http://www.whitworth.edu/politicalscience
The Whitworth Political Science Department strives to embody the university’s education of mind-and-heart mission through excellent teaching, open and robust debate, active scholarship and personal mentoring. Our goal is to prepare students for careers in government and politics, law, peacemaking, development work, teaching and research, as well as for work in related fields, such as business, communications and ministry. The department is committed to providing students with the political knowledge and skills that will enable them to assume responsibility from the local level to the global community. Through the study of political theory and law, the analysis of a variety of political systems, internships and off-campus study, and rigorous research projects, faculty members challenge students to develop both the tools and the vision for understanding, nurturing and transforming the society in which they live. All of our courses are informed by a commitment to justice and reconciliation as articulated by the great political thinkers throughout history, and, especially, as defined by the principles of the Christian faith.
Student Learning Outcomes in the Department of Political Science:
- Students will gain knowledge of the central concepts of three subfields in political science: American politics, international relations and comparative politics.
- Students will be able to articulate their own worldview as it relates to political life.
- Students will practice civic engagement by applying knowledge of political science concepts.
Pre-Law
Whitworth's rigorous liberal arts education is ideal training for law school and the legal profession. Recent graduates have been accepted into law schools at Harvard, Yale, UCLA, Pepperdine, Georgetown and the University of Washington, and Whitworth alumni are working at some of the most successful law firms in Washington and throughout the U.S. Pre-law students are welcome to select any liberal arts major, but they may find the most relevant law-school preparation in programs offered through the departments of history, political science, literature, philosophy, economics, sociology, psychology, mathematics and science. Regardless of students' majors, Whitworth prepares its graduates to succeed in law school by equipping them with a broad knowledge base and strong analytic, critical-thinking and communication skills. In addition, the pre-law advisor actively assists students in developing an appropriate course plan and in making other arrangements for taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and applying for law school.
Instead of a designated pre-law curriculum, we recommend that Whitworth students interested in law school take the following courses:
3+3 Law and Justice Program
Advisor: Julia Stronks
Highly motivated students interested in law school can complete a bachelor's degree at Whitworth and a law degree at Gonzaga in a total of six years, rather than the typical seven, through a 3+3 partnership between the two universities. This innovative program provides the best of Whitworth's liberal arts foundation and pre-law curriculum with the Jesuit-inspired, solution-oriented curriculum of Gonzaga's law school to provide students a cost-efficient path to a law degree.
Courses
| PO 102 American National Politics | 3 |
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Overview of founding principles, political culture decision-making processes and institutions of American government. |
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| PO 140 African Life and Culture | 3 |
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Examination of representative African peoples, countries, lifestyles, and beliefs. Topics covered will include media coverage of Africa, traditional and modernizing influences on African lives today, Africans as global citizens, health, gender, religion, and rites of passage. Periodic offering. |
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| PO 150 Magic is Might? The Politics of Harry Potter | 3 |
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This course offers an introduction to politics through the lens of the Harry Potter novels. It considers power, citizenship, activism, identity politics, and governance. Students should be familiar with the Harry Potter series and will not be protected from spoilers. Periodic offering. |
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| PO 151 International Relations | 3 |
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This course is a balance between understanding the key issues in international relations and the perspectives that help explain those issues. Foreign policy behavior of major states, traditional and recent security issues, cause of war and conflicts, impact of independence. Fall and spring semesters. |
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| PO 175 Introduction to Development Studies | 3 |
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This course offers a survey of development studies issue and includes an overview of development theory. It covers issues such as globalization, urban and rural poverty, issues of gender, and the range of development actors. This course considers domestic, as well as international, development issues. |
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| PO 201 Legislative Process Simulation | 3 |
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This course is intended as a crash course into the legislative process in the U.S. Congress, followed by a detailed simulation of the legislative process in the U.S. Senate specifically. The central focus of the course will be the U.S. Congressional legislative process, but much of what we discuss will have direct relevance for the study of the legislative process in most states in the country. We will focus on diverse topics such as leadership and parties in congress, the committee system, the rules that govern the legislative process, and much more. Additionally, students are then required to write bills, speeches, persuasive letters, work together for compromises, and debate civilly within class. Leaving this course, you should have a better understanding of congressional legislative process, an understanding of key political and legislative terms, a clear understanding of how to communicate and advocate effectively, and a more clear understanding of the important issues and challenges facing modern American legislating in the United States. |
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| PO 202 Conflict and Peacebuilding | 3 |
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This course considers conflict at a variety of levels, from communities to international, and a variety of actors including states, militias, and rebel groups. We will examine the potential causes of conflict and its consequences. We will also critically examine diimensions of peace and strategies for ending conflict. |
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| PO 204 Data in Politics | 3 |
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This course provides an introduction to the scientific storytelling of political phenomenon (a.k.a. research design) and the data we use to answer substantive questions about politics. The focus of this course is twofold. First, it seeks to introduce students in political science and related social science disciplines key approaches and elements of research design. Second, it focuses on using data as a tool to help us understand politics. |
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| PO 223 Introduction to Law and the Legal System | 3 |
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The role of law in society. Participants in the legal system (lawyers, judges, police, juries), study of the structure of the judicial system, trial procedures. Periodic offering. |
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| PO 240 Comparative Politics | 3 |
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This course explores democratic and authoritarian state structures while also considering the impact of economics and social processes on democracy and development. Cases are drawn from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. |
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| PO 242 American Political Parties | 3 |
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The role and functioning of parties in American politics and government. Interest groups, political action committees, campaigning and voting behavior are also examined. |
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| PO 250 Environmental Politics | 3 |
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Studies the role of markets, governments, and civil society in shaping the way people behave toward the environment, focusing on the concept of sustainability in terms of society, economics and the environment. Because people interact in a variety of ways, the course moves from local to global and focuses on issues at each level. Also listed as ENS 250. |
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| PO 263 American Foreign Policy | 3 |
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Major themes, debates, patterns and precedents of American foreign policy, emphasizing 20th-century diplomatic issues. |
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| PO 275 Poverty and Community Development | 3 |
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Examines the changing tasks of cities and states in managing our societal future and the effectiveness of structures and policies. Highlights the politics of welfare and affirmative action. Also listed as CE 275. |
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| PO 297 Nonviolent Defense and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
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Major themes in the history and politics of nonviolence. Just War theory, nuclear pacifism, alternatives to military force, interpersonal conflict resolution. Ideas of Jesus, Tolstoy, Gandhi, Niebuhr, M.L. King, Jr., Gene Sharp. |
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| PO 301 British Politics | 3 |
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This course examines the British system of government in the context of the ongoing constitutional and political upheaval that is Brexit (British Exit from the EU). |
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| PO 302 Legal Issues in Social & Behavioral Studies | 3 |
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This course presents a brief historic overview of the American judicial system, and a comprehensive study of our contemporary legal processes and systems, with emphasis on issues and tensions between the legal system, societal norms, and individual interest. |
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| PO 303 International Organizations | 3 |
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This course will focus on the purposes, functions and problems of the United Nations as a global international organization since its founding in 1945. The practical realities and theoretical implications of the UN and other formal international organizations will be our focus. |
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| PO 304 Modern Warfare: Security and Counterinsurgency Studies | 3 |
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This class serves as an intensive overview of modern military studies, aimed at introducing students to modern warfare as a concept, exploring best practices in organized security operations, and tracking strategies of insurgency across the world. In particular, we will explore concepts, ideas, and literature on topics like human security, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, and one-sided military interventions. |
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| PO 306 Electoral Politics | 3 |
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This class examines the politics of elections. We will focus on incumbency advantage, the role of strategic politicians, the impact of money in congressional elections, the effects of national and local tides on congressional races, differences between House and Senate races, and similar electoral systems in other contexts |
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| PO 312 South Africa Program Preparation | 1 |
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Preparation course for all students who will be part of the South Africa study program. Emphasis on the politics, history, and culture of South Africa. Acceptance into PO 341 required. |
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| PO 314 Tanzania Program Preparation | 1 |
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Preparation course for all students who will be part of the Semester in Tanzania program. Emphasis on the politics, history, economics, religion and culture of Tanzania. |
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| PO 315 Understanding Global Issues | 3 |
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This course provides an opportunity to learn about and reflect upon current issues in today's world. Issues covered will include the concept of human rights, war and peace, economic development, ethnicity, diversity, and environmental degradation. Continuing studies only. |
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| PO 319 International Human Rights | 3 |
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This course offers an introduction to the theory and practice of human rights. We will critically examine the international and domestic laws, actors, and institutions that play a role in the protection (or violation) of human rights. This class introduces you to the conceptual foundations of human rights and key theoretical debates about the field with a focus on recurring questions regarding legitimacy, justice, compliance, and efficacy. |
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| PO 320 American Political Process | 3 |
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This course focuses on Western political theory and its intersection with public administration. Particular focus will be placed on issues related to social services. Required course for the social services major. Continuing studies only. |
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| PO 321 Faith and Politics | 3 |
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Politics is a window through which one explores the ways that biblical virtues such as justice, compassion, mercy, equity, humility and integrity offer viable alternatives to the cultural norms evident in our society. We will consider the role that Christianity can play in American public policy, focusing on the evangelical, Reformed, Catholic and Anabaptist traditions. Students will develop expertise in a policy area of their choice. |
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| PO 325 International Development | 3 |
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This course focuses on the challenges faced by poor countries located in the global south. It will include discussion of the political, cultural, social and economic factors that influence human development. We will practice applying major social science theories to specific, practical development problems. Attention will also be paid to the impact of globalization on the developing world. Regions discussed will include Latin America, Africa, Asia and eastern Europe. Also listed as DS 425W. Also listed as LAS 425W. Restricted to Political Science, Peace Studies, and International Studies majors, or by Dept. approval. PO-240 recommended prerequisite. |
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| PO 331 The American Presidency | 3 |
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Constitutional development of the office. Executive branch relations with Congress, the bureaucracy, the judiciary, the media and the public. |
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| PO 332 Modern Congress | 3 |
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Evolution of Congress and its relationship to modern society, the bureaucracy and the executive. Special focus on the process of (and participants in) policy making. |
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| PO 334 American Political Thought | 3 |
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Principal ideas influencing American political institutions and policies. Rights, theories, the influence of faith and the development of our law are considered. |
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| PO 336 Gender, Politics and Law | 3 |
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Issues related to gender in American political history. Theoretical foundation of the women's movement; current political conflict related to gender in workplace, family and society. Also listed as WGS 336. |
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| PO 340 African Politics | 3 |
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Pre-colonial, colonial, and post-independence political history of key African countries. Analysis of contemporary issues in African politics. |
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| PO 341 Contemporary South Africa | 3 |
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Analysis of the history, politics and religion of this fascinating African country. Also listed as HI 341. Periodic Jan Term in South Africa. |
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| PO 342 American Political Parties | 3 |
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The history, role, and function of parties in American politics and government. Interest groups, political action committees, campaigning and voting behavior are also examined. |
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| PO 346 Contemporary China and East Asia | 3 |
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Interpretation of recent events in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, through the cultural, historic, economic and institutional aspects of these societies. |
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| PO 350 East African Politics | 3 |
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Analysis of the political economy and history of East Africa, with a focus on issues such as colonialism, NGOs, ethnicity, and development. Periodic spring term in Tanzania. |
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| PO 359 Global Environmental Politics | 3 |
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Investigating the political dynamics of environmental affairs from a global perspective. |
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| PO 360 Leading Sustainable Organizations | 3 |
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This course will teach the need to find resources (fund raising, governmental support, sales) and effectively deliver services. Performance measurement and outcome tracking will be covered. |
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| PO 364 American Constitutional Law | 3 |
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Examination of key Supreme Court decisions involving separation of powers, national regulation of the economy, church and state, civil rights and civil liberties. Prerequisite: PO 102. These distinctions will be clearly marked in the syllabus. |
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| PO 371 Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
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An introduction to the key elements of public administration, set in a context that considers current political, economic, administrative, social and public service practice. Topics may include organization theory, management of human and fiscal resources, governance, and public policy. Included will be an examination of values and issues contemporary to local, state, and national constituencies. Periodic offering. |
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| PO 375 Tanzanian Cultures in Practice | 3 |
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Students will experience multiple aspects of different Tanzanian cultures through readings, observation, home stays, field trips, and guest speakers. |
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| PO 403W International Organizations | 3 |
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This course will focus on the purposes, functions and problems of the United Nations as a global international organization since its founding in 1945. The practical realities and theoretical implications of the UN and other formal international organizations will be our focus. |
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| PO 421W Faith and Politics | 3 |
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Politics is a window through which one explores the ways that biblical virtues such as justice, compassion, mercy, equity, humility and integrity offer viable alternatives to the cultural norms evident in our society. We will consider the role that Christianity can play in American public policy, focusing on the evangelical, Reformed, Catholic and Anabaptist traditions. Students will develop expertise in a policy area of their choice. Research and writing intensive. |
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| PO 434W American Political Thought | 3 |
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Principal ideas influencing American political institutions and policies. Rights, theories, the influence of faith and the development of our law are considered. |
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| PO 436W Gender, Politics and Law | 3 |
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Issues related to gender in American political history. Theoretical foundation of the women's movement; current political conflict related to gender in workplace, family, and society. |
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| PO 446W Contemporary China and East Asia | 3 |
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Interpretation of recent events in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, through the cultural, historic, economic and institutional aspects of these societies. |
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| PO 463 American Foreign Policy | 3 |
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Major themes, debates, patterns and precedents of American foreign policy, emphasizing 20th-century diplomatic issues. |
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| PO 464W American Constitutional Law | 3 |
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Examination of key Supreme Court decisions involving separation of powers, national regulation of the economy, church and state, civil rights and civil liberties. Prerequisite: PO 102. |
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| PO 490H Internship Honors | 1-12 |
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| PO 498W Senior Seminar | 3 |
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In-depth research paper. Skills for graduate study and/or management positions in domestic and international affairs. Fall and spring semesters. |
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