POLITICAL SCIENCE (PSC)
NOTE: It is not recommended that freshmen register for any 300 or 400 level Political Science course.
PSC 101
Introduction to Political Science: 3 cr
Honors
The course is an intellectual investigation of the traditional and behavioral approaches to the five broad areas of sub-fields that constitute the academic study of political science, namely, political theory, American government, comparative politics, international relations, and public administration. Permission of instructor required.
PSC 130
Introduction to U.S. Government 3 cr
Stresses formation and principles of the United States Constitution and roles of Congress, the President, and the Courts in the American system of government. Considers popular participation in politics, rights and responsibilities of citizens, and current public problems. PSC & CJ majors must pass with a "C" or better.
PSC 210
Public Policy 3 cr
Examination of selected functions and policies of the US Government, with special emphasis on the relationship between politics and the socioeconomic environment. Emphasis is placed upon the political, economic, and historical variables as they affect contemporary public policy output.
PSC 230
Current Political Issues 3 cr
An examination of the perennial political questions as they arise in current political issues and the arguments supporting different positions on the issues.
PSC 232
State and Local Governments 3 cr
An overview of state and local government systems. An analysis of administration and politics within states and localities and an examination of state and local governmental action.
PSC 250
Comparative Politics 3 cr
Introduction into the basic differences and similarities of the major political systems of the world. Emphasis is placed upon governmental structures and processes. PSC majors must pass with a "C" or better. Taught in the fall semester.
PSC 251
World Leaders 3 cr
This course introduces students to the concept of leadership and focuses on the lives and achievements of a number of influential 20th century leaders.
PSC 270
International Relations 3 cr
The fundamental forces which motivate the foreign policies of states; the international relations of states with special reference to the balance-of-power system; problems of international politics. PSC majors must pass with a "C" or better. Taught in the spring semester.
PSC 310
Introduction to Political Inquiry (C) 3 cr
Examines the concepts and techniques of systematic political analyses. (Identical to CJ 310.) PSC
& CJ majors must pass with a "C" or better.
PSC 311
Political Philosophy I: 3 cr
Classical and Medieval
An examination of the central themes of classical Western political philosophy through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas. Cross-listed as PHL 311. Credit cannot be received for both PSC 311 and PHL 311. PSC majors must pass with a "C" or better.
PSC 312
Political Philosophy II: 3 cr
Renaissance and Enlightenment
An examination of the central themes of modern Western political philosophy through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Cross-listed as PHL 312. Credit cannot be received for both PSC 312 and PHL 312. PSC majors must pass with a "C" or better.
PSC 313
Political Philosophy III: 19th Century (W) 3 cr
An examination of the central themes of modern Western political philosophy through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Hegel, Mill, Marx, and Nietzsche. Cross-listed as PHL 313. Credit cannot be received for both PSC 313 and PHL 313. PSC majors must pass with a "C" or better.
PSC 330
Judicial Process
3 cr
The study of the American judicial process at the federal and state court levels. (Identical to CJ 330).
PSC 331
Constitutional Law
3 cr
Principles of constitutional powers and liberties will be examined through an analysis of decisions and opinions by the US Supreme Court. (Identical to CJ 331).
PSC 334
Public Administration (W)
3 cr
National, state, and local administration, with special attention to the relationship between formal agency structure and policy execution.
PSC 338
Parties and Political Participation
3 cr
Examines the nature of participation in the political process with special emphasis on political parties, interest groups and voting.
PSC 347
Public Opinion and
3 cr
Political Participation
The formation, composition, distribution, and measurement of public opinions and its effect upon public policy.
PSC 360
Politics of Europe
3 cr
Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the European countries, with a special focus on Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia.
PSC 363
Politics of Latin America
3 cr
Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the Latin American countries.
PSC 364
Politics of Africa (W)
3 cr
Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the countries of Sub-Sahara Africa.
PSC 365
Middle East Politics (W)
3 cr
Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the countries of North Africa and the Middle East.
PSC 368
Politics of South Asia (W)
3 cr
Comparative study of the political institutions and policies of the South Asian countries.
PSC 372
American Foreign Policy
3 cr
The traditional features, the formulation, the instruments, and the general trends of American diplomacy.
PSC 390
Special Topics
3 cr
Study of a significant topic or problem in political science. May be repeated once for credit when the content varies.
PSC 421
American Political Thought I (W)
3 cr
An examination of the central themes of American political thought through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Roger Williams, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Thoreau, Calhoun, and Lincoln.
PSC 422
American Political Thought II (W)
3 cr
An examination of the central themes of American political thought through the reading and discussing of the primary works of such thinkers as Tocqueville, Sumner, Veblen, Lippmann, Niebuhr, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.
PSC 436
The Politics and Process of
3 cr
Urban Government
A study of Urban growth with an analysis of the major problems facing large cities of this country. Political, administrative, social, and economic aspects will be covered.
PSC 437
Legislative Process in the United
3 cr
States
Principles, procedures, and problems of law making, with special attention given to the US Congress.
PSC 438
The American Presidency (W)
3 cr
A study of the presidency in its institutional context, with an emphasis on competing strategies of executive decision making and leadership.
PSC 450
Advanced Studies in
3 cr
Comparative Politics
Advanced study in the area of comparative politics. May be repeated when subject matter varies. Prerequisite: PSC 250.
PSC 470
Advanced Studies in
3 cr
International Relations
Advanced study in the field of international relations. May be repeated for credit when subject matter varies. Prerequisite: PSC 270.
PSC 473 International Law 3 cr
This course covers major issues, cases and topics in public and private international law. Topics covered include individuals and corporations, diplomatic relations, extraterritorial jurisdiction, human rights, economic relations, treaty systems, environmental law, arbitration and adjudication, and the use of force. (Identical to CJ 473 and IS 473).
PSC 475 International Political Economy 3 cr
An integrative course that combines material from political science, economics, international relations, and general business studies. Topics covered include public policy towards multinational corporations, issues of globalization, theoretical issues about international political economy, trade and finance, and the like (Identical to IS 475).
PSC 481
Public Policy and Aging
3 cr
Examines government response to the growing number of older Americans. The course examines the policy process and focuses on such issues as retirement, pensions, health care, housing, social services, and intergenerational issues. Elder advocacy and the long term political consequences of demographic changes are also addressed.
PSC 484
Political Corruption
3 cr
Study of the causes and consequences of political corruption from a comparative and national perspective. Special attention is given to corruption in the area of criminal justice. (Identical to CJ 484.)
PSC 490
Special Topics
3 cr
Study of a significant topic or problem in political science. May be repeated once for credit when the content varies.
PSC 492 Capstone Seminar in
Political Science (W) 3 cr
Required course for all political science majors and serves as the comprehensive experience in political science. The course will be taught at the senior level and will focus on public policy issues at the national and international levels. In addition the course requirements, including a major research paper, students must take the ETS field test in political science and receive a satisfactory score. Political Science majors must pass with a "C" or better. Prerequisite: Senior Political Science Major.
Taught in the fall semester.
PSC 494
Directed Studies
1-3 cr
Under the guidance of a faculty member, the student will pursue directed research or readings on an approved topic in political science. May be repeated for credit. Student must have senior standing and prior approval to sign up for the course.
PSC 496
Professional Studies: Internship
3-12 cr
Relates the intern's classroom studies with occupational and professional experiences in an approved government or para-governmental agency. Written reports required. Course may be repeated for a maximum of twelve hours' credit. Only three hours apply to the political science curriculum. Prerequisites: Open only to political science majors and minors with advanced standing with permission of department chair. S/U grading only.
PSC 497
Practicum in Polling
3 cr
Supervised experience in all aspects of the survey research process including but not limited to literature review, research design, questionnaire development, sampling techniques, interviewing, data analysis, interpretation and presentation of findings. Prerequisites: PSC 130, PSC 310, S/U grading only, and permission of the professor.
PSC 498
Practicum in Policy Studies
3 - 9 cr
Students will be exposed to a variety of experiences associated with the operations of a fully operational research center, including in-service and management training, consulting, sponsored research, organizational assessments, strategic and programming planning, operations, program evaluations, intergovernmental fiscal processes including the research for funding, and grant writing. Research assignments will include basic research design, survey and focus group instrument development, administration of surveys, handling focus groups, curriculum preparation and administration, data manipulation and analysis, and report writing.
Only three hours of PSC 498 can be applied toward the requirements for the political science major or minor curriculum at the University of South Alabama. Prerequisites: PSC 130, PSC 310,
or permission of professor, S/U grading only.
PSC 499
Honors Thesis (W)
3 cr
The research and writing of a major paper in the field of political science. Prerequisite: USA Honors Program.
(NOTE: PSC 130, Introduction to US Government, or its equivalent and permission of graduate director or department chair, are prerequisites for each of the following courses.)
PSC 500
Public Administration
3 cr
Organization Theory and Concepts
of Public Management
A review and examination of the several principal, traditional, and contemporary theories of organization, policy making, and administration. Field problems and case studies are stressed.
PSC 510
Intergovernmental and
3 cr
Interorganizational Relations
A review of the political, fiscal and administrative relationships between various levels of government in America. In addition, the emerging nexus to 3d sector non-profit organizations will be examined.
PSC 520
Research Methods and Design
3 cr
Social science research methodologies will be used to help students develop skills for policy analysis and decision making in the public service. Stresses the understanding of research methods and data collection in a Public Administration setting. Theoretical development and elaboration, and an overview of the variety of research designs used in social science research will be included.
PSC 530
Quantitative Analysis
3 cr
Focus is on application of statistical analysis techniques to Public Administration problems and issues. Computer analysis and interpretation of descriptive statistics will be emphasized. Topics will include fundamentals of probability, sampling, hypothesis testing, point estimation, association, correlation, and multi variate analysis.
PSC 540
Public Human Resource
3 cr
Management
This course will cover contemporary topics in public personnel administration, including public-employee unionization, relevance of the traditional civil-service approach, the challenge of employee productivity and motivation, equal opportunity, and public service ethics.
PSC 541
Leadership: Theory and Practice
3 cr
This course will provide the analytical and intellectual thought and careful examination and reflection of the core issues in the practice of leadership. Models and influences on leadership will be critically examined.
PSC 550
Managing the Public Budget
3 cr
This course emphasizes the political management and public-policy implications of budget reform. The conceptual framework for program and performance budgeting will be explored, as well as the increasing congressional role in federal budget policy.
PSC 560
Comparative Public Administration
3 cr
A study of the operation of government systems throughout the World-their history, features, similarities, and differences.
PSC 570
Administrative Law
3 cr
This course emphasizes the relationship between administrative processes of government and the legal system. Attention is given not only to the administrative process involving formal adjudication, rule making, and judicial review, but also to those processes involving formal and unreviewed discretionary action. Students propose legal resolutions to contemporary administrative issues.
PSC 572
Environmental Law
3 cr
This course will introduce the student to some of the fundamental concepts of environmental law. It will utilize the philosophy and history of environmental law as it has developed from the Common Law of England to provisions of a Municipal Code.
PSC 576
Administration Issues in
3 cr
Criminal Justice in the
Mental Health System
An overview of the relevant federal and state laws, federal regulations, and court rulings that address the issues of criminal justice for preserving the rights of those citizens who suffer from mental illness.
PSC 580
Public Policy Analysis and
3 cr
Evaluation
A practical introduction to policy analysis and program evaluation including a general overview of conceptual frameworks by which evaluations are conducted and an examination of the various qualitative and quantitative techniques by which policy outcomes and programs are analyzed. Designed to develop skills necessary for conducting evaluations and assessing the validity and credibility of evaluations conducted by others.
PSC 581
Public Policy and Aging
3 cr
Examines government response to the growing number of older Americans. The course examines the policy process and focuses on such issues as retirement, pensions, health care, housing, social services, and intergenerational issues. Elder advocacy and the long term political consequences of demographic changes are also addressed.
PSC 584
Political Corruption
3 cr
Study of the causes, consequences of political corruption is given from a comparative and national perspective. Special attention is given to corruption in the area of criminal justice.
PSC 590
Special Topics
3 cr
Study of a significant topic in Public Administration. May be repeated for credit when the content varies.
PSC 594
Directed Studies
1-6 cr
Under the guidance of a faculty member, student will pursue directed study of approved topics in public administration. For non-thesis students.
PSC 596
Professional Studies
3-9 cr max
Internship in Public Administration
Relates the participants' classroom studies to occupational and professional experiences in an approved public agency. Written reports required. May be taken for a total of nine hours. (For further details, see section on internship.)
PSC 597
Practicum in Polling
3 cr
Supervised experience in all aspects of the survey research process including but not limited to literature review, research design, questionnaire development, sampling techniques, interviewing, data analysis, and interpretation and presentations of findings. Prerequisite: permission of professor.
PSC 598
Practicum in Policy Studies
3 - 9 cr
Students will be exposed to a variety of experiences associated with the operations of a fully operational research center, including in-service and management training, consulting, sponsored research, organizational assessments, strategic and program planning, operations, program evaluation, intergovernmental fiscal processes including the search for funding, and grant writing. Research assignments will include basic research design, survey and focus groups, curriculum preparation and administration, data manipulation and analysis, and report writing.
Only three hours of PSC 598 can be applied toward the requirements for the MPA program at the University of South Alabama. Prerequisite: permission of the professor.
PSC 599
Thesis
3-6 cr
