Political Science

POSC 150. Roots: Government. 3 Credits.

An explanation and critical examination of selected concepts in the social sciences. Students examine selected concepts and debates in government and political science through exploration of contemporary issues. Open only to students in the School of Arts and School of Science. (Not open to students who have completed GOVT 201.).

POSC 153. Roots:Government - FYS. 3 Credits.

An explanation and critical examination of selected concepts in the social sciences. Students examine selected concepts and debates in government and political science through exploration of contemporary issues. Open only to students in the School of Arts and School of Science. (Not open to students who have completed GOVT 201.).

POSC 201. Introduction to Government and Politics. 3 Credits.

This course examines selected concepts and debates in government and political science through exploration of contemporary issues. (Not open to students who have completed GOVT 150 or GOVT 153).

POSC 203. United States Government and Politics. 3 Credits.

An introductory course about the foundation of the U.S. Government, its institutions and how they work, and how individuals, organizations, and corporations participate in the political process leading to public policy.

POSC 205. Political Geography. 3 Credits.

A study of states and other political units in the context of their physical, human, economic, cultural, strategic, and other features that are relevant to power and ultimately the course of history.

POSC 207. Introduction to Peace Studies. 3 Credits.

This course introduces students to the nature, scope, and methodology of Peace Studies as well as explores some major contemporary problems that threaten peaceful and just relations between individuals, groups, or nations.

POSC 209. Comparative Politics. 3 Credits.

A survey of the institutions, processes and major problems of selected governments in contemporary states. The structures and ideologies of different regimes, the relationship of the individual to the state, and the adaptation of systems to changing conditions will be compared.

POSC 210. Research Methods in Political Science. 3 Credits.

An introduction to political research methods. The course will enable students to be better practitioners and consumers of political research. Focus is on basic qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on the stages in the research process and date analysis. Among the topics covered: research design, strategies, ethics, conceptulization, measurement, sampling, causation, generalizability, reliability, methods (surveys, observation/participation, evaluation...), elementary and advanced data analysis, reviewing, proposing, and reparting research.

POSC 212. Wall Street. 3 Credits.

The interactions among the world’s investors, investment institutions, and various self-regulatory bodies involved in the capital markets. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, hedge funds, derivatives, and many other investment instruments as well as psychological mindsets directing the markets will be investigated. Includes field trips for practical, on-the scene insights into Wall Street operations, employment possibilities, and the stock market’s role in everyone’s life.

POSC 221. Urban Govt & Politics. 3 Credits.

This course examines of government and politics in major United States cities and suburbs. Impact of urban political, economic and social elites, labor, ethnic and racial groups, state and federal governments on urban politics and public policy. Analysis of selected metropolitan problems.

POSC 222. Power in the City. 3 Credits.

This course examines buildings, public works, and business improvement districts as case studies of personal, interest group, economic, or political power in the development of New York City.

POSC 223. Environmental Politics. 3 Credits.

Analyzes United States and global environmental politics and major issues involved in ecological sustainability and development, including resource management, pollution control, and climate change.

POSC 251. Global Issues. 3 Credits.

This course will highlight the interrelatedness of political, economic, ecological, and cultural events as they affect nations, regions, and the global community. The course is designed to illuminate the complex nature of world events and the nature of international studies.

POSC 254. Global Cities. 3 Credits.

Studies several global or world cities, investigating how cities have built nations and dominated beyond national bases, looking at the characteristics of a global city, the different bases of international status, and the changing forms of urbanization due to new technology and environmental factors.

POSC 270. Introduction to Political Theory. 3 Credits.

Exploration of concepts and thinkers in political theory. Topics include such traditional issues of political theory as the nature and scope of political regimes, justice, equality and changing concepts of human nature.

POSC 271. American Political Thought. 3 Credits.

Analysis from original sources of major United States political and constitutional writers from colonial times to the present. Topics include the American Revolution, the Constitution, slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction, Social Darwinism, populism, progressivism, 20th century liberalism, conservatism, civil rights, and anti-war protest.

POSC 303. The United States Congress. 3 Credits.

Analysis of the dynamics, organization and policy-making processes of the United States Congress: The relationship of legislators to constituents, lobbyists, bureaucrats, the President and one another.

POSC 306. The United States Presidency. 3 Credits.

Exploration of the institution of the U.S. Presidency, its powers, paradoxes, limitations, and responsibilities. Analysis of the Presidential selection process, as well as examination of Presidential leadership in domestic and foreign policy arenas.

POSC 310. Special Topics: in Comparative Politics. 3 Credits.

Explores the politics of a particular country or a particular topic within comparative politics. Specific topics vary and are announced by the department.

POSC 315. State and Local Government in the United States. 3 Credits.

The history and development of federalism in the United States political system, with emphasis on contemporary state and local political institutions and public policy issues. Governmental structures and processes are considered in relation to policy outcomes.

POSC 318. Community Organizing for Social Change. 3 Credits.

Community organizing is a strategy that has empowered individuals and communities to make social change. It has been a major factor in shaping the Bronx, the college's home, as it is today. The class will provide a historical perspective on community organizing and assist in developing skills critical to organizing, such as discussing the role of the organizer, identifying and researching issues, developing leaders and developing an organizing campaign. The class would include opportunities for real-world experience with a local community organization.

POSC 319. Government and Business: Political Economy. 3 Credits.

A survey of alternative economic ideologies, the private and public sectors, the interplay between them, and the formulation of economic public policy.

POSC 320. United States Parties, Public Opinion and Elections. 3 Credits.

Analysis of the development, organization, and functions of political parties in the United States; the relationship of parties to public opinion, elections, and voter behavior.

POSC 322. Public Administration. 3 Credits.

The role of government bureaucracies in implementing our public policies. The examination of administrative processes with special emphasis on administrative behavior and decision-making.

POSC 323. Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers. 3 Credits.

Case studies of judicial decisions relating to the powers of the national government and the separate branches; judicial review: federal-state relations; as well as civil liberties, commerce, civil rights, taxation, spending, treaty-making and war powers.

POSC 324. Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties. 3 Credits.

Case studies of judicial decision on the rights of individuals; first amendment freedoms, equal protection of the laws, rights of defendants.

POSC 325. Special Topics: United States Government. 3 Credits.

A course exploring a particular topic within United States Government. Specific topics vary and are announced by the department.

POSC 330. Government and Politics of Western Europe. 3 Credits.

A comparative analysis of political institutions and behavior in Britain, France, Germany, and other selected Western European states, and an examination of their increasing integration through the European Union.

POSC 331. Government and Politics of Russia and Selected Soviet Successor States. 3 Credits.

Examines the development, structure, and functions of Soviet political institutions, with special attention to the role of the Communist Party. Examines glasnost, perestroika and the disintegration of the U.S.S.R., and new successor republics.

POSC 332. Government and Politics of Central and Eastern Europe. 3 Credits.

Explores the remarkable changes in the region from the end of World War II, through the Soviet socialist regimes, to the startling movements for change in 1989, to the nations of today.

POSC 340. Government and Politics of Asia. 3 Credits.

The politics of the leaders, the institutions in which they operate, and the impact their policies have on their citizens as well as the whole Pacific Basin. Particular attention will be paid to China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India.

POSC 343. Government and Politics of the Middle East. 3 Credits.

Comparative study of the political organizations, institutions and groups in the Middle East. Discussion of politics in selected countries, as well as analysis of national and regional conflicts and the roles of the major powers in the area.

POSC 344. Government and Politics of the Caribbean. 3 Credits.

Comparative study of the politics of selected Caribbean nation-states. Analyzes their diverse colonial heritages, political cultures, ideologies, institutions, groups, and changing development strategies (including regional integration efforts), and domestic and global challenges.

POSC 345. Government and Politics of Latin America. 3 Credits.

Comparative study of the political organizations, institutions and groups in Latin America. Discussion of politics in selected countries, as well as analysis of national and regional conflicts and change and the role of the United States in the region.

POSC 346. Government and Politics of Africa. 3 Credits.

Impact of traditional culture, Western colonialism and neocolonialism on contemporary African ideologies, political organizations, institutions and groups. Nation-building strategies for overcoming underdevelopment and dependence.

POSC 348. Government and Politics of the European Union. 3 Credits.

Examines the evolution of the institutions and policies of the European Union. Gives students an understanding of the European dynamic and the economic integration of Europe, as well as the obstacles to further political integration.

POSC 350. Special Topics: Global Politics. 3 Credits.

An extensive examination and analysis of salient issues in global politics.

POSC 351. International Relations. 3 Credits.

Analyzes various factors underlying war, peace, diplomacy, economic policy and other means by which international actors conduct their relations with one another.

POSC 352. International Organizations. 3 Credits.

Examines the nature, functions, operations, and politics of the United Nations and global, regional, or specialized international bodies.

POSC 353. Technology and Society. 3 Credits.

Examines how gadgets, techniques, hardware, and software, interact with people for better and occasionally for worse, and how governments consider difficult trade-offs in their policy-making.

POSC 354. Human Rights. 3 Credits.

This course is an examination of the emergence and development of an international movement dedicated to the promotion of human rights since WWII. It addresses how a variety of factors promote the development of human rights norms and analyzes some of the challenges of contemporary human rights advocacy.

POSC 357. United States Foreign Policy. 3 Credits.

Examines ideology, decision-making processes, instruments, and major issues of contemporary United States foreign policy.

POSC 367. Model United Nations. 3 Credits.

A hands-on, participatory experience in which students acquire expertise on a particular country which they represent at the five-day National Model United Nations Conference in New York City. The U.N. simulation is designed to reinforce an understanding of the basic principles of the international organization, such as maintaining international peace and security, developing better relations among nations based on respect, equal rights, and self-determination of peoples, and the adjustment and settlement of international disputes. Prerequisite: POSC 352 and/or permission of the instructor.

POSC 368. Model United Nations II. 3 Credits.

A hands-on, participatory experience in which students will acquire expertise on a particular country which they will represent at the five-day National Model United Nations Conference in New York City. The UN simulation is designed to reinforce an understanding of the basic principles of the world organization, such as maintaining international peace and security, developing better relations among nations based on respect, equal rights and self-determination of peoples and the adjustment and settlement of international disputes. Prerequisite: POSC 352 and permission of instructor.

POSC 370. Special Topics: Political Theory. 3 Credits.

An extensive examination and analysis of salient political thinkers and the impact of their ideas on contemporary political systems.

POSC 372. African American Political Thought. 3 Credits.

This course explores the history and the present of African American political theory and practice, through an analysis of theoretical texts, pamphlets, manifestos, and popular culture from the periods of the abolitionist movement, Reconstruction, civil rights, late 20th Century black feminist thought, and contemporary Black politics and culture.

POSC 374. Western Political Thought. 3 Credits.

Introduction to modern Western political theory through examining the written dialogue (between philosophers) that has contributed to what we know as the canon on the state and society in the West.

POSC 375. Internship. 3 Credits.

Students participate in an off-campus training experience closely related to their area of study. Frequent meetings with the internship advisor and a paper are required. Internships are arranged through the Center for Career Development and must be approved in advance by the chair and the Dean of the School of Arts. General elective credit only.

POSC 405. Special Topics: Senior Seminar: United States Government and Politics. 3 Credits.

An in-depth exploration of a specific political issue through class discussion, student research papers, and in-class presentations. Open to seniors or others by permission of the Department Chair.

POSC 411. Seminar. 3 Credits.

POSC 412. Senior Seminar: Women in Politics. 3 Credits.

The struggles of the nineteenth Century feminists, the suffrage amendment movement and the contemporary women's movement as political action. Urban/metropolitan women as vanguard of the mid-twentieth century (Third Wave) American women's movement. Cross-cultural, cross-national comparisons of the concerns that mobilize women, their attainment of political power, and the impact of their activities on public policy. Open to seniors or others by permission of the Department Chair.

POSC 420. Senior Seminar: Conflict Resolution. 3 Credits.

Analysis of sources of conflict and study of methods of conflict management and resolution at the interpersonal, neighborhood, national and international levels. Open to seniors or others by permission of the Department Chair.

POSC 421. Seminar. 3 Credits.

POSC 422. Seminar. 3 Credits.

POSC 426. Senior Seminar: The Politics of Race, Ethnicity, and Class in the United States. 3 Credits.

Analysis of the ignoble paradoxes of American freedom and democracy that are embodied in Indian genocide, African enslavement, social annihilation, white supremacist ideologies and racism. A study of leaders and mass movements that pushed United States' society and its political institutions in the direction of greater racial ethnic and class equality and justice. Open to seniors or others by permission of Department Chair.

POSC 440. Seminar: European Politics. 3 Credits.

Focuses on the government and politics in a selected European country. Open to seniors or others by permission of the Department Chair.

POSC 449. Independent Study. 1-3 Credit.

Permission of Department Chair required. Students can undertake independent research or co-curricular travel in one of the areas under the Government Department under the supervision of a faculty member. (1 to 3 credits).

POSC 450. Senior Seminar: Politics of International Economics. 3 Credits.

The interface of governmental authority and politics on the one hand and economics on the other and the outcomes of this relationship in a global political economy and the management of economic change. Open to seniors or others by permission of Department Chair.

POSC 452. Special Topics Senior Seminar: Comparative Politics. 3 Credits.

An in-depth exploration of a specific global issue through class discussion, student research papers and in-class presentations. Open to seniors or others by permission of Department Chair.

POSC 455. Seminar: Diplomacy. 3 Credits.

Survey of development and practices of diplomacy through investigation of negotiation, coercion, crisis, management, diplomatic settlement, and security cooperation among states. Open to seniors or others by permission of the Department Chair.

POSC 473. Senior Seminar: Contemporary Western Political Thought. 3 Credits.

Examines the major political thinkers who have contributed to the notion of statecraft in the West since WW II. Open to seniors or others by permission of the Department Chair.

POSC 475. Internship. 3 Credits.

Students participate in an off-campus training experience closely related to their area of study. Frequent meetings with the internship advisor and a paper are required. Internships are arranged through the Center for Career Development and must be approved in advance by the chair and the Dean of the School of Arts. Credit may apply to majors.

POSC 480. Special Topics Senior Seminar: Political Theory. 3 Credits.

An in-depth exploration of a specific topic or political thinkers (Western or non-Western) through class discussion, student research papers, and in-class presentations. Open to seniors or others by permission of the Department Chair.

POSC 490. Albany Session Internship. 6-12 Credit.

Students have two options for a semester-long internship in Albany. (A) In the NYS Assembly and Senate programs, students intern in a legislator's office, take a course on the legislative process, write a public policy paper and participate in a mock legislative session. Spring Semester only. Deadline to apply is in October. (B) Through Marist College's Albany Internship Experience, students intern at a political advocacy organization, take a course, and meet with guest speakers. Fall and Spring. Permission of the Department Chair and Dean required for each option.

POSC 491. SUNY Washington Internship Program. 15 Credits.

The College at Brockport's SUNY Washington Internship Program allows students to study and intern in Washington DC while earning a full semester's credits. The students intern up to 32 hours per week (6 credits), complete a research project under the supervision of a faculty member (6 credits) and attend a weekly seminar class (3 credits). Students are graded on field supervisors' evaluations, student internship journal, 10-page internship evaluation paper, 20-page research paper and presentation; class participation and short seminar papers. Permission of the Department Chair and Dean required.

POSC 492. Washington D.C. Seminar Internship. 3 Credits.

Students intern with the program of a Washington D.C. university like Catholic or Georgetown. They may take other courses at the University to make a full schedule. Permission of the department chair and Dean required.

POSC 493. SUNY Summer Washington Internship Program. 6 Credits.

The College at Brockport's SUNY Washington Internship Program allows students to study and intern in Washington DC for 8 weeks during the summer while earning 6 credits. The students intern 32-40 hours per week (3 credits) and attend a mandatory evening course that meets one or two evenings a week (3 credits). Students are graded on an internship journal, 5-page internship evaluation paper, and short seminar papers. Permission of the Department Chair and Dean required.

POSC 494. American University Seminar Program. 15 Credits.

Students spend a semester studying and interning in Washington, D.C., earning 12-15 credits. Program choices include: American Politics, Economic Policy, Foreign Policy, Gender and Politics, International Business and Trade, International Environment and Development, Information Technology and Telecom Policy, Journalism, Justice, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Public Law, and Transforming Communities. Permission of the department chair, Dean and Program Liaison required.

POSC 499. Independent Study. 3 Credits.