41 courses with the subject PSC, 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.
PSC 100U.S. National Politics (3 cr.)
How does the American political system work, and how has it evolved? In this course, students learn about the constitutional, political, and social aspects of American government. This includes the structure and functions of Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court, key political issues, how policy decisions are made, and how to be more effective citizens in a representative democracy. Liberal arts Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: U.S. Identities SUNY Framework: U.S. History and Civic Engagement Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
Why are some countries democracies? What strategies do authoritarian leaders pursue to remain in power? Why do some countries experience high levels of corruption and political violence? This course addresses these and other key questions in comparative politics, through a comparison of political systems in different regions of the world. Liberal Arts Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: World Cultures SUNY Framework: World History and Global Awareness Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
Why are U.S. relations with China increasingly tense while it gets along well with former foes like Germany, Japan, and Vietnam? What can be done about jihadi movements in northern Africa and southern Asia? Why are international efforts to address climate change so limited? We’ll discuss topics like these as we explore the history of today’s international politics and what political science can tell us about international politics and foreign policy. Liberal arts Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: World Cultures SUNY Framework: World History and Global Awareness Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
What is democracy, and what does it mean to be a democratic actor? What is the proper relationship between individuals and government? What makes political power legitimate? This course examines these and other core debates about political life in a pluralistic society. Through themes such as democracy, participation, and freedom, through readings drawn from the history of political philosophy, and through an interactive simulation, students will study the most foundational questions of political society. Liberal Arts Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: Individual Expression SUNY Framework: Humanities Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
An introduction to the nature and the function of state, county, and municipal governments in the United States and the political environment in which they operate. The constitutional bases and evolutionary changes of these governments are studied in the context of both political behavior and the processes of governmental decision-making. Particular emphasis on New York State government and local governments within New York. Liberal arts Semester(s) Offered: Varies
It is said that the United States is a government of laws, and not people. What does that mean? What is law and how is our legal system structured? What role has law played in supporting power and privilege in the United States? In this course, students will discuss the sources and purpose of law, survey various areas of law (constitutional, criminal, family, property, etc.), and examine the extent to which law can and does address societal problems. Liberal Arts Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: U.S. Identities SUNY Framework: U.S. History and Civic Engagement Semester(s) Offered: Fall
How can research about politics be “scientific”? How can we draw conclusions about political phenomena in a systematic and testable way? This course provides an introduction to quantitative analytical methods as applied to the study of politics and public policy. Students will learn how to gather data, use descriptive and inferential statistics, test hypotheses, and conduct basic mathematical modeling using statistical software, which is a highly marketable and in-demand skill. Political Science majors should complete PSC 313 before taking this course. Liberal Arts
Lower-level junior standing or higher, or POI Semester(s) Offered: Spring
PSC 313Writing in Political Science (3 cr.)
Within a seminar that focuses on writing and communicating clearly about political topics to public and political science audiences, students develop their ability to analyze and interpret politics and political events. Students will write extensively on topics of their choice as they work together to develop and enhance their research and writing abilities. Liberal Arts
Upper-level sophomore standing or higher, or POI Meets Advanced Writing Requirement Semester(s) Offered: Fall
PSC 314Legal Research and Writing (3 cr.)
Planning to attend law school? Interested in working in the legal field? Within a seminar focused on researching and writing about the law, students will: locate, analyze, cite, and explain law in its various forms; and compose objective and persuasive writing appropriate for various legal and non-legal audiences.nd persuasive writing appropriate for various legal and non-legal audiences. While useful for all, this skill-set will prove of great use to students planning to attend law school or work in the legal profession. Liberal arts
PSC 290 and upper-level sophomore standing or higher, or POI Meets Advanced Writing Requirement Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 318The Rise and Fall of Democracy (3 cr.)
Can democracy survive when its citizens are deeply divided and increasingly disappointed with their political system? This course explores the state of democracy today by looking at political institutions and why they change. Topics covered include how democratic and non-Democratic political systems are organized and the causes behind the rise and fall of democracies. Liberal Arts
When does ethnicity or race become political? Why does ethnic or racial pluralism sometimes lead to violence? This course covers these questions and more as it explores the politics of ethnicity and race around the world. Topics covered include the sources of ethnic and racial pluralism and their impact on ethnic/racial discrimination, the dynamics of ethnic/racial political mobilization, the sources of ethnic/racial violence, and what can be done to manage ethnic/racial political competition and violence. Liberal arts
sophomore standing and PSC 120 or PSC 231 or Junior standing Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: Human Communities SUNY Framework: Social Sciences Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 321Latin American Politics (3 cr.)
Why is democracy seemingly fragile in Latin America? How can we understand continuing struggles with political stability, economic development, and corruption? This course is an exploration of the political dynamics and patterns present in Latin America. Topics include the history of Latin American political development, political practices and institutions in the region, and regional political issues like development, inequality, corruption, democratic instability, migration, and drug trafficking. Liberal arts
Sophomore standing or POI Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: World Cultures SUNY Framework: World History and Global Awareness Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 327European Politics (3 cr.)
Why do some European countries have parliamentary systems? Why do European political systems sometimes include extreme right-wing and left-wing political parties? How did the European Union develop and how does it work? This course will help you understand the answers to these questions and more through a study of European political systems and their interaction with European Union politics. Liberal arts
Sophomore Status or POI. Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: World Cultures SUNY Framework: World History and Global Awareness Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 334War (3 cr.)
War is a uniquely impactful social activity due to its destructiveness and the way its possibility transforms societies. This class is an exploration of war from a variety of perspectives. Topics include the nature of war, why wars happen, how preparing for and fighting wars affect societies, and the ethics of war. Liberal arts
Sophomore standing or higher Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: Human Communities SUNY Framework: Social Sciences Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 343U.S. Congress and Presidency (3 cr.)
Selection, organization, processes, and personalities of our national legislature and executive. Constitutional powers, inter-branch relations, and economic and foreign policymaking. Liberal arts
PSC 344U.S. Political Parties and Interest Groups (3 cr.)
A study of the nature of political parties and interest groups, and their impact on elections, government, public policy, and political change. The similarities and differences between parties and interest groups as intermediary organizations linking citizens and government. Liberal arts
PSC 345U.S. Public Opinion and Voting Behavior (3 cr.)
Individual political thinking and polling trends nationwide and in New York State. Political candidates and the processes of party nomination and general election. Demographic and attitudinal foundations of voting choices in U.S. and N.Y. elections. Liberal arts
How do political attitudes and behaviors form? How do our beliefs shape our interactions and relationships? This course will explore a range of topics intended to answer these questions and help us to better understand politics more broadly. Topics covered include persuasion, cognition, emotions, group behavior, identity, race, personality, and more. Students come away from this course with a better understanding of how these concepts apply to contemporary society and their own lives. Liberal Arts
Sophomore Standing Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: Human Communities SUNY Framework: Social Sciences Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 354Topics in U.S. Politics (3 cr.)
Course content varies based on current U.S. politics topics of sufficient importance to merit a semester’s attention. Topics may be general (e.g., “Money and Politics”) or specific (e.g., “Congressional Redistricting as a Political Process”). Course may be repeated for credit when topics vary. Liberal arts
Upper-level sophomore standing or higher. Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 355Topics in Law (1 to 3 cr.)
Course content varies based on current law topics of sufficient importance to merit a semester’s attention. Topics may be general (e.g., “The Politics of Judicial Selection in the U.S.”) or specific (e.g., “Civil Liberties in a Time of Terrorism”). Course may be repeated for credit when topics vary. Liberal arts
Course content varies based on current public policy topics of sufficient importance to merit a semester’s attention. Topics may be general (e.g., “Shifts in Policy after Realigning Elections”) or specific (e.g., “What Will the Department of Homeland Security Do?). Course may be repeated for credit when topics vary. Liberal arts
Course content varies based on International Relations and Comparative Politics topics of sufficient importance to merit a semester’s attention. This can include experimental or developmental courses, and the topics can be general (e.g. “International Organizations”) or specific (“War and Violence in the Middle East”). Liberal arts
PSC 120 or PSC 220 or POI Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 359Topics in Political Theory (3 cr.)
Course content varies based on Political Philosophy and Theory topics of sufficient importance to merit a semester’s attention. These can include development versions of potentially permanent courses such as “Contemporary Political Theory” and “Politics in the Risk Society” or more esoteric offerings like “Latin American Positivism”. Course may be repeated if topics vary. Liberal Arts
How do significant figures from the history of Black politics - Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. Du Bois, and more - help us think about race in the 21st century, and about Black Lives Matter and its antecedents? This course explores this question by engaging Black political thought from the abolitionist movement, Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras, and the Civil Rights/Black Power movements. It also analyzes recent developments in Black feminism, Black Lives Matter, and Afrofuturism. Liberal Arts
Sophomore standing Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: U.S. Identities SUNY Framework: U.S. History and Civic Engagement, Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; Humanities Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 372Feminist Political Thought in the U.S. (3 cr.)
Gender plays a role in structuring political ideas and American politics, whether we recognize it or not. To examine this notion, this course engages feminist theory and primary sources from feminist movements in order to analyze fundamental questions of political life and American history: what is politics? How does power operate? What are possibilities for political change? How has gender shaped American social and political institutions? Liberal arts
Sophomore standing Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: U.S. Identities SUNY Framework: U.S. History and Civic Engagement Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 375Anti-Colonialism (3 cr.)
What is colonialism? How have histories of colonialism shaped our contemporary world? What political theories, ideas, strategies, and practices are necessary to resist colonialism? To examine these questions, students will engage scholarship about the theory, history, and present of colonialism, grounded in anti-colonial struggles by peoples of Africa and the African diaspora, Latin America, South Asia, and by indigenous peoples. The course explores how these struggles transform ideas about freedom, justice, and liberation. Liberal arts
Junior standing Cardinal Core Curriculum Category: World Cultures SUNY Framework: World History and Global Awareness, Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 379Environmental Political Thought (3 cr.)
In what ways are environmental issues always political issues? As we face climate crises, how should humans relate to nature - if we are separate from nature at all - and how do political ideas shape this relationship to nature? How do ideas from indigenous environmentalism, ecofeminism, and racial justice environmental movements change our visions of environmental politics and environmental justice? This course engages such questions through a study of environmental political thought and environmental philosophy. Liberal Arts
The U.S. Constitution distributes power among coequal branches and between a federal and state governments. What happens when there is conflict between these areas of government? Students will discuss U.S. Supreme Court decisions pertaining to controversial issues such as the authority to tax, spend, and declare war to the impact of national emergencies and terrorism. Liberal arts
Sophomore standing or POI. Semester(s) Offered: Fall
PSC 391U.S. Civil Rights & Liberties (3 cr.)
The First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution provide many cherished civil rights and liberties. What are the boundaries of these rights and liberties? When may they be abridged? When may they be abridged? Students will discuss U.S. Supreme Court decisions pertaining to controversial issues such as abortion, criminal procedure, discrimination, hate speech, and obscenity. Liberal arts
Sophomore standing or POI. Semester(s) Offered: Spring
PSC 393Comparative & International Law (3 cr.)
What do legal proceedings look like in the global context? What does international law say about war and human rights? Why do countries create international courts and what can these courts actually do? This course addresses these and other questions by surveying major legal traditions of the world, international law and international courts. Liberal arts
Project individually arranged by student and faculty sponsor. Requires completion of the Independent Study form and approval by the Faculty Sponsor, Academic Advisor, Department Chair and Academic Dean. Semester(s) Offered: Fall
An assessment of the role of elections in democratic societies: voting systems, issues of suffrage, party and mass media roles. Electoral patterns including sectionalism, realignment, incumbency and interparty competition. Liberal arts
Senior standing or POI. Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 452Seminar on U.S. Foreign Policy (3 cr.)
An examination of the formulation and execution of U.S. Foreign Policy, past, present and future with particular emphasis on the Post Cold War world. Objectives and Instruments of U.S. Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy process and Procedure. Domestic and international politics of U.S. Foreign Policy. Contemporary Issues. An overarching theme is U.S. power in world affairs, its sources, limits, magnitude, utility and ethics. Meets Writing Across the Curriculum requirement for Political Science majors. Liberal arts
What is justice? Should the objective of politics and government be to establish a just society? If so, how does a government realize political justice, and what kind of justice does it realize? To explore these and related questions, this senior seminar examines political theories of justice dating back to ancient Greece and continuing through contemporary theories of gender and racial justice. Liberal Arts
Upper-level Junior standing or POI. Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 458Seminar on Judicial Politics and Behavior (3 cr.)
Are judges in the United States motivated by applying law or creating policy? What effects do race, gender, and economic resources have on the likelihood of litigant success? What roles do precedent, institutional structure, and judges’ ideology play in judicial behavior? Students will read, discuss, and evaluate scholarship on judicial politics and behavior addressing these and many other important questions about what has been called our “Least Dangerous Branch.” Liberal arts
Senior standing in Political Science or POI Semester(s) Offered: Varies
PSC 459Seminar on the Politics of Corruption (3 cr.)
How does corruption come to dominate some countries’ politics? Are democracies or authoritarian regimes more susceptible to corruption, and why? What is the relationship between criminal organizations and politics? In this seminar, we will address these and other questions by examining the causes of corruption and criminal politics and addressing their consequences. We will also review different strategies to combat the influence of corruption on politics, both domestically and internationally. Liberal Arts
Supervised tutoring and classroom instructional assistance in an introductory political science course ( PSC 100 , PSC 120 , PSC 220 , PSC 231 , PSC 311 ). Student and professor must specify exact duties by contract. Cannot be repeated. Graded on a pass/fail basis. Liberal arts
POI and 12 credits of PSC including a minimum grade of B in the course to be taught. Felony Questionnaire Required Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
PSC 498Internship (1 to 15 cr.)
Advanced field work under academic supervision. Participation in the work of government offices, political campaigns, interest groups, law offices. Full credit internships (15 credit hours per semester) have accompanying seminars. Internship credit does not replace course work requirements of PSC. Formal application process. Liberal Arts
Individual work with a professor on any topic germane to political science. Independent studies cannot be used for courses that are offered normally. Formal application process.
