PS–101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online

With emphasis on the democratic political system, this course is a study of political behavior, the role of government in society, and different forms of government in the world.

 

PS–202 GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

An analysis of the plan and structure of the federal system of the United States, this course places special emphasis on the meaning of democracy and ideas, form and values of political and economic institutions in the United States.

 

PS–215 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

4 credit hours

Hybrid

This course presents a general framework in the study of international politics, examines the forces that motivate policy, the tools to promote foreign policy objectives, and international cooperation and conflict resolution.

 

PS–225 STATE AND TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course entails the analysis of U.S. State and Territorial Governmental systems, including the study of constitutionalism, federalism, separation of powers, civil rights, political parties, interest groups, political status, and political development. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of the structure and function of the Territorial Government of Guam.

 

PS–300 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course introduces the methods and skills necessary to conduct research in political science. Students design and execute a research project in a substantive area of political science. Prerequisite: PS101 and MA151, or consent of instructor.

 

PS–302 COMPARATIVE POLITICS
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

The course provides students with the tools to undertake a comparative study of political processes and government institutions, with particular attention to democracies. Prerequisite: PS101 and PS215 or consent of instructor.

 

PS–304 POLITICS OF ASIA
FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides an introduction the political institutions, processes and problems of counties in Asia. Prerequisites: PS101 or PS202 OR consent of instructor.

 

PS–306 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING NATIONS
FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course is a study of political development and change in "Third World" countries, understood to comprise the postcolonial societies of Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The course will examine the challenges of governance, cultural pluralism, and rapid socio-economic change with emphasis on the impact of colonial legacies and international political, ideological and economic influences. Special attention will be paid to the need of Small island developing states. Prerequisites: PS101 or PS215 or consent of instructor.

 

PS–307 POLITICS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

The course investigates the role of political decision in fostering or hindering economic development, with special emphasis on the experience of industrialization in Asia. Prerequisites: BA110 and either PS101 or PS215 or consent of instructor.

 

PS–310 REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course discusses the origin, structure, and functions of regional and international organizations, focusing on the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, and the Association of South East Asian Nations. Prerequisite: PS215, or consent of instructor.

 

PS–326 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

This course examines and analyzes the thought of political philosophers from classical antiquity to the present. The intent of the course is to explain what political philosophy is and to explore the relationship between politics and philosophy. Prerequisite: PS101 or instructor's consent.

 

PS–398 INTERNSHIP
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides an internship for student that will allow for the application of political science theory to practical work in the community. Placement in a government agency or non-government organization will be coordinated with the instructor. Prerequisites: PS101 and junior standing, or consent of instructor.

 

PS–402 AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT/LAW
FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

This course is the study of the origin and adaptation of the United States Constitution as a principal factor in the development of the political system of the United States. Major U.S. Supreme Court cases are analyzed in their governmental context, particularly with regard to federal-territorial relations as they have impacted on Guam and Micronesia. Prerequisite: PS101 or PS202, or consent of instructor.

 

PS–403 UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY
FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

This course analyzes the factors and processes, and the major events in U.S. Foreign Policy formulation and implementation with emphasis on the Asian and the Pacific region. Prerequisite: PS101, or PS215, or consent of instructor.

 

PS–412 POLITICS OF MICRONESIA
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course explores government and politics in Micronesia. This course focuses on such concepts and themes as U.S. territorial policy and relations, political status, political/economic development, environmental policy, self-determination, political culture, political socialization, federalism. Pre-requisites: PS101 or PS225 or consent of instructor.

 

PS–420 INTERNATIONAL LAW
FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course examines the purposes, origins, adjudication, and enforcement of international law in emphasizing the practical areas of human rights, self-determination, maritime law, state recognition, and secession. The course focuses on the history and sources of international law, the effectiveness of international law in global politics, and the future of international law as it relates to the international system. Prerequisite: PS215, or consent of instructor.

 

PS–426 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course examines political thought among Americans since independence. Specific topics may include American variation on liberalism and conservatism. Prerequisite: PS101 or PS202 or PS326 or consent of instructor.

 

PS–430 GEOPOLITICS AND ISLAND SECURITY
SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides a framework for investigating the impact of geography and geographical thinking on International Relations, with an emphasis on the role of islands in global conflict and the impact of this role on genuine island security. This course examines the origins of geopolitics, the roll of Guam and the Freely Associate States in the Indo-Pacific great-power competition, spatial understandings of war, decolonization and political status related to Micronesia's role in regional geopolitics, the role of non-human actors such as mountains, weather and flora/faun on global conflict, geopolitical futures forecasting using horizon scanning, emerging issues analysis, and scenario planning, and the development of alternative forms of security. Prerequisite: PS215 or Consent of Instructor.

 

PS–440 INDIGENOUS POLITICS
SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course traces the political relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples as part of wider global relations among indigenous societies, colonial powers and contemporary national and international regimes and institutions. Students will gain an understanding of government policies and the responses to these practices by indigenous peoples by critically evaluating the political frameworks and policy responses used to deal with indigenous-settler relations. This course will consider - among other topics - land, education, citizenship and identity, representation, social movements and self-determination, "Close the Gap" and recognition. Prerequisites: PS225 or consent of instructor.

 

PS–482 SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course is designed to cover important political issue of contemporary significance in various topics in (A) American and regional government, (B) Comparative government, and (C) International relations. This course may be repeated for credit under different topics. Prerequisites: PS101 and either PS300 or PS302, or consent of instructor.

 

PS–492 CAPSTONE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

2 credit hours

This capstone course is taken by political science majors in their senior year. In this course, students "cap off" their education in political science by completing a research paper and public presentation. This course allows students to practice political science research methods and apply political science theories to a research project in American and regional government, comparative government, or international relations. It includes an examination to assess stufent proficiency in the program learning outcomes.Prerequisites: Senior standing completion of PS300, PS302, and consent of instructor.