Government

Through the study of government, students will explore human nature and will learn to appreciate the inherent dignity of every person, appreciate and value cultural differences and similarities, appreciate that community is essential to being and becoming human, and appreciate their personal responsibility to maintain and strengthen society by helping others and advancing justice. Government students systematically study (1) the nature of individual dignity, popular sovereignty, political power and political authority; (2) American democracy as a form of government based on federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, civil rights and liberties, elected representation, and popular participation; (3) the organization, powers, and politics of the national, state, tribal, and local units of American government; (4) the role of public opinion, elections, interest groups, and political leaders in building compromise and policy making; (5) the American political system compared with forms of government and politics of other countries of the world and of American Indian tribes; and (6) the nature of international relations and the principles and organizations that are used to mediate multinational conflict and achieve multinational order.

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a major in Government will

• Construct effective arguments to articulate political issues.

• Assemble historical information to assess the relevance of present-day issues.

• Evaluate the American system in comparison with other forms of politics and government, and examine, analyze, and evaluate international relations, principles, and organizations.

• Analyze and evaluate cultural diversity in relation to the historical, social, and political connections, and commonalities of the human experience.

Course-name and number	CR
GOV 150 - American Government	3
GOV 250 - State & Local Government	3
GOV 300 - International Relations	3
GOV 305 - Comparative Government	3
GOV 325 - Modern Political Theory	3
GOV 499 - Senior Paper	3
12 credits from the following list of approved electives:	12
ECN 205 - The Economic Environment
GOV 370 - Constitutional Law
GOV 392 - Topics in Government
HST 345 - The Constitution
HST 405 - Administrative Law
PHL 235 - Philosophy of Law
SOC 254 - Minorities
Total credits for major	34

 

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Competency Objectives

Students who earn a minor in Government will

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of the nature and role of individual dignity, popular sovereignty, political power, and authority.

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of the historical origins of the organization, powers, and politics of federal, state, tribal, and , local government.

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of American democracy as a form of government encompassing federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, civil rights and liberties, elected representation, and popular participation.

• Create appropriate solutions to present-day problems based on contemporary cultural and political discourse.

Course-name and number	CR
GOV 150 - American Government	3
GOV 250 - State & Local Government	3
GOV 300 - International Relations	3
GOV 305 - Comparative Government	3
9-10 Credits from the following list of approved electives:	9-10
ECN 205 - The Economic Environment
GOV 325 - Modern Political Theory
GOV 370 - Constitutional Law
GOV 392 - Topics in Government
GOV 499 - Senior Paper
HST 345 - The Constitution
PLG 405 - Administrative Law
PHL 235 - Philosophy of Law
SOC 254 - Minorities
SCS 312 - Social Research Methods
Total credits for minor	21-22

 

Download Your Government Minor Planning Sheet

 

GOV 150 American Government. Federal government and the political process. Expected to be offered: Spring semesters 3 credits

GOV 250 State and Local Government. An examination of the processes and personnel which form the basis of state and local governments in the U.S. Prerequisite: GOV 150 recommended Expected to be offered: Fall semesters 3 credits

GOV 300 International Relations. Relations among nations. The role of international law and organizations. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years 3 credits

GOV 305 Comparative Government. This is a systematic study of a select group of diverse governmental systems. Prerequisite: GOV 150 Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand 3 credits

GOV 325 Political Theory. In-depth study of major political philosophies. Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand Prerequisite: GOV 150 3 credits GOV 370 Constitutional Law. Analysis of constitutional principles and doctrines, precedents and interpretations of courts in judicial review by studying leading cases in criminal and civil law. Prerequisite: GOV 150 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, odd years 3 credits

GOV 392 Special Topics in Government. 3 credits GOV 495 Internship. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor 1-15 credits

GOV 499 Senior Paper. Prerequisite: Upper division writing course and consent of instructor. Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters 3 credits