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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2016-2017
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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. (Also listed as UES 210.) 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
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.)