2000-2001 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
PLSC 111 American Politics
3c-0l-3sh
An introduction to American national government and politics, emphasizing Constitution, party system, Congress, Presidency, courts, and problems in national-state relations, civil rights, foreign policy, and social and economic policies.
PLSC 250 Public Policy
3c-0l-3sh
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-economical nexus within American society.
PLSC 251 State and Local Political Systems
3c-0l-3sh
Institutions and processes of state and local governments, with special attention to Pennsylvania; emphasis on the nature of federalism, state constitutions, and role of state and local government in an urban society.
PLSC 280 Comparative Government I: Western Political Systems
3c-0l-3sh
Analyzes Western political systems with emphasis upon major contemporary democratic governments of Europe. Analyzes and compares their political cultures, political institutions, and political processes.
PLSC 281 Special Topics
var-1-3sh
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower-level undergraduate students.
PLSC 282 International Relations
3c-0l-3sh
Provides a conceptual framework for understanding sovereignty, nationalism, power, security, dispute settlement, and diplomatic, legal, economic, and military relations of nation-states.
PLSC 283 American Foreign Policy
3c-0l-3sh
Examines formulation and execution of American foreign policy, with attention to governmental institutions, mass media, interest groups, and public opinion; emphasizes contemporary problems.
PLSC 285 Comparative Government II: Non-Western Political Systems
3c-0l-3sh
Analyzes major non-Western political systems with emphasis upon authoritarian and totalitarian systems. Analyzes and compares in a systematic manner their political cultures, political institutions, and political processes.
PLSC 300 Research Methods in Political Science
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisite: PLSC 101 or PLSC 111
An examination of the application of the scientific approach to the investigation of social and political phenomena. Concentrates on approaches, methods, and computer tools. All political science majors and minors are strongly urged to enroll.
PLSC 320 International Law
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisites: PLSC 101, PLSC 281, or permission of instructor
The study of the development, nature, and function of international law, including recent trends.
PLSC 321 International Organizations
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisites: PLSC 101, PLSC 281, or permission of instructor
An inquiry into purposes, structures, and actions of contemporary international political organizations, such as United Nations, regional, and functional organizations.
PLSC 346 Political Sociology
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisites: PLSC 111, SOC 151
Examines (a) who controls the state and state policy, (b) the role the state plays in stabilizing capitalism and protecting the power of the upper class, (c) the political activities of the middle and upper class, (d) labor, civil rights, welfare rights, and social movements in America. Cross-listed as SOC 458.
PLSC 350 The Presidency
3c-0l-3sh
An examination of the Office of President, with attention to constitutional foundations, evolution, structure, powers, and functions; some comparisons between presidential and parliamentary systems and between offices of President and governor.
PLSC 351 Legislative Process
3c-0l-3sh
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 353 American Political Parties
3c-0l-3sh
The role of people, parties, and pressure groups in politics of American democracy; attention to sectional and historical roots of national politics, voting behavior, pressure group analysis, and campaign activities.
PLSC 354 Metropolitan Problems
3c-0l-3sh
Analyzes multiplicity of problems facing our metropolitan areas. Contemporary developments such as urban renewal, shrinking tax base, federal aid to cities, subsidized mass transit, municipal authorities, and political consolidation are examined.
PLSC 355 Intergovernmental Relations
3c-0l-3sh
Explores characteristics of federal systems of government, with emphasis on theories, origins, institutions, problems in intergovernmental relations in the United States, federal systems in other nations, and trends.
PLSC 356 Mass Media in American Politics
3c-0l-3sh
Variant theories of the symbolic relationship between American politics and the press are examined in the light of the American colonial-national experience. The special Constitutional rights given to the media are explored, with particular attention to radio-TV.
PLSC 358 Judicial Process
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisite: PLSC 111
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 Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisite: PLSC 111
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 360 Classical Political Thought
3c-0l-3sh
Restriction: Not for credit after PHIL 323
The origins and development of Western thought from Plato and Aristotle through Cicero and Saint Aquinas. The focus is especially on political participation as a way of life, the unity of political and moral conceptions in premodern political thought, and the relationship between order and justice.
PLSC 361 Modern Political Thought
3c-0l-3sh
Covers the major representatives of modern political thought since the Renaissance. Follows the development of the specifically modern notion of the state and political action through the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Lenin. Emphasis will be on the “instrumentalist” state and the idea of a political science.
PLSC 362 American Political Thought
3c-0l-3sh
Covers a variety of American political ideas from the Puritans through recent radical and conservative critiques of American liberal democracy. Focus on the continuing development of the idea of individual rights, the political theory of the Constitution, and the tension between classical liberalism and popular rule.
PLSC 370 Introduction to Public Administration
3c-0l-3sh
Theories of organization and structural organization, personnel processes, executive functions, financial administration, the politics of administration, public relations, and problems of democratic control of bureaucracy.
PLSC 371 Issues in Public Administration
3c-0l-3sh
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.
PLSC 377 Political Behavior
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, PLSC 111
An interdisciplinary course which investigates the psychological bases of political behavior. Cross-listed as PSYC 377.
PLSC 380 Soviet Politics
3c-0l-3sh
Essential features of Communist party and government of the former U.S.S.R., including geographical and historical background and ideological and theoretical foundations. PLSC 280 should be taken prior to this course. (Course content is in revision to reflect changing structure.)
PLSC 382-387 Political Systems
3c-0l-3sh
Intensive, comparative study of the government and politics of a selected region. Suggested prerequisites: PLSC 280 and/or PLSC 285; PLSC 382 Africa; PLSC 383 Asia; PLSC 384 Middle East; PLSC 385 Central and Eastern Europe; PLSC 387 Latin America
PLSC 388 Political-Military Strategy
3c-0l-3sh
Prerequisites: PLSC 281 or PLSC 283 or MLSC 101-102
Deals with national security problems including decision making and budgeting, levels of strategy, the utility of force, and the impact of the military on American society.
PLSC 389 Developing Nations
3c-0l-3sh
Suggested prerequisites: PLSC 280 and/or 285
Political characteristics of emerging nations; impact of economic and social change upon political structure; evolving patterns of political development; and techniques of nation-building.
PLSC 480 Political Science Seminar
3c-0l-3sh
Readings and written assignments on a specific topic determined by the instructor in charge.
PLSC 481 Special Topics
var-1-3sh
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Special topics courses are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 481 are primarily for upper-level undergraduate students.
PLSC 482 Independent Study
var-3sh
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
Students with interest in independent study of a topic not offered in the curriculum may propose a plan of study in conjunction with a faculty member. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.
PLSC 493 Political Science Internship
var-2-12sh
Prerequisites: 9sh in Political Science with 2.0 QPA; PLSC 111; approval of internship director and chairperson
Practical experience in government and politics. “Log” and research project required. Course grade determined by the instructor. Maximum of 6sh applied to minimum in major; maximum of 3sh applied to minimum in minor.
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