PSC Course Student Learning Outcomes

PSC 100 - Nevada Constitution

Students will be able to critically analyze the historical development of the Nevada Constitution, including the historical context in which it was created.

Students will be able to describe the major elements of Nevada government as outlined in the Nevada Constitution.

Students will be able to discuss and critically evaluate contemporary constitutional issues.

PSC 101 - Introduction to American Politics

Students will be able to analyze citizenship duties and the importance of effective involvement in politics. Specifically, students will develop the skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as responsible, ethical and contributing citizens of the community, state and nation.

Students will be able to competently read and write about contemporary issues of local and national governance.

Students will be able to critically analyze the structure and processes of American and Nevadan government. In particular, students should be familiar with and be able to analyze the constitutions of both systems, the political structures and processes established by each constitution, and the current principles and problems of state and national governments.

PSC 208 - Survey of State and Local Government

Students will be able to discuss citizenship duties and the importance of effective involvement in politics. Specifically, students should develop the skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as responsible, ethical and contributing citizens of the community, state and nation.

Students will be able to critically analyze the structure and processes of state and local governments. In particular, students should be familiar with and be able to analyze the constitutions of states - and the Constitution of Nevada in particular, the political structures and processes established by state constitutions, the structure and operations of local government, and the current principles and problems of state and local governments.

Students will be able to read and write about contemporary issues of state and local governance.

PSC 210 - American Public Policy

Students will be able to engage in critical thinking about issues and concepts in public administration.

Students will be able to evaluate the role of public administration in the policy making process.

Students will be able to explain the major concepts, principles,and theories in public administration.

PSC 211 - Introduction to Comparative Politics

Students will be able to critically examine the structure and processes of governments throughout the world. In particular, students will identify and examine the different political, social and economic systems in the developed and developing world and compare and contrast these differences and similarities in an analytical manner.

Students will be able to identify and examine the major contours that characterize contemporary comparative politics. Although subject to variation, currently these include but are not limited to globalization, the emergence of the European Union, the struggles of democratization in Post-Leninist and developing nation-states, the difficulties of development for Post-Leninist and lesser-developed nation-states, and nationalism.

Students will be able to incorporate analytical reading and writing skills in discussing current theories and developments in comparative politics.

PSC 231 - Introduction to International Relations

Students will be able to critically analyze problems of governance of the national and the international levels with attention to the theoretical implications that an anarchic international system has on the power and policies of international and domestic actors; more specifically, students will be able to analytically compare and apply realist and idealist theories of the international system (analytical thinking skills ability).

Students will be able to describe the major contours that characterize international relations in the post-Cold War era. Although subject to variation, currently these include but are not limited to globalization, American hegemony, nationalism, and the growing power of regional international organizations (global and cultural awareness skills ability).

Students will be able to summarize current theories of international relations as well as the major contours of the post-Cold War era (communication skills ability).

PSC 250 - The Politics of International Terrorism

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to compare and constrast the social, political, and economic differences between contemporary and historical terrorism including preventative measures.

Students will be able to differentiate between religious and secular political terrorism.

Students will be able to identify and explain/describe the characteristics and objectives of major world terrorist organizations.

PSC 295 - Special Topics in Political Science

Students will be able to exhibit knowledge of the specific substantive area of political science being offered by the course curriculum.

Students will be able to analyze subject matter specific to political science, including but not limited to the ability to analyze arguments and interpretations and to recognize and resolve interpretative conflicts.

PSC 299 - Government Internship

Students will be able to will demonstrate the ability to do research, writing or complete substantive quizzes/exams specific to the curriculum topic being offered.

Students will be able to exhibit knowledge of the specific substantive area of Political Science being offered by the course curriculum.