Full-Time Faculty: Peter J. Galie, Chair; David Foley, Kevin Hardwick, Michael V. Haselswerdt, John D. Occhipinti.
A Political Science major is designed to provide a 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 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 plan to enter active political life or government service. This major also provides ideal background for teaching in the social studies and a dual major with education is possible. 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 104, 111, PSC 140, PSC 150 and PSC 217 with a minimum grade of C in each. It is strongly recommended that these six 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, VIII (14 courses) | (42) | |
| 3. | Major course requirements: (11 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) | |
| Fall | Spring | |||||
| Freshman Year | ||||||
| ENG 101 | 3 | ENG 102 | 3 | |||
| PSC 103 OR PSC 104 | 3 | PSC 103 OR PSC 104 | 3 | |||
| PSC 140 OR PSC 150 | 3 | PSC 140 OR PSC 150 | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | |||
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 | |||
| Sophomore Year | ||||||
| RST 101 | 3 | PHI 101 | 3 | |||
| AS | 3 | AS | 3 | |||
| PSC 217 | 3 | 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 | 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, 245) | (3) | ||
| Comparative government and politics: one course (PSC 150, 341, 355) | (3) | ||
| Political philosophy: one course (PSC 110, 111) | (3) | ||
| Public law: one course (PSC 227, 228, 320, 321, 328, 343) | (3) | ||
| Public administration/public policy: one course (PSC 215, 237, 334, 336) | (3) | ||
| American institutions and behavior: one course (PSC 224, 225, 236, 325, 335) | (3) | ||
| Total (6 courses) | (18) | ||
Law and Public Policy Minor:
| PSC 215 National Issues and Public Policy | (3) | ||
| PSC 320 Constitutional Law | (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 (PSC 110, 111, 227, 228, 320 and 321). For further information on this course of study, the chair of the department should be consulted.
Dual Degree Possibilities
By suitable choice of electives, a student can earn a dual major in political science and several other areas. The Political Science Department has dual major programs with Communication Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, European Studies, History, International Relations, Sociology and Urban Studies. Students planning such a program should consult with the chair or director of each department or program involved.
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.
Resume Building
Internships are available in Washington, 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 junior and senior students who wish to explore the various aspects of politics and government on their own. Study abroad program offer exciting opportunities to study politics in other courses or pursue internships. Students may also participate in EuroSim, an international intercollegiate simulation of the European Union, attended by American and European delegations. In even-numbered years students travel to Europe for the simulation, and in odd-numbered years the simulation is held in New York State.
COURSES: 2005 – 2007
PSC 103 (CRJ 103) Constitutional Foundations 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. (AS II)
PSC 104 American Political Process 3
An introduction to American politics including political socialization, public opinion and ideologies, political participation in electoral systems and mass movements, political parties and interest groups. (AS II)
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)(ICD)
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)(ICD)
PSC 140 International Relations 3
Introduces paradigms of world politics. International security, political economy and globalization. Power politics and international organizations (AS II)
PSC 150 Comparative Government and Politics 3
Introduces comparative analysis of foreign countries. Governments, ideologies, parties, elections, political culture, civil society and democracy in industrialized and developing countries. Cooperative team learning. (AS II) (ICD)
PSC 200 American Catholics in the Public Square 3
The role of Catholics in American politics including political behavior, contributions of prominent Catholic leaders and issues of importance to American Catholics (AS II)
PSC 210 American Political Humor 3
History, significance and impact of humor on the political process. A wide ranging variety of humorous forms will be used including editorial cartoons, comic strips, late night television, radio broadcasts, television programs, movies and more.
PSC 215 (URS 215) National Issues and Public Policy 3
Selected policy issues and their relationship to the political process including health care, homeland security, welfare and housing.
PSC 217 (SOC 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.
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.
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.
PSC 227 (CRJ 227) Criminal Justice I 3
See CRJ 227 for course description.
PSC 228 (CRJ 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 Organizations 3
International and transnational. Intergovernmental and non-governmental. Regional and global. Content areas: political, economic and humanitarian.
PSC 245 American Foreign Policy 3
US diplomatic history since 1945. Structure, process and issues in contemporary American foreign relations.
PSC 253 Politics in North America 3
Government and Politics in Canada and Mexico. Coverage of foreign relations with the United States on border issues and trade (NAFTA).
PSC 290 Politics in Film 3
Concepts and issues in political science through classic and contemporary films. Emphasis on political analysis and writing. (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 325 Elections and Voting Behavior 3
The various types of elections and electoral procedures and their relationship to voter turnout and voter choice.
PSC 326 (COM 326) Media Law & Ethics in the Cyber Age 3
Interdisciplinary examination of legal issues that have emerged with the growth of the internet including copyright, privacy, national security, internet crime and libel.
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 the public. Elements and issues of public-sector management. Prerequisite: PSC 103 or 104 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.
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 to be addressed include schools, finances, land use, planning and crime.
PSC 343 International Law 3
Theoretical foundations of international law. International legal aspects of the rights and duties of nations. Content areas include the Law of the Sea, human rights, welfare and trade. Simulation exercises.
PSC 345 (CRJ 345) International Crime After 9/11 3
Concepts and issues in cross-border organized crime. National, international and local responses. Emphasis on drug trafficking, terrorism and illegal immigration. Guest speakers and video. Prerequisites: PSC 140-150 or CRJ 227-228 or permission of instructor.
PSC 347 (HIS 347) The History of Marxism 3
See HIS 347.
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.
PSC 355 (HIS 331) European Union 3
History of European integration. Structure, process and politics of EU policies. Optional EuroSim: international, intercollegiate simulation of the EU and travel.
PSC 357 (HIS 345) The Soviet Union and After 3
See HIS 345.
PSC 359 International Political Economy 3
Introduction to various theories of international political economy, the struggle for power and wealth in the international system and problems confronting the international system
PSC 393 (HIS 393) The Making of Modern Africa 3
See HIS 393.
PSC 397 (HIS 394) Contemporary Middle East 3
See HIS 394.
PSC 436 Seminar in Presidential Campaigning and Advance Work 3
Political advance work in the context of contemporary American presidential campaigns. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
PSC 442 Seminar in International Relations 3
Functional perspectives of international relations through examination of selected topics and issues involving global politics Prerequisite: PSC 240, 241, or 242, or permission of instructor.
PSC 455 Seminar in European Politics 3
Contemporary issues in Eastern and Western Europe. Concepts and theories of comparative politics and European integration and governance. Prerequisites: PSC 140 and 150 or permission of instructor.
PSC 498 (CRJ 498) Internship 3
A variety of opportunities are available locally, as well as in Washington, D.C. and Albany. Internships arranged by faculty members in government, law offices and non-profit organizations. Prerequisite: Permission of chair of Political Science department.
PSC 499 Independent Study 3
Research and/or directed reading under direction of faculty members associated with the Political Science department. Prerequisite: Permission of chair of the Political Science department.