Political Science (PSC) Courses

POLITICAL SCIENCE (PSC)

1999-2000 Bulletin Information

NOTE: The following course, PSC 130, is a prerequisite for all other courses in Political Science unless waived by the department chair.

PSC 130 Introduction to U.S. Government 3 cr

Stresses formation and principles of the United States Constitution and roles of Congress, the President, and the Courts in the American system of government. Considers popular participation in politics, rights and responsibilities of citizens, and current public problems.

PSC 210 Public Policy 3 cr

Examination of selected functions and policies of the U.S. Government, with special emphasis on the relationship between politics and the socio-economic environment. Emphasis is placed upon the political, economic, and historical variables as they affect contemporary public policy output.

PSC 230 Current Political Issues 3 cr

An examination of the perennial political questions as they arise in current political issues and the arguments supporting different positions on the issues.

PSC 232 State and Local Governments 3 cr

An overview of state and local government systems. An analysis of administration and politics within states and localities and an examination of state and local governmental action.

PSC 250 Comparative Politics 3 cr

Introduction into the basic differences and similarities of the major political systems of the world. Emphasis is placed upon governmental structures and processes.

PSC 251 World Leaders 3 cr

This course introduces students to the concept of leadership and focuses on the lives and achievements of a number of influential 20th century leaders. Prerequisites: PSC 130 or permission of Department Chair.

PSC 270 International Relations 3 cr

The fundamental forces which motivate the foreign policies of states; the international relations of states with special reference to the balance-of-power system; problems of international politics.

PSC 310 Introduction to Political Inquiry 3 cr

Examines the concepts and techniques of systematic political analyses. (Identical to CJ 310.)

PSC 311 Political Thought I 3 cr

An examination of the central themes of classical Western political thought through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Plato, Aristole, Augustine, and Aquinas.

PSC 312 Political Thought II 3 cr

An examination of the seminal themes of modern Western political thought through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.

PSC 313 Political Thought III (W) 3 cr

An examination of the developing themes of modern Western political thought through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Burke, Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche.

PSC 320 Foundations of American Legal Principles 3 cr

A study of the basic documents and cases that undergird the unique aspects of American law and its legal system. PSC 320 credit may be applied as elective credit toward a degree but cannot be included in the 36 hours required for a PSC major.

PSC 330 Judicial Process (W) 3 cr

The study of the American judicial process at the federal and state court levels. (Identical to CJ 330).

PSC 331 Constitutional Law I 3 cr

Principles of constitutional powers and liberties will be examined through an analysis of decisions and opinions by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Identical to CJ 331).

PSC 332 Constitutional Law II 3 cr

An examination of constitutional principles under the Fourteenth and First Amendments through an analysis of decisions and opinions by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Identical to CJ 332).

PSC 334 Public Administration (W) 3 cr

National, state, and local administration, with special attention to the relationship between formal agency structure and policy execution.

PSC 338 Parties and Political Participation 3 cr

Examines the nature of participation in the political process with special emphasis on political parties, interest groups and voting.

PSC 347 Public Opinion and Political Participation 3 cr

The formation, composition, distribution, and measurement of public opinions and its effect upon public policy.

PSC 360 Politics of Europe 3 cr

Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the European countries, with a special focus on Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia.

PSC 363 Politics of Latin America 3 cr

Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the Latin American countries.

PSC 364 Politics of Africa 3 cr

Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the countries of Sub-Sahara Africa.

PSC 365 Middle East Politics 3 cr

Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the countries of North Africa and the Middle East.

PSC 368 Politics of South Asia 3 cr

Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the South Asian countries.

PSC 372 American Foreign Policy 3 cr

The traditional features, the formulation, the instruments, and the general trends of American diplomacy.

PSC 421 American Political Thought I (W) 3 cr

An examination of the central themes of American political thought through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Roger Williams, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Thoreau, Calhoun, and Lincoln.

PSC 422 American Political Thought II (W) 3 cr

An examination of the central themes of American political thought the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Tocqueville, Sumner, Veblen, Lippmann, Niebuhr, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

PSC 436 The Politics and Process of Urban Government 3 cr

A study of Urban growth with an analysis of the major problems facing large cities of this country. Political, administrative, social, and economic aspects will be covered.

PSC 437 Legislative Process in the United States 3 cr

Principles, procedures, and problems of law making, with special attention given to the U.S. Congress.

PSC 438 The American Presidency (W) 3 cr

A study of the presidency in its institutional context, with an emphasis on competing strategies of executive decision making and leadership.

PSC 440 Advanced Studies in Public Policy 3 cr

Advanced study of the trends in the sub-field of public policy, major themes, or more specialized treatment of a specific area. May be repeated for credit when content varies. Prerequisites: PSC 130 and CJ 205. (Identical to CJ 440).

PSC 450 Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 3 cr

Advanced study in the area of comparative politics. May be repeated when subject matter varies. Prerequisites: PSC 130 and 250.

PSC 470 Advanced Studies in International Relations 3 cr

Advanced study in the field of international relations. May be repeated for credit when subject matter varies. Prerequisites: PSC 130 and 270.

PSC 481 Public Policy and Aging 3 cr

Examines government response to the growing number of older Americans. The course examines the policy process and focuses on such issues as retirement, pensions, health care, housing, social services, and intergenerational issues. Elder advocacy and the long term political consequences of demographic changes are also addressed.

PSC 484 Political Corruption 3 cr

Study of the causes and consequences of political corruption from a comparative and national perspective. Special attention is given to corruption in the area of criminal justice. Prerequisite: PSC 130, or IS 100, or CJ 205, or permission of department chair. (Identical to CJ 484.)

PSC 490 Special Topics 3 cr

Study of a significant topic or problem in political science. May be repeated once for credit when the content varies.

PSC 494 Directed Studies 1-3 cr

Under the guidance of a faculty member, the student will pursue directed research or readings on an approved topic in political science. May be repeated for credit. Student must have senior standing and prior approval to sign up for the course.

PSC 496 Professional Studies: Internship 3-9 cr

Relates the intern’s classroom studies with occupational and professional experiences in an approved government or para-governmental agency. Written reports required. Course may be repeated for a maximum of twelve hours’ credit. Prerequisites: Open only to political science majors with advanced standing with permission of department chair; PSC 130.

(NOTE: PSC 130, Introduction to U.S. Government, or its equivalent, and PSC 334, Public Administration, or its equivalent, are prerequisites for each of the following courses.)

PSC 500 Public Administration Organization and Behavior: Theory and Practice 3 cr

A review and examination of the several principal, traditional, and contemporary theories of organization, policy making, and administration. Field problems and case studies are stressed.

PSC 510 Intergovernmental Relations 3 cr

Broad survey of empirical research and theoretical elaboration involving the historical, political, fiscal, and administrative relationships among the various levels of government in the American federal system.

PSC 520 Research Methods and Design 3 cr

Social science research methodologies will be used to help students develop skills for policy analysis and decision making in the public service. Stresses the understanding of research methods and data collection in a Public Administration setting. Theoretical development and elaboration, and an overview of the variety of research designs used in social science research will be included.

PSC 530 Quantitative Analysis 3 cr

Focus is on application of statistical analysis techniques to Public Administration problems and issues. Computer analysis and interpretation of descriptive statistics will be emphasized. Topics will include fundamentals of probability, sampling, hypothesis testing, point estimation, association, correlation, and multi variate analysis.

PSC 540 Governmental Personnel Management 3 cr

This course will cover contemporary topics in public personnel administration, including public-employee unionization, relevance of the traditional civil-service approach, the challenge of employee productivity and motivation, equal opportunity, and public service ethics.

PSC 550 Managing the Public Budget 3 cr

This course emphasizes the political management and public-policy implications of budget reform. The conceptual framework for program and performance budgeting will be explored, as well as the increasing congressional role in federal budget policy.

PSC 570 Administrative Law 3 cr

This course emphasizes the relationship between administrative processes of government and the legal system. Attention is given not only to the administrative process involving formal adjudication, rule making, and judicial review, but also to those processes involving formal and unreviewed discretionary action. Students propose legal resolutions to contemporary administrative issues.

PSC 580 Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation 3 cr

A practical introduction to policy analysis and program evaluation including a general overview of conceptual frameworks by which evaluations are conducted and an examination of the various qualitative and quantitative techniques by which policy outcomes and programs are analyzed. Designed to develop skills necessary for conducting evaluations and assessing the validity and credibility of evaluations conducted by others. Prerequisites: PSC 520 and 530.

PSC 581 Public Policy and Aging 3 cr

PSC 584 Political Corruption 3 cr

Study of the causes, consequences of political corruption is given from a comparative and national perspective. Special attention is given to corruption in the area of criminal justice.

PSC 590 Special Topics 3 cr

Study of a significant topic in Public Administration. May be repeated for credit when the content varies.

PSC 594 Directed Studies 1-6 cr

Under the guidance of a faculty member, student will pursue directed study of approved topics in public administration. For non-thesis students.

PSC 596 Professional Studies: Internship Public Administration 3-9 cr, max. of 9 hours credit

Relates the participants’ classroom studies to occupational and professional experiences in an approved public agency. Written reports required. May be taken for a total of twelve hours. (For further details, see section on internship.)

PSC 599 Thesis 4-8 cr