Political Science
Nozar Alaolmolki (1982), Professor of Political Science, Chair
B.Sc., B.A., Northeast Missouri State University;
M.A., Xavier University;
Ph.D., Miami University
Academic Iinterest: Foreign policy; international politics, Middle Eastern politics
John C. Koritansky (1970), Professor of Political Science
A.B., Cornell University;
M.A., Ph.D., University of Chicago
Academic Iinterest: American constitutional law, American Politics, Political philosophy; Public administration
Jason A. Johnson (2004), Instructor Political Science, Communications
B.A University of Virginia;
M.A., A.B.D. University of North Carolina
Academic Iinterest: Political campaigns
Department web address: http://admission.hiram.edu/learn/majors/major.php?id=23
Requirements for Majors
Total of nine political science courses, including:
American Government POLS 109;
one course from each of the four departmental subfields:
American politics, Comparative politics, International politics, and Political philosophy
In addition, the major will include some courses outside the department to be identified by the student and advisor.
The foreign language requirement is proficiency equal to the attainment in a 103-level foreign language course.
Independent Capstone
Political Science majors must also complete a departmental capstone in consultation with their academic advisor. Students will complete a directed independent senior seminar 481, or internship (minimum of 1 credit hour). Political science honors students will be exempt from this requirement. The capstone course must be taken after student achieves senior status or after the completion of 90 credit hours. A formal departmental, campus-wide, or public (at Hiram or elsewhere) oral presentation of the project is part of this experience.
Requirement for Honors
Honors in political science will be awarded on the basis of the Hiram College’s departmental honors plus an independent study course which produces a paper of substantial length and quality. Honors candidates will be examined on their paper by the faculty of the department and an external faculty evaluator.
Requirements for Minors
A minor in political science requires five courses chosen from the offerings of the department with the approval of the departmental advisor. Political science students regularly take part in various governmental internship and extramural programs, including the Washington Semester.
Courses in political science engage students in thinking critically about fundamental causes and standards of political behavior. Students find this kind of education helpful in various careers, including government work, law, teaching, and political research.
American Politics Offerings
109 American Government 4 hours
The government and politics of the United States in its national aspects. Some emphasis on constitutional and current problems.
210 State and Local Government 4 hours
A survey of governmental structures and processes at the sub-national level in the United States.
216 The American Presidency 3 hours
An examination of the role of the presidency in the American constitutional system, and the changes that time and the divergent personalities of the presidents have brought about.
314 Public Policy-Making 4 hours
This course offers an analysis of various elements of American domestic public policy, e.g., progressive taxation, welfare, anti-trust enforcement, and the politics of regulatory agencies. Also listed as Economics 314.
319 The American Founding 4 hours
In this seminar, we will perform an examination of the intellectual history of the American founding. We will read and analyze some statements by academic historians as well as important state papers and writings by the first generation of American statesmen.
336 Urban Economics and Politics 4 hours
Application of economic principles to urban spatial patterns, economic development and public policy in housing, transportation, pollution and other contemporary urban problems. Prerequisite: Economics 201 or permission of instructor. Also listed as Economics 336.
344 Constitutional Liberties and Rights 4 hours
A study of recent developments in American Constitutional Law in the areas of civil liberties and the equal protection of the laws. The aim is to interpret the meaning of the nationalization of the Bill of Rights and the judicialization of the broad issues of liberty and equality.
345 The Court and Constitutional Government 4 hours
The history of American constitutional law from the Constitutional Convention through contemporary cases. Federalism; definition and separation of powers; and the power to regulate commerce, civil liberties, and civil rights will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Political Science 109.
Comparative Politics
211 Government and Politics of the Middle East 4 hours
Analysis of political, economic, social, religious and cultural aspects of the contemporary Middle East region, which includes an area from Iran to Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean. Emphasis will be on governmental structure, institutions, political organizations, and behavior.
223 Comparative Politics 3 hours
Comparative study of the government and politics of selected regions with attention given to political structure, function, parties and political culture.
332 Islam and Politics 3 hours
This course will deal with the presently important role of Islam in socio-political change. It will explore the interaction of religious tradition and modernity in the modern Muslim world (Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, which consist of some 40 independent nation-states in which Muslims constitute a majority of the population) and its effect on political and socio-economic development. While some comparison may be useful, the role(s) of Islam in socio-political change will be dealt with on a country-by-country basis in order to understand the problem of the specific country.
International Politics
205 World Geography 4 hours
A basic course, organized to develop knowledge and an understanding of the physical factors of the environment and man’s adjustment to them. World patterns of land forms, climate, soils, vegetation, etc., are studied in relation to their influence on the economic and cultural activities of man. Special emphasis will be placed on certain regions and on recent economic, cultural and political changes in those areas, and the significance of these changes to world economy and world peace.
228 International Law 3 hours
The analysis of the process by which international law is formed from regional developments and international treaties to the contribution of such modern philosophers as Hugo Groties. Included, is the role of international law in the 20th Century, specifically since World War II.
229 International Organization 3 hours
Analysis of the development of general functions and characteristics of international organization in the world arena. Specifically, the role of the United Nations and regional organizations as political institutions in a changing system; the rise of the Third World; the cold war; and the post cold war.
231 International Politics 4 hours
An introduction to the process and structure of international relations. The basic goals are to introduce the student to the domain of international politics. This process will involve familiarity with the major theoretical overviews. Students will develop the capacity to think about international phenomena beyond the level of specific events.
233 Politics of International Economic Politics 4 hours
Scholars have recognized the close relationship between international politics and international economics, particularly since 1960. The ever-increasing international economic interdependency, as well as dependency throughout the world and its consequences, has increased this awareness. This course will attempt to analyze the political and economic implications of international economic relations across numerous dimensions of economic exchange, trade, direct investment, aid, monetary relations, technology transfer. It will familiarize students with international economics and politics through the use and integration of analytical tools of both disciplines.
311 Middle East and World Politics 4 hours
Study of dynamics of international politics in the Middle Eastern region, with emphasis on the interaction of big powers, changing patterns of alliance, European Community, demise of communism and end of cold-war, oil politics and its impact on the regional system.
3XX Globalization 4 hours
The world is changing at an unprecedented rate. Much of the changes and evolution is due to globalization. This course attempts to introduce students to the development of globalization and the complex processes, which involves the interplay of many aspects of economics, technology, politics and financial sectors in the present day world. These issues will be discussed in connection with Global North (Rich Industrialized Democratic Countries) and the Global South (Less Developed Countries). Such topics as the role of information-technology (through increasing contact and communication), transfer of technology, integration of economy and state, and outsourcing of production process, and terrorism are examples among many others that would be presented to the students.
317 Comparative Foreign Policy 4 hours
Comparative analysis of the foreign policies of representative world powers, including comparative methods of foreign policy analysis, and the world roles, foreign policy objectives, foreign policy-making and implementation process, foreign policies of such states as the Soviet Union (Russia), France, Germany, Britain, Japan, China, Egypt, and India.
330 American Foreign Policy 4 hours
A study of major foreign policy issues which have confronted the United States since World War II and of the process of foreign policy formation and implementation.
Political Philosophy
Students who complete the First Year Seminar 150: “The Quest for Justice” will be granted credit for one course in political philosophy towards the requirement for a political science major.
274 Modern Political Philosophy 4 hours
A study of the history of modern political philosophy from Machiavelli to the present. Readings will be from the original texts by the seminal philosophers of liberalism, romanticism, Kantian ethics, Marxism and contemporary anti-rationalist thought.
373 Classical Political Philosophy 4 hours
A study of the origin of political philosophy. Readings will be mainly from Plato and Aristotle, centering on their discussions of the nature of political justice and its relation to the just life.
479 Selected Topics in Political Philosophy 3 hours
Taught in a seminar format, a close examination of one selected work from the tradition of political philosophy.
Additional Courses
280 Seminar 1 - 4 hours
281 Independent Study 1 - 4 hours
298 Internship Program: Field Experience 1 - 4 hours
380 Seminar 3 - 4 hours
480 Senior Seminar 1 - 4 hours
481 Independent Research 1 - 4 hours
482 Honors 3 - 4 hours
498 Internship 1 - 4 hours
610 Model U.N. 1 hour