COURSES IN THE UNIVERSITY CATALOG

Course List

PSC 121: Introduction to Political Science
PSC 122: Introduction to Western Political Thought
PSC 201: United States Government
PSC 202: State and Local Government
PSC 288, 388, 488: Special Topics
PSC 301: Constitutional Law: Structure and Powers
PSC 302: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
PSC 303: Presidency and Congress
PSC 304: Political Parties/Interest Groups
PSC 305: International Relations
PSC 306: US-Foreign Policy
PSC 309: Comparative Politics
PSC 310: Public Administration
PSC 311: Administrative Law
PSC 312: Introduction to Public Policy
PSC 314: International Security
PSC 318: Research, Writing and Statistics in Political Science
PSC 387: Latin American Politics
PSC 411-419: Independent Study
PSC 471-475: Student Career Intern Program
PSC 499: Senior Seminar

Catalog Descriptions

PSC 121. Introduction to Political Science.
A study of the foundation of politics and its relation to other sciences. Emphasis will be placed upon: (1) theories pertaining to the nature and development of the state, its organization and functions; (2) the place of authority and liberty, law and rights; (3) the nature of political parties; (4) an analysis of doctrines concerned with the legitimate objectives of government; and (5) an introduction to the method and orientation of political science research with an intensive writing component. Three hours credit.

PSC 122. Introduction to Western Political Thought.
This course is an overview of the major Western political theorists. The course will emphasize the various theories on the role of government in Western thought. Three hours credit.

PSC 201. United States Government.
An analysis of the institutions and processes of government in the United States and the values on which they are based. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the individual in the political system. Three hours credit.

PSC 202. State and Local Government.
A study of local, county, municipal, and state government, its structure and functions, and powers and duties of officials and departments. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201.

PSC 288, 388, 488. Special Topics.
Variable credit. May be repeated.

PSC 301. Constitutional Law: Structure and Powers.
A study of legal concepts, traditions, and leading court decisions relating to the application of the U.S. Constitution to separation of powers and intergovernmental relations. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201.

PSC 302. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights.
A study of the United States Constitution, Statutes, and leading court decisions relating to individual freedom. Emphasis is placed on the application of the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. Three hours credit. Prerequisites: Junior Standing and PSC 201.

PSC 303. Presidency and Congress.
An examination of the U.S. Presidency and Congress. Emphasis will be placed on organization, pertinent laws, developmental history, and significant personalities of each institution. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201.

PSC 304. Political Parties/Interest Groups.
An investigation of the relationship between political parties and interest groups in the U.S. Special emphasis will be placed on political party organization, interest group categorization, campaign financing and lobbying. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201.

PSC 305. International Relations.
An introduction to international relations, problems of population and territory, commercial rivalry, power politics and factors in war and peace. Three hours credit. For students entering the university before 2005-2006 only, this course satisfies the University's Global Studies curricular requirement.

PSC 306. U.S. Foreign Policy.
Analysis of how U.S. foreign policy is made and implemented and the political, economic, and social context of foreign policy, domestic and international. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201.

PSC 309. Comparative Politics.
A comparative examination of political development, culture, actors, and policies within advanced-industrial, developing, totalitarian, and democratizing countries. Emphasis on how different countries are addressing the central challenges that all modern societies share: stimulating economic development, reducing severe inequality, limiting political violence, promoting political reform, overcoming ethnic and racial divisions, and building and deepening democracy. Three hours credit. This course satisfies the University's Global Studies curricular requirement.

PSC 310. Public Administration.
A study of the basic principles and theory of administrative structures, organizations, fiscal management, personnel, planning, and policy-making in the modern era.
Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201. This course has been eliminated from the catalog for students entering after spring 2008.

PSC 311. Administrative Law.
An analysis of the formation and implementation of public policies by regulatory agencies; the limits of power and the remedies against administrative action. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201. This course has been eliminated from the catalog for students entering after spring 2008.

PSC 312. Introduction to Public Policy.
Public policy models and processes will be introduced and specific public policies will be investigated: criminal justice, health and welfare, education, economic and tax policy, international trade and immigration, civil right, etc. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: PSC 201. This course has been eliminated from the catalog for students entering after spring 2008.

PSC 314. International Security.
An analysis of the threats to international security with emphasis on protection of citizens and territory, protection of political independence and sovereignty, and protection of national economic well-being. Three hours credit.

PSC 318. Research, Writing and Statistics in Political Science.
A practical approach to research and writing in public affairs. Topics include hypothesis development, hypothesis testing and reporting of results. Emphasis will be placed on the use of empirical evidence in writing. Three hours credit.

PSC 387. Latin American Politics.
A comparative analysis of the contemporary political systems of Latin America. Emphasis on the region's ongoing struggle to build enduring democratic political institutions that are capable of addressing the region's most pressing challenges: fostering economic growth, delivering high-quality social services to all, battling political corruption, empowering everyday citizens, and strengthening democratic governance. Three hours credit.

PSC 411-419. Independent Study.
Individual study and research under guidance of a member of the department. One to three hours credit each semester. Credit at the discretion of the department.

PSC 471-475. Student Career Intern Program.
Six to fifteen hours credit.

PSC 499. Senior Seminar.
Analysis of political institutions, processes, and policies, employing empirical political science methodology in a seminar setting. Three hours credit. Prerequisite: Senior standing.