The Presbyterian College political science department offers a solid academic program designed to prepare students for a variety of careers — from politics to teaching — in public service. It also provides a broad and rigorous foundation for graduate training in political science, law, public administration, and international studies.

202. American Politics (3)
Basic course in American politics that stresses the formation, development, organization, and action of our national government, including the origin and nature of our federal system. (Spring)

204. Introduction to Political Thought (3)
An examination of selected political thinkers from the Greek tradition to the beginnings of the modern period with an emphasis on ideas concerning the nature of politics and the origins and ends of government. (Fall or Spring)

205. Introduction to Political Analysis (3)
An examination of the different techniques used to conduct and evaluate political science research with an emphasis on the development of the discipline and an understanding of basic social statistics. (Fall or Spring)

258. Special Topics (1-6). See page 37 in Book of Majors.

American Politics

301. African-Americans and the Political System (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200 or 202)
An overview of the African-American struggle for social, political, and legal rights; of the constraints upon the achievement of these rights; and of the major political actors involved in this struggle. Special emphasis will be given to key court decisions, legislation, and political movements affecting African-American rights and to major electoral breakthroughs in promoting African-American political empowerment. (Fall or Spring, alternate years)

304. American Constitutional Law I (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200 or 202)
This course analyzes the institutional authority of government as it is explained in the U.S. Constitution and interpreted by important Supreme Court decisions. Topics will include judicial review, nation-state relations, foreign affairs, and economic liberties. In addition, this course will also attempt to further the student’s understanding of the judicial process through insider accounts and participation in a mock trial. Finally the course material will be used to improve oral and written communication skills.

305. American Constitutional Law II (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic knowledge of the major constitutional issues regarding the rights of the individual in the U.S. It also explores the Constitution and the evolution of American law in such areas as freedom of expression, political participation, equal protection, right to privacy, and criminal procedure. In addition, this course will work to improve oral and written communication skills via written assignments and oral presentations. (Fall, alternate years)

306. Parties and Political Behavior In America (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
An analysis of political parties, the party system, interest groups, political socialization, political culture, public opinion, voting behavior, and other aspects of political behavior in the United States. (Fall or Spring, alternate years)

307. Introduction to Public Administration (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200 or 202)
An introductory survey of the principles, functions, and processes of public administration with specific emphasis on the political aspects and environment of bureaucracies and the how and why of policy making within an administrative system. Organizational values, traditions, and objectives are analyzed. (Fall or Spring)

309. Introduction to Public Policy (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
Analysis of political and organizational processes that influence the formulation and implementation of public policy. Special attention will be given to the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of various public policies. Further, the course is intended to develop some skills for the evaluation and design of policies. (Fall or Spring)

311. Elections and Campaign Management (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200 or 202)
A study of the American electoral process and the craft of managing political campaigns. Special emphasis will be given to campaign organization, message development, fundraising, opposition research, and media relations. The course will also reflect on how campaigns fit into our conception of what it means to be a democratic society. (Spring, alternate years)

313. The American Presidency (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
A study of the “central institution” of the American political system from these and other perspectives: personality and structure in shaping presidential character, the domestic and international presidencies, evolution of the institution and theories about its role, presidential election, and federal public administration. (Fall, alternate years)

314. Congress and Legislative Process (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
A study of the United States Congress and the process by which it operates. Issues explored include the selection of members, leadership, budgeting, the role of committees, and executive-legislative relations. Additionally, the differences between the House and Senate, the development of public policy, and the changing nature of the process will be explored. (Spring, alternate years)

316. State and Local Politics (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
This course will examine selected aspects of the theory, powers, structure, processes of and interrelationships between state and local governments in the United States. The course will also include an examination of the major factors contributing to conflict and cooperation in state and local governmental environment. (Fall or Spring)

317. Interest Groups and Lobbying (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200 or 202)
An analysis of interest group development, maintenance, and conduct in the governmental process. This course focuses on the larger concept of advocacy in a democracy as well as strategic and tactical decisions that groups must make when attempting to influence government policy. The particular case of state legislative lobbying in South Carolina is used to explore these two objectives. (Spring)

319. Southern Politics (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
An analysis of the contemporary politics and governments of the southern states. The course provides an understanding of political development in each of the former confederate states and an overview of driving political forces in the region such as the rise of the GOP, the empowerment of African-Americans, and the role of southerners in Congress and presidential selection. Attention is also given to the prominence of personality in the politics of the South. (Fall, alternate years)

Political Theory

322. American Political Thought (3) (Prereq: PLSC 204)
The course will examine the different ways American political thinkers and activists have envisioned democracy. Attention will be give to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as developed by Mason, Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton and to the interpretation of these principles by such statesmen as Jackson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and Franklin Roosevelt. Other topics will include African-American political thought, women’s rights, and current liberal-conservative debate. (Spring)

323. Quest for the Ideal (3) (Prereq: PLSC 204)
This seminar course will focus upon human efforts to create the ideal in social and political life. Participants will read extensively from the literature of utopia, dystopia, and satire; examine important historical designs for perfection; and visit accessible intentional communities in this region. (Fall, alternate years, or as needed)

326. Modern Political Thought (3) (Prereq: PLSC 204)
The course examines the political ideas and theories of such thinkers as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Mill that helped shape the modern period of politics. (Fall or Spring)

327. Contemporary Political Thought (3) (Prereq: PLSC 204)
This course is designed to create a deeper understanding and interest in contemporary issues in political thought such as neo-liberalism, neo-conservatism, nationalism, globalization, theopolitics, and Islamism. (Alternating years)

International Relations/Comparative Politics

331. International Relations (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200; HIST 122 recommended)
This course is an analysis of international relations as a political process with emphasis on patterns of policy formulation, conflict, and cooperation. Selected case studies will be used to supplement the theoretical material. (Fall)

332. American Foreign Policy (3) (Prereq: PLSC 202)
A study of the conduct and content of American foreign policy since the Second World War including foreign policy formulation, operation, and case studies of implementation. (Alternate years)

355. Russia and Eastern Europe (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200)
An account of the histories and political cultures and processes of Russia, of other polities of the former Soviet Union, and of European nations previously parts of the “socialist bloc.” Focus upon political and economic transformation during and since the Gorbachev era. (Spring)

370. Third World Underdevelopment and Politics (3) (Prereq: PLSC 200 or SOC 201; cross-listed with sociology)
An examination of the political, economic, and social factors that have led to the present state of underdevelopment in the Third World. Social scientific theories of underdevelopment and the role of the political system in the process of development are analyzed. The particular cases of Central America and East Africa are examined. (Spring)

380. West European Politics (3) (Prereq: HIST 122)
A survey of the political systems, parties and contemporary issues of Western Europe. The course will also examine the role of the European Community (EC) and individual nation states as case studies. (Spring, alternate years)

387. Middle East Politics (3)
This course provides a survey of various political systems in the Middle East. The emphasis is upon the evolution of the state system and its contemporary challenges. Topics include nationalism; the role of secular and religious forces; economics development; regional dynamics and their relationship to international politics. (Fall)

398. Honors Research (3-6). See page 44.
Available for students during the junior and senior years with approval of the departmental faculty. Students with a 3.20 GPA in all courses and a 3.40 GPA in major courses may undertake an honors research program. Oral and written presentations of the results of the project will be required. Students who successfully complete the departmental honors research program will graduate with honors in the major discipline. (Fall or Spring, or Fall and Spring)

440. Senior Capstone in Political Science (3) (Open to senior political science majors)
This course provides political science majors with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in political science classes over their college careers to fundamental concepts of government and political issues of the day as well as examining the relationship between the study of political science and career choice. These aims will be pursued in a two-part strategy. First, students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills that they have developed within the major by a standardized exit exam, written assignments, and oral presentations/discussions. Second, the course will expose students to the various career paths that are open to political science majors by guest lecturers and/or field trips. (Spring)

442. Directed Studies (1-6). See page 36. (Open to juniors and seniors with approval of major professor)
Course designed to allow the student to pursue a topic of special interest under the direction of a member of the department. Hours and credit will be determined by the nature of the student’s program of study. A maximum of six hours of credit may be earned in directed study.

444. Internships. See page 37.
446. Readings. See page 37.
448. Research. See page 37.
450. Seminar. See page 37.
452. Special Projects (3-6). See page 37.
458. Special Topics. See page 37.

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