2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Political Science (PLSC)
Department of Political Science
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit designation below each title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (cr) credits per semester.
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PLSC 280 Comparative Government I:
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PLSC 285 Comparative Government II:
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3c-0l-3cr
An analysis of contemporary (post-1945) state system and forces shaping the world in which we live. Student is given a framework within which to analyze contemporary international politics.
3c-0l-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
Analyzes Western political systems with emphasis upon major contemporary democratic governments of Europe. Analyzes and compares their political cultures, political institutions, and political processes.
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics 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-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PLSC 101, 281, or instructor permission
The study of the development, nature, and function of international law, including recent trends.
PLSC 321 International Organizations
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PLSC 101, 281, or instructor permission
An inquiry into purposes, structures, and actions of contemporary international political organizations, such as United Nations, regional, and functional organizations.
3c-0l-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
Restriction: Not for credit after PHIL 323
The origins and development of Western thought from Plato and Aristotle through Cicero and Saint Thomas Aquinas. Focuses 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-3cr
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. Emphasizes the “instrumentalist” state and the idea of a political science.
PLSC 362 American Political Thought
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
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-3cr
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.
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: PLSC 111, PSYC 101
An interdisciplinary course which investigates the psychological bases of political behavior. Cross-listed as PSYC 377.
3c-0l-3cr
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. (Content is in revision to reflect changing structure)
PLSC 382-387 Political Systems
3c-0l-3cr
Suggested Prerequisites: PLSC 280 and/or 285
An intensive, comparative study of the government and politics of a selected region. 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-3cr
Prerequisites: PLSC 281 or 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.
3c-0l-3cr
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-3cr
Readings and written assignments on a specific topic determined by the instructor in charge.
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics 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.
var-3cr
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-2-12cr
Prerequisites: 9cr in Political Science with 2.0 GPA; 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 6cr applied to minimum in major; maximum of 3cr applied to minimum in minor.
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