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Section VII: Courses of Instruction
Political Science
PSCI 100. Politics and Government (3)
A consideration of concepts and issues essential to the understanding and study of politics. Classical and modern theories of the political system, including communism, fascism, democracy, and socialism are examined in an American and international context including study of specific nations. The approach of this course will be both empirical and normative.
PSCI 101. American Federal Government (3)
A study of the functions and administration of the government of the United States.
PSCI 102. State and Local Government (3)
A study of the functions and administration of the government on the state and county levels.
PSCI 201. Introduction to Public Administration (3)
An introductory study of the development, organization, procedures, processes, and human relations factors in governmental administration. Particular emphasis will be placed on the study of administrative practices in the federal, state, and local governments in the United States.
PSCI 301. Public Policy (3)
Study of public policy development and implementation in the United States, with emphasis on the ways in which cultural, political, and institutional factors may inhibit or expedite pursuit of public policies designed to meet societal needs and with consideration of selected contemporary issues of public policy within this framework.
PSCI 305. U.S. Congress (3)
Study of the United States Congress focusing on constitutional powers, theories of representation, and the electoral process. Legislative decision making and the influences upon it are demonstrated and experienced by students in a semester-long simulation of the legislative process.
PSCI 310. Parties, Politics, and Elections (3)
An examination of elections in the United States. Includes consideration of the role of political parties, the media, polling, interest groups, and professional consultants.
PSCI 315. Early Political Theory (3)
A general survey of leading theories from ancient times to the 16th century. Includes an opportunity to study the influence of political and social ideas upon the fundamental institutions of modern societies.
PSCI 316. Recent and Contemporary Political Theory (3)
The recent schools of political thought are presented with particular emphasis on the basic ideologies of the contemporary period.
PSCI 317. American Political Thought (3)
A study of the growth and development of American political concepts from the Colonial period to the present.
PSCI 320. American Judicial Process (3)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the American judicial process. Topics to be covered include basic legal concepts, civil law procedures, and criminal law procedures.
PSCI 325. Comparative Government: Western Europe (3)
A comparative study of modern political institutions with particular attention to European government and politics.
PSCI 327. Comparative Government: Soviet Union and Its Aftermath (3)
An examination of the U.S.S.R. as a 20th-century political phenomenon, with emphasis on the political concepts it typified--including revolution, Communism, and one-party rule. Explores the dynamics of political change in Russia and other former Soviet Republics.
PSCI 328. Comparative Government: Asia (3)
An examination of the governments of China, Japan, and Korea including their ideology, culture, theory, institutions, leadership, and politics, as well as their relations with other countries, will be explored.
PSCI 330. Politics and Civil Rights (3)
This course examines the politics of the African-American civil rights struggle with an emphasis on the years 1960 through 1965. The latter is often thought of as the high point of success for the Second Reconstruction. The course is divided into three major sections: 1) an overview of the politics of civil rights from the end of the Civil War through the Eisenhower administration; 2) the Kennedy-Johnson presidencies; and 3) a very brief overview of the post-Johnson years, with an emphasis on the changes that have occurred in political party strategies and public opinion as they effect and are effected by African-American civil rights.
PSCI 331. Race, Gender, and Politics (3)
The purpose of this course will be to acquaint the student with political issues that are related to race and gender. Historic, economic, legal, and ideological context will be presented. Individuals, groups, and government responses will be examined, as well as how similar issues are viewed differently in various cultures and political situations.
PSCI 343. Practicum: Public Policy and Administration (3)
This course is a form of independent study that integrates lessons learned in the classroom with supervised work experience in government. Students will be afforded the opportunity to attend seminars conducted by the Eastern Management Development Center and to work at the center. Written reports will be required as part of this class.
PSCI 397. Critical Political Issues (3)
Detailed exploration of critical issues like abortion rights, gun control, and affirmative action helps students understand and evaluate fundamental questions about policy making and the policy process in American government. Themes of the course include questions of power, checks and balances among the three branches of American government, the legitimacy of policy outcomes in the area of social regulatory policy, and the obstacles to collective action in the political realm.
PSCI 400. The Supreme Court and Constitutional Law (3)
Examines the Supreme Court as a legal and political decision-making body; analyzes the development of the American constitutional system, the evolution of fundamental doctrines in constitutional law, and the nature of Supreme Court opinions; relates Supreme Court decisions to contemporary political, social, and economic problems.
PSCI 401. Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3)
Examines Supreme Court cases and doctrines on freedom of speech, press and association, on race and sex discrimination, on privacy, on protection of criminal defendants, and on related questions; emphasizes recent decisions and ongoing development of guidelines and doctrines by the present Court; relates constitutional issues to political issues involving civil rights and civil liberties.
PSCI 403. International Relations (3)
Surveys the political relationships among states, emphasizing the methods and goals of diplomacy; analyzes concepts such as the balance of power, collective security, and the peaceful settlements of disputes.
PSCI 404. International Organization of World Governments (3)
Examines the theory and structure of international organizations with special emphasis on the U.N.; other organizations to be discussed include NATO, the European Community, OAS, and other regional organizations.
PSCI 406. American Foreign Policy Since World War II (3)
An analysis of American foreign policy since 1945. Special emphasis is placed on the Cold War rivalry between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. Recent developments will also be treated.
PSCI 407. Introduction to International Law (3)
A survey of the nature, sources, and development of international law. Study of substantive elements through case studies will be stressed.
PSCI 410. Political Ethics (3)
An examination of some contemporary issues of power, freedom, obligation, human rights, and community, in the light of major philosophical understandings of ethical behavior in the public sphere.
PSCI 411. The Politics of Poverty (3)
This course examines the variety, extent, and causes of poverty especially in the United States, the relationship of poverty to societal values, the political situation of the poor, and various policy responses.
PSCI 412. Metropolitan Politics (3)
An examination of local government in metropolitan areas; emphasis is placed on economic, demographic, and political characteristics of the urban community and their implications for effective and responsive government.
PSCI 413. Conduct of Political Inquiry I (3)
Introduction to research methods and their application to the study of politics. Topics include epistemology, empiricism, survey research and polling, elite interviewing, and document analysis. Special attention will be given to hypothesis formation, research design, and literature review. A central focus of the course is on learning to effectively evaluate the large amounts of information presented to us in daily life.
PSCI 414. Conduct of Political Inquiry II (3)
Continued exploration of research methods and their application to the study of politics. Special attention will be given to literature review, data collection, and statistical analysis. A central focus of the course is on learning to evaluate effectively the large amounts of information presented to us in daily life.
PSCI 425. Readings in Political Science (3)
An examination of a selected topic in political science devoted to extensive reading of classic, standard, and/or contemporary monographs, articles, and/or books. Specific topic and presiding professor will be announced prior to the registration period. Prerequisite: Minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
PSCI 443. Internship in Government (1-15)
This course provides full- or part-time work experience in federal, state, or local agencies; in private trade and policy organizations that are active in the public sector; or in other appropriate placements. The goal is to enable the student to gain practical knowledge of political processes, public administration, or the formation and implementation of public policy. Interns must have a 2.5 GPA, must complete half of the 128 credits required for graduation before the internship begins, must submit applications to the department early in the semester preceding the internship, and must follow the department's norms and procedures for internships. A copy of the norms and procedures is available from the department chair or from the department's coordinator of internship programs.
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