Political Science (PSC)

Information about experimental courses, when offered, will be available at the Office of the Registrar late in the Spring Quarter preceding the academic year in which the courses are scheduled. Such courses are numbered 191, 291, 391 or 491.

P SC 100 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT - 5 hrs
A survey of the institutions, processes, and politics of the government of the United States. Particular emphasis is placed on the historical development of federalism, the Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, the national bureaucracy, political parties, and interest groups.

P SC 115 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY - 5 hrs
An examination of the normative tradition in Western political inquiry. Emphasis on the post-Socratic concepts of the social contract and natural law, as well as modern debates on liberalism and conservatism, and capitalism and communism. Theoretical foundations of feminism and critical theory are also studied.

P SC 215 AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS - 5 hrs
Examines the legislative and representative process with attention to the committee system, seniority, party leadership, and relations with other branches of government. Primary focus is on the U.S. Congress and its norms, rules, and procedures. Prereq: P SC 100.

P SC 222 THE PRESIDENCY - 5 hrs
The evolution of presidential power and theories of presidential behavior. The function of the Electoral College and the primary system in presidential elections are examined. The role of the Executive Office and the bureaucracy is explored. Prereq: P SC 100.

P SC 225 JUDICIAL PROCESS - 5 hrs (alt. yrs)
Analyzes the role of federal and state courts as political institutions, with special attention to the roles of judges and lawyers in the judicial process. Civil and criminal courts are studied, as well as judicial norms and procedures. Prereq: P SC 100 or permission of the instructor.

P SC 230 METHODS OF INQUIRY - 5 hrs (alt. yrs.)
A seminar required for majors in political science, designed to acquaint students with basic procedures, material and research tools used by political scientists. Students will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative aspects of the discipline, including principles of probability, descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation and regression analysis utilizing political data. Prereq: Completion of the College math requirement.

P SC 310 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT - 5 hrs (alt. yrs.)
State and local government structures, operations, and intergovernmental processes in the United States. The state and local governments of Ohio are used as a basis for providing comparative analysis among states and local governments. Prereq: P SC 100 or permission of instructor.

P SC 325 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
Examines the policymaking process in which federal administrative agencies are involved. Organization theories, budgeting, personnel administration, decision-making theories are discussed. Prereq: P SC 100 or permission of instructor. ECON 210 is recommended.

P SC 335 THE ELECTORAL PROCESS - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
A study of the structure, functions, and operations of interest groups, political parties, public opinion, elections, and the media in American national politics. Prereq: P SC 100, or permission of instructor.

P SC 350 SELECTED TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE - 3-5 hrs
An in-depth examination of a timely or specialized subject in American politics, international relations, or comparative government. Prereq: permission of instructor. May be repeated once for credit when offered with a different topic.

P SC 355 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
The course will focus on the problems involved in the formulation and execution of United States foreign policy, emphasizing the post-World War II period. Prereq: P SC 100, or permission of instructor.

P SC 365 INTERNATIONAL POLITICS - 5 hrs
World political systems and theories of interaction in the global community; international issues and problems. Prereq: P SC 100 or permission of instructor.

P SC 270 THE POLITICAL FILM - 3 hr
The Political Film provides an opportunity to examine the culture industry by investigating how movies (and entertainment more generally) structure ideology and inform a critique of political life. Power will be examined through a study of the way culture is framed, produced, and consumed. The course involves taking a critical approach to popular media, especially film.

P SC 370 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLITICS - 5 hrs
This course evaluates the many different ways environmental issues intersect with the judicial and legislative branches of the governments. The course will analyze major environmental laws and their application through the courts, issues of environmental justice, the contemporary state of environmental politics, and the theoretical approaches used in policy formation.

P SC 375 WOMEN AND POLITICS - 5 hrs (alt. yrs.)
This course will begin from a broad understanding of politics as the study of power. We will evaluate the development of feminist theory and the political ramifications of feminist thought. We will study how women have used the political process to have their issues addressed, and will focus on contemporary issues of social and political importance.

P SC 380 COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT - 5 hrs (alt. yrs.)
An introduction to the comparative method of analysis as applied to nation-states and regional governments of the world. Emphasis may be on western or non-western nation-states. Prereq: PSC 100 or permission of instructor.

P SC 390 INDEPENDENT STUDY - 1-5 hrs
Independent study. Open only to majors in political science. Prereq: permission of instructor.

P SC 410 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND INSTITUTIONS - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
Studies the evolution of international law as it has been generated from international conferences, regional organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the League of Nations, the United Nations and its International Court of Justice. Special attention is given to the legal status of states and dependencies, rules of international diplomacy, refugees, women, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Prereq: P SC 365, or permission of instructor.

P SC 420 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND CIVIL LIBERTIES - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
Analyzes the principles of the American constitution and Supreme court decision-making. A case method approach is used to examine concepts such as judicial review, separation of powers, equal protection of the law, race and sex discrimination, voting rights, the right to privacy, freedom of speech and religion, due process, and the rights of the accused. Principles of legal reasoning are discussed. The course is especially recommended for students preparing for law school or legal careers. Prereq: Junior standing.

P SC 440 AMERICAN POLITICAL AND LEGAL THOUGHT - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
A study of the mainstream and radical currents in American legal and political thought which have shaped the American legal and political process. Prereq: P SC 100 or PSC 115, or permission of instructor.

P SC 482 MIDDLE EAST POLITICS - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
A study of contemporary domestic and foreign politics in the Middle East, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, the politics of oil, the impact of religion, the clash of national sentiments, and the role of global and regional powers in the affairs of these countries. Prereq: P SC 365 or permission of instructor.

P SC 485 EAST ASIAN POLITICS - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
A specialized historical examination of the military, political, social, and economic relations among nation-states of East Asia. Prereq: P SC 365 or permission of instructor.

P SC 488 AFRICAN POLITICS - 5 hrs (every third yr.)
Explores the post-colonial politics of sub-Saharan African states, with special reference to issues of nation-building, ethno-politics, challenges of development, regional cooperation, and Pan-African unity.

P SC 490 INTERNSHIP - 1-15 hrs
Open to majors in political science. Credit is available for work with governmental agencies, political candidates, lobbies, and other private institutions interested in the public sector. Prereq: P SC 100.

P SC 492 MODEL UNITED NATIONS - 3 hrs
Studies the structure and processes of the United Nations through participation in Model U.N. programs. Students will represent delegates to a simulated U.N. forum, preparing background information on countries, issues, position papers, and resolutions. Parliamentary procedure also will be studied. Prereq: P SC 365 or permission of instructor.