POS 101S - Introduction to American Government
	This course places the American political systems and its development in historical and ideological context, and explores the nature of American politics and government, both at the national and subnational levels. (Pass/Fail option) Every semester. Credit: 4

	POS 121S - Comparative Politics
	This course compares the political systems of different countries throughout the world, comparing political institutions, processes and policies while analyzing the impact of cultural, context and history on political systems. (Pass/Fail option) Every semester. CCP Credit: 4

	POS 136S - World Politics
	This course introduces students to issues affecting global politics. These include war, economic interdependence, global poverty, terrorism, and the nature of the modern state system. Special emphasis is placed on exploring the impact of world politics on the lives of people around the globe. (Pass/Fail option) Every semester. CCP Credit: 4

POS 151S - Political Theory I: Ancient Greece to Enlightenment

This course introduces students to classical political thought that underpins the contemporary study of politics in Western cultures. Students will read and discuss samples of writings by major political philosophers dating from Ancient Greece to 18th Century European Enlightenment. Throughout the course emphasis will be placed on competing definitions of basic political concepts and theories. (Pass/Fail option) Once every two years. Credit: 4

POS 200S - Public Policy

This course focuses both on the policymaking process and policy analysis tools as well as the practical use of those tools in debating contemporary American public policy issues The class includes formal debates on such issues as the death penalty, health care policy, drug policy, campaign financing and regulation, foreign policy issues and policy issues especially relevant to Maine. These topics will vary from year to year depending on contemporary issues. Prerequisite(s): Not open to first semester students without permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. Credit: 4

	POS 201S - Public Opinion, Interest Groups and Political Parties
	his course deals with the role, measurement and Patterns of American public opinion, as well as two of the principal methods of its expression: interest groups and political parties. The course features formal student debates concerning key issues affecting these subjects. Prerequisite(s): POS 101S. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. Credit: 4

	POS 204S - American Foreign Policy
	This course analyzes American Foreign policy by considering history, political and institutional processes, and the current dilemmas faced by policy makers. Emphasis is placed on difficult practical and ethical issues that face American in a time of globalization and change. (Pass/Fail option) Every year. Credit: 4

	POS 205 - Practical Politics:Campaign Practicum
	A field course in politics offered during the fall semester of election years. Students work with a candidate, political party organization, or issue campaigns of their choice from the national to the local level on political strategy, issues, and electioneering. (Pass/Fail only) Fall semester every two years. Credit: 4

POS 207S - State and Maine Politics

Course will examine subnational government throughout the United States with particular emphasis upon Maine in particular and New England in general. Topics include issues affecting Maine and other states, subnational government, elections and parties, and political contrasts between Maine and other New England states. The course will feature guest speakers knowledgeable in the politics of Maine or other states. Prerequisite(s): POS 101S, upper class standing or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. Credit: 4

POS 210S - Presidency and Congress

This course will discuss both the legislative and executive branches of the American national government. Special attention will be given to the historical development of these branches of government, the role of the president in American society, representation in Congress, interaction between Congress and the president, and elections for president and Congress. Prerequisite(s): POS 101S, junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. Credit: 4

	POS 214 - Law and the Legal System
	Examines law and the legal system with emphasis on Maine law, the constitutions of the U.S. and Maine and their relationships to each other, and other aspects of the law. Reading and evaluating various forms of the law through the process of thinking like a lawyer. Prerequisite(s): Sophomores and above. (Pass/Fail option) Every year. Credit: 4

	POS 216S - Environmental Law
	An introduction to the federal laws regulating air, water and soil quality, mitigating environmental mistakes of the past, and seeking a sustainable equilibrium with the ecosystem for the future. The operation of parallel laws and regulations in Maine will also be examined. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every year. Credit: 4

	POS 222S - Politics of Developing Countries
	This course explores the problems of political and economic development in third world countries. This includes the impact of colonialism, comparison of different political systems and developmental models, and living conditions for people in the developing world. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. CCP Credit: 4

	POS 223S - The Politics of Post-Communism
	This course examines the changes taking place in the "post-Communist world" focusing on Eastern Europe and the Republics of the former Soviet Union. Specifically, can a stable political and economic system be created to combat nationalism, ethnic violence, economic uncertainty, and political instability?  (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. CCP Credit: 4

	POS 225S - The European Union
	This course examines the development and functioning of the European Union, focusing on institutions, policies, and the transformation of the European state. Other relevant issues include the economics of regional integration, and the impact of globalization on EU development. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. CCP Credit: 4

POS 231S - European Foreign Policy

This Course analyzes the foreign policy of the major European states in an historical and comparative perspective. The course will analyze how European diplomatic history before WWII set the stage for international relations theory, and explore how the foreign policies of major European states after WWII reflect a different understanding of the role of Europe in the world. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. CCP Credit: 4

	POS 233S - War and Peace
	This course will focus upon the source of international conflict and war, contending conceptions of peace, and the relationship between peace and world order. Topics will include conflicts resolution, diplomacy, terrorism, and the cost of warfare. Prerequisite(s): POS 136S or sophomore standing or higher. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. CCP Credit: 4

	POS 250S - Political Philosophy
	Students will read and discuss samples of the writings of major political writers with emphasis on the period from 1500 to the present. The writers will be placed in their respective historical periods, and their contributions assessed in light of current thinking and problems. Prerequisite: No first year students. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years.  Credit: 4

POS 251 - Civil Society and Social Accountability: Civic Engagement Practicum

This course focuses on the role of civil society in democratic and democratizing countries. The course will cover the political theory and practice of civic engagement and social accountability by civil society actors who seek to hold public institutions and officials accountable for their policies and actions. In addition to reading primary and secondary materials on social accountability initiatives world-wide, each student will identify with the instructor a local organization involved in civic engagement that will serve as the basis for a service-learning project. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Once every two years. Credit: 4

POS 255 - American Political Thought

This course will deal with key influences on American Political representing a wide range of political thinkers, including political leaders. Among the many American thinkers and schools of the Roosevelts, social Darwinism, anarchism, feminism, the "New Left", libertarianism, communitarianism, King, Malcolm X, Humphrey and Goldwater. Prerequisite(s): POS 101S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. Credit: 4

POS 262S - Italian Political History

This course explores the development of Italian politics from the renaissance to the present, with an emphasis on Italian contributions to political theory, as well as regional variations in Italy's political evolution. This is a travel course which includes an educational trip to Italy, and explores the interplay between culture and politics. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) At least once every three years. CCP Credit: 2-4

	POS 277S - Topics in Political Science
	The study of a specialized topic in political science not offered in the present curriculum. (Pass/Fail option) Every three years. Credit: 4

POS 302 - Civil Liberties

This course chiefly features the development over time of constitutional issues relevant to civil liberties. Particular emphasis is placed upon First Amendment issues such as religion and freedom of speech, but other matters concerning civil liberties are considered as well, such as police powers, privacy, racial and gender discrimination issues. Each student will argue a key civil liberties case in mock trials format. Prerequisite(s): POS 101S, junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. Credit: 4

POS 319 - Constitutional Law

The U.S. Constitution and its changing interpretations traced through U.S. Supreme Court cases and other materials. The focus in this class is upon the development of powers of the different branches of the national government, the conflicts among them, and the federal relationship between the national government and lower levels of government. Each student will argue a key constitutional case concerning one of these issues in a mock trial format. Prerequisite(s): POS 101S, junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. Credit: 4

	POS 325 - Globalization and Partnership
	This course explores the practical aspects of dealing with globalization, emphasising how governments, businesses and international organizations cooperate to deal with issues that cross borders and challenge conventional notions of business and politics. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing. (Pass/Fail option) Once a year (usually spring). CCP Credit: 4

POS 332S - International Law and Organization

This course examines the development of international law and organization as a political process, designed to create a stable world order with rules and methods to mediate dispute. Emphasis is placed on the changing nature of international law and organization in a world defined by interdependence and globalization. Prerequisite(s): POS 136S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. CCP Credit: 4

POS 336S - Globalization

Since 1985 the end of the Cold War, combined with tremendous growth in world trade and international investment, has changed the nature of world politics. This course examines the impact of this "globalization" on economics, politics and culture, focusing on the challenges it creates for an increasingly interconnected yet diverse world. Emphasis is placed on studying the international political economy. Prerequisite(s): POS 136S or ECO 110S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every two years. CCP Credit: 4

	POS 340S - Current Topics in International Relations
	This course will explore topics of current interest in international relations. Theories and evidence from the scholarship on international relations will be brought to bear on current events to help students analyze and understand salient and emerging issues. Prerequisite(s): POS 136S or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Once every two years. CCP Credit: 4

	POS 397 - Independent Study in Government
	Independent research into selected problems in government. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Every semester. Credit: 1-4

	POS 400 - Political Science Scope and Methods
	This course provides students with an understanding of what the discipline of political science entails, the major research methods used, and an opportunity to develop a work of original scholarly research. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing, at least 3 intermediate political science courses, or permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Once a year. Credit: 4