Course Offerings
Fall 2008 Department Offerings (pdf)
GOVT 101: Introduction to Political Studies (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
Fundamental problems of politics and government. The involvement of human beings in the exercise of power and influence, conflict, political leadership, and political groups.
GOVT 111: Introduction to American Government (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
Introduction to the major tenets of the American political system.
GOVT 112: Introduction to State and Local Government (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
The federal system and state and local governmental problems. Emphasis on Pennsylvania when possible.
GOVT 205: Introduction to Public Policy (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
Decision making by governments in response to public problems. The policy process. Current policy issues, selected from such possible examples as education, abortion, energy and environment. Some problems of policy evaluation.
GOVT 215: The American Presidency (G3, W)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall.
Recommended: GOVT 111
Examination of the presidency and the executive branch of national government. Emphasis on the growth and development of presidential power.
GOVT 221: Introduction to Comparative Political Systems (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
Introduction to the comparative analysis of government and politics through an examination of different political systems including advanced democracies and developing nations.
GOVT 231: Introduction to Political Theory (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
Representative philosophers and concepts in the history of Western political theory from antiquity through the 19th century.
GOVT 241: Public Administration and Public Service (G3, W)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
A study of intergovernmental relations, organizational theory, decision-making, personnel, management, budgeting, program evaluation and policy analysis.
GOVT 251: Introduction to Global Affairs (G3, W)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
The nation state system. Military, political, economic, organizational and legal relations among states. Power and the pursuit of national goals.
GOVT 301: Political Research Skills and Methods
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
The logic of scientific methods in political science. The development of empirical theory, explanation and causation, formation of concepts, hypothesis testing, and problems of political research.
GOVT 312: American Political Parties and Interest Groups (G3, W)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
Recommended: GOVT 111
Comparative studies of interest groups. Inter-group rivalry and conflict. Tensions between parties
GOVT 314: The American Judiciary
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
Prerequisite: GOVT 111
Examination of state and federal courts. Primary emphasis on federal courts, and especially the U.S. Supreme Court.
GOVT 315: Congress and Lawmaking (G3, W)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
Recommended: GOVT 111
A study of the organization, rules and procedures of the Senate and House of Representatives. Extensive analysis of the internal and external environment for policymaking by Congress. State legislatures are also examined in the same manner.
GOVT 325: Political Systems of East Asia (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
Introduction to the politics of China, Japan, and Korea with emphasis on political institutions, formal and informal political processes, political culture, major issues in each country, and their economic significance.
GOVT 327: Canadian Government and Politics (P)
(3 s.h.) – Offered every other fall
Government and politics of Canada and an examination of how its geography, history, economics and culture have affected its governance. Consideration of major policy issues and their impact of Canada's future.
GOVT 332: Recent Developments in Political Theory
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
Prerequisite: GOVT 231
Selected issues and problems and an examination of the works of various contemporary political theorists.
GOVT 333: American Political Thought
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall & spring
Prerequisite: GOVT 111
Study of the history and development of democracy in an American setting. Emphasis on different and often conflicting versions of democratic theory and practice.
GOVT 341: Introduction to City Planning (P)
(3 s.h.) – Offered every other spring
Study of the dynamics of human settlement patterns in this country and aboard. Examine public policy alternatives regarding land use and development patterns. Introduce methods and techniques used in designing settlement patterns.
GOVT 351: International Law
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall
Recommended: GOVT 251
Classical sources and recent developments in international law. Evaluation of law in the context of world politics.
GOVT 352: International Organizations (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
Recommended: GOVT 251
Study of various intergovernmental and non-governmental associations representing a number of multinational groupings serving humanitarian, economic, and security functions. Emphasis on organizations such as United Nations and European Union.
GOVT 355: American Foreign Policy (G3)
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
Recommended: GOVT 111 and/or GOVT 251
and historical overview of American foreign policy. Formal, informal, and institutional sources of foreign policy. Emphasis on post-WWII presidential administrations.
GOVT 361: Poltics of Race and Ethnicity
(3 s.h.) - Offered in spring
Recommended: GOVT 111 and/or GOVT 251
GOVT 408: Seminar in Government and Political Affairs
(3 s.h.) – Offered periodically
Analysis of critical problems in the discipline. Research and preparation of a written report. Seminar may be taken for credit more than once provided content is different each time. Offered periodically.
GOVT 411: Constitutional Law I: Seperation of Powers and Federalism
(3 s.h.) – Offered in fall
Prerequisite: GOVT 111
Recommended: 314
Focus on the allocation of power between branches and among levels of government as interpreted through significant decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.
GOVT 412: Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
(3 s.h.) – Offered in spring
Prerequisite: GOVT 111
Recommended: 314
Focus on individual rights and liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Topics include freedom of expression, religious freedom, rights of the accused, due process, equal protection of the laws, and right to privacy.
GOVT 498: Independent Study
Variable Credit
Independent study allows students to pursue an academic area of interest not available through an established course with faculty supervision and guidance. To apply, complete an application form, available in department office, and obtain approval for the proposed topic and faculty supervisor from the department chairperson and school dean.
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