63 courses with the subject POSC, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
POSC 1010Political Science Fiction3
The best science/speculative fiction includes complex political structures that animate the lived experiences of the characters thrust into fictional and fantastical worlds. In this class, paired with Black Speculative Fiction, we will explore the political structures and systems of far off galaxies, multiverses, alternative dimensions, and magical institutions. By applying political theory and science to fictional worlds we will gain the critical analytic capacities to evaluate forms of government, policy, and social movements. This class will help stud Attributes: LC YLIB
In this course, we study real-world events and seek to explain why politicians and bureaucrats responded the way that they did. The goal of the course is to illustrate how comparativists see world events as puzzles and use tools and techniques of the discipline to sole those puzzles. Attributes: LC YLIB
This course explores both longstanding and contemporary issues that cut across and show the interconnection between law and politics. Issues examined vary from the politics and legal implications of how judges are chosen to the merits of plea-bargaining to questions of constitutional liberty such as same sex marriage. Attributes: LC YLIB
Students play the role of decision-makers in the policy-making institutions of the European Union. This simulation is conducted in Europe and in various United States locations in alternate years. Involves regular briefing and preparation sessions prior to the simulation exercise. Participants may be responsible for some of the additional fees involved (travel, program registration, meals, etc.). May be repeated for a maximum of three credits. Graded S/U. Permission of the instructor is required. Typically offered:
A simulated civil or criminal trial procedure in which students play the roles of prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, or witnesses. Participation requires preparation of case materials and practice trial runs. The Fisher team competes against teams from other area colleges. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Graded S/U. Typically offered:
Any TWO courses from American Studies electives list with an AMST prefix (6) TWO additional course at the 300- or 400-level from electives list (3) Additional courses required for NYSED approval: Choose ONE:
Using information related to dams, this course is designed to introduce students to the analysis of quantitative data. This course will help students understand and interpret quantitative data provided by others, appreciate when quantitative data is useful and when it is not useful, and recognize how statistics can be used to mislead. Students will also learn to gather and analyze their own data. This analysis of quantitative data will take place through the exploration of the impact of dams on local, national, and global populations. From energy product Attributes: DA YLIB
Students learn the basics of writing an academic research paper in this discipline. Emphasis is on elements of persuasive argumentation, the inclusion of more than one perspective on an issue, the proper use and documentation of sources, and revision. Students also learn how to make an effective oral presentation of their research. Department-determined topic may change from semester to semester and is likely to include literary texts as primary materials. Typically offered: Spring - Even Years Attributes: RW YLIB ZRES
This course will introduce students to topics in political science. The topic will vary depending on student interests and the interests of the instructor. The course may be taken multiple times with different topics. This course does not count for political science major or minor requirements. 202309 Section 01 Topic: Politics of Sport Course Description: While often thought of as completely separate, politics and sports are heavily intertwined with one another. From Novak Djokovic to Megan Rapinoe and from the Iranian National Soccer Team to Colin Kaepernick, the public status of athletes gives them a platform to put forward their political views and act as activists. Conversely, from segregation in baseball to location of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, sports has never been free from the influence of politics. At times, sports and sporting events have played an important role in internatio Attributes: YLIB
In this course students are introduced to the “tools” relevant to thinking about and doing political science. Students will be instructed in how to read & interpret political science literature; present and apply multiple perspectives; write, revise and present a research paper; and understand basic political science methodologies. Attributes: YLIB
An introduction to politics and government in New York, focusing on state and local government institutions, campaigns and voting, and influential actors such as parties and local media. The course includes guest lectures with state and local political actors Attributes: P3 YLIB
An introduction to the basic concepts and approaches to political thought, focusing on two authors : Plato and Hobbes. Emphasis is placed on learning to read texts and secondary literature through extended analysis and discussion of original works and commentary. Attributes: P2 YLIB
This course is structured around answering fundamental and important questions in American politics, including why we have a two-party system, what (who!) the Electoral College is and how it works, how (un)biased the media are and how much it matters, and many others. In addition, students will learn about controversial policies of the day, such as immigration, guns, and affirmative action, in order to better understand their own and others’ views. As a part of the Citizenship and Civic Engagement Core area, this course helps students gain the knowledge, Attributes: CCE YLIB
This course examines the role and function of the American jury. Issues presented include strategies in jury selection, jury representativeness, jury impartiality, jury fact finding, and jury decision making. Formerly titled: Judges, Juries, & Trials. Typically offered:
TWO POSC electives at the 300 level or above (6) to be chosen from: POSC 306,317 318, 327, 335, 345, 350, Total: 18 credits Below are 300 level law/legal studies courses. These law/legal studies courses and DO NOT count for the PO
This course examines how globalization affects international and domestic politics and economics. Topics include multinational corporations, trade, investment, inequality, the environment, international institutions, and culture. Attributes: ISFS P3 YLIB
This course examines the role and functions of political parties and interest groups in the American political system. Topics include their roles in elections, campaigns, and policy-making in the legislative and executive branches. Attributes: P3 YLIB
This course provides students with an introduction to the politics of Central America focusing on two of the biggest issues this region faces: violence and migration. Focusing on both the countries as individuals and Central America as a region the course explores domestic, regional, and international implications of these two issues as well as the various form it takes. Since the end of WWII, Central America has faced violence in a multitude of manners. During the Cold War Central America experienced civil wars, genocide, and state sponsored violence against its citizens. Since the end of the Cold War, political repression has continued to be a factor in the region but violence by gangs, drug Attributes: YLIB
This course is a comparative examination of European politics, using cases such as Great Britain, France Germany, Italy, or Scandinavian countries. It examines the various political systems, electoral systems, interest-groups and political parties, and important political actors and policies that are present in Europe, as well as regionalism, and the process of European integration in the context of the European Union. Attributes: ISRS P5 YLIB
Survey of the development of government and politics in the states of the Middle East. Topics include the rise of Islam, colonialism and its aftermath, nationalism and fundamentalism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, oil politics, and the Gulf Wars. Attributes: CC ISRS YLIB
This course examines the domestic and foreign policies of Russia, with an emphasis on how historical factors and more current changes in the domestic and international environment can explain Russia’s re-assertion of power on the global scene and its transition towards authoritarianism. Formerly titled: CC Russian/Post-Soviet Politics. Attributes: CC ISFS YLIB
What law is and what is expected from it is in part a function of how law is defined and studied. This course explores the meaning and expectation of law as interpreted by major schools of jurisprudence including natural law, positivism, sociological jurisprudence, legal realism, critical legal studies, feminist legal theory, and critical race theory. Typically offered:
This course examines the meaning and relevance of American political ideologies in modern politics. In particular, we seek to answer several fundamental questions about liberalism and conservatism, including why people adopt particular ideologies (including biological and social explanations), how relevant they are to public opinion, and whether ideologies are “good” or “bad” for political participation and discourse. Attributes: YLIB
This course examines the expression of racial hatred and radical conservatism in political movements and parties from the 1920s to the present. Students explore institutionalized radicalism (the fascist and Nazi regimes of Italy and Germany from 1922 to 1945), as well as radical populist movements and radical fringe groups (militias and neo-nazi movements) in the United States. Students use the method of comparative analysis to explore the commonalities and differences between these radical groups across time and space. Attributes: YLIB
This course familiarizes students with the role of public opinion in American politics, including its connection to democracy, representation, and voting. In building student familiarity, this course investigates the formulation of public opinion, how public opinion is gathered, how to interpret polling data, and its use by the media and politicians. Attributes: YLIB
Almost every day, the news remind us that God is central to many political debates, whether they concern world issues like conflict and terrorism or domestic debates like education, health care, marriage, or presidential campaigns. This course examines the place of God in politics, using examples from the United States and other countries and addresses the ways in which secular and sacred authorities have competed for power over the years. Despite discussing religion, this course is not a class on theology or belief systems but rather a class on how reli Attributes: YLIB
An analysis of the structures through which foreign policy decisions are determined. The objectives of this course are to develop a critical approach to the study of foreign policy determination and implementation through an understanding of historical precedents, organizational structures, and traditional and contemporary theories and thereby be in a position to analyze current events and problems of American involvement in world affairs. Attributes: YLIB
An advanced exploration of the roles and functions of the president and the presidency in the American political system. Topics include the constitutional presidency, presidential elections, congressional-presidential relations in domestic and foreign policy, and presidential oversight of the federal bureaucracy. Attributes: YLIB
An advanced exploration of the roles and functions of Congress and its members in the American political system. Topics include the powers of Congress, the elections and careers of members of Congress, the congressional committee system, congressional leadership, and House and Senate differences. Attributes: YLIB
An examination of the case law and meaning the U.S. Supreme Court has provided for the Constitution in such areas as civil liberties, civil rights, First Amendment liberties, property rights, rights of the accused, and government powers. Typically offered:
This course concentrates on the judicial behavior of trial court & appellate court judges with special emphasis on topics such as judicial decision-making, judicial roles, and the differences between trial and appellate judges. Formerly titled Judicial Process. Attributes: YLIB ZEXL ZRES
In this course, students will examine various strategies political actors have used in order to get the political outcome they want. We will particularly examine the use of political strategies on such issues as voting in democratic societies, agenda-setting, legislating, campaigning, or forming government. Examples will be drawn from the American political system and other democratic polities. Attributes: YLIB
This course examines the relationship between media and politics. It explores the media both as an independent institution reporting on government and politics and influencing public opinion and as a tool used by candidates, elected officials, and governments. Among the topics considered are where Americans get their news, new media versus traditional media, the decline of adversarial reporting, the rise of the ideological media, campaigning through the media, and governing through the media. Cross-listed with COMM 345. Attributes: YLIB
This course delves into the complex and dynamic field of environmental law, focusing on the role it plays in shaping public policy and influencing corporate behavior. Students will explore the foundational principles of environmental law and the mechanisms used to enforce them, including statutes, regulations, and case law at both the national and international levels. Topics to be discussed include the historical development of environmental law, major environmental statutes like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, legal responses to climate chan Attributes: YLIB
This course will examine why countries, groups, and individuals often resort to the use of violence in international politics, what strategies they employ, and what possibilities, if any, exist for bringing them back to nonviolent bargaining. Topics will include civil and interstate war, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, insurgencies, assassinations, peacekeeping, and mediation. Students who have credit for POSC 250 may not earn credit for POSC 350. Attributes: ISFS YLIB
Note: No course taken to meet a student's major may also be applied to the political science minor unless 2025-2026 Catalog » Academic Programs » Undergraduate » School of Arts and Sciences » Political Science
In this course, students will develop an inquiry-based project by conducting in-depth research using discipline specific practices that result in transferable research and writing. Students will build on the critical thinking and writing competencies they have previously acquired to engage topics and ideas in the field. Students will formulate important questions or problems, identify and examine appropriate sources, and use evidence in order to substantiate their own claims. They will acknowledge and address alternative explanations in scholarly convers Typically offered:
A selective program directly involving students in the national political process through a work-study experience in Washington, D.C. Permission of the department chair is required. Typically offered:
A selective program directly involving students in the national political process through a work-study experience in Washington, D.C. Permission of the department chair is required. This course can be used to replace a 300 - level Political Science major elective. Typically offered:
A selective program directly involving students in the national political process through a work-study experience in Washington, D.C. Permission of the department chair is required. Typically offered:
In-depth study of a topic in political science under the direction of a full-time member of the Political Science and Legal Studies Department. Completion of the Independent Study/Tutorial Authorization form is required. Typically offered: Fall, Spring & Summer Attributes: YLIB ZRES
Directed individual research projects arranged for exceptional Political Science majors in consultation with a faculty advisor within the department. The honors committee consists of a Political Science faculty advisor, the department chair, and one additional faculty member (who may come outside of the Political Science department) of the student’s choosing. Projects are presented and defended at a colloquium. The intent to pursue an honors project must be declared before the senior year. Completion of the Independent Study/Tutorial Authorization form is required. Attributes: YLIB ZRES
