 Politics and International Relations |
| Politics and International Relations |
Welcome to the
homepage for Drake University's Department of Politics and International Relations.
The following links connect you to information about the department, its faculty
and programs.
MAJOR
Description
of the Program
In our introductory courses, we seek to provide a systematic overview of the institutions and operation of government and politics as a whole in the United States (Politics 001), in other countries (Politics 065) and at the international level (Politics 075).
In our advanced courses, we break that whole into parts and thus narrow the breadth of our focus. We ask more detailed, specific questions about American government and politics, foreign governments and politics, international relations, and political theory.
Because the capacity to analyze political matters necessarily involves multicultural perspectives on government and politics, our subfield requirements are designed to foster understanding of the ways other societies conceptualize and structure their government and politics, an understanding valuable both for its own sake and for the light it throws on specifically American government and politics.
We also require certain related fields of study beyond political science, believing that such exposure promotes understanding of relationships between political phenomena and other factors conventionally addressed in separate fields of study.
Majors use their degrees
for entrance into state, local, and federal government service, business careers,
social work, journalism, teaching, and politics. Approximately half of Drake's political-science
majors go on to law school or graduate study.
Students entering beginning fall 2008:
1. Majors must complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of political coursework to be distributed as follows:
a. Required courses (seven: 21 hours):
b. The remaining 12 credit hours or more of course work in Politics are departmental electives which students may select in any subfield, in consulation with their advisor regarding their interests and career plans.
2. Nine credit hours (in 100 level courses) in a single related filed: History, Sociology, Philosophy or Economics. Students can meet the related fields requirement in other appropriate disciplines or with a group of classes that combine disciplines after discussion with, and approval from, their advisor.
3. For graduation, majors must have at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA in each of two separate areas:
Student entering prior to fall 2008:
1. Majors must complete a minimum of 30 hours in Politics in the following manner (for descriptions of specific courses, use the "Course Descriptions" link at the top of this document):
a. As the distribution core of the 30 hours in Politics, majors must complete the following five required courses for a total of 15 credit hours:
b. The remaining 15 credit hours or more of course work in Politics are departmental electives which students may select in any subfield, in consultation with their advisor regarding their interests and career plans.
2. Majors must also complete 12 hours of 100-level courses, to be chosen with the approval of their Politics advisor, in the related fields of Economics, History, Philosophy, and Sociology, as follows:
3. For graduation, majors must have at least a 2.00 cumulative G.P.A. in each of two separate areas:
1. Minors must complete a minimum of 18 hours in Politics in the following manner (for descriptions of specific courses, use the "Course Descriptions" link at the top of this document):
a. As the distribution core of the 18 hours in Politics, minors must complete the following four required courses for a total of 12 credit hours:
b. The remaining 6 credit hours or more of course work in Politics are departmental electives which students may select in any subfield, in consultation with their advisor regarding their interests and career plans.
2. For graduation, minors
must have at least a 2.00 cumulative G.P.A. in all Politics courses, including those
beyond the 18-hour requirement.
INTRODUCTORY COURSES
001 The American Political
System
065 Comparative Politics
075 World Politics
THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
AREA
112 Women in Politics
113 American Electoral Process
114 Public Opinion
116 Media and Modern Politics
119 Topics in American Government and Politics
130 State Government and Administration
145 Public Administration
151 The American Presidency
152 Congess and the Legislative Process
153 Judicial Politics
155 American Public Policy
156 Environmental Politics and Policy
157 Environmental Policy and Management
190 Seminar in Constitutional Law
[Political Science 130 and 145 are offered by the Department of Public Administration and cross-listed for credit in Political Science.]
THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AREA
109 Topics in International
Relations
121 The United Nations and World Politics
122 Model United Nations
123 Grassroots Globalism
124 Revisiting the Vietnam War
125 Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Justice
170 International Law
171 European Integration
172 International Political Economy
173 Human Rights and World Politics
175 Peace and World Order
176 Gender and World Politics
179 American Foreign Policy
THE COMPARATIVE POLITICS AREA
128 Nationalism and Politics
in Eastern Europe
129 Transitions to Democracy
160 Modern European Political Systems
164 Government and Politics in Latin America
165 Politics of Developing Areas
166 Comparative Political Parties and Interest Groups
168 Poltics and Parliaments
169 Topics in Comparative Government and Politics
THE POLITICAL THEORY AREA
180 Ancient and Medieval
Political Theory
181 Modern Political Theory
184 Philosophical Foundations of Marxism
185 American Political Theory
185 Religion and Politics
189 Topics in Political Theory
SENIOR SEMINARS AND DEPARTMENTAL OFFERINGS
191 Senior Seminar in Politics
192 Senior Seminar in International Relations Theory
193 Internship in Political Science
194 Internship in Political Science
The program of study in International Relations is structured around four interdependent areas. First, students complete a basic core of courses designed to provide tools for additional study, a foreign language facility, and a cross-disciplianry perspective. Second, students will three to four courses (those studying abroad must complete three courses; those without study abroad must complete four courses) under the Comparative Perspectives category. This will include a cross-regional course along with coursework in regional specializations (Latin America, Europe or Asia). Third, students will take three courses from one area under Thematic Perspetives (International Politics and Economics, International Peace and Conflict and International Values and Ethics) along with a fourth course from either of the other two areas. Fourth, a seminar serving as a capstone experience in the senior year is required.
As a rule, students should expect to concentrate on basic courses and begin the language sequence during the first year. The seminar experience should be in the senior year, preferably during the last semester. Courses in the Comparative Perspectives and Thematic Perspectives areas should be taken from the sophomore through senior years with careful attention to sequential connections where appropriate. International Study Abroad during the Junior year is strongly encouraged.
Anyone needing additional information on the major in International Relations should see Professor David Skidmore. Click on the following link for specific information on the major in International Relations: International Relations Major
Oversight for the program is provided by an interdisciplinary Advisory Board with at least one member from each of the core departments affiliated with the program: English, History, Philosophy & Religion, Politics, and Culture and Society. Advising for the major is divided among faculty in these core departments. Several courses from the Drake University Law School may be used to fulfill major requirements, and the program in Environmental Science and Policy also contributes a number of courses to the majorin Law, Politics, and Society. You may contact the current LPS Director, Professor Dennis Goldford, for more information about the program.
An internship provides an opportunity for practical application of theoretical and research issues in approved work situations with faculty supervision, guidance and evaluation.
1. Students who wish to enroll in Politics 193 or 194, "Internship in Politics," must meet the following criteria:
a. junior or senior standing.
b. have completed 15 semester hours of politics courses.
c. have a GPA in politics classes of 3.0+
2. Before enrolling in Politics 193 or 194, students must:
a. secure the consent of
a faculty member in the Department who will supervise the internship.
b. complete the internship form available in the Department office.
c. if the internship is approved by the Department, complete the form (available
from the Arts and Science Office) required to enroll in internship courses.
3. A student may not enroll more than once in POLS 193 and once in POLS 194. Enrollment will normally be for 3 semester hours of credit for each course.
1. Students who wish to enroll in POLS 199, Independent Study, must meet the following criteria:
a. You must have junior
or senior standing.
b. You must be a politics, international relations or Law, Politics and Society major.
c. You must already have completed 15 semester hours of politics courses.
d. You must have a G.P.A. in politics of 3.0+
2. Before enrolling in POLS 199, students must:
a. secure the consent of
the faculty member in the Department who will supervise the independent study.
b. complete the form (available from the Arts and Science Office) required to enroll
in independent study.
3. A student may not enroll more than twice in POLS 199. Enrollment will normally be for 3 semester hours of credit.
Sometimes misunderstandings arise because students do not understand the role and responsibilities of an academic advisor. The following, taken from the "Administrative Procedures File" of the College of Arts and Sciences, provides the basic guidelines.
What should students expect of advising?
1. Accurate academic information
and advice.
2. Correct interpretation of requirements as stated in published materials.
3. Proper advice regarding the use of forms and the following of procedures.
4. Confidentiality.
5. Opportunities to discuss options within and between academic programs.
6. Understanding of student concerns.
7. Fair, prompt, courteous treatment.
What should students not expect of advising?
1. That advisors will provide
psychological or psychiatric counseling or therapy. The advisor may suggest or help
arrange it, but (s)he should not attempt to provide it.
2. That advisors will tell them only what they want to hear.
3. That advisors will be available at any and all hours.
4. That advisors will have expertise or knowledge on matters far beyond their disciplines
and the General Education program.
5. That advisors will initiate contacts with advisees. It is the responsibility of
the advisee to seek out the advisor when advice is needed.
6. Infallibility.
You can get the most out of the contact with your advisor under the following circumstances:
1. Contact the advisor by telephone or in person to make an appointment if you want to talk, particularly if you do not plan on coming during the advisors regularly scheduled office hours. It also can be helpful if you indicate at that time the general topic you wish to discuss on your visit.
2. During preregistration, sign-up for an appointment on the sign-up sheet on your advisor's office door. Come prepared with a list of courses you wish (or have) to take next semester. When a student walks in with little idea of what should be taken next term, this delays the preregistration process. Do your homework.
3. Think carefully about the questions you wish to ask your advisor. This will help the professor provide the best information.
1. Completion of 15 hours
of political science coursework.
2. Overall G.P.A. of at least 3.0.
3. Political Science G.P.A. of at least 3.25.
Members receive certification of their membership in the society (a positive factor when assembling resumes or applying for graduate study). In addition, Pi Sigma Alpha, Kappa Tau, has played a role in bringing speakers to campus and sponsoring luncheons or discussions with members of the Political Science faculty. For the 1997-98 academic year, the Drake group received a "Best Chapter" award from the National Pi Sigma Alpha organization.
A $25 membership fee, to cover the costs of certification, is required by the national organization. Initiation in Pi Sigma Alpha will be announced at the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Convocation in the spring.
If you have any questions concerning membership, contact Professor Rachel Caufield, faculty advisor for Pi Sigma Alpha, at 271-3172.
Cheating is defined as an act, or attempted act, of giving or obtaining aid and/or information by illicit means in meeting any academic requirements including examinations. Plagiarism is defined as misrepresenting another's ideas, phrases, or discourse as one's own.
The penalty for cheating or plagiarism will vary from incident to incident. The possible penalties include a reprimand, grade penalty, dismissal from the course, and a recommendation for dismissal from the University.
Responsibility for dealing with cases of academic dishonesty begins with the faculty member who identifies an instance of academic dishonesty. Examples of such cases include cheating on a test by copying from another student or using disallowed materials, incorporating into written assignments materials written by others without giving them credit, and otherwise improperly using information written by others (including that which might be stored on computer disks).
Sometimes plagiarism is the result of carelessness or ignorance. As a general rule, provide enough information so that a reader can identify and refer to all the sources you have used in writing a particular work. Here are some guidelines to follow:
1. Word for word quotations: When you incorporate into your work, you must use quotation marks around the borrowed words and you must identify the source.
2. Paraphrase: If you have relied on another person's ideas or train of thought but changed the actual words used or the order of the ideas you still must acknowledge the source.
3. Borrowed ideas: When your ideas or opinions have been shaped by what you have read or lectures you have heard, you must acknowledge your source.
4. Material and Organization: If you rely on factual material gathered by another person, or if you have relied on another person's way of organizing common material, you must acknowledge your source.
5. Exceptions to the rule: You need not footnote information that is common knowledge ("George Washington was the first President of the United States") or an opinion or idea expressed by many people ("television has changed the election process") or dictionary definitions.
6. Err on the side of over-acknowledgement: Be generous and open in giving credit for any source of help.
A student who wishes to
appeal a professor's action in a case of cheating or plagiarism begins with a discussion
with the professor. If the situation is not resolved to the satisfaction of both
parties, the faculty adviser is consulted. The next step, if one is required, is
to invite the department chair to review the facts as presented by both sides, probably
through a meeting with both of them, and to render a judgment. A student (or faculty
member) wishing to appeal this judgment should refer to the Administrative Procedures
Handbook of the College of Arts and Sciences.