Political Science (PS)
Bachelor of Arts
Division of Behavior and Social Sciences

Natalie M. Davis, Vincent T. Gawronski, Edward S. LaMonte, H. Irvin Penfield, Robert J. Slagter

The political science major is intended for students who plan to attend law school, pursue graduate study, or enter the public service. Significant objectives of the program are to develop analytic skills and the ability to communicate the results of research. Major emphasis is placed on the comparative approach to the study of politics as applied to political culture, institutions, behavior, theory, and public policy. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge by meeting with practitioners and by working in political settings. The program is rigorous and must be approached with seriousness. The record of accomplishment of students in the program can be obtained from the faculty of political science.

Major Requirements

Prerequisites: Normally, PS 101 will be a prerequisite for all other courses in American government, and PS 238 will be a prerequisite for all other courses in comparative government. Students are encouraged to take these courses during their first year. PS 204 and 304 should be taken during the sophomore year.

The following courses are required (11 units):

• PS 101
• PS 204 and 304
• PS 238
• PS 470
• PS 472
• five elective units in PS with at least three at the 300-400 level

Minor Requirements

Teaching experience courses may not count toward the minor.

The following courses are required (5 units):

• PS 101
• PS 238
• two units in PS at the 300 level or above
• one elective unit in PS (PS 204 and 304 are strongly recommended)

Graduation with Disciplinary Honors in Political Science

The award of disciplinary honors in political science reflects a “value added” experience for those who seek additional work and more research experience in the discipline and a better understanding of political science as a profession. Receiving disciplinary honors not only signifies success in coursework; it also rewards work in the discipline that goes beyond minimum requirements and that shows evidence of academic rigor.

To earn disciplinary honors, a student should apply for consideration preferably by the end of the sophomore year and no later than the end of the fall term of the junior year. Specific requirements are as follows:

(1) To apply, a student must have attained a minimum 3.00 grade point average in courses taken at the College and a minimum 3.30 average for courses in political science, and must have completed three or more units in political science, two of which are PS 101, 204, or 238.

(2) Enroll in either PS 398 or 498, or complete an internship.

(3) Submit a senior thesis, the proposal for which must be submitted no later than October 15 of the senior year; the senior interim should be devoted to work on the thesis, which must be supervised by a faculty member in political science and successfully defended before a faculty committee of three, two of whom must be political scientists; the thesis must be submitted by April 15 of the senior year.

(4) Complete a total of twelve regular term units in political science plus a senior interim project; PS 398 or 498 plus one unit of thesis credit (PS 393 or 493) may be used to satisfy major requirements, which remain in effect.

Courses in Political Science

PS 101 Introduction to American Government and Politics (1)
A survey of research on the institutions of American government–the Presidency, the Congress, and the Supreme Court–and on political behavior at the mass, elite, and organizational levels. Questions of democratic theory are applied to the American context. Fall, Spring.

PS 195 Talk, Talk, Spin, Spin: Politics, Media, and Political Culture (1)
Explores the relationship between politics, media, and political culture. The course examines relevant literature and focuses primarily on the impact of television, print journalism, political advertising, public opinion, and popular culture on the norms and values which undergird the American political system. Fall.

PS 204 Survey Data Analysis and Statistics (1)
Theory and practice in formulating hypotheses and evaluating them by analyzing secondary sources of data with SPSSPC+. Emphasis is placed on data management, data analysis, the use of appropriate statistics, and the interpretation of statistical output. Also listed as SO 204, this course may be counted for credit in either political science or sociology. Though intended as a prerequisite for PS 304 or SO 304, this course can help any student develop analytical skills. Laboratory once a week. Fall.

PS 225 Introduction to Political Theory (1)
An examination of the historical origin and development of political theory in both the Western and Eastern philosophical traditions. Identification of the major concepts and questions of political theory is stressed.

PS 235 Introduction to International Relations (1)
An introduction to the study of international relations focusing on interactions of post Cold War international systems and actors.

PS 238 Introduction to Comparative Politics (1)
Development and application of a theoretical framework for the comparative study of government and politics. Western European countries provide the substantive material for this course (an IC designated course). Spring.

PS 240 Introduction to Latin American Politics (1)
An introduction to the study of politics in Latin America since its wars of independence. Major themes such as the political legacy of colonialism and the quest for democratic rule are presented within the context of individual countries’ experiences (a Leadership Studies designated course; an IC designated course).

PS 250 The Public Policy Process (1)
A comparative analysis of the politics of public policy making. Emphasis is placed on major policy questions which confront national and local governments.

PS 304 Research Methodology (1)
The scientific method applied to social and political phenomena: formulating hypotheses; techniques for collecting data, measuring variables, and interpreting research findings. The course includes a laboratory in which statistical procedures are applied, interpreted, and documented through completion of a significant research project. Also listed as SO 304, this course may be counted for credit in either political science or sociology. Prerequisite: PS 204. Spring.

PS 306 Ethics, Public Policy, and Public Service (1)
An examination of topics related to the content of public policy and the conduct of public officials in the United States from the perspective of applied ethics. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent. Spring.

PS 307 Civil Rights and Justice (1)
A review of the Civil Rights Movement in the South, focusing on the judicial process and the role of the courts, followed by an examination of contemporary issues in housing, education, and employment–issues that reflect the continuing struggle to achieve full civil rights and justice. Also listed as HON 207, this course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment of their course requirements (a Leadership Studies designated course; an IC designated course). Prerequisite: consent.

PS 325 Contemporary Southern Politics (1)
An in-depth review of the literature on Southern politics as well as an opportunity for students to complete original research. Primary emphasis is placed on contemporary Southern political behavior, including parties and elections, voting behavior, and the politics of race.

PS 330 Constitutional Law: The Rights and Privileges of the Individual (1)
The guarantees of the rights of person and property as reflected by Supreme Court decisions balancing individual and governmental power. Prerequisite: PS 101 or consent.

PS 331 Modern Political Theory (1)
A contrast between Locke and the Scottish enlightenment as a backdrop for the isolation of three periods in the development of political thought: the late eighteenth century in America and England; utilitarian thought in the nineteenth century; and crises in theories and politics in the twentieth century. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

PS 333 Politics, The Media, and American Democracy (1)
An advanced course exploring the relationship between politics, media, and mass publics. Emphasis is placed on key issues that are implicit in this discussion: How influential are the media? Do the media create or simply mirror our politics? Do they control political elections or facilitate them? What influence, if any, does the public have on the content of the mass media, and how do the media affect the lives of people? To what extent have new technologies changed the basic nature of American politics? Do the media play a role in how we define democracy and democratic values? This course is not open to students who have taken PS 195. Prerequisites: PS 101 and sophomore standing, or consent.

PS 335 Organizational Behavior and Public Administration (1)
Problems of the public service; the roles of the bureaucracy in relation to public policy, clients, and society. Prerequisite: PS 101 or consent.

PS 338 Comparative Political Behavior (1)
An advanced course in analysis of recent studies in comparative politics, including political parties, interest groups, institutions, ideologies, and political change (an IC designated course). Prerequisite: PS 238 or consent.

PS 340 Comparative Elite Behavior (1)
A cross-national survey of political, social, and economic elites with emphasis on industrialized societies. Topics include leadership, who governs, belief systems, recruitment, socialization, and elite-mass relationships (a Leadership Studies designated course).

PS 342 Comparative Political Development (1)
An introduction to theories and strategies of political development. Emphasis is placed on applying the theories to a developing nation or area (an IC designated course). Prerequisite: PS 238 or consent.

PS 345 American Political Behavior (1)
Dominant patterns in political culture analyzed for their effect on socialization, elections, and public policy. Ideological, social, and technological change provide the substance for a critique of methodologies. An examination of the role of the media is included. Prerequisite: PS 101.

PS 361 Politics in China and Japan (1)
An examination of the current political systems of the two countries with focuses on political culture, elites and masses, political institutions and processes, current issues, and political change. This course may be counted by Honors Program students toward fulfillment of their course requirements (an IC designated course). Prerequisite: PS 238 or consent.

PS 365 Metropolitan Government and Politics (1)
Growth and development of American cities; their political organization, functions, legal powers, and position in the federal system. Prerequisite: PS 101 or consent.

PS 366 Politics of Mexico and Central America (1)
An exploration of the political culture and institutions of Mexico and Central America, focusing on the effects of globalization, economic integration, regime type, political change, and the role of the United States. The region’s vast diversity and complexities are examined but with an emphasis on the interdependent nature of country relationships. Prerequisite: PS 238 or PS 240 or consent.

PS 368 Political Violence (1)
An examination of the sources, evolution, and outcomes of political violence and revolution, emphasizing the reasons, justifications, and rationalizations for violence in its various manifestations within nation-states. The intersection between violence, religion, and politics will be explored, as well as sources and types of terrorism. Prerequisites: PS 238, PS 240, and junior standing; or consent.

PS 393, 493 Independent Study (½, 1)
Directed readings and inquiry into selected areas in politics and government (offered upon demand and at convenience of the instructor).

PS 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Political Science (1)
With the approval of the faculty advisor, qualified students may register for this course.

PS 400 Political Economy (1)
The relationships between electoral politics and macro economic policy making in industrialized western democracies. The heaviest emphasis is on the ways in which political incentives may affect economic policy making. Prerequisite: junior standing, PS 101, or consent.

PS 410 Development in the Americas (1)
An advanced course focusing on the patterns of socioeconomic and political development in the Americas, with emphases on the hemispheric effects of globalization and the United States’ hegemonic status in the region. Marxist, neoliberal, and globalization theories are utilized to better understand development in Latin America. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent.

PS 445 Democratization (1)
An advanced course addressing the theoretical issues generated by the wave of democratization that began in the early 1970s. It explores democracy’s diverse understandings and practices with an emphasis on comparative analyses of transitions from authoritarian rule and the problems associated with democratic consolidation. Prerequisite: PS 238 or consent.

PS 470 Seminar for Majors (1)
Prerequisite: senior standing.

PS 472 Senior Research Project in Political Science (1)
Extension of the Seminar for Majors (PS 470). It functions as a capstone experience where students conduct independent research under the supervision of the political science faculty and where they come together to discuss key issues for the discipline. In addition to completion of significant research, to be presented to the campus community, students will take up important questions for political science such as the future and scope of the discipline, quantitative versus qualitative analysis, and the application of political science to the solution of problems confronting community.

PS 473, 474 Selected Topics (1)
Selected topics in political science, varying according to individual needs. Open only to junior and senior majors in political science. Fall.

PS 499 Senior Project in Political Science (1)
A substantial research project in a specified area of political science. The project may be executed in the context of a currently offered political science interim class, in conjunction with an internship experience, or as a result of independent research. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent. Interim.