Department of Political Science
Department Chair: Eugene Thompson
Department Secretary: Kay Berry (208) 496-3060
Department Faculty: Bob InamaKent Marlor

 
Political Science
The  goal  of  Political  Science  at  BYU-Idaho  is  to  challenge  and  stimulate  students  to  develop  an  understanding  of  governmental  institutions  and  political  systems,  and  particularly,  to  critically  evaluate  the  L.D.S.  members'  role  in  the  nation's  political  process.    Majors  may  have  educational  goals  in  pre-law  or  in  careers  as  consultants,  in  government  or  as  educators.  The  following  programs  will  be  offered  in  political  science:  (1)  a  minor  in  political  science,  (2)  a  minor  in  American  Government  Education.
 
NOTE on Pre-Law:
Some  universities  do  not  have  a  specific  major  called  Pre-Law.    This  happens  because  no  specific  major  is  required  to  enter  law  school.    Students  who  wish  to  enter  law  school  after  completion  of  a  Bachelor's  Degree  at  BYU-Idaho  are  encouraged  to  choose  any  major  of  interest  to  them.  If  they  want  significant  background  in  political  science,  they  should  complete  a  minor  in  politicial  science.
 
NOTE to students who wish to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in politicial science:
No  4-year  degree  in  political  science  is  being  offered  at  BYU-Idaho  at  this  time.  Students  who  want  a  Bachelor's  Degree  in  political  science  should  obtain  an  Associate  Degree  in  General  Studies  at  BYU-Idaho  and  then  transfer  to  another  college  or  university.  While  obtaining  the  Associate  Degree  at  BYU-Idaho,  students  should  complete  as  many  of  the  requirements  listed  below  for  a  minor  in  political  science  as  are  reasonably  possible.  Please  consult  with  one  of  the  political  science  faculty  to  determine  which  political  sciences  courses  would  be  best  for  you. 
 
NOTE:
A  composite  Social  Science  Education  Degree  will  be  offered.    Please  refer  to  the  History  Department  catalog  section  for  the  requirements  to  obtain  this  degree.
 



Minor in  Political Science (126)



Minor Requirements

 Take all of these courses

 POLSC 110
 POLSC 150
 POLSC 170
 POLSC 300

AND
      Take 1 Course

      POLSC 280
      POLSC 370

     AND
      Take 2 Courses

      HIST 380
      POLSC 311
      POLSC 314
      POLSC 315
      POLSC 320
      POLSC 330




Minor in  American Government Education (128)



Minor Requirements

 Take 1 Course

 HIST 380

AND
      Take 2 Courses

      POLSC 150
      POLSC 170
      POLSC 311
      POLSC 314
      POLSC 315
      POLSC 320

     AND
      Take 1 Course

      HIST 310
      HIST 325
      HIST 330
      HIST 376
      HIST 378

 
Course Descriptions

POLSC 104  (2-5:0:0)
 
POLSC 110 American Government (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE American Institutions requirement.
English background of American institutions, colonial systems of government, the Constitution, the evolution and adoption of government to the changing role of the United States as an industrialized member of the world of nations and the changing federal/state relations.
 
POLSC 150 Foreign Government (3:3:0)
Major types of government in present use: historical development, organization, and operation.
 
POLSC 170 International Politics (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Social Science requirement.
Basic forces, practices, and institutions used by nations in their foreign relations.
 
POLSC 280 Introduction to Law (3:3:0)
An introduction to the study and practice of law. A "non-glamour" oriented approach to the reality of the law profession.
 
POLSC 300 Political Inquiry (3:3:0)
Fullfills GE Reading & Writing requirement.
Systematic treatment of methodology in political science, including theory and techniques of research design.
 
POLSC 311 State and Local Government (3:3:0)
A study of state and local political systems and their relationship to the federal sysem.
 
POLSC 314 The Executive Branch (3:3:0)
A detailed study of the executive branch of government at the national and state levels focusing particularly on the powers of the American presidency.
 
POLSC 315 The Legislative Branch (3:3:0)
A detailed study of the powers, structure, organization, and procedures of the U. S. Congress and state legislatures, incuding relations with pressure groups and with the other branches of government.
 
POLSC 320 Political Parties and Interest Groups (3:3:0)
Functions and roles of American political parties and interest groups: public, elections, policy.
 
POLSC 330 Introduction to Public Administration (3:3:0)
Introduction to administrative procedures and policy-making in government agencies. A socio psychological approach to the study of organizations. Some study of theory and policy assessment and the nature of bureaucracy.
 
POLSC 350 Ancient Political Theory (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: Completion of American Government with a C- or higher grade.
Political thought from Greek antiquity through the Renaissance, primarily from perspective of political philosophy and scriptures.
 
POLSC 360 Modern Political Theory (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: Completion of American Government with a C- or higher grade.
Western political thought from Renaissance to present, including American political philosophers. This course surveys contemporary political theory, including the revival of liberal-egalitiarian moral theory.
 
POLSC 372 Advanced Theory of International Relations (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: Completion of International Politics and Political Inquiry with a C- or higher.
Most influential traditions of thought in international relations; includes realism, idealism, Marxism, neorealist, complex interdependence, etc.
 
POLSC 380 US Constitutional History and Law (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: No prerequisites, but students are encouraged to have AmHer 170, Hist 201-202 and Hist 300. All students in 300 level courses will be expected to know how to research, write, and document a basic historical essay.
Foundations of constitutionalism, the development of the federal system, the principles of judicial review, nationalism and sectionalism, commerce, due process, equal protection and civil rights.
 
POLSC 390 American Foreign Policy (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: Completion of International Politics and Political Inquiry with a C- or higher.
The history of American foreign policy from the colonial period to the end of the 19th century, and foreign policy issues in and beyond the 20th century with emphasis given to how people, events, and politics helps shape foreign policy.
 
POLSC 497 Capstone Seminar in Politics (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: For Political Science majors only. Completion of all required courses.
Seminar in political theory for students in their senior year devoted to current political science topics as determined by instructor.
 
POLSC 498 Internship (1-6:0:0)
Prerequisite: Acceptance into an internship program, completion of required classes, and 60 credit hours.
An internship is a cooperative program between the BYU-Idaho Department of History, Geography, and Political Science and an approved organization. Professional internships correlate actual work experience with coursework; provide students with knowledge of career opportunities, and give students work experience in preparation for employment after graduation. Ideas for internships are developed by the student in consultation with the department internship coordinator.