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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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government and politics. Western European countries provide the substantive material for
this course. Spring.
PS 240 Introduction to Latin American Politics (1)
An introduction to the study of politics in Latin America since its wars of independence.
Major themes such as the political legacy of colonialism and the quest for democratic rule
are presented within the context of individual countries’ experiences. A Leadership
Studies designated course.
PS 250 The Public Policy Process (1)
A comparative analysis of the politics of public policy making. Emphasis is placed on
major policy questions which confront national and local governments.
PS 293, 393, 493 Independent Study in Political Science (½ or 1)
Directed study for advanced students in the major. Specific guidelines concerning
independent study projects appear in the “Exploration Term and Contract Learning”
section of this catalog.
PS 298, 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Political Science (½ or 1)
A teaching experience course. Upon invitation, qualified students may register for this
course. Specific guidelines concerning teaching experiences appear in the “Teaching
Experiences” section of this catalog.
PS 300 Media and Society (1)
An exploration of the interactive relationship between media and society from political,
psychological, economic, and sociological perspectives. This course will focus on how
media sources, such as television, film, and the Internet, influence society at group and
individual levels and how society, in turn, influences the creation and production of
media. (Also listed as MFS 300; may be taken only once.)
PS 304 Research Methodology (1)
The scientific method applied to economic, social, and political phenomena: formulating
hypotheses; techniques for collecting data, measuring variables, and interpreting research
findings. The course includes a laboratory in which statistical procedures are applied,
interpreted, and documented through completion of a significant research project.
Laboratory required. (Also listed as EC 304, GCS 304, and SO 304, this course may be
counted for credit in economics, global and comparative studies, political science, or
sociology.) Prerequisite: EC 204, GCS 204, PS 204, SO 204, or UES 204. Spring.
PS 307 Civil Rights and Justice (1)
A review of the Civil Rights Movement in the South, focusing on the judicial process and
the role of the courts, followed by an examination of contemporary issues in housing,
education, and employment that reflect the continuing struggle to achieve full civil rights
and justice. A Leadership Studies designated course. (Also listed as HON 307.) Instructor
consent required.