Political Science (PSC)                Course Schedules

The complete description of the Department of Political Science is found in the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences.

Descriptions of courses approved for the University Program appear in italic type.

Distance Learning Courses: Courses in the department approved for offering in a distance learning format include: PSC 105, 210, 371, 411, 522, 551.

PSC 100 Introduction to Political Science 3(3-0) F, Sp
Historical and theoretical concepts of political science, required for all political science majors and minors. Does not substitute for PSC 105. (Group III-B)

PSC 101 Political Behavior 3(3-0) F, Sp
Focus is on the elements of individual political behavior. Includes socialization; political involvement, commitment and participation; voting behavior; and political opinion and personality. (Group III-A)

PSC 105 Introduction to American Government and Politics 3(3-0) F, Sp
Focuses both on the formal institutions of government and how politics actually works in the United States. Recommended prior to taking any other political science courses in American Political Institutions. (Group III-B)

PSC 125 African-American Politics 3(3-0) F, Sp
Examines issues of political economy, political participation, political efficacy and alienation, Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism. (Group IV-C)

PSC 150 World Politics 3(3-0) F, Sp
Introductory conceptual analysis of international politics: North-South relations; and major areas of tension in Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. (Group III-B)

PSC 151 The U.S. and the World 3(3-0)
To prepare the student to confront, in a systematic fashion, the issues to be faced as a citizen of the United States and as a member of the global society. (Group III-B)

PSC 210 Introduction to Public Administration 3(3-0) F, Sp
Provides a broad understanding of basic concepts and principles of public administration, including role, structure, and functions of public agencies and how they operate.  Prerequisite:  PSC 100 or PSC 105 or permission of instructor

PSC 224 Introduction to Public Law 3(3-0)
Origins, evolution, and processes of public law in the United States. Recommended: PSC 100 or PSC 105.

PSC 235 Politics and Personality 3(3-0) F
Study of politics through an analysis of the psychological roots of human behavior and of the personalities of politicians.

PSC 242 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3(3-0) F, Sp
An examination of relevant theories, concepts, and methods of comparative political analysis and application of these in the study of selected political systems. (Group III-B)

PSC 261 State and Local Government 3(3-0) F, Sp
Structure and functions of state, county, and city governments, with emphasis on policy issues. Michigan governments are used for illustrations and examples. (Group III-B)

PSC 275 Great Political Thinkers 3(3-0) F, Sp
Analysis of the perennial issues of Western political thought, primarily through the writings of great political thinkers. (Group I-A)

PSC 280 Introduction to Empirical Methods of Political Research 3(3-0) F
Empirical political research techniques including the scientific method, measurement, descriptive and inferential statistics, literature reviews, data collection, computer assisted data analysis, and research reporting. Prerequisites: PSC 100 or PSC 105; one other Political Science course.

PSC 300 Michigan Politics and Elections 3(3-0)
Analysis of Michigan’s election campaigns with focus on organization, strategies and tactics. Emphasis on election consequences for state’s policy leaders, opinion, interests and government. Prerequisite: PSC 105 or PSC 261.

PSC 301 Law and Policy in Michigan State Government 3(3-0)
Analysis of Michigan’s legislative process, policy issues, and state government politics. Emphasis on origination, shaping, negotiating, and content of state policy. Prerequisite: PSC 105 or PSC 261.

PSC 305 Midtier Teaching in Political Science 2(1-2) Sp
The midtier experience provides observations and small-group instructional opportunities for students seeking secondary certification in political science. Course includes both campus instruction and field work. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: completion of EDU 107; 12 hours of political science.

PSC 313 Budgetary Processes in the United States 3(3-0)
Study of the determination and execution of fiscal policies in public agencies with special attention to preparation, authorization, and execution of government budgets.

PSC 320 The American Legislative Process 3(3-0) Sp
Analysis of the legislative process, studying formal and informal devices used by legislative bodies in determining policy. Primary emphasis is on the United States Congress. Prerequisites: PSC 105 or permission of instructor.

PSC 321 The American Chief Executive 3(3-0) F
Development of the executive office of the United States, with emphasis on the Presidency.

PSC 323 American Parties and Politics 3(3-0) F
Analysis of American political parties as instruments of democratic government. Their structures, functions, and organizations, with emphasis on nomination, campaigns, and elections.

PSC 325 The Civil Rights Movement 3(3-0) F, Sp
Examines the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1980's; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize. Identical to PHL 345, REL 345, SOC 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: introductory history, political science or sociology course, or permission of the instructor. (Group IV-C).

PSC 326 Women and Politics 3(3-0) Sp
This course will look primarily at empirical studies of women's role in politics in the U.S. but also in other contexts. Identical to WST 326. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (Group IV-A)

PSC 327 Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior 3(3-0) Sp
The reasons for and the methods of lobbying constitute the major subjects. Also includes the identification of different lobbyists, their goals, behavior, and organizations.

PSC 340 African Political Systems and Processes 3(3-0) F
Comparative survey of selected African political systems with focus upon Sub-Saharan Africa. (Group IV-B)

PSC 341 Comparative Politics: Eastern Europe 3(3-0)
Comparative analysis of selected Eastern European states, including Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, former Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria. Identical to EUR 303. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these classes. (Group IV-B)

PSC 342 Comparative Immigration Politics 3(3-0) Sp
Politics, history, and economics of immigration and immigrant-native relations in the United States (including Michigan) and selected countries. Particular focus on causes of nativism.

PSC 343 Southeast Asian Political Systems and Processes 3(3-0) F
The impact of culture on politics in several countries of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and Philippines. (Group IV-B)

PSC 344 East Asian Political Systems and Processes 3(3-0) Sp
Emphasis on selected states in East Asia. East Asia consists of China, Japan, and Korea. (Group IV-B)

PSC 347 Comparative Politics: Western Europe 3(3-0) F
Comparative analysis of selected European states, including Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany. (Group IV-B)

PSC 348 Latin American Political Systems 3(3-0) F
A comparative analysis of selected Latin American political systems, analyzing the impact of authoritarianism, international intervention, and democratization. (Group IV-B)

PSC 349 Panama: Exploring Politics and Society in a Central American Nation 3(3-0)
A short term (three weeks) faculty-led study abroad program exploring the politics, society, and culture of Panama. Prerequisites: complete minimum of 25 credits of university course work and a minimum 2.5 GPA. (Group IV-B)

PSC 351 International Relations 3(3-0) F, Sp
Classical and contemporary theories of international relations. War, terrorism, and genocide. International law and organizations. Global economics and world poverty. Ethics in international relations.

PSC 352 US - Latin American Relations 3(3-0)
An examination of the political, military, and economic relations between Latin America and the United States.

PSC 371 American Political Thought 3(3-0) F
Selective survey of dominant trends in American political thought from the revolutionary era to the present. (Group I-A)

PSC 372 American Radical Thought 3(3-0)
Study and analysis of the main social revolutionary ideologies of the left during the past 100 years in the United States.

PSC 373 American Individualism 3(3-0)
Integrates methods of social sciences and humanities in developing interdisciplinary analyses of the history, content, variety and normative implications of American Individualism. (Group IV-A)

PSC 375 Socialism, Fascism, and Liberalism 3(3-0)
Political and psychological analyses of socialist, fascist, and liberal ideologies. (Group IV-A)

PSC 378 Modern Democratic Theory 3(3-0)
Exploration of modern arguments for and against liberal democracy and discussion of the future of liberal democracy in the U.S. and elsewhere. (Group I-A)

PSC 390 Independent Study 1-6(Spec)
Directed reading or research on an approved topic. Open to students not on academic probation and who shall have completed 12 semester hours in political science, with the permission of the instructor.

PSC 395 Internship in Government and Politics 1-12(Spec)
An integrative learning experience where students apply textbook knowledge to governmental and public affairs work experience. CR/NC only. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

PSC 398 Special Topics in Political Science 1-9(Spec)
Consideration of subject manner not included in courses currently listed in catalog. May be taken more than once.

PSC 405 Methods for Teaching Political Science 3(3-0) Sp
Lesson plans, objectives evaluations, organization and methods of teaching government and politics. Three weeks of mid-tier experiences. Prerequisites: completion of at least 15 hours of political science course work; at least junior status; or permission of instructor.

PSC 411 Public Sector Human Resources and Organization Theory 3(3-0) F
Seminar on human resource management (personnel administration) and organizational theory in public agencies including hiring, developing, and rewarding employees; and structuring and designing organizations.  Prerequisites:  PSC 105 or PSC 210 and 56 semester hours completed.

PSC 421 Constitutional Law: Powers of Government 3(3-0) F
Examines major U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, fiscal and commerce powers, and economic liberties.

PSC 422 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties 3(3-0) Sp
Examines major U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding the First Amendment, criminal procedure, racial and gender equality, and the right to privacy.

PSC 426 Feminist Theory 3(3-0) 
Examines the way women have been described by the Western philosophical tradition from its beginnings to the present and offers alternative analyses to this tradition.  Identical to WST 426 and PHL 426.  Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.  Prerequisites:  permission of instructor, or at least junior standing and either one course in philosophy or one of the following courses:  PSC 275, PSC 326, PSC 371, PSC 373, PSC 378.

PSC 453 American Foreign Policy 3(3-0) Sp
Analyzes the external interests of the United States and how they are pursued.

PSC 514 American Public Policy Making 3(3-0)
This course serves to integrate political institutions and levels of government in terms of policy development and implementation.

PSC 515 Comparative Public Policy 3(3-0)
Techniques of cross-national and other comparative policy analysis applied to social and economic policies of industrialized nations, especially Western Europe.

PSC 516 Environmental Politics and Policy 3(3-0)
Analysis of relationships between politics and public policy in the environmental arena. Emphasis upon policy making process, political strategies, and alternative decision modes. Prerequisites: complete minimum of 56 credit hours of university course work, or permission of instructor.

PSC 520 American National Government and Politics 3(3-0)
This course will examine the major theoretical frameworks used in the study of American national government and politics and survey current research in the area. Prerequisites: a minimum of 9 hours of political science coursework, including PSC 105, or permission of instructor.

PSC 522 Regulatory Processes and Administrative Law 3(3-0)
Survey of the principles of administrative law and the politics of the U.S. regulatory processes.

PSC 540 Cultural Heritage and Politics of Eastern Europe 3(3-0)
Comparative study of political systems of Soviet bloc countries and Yugoslavia.

PSC 551 Seminar in International Relations 3(3-0)
Significant aspects of international relations on the basis of timeliness and importance.

PSC 555 International Law I 3(3-0)
Processes of international law; role in international relations and organizations; effects on individual rights in peacetime through cases, treaties, customs, and legal rules.

PSC 561 American State Government and Administration 3(3-0)
Political, legislative, executive, and judicial processes of American state government, with emphasis on the way they affect public policies in the states.

PSC 563 Politics and Policy in Urban Communities 3(3-0)
Examination of large and small city governments. Their political process, behavior and citizen participation. Emerging public policies and intergovernmental cooperation.

PSC 565 Managing Modern Local Government 3(3-0)
Covers all aspects of local government. Simulated problem solving in local administration. Prerequisite: a course in local government.

PSC 566 Intergovernmental Relations in the United States 3(3-0)
An analysis of the administrative and fiscal relationships between the national, state, and local governments, with emphasis on grants-in-aid and revenue sharing.

PSC 583 Survey Research 3(3-0)
Development and utilization of quantitative data, with emphasis on behavioral research, public opinion polling, and statistical analysis.

PSC 585 Computer Applications for Public Administrators 3(3-0)
To teach public administrators applied public sector information systems, and the role that computers play in the management of information in a democracy. Prerequisites: undergraduate computer skills, such as CPS/BIS 106 and CPS/BIS 107; PSC 210; or permission of the instructor.

PSC 590 Independent Study 1-6(Spec)
Open to majors or minors who have completed at least 12 hours of political science with a B average. Arrange with department chairperson and instructor.

PSC 598 Special Topics in Political Science 1-12(Spec)
Subject matter not included in courses currently listed in Bulletin.

For 600 and 700 level course descriptions consult the current Graduate Bulletin.

PSC 610 Foundations of Public Administration 3(3-0)

PSC 615 Politics and Regulation of Health Care Policy 3(3-0)

PSC 619 Continuing Registration for Final Research Project 1(1-0)

PSC 642 Problems and Processes of International Development I 3(3-0)

PSC 651 Comparative Political and Economic Systems 3(3-0)

PSC 710 Seminar on Public Bureaucracies and Policy Formation 3(3-0)

PSC 711 Public Personnel Administration Practice 3(3-0)

PSC 712 Implementation and Reform of Public Programs 3(3-0)

PSC 713 Public Budgeting and Finance 3(3-0)

PSC 714 Program Analysis and Evaluation 3(3-0)

PSC 740 Seminar in Comparative Politics 3(3-0)

PSC 761 Seminar in American State Government 3(3-0)

PSC 770 Seminar in Political Theory 3-6(Spec)

PSC 773 Public Administration and Public Interest 3(3-0)

PSC 774 Strategic Planning for Public/Non-Profit Organizations 3(3-0)

PSC 775 Organizational Theory in Public Administration 3(3-0)

PSC 780 Research in Public Administration in Political Science 3(3-0)

PSC 785 Strategic Leadership 3(3-0)

PSC 790 Advanced Readings I 1-6(Spec)

PSC 795 Internship in Public Administration 1-6(Spec)

PSC 796 Applied Research in Public Administration 3(3-0)

PSC 798 Thesis 1-6(Spec)

Credit Limitation. Courses in the Department that are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit are: PSC 590, 598, 770, 790, 795.

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