Core
Courses
10100:
United States Politics and Government
An analysis of processes, values and problems of American
government and democracy. Special emphasis is given to
national political institutions and issues. 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
10101:
American Government and Politics
For students enrolled in the Freshman Honors Program.
This course covers more intensively and more comprehensively
the subject matter of Political Science 10100. The student
is expected to read several additional books, prepare
papers, and participate actively in class discussions.
3 hr./wk.; 4 cr.
21002:
Politics and Leadership
The dynamics and dilemmas of leadership and power. Various
definitions of politics and systems of government will
be related to current political controversies. Use of
case studies, novels, films, essays, and other materials
to illustrate political processes and concepts. Satisfies
requirements of discipline-based writing course. Prereq.:
satisfactory completion of English 11000. 3 hr./wk.; 3
cr.
Introductory
Courses
The
following introductory electives are expected to serve
as prerequisites to further study in a subfield. Thus
the Introduction to World Politics should be taken before
enrolling in a more advanced International Politics course.
Introduction to the Legal Process is a prerequisite to
courses in Law, and so on. Additional prerequisites may
be listed under some courses and may be waived only with
the permission of the Instructor or the Department Chair.
10400:
Introduction to World Politics
Major patterns of contemporary world politics and the
basic analytic tools for examining them that have been
developed by students of comparative politics and international
relations. The course will examine competing ideologies
and systems of governance, patterns of international conflict
and cooperation, and causes of the rise, fall and transformation
of systems of world politics. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
12400:
Political Ideas and Issues
The relevance of political theory in the examination and
solution of current political controversies. The course
will cover such themes as justice, legitimacy, civil liberties,
civil disobedience, the nature of man, society and the
state. Focus will be on great writings in political thought
from all periods. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
12500:
Introduction to Public Policy
Contemporary public policy. How policy issues are formulated,
resolved and evaluated. The major techniques of policy
analysis and public affairs research, with emphasis on
the social and political contexts of policy problems.
3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
12600:
Introduction to the Legal Process
The basic institutions, procedures and theory of the administration
of justice. Students examine typical proceedings, civil
and criminal, and the operation of administrative as well
as judicial tribunals. The legal process in relation to
the American political system. 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
Elective
Courses
The
prerequisite for all electives is Political Science 10100
or permission of the instructor. Additional prerequisites
may be listed under some courses.
I.
United States Politics and Government
20700:
The Politics of Criminal and Civil Justice
The uses and limitations of law as a vehicle for achieving
and securing a just political and social order. Special
attention to the persistence of discrimination and inequality
in the establishment and operation of legal systems. Prereq.:
Pol Sci 10100, 12600, or permission of the instructor.
(W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
20800:
American Political Thought I: 1620-1865
The origins and development of American political thought
from the Puritan times to the end of the Civil War. The
course will include study of basic themes in American
thought: the scope and bounds of legitimate government
power, majority rule and minority rights, federalism and
centralization, participatory democracy, checks and balances,
religious freedom and separation of church and state.
Also counts as a political theory and philosophy course.
(W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
20900:
American Political Thought II: 1865-Present
The development of American political thought from the
end of the Civil War to the present. The course will include
study of major political issues emergent since Reconstruction:
race and gender issues, immigration, urbanization, multiculturalism,
business-government relations, management of the American
economy, and America’s relationship to the world.
Also counts as a political theory and philosophy course.
(W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
21000:
Urban Politics
The politics and policy problems of urban areas throughout
the United States. Emphasis on both the central cities
and their suburbs, as well as their relationships to state
governments and national institutions. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
21100:
New York Politics
The government and politics of New York City and State.
An analysis of the processes, values and problems of contemporary
New York and of the relationships between the City and
rest of the State. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
21200:
Constitutional Law, The Federal System
Survey of the historical and political role of the Supreme
Court, focusing on leading decisions. These deal with
central problems of judicial review and democracy, the
federal system, and the scope and limits of congressional
and presidential power. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
21300:
Constitutional Law, Individual Liberties
The conflicts between majority rule and minority rights
in leading Supreme Court decisions. Major attention to
the more recent decisions concerning freedom of speech,
freedom of religion, and other civil liberties, as well
as social legislation and regulation of business. Prereq.:
Pol Sci 21200 or permission of the instructor. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
21600:
Political Parties and Interest Groups
Interest groups and pressure politics. The rise of new
groups in the political process. The nature and functions
of parties under the American system of government; major
and minor parties; party finance and political machines;
national campaign issues and techniques. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
21700:
Mass Media and Politics
The political questions raised by the growth, methods
and technology of the mass media. Includes exploration
of alternative theories of communication; the development
of special media-oriented social roles and events; and
the relationship between mass communication, symbolic
politics, and political behavior at both the individual
and societal level. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
22000:
The Judiciary
How courts function in the political system. Examination
of the motivations of judges, the social and cultural
contexts of courtroom behavior, and role of the judiciary
in policy-making. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
22100:
The Congress
An examination of the role of legislative bodies in our
political system. Organization, procedures and operations
are the focus of the course. Case studies dealing with
contemporary policy-making are integrated throughout the
semester. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
22200:
The Presidency
Assessment of the present and possible future role of
the American presidency. The development of the office,
its relationship to other institutions and politics, and
contemporary problems. Topics include the duties of the
President as Chief Executive, legislator, shaper of foreign
policy, Commander-in-Chief, party leader, and head of
state. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
22300:
United States Foreign Policy
This course will examine the nature and instruments of
American foreign policy with the aim of equipping the
student with the tools to make his/her own evaluation.
Emphasis will be on the interplay between “ideas”
and “reality” in this nation’s approach
to the outside world. Current foreign policy issues will
be thoroughly examined. Also counts as an International
Relations course. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
22400:
An Introduction to Quantitative Data Literacy
The use and abuse of statistics in politics, journalism
and the social sciences. Indices, such as crime and unemployment
rates, and the use of statistical data in approaching
policy problems and in studying political phenomena. Emphasis
on the use and limitations of quantitative data as evidence
for description and problem analysis. This course may
not be substituted for a required course in mathematics,
statistics or methodology. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
22600:
Ethnic and Racial Politics in the United States
Detailed examination of cooperation and conflict among
various ethnic groups. Particular attention will be paid
to such topics as busing, affirmative action, neo-conservative
thought, and comparative ethnic issues. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
22800:
Policy Analysis
Designed to provide practical insights into the use of
technical information and technical skills in the legislative
and administrative processes of government. Designed especially
for students in the School of Engineering and Architecture,
this course is open by permission of the instructor to
other interested students. Prereq.: Economics 10400 or
26400 or permission of the instructor. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
22900:
Women and Politics
This course explores the theoretical underpinnings of
contemporary feminism and analyzes the changing dimensions
of women’s participation in American politics. Electoral,
interest group, and elite level political involvement
will be discussed and comparisons made with women’s
political role in other nations. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
32200:
Freedom of Expression Seminar
An advanced seminar examining the provisions of the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that deal with freedom
of expression from historical, theoretical, and doctrinal
perspectives. Considers freedom of expression in the light
of competing values such as equality and privacy. (W)
3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
32400:
The Politics of Protest
The emergence, development and ultimate impact of protest
movements on politics and policy in American politics.
Through an examination of several movements in the United
States after World War II, such as the civil rights, women’s
and anti-tax movements, the course will focus on three
basic sets of questions: under what circumstances do dissident
movements emerge? how do dissidents choose political tactics
and strategies? and how do movements influence more conventional
politics and policy? (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
II.
Comparative Politics and Government
23000:
Contemporary Comparative Politics
The basic problems of comparing different types of political
systems and their institutions. Specific examples are
taken from American, western European and the Communist
experience, as well as from cases drawn from the developing
world. (W)
3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
23100:
European Politics and Government
Political processes in European countries viewed in terms
of historical influences and contemporary social structure,
and in comparison with American experience. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
23500:
Introduction to the Politics of Developing Nations
Analysis of theories of development and their application
in particular to the nations of the global south, the
political, social and economic problems of developing
countries, with particular emphasis on public policy choices.
International economic influences (problems of foreign
aid, trade and investment) as well as domestic influences
on policy are discussed. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
23600:
Latin American Political Systems
Contemporary political systems in selected countries.
Emphasis upon the cultural environments, constitutional
foundations, and practices, political and administrative
patterns, political instability and revolution, the role
of the family, church, army, intellectual and caudillo,
and the relations of these governments with each other
and the world. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
23700:
Political Systems in Asia
The political institutions in the Far East and developments
in Southeast Asia in the framework of world politics.
Analyzes selected problems affecting six major powers:
Japan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Communist China and
Russia-in-Asia. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
23900:
Developing Political Systems in Africa
Events leading to independence, forms of government, politics
and parties, sociological and economic factors, orientation
and world politics. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
24000:
Politics of Southern Africa
A survey of politics, race relations, and African nationalism
south of the Zambezi: Angola, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe,
Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, and Swaziland. Special
attention to South Africa, its relations with adjacent
areas and other states north of the Zambezi and abroad,
and the problems of revolutionary change. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
24500:
Caribbean Politics
The course will focus on key actors and institutions shaping
contemporary Caribbean politics and policy. Of particular
importance will be the role of those actors and institutions,
both domestic and transnational, in shaping development
in the region. Case studies will be drawn from several
islands to maximize the comparative nature of the course.
(W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
35500:
Environmental Politics; Comparative and Global Perspectives
Examines the rise of environmental consciousness and the
key actors and institutions in environmental politics
and policymaking at the domestic level. In particular
such issues as global warming, ozone depletion, biodiversity,
deforestation, and the links between environment and economic
development are addressed. Latin America contains much
of the planet’s rainforests and biodiversity, hence
has a great concern for “green” environmental
issues. It is also urbanizing at a rapid rate and must
address the “brown” environmental issues associated
with rapid city growth and industrialization. Many of
the cases read and examples cited during the course are
drawn from Latin American context. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
III.
International Relations
20200:
International Political Economy
An examination of the relationship between political and
economic systems in selected industrialized and developing
countries. Introduction to theories of political economy
as they apply at the domestic and international levels.
The course is designed to strengthen the students’
theoretical foundation for advanced study of world affairs
and to prepare them for courses focusing on particular
world problems or areas such as industrialized countries
or development in poor countries of the Third World. (W)
3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
25000:
Contemporary International Politics
Introduction to the dynamics of international relations:
power, types of international systems, East-West relations,
the foreign policies of major powers and of the Third
World, causes of conflict and the role of international
law organization. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
25200:
Theories of International Relations
Analysis of basic theoretical approaches at the individual,
state, sub-systemic (regional) and systemic (international)
levels. Includes discussion of personality and psychological
approaches, decision-making, comparative foreign policy,
regional integration, alliances, and the international
system. Basic introduction to social science methodology
as applied to international relations. (W) 3 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
25300:
International Law
Development of the basic principles of international law,
including those relating to war and peace. Special attention
will be placed on the role of international law in international
relations and recent legal problems in international politics:
trade, the sea, terrorism, the redefinition of sovereignty,
minority and human rights, and international criminal
tribunals. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
25400:
International Organization
General and regional intergovernmental organizations,
with emphasis on purposes, organs, functions and processes
of the nited Nations; problems of conflict resolution,
decolonization, disarmament, social and economic development
and the application of international law are discussed.
The National Model United Nations Simulation (Pol Sci
25500) may be taken as an adjunct to this course. (W)
3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
25500:
Model United Nations Internship
Simulation of the United Nations in class and at local
level, leading to a national exercise, held partly at
the U.N., which brings together college students from
around the country, from Canada, Puerto Rico and Japan.
Should be taken simultaneously with, or after, Pol Sci
25400. Open to other students only by permission of instructor.
(W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
25600:
Contemporary World Conflict
The psychological, sociological, cultural, economic and
military sources of international conflict. Includes analyses
of contemporary regional and global conflicts, and methods
of conflict resolution, including negotiation, coersion,
diplomacy and war. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
35700:
International Relations in Selected Areas
A study of the foreign policies and interrelations of
nations in selected areas; contacts, cooperation, and
conflicts between areas will also be considered. (W) 3
hr./wk.; 3 cr.
IV.
Political Theory and Philosophy
27300:
Classical Political Thought
Ancient writers and the experiences of the ancient city-state
will be studied with a view to their influence, validity
and contemporary relevance. Readings will include Plato
and Aristotle, among others. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
27400:
Modern Political Thought: Up to 1848
Will explore some of the political, social and ethical
ideas which arose out of the process of modernization
as it first occurred in the West. Readings vary from term
to term, but include some of the following: Machiavelli,
Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Diderot, Rousseau, Burke,
Paine, Bentham, Hegel, Marx (early writings), Shakespeare,
and novelists of the nineteenth century. There will be
special emphasis on the Enlightenment and French Revolution.
(W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
27500:
Contemporary Political Thought: 1848 to the Present
Issues and ideas discussed will include: alienation, anomie,
mass society, eclipse of community, bureaucratization,
uses and abuses of technology, totalitarianism, and ambiguities
of modernization. Readings may include Marx, Weber, Freud,
Kafka, Arendt, Orwell, and other nineteenth and twentieth
century thinkers. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
37600:
Marxism
A study of Karl Marx’s social thought and political
activity, and of other radical responses to modern capitalism.
We will explore some of the “different roads to
socialism” that have emerged in the twentieth century.
There will be special emphasis on the contrast between
democratic socialism and Leninism. (W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
37700:
Judeo-Christian Political Thought
The contributions of Judeo-Christian thinking to the tradition
of political thought in the West. The religious roots
of radicalism, universalism, transcendentalism and individualism,
as reflected in Old and New Testaments, and representative
writers from the ancient, medieval and modern periods.
(W) 3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
V.
Independent Study
30100-30200:
Honors I-II
Honors will be granted to graduating seniors on the basis
of a research paper and a comprehensive written examination
taken in two fields of political science. Admission to
the course requires (1) a 3.2 average in courses taken
in the Social Sciences since the freshman year and (2)
approval by the Department Honors Supervisor and the Dean.
Apply in NAC 4/160 no later than December 10 in the Fall
term or May 1 in the Spring term. (W) Honors I (30100),
3 cr.; Honors II (30200), 6 cr.
31000:
Independent Readings and Research in Political Science
Designed to meet the special needs of individual students
not met by existing courses. Requires approval of Department
Chair and availability of an instructor willing to supervise
the reading or research program before registering. 1-3
cr./sem.
VI.
Special Topics in Political Science
31100-1500:
Selected Topic Seminars in Political Science
Advanced study in limited registration seminars, the topics
to be chosen from the area of American politics, comparative
politics, international relations, political theory and
methodology, and combinations of the above. Open to students
only with the permission of the Department Chair. 2 hr./wk.;
3 cr.
31600-32000:
Selected Topic Electives in Political Science
Advanced study in topics chosen from the areas of American
politics, comparative politics, international relations,
political theory and methodology, and combinations of
the above. Prerequisites to be established by instructor.
3 hr./wk.; 3 cr.
VII.
Internships
32300:
Legislative Internships
Offers students the opportunity to participate in the
New York Assembly or Senate Internship Programs, or other
legislative internships that combine practical experience
and academic training. Credit varies, though typically
12 credits will be awarded for those students who successfully
complete the programs offered by the New York State Legislature.
Prereq.: junior or senior status and permission of the
instructor.
32701
and 32702: Seminar Internship in Public and International
Affairs
This course is part of a City University internship program
designed for students interested in the practical aspects
of government at city, state and federal levels, as well
as in international organizations. 2 hr./wk., plus internship;
4 cr.
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