Political Science Commons^™

Govt 301 - Ancient Political And Economic Ideas (2015), Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Political and economic thought of pagan antiquity, contrasting the ideas of Greece and Rome with religious precepts. The political and economic organization of European feudalism will also be examined.

Joseph Nye, Jr.: Understanding Global Conflict And Cooperation, 10th Ed., Steven A. Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Govt 490 - Political Theory Syllabus, Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

A critical examination of a variety of philosophical and social science models that seek to explain and evaluate political systems, behavior, ideologies, and collective decision-making. Special attention will be given to the political heritage of western/American civilization and the internal and external challenges it faces.

Mary Ann Glendon: The Forum And The Tower Study Guide, 2012-2015, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Robert D. Kaplan: Asia's Cauldron, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Robert D. Kaplan: Monsoon Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Woodrow Wilson: A Failure Of Leadership - A Broken Middle East, Timothy P. O'Brien

Faculty Publications and Presentations

President Woodrow Wilson failed to engage and lead the Great Powers at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, thereby missing the opportunity to influence and shape the eventual outcomes of their far-reaching policy decisions. Had he been more effective there, many of the dysfunctions in the Middle East may well not exist today.

Using A Forensic Light Source To Visualize Permanent Marker Ink After The Ink Has Been Removed, Jonathan Pelletier

Faculty Publications and Presentations

A forensic light source (FLS) was used to visually detect permanent marker ink that had been removed.

Govt 405 - Political And Economic Development (2015), Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This senior level course is designed to encourage students to apply a biblical Christian worldview and a limited government/free market philosophy to a study of the historical, cultural, demographic, climatic, geological, and geographical factors that have contributed to the political and economic development, as well as the relative prosperity or poverty, of various countries, regions, and cultural groupings. Special attention will be given to the contributing causes of wealth and poverty, colonialism and the post-colonial world, factors that favor or inhibit development, and the operation of the international political economy.

Govt 340 - International Relations (2015), Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Techniques for managing and resolving conflict in international relations. Emphasis is on current international issues like U.S. arms policy and U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Joseph Nye, Jr.: Understanding Global Conflict And Cooperation, 10th Ed., Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Michael Pillsbury: The Hundred-Year Marathon Study Guide, Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This is a study guide for the courses of Dr. Steven Alan Samson.

Robert D. Kaplan: Asia's Cauldron, Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Robert D. Kaplan: Monsoon Study Guide, Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This is a study guide for the courses of Dr. Steven Alan Samson.

Repeating History: The Ineffectiveness Of The 1973 War Powers Resolution, Kaitlyn N. Schiess

Senior Honors Theses

Reluctant students often criticize the study of history as irrelevant to the present day.

In the case of one important and controversial piece of legislation, nothing could be farther from the truth. The 1973 War Powers Resolution (WPR), which places limits on presidential power to deploy troops in combat situations, has ample application to the political functioning of the United States today. Thus, investigating and studying the resolution remains relevant and important today. The WPR became law in 1973, overcoming a predictable veto by President Nixon. The legislation has consistently been a flashpoint for political controversy – eliciting criticism by …

In Search Of Peace: Restructuring The Us-Iran Relationship In Light Of The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action, Samuel E. Winkler

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis attempts to ask how the United States should conduct foreign policy towards Iran given the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), agreed to on 14 June 2015. The 2015 JCPOA initiated a drastic shift in US foreign policy toward Iran. It is now up to US policy makers to craft a coherent Iran foreign policy moving forward from the agreement. In order to accomplish this, the vitriolic relationship between Iran and the United States, which contains two concurrent narratives, must be examined. The dual narratives are the history of the successive US Presidential administrations’ relations with Iran, and …

Erik Von Kuehnelt-Leddihn: The Problems Of A Successful American Foreign Policy Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Global Governance: The Ideological Kenosis Of The West, Steven Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Aaron Wildavsky: The Rise Of Radical Egalitarianism Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Gustavo GutiéRrez – Liberation Theology & Marxism, Todd Cameron Swathwood Jr

The Kabod

Since 1968, liberation theology has emerged as a prominent feature of religion and politics, particularly in South America. Originally stemming from the writings of Peruvian priest Gustavo Gutiérrez, this at-once theological and overtly political ideology decries the institutionalized violence of the world’s capitalist society on the poor and oppressed, and argues that God is particularly concerned with the plight of the suffering masses. Christians should therefore make assistance of these poor souls their highest priority, and advocate for any and all methods of alleviating suffering, especially those that work from the premise that society must be toppled and rebuilt for …

The Buck Stops In Benghazi: A Practical Application Of The Dramatistic Pentad And Interpersonal Deception Theory, Robert Taylor Kirk

Masters Theses

This study sought to determine whether or not the rhetoric of the Obama administration in response to the attacks on the consulate in Benghazi provided motivation for deception in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This was done by utilizing Burke's dramatistic pentad to frame the events of the attack the responsive rhetoric to lay the foundation for a qualitative analysis that was conducted using criteria distilled from Buller and Burgoon's Interpersonal Deception Theory. This study posed two research questions. The first research question sought to determine through the use of the pentad whether …

The Values Of Nations: The Fate Of Nations Is Not Predetermined, Daniel Reiher

Senior Honors Theses

The values of a nation are vital for forming the institutions that govern a people and for guiding public policies. This thesis examines the historical institutions and political cultures of several nations and compares them to their geographic (i.e. continental) contemporaries. Particular emphasis is devoted to case-studies of Industrial Revolution Britain, Meiji Restoration Japan, Independent Botswana, and Post-war Asia. This thesis demonstrates a correlation between such institutions as free markets, limited government, and protected personal liberties, with national prosperity. Most importantly, the formation of these institutions was directly affected by the values of the individuals that established them. Values, both …

Vishal Mangalwadi: The Book That Made Your World Study Guide, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

“Historically As Certain As Our Revolution Itself”: The Nullifiers And History, William E. Hopchak

Senior Honors Theses

Despite the common defamation of the states’ rights theories acted upon in the Nullification Crisis of 1832, there exists a great deal of historical support for the nullifiers’ positions. Nullifiers believed in a decentralized constitutional system, while nationalists believed in a centralized constitutional system. This tension between central and decentralized positions had been at issue in the American struggle for independence though the exact manner in which these problems manifested themselves was different in the two events. The states’ rights ideas championed primarily by John C. Calhoun were consistent with American political tradition. At the most basic level, the Nullification …

Friedrich A. Hayek: The Road To Serfdom Condensed Version Study Guide, 2009, Steven Alan Samson

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Idealism And Pragmatism In The Rhetoric Of John Boehner: A Weaverian Analysis Of Congressional Discourse, Cody Hawley

Masters Theses

American political rhetoric is characterized by a synthesis of contradictory idealistic and pragmatic elements, both of which are necessary if there is to be convincing persuasion. The way in which politicians rhetorically approach this dichotomy is significant, however, current studies on the topic are limited to presidential discourse. There is little research on this topic in other settings such the United States House of Representatives. This criticism analyzes John Boehner's congressional rhetoric in the idealistic-pragmatic dichotomy. The critical method utilized is Richard Weaver's four forms of argument-genus, similitude, consequence, and circumstance. Eight speeches of John Boehner, four from his position …

Women In Politics: An Evaluation Of Electability And Influence Of The Media, Hannah Schiller

Senior Honors Theses

This paper explores the electability of women to higher office. It evaluates voter probability through studies that assess the effect of media attention to a candidate’s appearance. Furthermore, the paper studies the media coverage of Governor Sarah Palin’s campaign for Vice President. Finally, it includes an evaluation of Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s successful campaign for Prime Minister. Based on the case studies of voter probability, Sarah Palin and Margaret Thatcher, women do face many obstacles to political office, yet women are fully capable of overcoming these obstacles and we will see a woman leader in an executive position on …

Post-Conflict Reconstruction Lessons In Technology, Kevin Wheeler

Senior Honors Theses

The United States of America has accomplished some advanced technological and developmental achievements recently. However, in order to better its abilities to reconstruct and stabilize nations in the future it must utilize the lessons it has learned from the past as well as these technological advancements. From both Africa and the Middle East, the United States has learned some valuable lessons in helping nations rebuild in the face of danger. Currently, the United States can use internet technologies to better educate those who would want to reconstruct their own nations as a united people group with as little foreign interference …

Sex-Trafficking In Cambodia: Assessing The Role Of Ngos In Rebuilding Cambodia, Katherine M. Wood

Senior Honors Theses

The anti-slavery and other freedom fighting movements of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries did not abolish all forms of slavery. Many forms of modern slavery thrive in countries all across the globe. The sex trafficking trade has intensified despite the advocacy of many human rights-based groups. Southeast Asia ranks very high in terms of the source, transit, and destination of sex trafficking. In particular, human trafficking of women and girls for the purpose of forced prostitution remains an increasing problem in Cambodia. Cambodia’s cultural traditions and the breakdown of law under the Khmer Rouge and Democratic Kampuchea have contributed to …

The Role Of The Federal Government Regarding Regulation In The Entertainment Industry, Christian S. Hamilton

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify the function of the federal government in regard to the various facets of the entertainment industry, including, but not limited to, the film, video games, and pornography industries. Does the United States government have the constitutional authority to regulate all forms of entertainment? If not, is it the Church’s duty to regulate the entertainment industry? How might this occur? In order to answer these questions, extensive research of secondary sources was conducted that explained of the government’s limitations via the First Amendment, as well as the entertainment industry’s effects on human beings. …