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POLS 1111 American Politics and Government, 3 credits
(Meets MnTC Goals 7 and 9)
Provides the student with the necessary factual base underpinning the American political system: U.S. Constitution, federalism, mass media, political parties, interest groups, Presidency, Congress, federal bureaucracy, the courts, civil liberties rights, and more. An attempt is made to evaluate the success with which the American political system meets the needs of the American people.

POLS 1121 State and Local Politics and Government, 3 credits
(Meets MnTC Goals 5 and 9)
Provides the student with an adequate factual base organized within a framework of democratic theory, principles, organization, processes, and functions of the governments that are not national in influence. This study includes an examination of the dynamics, purposes, structure, and management of the various local government systems, as well as illustrative state systems. Reference may be made to the Minnesota experience.

POLS 1131 World Politics, 3 credits
(Meets MnTC Goals 8 and 9)
Introduces the theoretical tools used to analyze world politics and explores the interrelationship of factors that produce global issues. Emphasis is on current world events, presented from an international perspective rather than from a purely American point of view. The course not only analyzes global issues but also discusses steps that could be taken to improve the situation.

POLS 2202 Public Issues, 3 credits
(Meets MnTC Goals 5 and 10)
Domestic public policy issues such as education, the environment, jobs, welfare, abortion, and foreign policy issues such as nuclear weapons, international economic competition, human rights, political influences on policy choices and the impact thereof.

POLS 2225 Constitutional Law, 3 credits
This course provides an in-depth focus on the United States Constitution from a criminal justice perspective, addressing how the Constitution affects personal and professional lives.

POLS 2245 Political Ideas and Ideologies, 3 credits
(Meets MnTC Goals 5 and 9)
Discusses contemporary political ideas and ideologies such as liberalism, democracy, conservatism, environ-mentalism, community, socialism, feminism, nationalism, and religious fundamentalism. The course explores the significance of these ideas/ideologies for today’s - and tomorrow’s - political issues.

POLS 2265 Political Science Practicum, 1-2 credits
Prerequisites: 3 credits of political science or consent of instructor
A study of principles and practices of political action. Focal point is a practicum/field work with local or state governmental units or other political actors in Minnesota such as political parties, interest groups, or new social movements. The goal is to gain practical experience in government and politics.

POLS 2299 Independent Study, 1-3 credits
Prerequisite: Two courses in political science successfully completed
Designed to offer students the opportunity to do extensive reading or research on a specific topic in political science.