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Department of Social Sciences
POLITICAL SCIENCE
POL 101 Introduction to Politics [3 credits]
A general introduction to the principal
concepts of political science. In presenting the
major political ideas, political behaviors, and
governing institutions, the course investigates
how political power is developed, preserved,
and challenged.
POL201 Introduction to Political Science [3-0,
3 cr.]
This course covers politics as a social science.
It deals with the basic concepts in political
science: power, authority, leadership, decision
making, etc., as well as the relevant political
ideologies, and contemporary political systems
and their modes and functions.
POL202 Lebanese Politics and
Administration [3-0, 3 cr.]
This course is a comprehensive survey of the
political system in Lebanon, from independence
to the present. It entails a detailed coverage of
Lebanese administrative and constitutional law.
Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political
Science.
POL211 History of Political Thought I [3-0, 3 cr.]
This course surveys the history of political
ideas from the Greeks to the 18th Century. It
discusses political ideas related to the general
philosophy of politics, state, and society. The
readings are from original sources.
Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political
Science.
POL212 History of Political Thought II [3-0,
3 cr.]
This course is a follow-up to POL211 History of
Political Thought I, covering political ideas from
the Renaissance to the present. The readings
are from original sources.
Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political
Science.
POL221 Comparative Governments of the
Major Powers [3-0, 3 cr.]
This course deals with comparative history
and the development of governments, and
the new approaches to studying them. It also
covers the “whys” and “wherefores” of various
political systems, as well as comparisons
between them.
Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political
Science.
POL231 Introduction to Human Rights [3-0,
3 cr.]
This course deals with international human
rights’ policies and the moral and political
issues to which they give rise. The course
poses questions such as: What are human
rights Are some rights more fundamental
than others, and what compelling interests, if
any, justify their violation
POL311 Methodology and Political Analysis
[3-0, 3 cr.]
This course covers the scope and methods of
political science and alternative approaches
to political science research. It also covers the
techniques of using data and the mechanics
of research.
Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political
Science.
POL312 Politics of the Developing Areas [3-0,
3 cr.]
This course is a thorough study of the functional
systems approach to the politics of developing
areas. Aspects of political development such
as: participation, leadership, organization,
legitimacy, and integration, as affected by the
analysis of culture and social organization,
are covered. The course focuses on the role
of the military of developing nations, and the
phenomena of one-party systems.
Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political
Science.
POL313 Concepts of International Relations
[3-0, 3 cr.]
This course deals with the nature of the
international system, and the states as units
of it. It covers nationalism, the theory and
reality of sovereignty, national power and
resources, the balance of power, and foreign
policy and its making. Objectives and interests
of states, diplomacy, propaganda, political
warfare, international law, pacific settlement
of disputes, and international organizations
are covered. The course involves case studies,
and individual, or collective, research by
students to substantiate the concepts.
Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political
Science.
POL321 American Government and Politics
[3-0, 3 cr.]
This course covers the structure and process
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