Political Science

• POLI 100: Introduction to Government in the United States
• POLI 101: State and Local Government in the United States
• PS 202: State and Local Government in the United States
• PSC 215: European Political Systems
• PSC 336: Mass Media and American Politics

POLI 100: Introduction to Government in the United States

Self-paced Online or Correspondence

POLI 100 is designed to give students a broad introduction to the study and workings of the American national government. Students will learn how scholars study our government, enhance their ability to comprehend and analyze the often confusing world of politics, be better qualified for more advanced political science courses, and be a more informed and engaged citizen.

• Instructor: Patrick Miller, MA
• Credit-granting Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill
• UNC-Chapel Hill perspectives/requirements fulfilled: The Office of Undergraduate Curricula has links to information about which perspectives this course fulfills under the “Pre-2006 Curriculum” and which requirements it fulfills under the new curriculum (see “2006 Curriculum”).
• Credit Hours: 3
• Submitted Assignments: 10
• View a sample course syllabus for the correspondence course.
• View a sample course syllabus for the online course.

Required Texts

• Ginsburg, Lowi, and Weir, We the People: An Introduction to American Politics, shorter 5th edition (2005), ISBN 9780393926194
• Canon, Coleman, and Mayer, The Enduring Debate: Classic and Contemporary Readings in American Politics, 5th edition (2008), ISBN 978-0393932171

You may purchase the textbooks at Friday Center Books & Gifts in person, online, or by mailing or faxing in the book order form. Refer to the online ordering site for current book prices.

How to Enroll

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POLI 101: State and Local Government in the United States

Self-paced Online and Correspondence

This is an introductory course on the politics and policies of subnational governments in the United States. The course devotes some attention to localities but concentrates on the states. Emphasis is placed on the role of states and localities in the federal system and the importance of recent political changes affecting them.

• Instructor: Patrick Miller, MA
• Credit-granting Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill
• UNC-Chapel Hill perspectives/requirements fulfilled: The Office of Undergraduate Curricula has links to information about which perspectives this course fulfills under the “Pre-2006 Curriculum” and which requirements it fulfills under the new curriculum (see “2006 Curriculum”).
• Credit Hours: 3
• Submitted Assignments: 14
• View a sample course syllabus for the correspondence course.
• View a sample course syllabus for the online course.

Required Texts

• Bowman and Kearney, State and Local Government, 7th edition (2008), ISBN 978-0547218700
• Stinebrickner, Annual Editions: State and Local Government, 14th edition (2009), ISBN 978-0073516318

You may purchase the textbooks at Friday Center Books & Gifts in person, online, or by mailing or faxing in the book order form. Refer to the online ordering site for current book prices.

How to Enroll

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PS 202: State and Local Government in the United States

Self-paced Correspondence

State and local governments within the context of the American federal system. Special emphasis on federalism, the constitutional/legal relationships between state and local governments, and the institutions, organizational forms, and political processes in American state and local government.

• Instructor: Philip Pavlik, BA
• Credit-granting Institution: NC State University
• Credit Hours: 3
• Submitted Assignments: 14
• View a sample course syllabus.

Required Texts

• Bowman and Kearney, State and Local Government, 7th edition (2008), ISBN 978-0547218700
• Stinebrickner, Annual Editions: State and Local Government, 14th edition (2009), ISBN 978-0073516318

You may purchase the textbooks at Friday Center Books & Gifts in person, online, or by mailing or faxing in the book order form. Refer to the online ordering site for current book prices.

How to Enroll

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PSC 215: European Political Systems

Self-paced Online

This course is designed to establish a basic understanding of European government, business, and economic systems, and to lay a foundation for future study in the field. The course will focus on relevant themes and concepts—not specific countries.

• Instructor: Niall Michelsen, PhD
• Credit-granting Institution: Western Carolina University
• Credit Hours: 3
• Submitted Assignments: 9
• View a sample course syllabus.

Required Text

• Gallagher, Laver, and Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, 4th edition (2006)

You may purchase the textbook at Friday Center Books & Gifts in person, online, or by mailing or faxing in the book order form. Refer to the online ordering site for current book prices.

How to Enroll

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PSC 336: Mass Media and American Politics

Self-paced Online

It is impossible to understand the current state of American politics without understanding the role of the mass media. The media are at the center of current debates over American politics. In this course we will examine the ways politicians attempt to use the media (both in campaigns and while in office), the ways we consume media, and the impact that media consumption has on our opinions, attitudes, and values. This class will be of use to anyone with an interest in political science, communications, sociology, psychology, or simply an interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the political and social world in which we live.

• Instructor: Chris Cooper, PhD
• Credit-granting Institution: Western Carolina University
• Credit Hours: 3
• Submitted Assignments: 6
• View a sample course syllabus.

Required Texts

• Graber, Mass Media and American Politics, 7th edition (2005)
• Graber, McQuail, and Norris, eds., The Politics of News: The News of Politics (1998) *See note below on availability.

The first textbook listed above can be purchased from Friday Center Books & Gifts in person, online, or by mailing or faxing in the book order form. Refer to the online ordering site for current book prices.

*The second textbook listed, The Politics of News, is not available from Friday Center Books & Gifts. Students must be able to find a copy of this this book on their own in order to enroll in this course. Two possible sources are bookfinder.com and studentshopper.com.

How to Enroll

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