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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
organizational levels. Questions of democratic theory are applied to the American
context. Fall, Spring.
PS 111 Humor and the Cynical Political Mind (1)
Examines politics and political issues through the perspective of humor, satire, and
parody. The significance and impact of humor on the political process and on political
knowledge will be explored, and a variety of humorous forms will be analyzed, including
editorial cartoons, comic strips, late night television, situation comedies, radio talk shows,
movies, and books. An emphasis will be placed on politics in the United States.
PS 195 Talk, Talk, Spin, Spin: Politics, Media, and Political Culture (1)
Explores the relationship between politics, media, and political culture. The course
examines relevant literature and focuses primarily on the impact of television, print
journalism, political advertising, public opinion, and popular culture on the norms and
values which undergird the American political system. Fall.
PS 204 Survey Data Analysis and Statistics (1)
An examination of theory and practice in formulating hypotheses and evaluating them by
analyzing secondary sources of data with statistical analysis software. Emphasis is placed
on data management, data analysis, the use of appropriate statistics, and the interpretation
of statistical output. Though intended as a prerequisite for EC 304, GCS 304, PS 304, or
SO 304, this course can help any student develop analytical skills. Laboratory required.
(Also listed as EC 204, GCS 204, SO 204, and UES 204; this course may be counted for
credit in economics, global and comparative studies, political science, sociology, or urban
environmental studies.) Fall.
PS 210 Environmental Problems and Policy (1)
An introduction to U.S. and international policies that address our many significant
environmental problems. There are more than 30 major U.S. environmental laws, and
over 300 international agreements addressing environmental issues ranging from trans-
boundary air pollution to trade in endangered species to nuclear non-proliferation.
Selected U.S. and international policies and processes are highlighted, and challenges and
successes of U.S. and international environmental policy are explored. A Leadership
Studies designated course. Fall.
PS 235 Introduction to International Relations (1)
An introductory course focusing on the essential principles, concepts, and theories used
in the political science subfield of international relations. Geopolitics is the guiding
perspective but with an emphasis on the causes of war and conflict. Several other topics
are introduced, including international political economy, international organizations,
human rights, terrorism, migration, social movements, demographics, and the
environment.
PS 238 Introduction to Comparative Politics (1)
Development and application of a theoretical framework for the comparative study of