Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Political Science > Course Offerings

POSC 116 American Government and Politics (3 C.H.)
An introduction to government and politics in the United States through an examination of the structures and processes that affect how public policies are made and what impacts they have.

POSC 146 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 C.H)
This course serves as an introduction to the subfield of comparative politics. The course surveys a number of basic topics and themes central to the study of comparative political systems. Topics to be examined include: political culture and socialization, participation in politics, governmental structures, decision-making, economic and social policies, and evaluation of performance. These topics will be explored in selected countries from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and North America.

POSC 156 Introduction to International Relations (3 C.H) This course serves as an introduction to the history and theory of international relations. The course will provide an overview of the major substantive and theoretical issue of the field. Topics which are covered include: origins of the nation-state, national power, war, arms races and arms control, imperialism and dependency, international law, and international organizations.

POSC 226 State and Local Politics and Policy (3 C.H.)
Study of state and local government through a consideration of public policy issues, policy making processes, and structural attributes of the various subnational political systems of the United States. An introduction to public administration is an important part of the course.

POSC 236 Public Policy (3 C.H.)
Study of contemporary public policy problems in the United States. Students will develop descriptive, analytic, and advocacy skills while studying public policy issues concerning such matters as the environment, social welfare, health, education, business regulation, economic development, communication, transportation, and housing.

POSC 286 Political Analysis (3 C.H.)
A course devoted to an examination of the conduct of systematic research in political science and public policy. A broad range of topics will be considered, including such subjects as research design, identification and use of data bases, as well as the collection, description, and analysis of
data. Review of some of the typical approaches and theories used in the study of politics. (P: six credit hours in Posc; Math 111 is recommended.)

POSC 296 Political Parties and Pressure Groups (3 C.H.)
Political parties and interest groups as organizations devoted to the control of, and influence upon, the actions of governments. Focus will be upon the American experience. Topics include such matters as (1) the influence of business, labor, environmental and other groups on policy making; (2) the roles of parties in policy-making processes as well as in elections; and (3) the place of parties and groups in theories of democracy. (P: POSC 116 or
consent of instructor)

POSC 297 Elections and Campaigns (3 C.H.)
A study of elections as a central feature of the American political landscape. Presidential and congressional elections are the framework for examination of such topics as campaign tactics and strategies, public opinion and voter decision-making, party and interest group roles in elections, roles of the media, especially television, the electoral process, theories of elections. Students will have the opportunity to participate in an election
campaign as part of the course experience. Offered in the fall semester of even numbered years.

POSC 300 Introduction to Legal Studies (3 C.H.)
Study of law and legal systems in the context of the liberal arts. Focus of the course is primarily on the United States. While considering the nature and functions of law in society, attention will be given to actors in the legal system including lawyers, judges, police, and juries.

POSC 316 Selected Topics (2-4 C.H.)
Study of selected issues in political science. Classes will be conducted either as seminars or as lecture and discussion meetings, as determined for the specific offering. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

POSC 327 Politics of Developing Societies (3 C.H.) This course serves as an introduction to the political systems of the Third World. The course will focus on issues associated with the legacy of colonialism, economic development, culture, political institutions, and policy-making. The course will also introduce students to some of the
concepts, theories, and methods of comparative analysis.

POSC 336 Public Administration (3 C.H.)
An introduction to the study of public administration through an examination of the organization, members, processes and policies of bureaucracies in the public sector. Topics such as decision making, human resource management, budgeting, administrative law, the policy process, and the role of bureaucracy in a democratic society will be considered.

POSC 347 Politics of Industrialized Societies (3 C.H.)
This course examines the political systems of Western Europe and Japan. The course will focus on the political institutions, social and economic structures, political culture, and the political socialization processes of the countries of the industrialized West. The course will also provide a comparative analysis of contemporary economic and social policies of selected Western European countries and Japan.

POSC 376 Nationalism (3 C.H.)
Examination of the meanings and development of nationalism and the present role of nationalism and the nation-state. Particular attention is given to the growth of nationalist conceptions and movements in the 19th and 20th centuries, examining nationalism in a number of European countries,
the United States, and a selection of states from the non-Western world.

POSC 378 Political Theory (3 C.H.)
Study of the history of political ideas through reading and discussion of the works of such political theorists as Plato, Aristotle, Saint Augustine, Machiavelli, Locke, Mill, Marx and Rawls. Readings will often be considered in terms of the theme "power and justice."

POSC 396 International Organization and Law (3 C.H.)
This course examines the development of international organizations and their role in the international community. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the United Nations after World War II. The course will also introduce students to the nature and impact of public international law in the international system.

POSC 436 Constitutional Law (3 C.H.)
Survey of the main features of the American constitutional system, particularly through examination of selected decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. (P: POSC 116 or consent of the instructor)

POSC 456 American Foreign Policy Formulation (3 C.H.)
This course provides a history and analysis of American foreign policy with emphasis on the post-World War II period. The course will survey various factors which influence the policy-making process and evaluate several analytical models of foreign policy behavior. Attention will also be devoted to the emerging post-cold war era of Amercan foreign policy and the changing role of the United States in the international system. (P: POSC 116 or consent of instructor.)

POSC 466 International Relations: Selected Problems (3 C.H.)
An analysis of international relations since World War II especially at the present time in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Emphasis is on selected problems and policies in the several regional areas.

POSC 486 Contemporary Political Thought (3 C.H.)
Study of 19th and 20th century political thought. Liberalism, Marxism, Fascism and Democratic Socialism as well as Anarchism will be considered, as will recent developments in such topic areas as feminist and environmental political thought. Readings will often be framed in terms of the theme "democracy and its critics."

POSC 496 Senior Seminar (4 C.H.)
Examination of political science as a field of study; discussion of selected topics in political science, and preparation of a number of analytical papers on selected topics in political science or an extended analytical research paper. Required of all majors in political science. Fall semesters only.

POSC 526 Public Affairs Internship (2-16 C.H.)
Internships in governmental or other organizations with a significant public service mission. Placements are available in both semesters and in the summer. Internship placements in law-related organizations, the Harrisburg Capitol Semester, and other state and local organizations are available.

POSC 555 Cooperative Education (C.H. Variable)

*POSC 567 Washington Internship (8 C.H.)

*POSC 568 Washington Seminar I (4 C.H.)

*POSC 569 Washington Seminar II (4 C.H.) *A semester in Washington, D.C. with a focus on contemporary public affairs. A supervised internship is required. This may be in governmental, private, or public service sectors. The subject of the internship varies according to student interest and preparation. Two topical seminars are normally taken by all students. Specific arrangements are made according to each student's major interests, subject to approval by supervising professors at Thiel College and supervisors at the Washington D.C. site. See the INDS listings in this catalog for descriptions of each of the three components of the Semester in Washington program.

POSC 586 Research and Reading in Political Science (1-3 C.H.)
A course designed to permit advanced students in political science to conduct a research and/or reading program in an area of their interest that does not duplicate other departmental offerings.
(P: junior standing, major GPA of 2.5 or better and consent of instructor.)

POSC 596 Independent Study (1-4 C.H.)
Reading and independent study concerning a subject in political science that is mutually agreed upon by the student and sponsoring departmental faculty. (P: junior standing, consent of the instructor and compliance with College requirements for independent study.)