Political Science

Political science explores the world of politics and the principles, techniques, and institutions through which we make collective decisions and resolve group conflicts. An understanding of politics is an especially useful skill for anyone entering a technical career, because so much of modern science and technology is embroiled in political controversy.

At Missouri S&T, courses are offered in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. If you wish to pursue a specialized investigation of politics, a minor in political science is available.

Political Science Minor Curriculum

The department of history and political science offers a minor degree in political science which must include 15 hours divided as follows: completion of POL SCI 1200, plus an approved sequence of 12 hours of upper level courses.

Science, Technology and Humanity Minor

The science, technology and humanity (STH) minor is designed for students who want to explore the relationship between history, political science, and science and technology. The minor is particularly useful for technologically oriented students, because it provides insight into humanities and social science disciplines. It also shows how these disciplines interact with science and technology, thereby broadening their horizon of thought and action and preparing them for an increasingly technologically oriented future. To minor in STH the student must complete one of the following history survey courses: HISTORY 1100 or HISTORY 1200 or HISTORY 1300 or HISTORY 1310; and POL SCI 1200. The student then must take either HISTORY 2510 or HISTORY 3530. After completing the required six hours, the student will select nine additional hours from the list below.

15 credit hours total.

Students must take one of the following:3
HISTORY 1100Early Western Civilization3
HISTORY 1200Modern Western Civilization3
HISTORY 1300American History To 18773
HISTORY 1310American History Since 18773
POL SCI 1200American Government3
Students must take one of the following:3
HISTORY 2510History of Technology3
HISTORY 3530History of Science3
Student must take three of the following as approved by minor advisor:9
BIO SCI 1163Biotechnology in Film3
BIO SCI 2263Ecology3
ECON 4540Energy Economics3
ECON 4820Labor Economics3
ENG MGT 4330/​PSYCH 4710Human Factors3
ENGLISH 2243Science Fiction3
ENV ENG 5640Environmental Law And Regulations3
GEO ENG 1175Geological Engineering in Popular Media3
HISTORY 2510History of Technology3
HISTORY 3510Twentieth Century Technology And Society3
HISTORY 3530History of Science3
HISTORY 3443The American Military Experience3
HISTORY 4470American Environmental History3
HISTORY 4550Architecture, Technology and Society; 1750 to Present3
IS&T 5251Management and Leadership of Technological Innovation3
IS&T 5885Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience3
PHILOS 3223Bioethics3
PHILOS 3225Engineering Ethics3
PHILOS 4320Minds And Machines3
PHILOS 4345Philosophy Of Science3
PHILOS 4350Environmental Ethics3
POL SCI 3300Principles Of Public Policy3
PSYCH 4700Industrial Psychology3
PSYCH 4710Human Factors3
PSYCH 4720Psychology of Social Technology3
TCH COM 5610History of Technical Communication3

POL SCI 1100 Introduction to Political Science (LEC 3.0)

This course will introduce the student to the fundamental concepts and phenomena of political life and to the variety of political organizations characteristic of the modern age.


POL SCI 1200 American Government (LEC 3.0)

National, state and local government in the United States with special emphasis on political behavior and the institutions that determine and execute public policy. Topics include basic structure of American government, (i.e., democracy, the Constitution, the branches of government), as well as citizenship, parties, pressure groups and American economic policy. The course views government in its relation to its people, its services and protection.
POL SCI 1200 - MOTR POSC 101: American Government


POL SCI 2000 Special Problems (IND 0.0-6.0)

Problems or readings on specific subjects or projects in the department. Consent of instructor required.


POL SCI 2001 Special Topics (IND 0.0-6.0)

This course is designed to give the department an opportunity to test a new course. Variable credit.


POL SCI 2400 Comparative Politics (LEC 3.0)

A comparative study of states, institutional structures, ideologies, political culture, political parties, interest groups and forms of government. How these social forces are organized to articulate national or parochial interests within the framework of participatory or centralized political systems will be studied. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200 or History 1300 or History 1310.
POL SCI 2400 - MOTR POSC 202: Introduction to Comparative Politic


POL SCI 2500 International Relations (LEC 3.0)

A general introduction to the theoretical framework, pattern and personalities of international relations with special emphasis upon American foreign policy making. Problems of international economic development, resources, and armaments will also be examined. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200 or History 1300 or 1310.
POL SCI 2500 - MOTR POSC 201: International Relations


POL SCI 3000 Special Problems (IND 0.0-6.0)

Problems or readings on specific subjects or projects in the department. Consent of instructor required.


POL SCI 3001 Special Topics (LEC 0.0-6.0)

This course is designed to give the department an opportunity to test a new course. Variable title.


POL SCI 3010 Seminar (IND 0.0-6.0)

Discussion of current topics.


POL SCI 3210 Constitutional Law: Government Powers and Civil Liberties (LEC 3.0)

This course will examine constitutional powers of American governmental institutions and leading Supreme Court decisions dealing with civil liberties including speech, religion, equal protection and the rights of the accused. The course will include study of current political issues and problems relating to these foundational civil liberties. Prerequisites: Pol Sci 1200, History 1200, 1300, or 1310.


POL SCI 3211 American Political Parties (LEC 3.0)

The origin and development of political parties in the United States, the two-party system, the functions, organizations and operation of parties. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200 or History 1300 or History 1310.


POL SCI 3300 Principles Of Public Policy (LEC 3.0)

This course presents a study of public policy in the United States. Students analyze the policy process, the resulting policy choices and the impact of the choices on the American people. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200.


POL SCI 3310 Public Policy Analysis (LEC 3.0)

An advanced study of major U.S. national policies. A wide range of public policies, including education, economics, and health and welfare will be studied. Students will be introduced to the methods of policy analysis. Emphasis will be placed on the use of tools used by policy analysts to determine program effectiveness and impact. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200.


POL SCI 3760 The American Presidency (LEC 3.0)

Historical development of the presidency; emphasis on the constitutional powers and limits of the office and the political contextual variables which influence presidential behavior. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200 or History 1300 or History 1310. (Co-listed with History 3760).


POL SCI 3761 U.S. Diplomatic History to World War II (LEC 3.0)

This course is a history of American foreign relations, broadly conceived, from the War for Independence to WWII. Among other things, it deals with the diplomacy of survival, of expansion and of economic and political hegemony. Prerequisites: History 1300, 1310 or Pol Sci 1200. (Co-listed with History 3761).


POL SCI 3762 American Foreign Policy Since 1945 (LEC 3.0)

Addresses the major issues in American foreign policy from WWII to the present with primary focus on problems during the Cold War and the post-Cold War era, including the emergence of the national security state. Prerequisite: History 1310 or Pol Sci 1200. (Co-listed with History 3762).


POL SCI 3763 Contemporary Political Thought (LEC 3.0)

This course will explore the impact of ideas on American politics and history, including the relationship between technological change and public policy; this will be pursued through the study of American political history, social institutions, and intellectual history. Prerequisite: History 1300 or History 1310 or Pol Sci 1200. (Co-listed with History 3763).


POL SCI 4000 Special Problems And Readings (IND 0.0-6.0)

Problems or readings on specific subjects or projects in the department. Consent of instructor required.


POL SCI 4001 Special Topics (LEC 0.0-6.0)

This course is designed to give the department an opportunity to test a new course. Variable title.


POL SCI 4010 Seminar (RSD 0.0-6.0)

Discussion of current topics Prerequisite: Senior standing.


POL SCI 4085 Political Science Internship (IND 0.0-6.0)

Internship will involve students applying critical thinking skills and discipline specific knowledge in a work setting based on a project designed by the advisor and employee. Activities will vary depending on the student's background and the setting. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200 or Pol Sci 1100.


POL SCI 4097 Senior Project (LEC 3.0)

History majors (or Political Science minors) interested in graduate school or professional school, such as law school, should complete an extended research project, or thesis, under the supervision of a department faculty member. Prerequisites: History 2791 and senior standing. (Co-listed with HISTORY 4097).


POL SCI 4320 The Politics of Innovation (LEC 3.0)

Do Google, Airbus, and Samsung owe their success to the wisdom and foresight of government actors? This course explores whether and how public policy can foster the advancement of science, technology, and innovation. The course analyzes and compares how national innovation systems have evolved and function in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Prerequisites: Pol Sci 1200 or History 1100 or History 1200 or History 1300 or History 1310.


POL SCI 4500 Geopolitics and International Security (LEC 3.0)

This course surveys seminal scholarship in the field of international security and explores its relevance to contemporary geopolitical issues. Specific topics addressed may include space security, nuclear security, and technological change in military affairs. Prerequisites: Pol Sci 1200 or History 1100 or History 1200 or History 1300 or History 1310.


POL SCI 4510 The Politics of the Global South (LEC 3.0)

This course explores the processes and politics of the nations of the Global South, defined as most of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It examines the internal political processes of these nations and regions, as well as their position in international affairs. Prerequisite: Pol Sci 1200 or History 1200 or History 1300 or History 1310.


Tseggai Isaac, Chancellor's Professor
PHD University of Missouri-Columbia

Alanna Krolikowski, Assistant Professor
PHD University of Toronto

Michael E Meagher, Associate Professor
PHD Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Superscripts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the faculty listing refer to the following common footnotes:
1 Registered Professional Engineer
2 Registered Geologist
3 Certified Health Physicist
4 Registered Architect
5 Board Certified, American Academy of Environmental Engineers
6 LEED AP Certified