Political Science (PSC)

PSC Courses

• PSC 100LEC Enduring Issues in Political Science
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 101LEC Introduction to American Politics
  Lecture
  

  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. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade other than W may repeat the course in the summer or winter; or only in the fall or spring semester with a petition to the College of Arts and Sciences Deans' Office.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 102LEC Introduction to International Politics
  Lecture
  

  Introduces contemporary and historical international relations; also examines nationalism, imperialism, power diplomacy, and ideological conflict. This course is the same as SSC 102, and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 103LEC Introduction to Comparative Politics
  Lecture
  

  Introduces foreign political systems; explores significant political similarities and differences among countries.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 104LEC Introduction to Political Philosophy
  Lecture
  

  Studies recurring themes in political thought, such as justice and equality, using the works of major political philosophers.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 118LEC Just and Unjust War
  Lecture
  

  Examines the ethical restraints on the use of force.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 180LEC Introduction to Political Behavior
  Lecture
  

  Introduces the study of political behavior in the United States: public opinion, political participation and voting behavior.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 198SEM UB Seminar
  Seminar
  

  The one credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps transition to UB through an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 198 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.

  Credits: 1
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the UB seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
  
• PSC 199SEM UB Seminar
  Seminar
  

  The three credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps students with common learning outcomes focused on fundamental expectations for critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and oral communication, and learning at a university, all within topic focused subject matter. The Seminars provide students with an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 199 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the first year seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
  
• PSC 200LEC Empirical Political Science
  Lecture
  

  Examines the basis for and methods of empirical political science, and studies empirical hypotheses formulation and testing. Formerly PSC 391.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 215LEC Law and the Political Process
  Lecture
  

  This course provides an introduction to the American legal system. A primary focus is the connection between law and politics. To that end, it examines the nature of judging and judicial decision-making, the organization of the state and federal legal systems, judicial selection, the power and role of the Supreme Court, and the relationship between the courts and the other two branches of government. This course is the same as SSC 215 and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 222LEC Politics and Society
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 224LEC Politics and Technology
  Lecture
  

  Acquaint students with basic knowledge on how to study the social, political, economic and communicative phenomena occurring within and around the Internet.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 225LEC Equality and Justice in the United States
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 227LEC Politics and Geography
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 229LEC East Asian Political Economy
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 293SEM Race and the Law
  Seminar
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 301LEC Cases in Civil Liberties
  Lecture
  

  This course focuses on the opinions of the Supreme Court interpreting the two great clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment: The clauses that prohibit states from denying persons life, liberty or property without due process of law and that compel states to provide the equal protection of the law. The due process and equal protection clauses have given rise to some of the most profound constitutional issues in all of our history. The due process cases touch upon such subjects as economic liberty, and the right to privacy as it relates to abortion, sexual orientation and the right to control the time and manner of one's death. The equal protection cases deal with racial, gender and age discrimination. This course is the same as SSC 301, and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 302LEC Protecting Civil Liberties
  Lecture
  

  Focuses on Supreme Court decisions addressing First Amendment rights and the constitutional rights of criminal suspects. Topics to receive treatment include the freedoms of speech, press, religion; separation of church and state; searches and seizures, confessions, the right to counsel, and cruel and unusual punishment. This course is the same as SSC 302, and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 303LEC Constitutional Law
  Lecture
  

  Surveys Supreme Court decisions on separation of powers and federalism. Receiving special attention are presidential, congressional, and judicial power, as well as the federal government's power relative to that of the states. This course is the same as SSC 303 and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 304LEC Legislative Politics
  Lecture
  

  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. This course is the same as SSC 304 and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 305LEC Judicial Politics
  Lecture
  

  This course examines the distinguishing characteristics of the legal process. It treats the adversarial system, the nature of law, the character of legal reasoning, the system of precedent, law school education, judicial policy-making, and the limits and nature of judicial power. It seeks to examine the unique characteristics of the judicial process, contrast those characteristics with those found in the legislative and executive processes, and explores how the process of judicial decision-making influences what courts do and the power they wield. This course is the same as SSC 306, and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 306LEC The American Presidency
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 307LEC Political Parties
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 308LEC Organizational Theory in Political Institutions
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 309LEC American Federalism
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 310LEC Public Administration
  Lecture
  

  Explores structures and functions of public bureaucracies, including civil servants' behavior and political control of administrative behavior.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 311LEC State Politics
  Lecture
  

  Reviews significant political institutions, processes, and problems in the fifty states.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 312LEC Urban Politics
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 313LEC Elections and Voting Behavior
  Lecture
  

  Examines individual and contextual influences on voting behavior in the United States.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 314LEC Public Policy Making
  Lecture
  

  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. This course is the same as SSC 314 and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 315LEC American Political Economy
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 316LEC Politics of Political Choice
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 317LEC Environmental Politics
  Lecture
  

  Present ecological crisis; adaptations which society must make in its political system to deal with resulting problems.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 319LEC Media in American Politics
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 320LEC Public Opinion
  Lecture
  

  Examines both micro and macro American political opinion. The course examines influences on the development and change of political attitudes toward and beliefs about political institutions, processes, issues and leaders and the impact of public opinion on representative government.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 324LEC Politics of Housing
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 326LEC War and International Security
  Lecture
  

  Examines the general determinants of war and conflict around the world and over time. The course discusses the impact of power, economics, international organizations, and nuclear weapons on the likelihood of international war.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 327LEC The Cold War and After
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 328LEC Intl Political Economy
  Lecture
  

  Explores American foreign economic relations; American trade, aid, and investment relations; and the American role in the international economic system.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 329LEC US-Latin American Relations
  Lecture
  

  Intergovernmental relations in the Western Hemisphere: relations between Latin American nations and the U.S.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 330LEC International Relations Problems
  Lecture
  

  Examines selected questions regarding international conflict and cooperation.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 332LEC International Organizations
  Lecture
  

  Examines the United Nations, specialized agencies, and other intergovernmental organizations in peacekeeping, economic development, and social welfare; also studies regional integration.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 333LEC International Relations Theory
  Lecture
  

  Introduces international relations theory, including the nature of the international system, alliances, nuclear strategy, negotiation, and decision making within governments.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 334LEC International Legal Probs
  Lecture
  

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 335LEC American Foreign Policy
  Lecture
  

  Examines American foreign policy, particularly since World War II.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 336LEC Russian Foreign Policy
  Lecture
  

  Studies continuity and change in Russian foreign policy, forces motivating Russian behavior in world affairs, and selected problems of Russian foreign policy.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 337LEC Chinese Foreign Policy
  Lecture
  

  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 China and Russia are examined.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 338LEC Comparative Foreign Policy
  Lecture
  

  Reviews theoretical approaches in explaining foreign policy making, with selected case studies.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 339LEC International Law
  Lecture
  

  Examines the existing body of international law and the functions that international law performs.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  
• PSC 340LEC Politics in Western Europe
  Lecture
  

  Considers governmental institutions and political processes in major Western European nations.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 341LEC Political Regime Change
  Lecture
  

  Explores both violent and peaceful transitions within political systems; examines theories and selected cases.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 342LEC Politics of Developing Nations
  Lecture
  

  Comparatively analyzes political institutions, processes, and behavior in developing nations.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 343LEC The Politics of Domestic Unrest
  Lecture
  

  This course examines theories of violent political upheaval, and it assesses the applicability of these theories to historical case studies. Civil war and revolution have become the primary forms of mass organized violence in the international system. We will therefore seek to understand why these events occur, what consequences are wrought by them, and how the international community may respond in terms of conflict resolution. The approach will focus on explaining the onset of civil wars by focusing on the characteristics of countries that tend to be vulnerable to civil unrest. In addition, the course will provide a theoretical understanding for why civil wars last as long as they do and the means by which civil wars end. Furthermore, we will explore explanations of various issues associated with severe unrest and the perpetuation of civil war including political violence, genocide, child soldiering, and sexual violence. In particular, the course will attempt to highlight rational explanations for these phenomena as elements of the combatants' warfare tactics. We will seek to understand the characteristics of conflict environments, the options available to government forces and rebel organizations, and the circumstances surrounding the use of these war tactics in order to explain their use. Thus we will seek to provide a rationale for extreme behaviors that are common during periods of domestic instability.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 344LEC Presidential Campaigns
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 345LEC Canadian Politics
  Lecture
  

  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. This course is the same as CDN 345 and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 346LEC Individuals and World Politics
  Lecture
  

  Surveys international politics from the individual decision maker's vantage point.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 350LEC Politics of Post-Soviet States
  Lecture
  

  Introduces political processes and institutions of government in the former U.S.S.R and its successor states from 1917 to present.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 351LEC Politics of Eastern European Nations
  Lecture
  

  Examines countries of Eastern Europe, excluding the former states of the Soviet Union

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 355LEC Asian Politics
  Lecture
  

  Explores contemporary political development in Asian countries, emphasizing Chinese and Japanese politics.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 370LEC African Politics
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  
• PSC 371LEC Middle Eastern Politics
  Lecture
  

  Introduces students to the politics of the Middle East with regard to political issues currently facing the region.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 372LEC Latin American Politics
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 373LEC International Futures
  Lecture
  

  Introduces students to a range of ways by which analysts have tried to think about and study the future.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 376LEC Money in Politics
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 378LEC Politics of Gender
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  
• PSC 379LEC Racial and Ethnic Politics
  Lecture
  

  Examines the importance of race and ethnicity to American politics including topics such as: historical inequalities, immigration, public opinion, racial gerrymandering, party identification and voting behavior in national and local elections.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 380LEC Classical and Medieval Political Philosophy
  Lecture
  

  Examines major contributions to political philosophy from Plato and Aristotle to Machiavelli. This course is the same as JDS 380, and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 382LEC Machiavelli to Marx Political Philosophy
  Lecture
  

  Studies political philosophy from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 383LEC Twentieth-Century Political Philosophy
  Lecture
  

  Studies the treatment of selected major problems of political philosophy by contemporary thinkers.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 384LEC American Political Principles
  Lecture
  

  This course examines the fundamental American political principles. These include the individual freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and the equality of individuals before the law. These also include the promotion of the public interest in providing for domestic tranquility, the general welfare, and the common defense through the rule of law formulated and enforced by a limited government based on the democratic consent of the governed through free, fair, and frequent elections.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 391LEC Special Topics in International Relations
  Lecture
  

  Content varies by semester.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 392LEC Political Analysis Lab
  Lecture
  

  Introduction to some basic techniques of data collection and analysis in political science; survey research; small group experiments.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 393LEC Game Theory and Politics
  Lecture
  

  Introduces game theoretic and related models in political science, while emphasizing these models' application to international politics.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 395LEC Empirical Democratic Theory
  Lecture
  

  This class focuses on key questions related to the empirical study of democratic governments, or aspects thereof.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 401LEC Advanced Civil Liberties
  Lecture
  

  Provides advanced instruction in civil liberties law and can focus on any area of civil liberties. Students will read the decisions of various federal and state courts - not just the U.S. Supreme Court - as well as statutes and other source of law with which they are not familiar. The course has two prerequisites: PSC 301 and PSC 302.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 406SEM Supreme Court Seminar
  Seminar
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 408LLB Basic Statistics for Social Science
  Lecture
  

  Introduces statistics and their applications in political science.

  Credits: 4
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 412LEC Comparative Political Institutions
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 413LEC Comparative Political Economy
  Lecture
  

  Introduces comparative political economy, and the comparative politics of domestic economic policies. Topics include market reforms in developed, developing, and post-socialist 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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 418LEC The International System
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 419SEM International Crisis Seminar
  Seminar
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 420LEC Comparing Political Parties
  Lecture
  

  Examines internal organization, functions, and impact of political parties from a comparative perspective.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 421LEC Comparative Bureaucracies
  Lecture
  

  Explores classic theories of bureaucracy from Marx to Weber, and the theory and practice of bureaucracy in various sociocultural settings.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 430LEC Human Rights
  Lecture
  

  Examines the development, primarily since World War II, of international systems for the promotion and protection of human rights. This course is the same as SSC 430 and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 436LEC Citizen Participation
  Lecture
  

  Considers individual political behavior patterns in selected countries, and explores differences and similarities across nations in voting behavior and public opinion.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 438LEC Civil-Military Relations
  Lecture
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall
  
• PSC 470LEC Legal Political Theory
  Lecture
  

  Considers the structure of laws in general, the question of sanctions, and the relation of justice to law.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 480SEM Advanced Constitutional Law
  Seminar
  

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  Other Requisites: P re-requiste- PSC 303
  
• PSC 490SEM Honors Seminar
  Seminar
  

  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
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 492SEM Pre-Law Honors Seminar
  Seminar
  

  Enables 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. It 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 topic.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Spring
  
• PSC 495SEM Senior Seminar
  Seminar
  

  The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Varies
  
• PSC 496TUT Political Science Internship
  Tutorial
  

  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: 1 - 16
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 497TUT Honors Thesis
  Tutorial
  

  Involves supervised independent study leading to the submission of an honors thesis. Requires permission of instructor.

  Credits: 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  
• PSC 499TUT Independent Study
  Tutorial
  

  Requires permission of instructor.

  Credits: 1 - 3
  Grading: Graded (GRD)
  Typically Offered: Fall, Spring