Courses in Political Science
PSC 100.
Introduction to Political Science.
This course is designed as a broadly-based introduction to the discipline of political science. It will acquaint students with the concepts, structures, trends, and belief systems that form the basis of political activity throughout the world. Those taking the course will leave with an enhanced understanding of - if not appreciation for - the multiple ideologies, institutions, issues, and actors that shape and drive politics. 3 credits.
PSC 110.
American National Government.
This course provides a survey of key developments, institutions, and issues in American politics. Topics include the ideas that shaped the original American political system, the presidency; Congress and federal courts; the operation of political parties and interest groups; domestic and foreign policy debates; and contemporary issues such as civil rights and affirmative action.
PSC 207.
Europe in the 20th Century.
An introduction to the main political, social, economic and intellectual developments in twentieth-century Europe. The major themes of the course include the experience of the two world wars; the development of fascist and communist regimes under Lenin and Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler; the weakness of the western democracies after World War I; the Holocaust; the Cold War; the Communist Bloc; the end to colonialism; the European Union; the development of the welfare state, and the new nationalism. Writing process. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 210.
Comparative Politics.
This is an introduction to the study of comparative politics: the comparison of political systems in order to understand how and why these systems function differently. The course is built around three fundamental questions: What is comparative politics? What kinds of phenomena do we compare? What are the major theoretical approaches that guide our studies? We also examine distinctions between the "developing" and the "developed" worlds, and between authoritarian and democratic political regimes. Prerequisites: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 211.
The Developing Nations.
A survey of the developing nations of Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This class explores why some countries are "developed" and others not? The course examines some of the major explanations for development, both economic and political. Following an overview of each of the developing regions, the class will analyze some of the major issues facing developing nations today. Topics include democratization, religion and politics, ethnic conflict, women and development, and revolution. Prerequisites: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. Writing process. Foreign Studies. 3 credits.
PSC 212.
Politics of Latin America.
The course is designed as an introduction to Latin American politics. We focus on two major trends that have characterized the region throughout its post-independence history: episodic waves of political democratization and democratic breakdown, and a common but changing series of economic systems. We also examine the political role played by the military, the quest for political equality among various groups in society, and the evolving political and economic relationships between Latin America and the U.S. 3 credits.
PSC 213.
Politics of the Middle East.
Politics of the Middle East. Sometimes called the cradle of civilization, the Middle East is home to approximately 330 million people, vast oil resources, and the worlds? fastest-growing religion. It also faces formidable political, social and economic challenges. In fact, it may well be the most contentious region in the world today. This course examines selected domestic and international political developments in the modern Middle East. We discuss Arabism, political Islam, secular-religious tensions within and between Middle East states, and state-society relations (e.g., opposition movements, human rights, gender issues). We also analyze international relations within and without the region, namely the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Iraq-Iran conflict, and U.S. foreign policy toward the region (including the impact of the war on terrorism). We will supplement our readings and discussions with several films and periodic guest speakers (depending upon availability). An underlying theme of the course is the potential for democratization in the Middle East. 3 credits.
PSC 215.
Law and Government.
This course uses key cases to study important doctrines established by the Supreme Court with respect to the structure and functions of the constitutional system (judicial, legislative and executive power and federalism). There is a particular emphasis on various forms of textual interpretation used by individual justices to apply the Constitution in deciding cases and writing opinions. Prerequisites: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. PSC 110 strongly recommended. 3 credits.
PSC 230.
Electing the President.
This course uses the current presidential election as a case study from which students can analyze the history of American parties and elections. The course will use political science concepts such as realignment and dealignment to study the rise and fall of the various "party systems" in American history, and will attempt to place the current presidential election within its historical context. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. [Cross-listed as History 230.]
PSC 245.
International Relations.
This course is designed to introduce students to the study of international relations. The course hinges on a series of questions: Who are the principal actors in the international system? What are the theoretical ways of discerning why these actors do what they do? How has the international system evolved into its present form? What are the central issues confronting the international system? Topics addressed include weapons of mass destruction, ecology, terrorism, political economy, development, and dependency. 3 credits.
PSC 250.
Public Policy Analysis.
This course describes the public policy process and analyzes various areas of substantive domestic policy at the national level. Topics covered include budgeting and taxation, education, health, welfare, and the environment. Prerequisites sophomore standing and PSC 110 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 261.
Congress and the Legislative Process.
An examination of the Congress as an institution undergoing dynamic change; emphasis upon recruitment of legislators, institutional and informal rules, the committee system, and legislative procedures. 3 credits.
PSC 262.
The Presidency in the Political System.
Both the institution of the presidency and the person of the president will be examined from a number of analytical perspectives. Some of the specific topics we will be covering include: presidential history; the relationship between the presidency and the public via campaigns and elections, public opinion, the mass media, political parties, and interest groups; the presidential institution and the psychological elements of presidents; inter-branch relations among the presidency, Congress, and the courts; and the presidency and domestic, economic, and foreign policymaking. 3 credits.
PSC 310.
Comparative Political Institutions.
Institutions are generally defined either as the structures of politics, or the rules of the political game accepted by all--or virtually all--important players. Traditionally, the most important of these political institutions are the constitution, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. In this course, we will examine major political insitutions from a comparative perspective. We will consider cases in both the developed and developing worlds. Prerequisites: junior standing and PSC 210 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 312.
American Foreign Policy.
This course offers a two-part examination of American foreign policy. The first part will be an extensive survey of U.S. foreign policy from its inception as a nation through today. A critical theme will be the U.S. tradition of unilateralism, not isolationism. The second part will examine the policy-making process itself, focusing on the multiple actors and cross-cutting interests that comprise U.S. foreign policy decision-making. Writing process. Prerequisites: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 313.
Diplomacy and Security Studies.
The course will examine all areas in which contemporary U.S. Security Policy is formulated and implemented. The overall goal of the course is for students to develop their abilities to interrelate the concepts and substance of U.S. security. Writing Process. 3 credits.
PSC 316.
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights.
This course uses key cases to study important doctrines established by the Supreme Court with respect to civil rights and civil liberties. Students will examine the Court's rulings concerning the establishment and free exercise of religion, protection of freedom of speech and of the press, privacy rights (abortion and sexual freedom), the rights of the accused in the criminal justice system, and the law governing racial or sexual discrimination. The course places particular emphasis on various forms of textual interpretation used by individual justices to apply the Constitution in deciding cases and writing opinions. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and permission of the instructor. PSC 110 strongly recommended. Writing Process. 3 credits.
PSC 320.
Electoral Politics.
The dynamics of the electoral process in the United States, with emphasis on the role of parties, public opinion and interest groups. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and PSC 110, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 330.
State and Local Government.
Governmental institutions, characteristics of state and local political systems and the major inter-governmental problems in state and local relations with federal government. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and PSC 110 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 345.
Political Philosophy.
Students in this course study the development of Western political thought from Classical Greece to modern times, examining the conceptual evolution of citizenship, civic obligation, and the nature of justics and exploring the connection between moral and positive law in the western tradition. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the instructor. Writing Process. Disciplinary Perspectives. [Cross-listed as Philosophy 345.] 3 credits.
PSC 360.
Teaching Citizenship of Education In Secondary Schools.
A course for those preparing to teach history, political science, economics, and geography at the secondary level. Topics include issues and trends in secondary education, history of historical pedagogy, professional development and course enrichment resources, teaching techniques, the uses of technology and student motivational techniques. Prerequisites:Admission to the Citizenship Education program. 3 credits. Required for all political science majors seeking citizenship education certification. Does not count towards the major. [Cross-listed as History 360.]
PSC 370.
Research Methods in Political Science.
This is an introduction to the design and evaluation of political research: formulating clear hypotheses, developing appropriate measures, and analyzing data using simple statistical methods and qualitative techniques; emphasizes clear exposition of arguments, interpretation, and findings. Prerequisite: junior standing or perimission of the instructor. 3 credits.
PSC 380.
EU Simulation.
This course will offer an enriching, hands-on, interdisciplinary exploration of the dynamic processes of policy formation in the core institutions of the European Union. Students will prepare for participation in the simulation held each November in Washington D.C., organized by the Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation Consortium (MEUSC). This experiential learning program endeavors to connect American students to EU policy makers and policy making in a unique way, utilizing the simulation experience to bridge the gap between the academic study of the EU and the actual political processes of the European Union. Students will be engaged in discussions and debates about the EU that are current and topical in EU decision-making circles. A distinct theme is chosen as the focus of the simulation each year (for example, climate change in 2008). 3 credits.
PSC 400.
Internship.
Field experience in a political science environment. Prerequisite: GPA of 2.50 in major and permission of department chair. 3-6 credits fall or spring semester; 3-12 credits during the summer.
PSC 497.
Seminar in Legal Foundations.
This capstone seminar examines the historical and philosophical development of constitutional law in the Unites States; the seminar emphasizes the dynamic relationship between the law and moral and political philosophy. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and completion of either PHL 215 or PSC/PHL 220. Writing process. 3 credits.
PSC 498.
Seminar in Politics.
This seminar allows junior and senior political science majors to pursue a research interest within a broad topic area prescribed for each semester the seminar is given. Students will present their work at an undergraduate research conference hosted by a regional university. Prerequisites: major in political science and junior or senior standing. Writing process. 3 credits.
PSC 499.
Seminar in World Politics.
This seminar allows junior and senior political science majors to pursue a research interest within the context of international politics. In addition to a substantive research paper on an international subject, students will track contemporary issues of the international community through weekly presentations and discussions. Among the likely topics are terrorism; weapons of mass destruction, globalization; ecopolitics; women's rights; and political economy, among others. Students will present their papers at an undergraduate research conference hosted by a regional university. Prerequisites: major in political science and junior or senior standing and PSC 130 or permission of the instructor. Writing process. 3 credits.