2019-2020 Samford University Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    May 10, 2024  
2019-2020 Samford University Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


 

Physical Activity Courses (Non-Varsity)

All regular physical activity courses earn standard letter grades.

  
  • PHED 122 - Spin® Cycling (1)


  
  • PHED 123 - Kayaking (1)


  
  • PHED 124 - Dance for Fitness (1)


  
  • PHED 127 - Yoga (1)


  
  • PHED 131 - Soccer (1)


  
  • PHED 132 - Lacrosse (1)


  
  • PHED 133 - Beginning Swimming (1)


  
  • PHED 134 - Intermediate Swimming (1)


  
  • PHED 135 - Synchronized Swimming (1)


  
  • PHED 136 - Fencing (1)


  
  • PHED 137 - Lifeguard Training (1)


  
  • PHED 138 - Water Safety Instructor Course (2)


    Prereq: Advanced swimming skills.
  
  • PHED 139 - Pilates (1)


  
  • PHED 140 - Special Physical Activity (1)


    Section titles vary.

Physical Activity Courses (Varsity)

All varsity sports are graded pass/fail and may be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits.

  
  • PHED 125 - Varsity Track and Field (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 126 - Varsity Cheerleading (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 128 - Varsity Tennis (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 129 - Varsity Golf (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 130 - Varsity Basketball (Men) (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 147 - Varsity Volleyball-Women (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 148 - Varsity Baseball (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 149 - Varsity Soccer-Women (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 150 - Varsity Basketball-Women (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 151 - Varsity Football (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 152 - Varsity Softball-Women (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.
  
  • PHED 153 - Varsity Cross Country (1)


    May be repeated once, for a maximum of 2 credits. Grading is pass/fail.

Physics

Of related interest: IDSC 201 - Scientific Methods (4) .

Note on Special Problems courses: A maximum of five credits total for PHYS 461 , PHYS 471 , and/or PHYS 481  may count toward graduation requirements.

  
  • PHYS 100 - Physics for Society (4)


    Conceptual survey of all fields of physics, including modern developments, with an emphasis on the explanation of everyday physical phenomena. While the course is primarily conceptual in nature, an understanding of high school algebra is necessary for understanding the quantitative concepts in the course. Not applicable to a major or minor in physics; closed to those who have had PHYS 101  or PHYS 203 . Includes laboratory. Offered: Fall, Spring and most Jan Terms.
  
  • PHYS 101 - General Physics I (4)


    Study of Newtonian mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and relativity. Includes laboratory. Prereq for PHYS 101: Thorough understanding of algebra at the high school level. Offered: Fall and Summer I (101).
  
  • PHYS 102 - General Physics II (4)


    Study of Newtonian mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and relativity. Includes laboratory. Prereq for PHYS 102: PHYS 101 ; elementary knowledge of trigonometry desirable though not required. Offered: Spring and Summer 2 (102).
  
  • PHYS 150 - Introduction to Astronomy (4)


    Survey of the solar system, stars, and galaxies. Includes laboratory. Offered: Fall, Spring, and some summers.
  
  • PHYS 203 - Physics I (5)


    Study of Newtonian mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and relativity using calculus. Includes laboratory. Co-req: MATH 240 . Offered: Fall.
  
  • PHYS 204 - Physics II (5)


    Study of Newtonian mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and relativity using calculus. Includes laboratory. Prereq: PHYS 203 . Co-req: MATH 260 . Offered: Spring.
  
  • PHYS 206 - Sound and Music (4)


    Study of physical principles of production, transmission, and reception of sound. Course cannot count towards a physics major or minor. Includes laboratory. Prereq: High school algebra. Offered: See department chair.
  
  • PHYS 310 - Mechanics I (3)


    Study of classical mechanics, including motion of planets and comets about the sun, using vector calculus. Includes study of the methods of Lagrange and Hamilton. Prereqs: PHYS 101  or PHYS 203 , and MATH 270 . Co-req: PHYS 311 . Offered: Spring, on rotation.
  
  • PHYS 311 - Mechanics I Laboratory (1)


    Laboratory companion course to PHYS 310 . Offered: Spring, on rotation. Co-req: PHYS 310 .
  
  • PHYS 330 - Electricity and Magnetism I (3)


    Study of electromagnetic interaction, featuring Maxwell’s equations. Prereqs: MATH 270 , and either PHYS 203  and PHYS 204 , or PHYS 101  and PHYS 102 . Co-req: PHYS 331 . Offered: Fall, on rotation.
  
  • PHYS 331 - Electricity and Magnetism I Laboratory (1)


    Laboratory companion course to PHYS 330 . Co-req: PHYS 330 . Offered: Fall, on rotation.
  
  • PHYS 334 - Electronics (4)


    Introduction to modern electronics. Includes laboratory. Prereqs: PHYS 203  and PHYS 204  or PHYS 101  and PHYS 102 . Offered: See department chair.
  
  
  • PHYS 341 - Optics Laboratory (1)


    Laboratory companion course to PHYS 340 . Co-req: PHYS 340 . Offered: Spring, on rotation.
  
  • PHYS 350 - Modern Physics I (3)


    Study of x-rays, atomic and nuclear physics, radioactivity, relativity, and quantum mechanics. Prereqs: PHYS 203  and PHYS 204 , or PHYS 101  and PHYS 102 . Co-reqs: PHYS 351  and MATH 260 . Offered: Fall, on rotation.
  
  • PHYS 351 - Modern Physics I Laboratory (1)


    Laboratory companion course to PHYS 350 . Co-req: PHYS 350 . Offered: Fall, on rotation.
  
  • PHYS 360 - Modern Physics II (3)


    Continued study of quantum mechanics from Modern Physics I (PHYS 350 ). Includes applications of quantum mechanics to atomic, nuclear, solid-state, and laser physics. Prereq: PHYS 350 . Offered: Fall, on rotation.
  
  
  • PHYS 420 - Thermal Physics (4)


    Study of theories and concepts of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics, including Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac statistics. Prereqs: PHYS 203  and PHYS 204 , or PHYS 101  and PHYS 102 ; and MATH 260 . Offered: Spring, on rotation.
  
  
  • PHYS 454 - Quantum Mechanics (3)


    Study of the formulations of Schroedinger, Heisenberg, and Dirac. Includes applications to atomic and nuclear physics. Prereqs: PHYS 360  and MATH 270 , or permission of the department chair. Offered: See department chair.
  
  • PHYS 461 - Special Problems (1)


    Intended primarily for juniors and seniors in the physical sciences and mathematics. Prereq: Permission of the department chair.
  
  • PHYS 471 - Special Problems (2)


    Prereq: Permission of the department chair.
  
  • PHYS 481 - Special Problems (3)


    Prereq: Permission of the department chair.
  
  • PHYS 491 - Seminar (1)


    May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Prereq: Permission of the department chair.
  
  • PHYS 499 - Senior Thesis (4)


    Capstone course and advanced research experience leading to a significant senior thesis in physics. Each student is required to design, conduct, analyze, write up, and present an original research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Experimental, theoretical, or computational physics topics are acceptable. Prereqs: Physics majors with senior standing and permission of the department chair. Offered: Fall and Spring.

Political Science

  
  • POLS 200 - Power and Politics (4)


    Introduction to the field of political science. Focus on political communities and the way in which groups organize to form governments. This is done in reference to the concept of democracy and the way in which political communities either attain or fall short of the democratic ideal. Required of political science majors. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  
  • POLS 205 - Introduction to American Politics (4)


    Survey of the structures and processes of the American political system with an emphasis on citizen participation. Required of political science majors. Offered: Fall and Spring.
  
  • POLS 301 - Methods and Practice of Political Science (4)


    Introduction to political science methods and research tactics. Emphasis on integration of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Required of political science majors. Offered: Spring.
  
  • POLS 305 - American National Government (4)


    Study of the political process in America, focusing on national political institutions. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 310 - U. S. Foreign Policy (4)


    Review of the development of the cardinal principles of American foreign policy, the changing role of the United States in international relations, and historic aspects of American diplomacy. Subfields: American Politics and World Politics.
  
  • POLS 312 - State and Local Government (4)


    Study of the structure and functioning of various state and local governments. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 313 - International Organization (4)


    Explores the challenges to cooperation amongst state actors and the efforts of various international organizations to coordinate states’ actions, regulate interstate political and economic relations, and minimize international conflict. Offered: Fall. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 315 - Topics in Political Theory (4)


    Intensive study of western political philosophy, presenting selected topics such as systems of thought (the classic Greeks, the democratic, the socialist) or time periods (medieval to Machiavellian, early modern to Rousseau, recent and contemporary). Students may substitute PHIL 301  or PHIL 302  for POLS 315. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits, if topics are different. Subfield: Political Theory.
  
  • POLS 316 - Public Administration (4)


    Overview of the scope and methods of public administration, emphasizing political aspects. Reviews the growth and development of public administration as a field of intellectual inquiry; considers the role of administration in the political process and in policy-making; and examines the political relationships of the administrative environment. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 319 - International Relations (4)


    Historical and analytical study of the U.S. and the international community since WWII, surveying the political, military, and economic struggles of the major powers and third-world nations. Subfields: Political Theory, World Politics.
  
  • POLS 321 - Post-Soviet Politics (4)


    Covers the post-Soviet region in its diverse geographic, historical, cultural, economic, and political settings. Examines the problems of building nations and states, democratizing authoritarian regimes, reforming command economies, and responding to new security threats. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 322 - Latin American Politics (4)


    Examination of the politics of Latin America. Compares and contrasts nations from the Caribbean, and North, Central, and South America. Uses history and theory to understand larger forces at work in these regions, and focuses on specific cases and accounts to bring out the human drama of Latin America. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 323 - African Politics (4)


    Study of social, economic, and political dimensions of Africa from the 19th century to the present. Special focus on state-society relations. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 325 - The Constitution and the Federalist Papers (4)


    Review of the United States Constitution and the Federalist Papers as an introduction to the ideas these founding documents represent. Subfields: Political Theory, American Politics.
  
  • POLS 330 - Classical Political Thought (4)


    Introduction to the most influential philosophical texts of the ancient world, with attention paid to the context of Greek cultural development. Subfield: Political Theory.
  
  • POLS 332 - Human Rights (4)


    Explores the concept of human rights, defined as the rights which each human being, upon birth, automatically enjoys, regardless of the race, religion, political system, or gender into which he or she is born. Offered: Fall. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 333 - Genocide (4)


    Study of genocide, working toward an understanding of what might seem impossible to understand: why people and institutions have attempted to exterminate a distinct racial, cultural or ethnic group; the conditions which give rise to these efforts; and the extent to which the world is becoming more or less hospitable to genocide. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 334 - Terrorism (4)


    Examination of the theories, literature, and policies of terrorism and counterterrorism in order to understand better the contemporary terrorist’s motivations and strategy. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 335 - Medieval and Christian Political Theory (4)


    Close reading of original texts with a view to gaining insight into the medieval approach to learning. Focus on Thomas Aquinas’ view of Natural Law. Themes of medieval political life are described in light of Thomas’ union of classical and Christian themes. Subfield: Political Theory.
  
  • POLS 337 - Elections and Political Participation (4)


    Study of electoral behavior and other forms of political participation, including questions about who votes and why, what influences voter choice, and whether changes in turnout influence policy. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 340 - Political Parties and Interest Groups (4)


    Examination of the historical development, current development, institutional ramifications, and central explanatory theories of the most pervasive conduits of mass political participation, political parties, and interest groups. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 345 - Modern Political Theory (4)


    Introduction to the major texts in modern political theory. Focus on interpretation of the most influential texts of the modern period, beginning with Machiavelli and concluding with Marx, with attention paid to the context of European cultural, economic, and political development. Subfield: Political Theory.
  
  • POLS 348 - Riots, Rebellion, & Revolution (4)


    Comparison of the English, French, Russian, and Chinese Revolutions, with a goal of understanding the political factors involved in radical political change. Offered: Jan Term, on rotation. Subfield: Political Theory, World Politics.
  
  • POLS 350 - Impeachment (4)


    Study of impeachment procedures. Addresses issuing of articles of impeachment by the United States House of Representatives and trial by the United States Senate. Offered: Jan Term. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 351 - European Politics (4)


    Descriptions of structure; analysis of functioning. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 352 - Italian Politics: From Napoleon to Berlusconi, 1800-2011 (4)


    Introduction to Italian politics from the beginning of the 19th century to today with a special emphasis on the distinctive Italian political culture. Offered: Fall, on rotation. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 355 - Politics in Film (4)


    In-depth assessment of the treatment of political themes in film. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 360 - Urban Geography: The North American City (4)


    Geographic perspective of the past, present, and future of the American city. Topics include the historic roots of cities, development of the U.S. urban system, transportation, and the shaping of cities; social, political, and economic dynamics of urban areas; urban growth, decline, and revitalization; suburbanization; and challenges facing cities in the 21st century. Cross-listed with GEOG 360  and SOCI 360 . Offered: Spring. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 361 - Bridging London (4)


    Field-based exploration of the geography of London and its environs. Students investigate historical development, commerce, naval power, imperialism, colonialism, scientific achievement, industrial revolution, financial systems, economic frameworks, transportation, governance, urban design, community, culture, society, ethnicity, international significance, and the intersection between globalization and urbanization. Cross-listed with CLAS 361 , GEOG 361 , HIST 361 , JMC 361 , SOCI 361  
  
  • POLS 363 - Politics of Developing Nations (4)


    Study of the developing nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Examination of their societies, the impact of European Colonialism, and their problems since independence. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 365 - Women in U.S. Politics (4)


    Examination of how the U.S. Government’s relationship to its female citizens has changed through the years and how important gender is in determining political attitudes and participation. Students encounter and assess competing perspectives on current issues in women’s and gender politics. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 370 - Men and Women in War and Peace (4)


    Investigation of contemporary gender issues in world politics, with emphasis on cultural politics, women and development, gender and war, and civil and human rights. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 390 - Monarchs, Bishops, and Martyrs: The English Reformation (4)


    Study of historical and religious factors of the English Reformation. Course is taught in London with visits to historical sites. Cross-listed with HIST 390  and RELG 390 . Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 392 - Geographies of Africa (4)


    Presents a geographical exploration of Africa, focusing primarily on cultural issues. A broad range of topics will be investigated including: African stereotypes, environmental crises, social geographies of gender and religion, legacies of colonialism, and the impact of development policies throughout the region. Cross-listed with GEOG 392 . Offered: On rotation. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 394 - International Studies in Economics (3)


    Cross-disciplinary introduction to the scope, causes, and consequences of poverty. Examination of the various measures of poverty as well as basic economic theory, explaining differences in income, wealth, and economic growth among regions. Emphasis on understanding poverty issues from a Biblical perspective. Course relies heavily on site visits to observe a wide variety of anti-poverty projects, including faith-based organizations and international nonprofit agencies. International travel required. Offered: Jan Term. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 395 - Giants of Asia: China & India in the 21st Century (4)


    Focuses on exploring these two giant countries and understanding their emergence as important world powers in the 21st century. The course investigates the physical environment, history, culture, economy, and politics that help shape these two countries. Cross-listed with GEOG 395 . Offered: On rotation. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 397 - Andes to Amazon: Physical Landscapes of Latin America (4)


    Study of the geographical forces that influence the landscapes of Latin America and how they change over time. This course is organized by substantive topics rather than by country. Topics include regional specific plate tectonics, weather systems, oceanographic systems, and river systems. Cross-listed with GEOG 397 . Prereq: GEOG 150 . Offered: Spring, on rotation. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 398 - The Alabama Constitution: 100 Years of Controversy (4)


    Examination of the creation, structure, and interpretation of state constitutions. Special attention paid to the 1901 Alabama Constitution and issues surrounding the document as well as to current and past reform movements. Cross-listed with JMC 398 . Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 399 - London Study Topics (4)


    Special courses designed for and offered at the Daniel House London Study Centre. Topics vary, but course is not repeatable.
  
  • POLS 410 - Game Theory (4)


    Elementary examination of the theory of games and strategic behavior with an emphasis on applications. Topics discussed include strategic form games, extensive form games, and games of asymmetric and incomplete information. Various equilibrium concepts also discussed. The course will apply game theoretic concepts to strategic behavior in the social sciences, particularly economics and political science, with applications ranging from cartel behavior to international diplomacy. Prereq: POLS 301 . Offered: Fall, on rotation. Subfields: Political Theory, World Politics.
  
  • POLS 417 - Political Communication (4)


    Focuses on the relationship between media and politics by examining presidential speeches, social movements, and efforts to shape public opinion in the modern era. Cross-listed with COMS 417 . Offered: Spring. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 430 - Politics of Education (4)


    Exploration of the inseparable relationship between politics and education. The topic of education will be used to examine the fundamental features of the American political system. Prereq: UCCA 102 . Offered: Fall and Spring, on rotation. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 435 - Legislative Process (4)


    Study of state and national legislatures, their internal structures, constituents, and legislators. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 443 - American Public Policy (4)


    Examination of the major political, social, economic, and technological forces influencing and shaping the nature, content, and outcomes of public policy in the United States. Subfield: American Politics.
  
  • POLS 444 - Introduction to Jurisprudence (4)


    Introduction to standard approaches to jurisprudence and their various applications to the legal and political world. Offered: Spring. Subfields: Political Theory, American Politics.
  
  • POLS 445 - Constitutional History of the United States (4)


    Review of the development of the basic concepts of American constitutional law. Subfields: Political Theory, American Politics.
  
  • POLS 449 - International Law (4)


    An introduction to international law and institutions with an emphasis on nongovernmental organizations, civil society, and individuals. Rather than focusing on national legal systems, this course will concentrate on how law has emerged and evolved in the global system. Offered: Fall. Subfield: World Politics.
  
  • POLS 450 - Law and the World (4)


    Introduction to the complex issues involved in comparing the various legal systems around the world. Subfield: World Politics.
 

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