Adam Hoffman

Independent study culminating in substantial original research, scholarly or creative work. Students may apply to Honors faculty administrators for permission to substitute another department's thesis or independent study course for HONR 495. The thesis must be completed with a B or better to fulfill the Honors program requirement. Prerequisite: HONR 490. Corequisite: HONR 496. Three to four hours per week.

Provides an introduction to the field of public policy analysis within the context of American government and politics. Basic concepts and explanations related to the policy making structures and processes within the federal government of the U.S. are explored, including the Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy and the federal courts. The role played by interest groups, classes, social movements and the media are reviewed and evaluated. Three hours per week with enhancement. Meets General Education IIIB or IIIC.

Comprehensive examination of the American political process which analyzes the role of the Constitution, the organization and function of the presidency, Congress, Supreme Court, political parties and interest groups and the distribution of power within American society. Three hours per week with enhancement. Meets General Education IIIB or IIIC (Prior to Fall 2008: IIB).

Helps students learn about political behavior and policy problems as participant-observers in a government organization at the national, state or local level. Prerequisite: C or better in POSC 101 or 103, permission of instructor. (P/F)

Advanced students pursue their own research project under the direction of a faculty member, or assist a faculty member in a research project. Involves in-depth reading program or the collection and analysis of data from primary sources. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits with faculty approval; credit beyond three hours requires approval of the department chair.

Focuses on student-developed research projects that utilize the scientific method and the collection and analysis of quantitative data, especially public opinion polls. The use of computers and statistics in political science research emphasized. Prerequisites: C or better in POSC 101 or 103, sophomore standing or above. Three hours lecture, one two-hour laboratory per week.

Places an intern’s work experience within a broader, analytical perspective. Interns thoroughly examine existing research on the relevant governmental agency and relate the findings of this research to their own internship experiences. Designed to be taken with POSC 340. Prerequisite: C or better in POSC 101 or 103, permission of instructor. Three hours per week with enhancement