credits
Drugs are one of the most complex and controversial societal issues. As such, students should understand the context and foundational aspects of drug law, including the entire spectrum of topics: How do governments determine which drugs should be legal and which criminal? How do tobacco, alcohol and marijuana play into the equation? As to legal drugs, what regulations and culpability should be imposed for research-and-development, patents, side effects, sales, service and advertising? Similarly, public policy surrounding food, beverages and health supplements touches more lives on a micro level than perhaps any other area of law. In their academic careers, students should grapple with a fundamental question: Who decides what we eat and drink?
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
POL 490
Public Policy Internship
3 credits
This course consists of supervised, practical work experience in a government office, nonprofit organization, or another appropriate entity.
Prerequisite(s): Junior status; POL 326; Approval from Program Chair is required prior to registering for this course.