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Bulletins

PSC - Political Science

PSC 100 Introduction to Political Science

An introduction to the historical and theoretical concepts and subject matter of political science. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 105 Introduction to American Government and Politics

Examines the formal institutions and political processes of U.S. government. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 110 Your Future in Law or Politics

This course will identify potential careers, and pathways to those careers, in law, politics, and international relations.

Credits
1(1-0)

PSC 125 African-American Politics

Examines issues of political economy, political participation, political efficacy, alienation, Black Nationalism, PanAfricanism and institutional, ideological and individual racism. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Cultural Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 150 Introduction to International Relations

Introduction to theoretical tools used in the field of international relations. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 201 Political Behavior

Focus is on the elements of individual political behavior. Includes rational choice; political involvement, commitment, and participation; elections and voting behavior; and political opinion. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group III-A: Behavioral Sciences)

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 242 Introduction to Comparative Politics

Examines and applies theories, concepts, and methods of comparative political analysis in selected political systems. Recommended: ENG 101. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 261 State and Local Government

This course examines the institutional structure and function of state, county, municipal, and township governments in the U.S. and the important issues confronting these units. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group III-B: Studies in Social Structures)

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 270 Introduction to Political Economic Systems

An introduction to comparative political economic systems. Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 150 or PSC 242.

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 275 Great Political Thinkers

Discussion of vital issues in the history of Western political thought, such as freedom, justice, equality, and power. Authors include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Marx. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 280QR Public Sector Research Methods

Overview of common public sector research techniques and how research findings can be integrated into effective organizational decisions. Quantitative Reasoning. Identical to PAD 280QR. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisite: At least 6 hours in PAD, PSC, SOC, or SWK.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

PAD 280QR

PSC 300 Michigan Politics and Elections

Analysis of Michigan's election campaigns with focus on organization, strategies and tactics. Emphasis on election consequences for state's policy leaders, opinion, interests and government. Prerequisite: PSC 105 or PSC 261.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PSC 105 or PSC 261

Corequisites

None.

PSC 301 Law and Policy in Michigan State Government

Analysis of Michigan's legislative process, policy issues, and state government politics. Emphasis on origination, shaping, negotiating, and content of state policy. Prerequisite: PSC 105 or PSC 261.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PSC 105 or PSC 261

Corequisites

None.

PSC 320 The American Legislative Process

Analysis of the legislative process, studying formal and informal devices used by legislative bodies in determining policy. Primary emphasis is on the United States Congress. Prerequisites: PSC 105.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PSC 105.

Corequisites

None.

PSC 321 The American Chief Executive

This course examines the development of the executive office of the United States, with emphasis on the Presidency. Prerequisite: PSC 105.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PSC 105

Corequisites

None.

PSC 322 Judicial Process and Politics

Provides an introduction to the judicial process in the United States and its relationship to the larger American political and social system. Prerequisite: PSC 105.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PSC 105

Corequisites

None.

PSC 325 The Civil Rights Movement

Examines the civil rights movement through documentary film and other sources, focusing on mass movement from 1940s to 1980s. Identical to PHL 345, REL 345, SOC 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Any one of the following: HST 110, HST 111, HST 112, IGR 145, PSC 100, PSC 105, PSC 125, REL 140, SOC 100. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

REL 345/SOC 345/PHL 345

PSC 326 Women and Politics

This course will look primarily at empirical studies of women’s role in politics in the U.S. but also in other contexts. Identical to WGS 326. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

WGS 326

PSC 327 Parties and Interest Groups in the United States

Analysis of American political parties and interest groups as instruments of democratic pluralist government. Recommended: PSC 105.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 328 Campaigns and Elections

Study of campaigns and elections in the United States, including candidate emergence and nominations, campaign organization and strategy, election results, and electoral reform. Prerequisite: PSC 105.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PSC 105

Corequisites

None.

PSC 330 Study Abroad: Ancient Athens and Modern Greece

Students travel to Greece (Athens, Delphi, Olympia, and elsewhere) to study politics, citizenship, and culture in ancient Athens and modern Greece. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 340 African Political Systems and Processes

Comparative survey of selected African political systems with focus upon Sub-Saharan Africa.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 344 East Asian Political Systems and Processes

Emphasis on selected states in East Asia. East Asia consists of China, Japan, and Korea. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 345 Middle Eastern Political Systems

Comparative analysis of the politics of selected Middle Eastern states, including Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Iran, Israel and Turkey.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 347 Europe and the European Union

Comparative political analysis of selected European states and the European Union. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Global Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 348 Latin American Political Systems

A comparative analysis of politics in contemporary Latin America with focus on the impact of authoritarianism, international intervention, economic underdevelopment, and democratization. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 353 Model United Nations

Introduces students to the activities of the United Nations and the protocol and procedures of diplomacy in order to participate in United Nations simulations. Prerequisite: 26 credits completed.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

26 credits completed

Corequisites

None.

PSC 354 Advanced Model United Nations

Allows advanced students to further their knowledge of the protocol and procedures of diplomacy and participate in United Nations simulations. Prerequisite: PSC 353. Co-requisite: PSC 355.

Credits
1-6(1-0)

Prerequisites

PSC 353

Corequisites

PSC 355

PSC 355 Model United Nations Lab

This course is a lab for PSC 353 and PSC 354. Can be repeated up to a total of nine credits. CR/NC only. Co-requisite: PSC 353 or 354.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

PSC 353 or PSC 354

PSC 360 Trial Advocacy

Practice conducting all stages of criminal and civil trials and gain a strong working knowledge of the judicial system, evidentiary rules, and methods of persuasion. Recommended: PSC 105.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 370 Gurus, Avatars, and Nukes: South Asian Politics

This course will introduce students to South Asian politics. It will examine the evolution of political institutions, ethnic conflicts, and political crises in the region. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 371 American Political Thought

Selective survey of dominant trends in American political thought from the revolutionary era to the present. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 375 Modern Ideologies

This course examines a number of different modern ideologies such as liberalism, socialism, fascism, conservatism, environmentalism, and radical Islamism.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 390 Independent Study

Explorations of special problems in Political Science agreed upon by student and instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

PSC 395 Internship in Government and Politics

An integrative learning experience where students apply textbook knowledge to governmental and public affairs work experience. CR/NC only. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

PSC 398 Special Topics in Political Science

Covers special topics of interest not covered in existing courses. May be repeated when the content is not a duplication of a previous course offering. Prerequisites: 30 credit hours of coursework.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

PSC 365 Criminal Law

An introduction to the study of substantive criminal law, including the elements of crimes, defenses to crimes, criminal sanctions, and constitutional limits on criminal law. Identical to SOC 365. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

SOC 365

PSC 401 Bullets not Ballots: Revolution, Insurgency and Civil War

Examines relevant theories and literature on the causes of violent conflicts such as revolution, insurgency and civil war. Prerequisites: PSC 150 and PSC 242; completion of 56 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 421 Constitutional Law: Powers of Government

Explores how the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution has allocated power to government actors, including through judicial review, separation of powers, and federalism. Prerequisite: PSC 105; completion of 56 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 422 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties

Provides an understanding of the civil liberties and civil rights which underlie our system of government, including the major doctrines developed by the Supreme Court. Prerequisite: PSC 105; completion of 56 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 426 Feminist Theory

Examination of theories that describe and criticize the social, cultural and political status of women and offer alternatives to the status quo. Identical to WGS 426 and PHL 426. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Recommended: WGS 100 or one course in philosophy or one of the following: PSC 275, PSC 326, PSC 371.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

WGS 426, PHL 426

PSC 444 Refugees, Forced Migration and Human Trafficking

Analyzes causes of forced migration and human trafficking and their implications for international security; students gain first-hand experience of meeting refugees. Identical to SOC 444. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisite: PSC 100 or SOC 100 or PSC 150 or PSC 242; completion of 56 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

SOC 444

PSC 453 American Foreign Policy

Analyzes the external interests of the United States and how they are pursued.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 455 War and Peace Studies

Examines theories and literature on the causes and consequences of violent conflicts and the uses of non-violent means to conflict resolution. Prerequisites: PSC 150 or PSC 242.

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 514 American Public Policy Making

This course introduces the various models, theories, and concepts commonly employed in the study of public policy. Prerequisite: Completion of 56 credit hours at the undergraduate level or graduate standing.

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 515 Comparative Public Policy

Techniques of cross-national and other comparative policy analysis applied to social and economic policies of industrialized nations, especially Western Europe. Prerequisite: Completion of 56 credit hours at the undergraduate level or graduate standing.

Credits
3(3-0)

PSC 516 Environmental Politics and Policy

Analysis of relationships between politics and public policy in the environmental arena. Emphasis upon policy making process, political strategies, and alternative decision modes. Prerequisite: Completion of 56 credit hours or graduate standing.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

Completion of 56 credit hours or graduate standing

Corequisites

None.

PSC 520 American National Government and Politics

This course will examine the major theoretical frameworks used in the study of American national government and politics and survey current research in the area. Prerequisite: PSC 105 and a minimum of 12 hours of political science coursework at the 200-level or above, or graduate standing.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

a minimum of 9 hours of political science coursework, including PSC 105

Corequisites

None.

PSC 522 Regulatory Processes and Administrative Law

This course is about the work of administrative agencies, the politics of regulation, and the role of administrative law in shaping policy. Prerequisite: 56 credit hours of undergraduate coursework or graduate standing.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

56 credit hours of undergraduate coursework or graduate standing

Corequisites

None.

PSC 551 Seminar in International Relations

Significant aspects of international relations on the basis of timeliness and importance.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 555 International Law I

Processes of international law; role in international relations and organizations; effects on individual rights in peacetime through cases, treaties, customs, and legal rules. 

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PSC 590 Independent Study

Explorations of special problems in Political Science agreed upon by student and instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Prerequisite: At least 12 hours of undergraduate PSC coursework and instructor approval.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

PSC 598 Special Topics in Political Science

Subject matter not included in courses currently listed in Bulletin.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.