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PS 111. INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS THREE CREDITS A descriptive and analytical study of the theory and practice of American government, its constitutional basis, organization, powers, functions, and problems. Offered every semester. PS 141. INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS THREE CREDITS An introduction to the field of international relations. Attention is given to basic theories of international relations as well as the issues and problems that confront contemporary world politics. Factors that determine a nation's foreign policy are also examined. Offered every spring. PS 212. URBAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS THREE CREDITS An examination of the structure and operation of urban governments. Metropolitan politics is also considered. Special attention is given to the politics and policy problems confronting American cities. (Same as SOC 263) PS 213. POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION THREE CREDITS An introduction to the role and function of political parties in democratic regimes, with particular attention given to the U.S. Extensive discussion of the political activities of the American electorate in forms other than parties, such as interest groups, as well as grass roots movements. Offered in the fall semester of even years. PS 221. INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THREE CREDITS An introduction to the principles and problems of public administration in an increasingly complex society. Attention to such topics as leadership, informal organizational processes (infrastructure), the relation of administration to its cultural context, and the question of administrative responsibilities. Survey of the technical problems of personnel, finance, and administrative law. PS 224. PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS THREE CREDITS This course is an introduction to the study of public policy at the national level. It will examine approaches to public policy and the operation of the "policy process." A range of public policy examples will be employed from social welfare to foreign and defense issues. PS 232. CRIMINAL LAW THREE CREDITS An introduction to the study of criminal law. The principles of criminal law are presented using the case method. The structure and operation of the criminal justice system are also reviewed. Offered every fall semester. PS 233. LAW AND SOCIETY THREE CREDITS An introduction to the study of law and its role in social and political systems. Attention is given to theories of law, and the structure of the legal system. Students are given the opportunity to engage in hypothetical dispute resolutions using common law methods. Offered every spring semester. PS 242. INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATION THREE CREDITS The study of the nature, application, and sources of international law and how it relates to the evolution of global and regional organizations and alliances, including international non-governmental organizations and other non-state factors. Prerequisite: PS 141 or consent of instructor. PS 251. EUROPEAN POLITICS THREE CREDITS Comparison of the development, institutions, problems and prospects of democratic systems in Europe, both west and east. Attention is given to the European Community and its role in the transformation of Europe as well as to the development of the former communist states in eastern Europe. PS 260. INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THINKING THREE CREDITS An introduction to the study of politics through an examination of the crucial issues with which political scientists grapple: justice, equality, freedom, power, and the good life, to name a few. Offered every fall. PS 261. CONCEPTS AND METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE THREE CREDITS A survey of the major concepts, theories and methods of political science as a discipline. Preparation of a research design and a review of quantitative methods also included. PS 262. AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT THREE CREDITS The study of the political ideas, ideals and ideologies which contributed to and developed from the American experience. An analysis of the ideas which underlie our political institutions and practices. (Same as PHL 236) May not be used to meet Area I of the General Education Requirements. PS 263. SURVEY OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY THREE CREDITS See description under Philosophy Department listing. (Same as PHL 230). Prerequisite: PHL 101 or permission of instructor. PS 264. SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS THREE CREDITS See description under Sociology Department listing. (Same as SOC 371). PS 265. QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES THREE CREDITS This course is an introduction to quantitative analysis for the social sciences using SPSS, one of the most frequently and widely used statistical packages in the world. Students will learn how to enter and manipulate data in SPSS, apply and interpret statistics from descriptive through multiple regression, and test hypotheses using statistical methods (SAME as SOC 373 Prerequisite: PS 111 or PS 141, PS 261 or SOC 371, or approval of instructor. PS 311. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY THREE CREDITS An exploration and analysis of the development and powers of the American President as political leader, chief executive, and world leader. Special attention is given to the selection process and the effect of the process on the Presidency. Prerequisite: PS 111 or consent of instructor. Offered in the fall semester of odd years. PS 312. LEGISLATIVE BEHAVIOR THREE CREDITS An analysis of the theory and practice of representative institutions in political systems with emphasis given to the American Congress. Legislative elections, floor procedures, committee functions, and ethics are all considered as well as their collective impact upon the formation of public policy. Prerequisite: PS 111 or consent of instructor. Offered in the spring semester of even years. PS 331. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE FEDERAL SYSTEM THREE CREDITS The study of the growth and change of the American Constitution through analysis of the leading cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Analysis of the powers of the three branches of government and of the relations between the states and the federal government. Prerequisite: PS 111 or PS 233, or consent of instructor. Offered in the fall semester in even years. PS 332. CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES THREE CREDITS Continuation of the study of the meaning of the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court. Analysis of the landmark decisions regarding free speech and press, separation of church and state, rights of persons accused of crimes, equal protection of the laws, voting rights. Prerequisite: PS 111 or PS 233, or consent of instructor. Offered in the spring semester of odd years. PS 345. AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY THREE CREDITS This course analyzes U.S. National Security Policy, the combination of foreign and defense policies. Using theories of international politics and foreign policy, students learn about the evolution of U.S. national security from the War of Independence to the contemporary period. Theoretical approaches, such as geopolitics, balance of power, and force doctrines, are examined. The agencies and personnel that develop and implement security policy are also studied. Prerequisite: PS 141, or permission of instructor. PS 350. COMPARATIVE POLITICS: THEORY AND ANALYSIS THREE CREDITS This course is an introduction to the study of politics and governments from a comparative perspective. It is not a survey course of the governmental institutions of particular countries, but rather an examination of types of governments and regimes, the transitions that may occur between types of government, and approaches to studying these topics. We will also examine the ways that ethnicity and cultural ideas affect governments and regime transition. Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing. Offered every spring semester. PS 380. POLITICAL SCIENCE SENIOR PROJECT THREE CREDITS This course is the capstone experience for the political science majors. During the semester, the student will complete the research prject begun during PS 261 (i.e. data and/or information will be gathered and analyzed), and the results written in a formal paper. The student will present the findings in public forum in which the department's faculty and students are present. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Offered every semester. PS 394. PRACTICUM ONE TO THREE CREDITS Educational experiences associated with faculty research, club activities, experiential learning are avialable to the student for credit depending upon the amount of time the student invests in the experience. Students may work in the University's Survey Center, assist in a major research project with a faculty member, or participate in the Model UN or some other educational simulation. (Maximum of nine credits can be accumulated by a student over four years). Prerequisite: No course prerequisites but the permission of the instructor/faculty member is required in advance. Offered every semester. PS 395-396. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ONE TO THREE CREDITS Independent study and research for advanced students in the major under the direction of a staff member. A research paper at a level significantly beyond a term paper is required. Prerequisite: Approval of department chairperson. Offered every semester. PS 399. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION ONE TO SIX CREDITS Professional cooperative education placement in a private/public organization related to the student's academic objectives and career goals. In addition to their work experience, students are required to submit weekly reaction papers and an academic project to a Faculty Coordinator in the student's discipline. (See the Cooperative Education section of this Bulletin for placement procedures.) Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, 2.0 cumulative average, consent of academic advisor, approval of placement by department chairperson. PS 198/298/398. TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE/TOPICS IN POLICY ANALYSIS VARIABLE CREDIT A study of topics of special interest not extensively treated in regularly offered courses. Examples of possible topics would be: leadership in Congress; minorities in the political process; women and power; urban design; the First Amendment in law and practice; equality at law in an unequal society; Marxism, etc. May be repeated when topics differ. A topics course in a specific field of public policy, such as Energy, Environmental Science, Mental Health and Retardation, etc., may be offered also. Prerequisite: Permission of department chairperson, criterion depending on topic. |
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