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Courses

One of the best ways to discover a degree program is to check out the course listings. By simply clicking on the course titles below, you can get a preview of the classes you will attend as a student at Indiana Wesleyan University.

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POL-100   American Government3 Hours
A study of American federal government in all its important phases with an introduction to the major fields of political science, including political thought, domestic politics, political economy, and international politics.
MAT-112   General Statistics3 Hours
An introduction to elementary concepts in descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using applications from various disciplines and supplementing with statistical software. Topics include data collection and summarization, random variables and probability distributions, linear correlation and regression, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: Math SAT above 460 (Math ACT above 18) or a grade of "C" or above in MAT-104.
POL-215   Foundations of Political Science3 Hours
This course provides a general introduction to the major concepts and themes of political science. As a comparative survey of the questions, approaches and methods in political science the course offers an analytical foundation for evaluating and explaining a wide variety of political phenomena. Throughout the semester several of the subfields comprising political science including American politics, comparative politics, world politics, law and public policy are introduced and highlighted to prepare students for upper-division coursework in these specific areas of study. All through the course consideration is given to determining how a Christian worldview can be applied to the complex realities of governing in modern societies.
POL-322   Research Design and Methods in Political Science and Economics3 Hours
This course will provide students with an introduction to research methods and statistical techniques used in social science research, particularly in the fields of economics and political science. This will include basic knowledge of the concepts and models employed for conducting experimental research, policy analysis and program evaluation, and unobtrusive research from data sets. Emphasis will be placed on using and applying the qualitative and quantitative techniques most widely utilized in social science research. This course gives credit for political science and history majors. Prerequisite: MAT-112 or BUS-320.
POL-471   Political Science Research Seminar3 Hours
This is an advanced seminar in the methodological study of political phenomena serving as a cumulative and integrative capstone experience. Students will enhance their research, analysis and critical thinking skills through practical experience in the process of scholarship. As a capstone experience students will design, research and write a scholarly piece addressing an empirical puzzle relevant to their interests. Prerequisite: POL-215 and POL-322 or consent of the department.
Choose any two of the following:
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POL-200   State and Local Government and Politics3 Hours
A study of the design and operation of state and local government within the American federal system with an emphasis on practical issues, citizenship principles, and Christian involvement. Gives credit for majors in Criminal Justice, Political Science, or Social Work.
POL-230   World Politics3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the study of world politics. By surveying the key concepts and theories utilized to assess contemporary global affairs this course provides a framework for analyzing world politics in a systematic and sophisticated manner. Course topics will provide a brief overview of the major areas of study within the field of international relations including foreign policy analysis, global politics and governance, international political economy and the continuing evolution of the international system.
POL-232   Comparative Politics3 Hours
This course surveys the most important concepts, approaches and methods in the comparative study of politics. Students are introduced to comparative politics as a method of research and a field of study examining the domestic politics of governments throughout the world. Course material discusses and applies the conceptual, theoretical and methodological tools of comparative political analysis, examines the characteristics and effects of various types of contemporary political systems, and surveys the politics of and recent trends in select countries and regions throughout the world.
POL-240   Public Policy Processes3 Hours
This course is an introduction to public policy processes in the United States. An important part of the course involves helping students to develop the potential to formulate, assess and evaluate public policy in terms of ideas, actors, and steps, and to begin to develop expertise in policy in issue areas of concern to them. The course is also intended to develop students in analytical thinking, primary and secondary research, and social science writing.
21 credit hours
* Students may choose MAT-112 or an equivalent.

Political Science Electives

Students should complete any three of the following:
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HST-301   American Foreign Relations3 Hours
A history of international politics from 1415 to the present, focusing on an analysis of the foreign relations of the United States from the American Revolution to the present. Gives credit for majors in Political Science, International Relations, or History. Prerequisite: HST-211, HST-212, or POL-100.
POL-355   American Political Processes3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to examine the various political processes and linkages that connect citizens to political outcomes. Course content will focus on theoretical frameworks from political scientists regarding the formation, nature, and function of political parties, interest groups, and political action committees. The primary focus will be on current scholarship, including both books and journal articles from respected scholars in the field of Political Science. However, students will also be introduced to important works by political scientists that date back to the 1950s. The course format is a combination of lecture and discussion; therefore, relevant questions and other student contributions are an essential element of the course. Prerequisite: POL-215.
POL-360   Policy Formation3 Hours
This course is intended as an inquiry into the process of policy formation at the national level in the U.S., in the developing country context, and at the transnational (international, multilateral) level. The emphasis will be on social and environmental policy, with some discussions of other issue areas. Prerequisites: POL-100 and POL-240 or consent of department.
POL-367   Political Thought3 Hours
A survey of political thought from ancient systems to modern totalitarianism. Emphasizes Christian and modern Western-American political theory and systems. Gives credit for majors in Political Science or Philosophy. Prerequisite: HST-185 and HST-190; or POL-100.
POL-432   Global Governance3 Hours
This course is an advanced survey of the norms, institutions and processes increasingly constituting some type of governance at the global level. Students will be acquainted with the knowledge and analytical tools needed to cope with an increasingly complex and interconnected global system. Towards this end, the course introduces the key dimensions, actors and nature of global governance; identifying the most significant concepts and theoretical approaches to understanding global rule. The course also addresses the various debates about global governance and explanations for the increasing demands in global governance structures. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.
Students should complete any two of the following not already taken:
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POL-200   State and Local Government and Politics3 Hours
A study of the design and operation of state and local government within the American federal system with an emphasis on practical issues, citizenship principles, and Christian involvement. Gives credit for majors in Criminal Justice, Political Science, or Social Work.
GEO-202   Political and Cultural Geography3 Hours
An historical, cultural, and regional approach to the study of contemporary world geography. A consideration of individual countries and their problems as related to their physical and cultural environments. Meets General Education Intercultural Experience requirement but does not meet General Education Social Science requirement. Gives credit for geography or for majors in Political Science.
MAT-204   Applied Statistics I3 Hours
An in-depth introduction to descriptive and inferential statistical procedures including graphical and numerical data summary, basic principles of sampling and experimental design, random variables and probability distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing, contingency table analysis, and correlation and regression. Emphasizes conceptual understanding of statistical procedures and their implementation using statistical software. Prerequisite: Math SAT above 460 (Math ACT above 18) or a grade of "C" or above in MAT-104. Students may not earn credit in more than one of MAT-100, MAT-112, or MAT-204.
ECO-213   Macroeconomics3 Hours
An introductory survey of macroeconomic theory emphasizing how the U.S. economy works as well as the role and influence of the U.S. economy in global markets. Topics include national income accounting, circular flow, short-run and long-run models of the economy, labor productivity and economic growth, inflation and unemployment, money, monetary and fiscal policy, and competing theories of the business cycle.
POL-220   Issues in Political Science3 Hours
This course is designed to guide students in the exploration of a selected contemporary or historical issue in the field of political science.
POL-230   World Politics3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the study of world politics. By surveying the key concepts and theories utilized to assess contemporary global affairs this course provides a framework for analyzing world politics in a systematic and sophisticated manner. Course topics will provide a brief overview of the major areas of study within the field of international relations including foreign policy analysis, global politics and governance, international political economy and the continuing evolution of the international system.
POL-232   Comparative Politics3 Hours
This course surveys the most important concepts, approaches and methods in the comparative study of politics. Students are introduced to comparative politics as a method of research and a field of study examining the domestic politics of governments throughout the world. Course material discusses and applies the conceptual, theoretical and methodological tools of comparative political analysis, examines the characteristics and effects of various types of contemporary political systems, and surveys the politics of and recent trends in select countries and regions throughout the world.
POL-240   Public Policy Processes3 Hours
This course is an introduction to public policy processes in the United States. An important part of the course involves helping students to develop the potential to formulate, assess and evaluate public policy in terms of ideas, actors, and steps, and to begin to develop expertise in policy in issue areas of concern to them. The course is also intended to develop students in analytical thinking, primary and secondary research, and social science writing.
HST-250   Contemporary Affairs1 Hours
An intensive analysis of communications and the news media from a historical perspective with a focus on television network news. A penetrating study of the structure, power, and bias of the television news industry and how it affects contemporary life and affairs. Gives credit for majors in History or Political Science.
ECO-270   Comparative Economic Systems3 Hours
An analysis of the past and present of various political-economic systems and their implications for the present economy. Systems examined include feudalism, mercantilism, socialism, communism, capitalism, welfare, and interventionism. Prerequisite: ECO-211 or ECO-213.
HST-300   Western/American Intellectual and Social History3 Hours
A survey of the history of presuppositions, ideas, and values occurring in philosophy, religion, science, aesthetics, education, economics, law, and politics and their relationship to the total culture, with particular attention to successive paradigms and the consequences thereof. Gives credit for majors in History, Philosophy, Political Science, Political Science Pre-Law or Sociology. Prerequisite: Any course from HST-180, HST-211, HST-212, HST-103, HST-185, HST-190, HST-160,or POL-100.
HST-301   American Foreign Relations3 Hours
A history of international politics from 1415 to the present, focusing on an analysis of the foreign relations of the United States from the American Revolution to the present. Gives credit for majors in Political Science, International Relations, or History. Prerequisite: HST-211, HST-212, or POL-100.
HST-302   American Political Parties3 Hours
An analysis of the nature, history, and function of political parties and pressure groups in the United States. Gives credit for Political Science, Political Science Pre-Law, International Relations, or History majors. Prerequisite: HST-211, HST-212, or POL-100.
MAT-304   Applied Statistics II3 Hours
A continued study of estimation and hypothesis testing procedures from Applied Statistics I. Topics include simple, multiple, and logistic regression analysis of variance and covariance; and nonparametric procedures. Prerequisite: MAT-204.
POL-332   Conflict Processes3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to cover a variety of theoretical and ethical approaches to the problem of understanding international conflict. Strong emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of the empirical literature attempting to explain the causes of war and peace. Historical continuity and change in international conflict will be examined via the analysis of a variety of case studies of global, regional and intrastate war. By combining a theoretically sophisticated understanding of the causes, results, and resolution of conflict, coupled with concerns about the moral justification of war, students will emerge prepared to formulate thoughtful, concrete opinions on issues of global conflict. Prerequisite: POL-230.
ECO-340   Globalization and Economic Development3 Hours
An intensive study of recent globalization trends and their impact on both developing and developed economies. A survey of economic development theories in developing economies; the role and influence of the U.S. economy in global markets. Students will discuss current theories of economic development and the arguments for and against globalization, free trade, open immigration, technological change, and the free flow of financial capital. Development topics include population growth and fertility rates, gender equity, educational opportunities for women, private property rights, regime corruption, and the role of the IMF and World Bank in developing economies. Prerequisites: ECO-211 or ECO-213 or consent of the Department.
ECO-315   Urban Economics and Policy3 Hours
An introduction to urban economic theory, urban spatial form, and urban policy problems. Topics include theories of urban evolution and form, regional comparative advantage and trade, urban economic growth and development, the limits to metropolitan size, land-rent gradients, public goods and externalities in urban areas, and urban policy problems: poverty, housing, segregation, transportation networks, congestion, land use planning and issues in local and regional governance and public finance. Pre-requisites: ECO-212 or ECO-213. Student should also be proficient in basic math, algebra and geometry. Knowledge of statistics will also be helpful.
POL-350   Political Science Practicum1-3 Hours
Directed experience in politics or law. Required of all Political Science majors. (POL-371, POL-401, or HST-450 may be substituted for this requirement.) May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of the department. Offered every semester.
POL-354   Foreign Governments3 Hours
A study of historic and contemporary types of governments in relation to their social, economic, and ideological backgrounds. Prerequisite: HST-185 and HST-190 or POL-100.
POL-365   Religion and Politics3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth analysis of the connection between religion and politics. The course will explore some historical examples demonstrating various relationships between Church and State. The place of Christianity and/or involvement of the institutional church with government is central; however, students will examine other religions and political arrangements to see if there are universal principles. Course content will focus on scholarly research in these and related areas. This course is designed for Political Science and History majors, but also will have strong relevance and appeal to Religion and Education majors. Prerequisite: POL-100 or consent of department.
ECO-365   Public Administration and Finance3 Hours
A penetrating analysis of public administration and expenditures. Explores revenue including taxation, budget examination, and the effect of fiscal policy on the economy. Gives credit for majors in Economics or Political Science. Prerequisite: ECO-212, ECO-213 or POL-100.
POL-367   Political Thought3 Hours
A survey of political thought from ancient systems to modern totalitarianism. Emphasizes Christian and modern Western-American political theory and systems. Gives credit for majors in Political Science or Philosophy. Prerequisite: HST-185 and HST-190; or POL-100.
POL-371   International Studies3 Hours
International travel, observation, and study of the political patterns of foreign nations. Extra fee: air travel, lodging, meals, and miscellaneous. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.
POL-375   Foreign Policy Analysis3 Hours
This course examines the way international actors make decisions regarding how they will interact with other members of the international community. Students will be introduced to the variety of ways in which the foreign policy making processes within and across countries operate and can be explained. A number of influences on foreign policy are discussed, including individual policy makers, characteristics of the domestic political environment, and international systemic factors. The course surveys these influences, concepts and theoretical approaches in preparation for the in-depth and hands-on analysis students will undertake in the later part of the semester. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.
POL-399H   Honors College Thesis-Political Science3 Hours
Work with a faculty mentor and in cooperation with an Honors College advisor, producing a research thesis or creative project.
HST-400   American Constitutional History3 Hours
A study of the origin and development of the United States Constitution with emphasis on leading Supreme Court decisions. Gives credit for History, Political Science Pre-Law, or Political Science majors. Prerequisites: HST-211 and HST-212 or POL-100.
POL-401   Political Science Travel Seminar3 Hours
Travel course to Washington, D.C., designed to provide students with a greater understanding of the American governmental and political infrastructure . Extra fee: travel, lodging, meals, and miscellaneous. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.
POL-420   American Institutions3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to provide an advanced study of the institutions of American government. The formal political institutions include: the presidency, Congress and federal courts (Supreme Court). The course examines the interrelationship and interactions among these three political institutions, with particular emphasis on institutional approaches, development, and structure. The course will also explore some of the foundational mechanisms that provide support for the formal institutions, including voting, federalism, and religion. Course content will focus on scholarly research in these and related areas. This course will provide both a broad overall conception of the current field of Political Science, as well as major areas of specialization. Prerequisite: POL-215.
POL-425   Federalism and Public Policy3 Hours
This course is designed to understand different federal contexts for policymaking and policy implementation from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North & South America. The primary objective of the course is to help students understand the relationship between federalism and democracy as the growing debate about the future of democratic governance in a globalizing world is increasingly cast in federal terms. Prerequisite: POL-100 or permission of the department.
POL-432   Global Governance3 Hours
This course is an advanced survey of the norms, institutions and processes increasingly constituting some type of governance at the global level. Students will be acquainted with the knowledge and analytical tools needed to cope with an increasingly complex and interconnected global system. Towards this end, the course introduces the key dimensions, actors and nature of global governance; identifying the most significant concepts and theoretical approaches to understanding global rule. The course also addresses the various debates about global governance and explanations for the increasing demands in global governance structures. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.
POL-470H   International Relations Capstone Honors College Thesis3 Hours
This is an advanced seminar in the methodological study of political phenomenon. Students will enhance their research, analysis and critical thinking skills through practical experience in the process of scholarship. As a capstone experience students will plan, research and write a scholarly research piece addressing an empirical puzzle relevant to their interests. The course is highly recommended for students pursuing graduate education. Prerequisite: Upper-division Status.
POL-475   Independent Learning in Political Science1-3 Hours
Individually arranged research and writing in political science. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.
15 credit hours
Concentration or Cognate

Students should complete a 10 - 12 credit-hour concentration or cognate in a field consistent with their vocational goals. Suggested concentrations include additional hours in Political Science or courses in History, International Relations, or Economics. The cognate may be 10 credit hours from any one of the following areas: Accounting, Addictions Counseling, Biology, Business Administration, Communication Arts, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, Finance, Geography, History, Intercultural Studies, Management, Marketing, Mathematics, Psychology, Philosophy and Theology, Social Studies, Social Work, Writing, or as directed by the department.

10-12 credit hours
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POL-100 American Government3 Hours
A study of American federal government in all its important phases with an introduction to the major fields of political science, including political thought, domestic politics, political economy, and international politics.
POL-215 Foundations of Political Science3 Hours
This course provides a general introduction to the major concepts and themes of political science. As a comparative survey of the questions, approaches and methods in political science the course offers an analytical foundation for evaluating and explaining a wide variety of political phenomena. Throughout the semester several of the subfields comprising political science including American politics, comparative politics, world politics, law and public policy are introduced and highlighted to prepare students for upper-division coursework in these specific areas of study. All through the course consideration is given to determining how a Christian worldview can be applied to the complex realities of governing in modern societies.
Choose any three of the following:
+ expand all
POL-200   State and Local Government and Politics3 Hours
A study of the design and operation of state and local government within the American federal system with an emphasis on practical issues, citizenship principles, and Christian involvement. Gives credit for majors in Criminal Justice, Political Science, or Social Work.
POL-230   World Politics3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the study of world politics. By surveying the key concepts and theories utilized to assess contemporary global affairs this course provides a framework for analyzing world politics in a systematic and sophisticated manner. Course topics will provide a brief overview of the major areas of study within the field of international relations including foreign policy analysis, global politics and governance, international political economy and the continuing evolution of the international system.
POL-232   Comparative Politics3 Hours
This course surveys the most important concepts, approaches and methods in the comparative study of politics. Students are introduced to comparative politics as a method of research and a field of study examining the domestic politics of governments throughout the world. Course material discusses and applies the conceptual, theoretical and methodological tools of comparative political analysis, examines the characteristics and effects of various types of contemporary political systems, and surveys the politics of and recent trends in select countries and regions throughout the world.
POL-240   Public Policy Processes3 Hours
This course is an introduction to public policy processes in the United States. An important part of the course involves helping students to develop the potential to formulate, assess and evaluate public policy in terms of ideas, actors, and steps, and to begin to develop expertise in policy in issue areas of concern to them. The course is also intended to develop students in analytical thinking, primary and secondary research, and social science writing.
Choose any two of the following Political Science electives:
+ expand all
HST-301   American Foreign Relations3 Hours
A history of international politics from 1415 to the present, focusing on an analysis of the foreign relations of the United States from the American Revolution to the present. Gives credit for majors in Political Science, International Relations, or History. Prerequisite: HST-211, HST-212, or POL-100.
HST-302   American Political Parties3 Hours
An analysis of the nature, history, and function of political parties and pressure groups in the United States. Gives credit for Political Science, Political Science Pre-Law, International Relations, or History majors. Prerequisite: HST-211, HST-212, or POL-100.
POL-332   Conflict Processes3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to cover a variety of theoretical and ethical approaches to the problem of understanding international conflict. Strong emphasis will be placed on the evaluation of the empirical literature attempting to explain the causes of war and peace. Historical continuity and change in international conflict will be examined via the analysis of a variety of case studies of global, regional and intrastate war. By combining a theoretically sophisticated understanding of the causes, results, and resolution of conflict, coupled with concerns about the moral justification of war, students will emerge prepared to formulate thoughtful, concrete opinions on issues of global conflict. Prerequisite: POL-230.
POL-350   Political Science Practicum1-3 Hours
Directed experience in politics or law. Required of all Political Science majors. (POL-371, POL-401, or HST-450 may be substituted for this requirement.) May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of the department. Offered every semester.
POL-354   Foreign Governments3 Hours
A study of historic and contemporary types of governments in relation to their social, economic, and ideological backgrounds. Prerequisite: HST-185 and HST-190 or POL-100.
POL-355   American Political Processes3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to examine the various political processes and linkages that connect citizens to political outcomes. Course content will focus on theoretical frameworks from political scientists regarding the formation, nature, and function of political parties, interest groups, and political action committees. The primary focus will be on current scholarship, including both books and journal articles from respected scholars in the field of Political Science. However, students will also be introduced to important works by political scientists that date back to the 1950s. The course format is a combination of lecture and discussion; therefore, relevant questions and other student contributions are an essential element of the course. Prerequisite: POL-215.
POL-360   Policy Formation3 Hours
This course is intended as an inquiry into the process of policy formation at the national level in the U.S., in the developing country context, and at the transnational (international, multilateral) level. The emphasis will be on social and environmental policy, with some discussions of other issue areas. Prerequisites: POL-100 and POL-240 or consent of department.
ECO-365   Public Administration and Finance3 Hours
A penetrating analysis of public administration and expenditures. Explores revenue including taxation, budget examination, and the effect of fiscal policy on the economy. Gives credit for majors in Economics or Political Science. Prerequisite: ECO-212, ECO-213 or POL-100.
POL-365   Religion and Politics3 Hours
The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth analysis of the connection between religion and politics. The course will explore some historical examples demonstrating various relationships between Church and State. The place of Christianity and/or involvement of the institutional church with government is central; however, students will examine other religions and political arrangements to see if there are universal principles. Course content will focus on scholarly research in these and related areas. This course is designed for Political Science and History majors, but also will have strong relevance and appeal to Religion and Education majors. Prerequisite: POL-100 or consent of department.
POL-367   Political Thought3 Hours
A survey of political thought from ancient systems to modern totalitarianism. Emphasizes Christian and modern Western-American political theory and systems. Gives credit for majors in Political Science or Philosophy. Prerequisite: HST-185 and HST-190; or POL-100.
POL-371   International Studies3 Hours
International travel, observation, and study of the political patterns of foreign nations. Extra fee: air travel, lodging, meals, and miscellaneous. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.
POL-375   Foreign Policy Analysis3 Hours
This course examines the way international actors make decisions regarding how they will interact with other members of the international community. Students will be introduced to the variety of ways in which the foreign policy making processes within and across countries operate and can be explained. A number of influences on foreign policy are discussed, including individual policy makers, characteristics of the domestic political environment, and international systemic factors. The course surveys these influences, concepts and theoretical approaches in preparation for the in-depth and hands-on analysis students will undertake in the later part of the semester. Prerequisites: POL-230 and POL-232.
POL-401   Political Science Travel Seminar3 Hours
Travel course to Washington, D.C., designed to provide students with a greater understanding of the American governmental and political infrastructure . Extra fee: travel, lodging, meals, and miscellaneous. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.
21 credit hours

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Political Science Electives

Concentration or Cognate