Shelf

PSC 101 Introduction to American Politics
Gen Ed: E
Theory and practice of national government in Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court, and the interaction of these institutions with interest groups, political parties, public opinion and the mass media.

PSC 151 Introduction to Comparative Politics
Gen Ed: G
Study of political processes, ideologies, constitutional systems and governmental structure of foreign countries including Great Britain, France, Germany, the C.I.S. and selected Third World nations. Comparison with American system of government. Stress laid on the use of the analytical methods.

PSC 161 Introduction to International Relations
Gen Ed: G
Helps students relate, organize, and analyze political events that occur on the international level. Students will learn how to think critically about international relations and its impact on lives and well-being in the present and future. The concept of power, the factors that shape the foreign policies of states, the politics of economic relations, the use of force, and a broad range of global issues are examined.

PSC 201-249 American Political Issues and Ideas
Issues and ideas courses on selected topics to be developed by instructors as student interest and faculty preference indicate. Students who are not political science majors are particularly invited to enroll in such courses.

The following are some of the offered courses:

PSC 207 Education Politics and Policy

PSC 210 Politics of Health Care Reform

PSC 212 Politics in Film (Gen Ed: C)

PSC 228 Problems of Law in Political Science

PSC 208 Politics of Welfare Reform

PSC 224 Modern Employment Laws and Development in the Workplace

PSC 226 Problems in Comparative Politics

PSC 227 Campaigning for Congress

PSC 235 Environmental Policy

PSC 237 Politics of Free Speech and Religion

PSC 239 African American Politics
Gen Ed: C, D
A study of the role of African Americans in the American political system, both historically and contemporarily, with special attention given to the alternative political strategies used in the struggle for political inclusion. Various philosophies that have been adopted to open up the political process and increase the democratic participation of African Americans are studied. Cross-listed as AAS 239.

PSC 243 Ethnic Politics
Prerequisites: PSC 101
The complex ethnic structure of the American political landscape. The course examines the role that ethnicity plays in American politics in a comparative examination of the politics of major racial and ethnic minority groups. Previously offered as PSC 266. Cross-listed as AAS 243.

PSC 244 Evaluating Public Controversies

PSC 251-299 World Political Issues and Ideas
Issues and ideas courses on selected topics to be developed by instructors as student interest and faculty preference indicate. Students who are not political science majors are particularly invited to enroll in such courses. Anticipated offerings in this category include Contemporary Issues in the Middle East, Contemporary Issues in World Politics, and Contemporary Issues in Human Rights.

The following are some of the offered courses:

PSC 251 Unerstanding Al Qaeda, Bin Laden, and Jihadism

PSC 251 The Politics of Everyday Things

PSC 258 Political Psychology

PSC 266 Problems in Comparative Politics
Gen Ed: G

PSC 291 Contemporary Issues in Human Rights
Central concepts in human rights and international barriers to action. This is a discussion course addressing questions like, Can or should human rights be protected internationally? Is it possible to balance conflicting rights? What is the continuing role of torture in Europe and elsewhere?

In addition, the following have been offered recently:

PSC 253 Contemporary Issues: US and Middle East

PSC 286 Contemporary Issues in World Politics

PSC 301 The Presidency

Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing

The development of the contemporary presidency and its position within the American constitutional framework. Special attention will be paid to the presidential selection system, to alternate models of the presidency and to presidential power.

PSC 302 The Legislative Process

Prerequisites: PSC 101 or permission of the instructor; and upper-division standing

A thorough study of the United States Congress and its power to make law. Elections, legislative leadership, congressional committees, inter-branch relations, and the dynamics of the legislative process are some of the sub-themes.

PSC 304 Bureaucratic Politics

Gen Ed: W

Prerequisite: PSC 101 or prior coursework in social science

A broad overview of the development and performance of bureaucratic institutions in the U.S. political system, exploring the extraordinary expansion of bureaucratic authority in recent decades and various explanations of government growth. A review of the historical development of bureaucratic institutions will set the stage for subsequent discussions of the performance of public sector organizations and prospects for significant reform in the next decade.

PSC 305 Internship (3 to 15 credits)

Students take part in internship opportunities in the public and private sector, in conjunction with a series of five on-campus seminars with core readings designed to integrate the student's real-world experience with the academic discipline. Students are placed on congressional and state legislative staffs, in state and local government, in the judicial system, in prosecutors' offices, in law firms, and a variety of other public and non profit organizations.

PSC 306 Civil Rights Movements in the United States

Gen Ed: C, D

A study of the politics of civil rights and the various philosophical approaches that have been used to extend such rights to groups that have traditionally had no access to the agenda setting processes within the legislative system. Emphasis is placed on the philosophy of nonviolence and on the political effectiveness of such organizing strategies as marches, sit-ins, and public demonstrations; and how the American experience with civil rights has influenced civil rights movements in other parts of the world. Cross-listed as AAS 306.

PSC 311 State Politics

Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing

An exploration of politics and government in the American states. The course is a comparative analysis of the 50 states, although special attention will be given to Massachusetts.

PSC 312 Massachusetts Politics

Prerequisites: PSC 101 or consent of instructor and upper-division standing

An analysis of selected aspects of Massachusetts politics and government: the state legislature, electoral trends, parties, courts, and executive policy are potential subjects. There will be a special emphasis on student research.

PSC 313 Urban Politics

Ged Ed: D

Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing

A critical examination of the urban political community in the United States. Particular attention is given to the adequacy of the city as an arena of conflict resolution and decision-making as well as such current problems as urban reconstruction in the ghettos. Field research in the area by individuals or groups is encouraged but not required. Cross-listed as AAS 313.

PSC 315 Public Policy in America

Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing

The policy-making roles, processes, and dynamics of U.S. political institutions, including the federal bureaucracy, media, think tanks, and universities.

PSC 317 African Political Systems

Ged Ed: C, D, G

A study of the contemporary politics of African states and governments, and providing exposure to the African historical backgrounds, political cultures, political trends, and ideology. The colonial heritage of African states, the quest for modernization and nation-building, and the transition to democratic governance are explored. Cross-listed as AAS 317.

PSC 320 American Political Thought I

American political thought from the Revolution to the Civil War with particular emphasis on ideas of state-building and political economy. Readings may vary, but will likely include the Declaration of Independence, early state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, The U.S. Constitution, The Federalist, selections from the Jacksonian democrats, and articles by George Fitzhugh.

PSC 321 American Political Thought II

American political thought from the end of Reconstruction to the New Deal, with particular emphasis on ideas of statebuilding and political economy. Readings may vary but will likely include William Graham Sumner, selected American Socialists, J. Allen Smith, and Herbert Croly.

PSC 322 Constitutional Law

Gen Ed: O, W

Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing

Course centers on the development of the constitutional framework of American government. Supreme Court cases will cover judicial review, the powers of the three branches, and federalism.

PSC 323 Civil Liberties and Rights

Gen Ed: E

Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing.

In effect the second half of the course on Constitutional Law. The Civil Liberties course deals with the relations between the individual and the state as defined by U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Topics may include rights of racial minorities, freedom of speech, church-state relations, and the rights of criminal defendants.

PSC 326 Labor Relations: Law, Practice, and Policy

An examination of the political and legal framework of U.S. labor relations. The course will include analysis of legislation and Supreme Court and NLRB cases which shape national labor policy and define relations among workers, employers, and the state. Cross-listed as LST 326.

PSC 331 Political Parties and Interest Groups

Prerequisites: PSC 101 or written permission of instructor; and upper-division standing

The development and function of political parties and political interest groups in American politics. Strategies for lobbying and for creating interest groups also examined.

PSC 332 Sex Roles and Politics

Prerequisites: PSC 101 or PSC 238 or WMS 100, and upper-division standing

An examination of the impact of gender as a variable in American politics. The course analyzes women in the electorate as candidates, as office holders, and as political participants including participation in political organizations and lobbying groups. Cross-listed as WMS 332.

PSC 347 Environmental Law

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing

An introduction to basic concepts of environmental law. The emphasis is on broad introductory themes.

PSC 348 Marine Policy and Law

PSC 349 Political Science Research Methods

Prerequisites: PSC 101, 151, or 161, or permission of instructor; and upper-division standing

An introduction to the various subfields of political science from a practitioner's point of view. Students will learn how to study politics scientifically using theories, hypotheses, and concepts to explore the relationships among variables. Students will also learn how to define and critique concepts commonly used in professional journals. The course concludes with an overview of descriptive statistics and their application to data analysis within a Political Science framework.

PSC 351 Modern Political Thought

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing

European political theorists from the 16th through 19th centuries. Course will focus on the development of modern liberalism with some attention to its nineteenth century critics. Readings may vary, but most likely will include the major political writings of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Bentham.

PSC 352 Classical Political Thought

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing

European political theorists from ancient Greece through the 15th century. Readings may vary, but most likely will include the major political writings of Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, and others.

PSC 353 Non-Western Political Thought

Gen Ed: G

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing

The political philosophy of non-western thinkers whose ideas had a deep impact on the political institutions in lands outside Europe. Emphasis is on Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim thinkers who at different periods of history gave insightful expositions of human nature in politics.

PSC 354 Contemporary Political Thought

Prerequisite: upper-division standing

PSC 333 Political Behavior

Prerequisites: PSC 101 or PSC 238 and PSC 349, or written permission of instructor; and upper-division standing

Examines political behavior within the American political system. Special emphasis on quantitative methods to examine participation. Original data sets which have provided the sources for assigned readings are supplied. Emphasis on socio-economic models of participation.

PSC 339 Women and Public Policy
Gen Ed: D
Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing
Examines public policies and landmark Supreme Court opinions relating to gender equality and women's interests in the United States. Topics may include educational policies, employment policies, child care policies, health care policies, reproductive rights, and policies relating to women as criminals. Cross-listed as WMS 339.

PSC 342 Public Administration
Prerequisites: PSC 101 and upper-division standing
Examination of the general nature of the bureaucracy in public and private organization and in various cultural contexts. Attention is given to administrative responsibility.

PSC 354 Contemporary Political Thought
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing
The recent ideological currents in advanced capitalist societies: neo-conservatism, neoliberalism, syndicalism, postmarxian socialism, eco-anarchism, and corporate fascism. The course will focus on political thinkers who have made significant contributions to the interpretation of contemporary political and economic developments.

PSC 360 Politics and Governments of Western Europe
Gen Ed: G
Prerequisite: PSC 151 or upper-division standing
The political culture, historical political development, and governmental institutions of major Western European nations, including the European Union. The course will focus on Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.

PSC 360 European Politics (Topic: EU-Russian Resource Politics)

PSC 361 Chinese Government and Politics
Prerequisites: PSC 151 and upper-division standing
An introduction to the People's Republic of China and its political process. The interrelationships between China's revolutionary heritage and the development of Maoist ideology and mass mobilization politics, economic policy, and foreign policy will be examined. Finally, post-Mao politics will be studied to determine the degree and direction of change and its implication for Chinese politics and for the Chinese people.

PSC 363 Politics and Government of the Middle East
Gen Ed: C, G
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing
The politics of the Middle East in terms of the region's history, geography, culture and the impact of the West. Country studies include Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf States.

PSC 366 Islam and Politics: Al Qaeda and Jihadi Terrorism in the Middle East
Gen Ed: C, G
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing
The political and cultural history of Islam. Students will learn about the contemporary revolutionary religious movements in Muslim countries and their effect on world politics.

PSC 368 Government and Politics of the Former Soviet Union
Gen Ed: G, W
Prerequisites: PSC 151 or permission of the instructor, and upper-division standing
Examination of the factors which led to the demise of the former Soviet Union as well as the politics of transition during the post-Soviet period including the relationships between political and economic change, institution building, and state capability, and the evolution of new sources of political legitimacy.

PSC 369 Transitions to Democracy
Transitions from non-democratic to democratic regimes in three major areas of the world, Southern Europe, the Soviet Union and East-Central Europe, and South America, from a comparative theoretical perspective. Theoretical problems include what democracy is and is not, democratic transition and democratic consolidation, how and why transitions to democracy have occurred, and factors that influence the success or failure of democratization.

PSC 373 Cape Verdean Politics and Society
Gen Ed: C, D, G
A study of Cape Verdeans as an ethnic subpopulation in the United States, and as comprising an independent, self-governing nation-state. The historical, political, social, and economic contributions of Americans of Cape Verdean descent in the United States and in Cape Verde are examined. Crosslisted as AAS 303.

PSC 381 Contemporary International Relations
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing
Problems in international relations with emphasis on changing characteristics of contemporary world politics. Attention is given to super-power politics and accommodations (detente) in Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and the problems associated with the emergence of a new world order.

PSC 382 American Foreign Policy
Prerequisite: PSC 161 or permission of the instructor
Policy choices made by the United States and the actors, institutions, and influences that affect those decisions. Students gain an understanding of the foreign policy positions of presidential candidates and presidents, the various influences on the making of American foreign policy and the American foreign policy process, and the impact of the hanging international environment on American foreign policy.

PSC 383 The Politics of International Economic Relations
Gen Ed: G, W
Prerequisites: PSC 151 or PSC 161 or permission of instructor, and upper-division standing
Examination of the politics and impact of international economic issues globally, including how international economic policies are made, their differential impact on industrialized and less-industrialized countries, and the evolution and behavior of important actors in the global economy (governments, international organizations, NGOs).

PSC 385 Multiculturalism and Diplomacy in World Affairs
Prerequisites: PSC 151, 161
Diplomacy, negotiation, and foreign policy decision-making. Students will learn the theory of negotiation from structured student-participation discussions. Students then participate in a multi-university, multinational foreign policy web-based simulation exercise that helps illustrate the problems and possibilities of international interactions, in which students negotiate with other diplomats to achieve foreign policy goals concerning such issues as drug trafficking, terrorism, human rights, world health, the environment, and debt and development.

PSC 386 International Conflict
Prerequisite: PSC 161
Analysis of the causes of and state responses to international conflict and violence. A particular emphasis is placed on ethnic conflict, managing conflict, and the future of international conflict. Can conflict be minimized or controlled? Is our world more or less safe than it was before? Are we heading toward a World War III?

PSC 393 The Political Economy of European Integration: The Portuguese Case
Gen Ed: G
Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above
Examines the political, economic, and demographic shifts in Portuguese society that have accompanied the process of European integration. This is a four-week summer course offered in a study-abroad format in Portugal. Various field trips and guest lectures will shed light on the impact of EU integration.

PSC 394 The Politics of European Integration
Prerequisite: sophomore standing or above
Topics on European integration, the historical development of the European Union, eastward expansion, treaties, the Single Market, the EURO, theories of European integration, and challenges facing small states in the EU. This is a four-week summer course offered in a study-abroad format in Portugal. Various field trips and guest lectures will shed light on the impact of EU integration.

PSC 395 Politics and Development of Modern Portugal
Gen Ed: G
The politics and economic development of 20th century Portugal. This course will explore the links between changes in the socio-economic structures of the country and the transformation of the political system. Portuguese colonialism, the corporatist Estado Novo, and the transition to and consolidation of democracy will be examined from a comparative European perspective.

PSC 400-449 Seminars in American Politics and Ideas - Recently offered seminars include:

PSC 401 Seminar: American Presidency
Gen Ed: O

PSC 407 Seminar: Identity Politics

PSC 408 Seminar: Judicial Process and Behavior

PSC 412 Seminar: Contemporary American Political Ideas

PSC 4xx Seminar: Politics of Pluralism

PSC 445 Research Seminar in American Politics and Ideas

PSC 450-494 Seminars in World Politics and Ideas - Recently offered seminars include:

PSC 450 Seminar: Wealth, Power, Resource Wars, and Sustainability

PSC 451 Seminar: The Political Economy of Development

PSC 456 Seminar: Globalization

PSC 477 Research Seminar in World Politics and Ideas

PSC 495 Independent Study (variable credit)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; permission of instructor, department chairperson, and college dean
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area not otherwise part of the discipline's course offerings. Conditions and hours to be arranged.

PSC 196, 296, 396, 496 Directed Study (variable credit)
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and college dean
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area covered in a regular course not currently being offered. Conditions and hours to be arranged.

PSC 499 Thesis (variable credit)
Undergraduate thesis under the supervision of a faculty member, by arrangement.

Course for the Master of Arts in Teaching

PSC 501 Teaching Political Science in Secondary Schools
Analysis of the policy-making process, particularly in contemporary American national, state and local politics; comparative analysis of other political systems; development of issue oriented case studies and units for use in secondary school social studies courses; development of critical thinking and communications skills.