Government (GOVT)
Dr. Winsome A. Downie
Chair of the Department
The government (political science) major seeks to maximize students’ ability to analyze and interpret the significance of political events, institutions, behavior, and governmental processes at the local, national and international levels. The major is designed to equip students to play more effective roles as citizens of a democratic nation and of the world and to prepare them for careers in public service, diplomacy, law, business, journalism, and college teaching.
Requirements for a Major. LLRN 121 or GOVT 201 are prerequisites for the Government major. In addition, majors then must take a total of ten courses that include GOVT 203 and 309 early in the process; one 300-level course from each of these five major areas: 1) US government, either 303, 306, or 320; 2) comparative governments of Europe; 3) comparative government of any other world region; 4) international politics, either 351, 352, or 357; 5) political theory; and one 400-level seminar course. A minimum grade of C in departmental courses is necessary to fulfill the requirements for the major. Majors intending to apply to law school are expected to take at least one term of GOVT 323 or 324, Constitutional Law. Students intending to go to graduate school in political science should take GOVT 210, Scope and Methods or Sociology 307, Survey Research.
Requirements for a Minor. The minor is available to students in all schools. LLRN 121 or GOVT 201 is required for the Government minor. Students are required to take 12 additional credits, including GOVT 203, 309 and two other government courses, and receive a grade of C or better in each. Majors and minors are advised to start with the required LLRN 121 or GOVT 201, then to take 203 and 309 before selecting other courses.
Requirements for a Major Concentration in the School of Education. Students concentrating in Government must take a total of eight courses, including 201, 203, 309, and any other five courses. Students who have taken LLRN 121 should select another Government course in place of GOVT 201. A minimum grade of C in departmental courses is necessary to fulfill the requirements for the major concentration.
201. Introduction to Government and Politics. An introduction to salient concepts in political science. Students will also investigate the logic and methods of political science research and will analyze contemporary social issues from the perspective of the discipline of political science. Those who have completed the LLRN 121 social science core course are not permitted to take GOVT 201. (Cr. 3)
205. Political Geography. A study of states and other political units in the context of their physical, human, economic, cultural, strategic, and other features that are relevant to power and ultimately the course of history. (Cr. 3)
207. Introduction to Peace Studies. This course is intended to introduce the student to the nature, scope, and methodology of Peace Studies as well as explore some major contemporary problems that threaten peaceful and just relations between individuals, groups, or nations. (Cr. 3)
210. Scope and Methods of Political Science. Contemporary orientations and scientific concepts in political inquiry; student research using modern techniques. (Cr. 3)
251. Global Issues. This course highlights the interrelatedness of political, economic, ecological, and cultural events as they affect nations, regions, and the global community. The course is designed to illuminate the complex nature of world events and the nature of international studies. (Cr. 3)
United States Government
203. United States Government and Politics. An introductory course about the foundation of the U.S. Government, its institutions and how they work, and how individuals, political parties, interest groups, corporations participate in the political process leading to public policy formulation and implementation. (Cr. 3)
303. The United States Congress. Analysis of the dynamics, organization and policy-making processes of the United States Congress: The relationship of legislators to constituents, lobbyists, bureaucrats, and the Executive and Judicial branches of the Federal government. (Cr. 3)
306. The United States Presidency. Exploration of the institution of the U.S. Presidency — its powers, paradoxes, limitations and responsibilities. Analysis of the Presidential selection process, as well as examination of Presidential leadership in domestic and foreign policy arenas. (Cr. 3)
315. State and Local Government in the United States of America. The history and development of federalism in the United States political system, with emphasis on contemporary state and local political institutions and public policy issues. Governmental structures and processes are considered in relation to policy outcomes. (Cr. 3)
319. Government and Business: Political Economy. A survey of alternative economic ideologies, the private and public sectors, the interplay between them, and the formulation of economic public policy. (Cr. 3)
320. United States Parties, Public Opinion and Voting Behavior. Analysis of the development, organization, and functions of political parties in the United States; the relationship of parties to public opinion, elections, and voter behavior. (Cr. 3)
321. Urban Government and Politics. Examination of government and politics in major United States cities and suburbs. Impact of urban political, economic and social elites, labor, ethnic and racial groups, state and federal governments on urban politics and public policy. Analysis of selected metropolitan problems. (Cr. 3)
322. Public Administration. The role of bureaucracy in carrying out public policy. The examination of administrative processes with special emphasis on administrative behavior and decision-making. (Cr. 3)
323. Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers. Case studies of Supreme Court decisions relating to the powers of the national government and the separate branches; judicial review; federal-state relations; as well as the commerce, taxing, spending, treaty-making and war powers. (Cr. 3)
324. Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties. Case studies of
judicial decisions on the rights of individuals; first amendment freedoms,
equal protection of the laws, rights of
defendants.
(Cr. 3)
325. Special Topics: United States Government. An extensive examination and analysis of salient issues that require government/public policy action. (Cr. 3)
405. Special Topic Seminar: United States Government and Politics. An in-depth exploration of a specific political issue through class discussion and student research papers and in-class presentations. Open to upper class students. (Cr. 3)
412. Seminar: Women in Politics. The struggles of nineteenth-century feminists, the suffrage amendment movement and the contemporary women’s movement as political action. Urban/metropolitan women as vanguard of the mid-twentieth century (Third Wave) American women’s movement. Cross-cultural, cross-national comparisons of the concern that mobilize women, their attainment of political power, and the impact of their activities on public policy. (Cr. 3)
426. Seminar: The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Class in the United States. Analysis of Indian genocide, African enslavement, social annihilation, white supremacist ideologies, racism and economic inequality. A study of leaders and mass movements that pushed United States’ society and its political institutions in the direction of greater racial, ethnic, and class equality and justice. (Cr. 3)
Comparative Politics
309. Comparative Politics. A survey selected Western industrialized democracies, former Communist states and countries of the global South (third World). Globalization’s impact, including economic dependence and neoliberalism, global terrorism and citizen’s response to new dimensions of domination. (Cr. 3)
310. Special Topics: Comparative Politics. Examination and analysis of salient issues in comparative politics and public policy. (Cr. 3)
330. Government and Politics of Western Europe. A comparative analysis of political institutions and events in Britain, France, Germany, and other West European states, and an examination of their increasing integration through the European Union. (Cr. 3)
331. Government and Politics of Russia and Selected Soviet Successor States. Development, structure and functions of Soviet political institutions, with special attention to the role of the Communist Party. Glasnost, perestroika and the disintegration of the U.S.S.R. The new successor republics. (Cr. 3)
332. Government and Politics of Central and Eastern Europe. This course explores the remarkable changes in the region from the end of World War II, through the Soviet socialist regimes, to the startling movements for change in 1989, to the still young nations of today. (Cr. 3)
340. Government and Politics of Asia. The politics of the leaders, the institutions in which they operate, and the impact their policies have on their citizens as well as the whole Pacific Basin. Particular attention will be paid to China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. (Cr. 3)
343. Government and Politics of the Middle East. Comparative study of the political organizations, institutions and groups in the Middle East. Discussion of politics in selected countries, as well as analysis of national and regional conflicts and the roles of the major powers in the area. (Cr. 3)
344. Government and Politics of the Caribbean. Comparative study of the politics of selected Caribbean nation-states. Their colonial heritages, political cultures, ideologies, institutions, groups, development strategies (including regional integration efforts), and challenges will be analyzed. (Cr. 3)
345. Government and Politics of Latin America. Comparative study of the political organizations, institutions and groups in Latin America. Discussion of politics in selected countries, as well as analysis of national and regional conflicts and change, contemporary local challenges to neoliberalism and United States hegemony in the hemisphere. (Cr. 3)
346. Government and Politics of Africa. Impact of traditional culture, Western colonialism and neocolonialism on contemporary African ideologies, political organizations, institutions and groups. Nation-building strategies for overcoming underdevelopment and dependence. (Cr. 3)
348. Government and Politics of the European Union. The evolution of the institutions and policies of the European Community. The primary focus will be to give the student an understanding of the European dynamic and the economic integration of Europe, as well as the obstacles to further political integration. (Cr. 3)
412. Seminar: Women in Politics. The struggles of nineteenth-century feminists, the suffrage amendment movement and the contemporary women’s movement as political action. Urban/metropolitan women as vanguard of the mid-twentieth century (Third Wave) American women’s movement. Cross-cultural, cross-national comparisons of the concern that mobilize women, their attainment of political power, and the impact of their activities on public policy. (Cr. 3)
430. Special Topics Seminar: Comparative Politics. An in-depth exploration of a specific political/public policy issue in Comparative Politics through class discussion and student research papers and in-class presentations. Open to Juniors and Seniors. (Cr. 3)
440. Seminar: European Politics. The seminar focuses on the government and politics in a selected European country. (Cr. 3)
Global Politics
223. Environmental Politics. Analysis of US and global environmental politics and major issues involved in ecological sustainability and development, including resource management, pollution control and climate change.
350. Special Topics: Global Politics. An extensive examination and analysis of salient issues in global politics that require domestic and global public policy action. (Cr. 3)
351. International Relations. Analysis of various factors underlying war, peace, diplomacy, economic policy and other means by which international actors conduct their relations with one another. (Cr. 3)
352. International Organizations. The nature, functions, operations and politics of the United Nations, and global, regional or specialized international bodies. (Cr. 3)
353. Technology and Society. How gadgets and techniques, hardware and software, interact with people for better and occasionally for worse, and how governments consider difficult trade-offs in their policy-making. (Cr. 3)
357. United States Foreign Policy. Ideology, decision-making processes, instruments and major issues of contemporary United States foreign policy. (Cr. 3)
420. Seminar: Conflict Resolution. Analysis of sources of conflict and study of methods of conflict management and resolution at the interpersonal, neighborhood, national and international levels. (Cr. 3)
450. Seminar: Politics of International Economics. The interface of governmental authority and politics on the one hand and economics on the other and the outcomes of this relationship in a global political economy and the management of economic change. (Cr. 3)
452. Special Topics Seminar: Global Politics. An in-depth exploration of a specific global issue through class discussion and student research papers and in-class presentations. Open to Juniors and Seniors. (Cr. 3)
455. Seminar: Diplomacy. Survey of development and practices of diplomacy through investigation of negotiation, coercion, crisis, management, diplomatic settlement, and security cooperation among states. (Cr. 3)
Political Theory
370. Special Topics: Political Theory. An extensive examination and analysis of salient political thinkers and the impact of their ideas on contemporary political systems. (Cr. 3)
371. United States Political Thought. Analysis from original sources of major United States political and constitutional writers from colonial times to the present. (Cr. 3)
374. Western Political Thought. Introduction to modern Western political theory through an examination of the written dialogue (between philosophers) that has contributed to what we know as the canon on craft and society in the West. (Cr. 3)
473. Seminar: Contemporary Western Political Thought. Examination of the major political thinkers who have contributed to the notion of statecraft in the West since WW II. (Cr. 3)
480. Special Topics Seminar: Political Theory. An in-depth exploration of specific political thinkers including non-Western philosophers through class discussion and student research papers and in-class presentations. Open to upper class students. (Cr. 3)
Special Programs
212. Wall Street. The interactions among the world’s investors, investment institutions, and various self-regulatory bodies involved in the capital markets. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, hedge funds, derivatives, and many other investment instruments as well as psychological mindsets directing the markets will be investigated. The instructional part of the course will be relieved by field trips for practical, on-the-scene insights into Wall Street operations, employment possibilities, and the stock market’s role in everyone’s life. (Cr. 3)
222. Power in the City. Significant buildings and public works are used as historical case studies of personal, interest group, economic or political power in the development of the city. Students must be prepared to walk about five miles over several hours, rain or shine. (Cr. 3)
448. Internship. A learning opportunity that combines practical experience, reflection, and writing. Normally available to students who have already taken COOP 402 or 403. A student must apply to the department chair for preliminary approval of a placement with a statement of academic goals, a description of practical activities proposed, and a plan for supervision and evaluation of a written report. Final approval is conditioned on confirmation of placement with the internship setting. (Cr. 3)
457, 458. Model United Nations. A hands-on, participatory experience in which students acquire expertise on a particular country which they represent at the five-day National Model United Nations Conference in New York City. The UN simulation is designed to reinforce an understanding of the basic principles of the world organization, such as maintaining international peace and security, developing better relations among nations based on respect, equal rights and self-determination of peoples and the adjustment and settlement of international disputes. Prerequisite: GOVT 352 and/or permission of the instructor. (Cr. 3)
490. The Albany Session Internship. Sponsored by the New York State Assembly or Senate. The NY State Legislature semester internship enables students to participate in state government. It includes practical research and administrative experience and two courses on Legislative Politics and Conflict Resolution. Grades are pass/fail. Permission of the department chair and Dean required. Deadline for application is in October. (Cr. 12)
491, 493. Washington Center Semester. Students intern four days a week in Washington, D.C., take an evening course, attend lectures, participate in field trips and other activities organized by The Washington Center (www.twc.edu). Programs include: Americas Leaders, Congressional Leadership, International Affairs, Law and Criminal Justice, Nonprofit Leaders and several more. Students register for 491 (Washington Center Course), 493 (Washington Center Portfolio), and 6 COOP internship credits. Students wishing to earn 15 credits may take an additional course. Permission of the department chair and Dean required. (Cr. 12-15)
494. American University Washington Semester Program. Students spend a semester studying and interning in Washington, D.C., earning 12-15 credits. Program choices include: American Politics, Contemporary Islam, Economic Policy, Foreign Policy, International Business and Trade, International Environment and Development, International Law and Organization, Israel Studies, Journalism, Justice, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Public Law, and Transforming Communities (Urban Affairs). Permission of the department chair, Dean and Program Liaison required. (Cr. 12-15)
449. Independent Study. Individual research and readings under faculty supervision. Permission of the department chair and Dean required. (Cr. 3)