Below are the course descriptions for the Political Science courses offered in the current semester. Please follow the link below to search the JCCC open/closed class schedule. The course prefix is "POLS".

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Click on the course number for more information on the course and its requirements.

POLS 122

Political Science (3 CR)

This course provides students the opportunity to explore the discipline of political science and to discover how political scientists study politics in the contemporary world. 3 hrs. lecture/wk. and online

POLS 124

American National Government (3 CR)

This course examines the components of the public policy-making process. Topics of study include American political culture, constitutional principles, intergovernmental relations, public opinion, political parties, interest groups, media, the influence of the constant campaign of candidate-centered politics, budget construction, bureaucracy, and decision-making institutions. 3 hrs./wk. and online. This course may be offered as a Learning Communities (LCOM) section, see current credit schedule for LCOM details.

POLS 126

State and Local Government (3 CR)

This course examines the executive, legislative, judicial and service functions of state and local government in the United States in general and in Kansas in particular. The course includes guest lectures by elected officials, government personnel and community activists. 3 hrs./wk. This course is typically offered only once each academic year.

POLS 132

Introduction to Comparative Government (3 CR)

This course compares the different political structures of many of the world's most important countries, including economic development, patterns of government and administration, party structures and policy formation. 3 hrs. wk. or online.

POLS 135

International Relations (3 CR)

This course analyzes the conflict and cooperation among nation-states. Students will study contemporary problems and how they relate to power, war, terrorism, diplomacy, international organizations and the future of the nation-state system. 3 hrs./wk. and online

POLS 200

Model United Nations (3 CR)

This course is designed for students who are interested in learning and understanding international organizations and participating in competitive intercollegiate Model United Nations. This course orients students with the history, structure and function of the United Nations and those facets of an assigned country. This orientation will assist students in their preparation for the Model United Nations (MUN) conference during the spring semester. 3 hrs lecture/wk.

POLS 210

Methodology in Social Sciences (3 CR)

Prerequisite: PSYC 130 or SOC 122 or ECON 230 or POLS 122

This course deals with scientific research methods utilized in the social sciences, especially psychology, sociology, political science and anthropology. The course examines a wide range of data collection methodologies including observation, questionnaire construction, and controlled experimentation. The course will be beneficial for analyzing and evaluating the quality of research findings reported in both the popular and academic press. It will also be useful to those who plan to engage in occupations requiring the use of research methodology. This course may not be offered every semester. POLS 210, PSYC 210 and SOC 210 are the same course. Do not enroll in more than one of these three courses. This course is a required corequisite for PSYC 230 Personality Theory. 3 hrs./wk.

POLS 245

Introduction to Public Administration (3 CR)

This course provides students the opportunity to explore public administration and public policy including institutional arrangements for the provision of public services and the study of those arrangements. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

POLS 270

Political Science Internship (3 CR)

Prerequisite and/or corequisite: By permission of the political science internship coordinator, completion of 6 credit hours in political science courses at JCCC or another college within the last two years, earning a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in those political science courses, and a written recommendation from your political science classroom instructor. Students must complete all necessary arrangements for this program the semester prior to the internship.

Students augment their academic course work with an internship in an appropriate setting under instructional supervision. Internship projects are cooperative efforts between appropriate supervisors in state, local or national government settings or not-for-profit organizations and college staff and students. Internships give students the opportunity to participate in the real-world application of their academic studies. In addition, this synthesis of classroom study with practical experience provides students with skills and insights useful in selecting a career or avocation in community service. The student spends the equivalent of 10 hours per week performing internship duties over the course of the semester or a total of 150 hours.