30 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.
PLSC 102American National Government3
Operations and implications of the American political system. Emphasis on the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Supreme Court decisions, and other primary source materials and documents. Congress, the presidency, bureaucracy, courts, interest groups, and individual citizens stressed. Current national issues critically analyzed. Formal structures and rules of the “game” are not neutral and such knowledge is necessary for effective participation by citizens. Fall, Spring, Summer.
An introduction to states in world politics, focusing on foreign policy, international conflict and cooperation; special attention paid to global issues, such as the global environment, economic globalization, the development gap between rich and poor countries, global public health issues, regional and ethnic conflicts, population and migration, international terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Fall, Spring.
PLSC 104U.S. Government, Business, and Politics: American Political Economy in Comparative Perspective3
Examination of American government-business relations (political economy) in a comparative context. Historical overview of American political economy. Study of various theories and models of government-business relations in comparative context. Focus on the role of business as a political actor and the influence of government laws, policies, and regulations on business and the market. Spring, odd-numbered years.
PLSC 105U.S. Environmental Policy and Politics: National and International Dimensions3
Focus on environmental policy and politics in the United States. Historical overview. Theory. Policymaking process models and approaches to environmental policy. Examination of the politics of environmental policy and the institutions involved in environmental policymaking. Analysis of important environmental policy issues such as energy, natural resources, urban sustainability, climate change, and green economics. Fall, Odd-numbered years.
Course focuses on the current presidential campaign but also deals with rules, structures, procedures, and strategies to help students understand future elections as well. The course covers four main areas: 1) the election arena (history, campaign finance, voting patterns, etc.); 2) the nomination stage (delegate selection, party conventions, etc.); 3) the presidential campaign (tactics, image building, advertising, etc.); and 4) the general election (the Electoral University, reforms, “mandates,” etc.). Seminar format. Debates and simulations used. Active participation in on-campus Mock National Convention required. Spring, even-numbered years.
PLSC 120U.S. Homeland Security: Institutions, Policy, and Politics3
An examination of the homeland security policymaking process in the United States. Focus on the main theories and the governmental, bureaucratic, and societal actors. Consideration of contemporary homeland security policy issues: domestic and international terrorism; intelligence and counterintelligence; political extremism and extremist movements; social media, misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories; border security, immigration, and migration; implications for civil liberties and civil rights. Fall, even-numbered years.
Exploration in depth at a level appropriate for first-year students of selected areas in Political Science not currently offered in the curriculum. As needed.
PLSC 210Comparative Political Ideologies: Foundations of Political Theory3
Formation and development of modern political thought in its historical context. Focus on political ideas regarding the purpose of government, who should rule in government, and what political rights are retained by the people. Application of political theory to contemporary issues.
PLSC 102 or permission of instructor. Spring, odd-numbered years.
PLSC 211Democracy and Dictatorship: Comparative Politics in the Modern World3
An analysis of the modern state, democratic and authoritarian regimes, and regime change, with special attention paid to the impact of globalization on the modern state; special focus on healthcare and social policies, environmental policies, cultural diversity and group rights; includes use of case studies from a variety of countries (Britain, France, Germany, Russia, India, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, the United States, Nigeria and others). Spring, even-numbered years.
PLSC 221War and Peace: International Relations in the Modern World3
An analysis of international politics, focusing on the interactions of states and non-state actors; includes the study of different theories of war and peace, international political economy and globalization, and international institutions, such as the United Nations. Fall, even-numbered years.
An analysis of the formulation and implementation of American foreign policy, including historical patterns in U.S. foreign policy-making and theories of U.S. foreign policy; includes a special focus on contemporary issues in American foreign policy. Fall, odd-numbered years.
The United States court system in general and the U.S. Supreme Court in particular. Specific court decisions showing changing interpretations of constitutional provisions dealing with powers of the government. Constitutional controversies involving separation of powers, federalism, checks and balances, judicial review, and the like. Court decisions, the Constitution, and other primary source materials used. Moot court simulation activities. Fall, even-numbered years.
The evolution and exercise of presidential power. Presidential elections. Presidential leadership. How are the two related? Emphasis on constitutional origins, structures, relations with Congress and the courts, presidential character, the role of television, and other timely issues. Spring, odd-numbered years.
The structures, powers, and functions of state and local governments and their relations with the national government. Topics include power, state constitutions, legislatures, governors, courts, counties, cities, towns, policy making, and administration. As needed.
United States Supreme Court decisions on constitutional matters involving civil rights and liberties. Freedom of speech, press, religion, the rights of the accused (e.g., due process, protection against unreasonable search and seizure, right to counsel, etc.), equal protection, and so on. Court decisions and other primary source materials. Moot court simulations. Fall, odd-numbered years.
Examination of contemporary policy debates and controversies in American national politics. Policy areas examined include civil rights, economic policy, health care, education, criminal justice, social welfare, energy & environmental policy and foreign policy. Assessment of alternative policy options. Analysis of how policy choices are made in the American political system. The influence of elections, interest groups, and government institutions on policy decisions. Fall, even-numbered years.
What is right and what is wrong? Who decides? What if the individual disagrees with the community? Rules and public policies defining and proscribing “wrongs” are developed and enforced. But are such rules always “right?” An examination of ethical dilemmas from classical and contemporary perspectives. Defending a killer, following orders, privacy and the press, censorship, conscience, and related matters discussed. Spring, odd-numbered years.
Theories and practices of administration and public policy; the administrative state, and various types of bureaucracy; structures and functions; relationships to the political processes; administrative accountability. Some primary source materials. Role-playing exercises. Spring, even-numbered years.
PLSC 321International Law, International Organization and the Quest for World Order3
An analysis of the historical evolution of efforts to promote international peace and cooperation through international law, international governmental organizations and international non-governmental organizations. Study of the strengths and weaknesses, achievements and failures and lessons to be learned from this analysis. Examination of the United Nations system and the making and enforcement of international law. Focus on international crimes and the use of armed force, international peacekeeping and humanitarian interventions, arms control, human rights, social and economic development, international environmental protection, and international trade. Spring, odd-numbered years.
PLSC 322U.S. National Security: Institutions, Policy, and Politics3
An examination of the national security policymaking process in the United States. Focus on the governmental, bureaucratic, and societal actors. Examination of theories of national security and decision-making theory. Consideration of contemporary national security policy issues: intelligence, nuclear strategy, conventional war, asymmetric conflict, military-industrial-complex and supply chain security, and emerging threats. Spring, even-numbered years.
PLSC 323The Pursuit of Power and Wealth in the Global Economy3
An examination of the politics of the global economy. Historical evolution and theories of the global economy. The politics of international trade, finance, and global governance. International economic institutions. International economic competition. Economic basis of political-military competition in the global economy. Energy, strategic minerals, and environmental sustainability. Wealth and poverty in the global economy. The illicit global economy. Fall, odd-numbered years.
The “scope” of political science (definitions, approaches, issues, relationship to natural, physical, and other social sciences, etc.). Research methods (hypotheses, research designs, measurement, sampling, literature reviews, surveys, interviewing, etc.). Statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, significance testing, software packages, etc.). The course culminates in the preparation of a research proposal, including literature review and research design.
Independent study is for upper-level students who study some specialized area within a discipline for which no course already exists. The scheduling of independent study courses is coordinated by department chairs. Independent study proposals are approved by the supervising faculty member and the respective department chair and school dean. Repeatable. As needed.
Student independent research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member and scheduled by department chairs. Implementation of research project based on research design developed in PLSC 330 during the preceding semester. Students will present their research at the SFU Undergraduate Student Research Conference. Fall.
