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Political Science Courses
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTORY COURSESPS 100: FRESHMAN SEMINARA guide to how to survive in college: development of study skills, the use of the library; note taking; time management; writing sills. This section of the more general Freshman Seminar will also include an overview of the discipline of Political Science and its subfields and suggestions about internships, graduate school and jobs. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR NEW FRESHMAN majoring in Political Science. Offered in the fall term. 1 hour credit. PS 120 American Politics Critical examination of key aspects of the American political system. What are the major institutions of political power? How is power obtained? Which groups or social classes tend to possess more power in these institutions and why? How does the political system manage change. 3 credit hours; Approved for part IIC of the GCP Bill Muller's sections PS 121 American Public Policy Introduction to the political economy of policy formation. Emphasis is placed upon the questions of why government intervention in the economy is necessary and the cost-benefit evaluation of the intervention. Political failure is contrasted with market failure in evaluating government public policies. Substantive policy areas such as health care and education policies will be analyzed. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 150 U.S. and World Affairs Studies the major characteristics and explanations of the behavior of countries in international politics. Emphasis upon the sources of international power, colonialism, the Cold War and US-USSR struggle for power, and contemporary issues such as the arms race, Middle East conflicts, and the struggle for economic power between rich and poor countries. Close study of the usefulness and morality of US intervention abroad from the Gulf War to Panama, Haiti and Bosnia. Usually only offered in the fall term. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIC of the GCP PS 200 Statistics Introduction to the substantive and technological methodology used in study of politics commonly employed by government offices. Attendance required. Usually only offered in the fall term. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IC of the GCP Note: Only one statistics "200" course can be taken for credit. PS 210 Research Methods Introduction to the variety of methods of analysis employed in the empirical study of politics. Consideration of the debate concerning the character of social science. A discussion of normative and positive methods of analysis and evaluation of topics suited for quantitative and non-quantitative treatments. Research design, data analysis, and reporting of results. Usually offered in the spring term (Must be taken AFTER PS 200). 3 hours credit; Approved for Part ID of the GCP.
2. INTERMEDIATE COURSESPS 276 Law and Society Introductory examination of law as instrument of social control; philosophies regarding appropriate operations and functions of law and courts; and controversies surrounding questions of proper relationships between law, morals, and governmental policy. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIA of the GCP PS 277 Introduction to Law An examination of Anglo-American legal principles based upon the analysis of leading court cases. A broad range of topics are covered, including criminal and civil law, legal remedies, punishment, torts, contracts and family law. This course will emphasize the development of legally defined rights and the methods involved in the legal resolution of disputes. 3 hours credit PS 280 Special Topics in Politics Examination of a current topic in politics, such as presidential or congressional elections. May be taken more than once as topics change. Prerequisite: assigned by individual instructor. 1-4 hours credit
3. UPPER LEVEL AMERICAN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONSPS 311 Fundamentals of Public Administration Examination of role of bureaucracy and administration in America. Initial focus on political setting of the bureaucracy as it interacts with other key actors and institutions. Then consideration of internal characteristics and processes, and examination of topics such as organization theory, decision-making, personnel, and budgeting. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 313 American Power Structures Examination of the power structure of the United States. Analysis of how factors such as economic status and race or ethnicity influence who holds or controls political power in federal, state and local governments. Contrasting theories of "who governs" studied include pluralist, elite, and class based models. Students will learn techniques of organizing people to exercise power in behalf of their common interests. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission. 3 hours credit PS 321 Political Parties and Interest Groups The role of political parties and interest groups in the shaping of government policies and the ordering of society is analyzed. Internal structures and membership of both parties and groups is emphasized, especially how the collective action problem is solved. The influences of parties and interest groups upon public policies are evaluated. Proposals to reform parties and groups are presented. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 322 New York Government Study of the legal framework of New York's state and local governments. Analysis of state and local executive organization, politics, political participation, and policy making. Critical examination of the economic competitivenes of NY state in the US and global economy. attention also to the idea of reinventing government techniques and models. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 323 Elections in America Critical examination of the psychological and rational choice explanations of voting. Emphasis is placed on the evidence supporting the alternative explanations. In the process of evaluating the alternative explanations, the determinants of voting, the extent of ideological thinking, trends in turnout, the political business cycle and historical changes in voting patterns are examined. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIA of the GCP PS 324 President and Congress Critical examination of the roles (frequently overlapping and in conflict) of the American President and Congress in making decisions about public policy in the U.S. Attention will be given to recruitment patterns and behavior while in office as well as the nature of the policy outputs. Analysis of institutional forms in other nations will be included to provide a comparative perspective. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIA of the GCP PS 329 Topics in American Politics Examination in depth of current topic in American politics not falling within any other American politics course. May be taken more than once as topics change. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of department. 3 hours credit each semester PS 370 American Constitutional Law Study of nature and limitations of judicial review and Supreme Court decisions regarding distribution of powers among national and state governments, division of powers between president and Congress, and limitations upon congressional and presidential powers. Prerequisite: PS 120 or 276 or permission of department. 3 hours credit
4. ADVANCED COMPARATIVE COURSESPS 330 Western European Politics Comparative study and analysis of governments and politics of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and other Western European nations. Considerable attention will be given to the changing socioeconomic characteristics of these nations in the context of the evolving European Community and the drive for European integration. Prerequisite: 3 hours in political science, HY 116 or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIB of the GCP PS 331 Canada: Politics in a Multicultural Society Examination of the background and socioeconomic foundations of contemporary Canadian politics with special emphasis on the impact of linguistics, cultural and grographic divisions and their impact on the institutions and decision making processes in Canada. Attention will also be given to the influence of the U.S., the United Kingdom and France on Canada. Prerequisite: 3 hours in Political Science. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIB of the GCP PS 332 Russian Politics Critical introduction to the theory and practice of Russian governmental institutions and political processes in light of Russian history, the Soviet and Marxist efforts to redirect that history and the rapid political, social, economic and cultural changes in Russia and the former Soviet Union in the late 1980s and '90s at the end of the twentieth century. Prerequisite: 3 hours in political science or permission of department. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIB of the GCP PS 334 African Politics Study of contemporary African politics focusing upon processes of political change and conflict. This includes analysis of patterns of colonial rule, nationalist protest, modern political parties and political systems, ethnic conflict, problems of economic development, and the role social groups, parties, the military, and ideology in the struggle for civil liberties and democracy. Studies of specific countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa. Prerequisite: 3 hours in political science or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 341 Political Economy of Development Examination of ways in which political-economic factors and relationships condition the patterns and possibilities for economic development and political change. The course explores: how do economies develop? does class power, domestic and international, determine economic growth patterns and which social groups benefit? Contrasting Marxist and non-Marxist analyses are used. Contemporary and historical studies of development in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa are used. Prerequisite: EC 201 (Macroeconomics); 3 hours of political science; junior standing. 3 hours credit PS 344 Comparative Public Policy Survey and comparative analysis of public policies in advanced industrial democracies, with emphasis on the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and Canada. Special emphasis on government-business relations, labor relations, regional trading blocs, industrial planning, public ownership of economic enterprises, privatization, tax policy, and government-delivered health care systems. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIB of the GCP PS 345 Film and Politics This course uses film to explore major aspects of political life and the cultural creation of meaning about social and political power, values, and activities. Films are studied as social and political products and to enhance understanding of political phenomena in the American and other cultures. These phenomena include social/political movements, war, law, and race, gender, and class differences and conflict. Feature films used. Prerequisite: Junior standing. 4 hours credit PS 346 East Asian Political Economy: Japan, China & Korea This course focuses on the political, social and economic institutions that have driven the economic development of these East Asian countries which are increasingly creating competitive problems for the United States. Extensive discussion of the role of government planning and group structures such as the keiretsu and chaebol. Also analyzed are the determinants and extent of the development of democratic government in Confucian societies. Prerequisite: 3 hours in political science or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIB of the GCP PS 348 European Union Study and analysis of the politics of the European Union (formerly the European Community). Topics include: theories of International Organization and functional integration; the EU Commission, Parliament, and Council of Ministers; the European Council; the Common Agricultural Policy; the Maastricht Treaty and other topics as appropriate. Students participate with other American and European students in a model EU at SUNY, Brockport or in Europe in alternate years. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 3 hours credit PS 349 Topics in Comparative Politics Examination in depth of current topics in comparative politics not falling within any other comparative politics course. May be taken more than once as topics change. Prerequisite: 3 hours in political science or permission of department. 3 hours credit each semester
5. ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COURSESPS 352 World Political Geography Examination of the ways humans have arranged the terriroty of the Earth's surface, including how personal space, territoriality, and perception inform an understanding of politics, the analysis of countries within a geopolitical framework; case studies of how geography has impacted empires, civil divisions, and international relations; comparison of distribution of major political systems and their applications to terriroty. Prerequisites: PS 150; HY 102; junior standing. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIB of the GCP PS 354 Politics of the Middle East Analysis of Middle East politics, society, and international conflicts. Covers the historical and cultural background of Middle East states, the rise of Arab, Israeli, and other nationalisms, and the contemporary politics and political economy of major Middle East states. Assesses three entangled dimensions of conflict in the Middle East: inter-Arab struggles, Arab-Israeli conflict, and the contest for influence by external powers. Prerequisite: 3 hours credit in political science. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIB of the GCP PS 355 International Political Economy Focuses on linkage between international economic and political power and on international economic policies, institutions, and problems in political-economic relationships of major states. Considers theories and practice of role of major powers in regulation of the international economy, multinational corporations, and changes world distribution of labor and global production. Also examines developing country struggles to change economic relationships with major powers. Prerequisite: junior standing, EC 201; EC 202 recommended. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIB of the GCP PS 356 U.S. Foreign Policy Analysis of U.S. foreign policy in the post-World War II period. Assesses the corporate, ideological, institutional, and strategic influences in policy-making. Studies patterns of U.S. relations with the U.S.S.R, Europe, Latin America, and the Third World up to the present in the context of the Cold War, the arms race, Third World struggles, U.S. responses to revolutionary change, and U.S. efforts to maintain a world order. Prerequisite: PS 150 or permission of department. 3 hours credit; Approved for part IIIB of the GCP PS 359 Topics in International Politics Examination in depth of current topic in international politics not falling within any other international politics course. May be taken more than once as topics change. Prerequisite: PS 150 or permission of department. 3 hours credit each semester
6. POLITICAL THEORYPS 360 Classical Politial Theory Analytical treatment of main problems of political theory by examination of writing of Plato and Aristotle. Discussion of contending theories of justice, equality, and political obligation. Prerequisite: 3 hours of political science or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIA of the GCP PS 361 Modern Political Theory Analytic treatment of main problems of political theory by examination of writing of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Mill, and Rawls. Discussion of contending theories of individual rights and obligations, as well as the justification and limits of the state. Prerequisite: 3 hours of political science or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIA of the GCP PS 363 Game Theory The course will use rational choice theory to analyze how individuals and groups make decisions in strategic and non-strategic situations. Strategic situations are the result of the interdependent decisions of several individuals, e. g. nuclear deterence or business competition. Problems covered include how computers beat humans at chess to the evolution processes of society. How do group norms arise where individual competition is the usual course of action? A low level of mathematial background is required. Prerequisite: PS 200 or equivalent. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIA of the GCP PS 365 American Political Thought Critical examination of the development of American political thought, Colonial period to the present. Discussion of questions regarding the status of rights, the limits of the state, equality, and social justice. Includes analysis of the role in American politics of such ideologies as liberalism, conservatism, communitarianism, and socialism. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of the department. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIA of the GCP PS 369 Topics in Political Theory Examination in depth of topics in political theory not falling within any other political theory course. May be taken more than once as topics change. Prerequisite: 3 hours of political science or permission of the department. 3 hours credit
7. PUBLIC POLICY AND LAWPS 371 Civil Rights and Liberties Study of judicial cases involving safeguarding of individual civil and property rights, special emphasis upon recent developments in interpretation of the due process and equal protection of the law clauses and First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Prerequisite: PS 120 or 276 or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 379 Topics in Public Law Examination in depth of topics in public law not falling within any other public law course. May be taken more than once as topics vary. Prerequisite: 3 hours of political science or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 380 Policy Evaluation In-depth examination of the methods and techniques used to assess the success/failure of public policies. Students "learn how to" evaluate, acquiring skills that could be applied to any policy area. Topics include choice of goals, identification of measures, collection of data, interpretation of data and use of an appropriate yardstick of success. Familiarity with statistics not required. Student learning reinforced by use of several case studies of specific evaluations. Prerequisite: PS 120 or permission of department. 3 hours credit PS 381 Cities and Citizens (formerly Urban Planning and Politics) Investigation of the events and processes that have shaped the development and decline of U.S. cities. Topics include the evolution of cities; urban form and design; theories of urban planning, urban politics and governance urban policy and economics, racial and socioeconomic isolation, urban unreast, and the impact of technology. Prerequisite: PS 120 or PS 121; EC 201 or 202; junior standing. 3 hours credit PS 382 Social Welfare Policy Examination of the politics and operation of the social welfare system in the United States. Emphasis on a policy analysis of current social welfare issues such as the Social Security crisis, welfare reform, the relationship between welfare and national economic policy, the functions of public welfare versus private charity, and the connections between direct service and social reform. Prerequisite: PS 120 or 121 or permission of the department. 3 hours credit PS 383 Courts and Social Policy Examines role of the Supreme Court and other courts in the shaping of public policies in such areas as school systems in desegregation cases, mental hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes. The course will choose from current cases involving major social policy issues such as abortion, prayer in public schools, affirmative action, and capital punishment in order to illustrate the dramatic and controversial role of the courts, especially the Supreme Court, in the shaping of policies in America. Prerequisite: PS 276. 3 hours credit PS 387 Environmental Policy A synthesis of the political, ecological, economic, historical and cultural events and issues shaping U.S. and international environmental policy. A broad range of topics are covered, including environmental history, population growth, the global commons, environmental justice, natural hazards, nuclear growth, the role of business, and regulations governing endangered species and habitats, waste disposal, water and air. Prerequisite: PS 120 or 121; 3 credits of natural science or economics; junior standing. 3 hours credit; Approved for Part IIIA of the GCP PS 389 Topics in Public Policy Examination in depth of topics in public policy not falling within any other public policy course. May be taken more than once as topics vary. Prerequisite: 3 hours of political science or permission of department. 3 hours credit each semester   8. SPECIAL COURSES FOR WASHINGTON SEMESTER STUDENTS (prior selection required)PS 401 Washington Seminar Course offered in conjunction with participation in the internship program offered by the Washington Center. Co-registration in Washington Internship required. 3 hours credit PS 402 Washington Internship Participants are placed in various governmental (including Congress; U.S. department offices or Independent agencies) OR non-governmental offices (including law offices, broadcasting companies and interest groups) in the Washington area by the Washington Center which also aranges housing and assorted services. OPEN TO ALL FREDONIA JUNIORS OR SENIORS. Prequisite: Junior standing or above (no second semester Seniors). 9-12 hours credit
9. SPECIAL COURSES FOR ALBANY SEMESTER STUDENTS (spring, summer or fall) or NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATIVE INTERNS (spring only) (Prior selection required)PS 406 Seminar in State Politics (Albany) Public policy seminar offered as part of the Albany Semester program (NY state executive branch) or the NY state legislative internship programs. Co-registration in Albany semester internship required. 4 hours credit PS 407 Albany Internship Participants are placed with state executive agencies (Albany Semester) or with members of the New York State Assembly or Senate. A small stipend is provided. OPEN TO ALL FREDONIA JUNIORS OR SENIORS. Prequisite: junior standing or above (no second semester Seniors). 3-12 hours credit
10. SPECIAL COURSES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LAW RELATED INTERNSHIPS (Prior selection required)PS 490 Intern in Local Politics and Government Assignment to office of county, city, or village administrative official, public service agency, legislator or political party. Provides opportunities for testing theories and concepts developed in classroom. Involves full-time or part time work during part of semester. Prerequisite: prior selection by department. 3-6 hours credit PS 491 Seminar in Local Politics and Government Discussion and reporting on selected readings and experiences encountered in internships at local government level, including assessment of roles and/or power position of particular agencies, offices, or departments to which interns are assigned. Also involves writing research paper. Prerequisite: selection for participation in PS 490. 3 hours credit PS 492 Legal Intern Assignment to law-related office. Provides opportunities for testing theories and concepts developed in classroom. Involves full-time or part time work during part of semester. Prerequisite: prior selection by department. 3-6 hours credit PS 494 Legal Intern Seminar Discussion and reporting on selected readings and experiences encountered in legal internships. Also involves writing research paper. Prerequisite: selection for participation in PS 492. 3 hours credit
11. DIRECTED STUDIES COURSESThe following Directed Studies courses are taken for individual work not available in regular courses, according to the field to be studied. Topics determined through prior consultation with instructor. Prerequisite: at least 6 hours in political science in appropriate field. 1-3 hours credit each PS 419 Directed Study: Public Administration PS 429 Directed Study: American Politics PS 439 Directed Study: Comparative Politics PS 449 Directed Study: Political Economy PS 459 Directed Study: International Politics PS 469 Directed Study: Political Theory PS 479 Directed Study: Law PS 489 Directed Study: Public Policy PS 499 Directed Study: Political Science OTHER DEPARTMENTAL LINKS:Political Science faculty Political Science programs Web Resources for Political Science students  OTHER LINKS:Fredonia Internship Office Fredonia Interntional Education Office Political Science Home Page |
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