Go to Table of Contents Political Science and archival research, legislative documents, election data, and multivariate analysis. The immediate aim of the course is to provide students with the necessary tools to conduct research and to create substantive work in any of the sub-fields of Political Science, and thus to prepare them for their own Senior Seminar capstone paper. Students will be encouraged to submit their Research Methods course for presentation at a professional conference such as the Northeast Political Science Association meeting. Spring semester. 4 credits Prerequisites: MATH1117, at least one 1000-level Political Science course, and sophomore status POLSC3160 American Political Thought This course is a study of the themes and cycles in the history of American political thought between the time of the Founding and the dawn of our era in the 1960s. Throughout this course, we will consider the importance of philosophy in the story of American political development, and try to see the trajectory of American philosophy in the future, and what it means in our own lives, as citizens of an enduring constitutional republic. Spring semester, alternate years, expected spring 2013. 4 credits
POLSC3202 The American Presidency This course studies the development and contemporary importance of the Presidency as an institution of national and international leadership. Fall semester, alternate years, expected fall 2014. 4 credits Prerequisite: POLSC1201 or permission of instructor POLSC3209 Public Policy, the Law and Psychology Public policy and the law affect, and are affected by, many disciplines, with psychology playing an increasingly prominent role in the legal system. One cannot truly understand psychology, the law, or public policy in the United States without understanding the interrelationships of these three realms of knowledge and practice. This course will explore the evolving interactions at the theoretical and practical level among psychology, law and public policy. This is a service-learning course, which requires two to three hours per week devoted to working at an appropriate site. Spring semester, alternate years, expected spring 2013. 4 credits Prerequisites: POLSC1201, PSYCH1501, or PSYCH2203 POLSC3301 Comparative Politics of Developing States This course explores various models of the government of changing societies, such as those evolving out of revolution and military juntas, as well as the politics of economic and religious change. Africa, Asia and Latin America are the areas of concentration. Fall semester, alternate years, expected fall 2014. 4 credits Prerequisite: POLSC1301 or permission of instructor
2012-2013 Academic Catalog
Course Descriptions for Liberal Arts and Sciences
POLSC3201 Public Policy, Congress and the Legislative Process Understanding the basic characteristics and nature of Congress is critical to a fuller appreciation of the development of American government and politics as a whole. With this in mind, the course focuses upon what Congress is and why; the impact political parties have had upon its development and its internal workings; its relationship with the Presidency; and its impact in shaping public policy and representing public opinion. Spring semester, alternate years, expected spring 2014. 4 credits Prerequisite: POLSC1201 or permission of instructor
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