51 courses with the subject PLSC, 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.
Survey of important methods and approaches to the study of politics; intro- duction to research design.
Basic concepts of statistics and their use in political research; data analysis, casual inference, regression analysis, computer applications.
Analysis of selected issues in quantitative political analysis; introduction to advanced multivariate analysis techniques. PL SC 503 Multivariate Analysis for Political Research (3) This course is part of the methods sequence required of doctoral students in political science. The prerequisites are PL SC 501 and PL SC 502. The course has three objectives. First, students will acquire a theoretical/mathematical understanding of multivariate regression analysis. Such understanding is fundamental to applying appropriate applications of quantitative methodology to substantive problems. Students must acquire clear and correct conceptual understanding of the statistical ideas behind the mathematics in order to succeed in this course. Second, students will learn to program in SAS to relate statistical ideas to practice and develop a set of programming skills that will benefit their research over the long run. They are expected to acquire proficiency in SAS in terms of data management and statistical analysis, which will be useful when they find the need to pick up some other statistical software package in the future. Third, students will gain experience in quantitative research by applying their statistical and computing skills to substantive problems in political science. Students should aim at producing publishable quality work. They would also develop the ability to evaluate other scholars' use of quantitative methods.
This course examines a range of statistical models widely used in political science that generalize from linear normal regression. PL SC 504 Topics in Political Methodology (3) This is an elective course in statistical methods designed to meet the particular needs of students in the political science Ph. D. curriculum. PL SC 504 is tailored to focus on the specific issues that arise in the types of data found in political science applications. Students are expected to have completed the three required foundational courses in political methodology or their equivalents. This course examines a range of regression-like models widely used in empirical political science. Its core focus is on maximum likelihood estimation of models for various kinds of limited-dependent and qualitative response variables. Specific models covered are widely used in political science today, including binary logit and probit, multinomial logit and probit, ordered logit and probit, and Poisson regression models. Additional topics include models for time-to-event (survival) data, panel data and time-series cross-sectional analysis, item response theory, multi-level models, and methods for causal inference using observational data. Students will apply these models in a series of homework assignments, a replication project, and a final exam. Empirical political scientists must have familiarity with these models; these techniques represent a minimal level of statistical competence necessary for those seeking to do advanced quantitative analysis in the political science. The material in this course is technical, but students will be given an intuitive rationale for each model. Weekly homework assignments will be based on data from published research in political science.
This course provides students with a foundation in time series methods and to the applications of these methods in political science. PL SC 505 Time Series Analysis in Political Science (3) This course provides students with a foundation in time series methods and to the applications of these methods in political science. The initial focus of the course is descriptive analysis of time series, with attention given to developing an understanding of social processes that are inherently dynamic in nature and to how time series are measured. The focus then shifts to more rigorous univariate time series analysis with the introduction of linear difference equations as the foundation for understanding political dynamics, and the development of models for both stationary and nonstationary time series. The remainder of the course is devoted to an examination of traditional econometric analyses of time series using regression techniques, and an array of important topics in time series analysis including Granger causality, vector autoregression, and cointegration techniques. Students will learn the statistical theory underlying the methods of time series analysis, as well as how to apply and interpret those methods in practice.
This course offers foundational information regarding the use of non-cooperative game theory in political science. PL SC 506 Game Theory for Political Science I (3) This course offers foundational information regarding the use of non-cooperative game theory in political science. Game theory is a mathematical tool used to study strategic interaction in a variety of academic disciplines. Within political science, researchers who study American politics, comparative politics, and international relations use game theory to examine a broad range of political phenomena, including the outcomes of elections, the formation of governments, and the onset and duration of interstate conflict. The course introduces students to the basic concepts and principles of non-cooperative game theory, and demonstrates through examples how it can be used in the study of politics. Attention is given to both strategic (simultaneous move) and extensive form games. Topics to be covered include the concept of Nash equilibrium; mixed strategies; backward induction; subgame perfect equilibrium; incomplete information; and signaling games. The course provides students with the concepts, language, and notation needed to begin using game theory in their own research and to evaluate its application by others.
This course offers information regarding the advanced application of non- cooperative game theory in political science.
A network is a set of relationships among units. The study of networks in political science, the social sciences, and beyond has grown rapidly in recent years. This course is a comprehensive overview of methods for analyzing network data. We will cover network data collection and management, the formulation and expression of network theory, network visualization and description, and methods for the statistical analysis of networks. The course will make extensive use of real-world applications and students will gain a thorough background in the use of network analytic software. Most of the applications discussed will be drawn from political science and sociology, but this course will be relevant to anyone interested in the study of network data.
An introduction to professional norms, the fundamentals of good research, and the basic skills necessary for good teaching. PL SC 511 Professional Norms in Political Science (1.5) This course is the first of two courses in a required series on professional development in the graduate program in political science. The first course focuses specifically on fundamental knowledge and skills that will help graduate students throughout graduate school but also in their later careers as a scholar. The topics over the course of the semester fall into three mail themes: 1) understanding the norms and requirements of the profession; 2) the fundamentals of good research; and 3) an introduction to teaching. Professionalization topics include planning your graduate school years, putting together a curriculum vita, communicating with senior scholars, and writing the MA; teaching topics including planning a course and recitation sections, preparing lectures or discussion classes, as well as documenting your teaching; and the research fundamentals that we will discuss include defining problems, crafting arguments, outlining and revising manuscripts.
Professional development focusing on publishing research, writing dissertatins dissertations, and professional issues of advanced graduate students. PL SC 513 Writing and Professional Development in Political Science (1.5) This course is designed to help advanced graduate students surmount the challenges they face as they turn to writing a dissertation and prepare to become junior faculty. The course is designed to give practical advice on many of the issues faced by these students. Primary among these is learning to turn initial papers into research publishable in high quality peer reviewed journals. The course also focuses on practical advice on finishing comprehensive exams, starting a dissertation and early preparation for the job market.
Research design of social, behaviorial and health surveys. PL SC (SOC) 518 Survey Methods I: Survey Design (3) This course is intended to provide graduate students the background to both evaluate published research using survey methods, and -- when combined with additional training -- to design their own surveys to collect data for their own research. Students will learn the essentials of sampling, questionnaire design, and how surveys may be implemented in different modes: telephone, face to face interviews, mail or other self-administered modes, and the internet. The course will emphasize how decisions of research design have important implications for the validity, reliability, and quantity of data that will be analyzed to answer key questions in the social, behavioral and health sciences. Sample design: 2 weeks; Questionnaire design and item analysis: 2 weeks; Telephone Surveys: 2 weeks; Face to face surveys: 2 weeks; Self administered and mail surveys: 2 weeks; Internet Surveys: 2 weeks; Ethics and human subjects protection: 1 week.
Intermediate course on the statistical analysis of survey data: topics include weighting, complex surveys, missing data, and contextual analysis. PL SC (SOC) 519 Survey Methods II: Analysis of Survey Data (3)This is an intermediate level course in quantitative analysis. It is intended for graduate students who have completed 1-2 semesters of graduate-level statistics (not general research methods) and who are interested in the application of social statistics to the unique aspects of data collected by way of surveys. Surveys have a combination of qualities that represent challenges to valid inference. These include cluster and stratified sampling, under-representation of some groups due to differential response rates, missing data due to item non-response, cross-sectional design, and coarse measurement. Quite often we use surveys to test theories that the original survey designer did not intend to address, raising issues of validity and reliability of measurement. At the same time, surveys offer a number of opportunities and, when combined with other surveys (pooled cross sections) or merged with contextual data, can address a wide range of theoretical puzzles in the social sciences. This course provides an introduction to techniques in applied statistics that have developed specifically to address the special features of survey data. Examples of such techniques are: use of design weights, post-stratification weights, merging surveys with other surveys or auxiliary data, missing data imputation, challenges of causal inference. The class will blend an understanding of the core statistical issues with an emphasis on acquiring an intuition for the theory underlying the statistical models rather than focusing on proofs and estimation. This will provide a foundation for frequent hands-on applications in this seminar and for enrollment in more advanced or more in-depth courses offered by the Statistics department and the various social science departments.
Given the rising global demand for energy and resources, Africa's production of oil and solid minerals has already produced very significant positive as well as negative impacts on the continent's political, economic, and social conditions. This seminar examines the extractive industry-driven changes in Africa's political economy, as well as in the continent's foreign relations. Students will examine the institutional basis under which the expansion of the industry is taking place in Africa. This will involve discussions of the institutional characteristics of Africa, including issues of land tenure and property rights laws, how institutional systems are changing in order to facilitate the industry's expansion, and the repercussions of these changes upon society. The course also interrogates the relevance of international efforts to mitigate some of the adverse impacts of the industry. Among such efforts is the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights. Overall this seminar examines the industry's impact on Africa's socioeconomic development and global relations, and concludes with how African countries might deal with the adverse impact of the Oil and Mining industry.
Survey of basic literature in major fields of U.S. government: public opinion, parties, voting, interest groups, presidency, congress, judiciary.
Research on a selected topic in United States political institutions such as the presidency, the courts, congress, bureaucracy, state governments.
Research on a selected topic in United States political behavior such as public opinion, voting, parties, socialization, judicial behavior.
An examination of significant concepts, ideas, and research questions addressed in recent and classic studies of political representation. PL SC 543 Political Representation (3) This seminar will investigate significant concepts, ideas, and research questions addressed in recent and classic studies of political representation. It will take up questions and issues central both to an understanding of American politics and to an assessment of the nature and quality of democratic governance: how are citizen interests represented and how responsive is government to citizen preferences? The seminar begins with an investigation of different types of political representation, some of which are policy-related and others of which are not rooted in public policy. It next takes up assessments of the relationship between citizen preferences and public policy (policy responsiveness); biases and inequality in representation; and the role of political intermediaries, namely organized interests and political parties, in facilitating the representation of citizen interests. The implications of a more or less representative political system are then examined. Throughout the seminar, attention is paid to how political scientists formulate and execute research on political representation, as well as to how the design of such research affects what is known about representation. Seminar participants will be required to engage in extensive careful reading, contribute to weekly discussion, prepare short written critical responses to the readings, and complete an original research project that takes up questions relevant to our understanding of representation.
In this seminar, we will explore what race is, why it matters, and how it shapes attitudes, behaviors, policies, and institutions. While this is a political science course, the seminar draws ideas and insights from a broad array of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. It demonstrates that an explicit consideration of race is needed to fully comprehend American politics. Students emerge from the course with an understanding of the scholarly approaches and key substantive debates.
Survey of basic literature and major research efforts in comparative political analysis.
Comparative study of the institutional structures of different political systems: the state, party systems, administrative structures.
Research on aspects of comparative political behavior, such as political culture, political change and development, interest groups, public opinion. PL SC 552 Comparative Political Behavior (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This course will explore the nature of social movements and revolutions. We will look at the major theories that sociologists and political scientists have created to explain the development and outcomes of social movements and revolutions. How do we explain why people participate in revolutions or social movements? Why is it that some people never revolt although observers would say they are as bad off as others that do? What sorts of factors determine the tactics people will use once they decide something must be done? Can governments repress revolutions or social movements? What determines whether a social movement or revolution is successful? In examining these questions we will read theoretical works, quantitative studies comparing many different social movements or revolutions, and case studies of particular social movements and revolutions. By the end of this course, you should have a good grasp of the theoretical debates about social movements and the methods which have been used to study revolutions and social movements, and you will have cursory knowledge of several different revolutions and social movements ranging from the French Revolution to the American Civil Rights Movement. Precise content will vary in subsequent offerings of the course, as determined by instructor. Students will consult with instructor prior to taking the course additional times.
Since its founding, the United States has had to balance the American creed of equality for all, on one hand, with racial inequality, on the other hand. Is this challenge something exclusive to the United States? This course will provide students the opportunity to analyze how race and ethnicity are constructed across the globe as well as how race and politics interact across state borders. Students will examine how race is constructed and racial ideologies are developed in several countries including the U.S., South Africa, France, Australia and Brazil. By the end of the semester, students should be able to fully engage and contribute to broad literatures on the politics and policy of race and racism. They should readily be able to answer questions such as: What role do countries and their institutions play in developing racial ideologies and racial hierarchies? What political purpose do ideologies such as "racial democracy" serve? How might social scientists best compare notions such as U.S.'s "race problem," Latin America's "shade problem" and Europe's "immigrant problem"? What are the perils of cross-border comparisons, and how, if possible, can social scientists account for state differences in their analyses? The major objectives of the course are to: (1) analyze the effects of historical, social, economic, cultural and global forces on the development of racial and ethnic politics in various countries; (2) define and critically analyze concepts relevant to the study of racial and ethnic politics; (3) identify, critique and apply major academic theories and debates regarding issues of race, ethnicity, inequality and reconciliation; (4) build analytical skills so that students will be able to effectively engage and communicate in public and scholarly discourse about race and ethnic politics; (5) improve writing skills, especially as they relate to manuscript and book reviews; (6) become cognizant of the difficulties that scholars must navigate as they approach topics related to the politics, race, ethnicity as well as comparative/cross-state analysis; and (7) develop a series of best practices to address methodological and theoretical challenges to studying race comparatively.
This course provides an overview of comparative analyses of regimes as they relate to the field of political science. PL SC 555 Comparative Regimes (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This course focuses on the comparative study of particular types of regimes, including democracies and authoritarian regimes. It is designed for Ph.D. or M.A. students who have completed the foundational graduate statistical methods courses. The course examines current research on both the institutional structures of different political systems (e.g. the state, party systems, administrative structures) and on aspects of political behavior (such as political participation, interest groups and social movements, public opinion). Topics include theories of regimes, measures and typologies of regimes; formal theories of regimes; political institutions (legislatures, parties, and elections); political behavior; consequences of regimes for economics; and regimes place in current international relations research. Building on this literature, students will be expected to conduct replications or original research focused on these regimes.
This class addresses civil conflict, in terms of general theory regarding cooperation and conflict and also cross-regional cases of civil conflict.
Survey of major traditional and contemporary theory-building efforts and contemporary research techniques and orientations in international relations.
Research on the institutions, dynamics, and major themes of United States foreign policy. PL SC 561 American Foreign Policy (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This course is an advanced option for graduate students in political science studying international relations. The course surveys important themes in U.S. foreign policy, including how that policy is made, the implementation of policy, and critiques of U.S. foreign policy. Precise content will vary in subsequent offerings of the course, as determined by instructor. Students will consult with instructor prior to taking the course additional times.
Research on international political economy with a focus on theory building; analysis of political causes and consequences of economic behavior. PL SC 563 International Political Economy (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This course is a graduate seminar on international political economy. Topics covered include the major theoretical perspectives in international political economy and the political economy of international trade, finance, investment, and monetary policy. The aim is to familiarize students with theoretical and empirical literature in the field of international political economy. Students are expected to engage in constructive dialogues across the disciplinary boundaries of economics and political science, across different research methods, and among themselves, with the goal of producing publishable work. Precise content will vary in subsequent offerings of the course, as determined by instructor. Students will consult with instructor prior to taking the course additional times.
Research into the causes and consequences of international crises and wars, using various methodologies for theory assessment.
Research on termination and resolution of international conflicts, focusing on theory building and empirical assessment of theories of conflict resolution. PL SC 566 Conflict Management, Termination, and Bargaining (3)This graduate seminar introduces and examines the dominant theories, hypotheses, and research concerning the termination and resolution of international and civil wars. Topics include international mediation, rational bargaining theory, conflict resolution vs. termination, third party intervention, peacekeeping, and peace duration. The focus is theoretical and research oriented; arguments about the causes of conflict resolution are assessed both logically and empirically, using both case study and statistical methods. The course examines whether and how theories of conflict management have been tested, and allows/encourages students to develop their own testable hypotheses about conflict management and termination. Existing research (primarily from political science, but also drawing on economics) is evaluated on its merits, and students then seek appropriate ways to extend that research.
This seminar provides a general and cumulative investigation into the phenomenon of terrorism from a Political Science perspective. It is a study of terrorism with an attention to what it is 'theoretically, conceptually, empirically' and how and why it is used by nonstate actors; its political, economic, and social root causes; its consequences to political, economic, and social institutions and outcomes; and the implications of current research on terrorism and counterterrorism. Although the study of terrorism has a long pedigree in the social sciences, research by political scientists became more extensive following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. This course critically evaluates this new literature, noting its contributions, limitations, gaps, and opportunities for future discovery. Much of the contemporary scholarly literature on terrorism makes use of state-of-the-art political science research methods and quantitative analysis.
This course examines the causes and consequences of terrorism, and the responses to terrorism from a psychological perspective, to include Christian extremism, Islamic Fundamentalism, Jihadism, Left wing extremism and Marxist terrorism, Right wing extremism, and single-issue terrorism. It draws on research from a variety of disciplines in order to examine terrorist ideologies; the motives, strategies, and behaviors of terrorists and terrorist leaders; how people come to join terrorist groups; methods of recruitment; terrorist tactics; the psychological consequences of terrorism on individuals, communities, and global societies; psychological counterterrorism; reactions to counterterrorism efforts; terrorism prevention; and possibilities for disengagement and deradicalization.
This course investigates the topic of counterterrorism. It surveys the history and evolution of counterterrorism campaigns, strategies, and tools using relevant scholarly and professional literature on the subject as well as contemporary and practical case studies that explore the application of counterterrorism. It begins with an examination of the current status of U.S. counterterrorism and the institutions and agencies that conduct counterterrorism. The course then moves into a discussion of specific counterterrorism strategies and tactics, ranging from military interventions to the use of community outreach, development, culture, and soft power. The course examines the challenges posed by network and clandestine structures of terrorist threats to counterterrorism officials, as well as the ethical implications of counterterrorism efforts. The comparative focus of the course is used to inform contemporary U.S. counterterrorism with the lessons learned from historical and contemporary counterterrorism campaigns waged by other states such as the United Kingdom, Israel, Turkey, France and Colombia.
Research on selected political theorists or historical traditions of political thought. PLSC 581 History of Political Theory (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This seminar is a survey of American political thought. The course is designed (1) to introduce students to sources and techniques in researching and writing the history of political thought and (2) to prepare its participants for teaching American political thought courses to undergraduates. We will discuss a variety of persuasive works (sermons, speeches, essays, autobiographies, poetry, plays, films, etc.) to examine how Americans have conceptualized key political ideas (e.g., equality, liberty, autonomy, community, progress, the American dream) and how their views on the proper organization of political society have changed from the seventeenth century to today. We will pay particular attention to the tradition of dissent in American political thought, and the corresponding political and social movements that have been built on demands for "liberty and justice for all." Precise content will vary in subsequent offerings of the course, as determined by instructor. Students will consult with instructor prior to taking the course additional times. This course will be offered once a year with 16 seats per offering.
Research on major developments and issues in modern political and social theory, such as critical theory, modernism, and postmodernism. PL SC 583 Modern Political and Social Theory (3 per semester/maximum of 9) This course will survey recent versions of liberal theory as well as critical appraisals of that tradition. Particular attention will be paid to the developments of liberalism in the most recent work of Rawls and Habermas. We will then consider critical appraisals of liberalism arising from various corners: communitarianism, identity politics, and post-modernism. Throughout, we will explore themes concerning the grounds of political theorizing and normative justification, models of the self and the person presupposed in political theories, questions of individualism and collective identity, and the very possibility of stable meanings and generalized theory construction. Precise content will vary in subsequent offerings of the course, as determined by instructor. Students will consult with instructor prior to taking the course additional times. This course will be offered once a year with 12 seats per offering.
The role of the executive in government and politics; theories of administrative organization, organization behavior, and decision-making processes.
Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small group basis.
Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction, including field experiences, practicums, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.
Practicum in Survey Research data collection or management.
Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses. A specific title may used in each instance and will be entered on the student's transcript.
Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently; several different topics may be taught in one year or term.
Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently; several different topics may be taught in one year or semester.
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This course examines political violence committed by non-state groups as it applies to homeland security from both a domestic and global perspective.
Investigates the role economic, political and social factors play in determining patterns of international and domestic terrorism and terrorist activity.
This course examines the communicative, social, and psychological factors related to individual and mass trajectories into and out of engagement in terrorism and other forms of political violence. It investigates the factors that promote the radicalization process, as well as the theoretical and practical foundations of efforts at counter-radicalization and de-radicalization both in the United States and abroad. With an emphasis on the persuasive strategies employed by terrorist groups and counter-terrorist forces (including government officials, analysts, and community outreach organizations), the course explores the social and psychological processes that move an individual towards engagement in political violence; the conceptual distinctions between radicalization, violent radicalization, counter-radicalization, and de-radicalization; the specific efforts designed and implemented by counter-terrorist forces meant to prevent violent radicalization; existing programs and initiatives designed to divorce an individual from his/her violent ideology; and the question of whether radicalization is fundamental to terrorism.
This course explores the various resources and analytical techniques available to terrorism and counterterrorism experts today. It gives students an overview of the major sources of data on terrorist groups, terrorist incident reports, risk climates, and legal and criminal justice data surrounding terrorism and counterterrorism. It provides students with critical data gathering and analysis skills useful to practitioners, and engages them in reporting and threat briefing exercises. The course begins with an overview of the resources available to counterterrorism professionals, including information and data on terrorist groups, terrorist incidents, legal and criminal justice data related to terrorism, data on individuals engaged in terrorism, and relevant government documents. The course focuses on how the data can be accessed, norms and practices for analyzing the data and compiling it into reports, and the advantages and limitations of the various bodies of information available.
This course examines U.S. domestic terrorism, focusing on its roots, the contemporary threat landscape, responses to it by law enforcement and policymakers, and the nature and form of extremist violence perpetrated by U.S. domestic actors and movements. Topics include how U.S.-based terrorism is defined; the historical roots of U.S. domestic terrorism; the current domestic terrorism threat landscape; organizational versus individual terrorist activities; the relationship between violent and non-violent extremist groups/movements; pathways of radicalization in the U.S. context; counterterrorism tools for domestic actors; and policy responses to domestic radicalization. A series of case studies provide for an in-depth examination of key domestic extremist movements.
Source: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59
