The Specifics
Requirement for the Major and Minor in Political Science
Major in Political Science
21 hours to be selected from political science courses at the 300 level and above with at least 3 hours taken in each of the following subject areas:
- American Politics (PLSC 301-319)
- Political Theory (PLSC 322-329)
- International Relations and Comparative Politics (PLSC 331-387)
Research projects, special projects, and internships will be applied to component (4).
Specific course work, both in the political science department and across campus, is recommended for students pursuing various interests, i.e., pre-law, public administration, international relations, etc. The student’s academic advisor will work closely with him/her in the selection of the appropriate courses.
Minor in Political Science
A minor in political science requires 18 hours that must include PLSC 201 and 202. The remaining courses may be selected from the 300- and 400-level political science offerings. Refer to the general requirements for minors on page 34.
General Education Requirements
Certain general education courses are required of all students as prerequisite to the degrees inferred by the College. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure proper selection of general education and other courses. Please see page 28 for more information regarding general education requirements.
In addition, prospective political science majors should take PLSC 201 and 202 during their freshman or sophomore year.
Complete Departmental Course Listings
Introductory Level Courses
201. Introduction to Political Science (3)
Study of the nature of politics and political behavior and of the important theories respecting the nature, origin, forms, and ends of the state and of government.
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.
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.
258. Special Topics (1-6).
American Politics
301. African-Americans and the Political System (3)
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. (Alternate years)
304. American Constitutional Law I (3)
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)
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. (Alternate years)
306. Parties and Political Behavior In America (3)
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. (Alternate years)
307. Introduction to Public Administration (3)
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.
309. Introduction to Public Policy (3)
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.
311. Elections and Campaign Management (3)
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 ?t into our conception of what it means to be a democratic society. (Alternate years)
312. Politics and the Media (3)
(Prereq: PLSC 201 or 202) This course examines the way in which modern mass media have altered the dynamics of democratic politics in the United States. More generally, the course will analyze the ways that the mass media influence how we think and act in the political world. Specific topics include how media influence citizenship and democratic governance, how news is made, and the impact that media have on individuals, political institutions, policy making, and the prospects of democratic deliberation. (Alternate years)
313. The American Presidency (3)
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. (Alternate years)
314. Congress and Legislative Process (3)
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. (Alternate years)
316. State and Local Politics (3)
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.
317. Interest Groups and Lobbying (3)
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.
319. Southern Politics (3)
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. (Alternate years)
Political Theory
322. American Political Thought (3)
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.
323. Quest for the Ideal (3)
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. (Alternate years)
324. Classical Political Thought (3)
An examination of selected political thinkers from the Greek tradition to the Renaissance with an emphasis on ideas concerning the nature of politics and the origins and ends of government. (Alternate years)
326. Modern Political Thought (3)
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.
327. Contemporary Political Thought (3)
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. (Alternate years)
International Relations/Comparative Politics
331. International Relations (3)
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.
332. American Foreign Policy (3)
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)
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.
370. Third World Underdevelopment and Politics (3)
(Prereq: PLSC 200 or SOC 201; crosslisted with SOC 370) 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.
380. West European Politics (3)
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. (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.
398. Honors Research (3-6). See page 25.
440. Senior Capstone in Political Science (3)
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.
442. Directed Studies (1-6). See page 28.
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 28.
446. Readings. See page 28.
448. Research. See page 28.
450. Seminar. See page 29.
452. Special Projects (3-6). See page 29.
458. Special Topics. See page 29.
Visit campus
Call our office at 1-800-960-7583. An admissions counselor will be glad to help you arrange a visit and meet with faculty, sit in on a class, or stay overnight in a dorm.
Email or call for more information - we look forward to hearing from you!
