Introduction to Political Science is designed to give undergraduate students an understanding of American political systems, from foundational principles to contemporary politics. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. political structure, focusing on the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) at the federal, state, and local levels. Emphasis is placed on the separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and public policy formulation, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to become informed voters and engaged citizens.

The course is accessible to all students, including those with no prior political background or international students from different political systems. Students will explore key historical documents, such as the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and learn about political terminology, the voting process, and party influence. 

This course encourages active participation through interactive platforms like Mentimeter, enhancing learning through live quizzes, word clouds, and in-class polling.

Topics:
The democratic republic, forging a new government: the Constitution, federalism, civil rights, public opinion, political socialization and the media, interest groups and political parties, campaigns and elections, Congress, and the president. 

Textbook:
Schmidt, S. W., Shelley, M. C., & Bardes, B. A. (2023). American Government and Politics Today: Brief Edition 2023-2024. Cengage Learning.

Semesters Taught:
Fall 2024, 2025, 2026
Winter 2025, 2026
Spring 2025, 2026

Fake News is designed to help students make sense of the chaotic online world that we live in. From viral TikToks to conspiracy-laced Instagram infographics, the internet is overflowing with information that is not always true. 

This course helps students build the skills they need to tell fact from fiction, ask the right questions, and become more responsible digital citizens. Through real-world examples and hands-on analysis, students will learn how to evaluate sources, spot red flags, and think critically in a time when misinformation spreads fast and wide.  

This course encourages active participation through interactive platforms like Mentimeter, enhancing learning through live quizzes, word clouds, and in-class polling.

Topics:
Have you ever wondered how conspiracy theories form and why they spread so quickly? Why do people believe and share misinformation, even when evidence contradicts it? How can you use fact-checking tools to evaluate what you see online?

In this course, we will explore the political and psychological factors that shape how people process information. We will examine how the digital age has transformed the way we consume, interpret, and trust information, using real-world examples of viral content from social media.

The course distinguishes between key concepts such as satire, misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, clickbait, and algorithm-driven content.

Textbook:
Pending

Semesters Taught:
Spring 2026

Contemporary Social Issues examines major issues shaping society today, including politics, inequality, and social structures. Students explore where these issues come from, who they affect, and how people and institutions respond to them over time.

Students analyze social media, news, music, and events to examine how social issues are presented in everyday life. Through discussions, activities, and projects, students connect historical context, public opinion, and media representation. 

This course encourages active participation through interactive platforms like Mentimeter, enhancing learning through live quizzes, word clouds, and in-class polling.

Topics:
What are the most pressing social issues today? Why do poverty and economic inequality continue to shape everyday life? Who holds power in society, and how is it influenced?

This course explores how public opinion is measured and reflected through polling data using YouGov. Students will learn how to interpret survey data, including sampling methods and their limitations, while analyzing how contemporary social issues emerge, evolve, and are debated in today’s society.

Textbook:
OpenStax CNX. (n.d.). Social Problems: Continuity and Change. LibreTexts.
https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Social_Work_and_Human_Services/Social_Problems_-_Continuity_and_Change

Semesters Taught:
Winter 2026
Spring 2026

United States History is designed to provide students with a broad overview of the people, ideas, institutions, and events that shaped the United States from 1776 through the Civil War. 

Particular focus is given to the development of American political institutions, the constitutional foundations of government, and the debates over federalism, representation, and individual rights that emerged during this formative period. The course examines how early struggles over governance, law, and national identity continue to shape the structure and values of American political life today. 

This course encourages active participation through interactive platforms like Mentimeter, enhancing learning through live quizzes, word clouds, and in-class polling.

Topics:
Looking at the United States today raises questions about how the nation first took shape. How did early societies and colonial experiences lay the foundation for what would become the United States? What led to the American Revolution, and how was a new nation formed?

This course traces the development of pre-colonial societies and early global connections through colonial life and expansion. It explores the American Revolution and the early republic, focusing on the people, ideas, and conflicts that shaped everyday life. The course also examines westward expansion, changing social and economic systems, and the growing divisions over slavery that led to the Civil War, highlighting how these experiences reshaped the nation over time.

Textbook:
OpenStax. (2014). U.S. History. OpenStax. https://cnx.org/contents/p7ovuIkl@3.30:gMXC1GEM@3

Semesters Taught:
Spring 2025, 2026

College Writing and Critical Analysis is designed to strengthen students' critical thinking, writing, and communication skills through a variety of rhetorical approaches and structured essay formats. The course emphasizes foundational communication principles, enabling students to analyze rhetorical situations, develop coherent arguments, and refine their writing through structured revision and feedback. Key skills include effective brainstorming strategies, thesis development, and the proper formation of essays in APA formatting. This course encourages active participation through interactive platforms like Mentimeter, enhancing learning through live quizzes, word clouds, and in-class polling.

Topics:
Reading critically and analyzing rhetorical situations, essay structure and development, writing modes, research methods, and proper citations, and the importance of revision and feedback.

Textbook:
Van Rys, J., Meyer, V., VanderMey, R., & Sebranek, P.. (2022). The College Writer: A Guide to Thinking, Writing, and Researching (7th ed.). Cengage Learning

Semesters Taught:
Fall 2024

Fundamentals of Communications introduces students to essential communication principles, including public speaking, media literacy, and interpersonal skills. Students develop both written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on crafting effective speeches, understanding cultural contexts, and enhancing digital media fluency. Throughout the course, students participate in individual and group presentations, gain insights into the impact of media, and build portfolios showcasing their communication proficiency. This course encourages active participation through interactive platforms like Mentimeter, enhancing learning through live quizzes, word clouds, and in-class polling.

Topics:
Defining and modeling communication, perceptions, listening, and cultural communication, verbal and nonverbal dimensions, media literacy and digital communication, public speaking and presentation skills, group communication and collaboration, and developing a digital portfolio.  

Textbook:
Wood, J. T., & Hains, C. (2024). Communication in our lives (9th ed.). Cengage.

Semesters Taught:
Fall 2024, 2025

GLI 212.30 was designed and taught for the first time by Cheryl Hege in Winter 2024. The course was designed for undergraduate students at Stony Brook University's Institute for Globalization Studies. The course was taught asynchronously and was open to all undergraduate students at Stony Brook University. 

GLI 212.30 Global Data Analysis provides an introduction to both qualitative and quantitative  data analysis within a global context

Topics:
Qualitative (understanding non-numerical aspects of data through meaning and context) and Quantitative (numerical interpretations to find patterns and relationships in data) research methods.  Additionally, students will learn what goes into interviewing human subjects, interpreting data visualizations, and using real-world examples to understand global issues.

Textbook:
Open source information  

Semesters Taught:
Winter 2024

GLI 212.21 was designed and taught for the first time by Cheryl Hege in Summer 2022. The course was designed specifically for undergraduate students at Stony Brook University's Institute for Globalization Studies. The course was taught asynchronously and was open to all undergraduate students at Stony Brook University. 

GLI 212.21 Terrorism and Global Security offered a multi-faceted look at what terrorism is, how it is defined in different countries, the psychology behind it, as well as the linkages with global security, and the challenges that stem from an increasingly globalized world.

Topics:
International and Domestic Law Mechanisms, Psychological Manipulation, Databases, Militarized Cities, Terrorist Manifestos, Counterterrorism

Textbook:
Open source information and the Global Terrorism Database

Semesters Taught:
Summer 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026