How instruction is delivered throughout the department varies depending on the course level. Introductory courses can be large. Often these courses boast of class sizes of more than 200 students. Instruction in these courses is primarily lecture-based. Smaller, typically upper-division courses (under 50 students), can admit of a mixture of both lecture and more discussion-based instruction. With independent study or internship offerings, students meet one-on-one with a faculty member to work toward meeting course goals. Some courses meeting the methods of inquiry requirement for the major require a lab. Online courses are typically offered every semester as well as over the winter term and the summer.
Political Science (PSC)
Political Science
520 Park HallNorth Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4120
Harvey D. Palmer
Chair
Chair
The Learning Environment
About Our Facilities
The department of political science has two dedicated classroom spaces within the department that are used for upper-division seminars. Other classes are held in centrally-scheduled instructional facilities across UB’s North Campus.
About Our Faculty
The department has a faculty of 12 full-time members, all of whom have PhDs and teach both undergraduate and graduate courses. University honors awarded for excellence in teaching to several members of the faculty demonstrate the high quality of teaching. Our faculty is professionally active, nationally recognized, and very accessible. The faculty have published with many leading university presses, and their work has appeared in the leading professional journals. One faculty member is a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, two are UB Distinguished Professors, and several have won awards for their teaching and research. Several have had grants from the NSF, and one served as the political science program director at NSF. Two faculty members have served as American Political Science Association congressional fellows. Several have served on the editorial boards of major scholarly journals, and within the governing bodies of regional and subfield organizations in the discipline.
Faculty List Directory
Please visit the Political Science department website for additional information about our faculty.
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 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 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 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: Fall
- 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 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 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 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 335LEC American Foreign Policy Lecture
Examines American foreign policy, particularly since World War II.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- 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 Civil War Lecture
This course examines theories of violent political upheaval, and it assesses the empirical record of these theoretical approaches. Civil war has become the primary form of mass organized violence in the international system. Students will therefore seek to understand why civil wars occur, what consequences are wrought by them, and how the international community may respond in terms of conflict resolution. Furthermore, students will explore explanations of various phenomena associated with civil war and severe unrest including political violence. Thus, this course will seek to provide a rationale for extreme violence and atrocious behaviors that are common during periods of political instability. On these issues, this course seeks to reveal broad, general patterns of violent political behavior, across several countries and provide a theoretical framework by which students can understand the global historical record on civil conflict, with particular emphasis on conflicts in such places.
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 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 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 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
- 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
Complementary Programs
- Psychology BA
- English Minor
- American Studies Minor
- English BA
- Economics Minor
- Asian Studies Minor
- Economics BA
- Political Science BA - International Politics Concentration
- Political Science BA - Comparative Politics Concentration
- Political Science BA - American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration
- Political Science BA - Advanced Concentration
- History Minor
- Political Science BA - Public Law Concentration
- Political Science BA - General Concentration
- Psychology BS
- Mathematics Minor
- History BA
- Political Science Minor
- Spanish BA
- Geography BA
- Economics BA/MS
- Economics BA/MA