Full-Time Faculty: Michael V. Haselswerdt, Chair; Marcheta L.Birch, Peter J. Galie, Kevin R. Hardwick, John D. Occhipinti.

A Political Science major is designed to provide systematic understanding of government and politics, both national and international. The modern study of government is concerned not only with formal structure, but also with political behavior and with the political culture in which government institutions operate. Such study is intended to increase one’s understanding of society, to assist the educated person in fulfilling the obligations of a citizen, and to lay the groundwork for a diversified choice of careers.

Political science provides an excellent background for the study of law and political journalism. It is suited to the aims of the student who might plan to enter active political life or government service. This major also provides ideal background for teaching in the social studies. Political science may be the basis for graduate study leading to administrative work in government, in international agencies, or in business organizations.

Admission

The major in Political Science is open to students who have completed PSC 103, PSC 111, PSC 140, PSC 150, and PSC 217 with a minimum grade of C in each. It is strongly recommended that these five courses be completed by the beginning of the junior year.

Political Science Curriculum:

1.	ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101	(4 courses)	(12)
2.	Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: I, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII1	(14 courses)	(42)
3.	Major course requirements:	(10 courses)
	PSC 103	American Government
		and Politics I	(3)
	PSC 111	Western Political Tradition II	(3)
	PSC 140	Introduction to International Relations	(3)
	PSC 150	Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics	(3)
	PSC 217	Research Methods	(3)
	Public Policy/Public Administration elective: one course
	(PSC 215, 237, 324, 334, 336)		(3)
	Political Science electives: five courses, including at
	least two at the 300/400 level		(15)
4.	Electives	(11 courses)
Total		(40 courses)	(120)

Note: PSC 101 and PSC 102 are now offered primarily as Area Studies II courses. Students who complete both PSC 101 and PSC 102 with a grade of C or better in each can substitute this sequence for PSC 103. Students who complete either PSC 101 or PSC 102 with a grade of C or better and then wish to declare a Political Science major should consult with the chair immediately.

Recommended Schedule:

Fall		Spring
Freshman Year
ENG 101	3	ENG 102	3
PSC 103	3	PSC 150	3
AS	3	PSC 111 or AS	3
AS	3	AS	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Total	15	Total	15
Sophomore Year
RST 101	3	PHI 101	3
PSC 140	3	PSC 217 or AS	3
PSC 217 or AS	3	AS or PSC 111	3
AS	3	AS	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Total	15	Total	15
Junior Year
Political Science elective	3	Political Science elective	3
Political Science elective	3	Political Science elective	3
AS	3	AS	3
AS	3	AS	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Total	15	Total	15
Senior Year
Political Science elective	3	Political Science elective	3
AS	3	AS	3
AS	3	Elective	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Total	15	Total	15
		Total	120

Other Programs

In addition to the major, two minors are offered. The Political Science minor, for non-majors only, provides an overview of the discipline. The Law and Public Policy minor, for both majors and non-majors, focuses on the relationship between the legal system and public policy.

Political Science Minor:

International relations: one course (PSC 140, 242, 352, 353)		(3)
Comparative government and politics: one course (PSC 150, 341, 355)		(3)
Political philosophy: one course (PSC 110, 111)
Public law: one course (PSC 227, 228, 320, 321, 328, 343)		(3)
Public administration/public policy: one course (PSC 215, 237, 245, 334, 336)		(3)
American institutions and behavior: one course (PSC 224, 225, 236, 325, 335)
Total	(6 courses)	(18)

Law and Public Policy Minor:

PSC 215	National Issues and Public Policy2	(3)
SOC 443	Law and Society2	(3)
PSC 343	International Law	(3)
PSC 321	Civil Liberties and Civil Rights	(3)
PSC 326	Media Law	(3)
PSC 227	Criminal Justice I	(3)
PSC 228	Criminal Justice II	(3)
Total	(7 courses)	(21)

A pre-law curriculum is available for prospective law students. Six courses in law and the judicial process are offered for prospective law students (PSC 110, 111, 227, 228, 320, 321). For further information on this course of study, the chair of the department should be consulted.

Internships are available in Washington, in Albany, and locally with members of the Federal House and Senate, the State Assembly and Senate, and executive and legislative offices in local government. Opportunity for independent study is available for upperclass students who wish to explore the various aspects of politics and government on their own.

Each year, students may participate in an international intercollegiate simulation of the European Union. In even-numbered years students travel to Europe for the simulation, and in odd-numbered years the simulation is held in New York State. and is attended by American and European delegations.

By suitable choice of electives, a student can earn a dual major in political science and any one of several other areas. Students planning such a program should consult with the chair or director of each department or program involved. The Political Science Department has dual major programs with Communication Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, European Studies, History, International Relations, Sociology, and Urban Studies. The Urban Studies major complements and strengthens the Political Science major in the area of urban government and politics. The majors in International Relations, Criminal Justice, and European Studies are other natural combinations with the Political Science major.

For political science majors who may be thinking about a career in business and/or a Master of Business Administration degree, adequate preparation for these can be obtained by taking a concentration in Business consisting of seven courses: ECO 101-102, ACC 201-202, MGT 101, MKT 201, and MAT 131 or MGT 340. There is also a minor in Business Management for non-business majors.

COURSES: 2001-2003

PSC 101 (CRJ 101) American Government and Politics I 3

Study of politics in the context of the American political system. The Constitutional framework, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, campaigns, and elections. (AS II)

PSC 102 (CRJ 102) American Government and Politics II 3

American governmental institutions: the President, the bureaucracy, the Congress, the courts. Policy issues: national security, foreign policy, and the economy. (AS II)

PSC 103 (CRJ 101) Constitutional Basis of American Government 3 Compares the constitutional provisions for federalism and the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government with the development of these aspects of American government.

PSC 110 (HIS 170) Western Political Tradition I 3

Main outlines of history of western political tradition from dawn of political consciousness to Machiavelli. (AS IV)

PSC 111 (HIS 171) Western Political Tradition II 3

Development of western political tradition from Machiavelli to present, emphasizing development of liberal, conservative, and socialist traditions. (AS IV)

PSC 140 Introduction to International Relations 3

Structures and processes of global system. Capabilities of international actors. Forces contributing to and means of resolving conflict: power, war, diplomacy. Contemporary issues. Simulation exercises. Formerly PSC 240. (AS II)

PSC 150 Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics 3

Concepts and methods for comparative analysis of politics in foreign countries. Emphasis on governmental institutions, policy making, and political culture in industrialized and developing countries. Cooperative team learning. (AS II) (ICD)

PSC 215 (URS 215) National Issues and Public Policy 3

Selected policy issues and their relationship to the political process. Competitiveness, welfare, housing, and national defense. 2001-2002 only

PSC 217 (SOC 342, CRJ 342, URS 350) Research Methods 3

Basic, non-statistical treatment of current techniques and methodologies which characterize political-science research.

PSC 219 Human Rights: International Perspectives 3

Analysis of issues related to human rights problems and actions implementing global human rights standards. 2002-2003 only

PSC 224 Congress and the Legislative Process 3

Survey of Congressional procedures and practices. Emphasis on recent changes within Congress, and the position of Congress in the U.S. political and governmental system. 2002-2003 only

PSC 225 U.S. Presidency 3

Survey of the U.S. executive branch of government, including President, Vice President, White House staff, Executive office, and the bureaucracy. 2002-2003 only

PSC 227 (CRJ 227, SOC 227) Criminal Justice I 3

See CRJ 227 for course description.

PSC 228 (CRJ 228, SOC 228) Criminal Justice II 3

See CRJ 228 for course description.

PSC 233 Interest Groups and Public Opinion in America 3

Development of the notions of opinion and interest, their transmission, and their influence on decision-making.

PSC 236 Political Campaigning 3

Campaigning resources, techniques, strategies, and goals. Practical as well as theoretical treatment. Field research likely.

PSC 237 (URS 237) State and Local Politics 3

The institutions and policies of state and local governments, with focus on New York State. State and local elections, gubernatorial politics, state legislatures, community politics.

PSC 242 International and Transnational Organizations 3

Structures, purposes, and functions of organizations. Types of organizations: international and transnational; intergovernmental and non-governmental; regional and global. Content areas: political, economic, and humanitarian. 2001-2002 only

PSC 245 American Foreign Policy 3

Analysis of foreign policy. History and structures of foreign policy. Current perspectives and problems. Contrast with foreign policies of other countries. 2002-2003 only

PSC 249 The Politics of Indigenous Peoples 3

Structures of and contributions by indigenous populations. Consideration of sovereignty, assimilation, and self-determination. Future relations between indigenous peoples and surrounding nation-states.

PSC 255 (WST 260) Women in Politics: An International Perspective 3

Women’s political grassroots, national leadership, international activities: U.S., other countries, international contexts. Feminist theory/feminism applications: U.S., ‘western,’ ‘non-western,’ societies briefly examined. Consieration of "high-profile" female national leaders. Films, guest speakers. 2002-2003 only

PSC 290 Politics in Film 3

Major concepts and theories in political science through classic and contemporary films. Coverage of normative theory, American politics, international relations and comparative politics. (AS II)

PSC 320 (CRJ 320) American Constitutional Law I 3

Development of constitutional law in the U.S. from the founding of the Republic to present. Case-study method in selected areas of constitutional jurisprudence.

PSC 321 (CRJ 321) American Constitutional

Law II: Civil Liberties 3

Role of modern and contemporary Supreme Court in controversial areas of civil liberties and related questions. Current interpretations of Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment.

PSC 324 (ECO 401) Public Finance 3

See ECO 401.

PSC 326 (COM 326) Media Law 3

Interdisciplinary examination of legal news media issues. Government media interaction and tensions analyzed: First Amendment, libel, privacy, trials, freedom of information, national security.

Prerequisite: PSC 101 or 102 or COM 205 or COM 310. 2002-2002 only

PSC 327 (SOC 327, CRJ 327) Criminal Justice I 3

Analysis of criminal justice system; examination of justification for punishment, the police, constitutional rights; the prosecuting and defense attorney.

PSC 328 (SOC 328, CRJ 328) Criminal Justice II 3

Analysis of the trial; guilty pleas, sentencing, corrections; the extent and causes of crime, and proposal for change and reform.

PSC 334 (URS 334) Public Administration 3

The Federal Bureaucracy: its relationship to the executive, and public. Elements and issues of public-sector management.

Prerequisite: PSC 101 or 102 or permission of instructor

PSC 335 Political Parties 3

Development and present conditions of political parties. What they do and why they do it. Their past and present role and their future prospects. 2002-2003 only

PSC 336 (URS 336) Urban Government and Politics 3

Structure, function, operation, and politics of local government. Machine and reform models; power and participation; significant policy issues – schools, finances, land use, planning, crime, etc.

PSC 341 (CRJ 341) Comparative Criminal Justice Institutions 3

Examination of police organizations, border guards, and prison systems in variety of countries. Comparative analysis of contending approaches to common problems. Focus on Western industrialized countries and new democracies.

PSC 347 (HIS 347) The History of Marxism 3

See HIS 347. 2002-2003 only

PSC 350 (HIS 350) 20th Century Eastern Europe 3

See HIS 350.

PSC 352 Contemporary Issues in International Relations 3

Various current topics in the global arena, such as terrorism, human rights, debt, and intervention. Content varies by semester. 2001-2002 only

PSC 353 Conceptualizing Global Relations 3

The range of perspectives, concepts, and theories that attempt to explain global relations. Anarchism, globalism, idealism, Marxism, pluralism, realism, socialism. 2001-2002 only

PSC 355 (HIS 331) European Union 3

History of European integration and the move to create a coordinated set of European institutions to manage commercial, social, and international issues. 2001-2002 only

PSC 357 (HIS 345) The Soviet Union and After 3

See HIS 345.

PSC 393 (HIS 393) The Making of Modern Africa 3

See HIS 393.

PSC 397 (HIS 394) Contemporary Middle East 3

See HIS 394. 2001-2002 only

PSC 436 Seminar in Presidential Campaigning 3 and Advance Work

Political advance work in the context of contemporary American presidential campaigns.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor 2002-2003 only

PSC 442 Seminar in International Relations 3

Functional perspectives of international relations. Emphasis on comparative foreign policy formulation, current global politics, and links to internal dynamics of nations. Inter-collegiate simulation exercise.

Prerequisite: PSC 240, 241, or 242, or permission of instructor.

PSC 498 (CRJ 498) Internship 3

PSC 499 Independent Study 3