Department of Political Science

POLS-ELEC POLS (3 Credits)

POLS-102 AMERICAN POLITICS (3 Credits)

This course seeks to explain American politics as the interaction among political thought, economic, political, and social structures, and the struggle for human rights. Grounded in an understanding of the clash between the economic elites and democratic forces during the Constitutional period, the course then traces this dynamic into the basic governmental structure, political parties and elections, media influence, and political struggle for human rights. Finally, the course explores the possibilities for change under the current political/economic/social structures.

POLS-103 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3 Credits)

This course is designed as an introduction to the study of international relations. Several important questions are addressed. What is the nature of the international system? What sources of powers are available? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current state system? How are non-state actors influencing international relations? What are the links between individuals and world politics? Objectives of this course include increasing understanding of current international events, developing an appreciation for the challenges of political decision-making and diplomacy and the choice of tactics, augmenting familiarity with key political concepts and improving recognition of important international actors.

POLS-104 MODEL UNITED NATIONS (3 Credits)

This course is the entry to participation in MUN. The class is designed to familiarize the student with the following issues and materials: the structure and functions of the United Nations and its internal agencies; the salient issues that come before the UN; the rules of order and techniques of formal debates used at the UN; experience and participation in UN simulations; research methods and techniques for studying foreign nations; preparing position papers; and tasks related to planning and organizing a Model UN simulation. Students enroll in the course for the entire academic year, meeting the deadlines for the Fall semester. They receive an IP grade until the conclusion of the Spring semester. They prepare for participation at the Mid-Atlantic Model United Nations Conference day-long scrimmages at different times during the year, and participate in other conferences as scheduled. They also actively plan and implement the St. Bonaventure Model United Nations Conference for high school students held on the St. Bonaventure campus in the spring of each year.

POLS-203 COMP. POLITICAL SYSTEMS (3 Credits)

Students learn to use comparative theories and methods to address major questions in political science and public policy. In comparative politics, we want to know how and why major political, economic, and social processes operate differently (or similarly) in different countries. We use these theories and methods to explore central questions in the field of comparative politics: Why are some countries rich while others suffer from dire poverty? Why are some democratic, while others experience various types of authoitarian rule? How do political institutions, usch as federal vs unitary constitutional structures and presidential vs parliamentary systems, affect political outcomes? The course culiminates with a research project in which students apply comparative methods to answer a question of their choice.

POLS-204 POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 Credits)

This course addresses several fundamental questions of social and political life. Why do we follow rules? Is there a universal basis for judging behavior? Are there laws of human nature? If so, what kind of society do they encourage? What are the causes and justifications of inequality? What is the best way to organize society? We will read several attempts to address these questions during the class. The objectives of the course include gaining familiarity with some of the key concepts and thinkers in the history of political theory, developing an appreciation of the influences of political theory in shaping politics, improving the capacity to compare and analyze arguments, and developing skills in examining and presenting lines of reasoning.

POLS-205 LAW AND SOCIETY (3 Credits)

Law is a common and yet distinct element of daily life in modern societies. The creation, interpretation, and enforcement of laws occur in the context of historical changes, societal norms, and the subjective concerns and whims of those charged with its creation. This course will explore, from an American and comparative perspective, the nature of law as a set of social systems, central actors in the systems, legal reasoning, and the relationship of the legal form and reasoning to social change.

POLS-207 POLITICS AND RELIGION (3 Credits)

For so long, the theory and practice of secularism have dominated politics, but the last few decades have witnessed the 'resurgence' of religion in the public sphere and a sharp increase in religious influence in international and domestic politics. Indeed, it has become common knowledge that religious worldviews inform, influence and shape political behavior and attitudes of individuals, political parties, social movements, civil society, and even the foreign policies of nation states. What explains the 'resurgence' of religion and the emergence of religion political movements and organizations? Why do some states insist on a strict separation of religion and politics while others seeks their integration and fusion? Is secularism really declining? What is the relationship between the recent rise of the radical right and religion? Why do some religious actors resort to political violence while others employ peaceful means? The relationship between religion and politics is multifaceted and dynamic. This course aims at exploring this complex relationship in a wide variety of settings and countries from the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America.

POLS-208 INTERMEDIATE MODEL UNITED NATIONS (3 Credits)

This course will have the responsibilities of POLS-104, plus additional presentations to the class and the requirement of running a committee for SBUMUN. Students will be expected to participate in at least three MAMUNC scrimmages or other conferences. Only three MUN credits at the POLS 210 level or higher will be acceptable as a political science elective for the major. The other MUN credits will be considered as general electives. Students enroll in the course for the entire academic year, meeting the deadlines for the Fall semester. They receive an IP grade until the conclusion of the Spring semester.

POLS-221 CONGRESSIONAL POLITICS (3 Credits)

Congress is the first branch of government and the keystone of the Washington establishment. This course explores some of the most basic questions about the American political system. Does Congress adequately represent the American people? Why does Congress have difficulty making collective decisions in the national interest? How has the Republican takeover of Congress reconfigured the institution and altered its procedures? How can Congress and the president work together to make public policy? Topics covered include representation, campaign finance, elections, the legislative process, the committee system, members in their districts, Congressional investigations, party leadership, Congress and relations with the president.

POLS-240 CONTROVERSIES-PUBL POLICY (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and debates in areas of policy analysis, policy formation, and specific policy issues. We will address questions like: Can we analyze public policies rationally and systematically? What criteria ought we use to analyze public policies? Is the policy making process rational and systematic, or is it political and arbitrary? Finally, what major policy issues confront Americans today, and what choices do we face?

POLS-261 PARTICIP'N IN AMER POLITICS (3 Credits)

Political participation is essential for American democracy. This course explores the variety of ways Americans participate politically and the promises and limitations of this activity. Traditional forms such as elections, campaigning, the courts and interest groups are examined as well as more radical forms such as the civil rights movement, feminism and protests.

POLS-300 QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR A GLOBALIZING WORLD (3 Credits)

In this course International Studies and Political Science students will learn now to develop a research question and choose the appropriate methods and evidence to answer the question and develop an argument. The basics of case study research will be presented alonds with methods such as process tracing and contect analysis. Sutdents will learn how to conduct interviews and find other primary source material from sources such as the United Nations website, the World Values Survey, and social media. Strategies for effectively organizing and writing a major research paper will be presented.

POLS-302 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3 Credits)

This course traces liberalism, the dominant American ideology, from Puritanism to the present time. Special attention is given to the Constitutional period and the contrasting thought of Madison and Jefferson, the Industrial Revolution, and the Depression. Finally, the course considers the effect of liberal ideology on the current condition of American politics.

POLS-305 PRESIDENTIAL POWER (3 Credits)

Designed to provide a thorough understanding of the processes of the executive branch of the American government, its role in relationship to the other sectors of government and the public. Included for consideration are the Office of the President, his staff and cabinet; the policy making process and the bureaucracy.

POLS-306 COURTS IN AMER. POLITICS (3 Credits)

This course details the role of law within the larger political/economic system showing how it functions as a system of social control. Particular attention is given to the role of the government in maintaining the legal system through judicial appointments and prosecutors; the role of juries; and the public before the courts.

POLS-307 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to the methods and terminology used by political scientists. We will examine basic concepts used in research (such as theories, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, reliability and validity, sampling, and generalizability). We will also examine basic statistical techniques that are used to examine data, with an emphasis on interpreting the results (ranging from descriptive statistics to crosstabs, correlation, and regression). This course provides the knowledge necessary to conduct objective investigations of political phenomena and to better understand and evaluate the research of others. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to understand and interpret most research published in political science journals, as well as public opinion polls, surveys, and research findings reported in the news. As a result, students who complete this course will become more sophisticated consumers of diverse research and be prepared for future coursework in political science, as well as for life as an educated and informed citizen.

POLS-308 MODEL UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT (3 Credits)

This course builds on the experience and responsibilities of POLS 210/211 but also requires key leadership positions and major preparations for the conference and conduct of the class. This entails extra planning meetings, and the execution of many of the logistical requirement of the SBUMUN conference. Members at this level will also help revise and make suggestions for the topic guides and other material for SBUMUN, help prepare the class for other conferences, and manage the SBUMUN website. Students enroll in the course for the entire academic year, meeting the deadlines for the Fall semester. They receive an IP grade until the conclusion of the Spring semester.

POLS-315 ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS (3 Credits)

This course addresses the relationships among the environmental movement, their opponents and the political system. Students study political movements for and against environmental protection at the community, national and global level. It also investigates the principal policies and policy-making institutions, including major environmental legislation and regulations, state and federal environmental agencies, and international agreements.

POLS-320 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (3 Credits)

The United States emerged from the past millennium as the world's only "superpower." During the semester we will explore questions such as: How did the U.S. gain this undisputed advantage in the international arena? Does U.S. hegemony threaten world stability or is U.S. guidance the key to peace and prosperity in this millennium? How are other countries and groups reacting to U.S. power? Were the September 11 attacks the manifestation of a "clash of civilizations" or a reaction to U.S. imperialism? As we move chronologically through the major foreign policy events of the past fifty years we will consider traditional political science explanations for U.S. decisions, considering evidence for realist, liberal (or idealist), and critical viewpoints. By the end of the course students should have gained an appreciation of the difficulties involved in maintaining influence on a global scale and the, often conflicting, impact of U.S. foreign policy decisions on democracy at home and abroad.

POLS-328 POLITICS OF THE 60S (3 Credits)

The period commonly referred to as "the 60s" was a unique time in U.S. politics. The United States experienced political assassinations, a confrontation with the Soviet Union, a conflict in Vietnam, a civil rights movement, the largest student protest movement our country has seen, inner city riots, and prison uprisings This course examines these events to understand their evolution as well as their lasting effects on U.S. political institutions and political behavior. 3 credits.

POLS-330 INT`L POLITICAL ECONOMY (3 Credits)

With the end of the Cold War and the acceleration of "globalization," economic issues have come to dominate the international agenda. This course examines the relationship between politics and economics in the international setting. It begins by looking at issues of trade and the international division of labor-focusing on the trend toward regional trading blocks. Issues of international finance and monetary policies are then explored looking at the political implication of financial integrations. Finally, students will be introduced to some new ways of thinking about the international political economy focusing on gender and environmental issues.

POLS-355 CHE TO CHAVEZ:DEBATING DEMOCRACY & DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA (3 Credits)

Students will be introduced to the challenges facing Latin American countries as they develop politically, economically and socially. The course considers alternative theoretical explanations for patterns of politics in the region, analyzes the role of different social and state actors and reviews contemporary political trends in a number of Latin American countries. Major contemporary issues that will be examined include the role of the military in politics, the possibilities for democracy in the region, the challenge of bringing human rights abusers to justice, and the causes and consequences of international issues such as the debt crisis and drug trafficking.

POLS-356 LATIN AMERICA & THE U. S. (3 Credits)

This course examines contemporary issues in United States-Latin American relations, placing them in larger context of U.S. dominance in the region. Topics to be explored include the causes and consequences of Central American and Mexican immigration, free trade, the Andean region and drug trafficking (with a focus on recent Plan Colombia), and security issues related to Cuban revolution and the Panama Canal.

POLS-361 CAMPAIGNS & ELECTIONS (3 Credits)

The existence of free and fair elections is a hallmark of a democratic society. This course focuses specifically on the American case and will explore how well American elections stack up against widely-held democratic ideals. Students will encounter evidence concerning the conduct of elections in the United States, the "rules of the game" that govern electoral politics in this context, and the aspects of the voters themselves that threaten the prospect of democratic accountability in the U.S. The course will cover the strategic considerations that go into candidate's campaign strategies, the administration of elections, and the effects of both on individual members of the electorate. Other important topics include: partisan identification, candidate positioning, primary elections, and down-ballot (e.g., not presidential) races, and voter turnout. The course will close with a discussion of the different electoral reforms that have been suggested over the years and the degree to which they might shape the electoral landscape in the U.S. Students will develop analytical thinking skills through evaluating concepts and literature in political science. Students will also gain skills in research and debate. This course fulfills the Political Science course objectives.

POLS-365 POLITICAL PARTIES & INTEREST GROUPS (3 Credits)

Political parties are one of the central institutions of American politics. They play many roles from competing in elections to pushing policy decisions. This course focuses on the history of parties, citizen interests in parties, and the main features of the current two party system. Parties often are conceptualized in three pieces revolving around the electorate, elected officials, and the party organization. By viewing the parties in these roles, we can better understand their functions and how they interact with one another. Students will develop analytical thinking skills through evaluating concepts and literature in political science. Students will also gain skills in research and debate.

POLS-375 WOMEN AND POLITICS (3 Credits)

Women in most societies have been traditionally considered apolitical. This course seeks to break this commonly held image of women in a number of ways. A primary goal of this course is to develop a broad and sophisticated understanding of politics that can reveal the multifaceted ways in which women are politically involved. A second goal of the course is to recognize the diversity political women. An understanding of the diversity of women in politics will be enhanced by consideration of women in a variety of political settings. The course seeks to develop an understanding of how different political and economic regime types-revolutionary, military, democractic, neoliberal, etc. have a distinct impact on women and men.

POLS-390 POLITICS OF DEVELOPING AREAS (3 Credits)

POLS-395 MEDIA AND POLITICS (3 Credits)

This course takes a broad view of the media and its impact on politics, as well as the attempts of politicians and bureaucrats to manipulate media messages. We begin the semester by exploring the origin of the division between "news" and "entertainment" media and the recent blurring of this distinction. We then look at the evolution of the PR industry to see how opinion makers (particularly politicians and business interests) have developed techniques to shape mass public opinion. With this background we consider the impact of modern media coverage on political campaigns and executive and legislative politics.

POLS-396 POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST (3 Credits)

This course is a comprehensive survey of historical and contemporary events in the region and focuses on the period starting from the fall of the Ottoman Empire to the present. We will examine processes of state building, struggles for self-determination and the domestic, regional, and international factors shaping the foreign policies of key states in the Middle East, the politics of religion, particularly the rise of various violent and non-violent forms of Islamic fundamentalism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the fate of ethnic and religious minorities in the wake of the region's upheavals. The ultimate purpose is to provide students with historical and substantive knowledge of the region and the analytical tools necessary to critically evaluate events and political trends.

POLS-397 POLICING IN THE AMERICAS (3 Credits)

This course engages in a critical examination of "police power" in a wide range of contexts - from local instances of protesting policing to international police assistance. While police are often seen as "neutral" enforcers of the law without their own political interests, their roles in maintaining order, targeting certain populations for enforcement, collecting intelligence, and at times supporting particular politicians or political parties make them important political actors. The course provides a historical and theoretical perspective on the role of the police in liberal democracies, in particular the United States and Canada, as well as the efforts of these countries to "export" various policing models to Latin America. 3 credits.

POLS-398 TERRORISM & POLITICAL VIOLENCE (3 Credits)

This course is a survey of the phenomenon of political violence and an analysis of its causes, forms, and consequences. The course will focus on the following three forms of political violence: terrorism, genocide and assassinations. The course will explore several questions: why do individuals/organizations/states resort to violence instead of pursuing their goals peacefully through routine politics? What accounts for individual and mass support for political violence? What are the psychological, social, and political effects of violence? Is violence more effective in realizing an actor's objectives? The course will focus on current events and past events. This course employs an interdisciplinary approach and will cover both broad/general theories and specific cases from different regions and will include watching few movies and documentaries.

POLS-399 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (3 Credits)

International security lies at the heart of international stability and prosperity. Understanding the fundamental security issues that the international community has to deal with nowadays is crucial for political order. In this course, we will examine the major social forces that shape political outcomes in various states, such as religion, nationalism, and ethnicity; we will also study actual threats such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, civil wars and state failure. Finally, we will consider long-term trends such as the effects of information technology on security, changing role of states, international organizations, transnational movements and democratization. A major focus of the course will be on U.S. security policy given that we live in an age of American supremacy.

POLS-420 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I: POLITICAL STRUCTURE (3 Credits)

The behavior of American politics is largely determined by the governing structures existing within the system. In turn, each of these structures is grounded in Constitutional law. This course, by closely analyzing the Constitution itself and various Supreme Court decisions, explores the legal foundations of American politics. Subjects include the separation of powers, the federal system, executive privilege, the private economy, etc.

POLS-421 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II: CIVIL RIGHTS (3 Credits)

This course engages the student in the debate concerning the parameters of freedom and political order within the legal system. It does so by examining the dynamics of Supreme Court decisions as related to the First Amendment rights of speech, press, religion; criminal due process; equal protection for minorities and women; and the right of privacy.

POLS-435 POLITICS OF DEV. AREAS (3 Credits)

This course focuses on the problems encountered by developing nations as they attempt to modernize their political and economic institutions. We will address questions such as why do some countries seem to have an easier time developing than others? How can we measure concepts such as development and democracy? Are economic development and political democratization mutually reinforcing process or do they conflict? In addition to exploring different theoretical explanations for political outcomes the course addresses important issues which policy makers in developing countries deal with on a daily basis including: environmental degradation, the status of women, racism, child labor, war and threats to national security.

POLS-441 COMPARATIVE JUDICIAL POLITICS (3 Credits)

Courts have increasingly come under the spotlight for settling political disputes. From temporarily restraining Donald Trump's travel ban in the US to outlawing the practice of triple talaq (three instant divorces) in India, to dismissing elected premiers in Pakistan and Thailand, to propping up dictators in Latin America, courts have come to play a preeminent role in politics. This course will introduce students to major developments in comparative judicial politics. Public law and judicial politics are growing subfields within the discipline of political science. The emphasis in this course would be on studying courts as political actors and institutions. We will study the multiple roles that courts play and the kind of disputes they resolve. Topics covered will include: judicial review, judicial independence, courts as rights advocates, courts as arbiters of political disputes, courts as shapers of public policy, courts as enforcers of international law and norms, and courts as umpires between different levels of government, to name a few. The course will survey a wide range of countries and societies, judgments from several apex courts, and political and legal analysis from a comparative perspective. Students will develop analytical thinking skills through evaluating concepts and literature in political science. Students will also gain skills in research and debate.

POLS-445 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to basic social movement theory and its relation to political events. We will explore questions such as: What motivates groups of people to organize to demand political change? Why does protest occur in some situations and not in others? When are social movements likely to be successful in achieving their demands? What is the role of the state in encouraging and suppressing social organizations? We will apply these theories to movements such as the civil rights movement, women's movements, indigenous movements, gay rights movements, peace movements, peace movements, religious movements and the environmental movements. The particular groups studied will vary by semester.

POLS-450 SPECIAL TOPICS (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-450EL DEMOCRACY? ELECTION 2024 (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-450G SP TOP:POLICE ABUSE & DEMOCRACY (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-450JB SP TOP: DIVERSITY & THE JUDICIAL BRANCH (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-450K SP TOP:INTERNATIONAL LAW (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-450UP URBAN POLITICS THROUGH THE LENS OF HBO'S 'THE WIRE' (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-451 SPECIAL TOPICS (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-451D SP TOP: POLICING & DEMOCRACY (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-451G SP TOP: POLITICAL PARTIES & INTEREST GROUPS (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-451J ELECTIONS & VOTING BEHAVIOR (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-451K COMPARATIVE JUDICIAL POLITICS (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-451L POPULISM, TRUMPISM & GLOBALISM (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-451M STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS (3 Credits)

A specialized course pertaining to one of the four subfields of Political Science: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Political Systems, Political Thought. The specific content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

POLS-491 WASHINGTON INTERNSHIP (3-15 Credits)

The student lives and works in Washington for a semester. The student expresses several choices as to a preferred experience and then is placed in one of these choices. Past student experiences have included the White House, State Department, Department of Justice, Congressional Offices.

POLS-491S WASHINGTON CENTER INTERNSHIP (3-15 Credits)

POLS-492 ALBANY INTERNSHIP (15 Credits)

A student may participate in the New York State Assembly program in Albany offered each Spring semester. The student lives and works in Albany.

POLS-492A LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP (3 Credits)

POLS-497 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-6 Credits)

Under the guidance of a professor, a student will engage in advanced reading or research in political science. May be taken more than once for a total of 6 credits.

POLS-497B IND ST: REFUGEES & FORCED MIGRATION (1-6 Credits)

Under the guidance of a professor, a student will engage in advanced reading or research in political science. May be taken more than once for a total of 6 credits.

POLS-497C IN STD:CON LAW: POL STRUCT TA (3 Credits)

The student will be responsible for select cases from the POLS 421 syllabus (attached) and additional advanced readings. They will meet individually with me at the beginning of each week to discuss all the upcoming cases for that week. The student will be responsible for preparing educational items such as how to write a case brief, the structure of the federal court system, the powers and duties of each branch, and the Constitutional amendments which correspond to the cases being discussed. In addition to the POLS 421 course objectives, the student will gain experience in designing lesson plans, course activities, and guiding class discussions.

POLS-498 POLITICAL SCIENCE CAPSTONE (3 Credits)

The capstone course offers the senior political science major the opportunity to carry out in-depth research, guided by a professor, in a particular area of the field. The student presents to his/her peers in a seminar format the results of the research. Additionally, a major paper is completed.

Restrictions: RGM.115