Note:  All courses listed here may not be available every semester.  See schedule of courses for courses available in the upcoming semester.

PLSC 101  World Politics
Dr. Steven Jackson  sjackson@iup.edu   Office Phone 724-357-2290
Fulfills a Social Science Requirement and Non-Western Requirement.

Objectives: Students will become aware of non-Western perspectives on international relations and politics, will develop an understanding of current events outside of the United States and will understand basic concepts and analytical structures of international relations. Students will become familiar with the geography of non-Western areas and the history of those areas and will be able to recognize important states, events, dates and trends.

The convenience and flexibility of distance education carries with it the hazards of technological failure. The following is a plan for dealing with such failures as they occur. NOTE: Indiana University of Pennsylvania does not provide computers for this course or house call assistance. It is each student’s obligation to have access to the minimum computer configuration in order to take this course. That minimal configuration is a computer capable of running either Netscape 4.0 or Internet Explorer 4.0 (preferred) browsers or higher, a 28.8 bps or higher modem, and enough available hard disk space to download necessary plug-in software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, RealPlayer, Shockwave or Flash.

1. Should the WebCT software or server be unavailable for more than 12 hours, I will e-mail all students with a notification and readings. The original course homepage (http://old.www.iup.edu/politicalscience/courses/ps101/) will serve as a backup site.
2. Although students should use the dedicated e-mail of WebCT in normal circumstances, each student should also have a backup e-mail address that is available from their location (i.e., Hotmail, Xoommail, etc.) to send and receive assignments. Students can use their university e-mail accounts through http://webmail.iup.edu , a web-based interface for the university e-mail system.
3. All students should have a backup plan for a computer failure, such as computers available in local libraries, other SSHE universities, at local copy shops or other locations as a temporary measure.
4. All students MUST test their computer as soon as possible to verify that it is capable of interacting with WebCT, sending and receiving e-mail, and reading PDF documents.

Course Website:  http://old.www.iup.edu/politicalscience/courses/ps101/

PLSC 111  American Politics
Dr. Gwendolyn Torges  torges@iup.edu    Office Phone:  724-357-7961

Fulfills a Social Science Requirement. American politics is a broad sub-field of political science which studies the way in which our government works, and the forces that influence policies that directly affect our lives. The course examines not only the spectacle of Presidential elections, it also looks at how the president operates within a complex system of three branches of government. There are no prerequisites for the course, and it carries Liberal Studies Social Studies credit. The course is specifically designed for off-campus students.

Objectives: Students will become aware the major institutions of American government, the philosophical bases of American government, and the formal and informal exercise of power. This course would cover the same range of topics as traditionally delivered courses in PLSC 111 (i.e., introducing the fundamentals of the American political system, including theory, institutions and behavior). Students would complete the course within the same number of weeks as their in-class colleagues (i.e., 15 weeks during the fall and spring semesters, five weeks during summer sessions). The course would include reading of texts and supplemental materials, virtual discussions, research, testing and writing. Additionally, because of easy Web access to major national newspapers such as the New York Times, current events related to American politics would be emphasized.

One formal text is required for the course as well as other readings which will be available online, and are required for the course. The convenience and flexibility of distance education carries with it the hazards of technological failure. The following is a plan for dealing with such failures as they occur. NOTE: Indiana University of Pennsylvania does not provide computers for this course or house call assistance. It is each student’s obligation to have access to the minimum computer configuration in order to take this course. That minimal configuration is a computer capable of running either Netscape 4.0 or Internet Explorer 4.0 (preferred) browsers or higher, a 28.8 bps or higher modem, and enough available hard disk space to download necessary plug-in software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, RealPlayer, Shockwave or Flash.

Although students should use the dedicated e-mail of WebCT in normal circumstances, each student should also have a backup e-mail address that is available from their location (i.e., Hotmail, Xoommail, etc.) to send and receive assignments. Students can use their university e-mail accounts through http://webmail.iup.edu , a web-based interface for the university e-mail system.

All students should have a backup plan for a computer failure, such as computers available in local libraries, other SSHE universities, at local copy shops or other locations as a temporary measure.

All students MUST test their computer as soon as possible to verify that it is capable of interacting with WebCT, sending and receiving e-mail, and reading PDF documents.

PLSC 250 Public Policy
Dr. Susan J. Martin   smartin@iup.edu    Office Phone:  724-357-7901

Emphasizes dynamics of government as they are evidenced in public opinion, pressure groups, political parties, and our governmental institutions.  Attention also directed toward the political-economic nexus within American society.  Introduces the student to the types of public policy, types of government departments and agencies, and enhances critical thinking skills needed to analyze the policy making process.  In addition, students explore the development of public policy structures in the United States in an attempt to understand the integrated nature of modern policy structures and public problems.

PLSC 351 Legislative Process
Dr. Susan J. Martin  smartin@iup.edu    Office Phone:  724-357-7901

A functional study of legislative bodies and process of legislation, covering organization of legislative assemblies, operation of committee system, procedures, bill drafting, aides, and controls over legislation.
 

PLSC 358/558  Judicial Process
Dr. Gwendolyn Torges   torges@iup.edu    Office Phone:  724-357-7961

Prerequisite:  PLSC 111 American Politics or email instructor for permission
Explores nature and limits of judicial power, courts as policymaking bodies, selection of judges, decision process, external forces impinging on the courts, and role of Supreme Court in its relationship with Congress, the Presidency, and federalism.

PLSC 359/559  Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties
Dr. Gwendolyn Torges   torges@iup.edu    Office Phone:  724-357-7961

Prerequisite:  PLSC 111 American Politics or email instructor for permission
A study of civil liberties and civil rights issues through leading Supreme Court decisions; topics treated include First Amendment rights, procedural due process and the Bill of Rights, and Equal Protection problems in civil rights.

PLSC 371/571  Issues in Public Administration
Dr. Susan J. Martin   smartin@iup.edu    Office Phone:  724-357-7901

An intensive study of the role of federal agencies and their administrators in determining and developing public policy.  Public administration in practice is emphasized by utilizing case studies.

Contact the Student Helpdesk 724-357-2198 for general computing questions, email issues, etc.