POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

2004 -05 CATALOG

Chair: Robert O. Schneider

Faculty: William G. Albrecht, Daniel G. Barbee, Andreas Broscheid, Roger G. Brown, Nicholas A. Giannatasio, Michael R. Hawthorne, Elizabeth L. Normandy, Carolyn R. Thompson

Political Science is the systematic study of politics. In its broadest sense, politics includes the decision‑making and decision‑enforcing processes concerned with the use of valued resources for any group that makes and enforces rules for its members. In this department the emphasis is upon the parts of these processes involving the government.

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration seeks to follow the aims of the liberal arts tradition. It also seeks to provide political science students with an educational background which will prepare them for a wide range of career opportunities and which will be desired by prospective employers from the fields of Law, Foreign Service, Public Administration, Journalism, “Practical Politics,” and Teaching.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science	Sem. Hrs.
Freshman Seminar	1
General Education Requirements*	44
Major Requirements	37
Electives	39
	Total: 121

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: (37 Hours)
Introductory Requirement: PSPA 100, 101	6
Core Courses: PSPA 200, 217, 219, 233	13
Option Courses [choose one option package below]	18
	Total: 37

General Option Package:

Choose any six additional Political Science courses with at least four of the six at the 300 or 400 level.

Pre Law Option Package:

PSPA 303, 310, 312; and choose three other Political Science courses with at least two of the three at the 300 or 400 level**

Public Policy and Administration Option Package:

PSPA 201 or 202; PSPA 210; PSPA 331 or 440; PSPA 360; PSPA 453 or 450; one other Political Science course at the 300 or 400 level.

International Studies Option Package:

PSPA 251, 355, and 370; and three other International Relations or Comparative Politics courses chosen in consultation with the International Studies advisor.

Public Policy and Administration with Applied Gerontology Minor: (55 hours)

1. Complete Public Policy and Administration Option Requirements above. (37 hours)

2. Complete Applied Gerontology Minor (18 hours)

BIO 103; SOC 270; PSY 305; REC 425; SOC 375; SWK 384

Suggested Electives: SOC 280, SWK 348, SWK 350

*Students who plan a major in Political Science should consult with the Department Chair prior to registering for General Education courses.

**Chosen in consultation with the pre‑law advisor

ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION

Academic Concentration in Political Science: (28 Hours)

For students seeking a baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education, Special Education, or Physical Education, the Political Science Department offers an Academic Concentration of 28 hours. This Academic Concentration is available to other students, regardless of major.

Requirements:

PSPA 100, 101, 200, 217, 219, 233;

Any three additional courses in political science with at least one at the 300 or 400 level.

MINORS

Public Policy and Administration Minor: (19 Hours)

The department believes that there are many students majoring in Business Administration and Economics, Education, Sociology, and other disciplines who may someday seek employment in some administrative position in the public sector. While not wishing to major in political science, these students would benefit from a structured set of courses outlining the operations and problems of the administrator of a public agency. Even if the student never seeks employment as public administrator, the department believes that exposure to these courses within the public administration minor will help the student to perform their private sector administration roles more capably, especially since the growth of government has created numerous points of contact between public sector and private sector administrators.

Requirements:

PSPA 100, 201 or 202, 210, 219, 233.

One other Political Science Course at the 300 or 400 level.

Legal Studies Minor: (19 Hours)

The minor in legal studies is designed to accommodate the student who is majoring in some other discipline and also quite interested in going to law school and pursuing a legal career. This allows the student to concentrate in a particular area of expertise within which he or she plans to specialize once the student begins to practice law. Rather than require the student to major in political science, the minor in Legal Studies gives the student more flexibility to pursue other interests while receiving a sound preparation for law school study.

Requirements:

PSPA 100, 217, 219, 233, 310, 312

General Political Science Minor: (19 Hours)

This third minor is less structured than the other minors because the department wishes to accommodate the student who enjoys political science, but who does not wish to pursue a major because of other career or vocational goals. The department wishes to encourage the student to take an “eclectic” approach and enroll in courses that discuss topics of interest to the student so that the individual needs of the student will be better met.

Requirements:

PSPA 100, 101, 200, 233

and any two additional 300-400 level Political Science courses.

The Department of Political Science participates in two interdepartmental minors: Personnel and Organizational Leadership and World Studies. For further details on this minor see Special Programs section.

COURSES (PSPA)

INTRODUCTION

PSPA 100. Introduction to Political Science

A study of general political science concepts, definitions, and approaches within the framework of discussions of how individuals and groups may be able to utilize more effectively the political, social, and economic systems with which they come into contact. Fall, Spring. Credit, 3 semester. hours.

PSPA 101. Introduction to American National Government

An introductory study of: (1) the basic concepts of political science, (2) the brief history of the basic principles of the Constitution, (3) the structure, functions of and the relations between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of national government, and (4) the relations between the national and state governments. Fall, Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours.

THEORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND METHODOLOGY

PSPA 213. Contemporary Political Ideologies

A study of twentieth century ideologies, including liberalism, conservatism, Nazism, fascism, communism, democratic socialism, and more recent doctrines such as third world nationalism, minority liberation, women’s liberation, and the new left. As announced. Credit, 3 sem. hours.

PSPA 233. Introduction to Theory and Methodology

This course concerns basic concepts of political science and teaches the student how to do research, use the library, evaluate the research of others, draw a graph, construct a table, and use a few simple statistical techniques. Fall, even years. Credit, 4 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 303. Political Thought

A study of the historic and conceptual background of political thought from the classical through contemporary political thinkers. Emphasis is placed on the application of ideas and concepts learned to current political and personal situations so as to enable the student to function better and more thoughtfully as an individual and as a member of various social and political systems. Spring, odd‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 393. Census Data for Social Sciences and Business

An introduction to accessing, analyzing, and interpreting census data. Emphasis is placed on using census data for research in social science, marketing, and related fields. As announced. Credit, 1 semester hour. PREREQ: MAT 105 or 107 or permission of instructor.

PSPA 418. Special Topics in Theory, Philosophy, and Methodology

An in‑depth study of a selected topic from the field of political philosophy or methodology. Fall, odd‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

DIRECTED RESEARCH AND INDEPENDENT STUDY

PSPA 398. Directed Research in Political Science I

Written acceptance by a supervising faculty member is required, based on the student’s written proposal. A copy of the proposal together with the faculty member’s acceptance must be submitted for approval to the Department Chair prior to registration. Fall or Spring. Credit, 1‑3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 399. Directed Research in Political Science II

PSPA 499. Independent Study in Political Science

Directed reading and research under the guidance of the instructor in a specific area or problem in political science. Scheduled only for senior political science majors with the approval of the Chair of the Department. Fall or Spring. Credit, 1‑3 semester hours.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

PSPA 201. American State Government

An examination of the setting, institutions, politics, and policies of state governments in the United States. Fall, alternate odd‑numbered years, beginning 1989. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 202. Local Government in the United States

An examination of the setting, institutions, politics, and policies of local government in the United States. Fall, alternate odd‑numbered years, beginning 1989. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 215. North Carolina Politics and Government

A study of the North Carolina political system: its environment, the forces and elements making up the system, the policies of that system, and the impact of the policies. Fall or Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 217. Judicial Process and Behavior

An examination of the role of judges, lawyers, and jurors in the decision‑making process as influenced by their recruitment and socialization of the political framework in which they operate, and the various factors, ideology, attitudes, and values that influence their decisions. Fall, even‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 301. Political Parties and Interest Groups in the United States

The history, development, organization, functions and purposes of the major parties and interest groups, and the role played by them in the policy‑making and election of the government. Fall, alternate even‑numbered years, beginning 1990. Credit, 3 sem. hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 304. Legislative Process in the United States

A study of: (1) the distribution of the legislative power in the three branches of the government, (2) the structure and functions of the legislature, (3) the actual process of legislation both in the national and state governments, its defects and remedies, and (4) the attainment of responsible and responsive government. Important legislative problems will be selected and serve as a basis for analyzing the legislative process. Spring, alternate even‑numbered years, starting in 1990. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101

PSPA 305. Public Opinion and Elections in the American Political System

A study of the nature of public opinion, campaigns, and elections and their functions in the American political system. Fall, alternate even‑numbered years, beginning 1988. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 306. The American Presidency

The central role of the American presidency in the political process and the relationship among the presidency and the other branches of government. Spring, alternate even‑ numbered years, beginning 1988. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 310. Constitutional Law

A study of: (1) the federal system, especially the relations between the national government and the States, (2) the jurisdiction of the federal courts and (3) individual rights. Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 312. Law of Criminal Procedure

Constitutional limitations on police activity. Due process; right to counsel; arrest, search and seizure; electronic eavesdropping; confessions; and the scope of exclusionary rules. Fall. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 402. Selected Topics in American Government

A study of selected problems, either in theory or in practice, in American government, with readings, discussions and papers on these problems. Fall or Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 405. Washington Legislative Internship

This internship presents an opportunity for a student to get a deeper understanding of the legislative process by participating in the activities of a U.S. Congressman’s office. The intern will spend a semester in Washington, D.C. working in the office of a Congressman and will be responsible for performing assigned research on legislative issues as well as working on constituency problems. Students will be assigned reading material on the legislative process and will be required to submit various papers in order to fulfill the internship requirements. The internship is limited to Political Science majors. No more than six credit hours may be applied to fulfill the thirty‑six hour requirement for a major in political science nor is the student eligible to enroll in any other departmental internship program (PSPA 360, 361, or 364). Scheduled for political science majors with the approval of the Chair of the Department. Credit, 6‑12 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 304.

PSPA 450/MPM 550. American Policy Process

Survey of American policy processes, including institutional responses to policy demands, agenda setting, implementation, and outcomes. Approaches to analyzing both processes and outcomes will be discussed. Students will be expected to engage in analysis of policy problems. Fall or Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 233 and one other 300 level course in American Government.

PUBLIC POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

PSPA 210. Introduction to Public Administration

An introductory study of general principles and problems of administrative organization in government: federal, state, and local. The role, relationships, processes, and control of governmental institutions, in the political context, with special emphasis on the American experience, will be surveyed. Spring, even‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 219. Public Policy and Analysis

This course seeks to explore both the causes and consequences of public policy, i.e., both policy determination and policy impacts. The former is concerned with political, economic, social, environmental or other factors which are hypothesized to be political determinants. The latter is concerned with social, economic, political, or other conditions which are hypothesized to be policy impacts. Fall, even‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 302. Administration of Municipal Government in the United States

A study of American municipal government in its setting and development, power and politics, management process, administration of services, social and economic problems, planning, fiscal problems and practices, intergovernmental relations, and emerging trends. Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 331. Public Finance (ECN 330)

A study of revenue and expenditure on all governmental levels in the United States. Spring, odd numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: ECN 100.

PSPA 360. Introductory Internship in Public Administration

The acquisition of public management experience through an arranged internship in a government or community agency or enterprise, under the instruction and supervision of the major professor and a designated official of the agency or enterprise involved. Fall or Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 361. Advanced Internship in Public Administration

This is a continuation of the internship of PSPA 360. It continues the acquisition of public management experience through an arranged internship in a government or community agency or enterprise, under the instruction and supervision of the major professor and a designated official of the agency or enterprise involved. Fall or Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 360.

PSPA 364. Practicum in Public Administration

Restriction: Open to majors in Political Science only. This course provides students with management experience of at least 80 working days with regular wages provided by a government or community agency. Working under the supervision of a professor and a designated official of the agency, students produce an extended report exploring a concern of the agency. As announced. Credit, 6 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101, and consent of instructor and departmental chair.

PSPA 440. Comparative Public Administration

Examination and analysis are made of the administrative systems of foreign governments of selected Western and non‑Western countries; attention is given to practices applicable to administration in the United States. Spring, even years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 453/MPM 551. Advanced Public Administration

Focus on managerial, political, and legal theories and processes of public administration; examination of how these are used to fulfill legislative, executive, and judicial mandates for the provision of regulatory and service functions for American society as a whole, and for some segments of it. Fall or Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 210, 233.

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

PSPA 200. Introduction to Comparative Politics

This course introduces the subject matter of comparative politics by examining different types of political systems such as a West European parliamentary democracy, a third world authoritarian state, and a totalitarian communist system. Fall. Credit, 3 semester hrs. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 370. Comparative Political Area Studies

An examination of the cultural and political ideas, institutions and forms of government in a specific geographic region. Far Eastern, Middle Eastern, African, Latin American, West European, and East European governments are possible areas for examination in this course. The area of study and specific focus will rotate. As announced. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 375. Politics in the Developing World

This course introduces the student to the politics of underdeveloped countries. Special emphasis is placed on the study of nationalism, revolution, economic development, and political modernization. Spring, odd‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 420. Special Topics in Comparative Politics

An in‑depth study of a selected topic from the field of comparative politics. Spring and Fall, odd‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, RELATIONS, AND LAW

PSPA 251. Introduction to World Politics (WLS 251)

An analysis of politics and relations among nations: (1) sovereignty, (2) domestic jurisdiction, (3) status quo, (4) colonialism, (5) balance of power, (6) alliance and neutrality, (7) peaceful adjustment of disputes, (8) disarmament, (9) standards of international conduct, (10) economic development and political advancement of the developing countries. Fall. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 252. Theories of International Relations

Analyzes the methods and dominant approaches to the study of international relations including international political economy, theories of conflict, decision‑making theory, integration theory and deterrence. Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 355. International Relations Area Studies

An analysis of the foreign policies of a specific geographic region involved presently or potentially in global conflicts, with special attention to the role of the United States in the area. Possible areas for examination in this course include Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Western Europe, or the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. As announced. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 380. International Organizations

A study of the general approaches to world order with special attention given to the management of that order through the workings of international law and organizations. Spring, even‑numbered years. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 430. Special Topics in International Politics

An in‑depth study of a selected topic in the field of international politics. As announced. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 451. Formulation and Conduct of American Foreign Policy

A study of the process of foreign policy‑making focusing on the roles of the President, Congress, the Departments of State and Defense, the media and public opinion. Fall. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

PSPA 452. Problems in American Foreign Policy

A study of major issues and problems in American foreign policy, including tradition and other constant factors of policy making, and with major emphasis on the post‑World War II period. Spring. Credit, 3 semester hours. PREREQ: PSPA 100 or 101.

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