Current Courses
American Government (POLI 101)
Students enrolled in this class will develop an essential understanding of American government and politics. Over the semester, we will explore various aspects of the United States government and politics, including our governing institutions, the history and origins of those institutions, the policies that govern our lives, and the political behaviors and attitudes of American citizens. In addition to developing your knowledge of these important topics, students should gain an interest in contemporary political issues and events.
Past Courses
American Politics
American Political Development (POLI 339)
In this upper division course, the theme is that our nation’s politics often change in dramatic ways. Indeed, the overarching goal of the course is to understand and explain critical junctures in American political history.
Public Opinion in American Politics (POLI 329)
A broad survey of public opinion in the United States. Over the semester we examine the nature of democracy, how to measure political attitudes, how Americans form opinions, and campaigns and elections.
Congress (POLI 323)
In this upper division course, we focus on the first branch of government. We will cover the development of Congress from 1789 to the present, congressional organization, campaigns and elections, and the policymaking process.
American Government (POLI 101)
An introductory course on American government and politics that examines: our nation’s institutions, the origins of those institutions, the policies that govern our lives, and the behaviors and attitudes of American citizens.
South Carolina and Presidential Politics (FYE)
In this first year experience class, the theme is that we can learn a lot about presidential politics, both past and president, by focusing on the unique history of the City of Charleston and South Carolina.
Polarization in American Politics (FYE)
A first year experience course that examines: the features of the American political system that create conflict; normative debates about positive and negative consequences of polarization; the causes and consequences of polarization.
Political Science Internship (POLI 402)
An experiential learning course that focuses on careers for political science majors. Over the semester students research their internship site, reflect on their talents and skills, learn about political science jobs, and reflect on their internship experiences.
Research Methods
Elections, Voting, and Data Science (POLI 405)
In this capstone class, the primary goal is is to teach students how to use large-n datasets to understand topics such as election outcomes, voting behavior, political campaigns, electoral institutions, redistricting, and primaries.
Analyzing American Politics (POLI 405)
A capstone class designed to increase students’ understanding of key topics American politics (from lobbying and policymaking to elections) while also developing their theoretical, methodological, and statistical skills.
Research Design (POLI 205)
In this class, students learn the basic tools used in empirical political research. Namely, students learn how evaluate research, formulate their own research questions, and develop strategies to answer those questions
Statistics for Public Administration (PUBA 601)
A research methods course in public administration that emphasizes statistical analysis. Students learn how to create a research design and use techniques such as chi-square, differences of means, regression, and logit/probit.