Political Science

John W. Critzer
CHAIRPERSON

MAJOR PROGRAMS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
The programs in political science offer the student an understanding of the basic issues in government and politics from the local to the global level, as well as an acquaintance with the methods by which we study the subject. A political science major prepares the student for careers in government service, teaching, law, business, the mass media, international affairs, and organizations advocating public policy. The study of political science may also be of value to many students interested in informed participation in the public life of their society.


Bachelor of Arts (Political Science)
The program consists of a minimum of 30 credits in the field, usually beginning with PSC 100 or 110. Following this general introduction to political science or American politics, the student may pursue a variety of options: he or she may choose a general program selected from the different areas of political science, or a specialization in any five areas American politics, international relations, comparative politics, political theory or public administration. To complete the major all students are required to take PSC 244, preferably in the sophomore year, and junior year at latest, and one senior seminar (PSC 410, 420 and 430).

In special cases, and with prior approval of the department, students may receive credit for appropriate courses offered by other departments. Public administration, in particular, has a significant interdisciplinary aspect. The Political Science Department supports initiative and creativity among its major students by granting approval for qualified juniorsand seniors to enroll in PSC 499 — Independent Study, and PSC 495 — Honors in Political Science. The department also administers an internship program, PSC 497, which enables qualified students to earn 6-15 academic credits as well as practical experience in the political process through work in various governmental and political institutions.


Bachelor of Science (Secondary Education)
In addition to the requirements listed above for the B.A. degree, political science secondary education majors receive teaching certification in history and the social sciences by completing an 18 credit-hour minor in history including at least one course in non-western history, and must also complete at least one course in either economics, geography or sociology.


School of Arts and Sciences
Students in this program must also complete specific professional requirements for Initial Teaching Certification in Connecticut. These are listed under the heading Major Programs in Secondary Education in the School of Education.


Bachelor of Science Degree (Political Science)
The Bachelor of Science program in political science is designed to combine traditional instruction with a strong emphasis upon the more applied, practical or quantified approaches to the study of politics at all levels: local, national, international. Accordingly, in addition to regular course work the program requires the successful completion of an internship, PSC 497, whose purpose is to complement the student's more formal and traditional academic experience. PSC 245 is also required.

The Bachelor of Science program is available in all specializations of the political science major (American politics, public administration, international relations, comparative politics, political theory), provided that an internship can be arranged for the applicant by the Political Science Department.

Formal application into the Bachelor of Science program is made following the successful completion of six credits in political science. The applicant is expected to demonstrate professional promise and the capacity for the successful completion of the internship.

The Bachelor of Science program consists of a minimum of 36 credits in the major and 12 credits in a cognate field. Internship credits range from 6 to 15; of these, no more than 9 may be applied to the major. Two political science courses must be taken outside the major specialization.

During the freshman or sophomore year the student is required to complete Political Science 100 or 130 and 110 or 140. The student then must take PSC 244, 245, and a senior seminar appropriate for the student's specialization. PSC 100 is recommended. A cognatefield or "minor concentration" of 12 credits, selected with the adviser's consent, is expected to supplement the student's training in political science by providing another perspective from which to examine political institutions and processes.

Students planning to major in political science may wish to concentrate in one or more of the following areas:


American Politics
PSC 140 — U.S. Political Thought
PSC 210 — Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
PSC 244 — Scope and Methods of Political Science
PSC 245 — Quantitative Analysis of Political Data
PSC 312 — Media, Polls, and American Politics
PSC 314 — Urban Politics
PSC 315 — Issues in U.S. Government
PSC 316 — U.S. Security Policy
PSC 319 — Congress and Presidency
PSC 320 — Women in Politics
PSC 321 —The U.S. Legal System
PSC 322 — U.S. Political Parties & Elections
PSC 325 — Politics of Modern economic Policy
PSC 328 — State and Local Government
PSC 353 — Congress and Public Policy
PSC 357 — Administrative Law
PSC 410 — Seminar in U.S. Government
PSC 417 — Constitutional Law
PSC 440 — Intelligence


Comparative Politics
PSC 244 — Scope and Methods of Political Science
PSC 245 — Quantitative Analysis of Political Data
PSC 300 — Russia and East Europe in 20th Century
PSC 301 — Soviet and Post-Soviet Governments
PSC 304 — Governments of Japan and Pacific Rimlands
PSC 305 — Political Development
PSC 306 — Asian Communist and Post-Communist States
PSC 307 — Middle East Politics
PSC 308 — Governments of Latin America
PSC 309 — Governments of India and Pakistan
PSC 311 — Governments of Western Europe
PSC 318 — African Politics and Culture in 20th Century
PSC 320 — Women in Politics
PSC 334 — World Public Opinion
PSC 409 — Ethnic Groups and Ethnic Conflict: An International Perspective
PSC 420 — Seminar in Comparative Politics


International Relations
PSC 244 — Scope and Methods of Political Science
PSC 316 — U.S. Security Policy
PSC 330 — Cold War Diplomacy
PSC 331 — International Organizations
PSC 332 — Soviet/Russian Foreign Policy
PSC 334 — World Public Opinion
PSC 335 — Global Politics
PSC 337 — International Law
PSC 339 — Foreign Policy Analysis
PSC 409 — Ethnic Groups and Ethnic Conflict: An International Perspective
PSC 430 — Seminar in Int. Relations
PSC 435 — Contemporary Warfare
PSC 440 — Intelligence


Political Theory
PSC 140 — U.S. Political Thought
PSC 244 — Scope and Methods of Political Science
PSC 245 — Quantitative Analysis of Political Data
PSC 339 — Foreign Policy Analysis
PSC 340 — Pol. Thought: Classical and Medieval
PSC 342 — Pol. Thought: Modern Era
PSC 344 — Pol. Thought: Contemporary Era
PSC 346 — Marxism

Public Administration
PSC 244 — Scope and Methods of Political Science
PSC 245 — Quantitative Analysis of Political Data
PSC 250 — Federalism and Bureaucracy
PSC 310 — Comparative Public Policy
PSC 314 — Urban Politics
PSC 315 — Issues in U.S. Government
PSC 316 — U.S. Security Policy
PCS 325 — Politics of Modern Economic Policy
PSC 328 — State and Local Government
PSC 350 — Politics of Organization
PSC 351 — Analysis of Public Policy
PSC 353 — Congress and Public Policy
PSC 354 — Public Personnel Administration
PSC 356 — Politics and Administration in Connecticut
PSC 357 — Administrative Law
PSC 410 — Seminar in U.S. Government


Minor in Political Science
Liberal Arts and Secondary Education Program
The minor consists of 18 credits. Upon completing PSC 100 or 110, the student elects five additional courses in political science with the advice of the department.

Concentration in Political Science
The concentration of 12 credits, taken with the consent of the department, includes any courses completed as University Requirements.