Introduces students to key concepts and themes in comparative politics through the study of revolutions, ideologies, institutions, and/or social movements. This course compares interactions between citizens and their governments in various types of democracies as well as authoritarian regimes, and spans industrialized and developing countries.

This course develops an understanding of: 1) strategy and its relationship to national security policy and 2) American national security issues and the process of creating and implementing American national security policies. A primary theoretical and practical consideration is the relationship between the use of force and diplomacy. Among the specific issues are: the nuclear world, the U.S. defense posture, military interventions, and the broadening definition of security.

Field experience in a governmental or nongovernmental organization at the local, state, national, or international level. Arrangements must be made through the political science department. Open to juniors and seniors with at least a 3.2 GPA. Permission of the undergraduate curriculum committee of the department is required prior to the internship.

Designed to meet special interests of students and instructors in exploring issues in political science. Upon satisfying eligibility requirements set forth by departmental guidelines (in departmental office and online), students must have the approval of a faculty sponsor. Students submit the form and all supporting evidence by mid-semester prior to the planned semester of independent study for departmental approval. Does not meet the major's four field-course requirement; maximum of eight (8) credits can be counted toward the non-field major requirements.