political Science department
- Political Science 11 is required of all
Political Science majors and is a prereq-
uisite for advanced courses. It is recom-
mended that Political Science 150 be
taken before courses numbered 151-159.
- Political Science 11 Power and Politics
Offered every semester
An introduction to the world of politics
and power, from the workplace to the
United States Supreme Court. Topics
include the family, the community, the
evolution of the nation-state, forms of
political organization, state and federal
governments, the Constitution,
Congress, the presidency, and other
political institutions and formations.
Three credits.
- I. American Institutions and
Political Practices
- Political Science 120 Power in America
Offered Fall 2008
What is the nature of power in
American society? How is it distributed?
How is it used? An examination of the
different theories of social, economic and
political power; the interrelationships
among those types of power; the role of
race and culture; and the effective use of
power. Three credits.
- Political Science 121 The Legislative
Process
Offered Spring 2007
An analysis of lawmaking at city, state
and national levels. The impact of inter-
ests and constituents upon legislators is
considered. Selected laws are evaluated
through all stages. Three credits.
- Political Science 123 Political Parties
and Political Behavior
Offered Summer 2007
A study of the role of political parties in
American government, including prob-
lems with respect to organization,
finance, campaigns, issues and candi-
dates; their relationship to the citizen-
voter; and trends in recent studies on
political leadership, election research
and political behaviorism. Three credits.
- Political Science 124 The Media and
American Politics
Offered on occasion
An evaluation of the role of the media in
American political life. Emphasis is on
the effect of the media on leading domes-
tic and foreign policy issues, including
racism, McCarthyism, the Civil Rights
Movement, Vietnam and Watergate.
Media personalities who helped shape the
national conscience are examined.
Selected videos dealing with these topics
are presented in class. Three credits.
- Political Science 125 The American
Presidency
Offered Spring 2007
A study of executive powers and decision
making; leadership and the electoral
process; and the relationship of the
President to pressure groups, political
parties and the states. Three credits.
- Political Science 126 American
Constitutional Law
Offered Fall 2007
An analysis of constitutional principles
as expressed in major United States
Supreme Court decisions relating to
separation of powers, federalism, and reg-
ulation of business. Three credits.
- Political Science 128 Race, Sex and the
Law
Offered Spring 2007
An exploration of the role of politics,
the Constitution and the law and the
shaping of public policies in areas of race
and sex. When the law has or has not
played a positive role in advancing soci-
ety toward the goal of equality, justice,
and the promises of the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution is
considered. What are both the possibili-
ties and limits of using the law as an
instrument for social and political
progress? A major theme is whether
"group rights" exist or are emerging in
American constitutional and legal think-
ing and, if so, what their impact on the
principle of individual rights is. Three
credits.
- Political Science 129 Civil Liberties
and the American Constitution
Offered Spring 2008
A study of basic constitutional guaran-
tees of the civil liberties as interpreted by
the courts, especially through the Bill of
Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.
Three credits.
- Political Science 130 The American
Judicial System
Offered on occasion
A study of the function, structure and
decision-making process in federal and
state courts. Visits may be made to courts
and judges. Three credits.
- Political Science 132 Administration of
Criminal Justice
Offered Fall 2007
A study of the agencies that play signifi-
cant roles in determining the reality of
criminal justice in the United States.
Topics include crime statistics, the
police, criminal courts, correctional insti-
tutions, juvenile justice, organized crime,
crimes without victims, and conflicting
evaluations of American systems of
administering criminal justice. Three
credits.
- Political Science 133 Rights of the
Accused
Offered Fall 2007
An examination into the legal rights of
persons accused of crimes. Topics include
arrests - lawful and unlawful - wire-
tapping, searches, right to bail, stop-and-
frisk laws, right to counsel, privilege
against self-incrimination, right to a jury
trial, and right to a fair sentence. Three
credits.
- Political Science 134 Police and Public
Offered Spring 2007
A study of the origins of the system,
including its roles and functions. Police
and youth, minorities and the general
public; organization and control; and
professional training and behavior are
covered. Three credits.
- Political Science 139 Prisons and
Prisoners
Offered Fall 2007
A study of the origins and development
of corrections. Myths and realities; sen-
tencing, probation, imprisonment and
parole; and prisoner rights are examined.
City, state and federal systems are
reviewed. Trends. Three credits.
Political Science 140 Public
Administration
Offered Spring 2007
A study of organization and management
in executive departments and agencies at
various levels and bureaucracy, policy
formation, planning, budgeting and pro-
gram implementation. Case studies illus-
trate administrative theories and
practices Three credits.
- Political Science 143 Urban Politics
and Problems
Offered Fall 2007
A study of the urbanization process and
urban institutions. Topics include ethnic,
brokerage and reform politics; powers of
mayors and councils; and suburbia.
Critical problems, including state and
federal issues, are discussed. Three credits.
- Political Science 144 State and Local
Government
Offered Summer 2008
A study of the structure and operation of
departments, legislatures and courts.
Roles of mayor and governor; interest
groups and unions; and city-state rela-
tions are considered. Three credits.
- Political Science 145 Ethnic Politics
Offered Summer 2007
A survey of the role of ethnic groups
within the American political system.
Among the topics for analysis are ethnic
roles in party organization; ethnic politi-
cians; ethnic voting; conventional and
militant ethnic organizations; ethnic
issues in housing, education and employ-
ment; inter- and intra-ethnic conflict;
the ethnic press; and other selected top-
ics. Three credits.
- Political Science 146 The Politics of
the Civil Rights Movement
Offered Spring 2007
An examination of the politics of demo-
cratic leadership, with special emphasis
on the evolution of the American Civil
Rights Movement. Special emphasis is
placed on the relationship between
Martin Luther King and the movement
he led. Three credits.
- Political Science 147 The Dynamics of
Political Leadership
Special Fee: $55.00
Offered Fall 2008
An exploration of the broad range of
political leadership in communities,
countries and the world, with a particu-
lar eye to identifying critical elements in
the relationship between leaders and fol-
lowers. Three credits.
- Political Science 148 Political Leaders
and Community: A Practicum
Offered on occasion
practices Three credits.
The application of the theory of group
leader process to real group and leadership
experiences in the community. Students decision-making process in federal and
state courts. Visits may be made to courts
and judges. Three credits.
cant roles in determining the reality of
criminal justice in the United States.
Topics include crime statistics, the
police, criminal courts, correctional insti-
tutions, juvenile justice, organized crime,
crimes without victims, and conflicting
evaluations of American systems of
administering criminal justice. Three
credits.
- II. International Relations-
Foreign Policy
Political Science 150 World Politics
Offered Spring 2007
Introduction to the systematic study of
international relations. The nature of
state behavior in the international
system - its parameters, major actors,
forces and patterns of conflict and coop-
eration - are reviewed. The major
theories of international relations from
the realist school to liberal/idealist, and
Marxist/dependency approaches to world
politics are examined. Cycles of "hege-
monic" leadership and the origins, scope
and future direction of American global
power are considered. Three credits.
- Political Science 151 American Foreign
Policy
Offered Fall 2007, Fall 2008
An introduction to the sources,
processes, policies, goals and major
debates in American Foreign policy since
World War II. The focus is on the glob-
alization of American foreign policy, the
development of the Cold War, the
dimensions of East-West rivalry (with
their domestic consequences) and the
development of an interventionist policy
in the Third World. An analysis of
American involvement in Vietnam, the
major foreign policy failure in the post-
war era, calling into question all the
assumptions of American foreign policy
since 1945. An examination of the evo-
lution of the American commitment to
Vietnam and the major institutional
forces shaping policy.
Three credits.
- Political Science 152 Soviet and
Russian Foreign Policy
Offered Fall 2007
An analysis of the dynamics and central
problems of Soviet foreign policy; discus-
sion of ideological roots and the impact
of Leninism and Stalinism; world rela-
tions, Sino-Soviet split and the Third
World; evolution of peaceful coexistence;
and detente and new partnerships.
Special attention is given to the problem
of reformulating foreign policy in an era
of the breakup of the dominant role of
the Communist Party, the breakdown of
central Soviet power, and the emergence
of a new Russia. Three credits.
- Political Science 153 International
Political Economy
Offered Fall 2007, Fall 2008
An introduction to the study of political
economy: the interrelationships between
politics and economics (power and
wealth) demonstrated by many current
issues, including development in the
global South, economic restructuring in
formerly Communist countries, foreign
aid, the roles of transnational corpora-
tions, the International Monetary Fund
and the World Bank, and the question of
the link between democracy and free
markets. A review is conducted of major
theoretical approaches and methodolo-
gies. Three credits.
- Political Science 154 Human Rights in
International Politics
Offered Fall 2007
A study of the role of human rights in inter-
national politics and the impact of human
rights considerations on foreign and domes-
tic policies of states; the study of conceptual
and historical issues, including the struggle
between human rights claims and state sov-
ereignty, the Cold War and the politiciza-
tion of human rights, and the significance of
grassroots human rights movements in the
world; and the role of the United Nations
and non-governmental organizations. An
analysis is made of case studies of human
rights abuses and reactions of the interna-
tional community. Three credits.
- Political Science 157 Intelligence and
Covert Operations in U.S. Foreign
Policy
Offered on occasion
An examination of the use of intelli-
gence in government decision making
and covert operations in U.S. foreign
policy as a middle ground between diplo-
macy and direct military intervention.
The methods of intelligence gathering,
analysis and operations and the how and
why policy-makers decide on the option
of covert action are explored, as are the
tensions between secrecy and democratic
accountability; foreign policy decisions
and strategic choices; the role of the CIA
and its key missions - espionage, coun-
terintelligence and covert operations;
and other civilian and military intelli-
gence bodies. Case studies of covert
operations are reviewed. Three credits
Offered Fall 2007
- Political Science 158 The Politics of
the Vietnam War
Offered Spring 2007
The study of the Vietnam War and the
Vietnam revolution. Antecedents of the
"American" war, including the history of
Western intervention in Vietnam, grad-
ual American involvement, and the
American defeat and its aftermath are
explored, as are the roots of peasant anti-
colonialism, the revolutionary
Communist movement and its eventual
triumph. An examination is made of the
experiences and struggles of those who
fought the war, both American and
Vietnamese; United States foreign policy
goals and the Cold War; and the impact
of the war on Vietnam and its people.
Three credits.
Political Science 159 Introduction to
International Law
Offered on occasion
An introduction to the nature and oper-
ations of international law and interna-
tional organizations. The interaction
between law, politics, international orga-
nizations and the global environment is
emphasized. Three credits.
- III. Foreign Political Systems-
Comparative Politics
- Political Science 160 Comparative
Politics of Europe
Offered on occasion
An analysis of the political systems of
major Western European states and con-
temporary developments. Three credits.
- Political Science 161 Concepts and
Theories in Comparative Politics
Offered Fall 2007
A review of the basic theoretical frame-
works, concepts, approaches and
methodologies in comparative politics.
The study of major authors, key texts and
theories, including modernization, politi-
cal culture, corporatism, dependency,
bureaucratic authoritarianism, rational
choice, democratic transition theory and
others is conducted. Comparative analy-
sis is made of distinctive political systems
and their development. Three credits
- Political Science 162 Soviet and Post-
Soviet Political Systems
Offered Spring 2007
An examination of the evolution of the
political and governmental systems, the
impact of Marxism and Leninism, the
Communist Party, and the development
of Stalinism and its legacy. A study is
conducted of contemporary innovations;
problems of economics, nationalities and
union breakup; the law and legal system;
the politics of the republics and inter-
republic tensions; and the dual struggle
and search for democracy and coherent
union relationships in the period of the
breakdown of central Soviet power and
the transition to democratic institutions
and practices. Three credits.
- Political Science 164 Latin American
Politics
Offered Fall 2007
The politics of Latin America in revolu-
tion and reform, military coups and
democracy movements, human rights
struggles and experiments with economic
models from socialism to laissez-faire cap-
italism. The political, social and eco-
nomic developments in Latin America
are examined, with special attention to
historical antecedents, recent democrati-
zation processes, social and economic
conditions, the role of the military, and
current issues, such as the impact of glob-
alization. The effects of American for-
eign policy and major theories explaining
Latin American development and poli-
tics are also included. Three credits.
- Political Science 165 Contemporary
Asian Politics
Offered Spring 2007
A study of the governments and politics
of contemporary Asian countries - the
great political and cultural diversity of
East Asia, from Japan and South Korea to
the Communist countries of China and
Vietnam, to Thailand and Indonesia.
How the governments work, political tra-
ditions, the role of democracy and politi-
cal participation, government-business
relations, social forces and global influ-
ences are all considered. Three credits.
- Political Science 166 The Politics of
Development
Offered Spring 2007, Spring 2009
A study of the process of modernization
and development, with examples from
Latin America, Africa and Asia. The
relationship between politics and eco-
nomics, socialism and capitalism, and
peasant, intellectual and bureaucracy are
examined. Three credits.
- Political Science 167 Revolutionary
Theory and Governments
Offered Fall 2007
An examination of the various
approaches and theories of revolution
developed to explain the major political
and social revolutions and upheavals of
our time. From the French Revolution in
1789 to the recent Zapatistas in Chiapas,
Mexico, revolution can be studied for
what it reveals about the political
process, the breakdown of that process,
the role of the state, international/
domestic factors, the function of ideology
and socio-political change. The most
prominent theories about revolution and
an analysis of the historical/sociological
and ideological elements of revolution in
specific cases. Three credits.
- IV. Political Theory
- Political Science 170 Classical Political
Theory
Offered Fall 2007
An analysis of political thought from
Plato through the Middle Ages. Special
focus is on the position of the individual,
authority of the state, citizenship, liberty
and order. Three credits.
- Political Science 171 Modern Political
Theory
Offered Spring 2008
An exploration of political thought from
Machiavelli through Marx. Questions of
liberty, obligations and order, and the
individual and the state are discussed.
Three credits.
- Political Science 173 American
Political Thought
Offered Fall 2007
An examination of American political
thought with respect to constitution-
making, rights, the federal union, and
trends in liberalism and conservatism.
Three credits.
- Political Science 174 Contemporary
Political Theory
Offered Fall 2007
An examination of the major trends in
twentieth century political theory. Focus
is on democratic theory, postmodernism,
feminism, theories of justice, communi-
tarianism, and liberal individualism,
among others. Three credits.
- Political Science 175 Comparative
Democratic Theory
Offered Spring 2008
A contextual and theoretical study of the
development and maturation of modern
democratic theory. Focus is on the devel-
opment and critique of rights-based
democratic theory and the problems
associated with theories of justice, com-
munitarianism, feminism and others.
Three credits.
- Political Science 176 Marxism
Offered Fall 2008
A historical and theoretical introduction
to the work of Karl Marx and Frederick
Engels. The course examines the eco-
nomic, political and ideological environ-
ment in which Marxism developed;
considers Marx's and Engel's work in phi-
losophy, economic history, politics, and
ideology; and evaluates the content of
their activities. Three credits.
- Political Science 185 Seminar:
Political Inquiry
Required of all Political Science majors
Open to juniors and seniors only
Offered every Spring
An analysis of the different ways political
scientists ask questions and study politics
and how such modes of inquiry affect
their answers about what happens in pol-
itics. Emphasis is on understanding the
major theoretical frameworks in the
study of politics and the application of
those theories to an important research
problem in politics. Three credits.
- Political Science 190-191 Senior Honors Thesis
Political Science 190 offered every Fall
Political Science 191 offered every Spring
A yearlong program designed to chal-
lenge students, who will work closely
with a faculty mentor in shaping a thesis
idea, developing a methodology, and
writing a high-quality research thesis. To
be eligible, students must be seniors with
a major grade point average of 3.25 or
better and an overall cumulative grade
point average of 3.00 or better and have
approval of the Political Science
Department. Students contemplating the
Senior Honors Thesis are encouraged to
develop a thesis topic in the Spring of
their junior year. The thesis prospectus
should be developed with the approval of
the faculty mentor and a second and
third faculty reader. The Senior Honors
Thesis is a requirement for students wish-
ing to graduate with honors as a Political
Science major. Students should register
for 190 in the Fall and 191 in the Spring.
No credit will be awarded unless both
courses are completed successfully. Three
credits per semester.
- Political Science 195, 196 Honors
Study
Honors Study is designed to give out-
standing students an opportunity to do
independent work in their major under
the guidance of a member of the faculty.
There are no regular class meetings. To
be eligible, students must have upper-
junior or senior status, a cumulative
quality-point ratio of 3.00 and a 3.25
ratio in their major subject, and the per-
mission of the Chair of the Department
and the Dean. A total of six credits of
Honors Study is the maximum allowed.
Three credits per semester.
- Political Science 197, 198 Independent
Study/Internship
Prerequisite: Permission of Chair of the
Department and the Dean
The usual undertaking is research associ-
ated with working assignments closely
related to the student's specific courses.
Students may develop internships. Three
credits per semester.
Political Science 200 Series Select
Topics in Political Science
Offered every year
An opportunity to explore in depth
select critical issues, problems and fron-
tiers in political science. Topics vary
from year to year and promote the con-
cept of experimentation. Three credits.
Political Science courses numbered in the
500s and listed below are graduate courses
open to qualified undergraduate students
with the permission of the Department
Chair.
- Political Science 505 Foundations of
Political Theory
Political Science 508 Seminar in
Political Theory
Political Science 509 Revolutionary
Theory and Government
Political Science 510 Violence and
Terrorism
Political Science 520 Poverty, Politics
and Law
Political Science 521 The Electoral
Process
Political Science 522 Labor Law and
Politics
Political Science 546 Rights of the
Defendant
Political Science 547 International
Human Rights
Political Science 571 Public
Administration and Public Policy
Political Science 572 Decision Making
in the Public Service
Political Science 573
Comparative Bureaucracy
Political Science 575 Concepts of the
American Presidency
Political Science 577 Problems in
American Foreign Policy
Political Science 578 The Problems of
Military Strategy and World Security
