Online B.S./B.A. in Political Science: Curriculum

A comprehensive introduction to the study and practice of Public Administration in the United States and its political, economic and legal environment, along with an overview of analytical techniques and evaluative methods used by public administrators.

Introduces students to major questions and traditions in political thought, from classical writings to modern and contemporary debates. The course examines how thinkers have defined key concepts-such as power, authority, justice, freedom, equality, rights, citizenship, and democracy-and how those ideas shape political institutions and public life. Readings may include canonical authors as well as critical and global perspectives, depending on the course focus. Students will develop skills in close reading, interpreting arguments, and connecting political ideas to enduring and contemporary political problems through discussion and analytical writing.

A survey of the principles of Constitutional Law, focusing on Federalism, Interstate Commerce and Separation of Powers. Evaluation of case management tools (standing, judicial review, political question) employed by the Supreme Court, along with an assessment of the judicial politics underlying constitutional development. Students must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

An evaluation of the crucial components and analytical approaches to public policy analysis, designed to help students develop the skills required to define and critically analyze policy problems, articulate relevant decision making criteria for policy analysis, and evaluate alternative policy options.

An evaluation of the primary sources of presidential power, including electoral politics, the presidency, media relations, along with an appraisal of the role of symbolic and political leadership in democratic societies. Every 4 years (offered 2024).

Prerequisites: Any lower division Political Science course. Students must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

An examination of the primary issues confronting the international system, including the environment, nationalism, transition to democracy and human rights, along with attempts to regulate political, economic, social and military conflict.

An analysis of the political economy of the mass media, its role in the American electoral system, and the impact of new and emerging forces (Internet, e.g.) on democracy. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

Examines the enduring controversies that shape American democracy and public policy. Through classic texts and current research, students analyze competing arguments about the Constitution and federalism, representation and political parties, race and inequality, rights and liberties, the role of the state at home and abroad. The course emphasizes how institutions, interests, and political ideas structure disagreement-and how evidence is used (and misused) in public debate. Students will build skills in critical reading, argument analysis, and civil deliberation while producing policy-relevant writing and presentations grounded in empirical evidence.

This skills-focused course trains students to recognize source types and cite them accurately across major styles (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian). Students will practice building footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies for books, articles, archival materials, images, and digital sources with an emphasis on Chicago/Turabian for the discipline of History. This course can be taken 4 times total.

An in-depth presentation of a topic of interest. Topics will vary from year to year depending on the interests and availability of faculty.

This course introduces the public policy process in the context of American democracy. There are many forces at play working for and against policy change. Students in this class learn about rules and norms, system complexity, and the role of policy actors and institutions in modern democratic governance. Through this course, you will be evaluated on your ability to remember, understand, and apply concepts, themes, and arguments related to policymaking.

This course provides an understanding of budget preparation, adoption and execution; proposed reforms of the budget process; revenue strategies; and competing theories of the politics of budgeting. The course will be structured around a series of case studies and practical exercises.

In this 3-credit field-based class, we will learn about some of the commonalities and differences across Oregon’s communities that can serve as a critical framework for serving as a leader working collaboratively across Oregon’s urban-rural “divide.” Urban Oregon and rural Oregon share some common public challenges such as environmental health, transportation, housing, and climate change, though the geographic, social and policy context, and the requisite solutions, may often be quite different. Oregon’s capacity to address important public issues is dependent upon the ability of the state’s urban and rural interests to work together, and – where there are differences – to work through those differences for the common good. We will focus on food systems in this course as a lens for understanding these differences and commonalities and finding better ways to work together on public issues across urban and rural Oregon.

Examines the commercial and alternative news media, how news is filtered, how deceptive techniques are used, and the ways in which media consumers are susceptible to propaganda. The course emphasizes critical thinking skills. This course is the same as the previous ANTH 345: Media/Politics/Prop at EOU. Students must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course. SOC 206Z recommended.