May 16, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
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2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Courses of Instruction

  

Topics Courses  
 

Physics
  

  • PHY 511 - Extended Research in Physics (1/4)

    Reading in depth on a topic of current interest and the pursuit of an experimental or theoretical problem related to the topic. Must be taken over four consecutive terms. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
    (CR)
  

Politics
  

  • POL 103 - Comparative Perspectives on Politics and Power (W) (1)

    What is power? Who has power? What is the relationship between politics and power? These are some of the fundamental questions in political science. In this class, we will explore these questions and the complex relationship between politics and power through a comparative lens. We will examine the nature of political institutions and various actors primarily since the cold war. Among the topics covered are the changing role of the state, political institutions, growth of economic inequality, future of democracy, and the rise of authoritarianism in the world. Our writing assignments will include informal journals, tests, and in-class assignments, a staged research project involving the use of primary and secondary literature, and peer review workshops. Not open to students who have previously completed a First-Year Writing Course.
    (First Year Writing Seminar (FYW)) (Social Science)
  

  • POL 105 - The War to End War (W) (International Politics) (1)

    HG Wells called the First World War “the war to end war,” but it turned out to be a war that started nearly a century of bloody conflict, tearing apart Europe at the height of its imperial power, redrawing the map of Europe and the Middle East, introducing savage new weapons such as poison gas and mechanized tanks, disrupting social life for a generation, and sowing the seeds of Germany’s renewed aggression under Hitler two decades later. We will explore the First World War through political science, history, film, memoir, poetry, and a day trip visit to the National World War I Museum (there will be no extra fee for the trip, but class will extend beyond normal class hours on that day). Writing assignments will include informal journals and in-class assignments, short writing assignments in various genres, a staged research project involving the use of primary and secondary literature, and peer review workshops. Not open to students who have previously completed a First-Year Writing course.
    (First Year Writing Seminar (FYW)) (Social Science)
  

  • POL 106 - Perspectives on International Politics (W) (1)

    How and why states compete and cooperate internationally. Addresses concepts such as the balance of power between states, collective security through treaties and international organizations, nuclear deterrence, and the growing influence of non-Western states. Typically includes historical and current case studies. Our writing assignments will include informal journals, tests, and in-class assignments, a staged research project involving the use of primary and secondary literature, and peer review workshops. Not open to students who have previously completed a First-Year Writing Course or POL 142.  This class will serve as an equivalent prerequisite for courses that require POL 142.
    (Sophomore Year Seminar (SYS)) (Social Science)
  

  • POL 111 - Introduction to Politics (1)

    Although you may not realize it, every one of us is involved in politics on a daily basis. We each have experienced parents and children haggling over the rules governing curfew or use of the car, employees and bosses negotiating behaviors at work, and organized crime families disputing turf wars (ok, maybe not that last one). Yet, in one way or another, politics is a part of our lives regardless of whether we are interested in Congress, political parties, or international negotiations. Politics is the process by which individuals and groups reach agreements on a course of joint action–even if they disagree on the intended goals of that action. This class discusses the problems that groups need to overcome to reach agreements on a joint course of action, and looks at the political institutions and other political processes and incentives that enable groups to overcome those barriers here in the United States and internationally.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 122 - Foundations of the First Amendment (Political Thought) (1)

    Political thought from political practice to political philosophy. Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the freedom of expression, the Constitutional background for the Court’s ruling, and the arguments for freedom of expression. Readings include Mill’s On Liberty, Supreme Course cases, works on current legal controversies, and John Milton.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 125 - Ethics and Public Policy (Political Thought) (1)

    Contemporary studies in the standards that apply to political leaders and how they are explained, interpreted, and enforced. When taught off campus, registration entails additional expense.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 142 - International Politics (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    How and why states compete and cooperate internationally. Addresses concepts such as the balance of power between states, collective security through treaties and international organizations, nuclear deterrence, and the growing influence of non-Western states. Typically includes historical and current case studies.
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter)
  

  • POL 143 - Comparative Politics (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    Various types of political systems, including liberal democracies, current and former communist systems, and mixed systems of the developing world.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 172 - If We Can Keep It: Fundamentals of American Democracy (1)

    This course covers the important features and themes in American politics that affect how democratic our political system is. We’ll start with the most fundamental questions of what politics are for, what a democracy is, and then turn to the Early Republic - we’ll reflect on our Constitution and the arguments for and against the particulars in it. We will also put the document in our modern context to understand how it stacks up against more contemporary understandings of democracy. As we move through the major organizing forces in American politics - federalism, polarization, and nationalization - we will pair contemporary readings and data with foundational American political thought to understand both our roots and our current dilemmas. Ultimately, this course aims to develop a framework for how we can use social science to assess who voices are and are not heard in US politics.
    (Social Science) (Quantitative Reasoning Encounter)
  

  • POL 182 - Public Policy (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Introduction to the policy-making process, to the basics of public policy analysis, and to the substance of selected policy debates.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 200 - Bottom Up Democracy: Organizing in Local and State Politics (SYS) (1)

    Despite the fact that most Americans pay attention primarily to national politics, only 0.1% of that 500,000 elected officials in the US are part of the federal government; over 3% of those elected officials are state level offices, and an astounding 96% are local officials that control towns, cities, counties, and school districts. Local and state politics shape our lives in countless ways, including how and when we vote. The fabric of American democracy is largely woven by lower levels of government - often referred to as “laboratories of democracy.” They are also where individual citizens can accumulate and wield the greatest amount of influence. This course will begin by asking how well states and localities do in preserving democracy: are they laboratories of democracy, or of democratic backsliding? Then, the course will turn to understanding how citizens can reinforce democracy at the state and local level through political organizing. Students will learn the practical in and outs of organizing at the state and local levels, how to overcome the low information environment of state and local politics, and what types of policies (including civic education) foster higher participation. Only open to sophomores.
    (Sophomore Year Seminar (SYS)) (Social Science)
  

  • POL 200 - Modern Migration and the Construction of Citizenship (SYS) (1)

    We live in an era when large-scale migration is reshaping political landscapes, reconfiguring national identity and constructions of citizenship. This course will incorporate scholarship from the fields of human rights, history, sociology, anthropology, political science, geography, and linguistics to examine the relationship between migration and citizenship from an international perspective. We will consider why people migrate and how this experience affects their sense of belonging, how conflicts emerge as a result of intergroup encounters, and the push and pull factors driving migration. This course will draw concrete case studies from a range of contexts and countries to explore human rights issues related to modern migration and how these impact empirical and normative meanings of citizenship. Specific topics will include refugee flows, internally displaced persons, statelessness, smuggling, human trafficking, changing conceptions of nationality, the role of international institutions in influencing state policies, and exploring legal and ethical issues posed by international population movements. Only open to sophomores.
    (Sophomore Year Seminar (SYS)) (Social Science)
  

  • POL 216 - Education Policy and Practice (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    This course will explore education policies and their relationship to sociological patterns of school resegregation, the rise of credentialism, the end of educational expansion, and inequality of educational opportunity. Students in the course will be introduced to the history of policymaking in education beginning with the education reform policies of Horace Mann. Students will also examine demographic data on educational attainment, analyze the policies that alleviate or reinforce educational inequality, and describe what assumptions lie behind current reform ideas. We will evaluate the dynamics of current debates by referencing the long-standing tensions among the different purposes of schooling we have in our nation. Same course as EDU 216  
    (Social Science) This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Civic Engagement. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application.
  

  • POL 226 - Democracy and Diversity (1)

    Can a diverse society achieve sufficient agreement on fundamental values and norms for democracy to function effectively? This class will address several issues related to this central question: what we mean by democracy, recognition of subaltern groups, majority rule versus protections for minorities, the rights of indigenous groups, the balance between individual liberties and protections for groups, the impact of intersectionality upon how we think about rights, and others.
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter)
  

  • POL 230 - Quantitative Research Methods in Political Science (1)

    In this course, we’ll learn how to turn the puzzles, events, and stories we encounter in the political world into quantitative political science research. We’ll build a foundation by carefully considering what types of questions we can and cannot answer with quantitative data, how we translate abstract concepts into data, and how that translation affects the conclusions that we draw. From there, we will move on to how we can think clearly with data, and avoid some of the most common problems that plague quantitative social science work. Some of the topics covered in this course include the potential outcomes framework, randomized experiments, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity designs, and difference in difference methods.

    This course may count toward the International Relations and Comparative Government minor. Prerequisite: STA 201
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 244 - Holocaust and Human Rights in Europe (1)

    Addresses the history, politics, sociology, and lived experience of the Holocaust and other significant human rights abuse in Europe, from the points of view of victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. We will work to understand why and how human rights come to be abused, how abuse affects the victims, and when and how post-conflict communities work to resolve differences and learn from periods of abuse. Visits Holocaust and other human rights sites - museums, memorials, and sites of violence - in and near European cities such as Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Sarajevo.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 245 - Global Health (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    The course will introduce students to key global health issues. Students will gain an understanding of contemporary global health problems, their determinants, distribution, and prevention/response strategies. Particular attention will be paid to the links between global health and social and economic development. This course focuses on developing countries and on the health of the poor. 
    (International Relations & Comparative Politics) (Social Science)
  

  • POL 246 - Gender and Development in India (FEE) (1)

    This course will critically investigate the complex ways in which gender relationships shape history, ideology, economy, and polity in developing countries. The role and status of Asian women will be examined to enable students to compare and contrast non-Western experiences with Western experiences. The forces of modernity and the impact on colonialism will also be discussed especially in relation to the economic and political conditions of the non-Western world and development. This course also counts towards the GSS major.

    A non-refundable deposit of $420 is due on Friday, April 15th. The total cost of this course is $4,200. Funding is available through Ingenuity in Action: https://www.cornellcollege.edu/ingenuity/inact-portal/index.php

    Location: India This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Global Connections. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application. (International Relations and Comparative Government)
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 250 - Principles of Advocacy (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    An overview of the United States legal system with an emphasis on the adversarial approach to resolution of conflicts and controversies in federal, state, and local tribunals as well as in alternate forums and venues. Students will gain a general understanding of the roles of the various participants with primary focus on the role of the lawyer as advocate. The course will incorporate aspirational and ethical considerations, practical issues faced by trial attorneys, and the potential for fulfillment and disillusionment fighting the battles of others.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 252 - Religion & Politics (1)

    How, why, and to what extent does religion influence American politics? And has politics shaped American expressions of religion? This course will examine the intersection of religion and politics in American society, from the founding of this nation to modern day. Although the number of people who regularly participate in religious communities decreased in past decades, religious beliefs and values have and continue to inform social activism,  political rhetoric, and policy-making in diverse, complex, and sometimes surprising ways. We will read engaging historical surveys, provocative primary sources, and cutting-edge analysis of modern poll data and statistics to gain a greater grasp on how and why religion and politics mutually influence one another. Same course as REL 267.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 254 - Topics: American Political Institutions (1)

    In this course, we will explore the major institutions of the US federal government, with a special focus on the Presidency and Congress. At its heart, this course is about representation.The course will begin by asking why we have a representative democracy at all, and what we really mean by representation. Then, we will turn our attention to the ways in which these particular political institutions help or harm the process of representing the views of citizens in policymaking. We’ll cover a variety of historical and contemporary theories about how lawmakers represent us and how institutions interact with one another to either improve representation and accountability. You will conduct your own in depth research project on a particular member of Congress to explain the connection (or lack thereof!) between the member and their district. In this course, we’ll turn a critical eye to these institutions - and the people in them - to ask if our representative government is working well.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 255 - Topics: Religion in America (1)

    How, why, and to what extent does religion influence American politics? And has politics shaped American expressions of religion? This course will examine the intersection of religion and politics in American society, from the founding of this nation to modern day. Although the number of people who regularly participate in religious communities decreased in past decades, religious beliefs and values have and continue to inform social activism, political rhetoric, and policy-making in diverse, complex, and sometimes surprising ways. We will read engaging historical surveys, provocative primary sources, and cutting-edge analysis of modern poll data and statistics to gain a greater grasp on how and why religion and politics mutually influence one another.  Same course as REL 255.
  

  • POL 256 - Nature, Functions, and Limits of the Law (Political Thought) (1)

    How the law mediates between individual interests as well as attempts at furthering the common good, often at the expense of individual interests. Addresses how the law resolves disputes, how it maximizes welfare and wealth, how it is structured, who decides what we mean by law and how it functions, who decides what the societal interest is and whether it trumps what an individual wishes to do.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 257 - Topics: Irregular Warfare & Nonviolent Resistance (1)

    Irregular warfare – defined by the Pentagon as “a violent struggle among state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant population(s)” – constitutes the vast majority of armed conflict, yet recent research suggests that strategic nonviolence may be even more effective than irregular warfare in attaining political actors’ desires. This seminar will address the motivations and prospects for distinct methods of resistance to unwanted political leadership or occupation, as well as various approaches to counterinsurgency and control of movements, through theoretical readings, case studies, and simulation. (International Relations & Comparative Government)
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 258 - Topics: Global Poverty and Inequality (1)

    In this course, students will learn about and participate in the global debates about poverty and inequality. The course explores the nature of poverty in the developing world. What causes it? What behaviors does it induce? Particular emphasis will be given to the dominant paradigms of development and welfare as it relates to the history of capitalism and liberal democracy in the 20th century. Furthermore, the course will introduce students to the field of poverty action. It examines key institutions and actors - from the World Bank to global social movements, from national and local governments to nonprofits and NGOs, from multinational corporations to philanthropic foundations.  The course is concerned with philosophies of global justice and the ethics of global citizenship. While the emphasis of the course is on the experiences of the developing world, students will have opportunities to analyze poverty in their communities and the United States.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 280 - Political Affairs Internship (1)

    Field experience in applied politics. See Additional Academic Opportunities , All-College Independent Study Courses 280/380. Prerequisites: acceptance by a sponsoring agency or individual and approval of a formal prospectus by the faculty sponsor.
    (CR)
  
  
  

  • POL 325 - Anglo-American Constitutional Thought (Political Thought) (1)

    Richard Hooker, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, and other Americans considered as guides to the much admired and imitated American experiment in writing a constitution. Prerequisite: POL 122  or POL 125 .
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 327 - Revolutionary Political Thought (Political Thought) (1)

    Modern writings for and against revolution, including Marx’s Manifesto, Burke’s Reflections, and Hardt/Negri’s Multitude. Prerequisite: POL 122  or POL 125  or permission of the instructor. Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 330 - Women and Politics: A Cross-National Perspective (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    This course examines a variety of issues and debates within the field of Political Science that are particularly relevant to the study of women and politics. The course will examine women’s participation in formal politics in a comparative perspective, by focusing on women’s roles as voters, candidates, and officeholders. Course materials include case studies from various countries. To be taught in India, alternate years. This course also counts towards the GSS major. Prerequisite: POL 106  or POL 143 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 332 - Human Rights (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    Practices and characteristics of governments and non-governmental actors that abuse and protect human rights, history of the concept and treatment of rights, justifications for the protection of rights, differences between categories of rights, prospects for the improved protection of rights through international and domestic action. Prerequisite: junior standing. Alternate years.
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter)
  

  • POL 333 - International Organizations (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    History, present characteristics, and future prospects of efforts to establish international order through global and regional integration and governance, the development of international law, the activity of internationally-oriented non-state actors and social movements, and resistance thereto. Prerequisite: POL 142 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter)
  

  • POL 334 - Strategies to Alleviate Poverty (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    The course explores the nature of poverty in the developing world. What causes it? What behaviors does it induce? Emphasis is on discussing various institutional factors that lead to poverty. The course will explore strategies and programs designed to alleviate poverty at the international, national and local levels, and analyze the role of the World Bank, national governments and non-governmental organizations in eliminating poverty. Can poverty be eradicated and if so, can the solution be found in capitalism itself? If not, is there a viable alternative? Prerequisite: POL 106 , POL 142  or POL 143 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 341 - Latin American Politics (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    History, present characteristics, and future prospects of political systems in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Addresses decolonization, authoritarianism, democratization, human rights, the political effects of social institutions and economic crises, and foreign relations with the US and other powers. Prerequisite: POL 106 , POL 143 , LAS 141 , or HIS 141 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 346 - Political Economy of Developing Countries (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    Political-economic systems of selected developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Discussions of independence movements, post-independence experiences of civilian rule, civil-military relations, and the evolving relationships between politics and economics in these countries. Prerequisite: POL 143  or POL 106 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 348 - U.S. Foreign Policy (International Relations & Comparative Government and American Politics) (1)

    Process by which U.S. foreign policy is made and implemented, focusing on contemporary cases. Emphasis on how the political process and distribution of authority affect policy. Prerequisite: POL 142 .
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter)
  

  • POL 349 - International Political Economy (International Relations & Comparative Government) (1)

    This class uses methods and theorems central to international economics in the areas of trade and money (such as comparative advantage, factor and sector models, partial and general equilibrium, the Heckscher-Ohlin model, imperfect competition, import-substitution vs. export-orientation, strategic trade theory, balance of payments, aggregate demand, the Stolper-Samuelson theorem, and other concepts, methods, and theorems) to sustain an economically informed discussion of the political constraints upon and political implications of international exchange of goods and currencies. I have often noted that the class covers a large part of the same economic material as ECB 223  (International Economics), though we constantly direct our attention to the questions of what political constraints preclude or modify the outcomes economists expect and how economic developments favor and constrain the desires of domestic political actors. The class also has a substantial focus upon the political constraints upon economic development, that highlights the very important interactions between these economic and political science concepts in a particular policy area that is often of interest to students. Thus, the focus of the class is upon questions that are of interest to both economists and political scientists, and my hope is that our attention to the interaction between economics and politics - each viewed through the disciplinary lenses best adapted to understanding them - will help my students understand the value of using multiple disciplinary approaches to approach problems. Prerequisites: POL 142  and ECB 101 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 351 - Topics: Political Communication and Media (1)

    The media plays a powerful role in US democracy, and this course considers the degree to which Americans’ political opinions and actions are influenced by the media and other political communication, as well as the effects of the media on the policymaking process.Topics to be covered include the history of the mass media, recent trends in the media, theories of media effects, the implications for politics of changes in media (like the rise of the Internet, social media, and partisan news), the ways in which the news shapes the public’s perceptions of the political world, campaign communication, how the media affect the manner in which public officials govern, and the general role of the media in the democratic process. In this class, you’ll propose, design, and execute your own political communication survey experiment to explore these effects yourself.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 358 - Political Behavior, Participation and Activism (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Political behavior is the study of the way people think, feel about politics, and how and why they act (or choose not to act) on those thoughts and feelings.It is also about understanding how different actors such as parties, interest groups, the media, and political elites influence the decisions of individuals to participate in the process. Democratic theory is built on the principle that citizens can make informed and rational choices. This course looks at the opinion formation of individuals and how these individuals become engaged in the political process.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 361 - Race, Sex, and the Constitution (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Exploration of Constitutional principles including equal protection of the laws, privacy, and freedom of speech as they apply to issues of race, gender, and ethnicity: race and sex discrimination, equal opportunity, affirmative action, abortion, pornography, privacy rights, hate speech, political correctness, etc. This course also counts towards the GSS major. Prerequisites: POL 172  and junior standing. Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 363 - Campaigns and Elections (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Examination of the electoral process in the U.S. This course also addresses in depth the factors that contribute to voting behaviors of citizens examined from the point of view of both citizens and campaigns and how these aspects contribute to electoral success or failure. Prerequisite: POL 172 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 364 - Congress and the Presidency (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    In-depth study of the central institutions of the American political system and the evolving relationship between them. Prerequisite: POL 172 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 365 - Constitutional Law: The American System (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Structure and function of the American judicial system and its role in constitutional interpretation. The court’s role in three great conflicts that have shaped the American experience: (1) nation vs. states-the struggle for sovereignty, (2) Congress vs. President-the struggle for supremacy over national policy, and (3) government vs. business-the struggle over government regulation of the economy. Prerequisites: POL 172  and junior standing. Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 366 - Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Rights of individuals in America. The court’s role in three broad areas: (1) criminal prosecution, (2) free expression, and (3) race and sex discrimination. Prerequisites: POL 172  and junior standing. Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 367 - Urban Politics and Policy (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Government in urban America. Issues of public policy, and their consequences for city dwellers and the nation. Feasibility and desirability of various solutions. Prerequisite: POL 172  or POL 182 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 368 - Environmental Politics and Policy (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Analysis of the policy process concerning energy and environmental issues, emphasizing the interrelated roles of Congress, federal and state agencies, the President, interest groups, etc., and including an evaluation of alternative policies. Prerequisite: POL 172  or POL 182 . Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 371 - Wilderness Politics and Policy (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    An exploration of governmental policies designed to preserve and manage wilderness areas in the United States. Taught at the Wilderness Field Station and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Registration entails additional costs. Prerequisites: POL 172  or POL 182  and permission of the instructor. Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 372 - Current Cases before the Supreme Court (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    Examination of selected cases to be heard by the Supreme Court through lecture, discussion, and oral argument. Case analysis by Judge Hansen and Professor Sutherland in the first half of the course; oral argument by students in the last half. Prerequisite: POL 172 .
    (Social Science)
  

  • POL 380 - Political Affairs Internship (1)

    Field experience in applied politics. See Additional Academic Opportunities , All-College Independent Study Courses 280/380. Prerequisites: acceptance by a sponsoring agency or individual and approval of a formal prospectus by the faculty sponsor.
    (CR)
  

  • POL 381 - Education Policy in America: Dollars, Sticks, or Carrots? (American Politics & Public Policy) (1)

    This course will focus on analyzing contemporary education policy in the United States. We will explore the motivations, goals, and outcomes of major educational policies. Have they achieved what they intended to accomplish? Why or why not? We will also consider issues concerning the role of education in society, the presence and impact of inequality in education, and the role of the federal government in guiding education policy. Throughout the course we will return to an underlying question that permeates many of today’s education policy debates: What is the proper use of incentives, resources, and/or sanctions in maximizing student achievement, teacher quality, and social benefits from education? Prerequisite: POL 172  or POL 182 .
    (Social Science)
  
  
  

  • POL 483 - Research Seminar (1)

    Each student will choose a topic within politics to explore through group discussion and peer review, presentations, and a paper that critically reviews existing research to advance an argument. Prerequisites: Politics major with junior standing and three 300-level Politics classes other than internships. No alternate grade option.
    (Social Science)
  
  
  

  • POL 511 - Readings in Politics and Public Policy (1/4)

    Weekly reading and discussion on a topic of interest in Politics and Public Policy around a general theme. Three meetings per term for four terms, with one or two hours of outside reading in preparation for each discussion. May be repeated for credit to a maximum in both Pol 511 and POL 512  of two course credits.
    (CR)
  

  • POL 512 - Extended Research in Politics and Public Policy (1/4)

    The pursuit of an empirical problem through experimental or other research, including research design, implementation, and write-up and dissemination of results. May be repeated for credit to a maximum in both POL 511 , and POL 512 of two course credits.
    (CR)
  

  • POL 561 - Mock Trial (1/4)

    Participating in simulated trials in competition with teams from other institutions, learning legal practices, procedures and ethics and developing critical thinking and public speaking skills. This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Professional Exploration. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application.
    (CR)
  
  

Psychology
  

  • PSY 161 - Fundamentals of Psychological Science (1)

    Scientific study of behavior. Topics may include learning, development, personality, perception, physiological bases of behavior, the behavior of individuals in groups, and abnormal behavior.
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 200 - Psychological Insights (SYS) (1)

    What does psychology have to do with environmental problems? Lots! At its root, nearly every environmental problem has its roots in human behavior. In this course we will draw on facets of cognitive, social, and behavioral psychology to understand how people develop (and cling to) particular attitudes; why education is often ineffective at changing behavior; how social systems sustain “business as usual” and make behavioral change difficult; and the kinds of things that are effective at changing attitudes and behaviors. The course includes a mix of theoretical and applied psychology; utilizes a problem-solving approach; and will incorporate an analysis of a local environmental problem/issue designed to nudge people toward more sustainable behaviors. Only open to sophomores.
    (Sophomore Year Seminar (SYS)) (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 244 - Human Aggression and Violence (W) (1)

    This course will examine recent efforts to integrate explanations of human aggression and violence across several disciplines. Students will consider the interplay between social learning, neural, endocrine, and evolutionary explanations of aggression by individuals in their social environment. Topics are likely to include interpersonal and online aggression, workplace violence, aggression within competitive situations, video/computer game violence, and war. In addition to analyzing both primary and secondary sources, special attention will be given the depiction of violence across several different forms of mass media. Because this is a writing course, a significant amount of time will be spent on the writing process, with a focus on revision. Not open to students who have previously completed a writing course.
    (Writing Requirement)
  

  • PSY 245 - Lifespan Development (1)

    Investigation of the major subfields of psychology from a developmental perspective: cognition, emotion, motivation, personality/self, biological systems (brain/nervous system, endocrine), social relationships (peers and family). Includes discussions of research methods particular to lifespan research, genetic-environment interactions, prenatal development, and dying/bereavement.
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 274 - Social Psychology (1)

    An examination of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals within their social environment. Topics will include: conformity, propaganda, persuasion, social cognition, self-justification, human aggression, prejudice, attraction, and loving relationships. Emphasis will be placed on critically examining experimentally-derived theories and testing them within naturalistic settings. This will involve data collection off-campus on a weekend.
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 276 - Multicultural Psychology (1)

    An examination and critique of psychological knowledge from a multicultural perspective. This course focuses on understanding individual and cultural identity and worldviews, the intersectionality of these aspects of identity, and how understanding culture helps us understand each other and ourselves. Other topics include: cultural variations in concepts of personality, intelligence, human development, social behavior, gender, and abnormal behavior; research methodology issues; culture and communication; and the cultural foundations of Western psychology. This course emphasizes cultural and psychological perspectives on oppression, prejudice, violence, and racism using current examples of American and international incidents. This course is designed to help students better understand themselves and members of diverse communities with whom our students will likely encounter during their education, careers, and life overall. 
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter) (Intercultural Literacy Intensive)
  

  • PSY 277 - Child Development (1)

    Physiological, cognitive, social, and cultural influences on development from conception through middle childhood. Emphasis on building an integrated picture of child development and an appreciation of how theory and data can be applied to the analysis of practical issues. Fifteen to twenty hours of observation in daycares/preschools. Students must provide their own transportation. Prerequisite: PSY 161 .
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 278 - Adolescence (1)

    Investigation of research on biological, cognitive, and cultural influences on adolescent development. Includes the impact of family, peers, school, media, and work, as well as identity, gender, and sexuality development. Also includes a discussion of problem behaviors (e.g., eating disorders, juvenile delinquency, alcohol use/abuse) often associated with adolescence. Course involves application of research findings to individual cases. Suggested Prerequisite: PSY 161 .
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 279 - Personality Psychology (1)

    Survey of major research, issues, debates, and theoretical approaches to understanding personality, including humanistic, learning, cognitive, dispositional, and psychodynamic theories as well as a thorough consideration of the person/situation debate, psychological traits, and the Big 5 Model of personality. This course emphasizes a critical understanding of the utility of these theories and models based on empirical research findings. The course includes discussion (and completion) of many ways to assess personality to help students better understand how personality is measured and whether these assessments are capable of providing the answers psychologists, individuals, and businesses seek out by employing these tools.
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter) (Intercultural Literacy Encounter)
  
  

  • PSY 282 - Abnormal Psychology (1)

    How do we view mental illness in our culture?  Has this changed across time?  How do we diagnose mental illness?  What criteria do we use?  What are the major symptoms of each mental disorder?  What are the most effective treatment approaches?   This course will examine the symptoms, causes, and treatments of various forms of mental illness.  We will also explore cultural perceptions of mental health, mental illness, and public policies related to the treatment of the mentally ill. 
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 283 - Abnormal Child/Adolescent Psychology (1)

    A survey of emotional and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents, including the description of various behaviors, symptoms, syndromes, and disorders as well as research on child and adolescent disorders. The course explores multiple developmental pathways of children and adolescents as well as risks and protective factors that may influence the likelihood of developing a disorder. The course also addresses why and under what conditions disorders persist into adulthood. Prerequisites: PSY 161 .
    (Social Science)
  
  

  • PSY 292 - Research Methods I (1)

    Introduction to research design with a focus on research ethics, sampling, measurement, reliability, internal and external validity, experimental design, introduction to quasi-experimental design, correlational design, observational research, and survey research. Introduction to descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency, variability, confidence intervals of a single population mean), and univariate inferential statistics (independent samples t-test, dependent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, one-way repeated measures ANOVA, confidence intervals of a difference score, estimates of effect size, Pearson’s coefficient of correlation, simple linear regression, chi squared). Execution of all aspects of the research process including a literature search, hypothesis development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript writing in APA style. Prerequisite: PSY 161 . Recommended in the sophomore year. No alternate grade option.
    (Social Science) (Writing Intensive) (Quantitative Reasoning Encounter)
  
  

  • PSY 344 - Social Neuroscience (1)

    This course is an examination of recent efforts to integrate psychological and biological explanations of social behavior. Topics are likely to include aggression, loving, prejudice, helping behavior, conformity, emotions, and attraction. The interplay between social learning, neural, and endocrine systems in explanations of the behavior of individuals within their social environment will be given special attentions. Prerequisite: PSY 274  or permission of the instructor.
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 361 - Cognitive Neuroscience (1)

    A critical examination of the neuroscience of memory and thought processes. Topics are likely to include: object recognition, attention, concept formation, memory systems, visual imagery, problem solving, judgment and language. Laboratory sessions will include discussions and presentations on the phenomena covered in class.  Prerequisite: PSY 161  and any 200-level Psychology course.
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 362 - Learning (1)

    Experimental and theoretical approaches to the understanding of classical and instrumental conditioning. Among the topics to be covered are reflexive and unlearned behaviors, situational factors in classical and operant conditioning, optimum circumstances for use of reinforcement and punishment, effects of aversive stimuli, choice behavior, learned food preferences, behavior modification, and observational learning. Links to neural processes of both learning and memory will also be covered. Prerequisite: PSY 161  
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 363 - Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience (1)

    Neural and endocrine systems and their relationships with sensation and perception, learning and memory, eating and drinking, sleep, sex, emotion, consciousness, communication, and psychological disorders. Laboratory sessions will include hands on demonstrations, including sheep brain dissection.  Prerequisite: PSY 161  and any 200-level Psychology course. Research Methods is recommended.
  

  • PSY 370 - Memory and Cognition (1)

    Research and theory about remembering and forgetting. Topics will include: models of memory (including neural network approaches), brain processes in memory, the role of images in memory, reconstructive processes in memory, memory and development, and how to improve memory. Prerequisites: PSY 161  
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 374 - Psychology of Gender (1)

    How does society treat people different based on gender? What does it mean to be a male/female/non-binary/trans individual in our culture? Why are men less likely to express sadness than women? How do men and women differ in friendships and romantic relationships? Why are men more likely to abuse substances and perpetrate violence than women? Why are women more likely to attend and graduate from college? This course will examine how gender affects our everday lives and how our gender-related behaviors are shaped by the cultural forces around us. This course also counts towards the GSS major. Prerequisites: PSY 161  and any 200-level Psychology course and sophomore year standing.
    (Social Science) (Intercultural Literacy Intensive)
  

  • PSY 378 - Abnormal Behavioral Neuroscience (1)

    How does brain function change when a person struggles with a mental illness?  How does the bacterial composition of the gut predict mental health?  Why do antidepressant medications work for some patients but not others?  This course will explain the biological processes associated with mental illness.  We will evaluate the latest science on the biological changes demonstrated by patients with mental illnesses and how their brain function changes with effective treatment. Prerequisites: PSY 161 , PSY 292 , & PSY 363  
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 379 - Intimate Relationships (1)

    An examination of the theoretical and experimental psychological literature on loving and romantic relationships. Topics discussed include: interpersonal attraction, relationship development, sexuality, social power, communication, jealousy and envy, conflict and dissolution, loneliness, social networks, and relationship counseling.  Prerequisite: any 200-level Psychology course.
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 380 - Internship (Human Services Practicum) (1/4, 1/2, or 1)

    Application of psychological principles in an applied off-campus setting. In addition to the All College requirements for Internships (see Additional Academic Opportunities  ) PSY 380 students must have a declared major in Psychology.  The maximum credit that may be earned in a Psychology practicum is three course credits accrued over PSY 380 and PSY 395.  Students must provide their own transportation and purchase professional liability insurance through the American Psychological Association.  Prerequisites: a declared major in Psychology, two course credits in Psychology relevant to the topic of the practicum, and permission of instructor.
    (CR)
  

  • PSY 382 - Counseling and Psychotherapy (1)

    What factors may lead some people to struggle with mental illness while others don’t? What behaviors can we show as a therapist to make our clients feel heard and understood? This course will explore theories of the causes of mental illness and will examine the most effective ways to treat these illnesses. Students will practice counseling skills via role plays and will develop diagnosis and treatment plans based on client case studies. Prerequisite: any 200-level Psychology course. Recommended Prerequisite: PSY 282   
    (Social Science) (Intercultural Literacy Encounter)
  

  • PSY 383 - Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine (1)

    Why are people more likely to get sick when they are stressed?  Why do people living in poverty have higher rates of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease?  How does racial discrimination affect longevity and birth outcomes?  How does our nutrition affect our mental and physical health?  Why do people with strong social support systems live longer?  How does your relationship with your healthcare provider influence your health?  This course explores the economic, social, and psychological factors which contribute to health and well-being. Prerequisites: PSY 161  and any 200-level Psychology course. In addition, Research Methods (PSY 292 ) is recommended.
    (Social Science) (Writing Encounter) (Quantitative Reasoning Encounter)
  

  • PSY 384 - Industrial and Organizational Psychology (1)

    Psychology applied to work. Topics will include: personnel decisions, personnel training, performance appraisal, job satisfaction, work motivation, leadership, organizational communication, organizational development, union/management relations, and work conditions. Emphasis will be placed on critically examining the methods and practices of personnel decisions and performance appraisal through role-playing exercises and consideration of the theoretical and empirical literature on these topics. This course can be used for Personnel and Business Management majors. Prerequisite: PSY 274  or permission of instructor.
    (Social Science)
  

  • PSY 386 - Adult Development and Aging (1)

    Cognitive, social, and personality development from early through late adulthood. Themes of continuity and change in examining issues of family, work, gender, biological changes, and death and bereavement. Prerequisite: any 200-level Psychology course. Alternate years.
    (Social Science)
  
  

  • PSY 392 - Research Methods II (1)

    This course will examine advanced research design with a focus on factorial designs and mixed factorial designs. We will conduct advanced univariate statistical analyses including two-way ANOVA, two-way repeated measures ANOVA, two-way mixed factorial ANOVA, linear regression, and multiple regression. Students will execute all aspects of the research process including a literature search, hypothesis development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript writing in APA style. Professional and ethical issues will also be addressed. Prerequisites: PSY 161 , PSY 292 , and a declared major in Psychology. This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Research. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application. No alternate grade option.
    (Social Science) (Quantitative Reasoning Intensive)
  

  • PSY 395 - Human Services Practicum and Seminar (1)

    Supervised full-time internship in a human service context and a weekly seminar. Group discussions of current issues in the field such as cultural and gender diversity, ethics, professional practice challenges, and the role of research in practice. Students must provide their own transportation and purchase professional liability insurance through the American Psychological Association. Students who wish to pursue an internship outside the Eastern Iowa area will need to discuss this with the instructor prior to the class beginning allowances will be made on a case by case basis.  Prerequisites: three Psychology courses, declared Psychology major, junior standing, and permission of instructor. This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action categories Civic Engagement or Professional Exploration. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application. No alternate grade option.
    (CR)
  
  

  • PSY 483 - Senior Seminar (1)

    This is the capstone course for Psychology majors in the Behavioral Neuroscientist and Scientist concentrations.  Students will co-lead group discussions on current issues within the field of Psychology.  Students will complete a comprehensive scientific research review paper on a topic related to their professional interests.  Students will reflect upon their professional aspirations and will prepare career-related materials including resumes, vitaes, cover letters, and personal statements. Prerequisites: PSY 392 . No alternate grade option.
    (Writing Intensive)
  

  • PSY 485 - Research in Psychology (1)

    Reading in depth on a topic in a selected area and the pursuit of an empirical problem related to the topic. May be repeated for credit to a maximum in both PSY 485 and PSY 511  of three course credits.
  
  
  

  • PSY 511 - Extended Research in Psychology (1/4)

    Reading in depth on a topic of current interest and the pursuit of an empirical problem related to the topic. Must be taken over four consecutive terms. Maximum number of credits allowed: same as for PSY 485 . This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Research. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application.
    (CR)
 

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