College of Arts and Sciences
520 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4120
Phone: 716.645.2251
Fax: 716.645.2166
Web: www.polsci.buffalo.edu
Franco Mattei
Chair
In political science, students have a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, and career aspirations. As our range of possible concentrations in the department suggests, students interested in law school, public affairs, government service, graduate school, or international studies obtain a solid background with the courses offered. Of course, the core or basic concentration allows students the most flexibility in designing a curriculum to meet individual needs. Many political science majors go on to obtain advanced degrees in law or political science. Some students build upon their internship experiences to pursue careers in politics or government.
General Concentration. For those majors with general interests in politics and government. This program allows majors the most flexibility in choosing courses to match individual interests from the five fields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, methods of inquiry, and political philosophy. The intent behind the core requirements is to give every student the breadth to understand political issues, theories, and concepts, along with the needed skills for interpreting and doing political research.
Public Law Concentration. Specifically for students who plan to attend law school. Students who complete the core concentration in political science are not precluded from applying to law school; however, the public law concentration represents the department�s best collective recommendations for a structured undergraduate plan.
American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration. Prepares students for careers in public service or political organizations, and provides a solid background for the more than 15 million employment opportunities in local, state, or federal government. An internship is considered a useful part of this option.
International Politics Concentration. Students planning careers in the international field are encouraged to pursue this concentration.
Comparative Politics Concentration. Students planning careers in the comparative field are encouraged to pursue this concentration.
Advanced Concentration. Students with excellent undergraduate records are likely to be successful applicants to graduate school; however, the department recommends this particular concentration to provide the best preparation for the top graduate programs in political science. A foundation in the areas of research design, mathematics, formal modeling, and statistics make the transition to a graduate program much easier. In addition, upper division courses that enable students to execute independent research projects and write research essays are highly recommended.
Double majors must satisfy all of the requirements of two departments.
Joint majors combine the programs in two departments, subject to the specific requirements in each. A student pursuing political science as a joint major is restricted to the core concentration, and must complete eight courses in political science, including PSC 100, PSC 101, one methods of inquiry course, four courses at the 300-level or above (three must be courses other than PSC 400, PSC 404, PSC 410, PSC 411, PSC 491, or PSC 499), and at least one course in comparative politics, international relations, or political philosophy.
Minors in political science must complete the three required courses, PSC 100, PSC 101, and PSC 200 or PSC 393 or PSC 408; three upper-division courses, one of which must be in international relations, comparative politics, or political philosophy; and one additional political science course in any field or at any level.
Students should apply for admission to the major in political science no later than the beginning of their junior year. To become eligible, students must have completed two political science courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0, and have a minimum UB GPA of 2.0. Applicants should bring a copy of their current UB DARS report directly to the Department of Political Science. Prospective majors are encouraged to complete the department�s required courses: PSC 100 during their first semester, and PSC 101 as well as PSC 200 or PSC 393 or PSC 408 during their second semester.
After acceptance into the major or minor, students may consult with a departmental advisor for assistance in understanding departmental and university requirements for the degree. Advisor office hours are posted at the department office, 520 Park Hall.
Please note that a minimum GPA of 2.0 in both the major and overall is required for graduation.
Credit for political science courses completed with a passing grade at other colleges or universities may be granted in instances where comparable courses exist within the department at UB. The department gives transfer credit for a maximum of five political science courses. Where applicable, transfer courses may be used to meet specific departmental requirements.
The honors program is intended for highly qualified political science students who wish to pursue a major research interest. It offers exceptional students an opportunity to design and execute an independent research project under the direction of a faculty mentor. It is particularly valuable for students who intend to pursue graduate work in political science.
Students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in political science (or 3.25 and at least one mention as an �outstanding student� in political science) may be qualified for admission into the honors program in the second semester of the junior year. In the fall semester of the senior year, honor students normally enroll in a graduate seminar. During the spring semester, honors students prepare an independent research thesis that may build on work done in the graduate seminar.
The department sponsors three internship programs: (1) the Washington Semester Program, administered through SUNY/ Brockport; (2) New York State Assembly and Senate internships; and (3) community internships.
Students are invited to approach faculty members to explore mutual research interests.
Political Science Undergraduate Student Association. The Political Science Club has been very active in recent years, sponsoring guest speakers, planning trips for undergraduates, arranging regular coffee hours and lunches with faculty, organizing social and sporting events involving faculty members, and participating in such programs as the Harvard Model United Nations. Students are strongly urged to join and participate in the club. Information about club activities is posted on the bulletin board outside 520 Park Hall.
Model European Union Simulation. Each year since 1993, the Department of Political Science has sent a delegation to participate in a simulation of decision making in the European Union. To facilitate this, UB is a member of a consortium of New York State and European universities. Approximately 150 American students and 100 European students participate in these three- to four-day meetings, which are held either at the University at Buffalo, SUNY/Brockport, or in Luxembourg. Professor D. Munroe Eagles is the faculty advisor for this simulation; interested students are encouraged to contact him.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the prerequisite courses.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major required for graduation.
Any two political science courses.
Twelve PSC courses, with no more than five courses in any particular distribution field, distributed as follows:
PSC 100 Enduring Issues in Political Science
PSC 101 Introduction to American Politics
Seven 300/400-level PSC courses, up to two of which may be from: PSC 400 Washington Semester Internship, PSC 404 Community Internship Program, PSC 410-PSC 411 New York State Senate and Assembly Internship, PSC 491 Honors Thesis, PSC 499 Independent Study
One methods of inquiry course: PSC 200 Empirical Political Science, PSC 393 Game Theory and Politics, or PSC 408 Basic Statistics for Social Science. Acceptable substitutions: SOC 294, ECO 480, PSY 207, STA 119, SSC 225, MGQ 301, and GEO 410.
At least one course in any three of the following four fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy
Note: Some concentrations have additional required courses.
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 36
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
FIRST YEAR
Spring�One methods of inquiry course
Fall or Spring�PSC 100, PSC 101
SECOND YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course
Spring�Two 300/400-level PSC courses
THIRD YEAR
Fall�Two 300/400-level PSC courses
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course
FOURTH YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course, one PSC elective at any level
Spring�One PSC elective at any level
Concentrations
PUBLIC LAW
FIRST YEAR
Fall or Spring�PSC 100, PSC 101
Spring�One methods of inquiry course
SECOND YEAR
Fall�One 200-level PSC course from the public law list
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course from the public law list
THIRD YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course from the public law list
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course from the public law list, one 300/400-level PSC course
FOURTH YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course from the public law list, one PSC elective at any level
Spring�Two 300/400-level PSC courses
AMERICAN POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
FIRST YEAR
Spring�One methods of inquiry course
Fall or Spring�PSC 100, PSC 101
SECOND YEAR
Fall�One 200/300/400-level course in the American politics field
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course in the American politics field
THIRD YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course in the American politics field, one 300/400-level PSC course
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course in the American politics field
FOURTH YEAR
Fall�Two 300/400-level PSC courses
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC elective, one 200/300/400-level PSC elective
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
FIRST YEAR
Spring�One methods of inquiry course
Fall or Spring�PSC 100, PSC 101
SECOND YEAR
Fall�PSC 102
Spring�Two 300/400-level PSC courses in the international field
THIRD YEAR
Fall�Two 300/400-level PSC courses in the international field
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course in the international field
FOURTH YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course, one PSC elective at any level
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course
COMPARATIVE POLITICS
FIRST YEAR
Spring�One methods of inquiry course
Fall or Spring�PSC 100, PSC 101
SECOND YEAR
Fall�PSC 103
Spring�Two 300/400-level PSC courses in the comparative field
THIRD YEAR
Fall�Two 300/400-level PSC courses in the comparative field
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course in the comparative field
FOURTH YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course, one PSC elective at any level
Spring�One 300/400-level PSC course
ADVANCED
FIRST YEAR
Spring�PSC 200 or PSC 408
Fall or Spring�PSC 100, PSC 101
SECOND YEAR
Fall�PSC 393
Spring�PSC 200 or PSC 408; one 300/400-level PSC course
THIRD YEAR
Fall�One 300/400-level PSC course
Spring�Two 300/400-level PSC courses
FOURTH YEAR
Fall�Two 300/400-level PSC courses
Spring�One PSC elective at any level
Public Law List
PSC 215 Law and the Political Process
PSC 225 Equality and Justice in the United States
PSC 301 Cases in Civil Liberties
PSC 302 Protecting Civil Liberties
PSC 303 Constitutional Law
PSC 305 Judicial Politics
PSC 430 Human Rights
PSC 470 Legal Political Theory
PSC 100 Enduring Issues in Political Science
PSC 101 Introduction to American Politics
One methods of inquiry course: PSC 200 Empirical Political Science, PSC 393 Game Theory and Politics, or PSC 408 Basic Statistics for Social Science. Acceptable substitutes: SOC 294, ECO 480, PSY 207, STA 119, SSC 225, MGQ 301, and GEO 410.
Three 300/400-level PSC courses; at least one must be in comparative politics, international relations, or political philosophy
At least one additional political science course in any field at any level.
Summary
Total required credit hours for the minor: 21
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Introduces political science; focuses on concepts that have been developed over the long tradition of research and that advance our understanding of different features of political life.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Explores the theory and practice of the American political system; the three government branches, federalism, political parties, groups in the electoral and governmental process, public policy making, and contemporary political problems.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Introduces contemporary and historical international relations; also examines nationalism, imperialism, power diplomacy, and ideological conflict.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Introduces foreign political systems; explores significant political similarities and differences among countries.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Studies recurring themes in political thought, such as justice and equality, using the works of major political philosophers.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Explores the meaning of a political community�s self-government, constitutional limitations on political rule, citizen participation and representation, reconciliation of constitutional government with democracy and equality, and proper functions of government in relation to the economy and society.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Examines the ethical restraints on the use of force that have become increasingly germane during the latter part of the 20th century.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Introduces national election politics in the United States. Focuses on the voters, the candidates, and the media.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Methods specialty area
Examines the basis for and methods of empirical political science, and studies empirical hypotheses formulation and testing. Formerly PSC 391.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American or Comparative specialty area
Current topics of political interest, such as AIDS or government regulation of the economy. Topics vary for each offering of the course.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Introduces the context, rules, actors, outcomes, and implications of elections to the United States House and Senate. Teaches students to approach and evaluate individual races or specific election years within a general framework of analysis.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Explores the role of law as a political instrument; and relations between law and morality, technology, economics, and social reform.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Political leadership in contemporary countries: general problems such as accession and succession, charismatic leadership, and democratic and dictatorial leadership; selected case studies of political leadership.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Study of the manifestations of human nature in political life. Includes such topics as political symbolism and mass response; leadership and identification; political socialization; emotional expression; and the relationship between motive and public action.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Introduces students to classic and contemporary issues and readings in political sociology, centering on the relationship of social and political forces. Draws empirical illustrations and cases from American and other �advanced industrial� societies.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Focuses on the representation of politics � in theory and practice � in contemporary literature (20th century).
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Acquaint students with basic knowledge on how to study the social, political, economic and communicative phenomena occurring within and around the Internet.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Examines the conflict between the American people's commitment to equality, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, and its correspondence with economic and racial realities.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Survey of recent (since 1970) developments in the Marxist theory of the state; the functions of the state in modern capitalist countries; interpretations of U.S. politics, including the role of interest groups, unions, classes, bureaucracy, parties, and governmental policies; criticisms of the Leninist mode of party organization; and strategies and prospects of political action.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
This course introduces students to the interdependence of political life and its geographic context. The interrelationship of politics and geography is explored at the international, national, and local levels.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Explores institutions that operate within and among China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea; also considers the political, social, and economic settings in which international business is transacted in East Asia.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Reviews theoretical approaches in explaining foreign policymaking, with selected case studies.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Considers Black Americans' role, and the significance of race, in national politics and the overall politico-economic system.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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American specialty area
Explores that part of U.S. law that has dealt with the human and civil rights of African Americans (and by implication other racial ethnic groups in U.S. society: Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, etc.)
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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American specialty area
Introduces students to black political development in the Western Hemisphere, particularly emphasizing the Caribbean area and the socio-political relationships between black West Indians and other black communities in the Western Hemisphere.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Examines case analyses of individual rights and liberties as defined by courts in the United States.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Studies processes by which policies dealing with civil liberties are implemented. Examines federal and local public bureaucracies charged with law enforcement, the nature of legal services, litigation strategies, and reform proposals.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Examines common law background of the American Constitution and the Constitution�s role in American politics; selected problem areas.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Studies legislative process in the United States; including organization, internal dynamics, and functioning of legislative bodies; and their relations with the executive and judicial branches and with groups in society.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Examines courts in the American political system, selection of judges, flow of decisions through trial and appellate courts, consideration of judicial decision making, and relations with other government institutions.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Explores the presidency�s role in the politics and policy process of the United States, including growth, scope, and limits of presidential power.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Analyzes structures, functions, and roles of political parties in American government and politics, as well as internal dynamics and citizen identification with parties and politics.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Considers basic theories about organizations, their structure, and their behavior (both the organization and its members). Applies these theories to a number of institutions in American politics.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Examines political relationships and policy outcomes associated with the changing nature of the federal system and intergovernmental relations over the past fifty years.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Explores structures and functions of public bureaucracies, including civil servants� behavior and political control of administrative behavior.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Reviews significant political institutions, processes, and problems in the fifty states.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Considers social and historical patterns underlying the organization of power in American municipalities, and the means by which power is brought to bear upon the problems of the city.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Describes Americans� political preferences, explaining how these preferences develop and change, and examines the impact of these preferences on democratic politics. A portion of the course analyzes recent and current electoral behavior; the remainder suggests historical and theoretical frameworks that can help us understand trends in opinion and voting that have emerged since World War II.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Examines dynamics of the policy process in the United States, including agenda-setting, formulation, and implementation. Case studies in substantive policy areas illustrate these processes.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Considers the relationship between the political system and the economic system, including the nature of American capitalism, government regulation of the economy, the role of economic factors in the political system, and selected economic problems.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Considers choices made in the political arena. Also examines the scientific study of politics, including the development and appropriateness of theories and models to political behavior.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Present ecological crisis; adaptations which society must make in its political system to deal with resulting problems.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Reviews the historical context of the mass media in American politics, legal issues surrounding freedom of speech and press, the production of news, the media�s role in campaigns and elections, the media as a political institution that interacts with the three branches of government, citizen response to news coverage of politics, and the cultural impact of daily media fare.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American, Comparative specialty areas
Examines political learning, political change and political stability theories, kinds of political teaching, and adult socialization into citizen roles.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Development of housing policy in the U.S.; growth of federal housing programs since the National Housing Act of 1937; role played by local governments and the housing industry in making use of such programs; achievements of programs in public housing, urban renewal, model cities, and housing subsidies.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Considers selected problems in American foreign policy, such as the United States' relations with Europe or the Third World, arms control and disarmament, and the United States' future world role.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Explores nuclear weapons� impact on United States national security; considers nuclear deterrence, arms control, and United States-Soviet relations.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Reassesses the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union, from the Bolshevik revolution until the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Explores American foreign economic relations; American trade, aid, and investment relations; and the American role in the international economic system.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Intergovernmental relations in the Western Hemisphere: relations between Latin American nations and the U.S.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Examines selected questions regarding international conflict and cooperation.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Considers decision making in foreign policy; the role of Congress, the Presidency, the State Department, public opinion, and interest groups.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Examines the United Nations, specialized agencies, and other intergovernmental organizations in peacekeeping, economic development, and social welfare; also studies regional integration.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Introduces international relations theory, including the nature of the international system, alliances, nuclear strategy, negotiation, and decision making within governments.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Examines American foreign policy, particularly since World War II.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: sophomore standing
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Studies continuity and change in Russian foreign policy, forces motivating Russian behavior in world affairs, and selected problems of Russian foreign policy.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Study of the foreign policy of the People�s Republic of China. The historical background and specific issues such as China and the U.S. , China and the Third World, and Sino-Soviet relations are examined.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Reviews theoretical approaches in explaining foreign policy making, with selected case studies.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Examines the existing body of international law and the functions that international law performs.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Considers governmental institutions and political processes in major Western European nations.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Explores both violent and peaceful transitions within political systems; examines theories and selected cases.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Comparatively analyzes political institutions, processes, and behavior in developing nations.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Investigates the fundamental characteristics and regularities in American political campaigns and how they affect elections and, thereby, popular control of government. Focuses to a great degree on presidential election campaigns, but also examines campaigns for Congress and state offices, as well as campaigning in primary elections.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Explores the politics and government of America�s largest trading partner and neighbor to the north. Gives primary attention to Canadian politics and institutions, but also makes some comparisons with the United States.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Surveys international politics from the individual decision maker�s vantage point.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: sophomore standing
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Introduces political processes and institutions of government in the U.S.S.R. and its successor states from 1917 to the present; also studies Marxist-Leninist ideology and czarist institutions.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Examines only the countries of the former Warsaw Pact and not the states of the former Soviet Union.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Explores contemporary political development in Asian countries, emphasizing Chinese and Japanese politics.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Examines political change south of the Sahara in the post-independence period; analyzes historical, geographical, economic, and social factors of the pre-independence period. Also considers traditional social patterns, colonialism, nationalism, the military�s role, Africa in world politics, and transformation in southern Africa.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Introduces students to the politics of the Middle East with regard to political issues currently facing the region.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Explores political development patterns resulting from structural aspects of Latin American societies; also studies social stratification, political and governmental structures, and patterns of dependency; considers case studies of selected Latin American countries.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Introduces students to a range of ways by which analysts have tried to think about and study the future.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Investigates how political campaigns have been funded and explores the impact of campaign financing on election outcomes and on the behavior of elected officials in making public policy decisions.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
Investigates the connections between American politics, sex, and gender. Includes discussions of the women�s movement, feminist theory, the Equal Rights Amendment, women voters and candidates, and the politics of abortion.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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American specialty area
An introduction to the interactions of the Latino people in the U.S. with political institutions and public policy.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Examines major contributions to political philosophy from Plato and Aristotle to Machiavelli.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Studies political philosophy from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Studies the treatment of selected major problems of political philosophy by contemporary thinkers.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Considers the origins, development, and application of American political ideas from colonial beginnings through the conflict of ideas of the Civil War.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Examines a selection of the diverse ways morality issues enter into debates over the practice of international politics.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Empirical specialty area
Introduction to some basic techniques of data collection and analysis in political science; survey research; small group experiments.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Methods specialty area
Introduces game theoretic and related models in political science, while emphasizing these models� application to international politics.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Empirical specialty area
This class focuses on key questions related to the empirical study of democratic governments, or aspects thereof.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: PSC 301, PSC 302
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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This advanced senior course, designed for students about to enter law school, addresses selected topics in civil liberties in America, such as civil rights, criminal procedure, and First Amendment rights.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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American specialty area
Enables a select number of upper-class political science and legal studies majors who plan to go to law school to delve deeply into an important issue relating to the supreme court. Provides an opportunity for students to develop legal research and library skills by writing a paper on a subject related to the seminar's main focus.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Methods specialty area
Introduces statistics and their applications in political science.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Focuses on institutions and their relationship to political behaviors by elites and masses, as well as their connection to policy outcomes. Examines how institutions such as presidential systems, parliamentary systems, executive powers, electoral rules, and legislative structures such as committees influence political actors' strategies. Executive-legislative relations and their effects on policy will occupies a central role. Examines states both in the developed and developing world.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Introduces comparitive political economy, and the comparative politics of domestic economic policies. Topics include market reforms in developed, developing, and postsocialist countries, varieties of welfare capitalism, varieties of democratic institutions and their effects on economic policies, and more. Some background in economics is helpful.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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International specialty area
Considers the international system�s evolution from the late 19th century to the present. Uses diplomatic history and contemporary international affairs as a �laboratory� for testing various theories about international politics.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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International specialty area
An advanced topic intended for juniors and seniors who have a strong interest in the field of international relations. Provides an opportunity for students to develop research and library skills by writing a paper on a subject related to the seminar's main focus.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Examines internal organization, functions, and impact of political parties from a comparative perspective.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Explores classic theories of bureaucracy from Marx to Weber, and the theory and practice of bureaucracy in various sociocultural settings (such United States, France, U.S.S.R., and China).
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Focuses on comparing institutions in democratic countries. It asks, and seeks to answer, the questions of how democracies can arrange themselves and why these different arrangements matter.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Examines the development, primarily since World War II, of international systems for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Considers individual political behavior patterns in selected countries, and explores differences and similarities across nations in voting behavior and public opinion.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Comparative specialty area
Examines the armed forces� involvement in political affairs, civilian control of the military, causes and effects of military seizures of control, and the importance of coercion within the political process.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Philosophy specialty area
Course will emphasize the detailed analysis of the thought of a particular philosopher or tradition. Examples would include Aristotle, Hegel, Nietzche, or Current Marxist Thought.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Political Philosophy area
Considers the structure of laws in general, the question of sanctions, and the relation of justice to law.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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Examination of the political science discipline. Focus will be on the range of contemporary practice and on unresolved controversies. Students will submit proposals for the senior year honors thesis.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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American specialty area
Enables a select number of upper-class political science and legal studies majors who plan to go to law school to delve deeply into an important issue in the American legal system. Provides an opportunity for students to read cases and secondary literature on the selected topic, and develop legal research and library skills by writing a paper on a subject related to the seminar's main focus.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Credits: 1 - 6
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: TUT
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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Community Internship Program - Involves service with state legislators from the area, city or county government, or various public agencies. Work includes policy research, drafting legislation, field investigations, program evaluations, and contacts with other organizations.
Washington Semester Internship Program - Involves a semester placement in Washington under the direction of a SUNY Brockport Program Officer. Participation includes an internship, a research seminar, and a research paper.
NYS Legislative Internship Program - Involves semester placement in the Albany office of a state senate or assembly member; requires forty-plus-hour weeks as legislative assistants under a professional staff member's guidance. Also requires special readings, weekly seminar, short reports, and a major research paper, under the direction of SUNY faculty-in-residence.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: TUT
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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Involves supervised independent study leading to the submission of an honors thesis. Requires permission of instructor.
Credits: 1 - 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: TUT
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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Requires permission of instructor.
Updated: May 19, 2006 2:30:08 PM