100. American Politics and Government. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An analytical study of American national government with special attention to its structure and operation : functions of the President, Congress, the Judiciary; activities of the federal government in promoting the welfare of the people.
101. Introduction to Political Science. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An analytical study of the basic concepts of political science, including power, conflict, coercion, the state, and the government. Will also include a basic introduction to methodology and research techniques.
102. Current Political Controversies. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course introduces students to the basic analytical and evaluative tools of political science through an examination of particular controversies. Each section will focus on a current controversy such as life and death (abortion , the death penalty, etc.), minority rights (affirmative action, same-sex marriage, etc.), and religion and politics, and then explore the wider and more general issues it entails.
103. Comparative Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A comparative analysis of political institutions, processes, and cultures. The political systems of selected countries will be illustrative case studies of the comparative approach.
104. International Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of the nature of international society (nationalism, state sovereignty, balance of power) and the sources of conflict and tension among nation states. After a consideration of the elements of power (geopolitical, economic, ideological, demographic, and technological), deals with the role of international organization and law, collective security and regionalism as "controls" on the use of power. Attention to the implications of the transitional aspects of world politics (e.g., the rise of new nations, population expansion).
105. Political Theory. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Introduction to the nature, types, and problems of political theory. Core of readings consists of selections from classic works of political theory and philosophy.
211. Urban Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A survey of the phenomena of the modern-day metropolis with emphasis on urban needs, government organization and administration, politics; political processes, and the interrelationships between the city and the suburbs.
212. The American Presidency. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An analytical study of the office and powers of the President as chief of state, head of its executive branch, commander-in-chief of its armed forces, director of its foreign policy, and his role as legislator, party leader, and spokesman of the nation. The concept of the presidency and the achievements of the presidents will be particularly examined.
213. The Legislative Process in America. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of the structures and functions of legislative bodies with particular emphasis on the United States.
217. Decision-Making in the White House. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course examines presidential decision-making and how it has varied among recent presidents.
218. Political Parties and Elections. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course analyzes the role of political parties in the American electoral process.
219. Politics of Bureaucracy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An analysis of the organization and functioning of public and private bureaucracies, including a general survey of the theory and practice of administration. Case studies will compare the functioning of actual agencies with administrative theory.
220. Politics and the Media. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A study of the relationship between the media and political consciousness (the way we think and feel about politics), focusing on the news: its content, the way people perceive and use that content, and the way politically active people attempt to influence that content.
221. Public Policy in the Political Process. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Study of one or more policy issues. Will focus on both the process of decision-making and evaluation of policy. May be repeated if different fields of public policy are covered.
222. Power in America. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of the structure of power in American society and its relation to political ideas and processes.
223. Introduction to Public Administration. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Analysis of the theoretical basis for administration, philosophies of administration. Description of the tools of administration and the relationship of administrative organization ot other institutions in modern society.
224. The Public Service. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The problems of recruiting, organizing, and providing administrative leadership for the persons required to administer modern government and to plan and carry out an ever-widening range of public programs and services.
225. Women in Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course explores the role women play in the American political system. It addresses the question of how women choose to participate in politics, how they are recruited for office, how they campaign, what influence they have, and what obstacles to their full and equal participation remain. The course relies on readings and on guest lectures by women who hold elected, appointed, and civil service positions at different levels of government.
226. Capitalism and Democracy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course deals with the interaction between the political and economic institutions of capitalist democracies. Topics covered include the relationship between capitalism and democracy, and between democracy and inequality, as well as the politics of economic policy.
228. American Politics and Film. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course will focus on selected American films, from the 1920s to the present, to examine the social and cultural ideas and attitudes that underlie American political and economic structures. It will also examine the influence of the media on the American political world.
229. Colloquium in American Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Topics to be announced. No student is permitted to enroll in more than one colloquium per semester.
231. Political Culture and Political Socialization. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The effect on political systems and behavior of such phenomena as fundamental moral concerns, value systems, class structures, and folk practices.
230. Politics of Development. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Politics and government in the underdeveloped areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Stress on the interaction of political, social, and economic forces. Attention is paid to foreign policy problems.
232. Comparative Political Economy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Effects of economic structures and practices on political and social systems.
233. Transitions to Democracy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. During the past generation, many nations have shifted from authoritarian and military rule to democracy. This course will examine the reasons for this development, the ways it has been accomplished, and the prospects for the future.
234. Contemporary Western Europe. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Analysis of contemporary European political institutions and processes. Selected countries to be announced.
235. Contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Analysis of collapse of the Soviet Union and dynamics of political processes in Russia and Eastern Europe.
236. The Politics of Developing Nations. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Politics and government in the underdeveloped areas of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Stress on the interaction of political, social, and economic forces with attention to foreign policy problems.
237. Contemporary Africa. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Primary focus on the dynamics of societies in transition in "sub-Saharan" Africa from colonial dependency to independence, and from traditional tribal units to modern nations.
238. Contemporary Asia. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A survey of the political development and government institutions of the states in the Far East, chiefly China and Japan; analytical study of their historical background and foreign relations.
239. Contemporary Latin America. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A study of the political reality of Latin American countries through their constitutional organization and the actions and attitudes of power blocks within society. The role of political parties, dictatorship, caudillismo, constitutional government, and democracy.
240. The Contemporary Middle East. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A survey of Middle Eastern governments, political processes, and political group behavior.
242. The Welfare State. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Welfare states in the modern world from "conservative" to "liberal" to "radical." This course will examine the common roots of all welfare states, the ways they vary, and the different interests their policies serve.
244. Comparative Analysis of Revolution. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The purpose of this course is to identify, describe, and analyze models of revolution. The object will be show where and why revolutions are likely, the conditions under which they have succeeded in the past, and the forces that play determinant roles.
246. Social Movements and Political Power 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course examines the relation of social movements to political parties, labor unions, and governmental and non-governmental institutions. It will compare "old" class-based movements to "new" identity-based movements, particularly those concerned with race, gender, and ethnicity. Students will deal with case studies taken from developed and less developed societies.
247. Political Leadership. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course examines the problem of leadership in political systems, the various ways it can be exercised, and its role in political development. It will pay particular attention to charismatic leadership as exercised by some of the major figures of modern history, from Napoleon through Castro, and including such diverse types as Hitler, Mao, and the Perons.
249. Colloquium in Comparative Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Topics to be announced. No student is permitted to enroll in more than one colloquium per semester.
251. International Organization. 3 hr.; 3 cr. After a brief treatment of the historical background of attempts to maintain peace, attention is given to the organizational, structural, and functional aspects of the United Nations and its related agencies. An evaluation of the contributions of these organizations to the maintenance of peace and to world economic, social, and political development is made.
252. Contemporary Issues in International Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course introduces students to some of the major issues that confront the world and provides them with basic analytical tools to help them understand these issues. Each section will focus on a particular issue, such as the control of weapons, women and war, international drug traffic, and the international trading system. The course will feature guest speakers from journalism, the UN, and various diplomatic missions. Topics to be announced. Course may be repeated with permission of instructor, if the topic is different.
253. Administration of International Law. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An analytical study of selected topics in international law and administration, such as means and procedures for the settlement of international disputes, responsibility of states and other issues in diplomatic practices, administrative problems of the United Nations and other international organs in the performance of their functions, as well as the changing conception and controversial principles of the law of war and neutrality.
254. The Politics of the International Economy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course deals with the relationship between international politics and international economics. It pays particular attention to the increasing political significance of international trade, global competition, and the international division of labor. Students will examine such issues as the role of states in the world economy, the activities of intergovernmental organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank, and the problems of inequality and unequal development.
255. Comparative Foreign Policy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An analysis of patterns in the orientation of various nation-states toward their world environment, and of structures and processes by which various nation-states formulate foreign policies.
256. Africa in World Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The international relations of the African countries and the development of African foreign policies. Pan-Africanism, the cold war in Africa, neutralism, regional and international agencies.
257. Europe in World Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The role of European states in world politics. Cohesion and conflict within the regions: the politics of European integration, Atlantic cooperation, and East-West relations.
258. Asia in World Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Historical examination of the policies of the major powers toward China, Japan and Korea; their common interests and contradictions; conflicts between nationalism and imperialism in East Asia and adjacent areas; special emphasis on the complicated relationships between the United States and the governments in this region.
259. Latin America in World Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The relations of the Latin American countries with the United States, the European powers, and with each other. Pan-Africanism and the participation of Latin America in international organizations. Inter-American public international law.
260. The Middle East in World Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The expansion of the European state system into the Middle East and the regional adjustments. The changing patterns of regional and international politics in the Middle East, contrasting the League of Nations and the United Nations systems.
261. Russia and Eastern Europe in World Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Examination of the political, material, and ideological forces that shape the foreign policies of Russia and the eastern European states.
262. United States Foreign Policy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Examination of the historical, material, and ideological forces that shape current American foreign policy operations, followed by an analysis of policy formulation with stress on the executive, the legislature, and public opinion. Military, economic, and intelligence policies also examined.
263. Politics of Terrorism. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A study of terrorism as practiced by governments, political parties, and small groups or individuals, including rationales, methods, justifications, and effects of terrorism by different agencies. Terrorism on an international scale will be studied in the context of global political and economic rivalries.
269. Colloquium in International Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Topics to be announced. No student is permitted to enroll in more than one colloquium per semester.
Political Theory and Methodology
270. Democracy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of democratic theory in the light of the developments of the late twentieth century. The course will particularly address the challenges to democracy posed by factors such as the rise of great corporations and state bureaucracies, and the decline in participation by ordinary citizens.
271. The Origins of Western Political Theory. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An investigation of the foundations of the Western political tradition and the formulation of political theories in a pre-nation-state social order.
272. Theories of the State: Machievelli to Marx. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of the political problems that grew out of the conception of the nation state, such as sovereignty, constitutionalism, democracy, political liberty, and social change.
273. American Political Thought. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Discussion of the political concepts that have influenced the development of an American democratic tradition; concepts will be related to specific political institutions and processes.
274. Contemporary Political Theory. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Examination of the theoretical and methodological problems underlying twentieth-century political thought. Utilization of psychological findings, development of scientific procedure, problems of concept formation. Attention is given to fundamental ideological issues in twentieth-century politics.
275. Applied Political Research. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course will provide students with the basic tools needed to carry out political science research, including the formulation of research problems, the collection of evidence, and elementary statistical analysis.
276. Feminist Political Theory. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course introduces students to feminist perspectives on politics and political thought, and to the current debates and issues in contemporary feminism, through a study of political writing by and about women.
277. Black Political and Social Thought I: Protest Thought. 3 hr; 3 cr. An introduction to the organized and systematic patterns of thought put forth by black publicists concerning the human conditions of blacks in white-dominated society, and the black ideological response to such a political, economic, and cultural situation. The emphasis will be on Afro-American thought, with references to African and Caribbean thought. Some of the thinkers whose works will be examined are Blyden, Washington, Diagne, DuBois, Garvey, Nkrumah, Padmore, King, Malcom X, and Fanon.
278. Black Political and Social Thought II: Contemporary Ideologies. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Basic themes in contemporary black political and social literature concerning the appropriate forms of political and social organization for black society. The emphasis will be on African political thought. Some of the themes to be explored are the implications of "Blackness" (negritude, African personality, etc) for political organization (Ujamaa, African Socialism, Consciencism, etc.) and the role of blacks in the world revolution (Pan-Africanism, Third Worldism, etc.).
279. Colloquium in Political Theory. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Topics to be announced. No student is permitted to enroll in more than one colloquium per semester.
248. Business and Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Examination of business firms as political actors, providing a political perspective on the legislative and economic environment in which business operates. Specific topics include the way in which business firms and organizations participate in the political process; the place of business power in democratic theory; the politics of economic policy, regulatory policy, corporate governance, and labor market.
280. The Judicial Process. 3 hr.; 3 cr. 280. The Judicial Process. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of courts as political and governmental institutions. Rules of law, procedure, court decisions, and concepts of jurisprudence discussed only when directly relevant. Emphasis on judicial recruitment, politics of judicial settlements, legal values and judicial decisions, political and social attributes and attitudes in judicial decision-making, and the impact of judicial decisions.
281. Constitutional Law I: The American Federal Scheme. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of basic issues of federalism, national and state power, and the separation and distribution of national power involved in the American scheme of checks and balances.
282. Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An exploration of the safeguards to the liberty and property of persons involved in the American concept of inalienable rights.
283. Politics of Crime. 3 hr.; 3 cr. An examination of the causes of crime in America in the economics, social, political, racial and ideological contexts; the controversies it generates, and consideration of significant reforms.
284. Justice and Law. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The relation of leading theories of law to contemporary concepts of justice and to important issues in constitutional law and current politics, such as equality, crime, and privacy.
285. Race, Class, Gender, and Law. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This class will focus on three of the most important factors in contemporary American law and politics. Particular attention will be given to changing theories of law and justice with regard to employment discrimination, health, welfare, and education, and to the continuing debate over affirmative action.
286. Theories of Law and Human Rights. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course examines the argument that human beings have rights simply because they are human. It seeks to understand what should count as a right, how rights can be defended against persistent violation, and whether human rights activism can be an effective agent for political change.
287. Law, Politics and the Environment. 3 hr.; 3 cr. This course examines major issues in contemporary American and international environmental law and policy. Through a series of case studies, students study the activities of state and non-state actors and explore a variety of approaches to environmental law and policy. Guest lecturers include lawyers, scientists, and environmental activists.
289. Colloquium in Law and Politics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Topics to be announced.
294. Internship in Legislative Politics. 12 credits. This is a one semester, full-time internship with a state legislator or administrative agency in Albany. Details, requirements and permission for the program must be gotten from the faculty coordinator. Stipends are provided.
295W. Internship in Law and Advocacy. 295.4: 2 hr./wk. plus 120 semester hours of intern work; 4 cr. 295.5: 2 hr./wk. plus 150 semester hours of intern work; 5 cr., 292.9: 2hr/wk. plus 280 semester hours of intern work; 9cr. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Students will work with lawyers or with legal advocacy or judicial institutions. Application for the program is made through the faculty coordinator, a minimum of one month prior to registration. Applications available through the Political Science Department.
296W. Internship in International Politics. 296.4: 2 hr./wk. plus 120 semester hours of intern work; 4 cr. 296.5: 2 hr./wk. plus 150 semester hours of intern work; 5 cr. 292.9: 2hr/wk. plus 280 semester hours of intern work; 9cr. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Students will work with public and private institutions in the field of international relations. Application for the program is made through the faculty coordinator, a minimum of one month prior to registration. Applications available through the Political Science Department.
382W. Seminar in Law and Politics. 3 hrs plus conferences; 4 cr. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Topics to announced. No student may enroll in more than one seminar a semester.
383W. Seminar in Comparative Politics. 3 hrs plus conferences; 4 cr. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Topics to announced. No student may enroll in more than one seminar a semester.
384W. Seminar in International Politics. 3 hrs plus conferences; 4 cr. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Topics to announced. No student may enroll in more than one seminar a semester.
386W. Seminar in Political Theory. 3 hrs plus conferences; 4 cr. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. Topics to announced. No student may enroll in more than one seminar a semester.
The Political Science department adds new courses to its program every year. Check this space for exciting new offerings before registration.
297. Model United Nations. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A simulation of the United Nations as an agent for peace in the contemporary world, including participation in a week-long Model UN event in New York City with general assembly meetings at the UN headquarters. Students will research issues before the UN in such areas as regional and world peace, economic development, education, human rights, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and will prepare to participate in simulated debates and negotiations. A fee of $75 is required to register as a delegate, in addition to room and board expenses.