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Undergraduate
Course Descriptions
PSC 219.
American Government and Politics
Introductory course providing understanding of the institutions
and ideas basic to the American political experience and the
process that shapes public participation and governmental decision.
PSC 220.
Introduction to Public Policy
Emphasizes effects of policy programs on a variety of groups
and the overall costs and benefits of policies. Students explore
topics through computer game simulation, graphs and aggregate
data. Also uses conventional case-study readings.
PSC 221.
State and Local Government
An examination of state and local governmental institutions;
the tools of political participation are analyzed as practiced
by various groups; state and local public policies are examined;
and the role state and local governments play in the federal
system is examined.
PSC 309.
Introduction to Urban Planning
Introduction to the history, theories, and activities of urban
planning. Students discuss trends in urbanism and influences
of technical and social change, particularly as these relate
to planning for human resource development.
PSC 313.
Urban Politics and Policy
The politics of the American metropolis, with primary focus on
the use of power and influence. Devotes attention to the formulation
and impact of public policies and to the conditions and politics
of minorities in urban areas.
PSC 315.
Comparative Politics
Introduction to comparative politics. Students use key analytic
concepts to generalize about political systems and the way they
function. Attempts to account for uniformities and variations
in political systems.
PSC 319.
Electoral Politics
Discussions of the history of elections, political parties, electoral
methods, practical aspects of campaigning, and voting behavior.
Students consider the use of political questionnaires, political
candidates in current races, and open participation in elections.
PSC 322.
International Relations
Analysis of basic concepts of international relations, including
decision making, conflict, deterrence, interdependence, coercive
diplomacy, and international systems. Special attention is given
to World War I, and inter-way years, the Cold War, international
economic issues, and Chinese-American relations.
PSC 336.
Current World Problems
Lecturers on contemporary world issues as they affect the United
States. Focusing on their individual areas of interest, students
conduct extensive research on policies, problems, and solutions
and lead class discussions on their findings.
Prerequisite: PSC 219
PSC 337.
Statistics I
Introduction to descriptive statistics, including associational
measures and probability. Prerequisite: General Education mathematics
requirements
PSC 338.
Statistics II
Introduction to inferential statistics, hypothesis testing, simple
use of analysis of variance, and correlation coefficients. Prerequisite:
An introductory statistics course.
PSC 352.
American Foreign Policy
Analysis of the formulation and execution of American foreign
policy and its purposes and trends. Covers historical backgrounds,
economic and political factors, national and international determinants,
instruments of policy execution, and major current problems.
PSC 357.
Congressional Politics
Evaluation of American congressional machinery and roles. Students
apply research techniques to the study of legislative activity.
PSC 361.
Political Theory I
Major political ideas from Machiavelli to pre-Marxian socialism.
Topics covered include power, legitimacy, authority, liberty,
and equality.
PSC 362.
Political Theory II
Major political ideas of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Students examine democracy, socialism, communism, liberalism,
and nationalism.
PSC 371
Survey of the use of science and the scientific method as applied
to public policy. Examines government institutions involved in
scientific studies, the role of expertise in policy making, and
possible social effects of future scientific discoveries.
PSC 372.
Comparative Public Policy
Study of the difference in the scope and substance of major public
policies affecting the United States and other countries, principally
Western European. Students explore how, why, and to what effect
governments act in policy areas such as health, education, taxation,
housing, city planning, urban transportation, and income maintenance.
PSC 374.
Constitutional Law
Analysis of the United States Constitution using the case study
method. Among topics are the Supreme Court, federalism, federal
jurisdiction, commerce power taxation, and spending powers. Especially
recommended for students planning to attend law school.
PSC 375.
Political and Civil Rights
Examination of the development of political and personal freedoms
under the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment to the
Constitution. Sound analysis of principles is stressed. Especially
recommended for students planning to attend law school. Prerequisite:
PSC 374, or permission of instructor.
PSC 381.
Russian Studies I
Discussion of the early periods of Russian history from 862 A.D.
to 1941. This course stresses the Russian Revolution and the
Stalinist period. (Students may also register for the course
under HIS 381)
PSC 382.
Russian Studies II
A lecture-discussion course covering the period from World War
ii to the present. Topics include war-time agreements; the postwar
settlements; the death of Stalin; the rise of Khrushchev; and
an analysis of current Russian social. Economic, and political
problems. (Students may also register for the course under HIS
382)
PSC 387.
Scope and Methods of Research
Introduction to basic research techniques and sills. Students
learn how to select and apply appropriate methods of theoretical
problems. (Course limited to first semester seniors only)
PSC 394.
Politics in Contemporary Thought
Review of current trends in modern political science. Students
research the most recent research in the fields of public policy,
historical and behavioral methods, political theory, international
affairs, and American politics.
PSC 420.
Politics of Africa
Overview of government and politics in modern Africa. Examines
the relationship between modern and traditional institutions
and identifiers major issues, problems, and proposed solutions.
PSC 479.
Senior Thesis
The senior thesis is offered in the Spring semester. The senior
in consultation with her/his advisor selects a thesis topic.
The senior will devote a full semester to research, the results
of which are submitted to the advisor in the form of a thesis
paper. Prerequisites: PSC 361-362 Political Theory I and II,
and PSC 387 Scope and Methods of Research (course limited to
second semester seniors).
PSC 480/483.
Independent Study
Students pursue a program of reading, research, and writing and
engage in a critical examination of one of more selected topics
under the guidance of an instructor.
PSC 484/487.
Internship
Varied program available at all levels of government and in public
interest organizations. Activities include attending seminars
and producing a research paper. Approval of the Department chairperson
and official course registration are required for academic credit.
PSC 490.
Washington Internship in Public Policy
A one-semester internship in Washington, D.C. Students attend
seminars, work in a Congressional office, and produce a research
paper. The internship is open to students in all majors who have
outstanding academic records and are interested in current issues
confronting the disadvantaged.
Graduate Course Descriptions
U.S. Government
and Politics:
CPSC 500:
Departmental Seminar. no credit
A weekly
meeting of all members of the Department set aside for exchange
of ideas among the participants; guest lecturers are frequently
invited. Required of all majors.
CPSC 502:
Government and Business. 3 credits
Critical
analysis of the relationship between group pressures on government
and public policy affecting business; role of administration
in formation of policy problems, and experiences of federal agencies
operating in business fields.
CPSC 503:
Public Opinion and Propaganda. 3 credits
A study
to identify and explain public opinion; to describe how and why
people react in social situations, and to consider the role of
public opinion and propaganda in contemporary society.
CPSC 504:
Techniques of Political Control. 3 credits
Examination
of the tools used by power holders to control society, with special
attention to the condition of African Americans in the United
States.
CPSC 505:
Political Parties. 3 credits
Explores
the types, the nature and the different structures of political
parties in America and abroad; theories about political parties
are also explored.
CPSC 506:
Black Political Parties. 3 credits
The
rise and development of separate black political entities examined
historically and contemporarily; attention is focused on types
of black parties and the rationale for their organization and
development.
CPSC 507:
Politics of Rural United States. 3 credits
Analysis
of political trends and movements in rural America.
CPSC 508:
Seminar in Southern Politics. 3 credits
Examination
of Southern politics in state, nation, and the international
arena; the approach is systematic and comprehensive, with focus
on blacks in the region.
CPSC 509:
The United States Presidency. 3 credits
Analysis
of the powers and organization of the U.S. presidency, with attention
to power-gathering, domination of the legislative branch, and
manipulation of the people.
CPSC 510:
The Congressional Process. 3 credits
Analysis
of the U.S. Congress, especially the internal structure, power
uses, pressure politics, executive relations, constituency relations
and intra-Congress conflicts.
CPSC 511:
American Federalism. 3 credits
Survey
of the origins, institutions and operation of federalism in the
United States; the nature of this structure and its consequences
are examined in relationship to minorities.
CPSC 513:
American Political Process. 3 credits
Analysis
of factors, institutions and actors in the American political
arena; study of access to various structures and political organizations
from the view of all groups within a pluralistic society.
CPSC 514:
Seminar in Judicial Process. 3 credits
Studies
of court systems at each level, jury process, substantive judicial
issues, with emphasis on the role of African-American participants.
CPSC 515:
Legislative Process. 3 credits
Examination
of theories, roles, structures, committee systems, procedures
and politics of legislatures, and of the involvement of interest
groups, executive, bureaucracy, and judiciary in the legislative
process.
CCPSC 516:
Seminar/Internship on the Georgia Assembly. 3 credits
During
the annual legislative sessions, students serve as interns and
participant-observers of the Georgia legislature; research papers
required.
CPSC 517:
Women in Politics Seminar. 3 credits
Survey
of the role of women as political activists and office holders
on the international, national and local levels in the second
half of the 20th century, with emphasis on the participation
of minority women in U.S. politics.
CPSC 548:
U.S. Constitutional Law. 3 credits
Study
of the law of the United States Constitution through an analysis
of lower federal court cases, Supreme Court cases, and other
primary and secondary material.
CPSC 549:
Prison, Prisoners, Prisoners' Rights. 3 credits
The
judicial role in the penal phase of the social control system;
court responsibility for imprisonment, conditions of imprisonment,
returning the citizen to society; the court system as protector
for the rights of those imprisoned.
CPSC 550:
The Judicial Process. 3 credits
Introduction
to the function of the judicial process in the U.S. political
system, with special attention to the politics of the judicial
process.
CCPSC 551:
The Constitution and Civil Liberties. 3 credits
Study
of the judicial protection of rights and liberties under the
Bill of Rights, and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments.
CPSC 552:
Seminar in United States Government and Politics. 3 credits
Explores
contemporary issues and problems in American government and politics.
CPSC 553:
Blacks and the American Political System. 3 credits
Assessment
of the position of blacks in the political system of the United
States, with special attention to alternative political strategies
for the present political epoch.
CPSC 554:
State and Local Politics. 3 credits
Examination
of state and local political institutions; tools of political
participation thoroughly analyzed; entrance of blacks into state
and local politics assessed.
African
Politics:
CPSC 572:
International Relations of African States. 3 credits
Examination
of relations among African states and their role in Third World
and International politics.
CPSC 590:
African Political Institutions. 3 credits
Comparative
study of central, regional and local institutions of government
and administration in contemporary Africa. Prerequisite: CCPSC
591.
CPSC 591:
Government and Politics of Modern Africa. 3 credits
Contemporary
government and politics of the states of Africa, providing exposure
to African political culture and its historical background, and
to political trends and ideologies.
CPSC 595:
Seminar in African Politics. 3 credits
In-depth
study of one or more important issues in contemporary African
political analysis, with either a one-country focus or a comparative
perspective; topics vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites:
CCPSC 591 and consent of instructor; may be taken twice for academic
credit.
CPSC 596:
Politics in Southern Africa. 3 credits
Analysis
of the struggle of black people of Southern Africa against imperialism
and settler colonialism and for liberation; examination of the
South African state's internal and external strategies of apartheid
maintenance together with relations of the neighboring black
states with the white minority rulers and the liberation movements.
Prerequisites: CCPSC 591, or consent of instructor.
CPSC 598:
African Political Economy. 3 credits
Analysis
of the social basis and the orientation of the politics and administration
of economic and social change in postcolonial Africa, with emphasis
on the ideologies of socialism and the realities of neocolonialism,
dependence, and capitalist development. Prerequisite: CCPSC 591.
CPSC 599:
Social Cleavages and Political Conflict in Postcolonial Africa.
3 credits
Sociological
analysis of the cleavages in African social structure and their
impact on political conflict and change, with particular emphasis
on the role of ethnoregional groups and social classes. Prerequisite:
CCPSC 591.
Urban Politics:
CPSC 512:
Black City Politics. 3 credits
Comparative
assessment of the impact of the ascendancy of black elected officials
in specified American cities; analyses of the mechanics which
brought blacks to power, problems blacks experience in exercising
power, and impact of black leadership on the delivery and quality
of city services.
CPSC 518:
Seminar in Urban Problems. 3 credits
A rotating
topic seminar involving in-depth exploration of problems common
to major urban centers; topic will be announced each semester.
CPSC 519:
Urban Politics. 3 credits
Survey
of dilemmas, limitations and potentialities of urban political
activity in America exposes students to various approaches to
the study of urban politics and assessment of impact of blacks
upon political activity of contemporary urban centers.
CPSC 520:
Politics of Public Finance. 3 credits
Basic
concepts and modes of government financing, especially those
of local government, with attention to implications for units
of government under black political authority.
CPSC 522:
Urban Political Movements. 3 credits
Examination
of political organizations seeking to create basic changes in
public policy of various urban centers and review of goals, strategies
and methods of these organizations and their impact upon the
urban landscape.
CPSC 523:
Atlanta City Politics. 3 credits
Survey
of the political system in Atlanta with focus on resources, strategies
and tactics of black and white actors in shaping Atlanta's politics,
programs and developing political institutions.
CPSC 525:
Political Demography and Urban Change. 3 credits
Analysis
of impact of population shifts and other demographic factors
upon urban change; special emphasis upon black migration patterns
and resulting public policy.
CPSC 526:
Approaches to the Study of Urban Politics. 3 credits
Examination
and critique of various conceptual schemes as tools for analyzing
urban political development and review of major theoretical works
purporting to explain urban political phenomena.
International
Politics:
CPSC 533:
Chinese Foreign Policy. 3 credits
Analysis
of Chinese capabilities, intentions and strategies in world affairs
since 1949; examination of institutions in foreign policy making
and implementation; use of instruments of foreign policy in achieving
Chinese goals.
CPSC 570:
International Relations. 3 credits
Analysis
of interlocking factors of geography, population, race, nationalism,
and economics as fundamental forces in national power; study
of diplomatic, ideological, imperialistic and military rivalries
in the contest for world power.
CPSC 571:
Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy. 3 credits
Survey
of contemporary Japanese politics, government and foreign relations;
focus on post-World War II period.
CPSC 573:
United States Foreign Policy. 3 credits
Analysis
of formation and execution of foreign policy; focus on role of
domestic forces and governmental institutions in policy making
and contrasting interpretations of U.S. foreign relations.
CPSC 574:
Third-World Nations and International Politics. 3 credits
Role
of policies, actions and techniques of Third-World nations in
the international arena analyzed for trends and continuities.
CPSC 575:
European Foreign Policies. 3 credits
Analysis
of foreign policies of nations of Eastern and Western Europe
with special attention to past and present colonial policies
toward Third-World nations.
CPSC 576:
Military Power in International Relations. 3 credits
Military
power as a technique to achieve goals in the international arena;
special attention to contemporary warfare and wars of liberation.
CPSC 577:
International Organizations. 3 credits
General
development of world organizations; principles, structures, methods,
and operation of international governmental institutions; special
attention to the United Nations and related agencies.
CPSC 578:
Colloquium on International Politics of Asia. 3 credits
Analysis
of Asian politics, comparative foreign policies, and international
relations; focus on foreign relations of indigenous nations and
role played by great powers.
CPSC 579:
Politics of International Trade. 3 credits
Identification
and analysis of the political forces, which influence commerce
among nations; special attention to trade relations between industrial
and non industrial nations.
Comparative Politics:
CPSC 529:
Comparative Political Systems. 3 credits
Survey
of political structures, institutions, ideologies, interest groups
and governmental systems; analysis of decision-making processes,
political conflicts and change, and group interaction; examination
of models of political systems.
CPSC 530:
Government and Politics of Latin America. 3 credits
Examination
of Latin American political institutions and political forces,
with special attention to role of the military and the church
and the legacy of European and U.S. exploitation.
CPSC 531:
Politics in Developing States. 3 credits
Examination
of political processes in developing countries; problems arising
in transition from traditional societies to modern industrial
states examined to describe typical patterns of political change.
CPSC 532:
Political Institutions of China. 3 credits
Examination
of contemporary politics in the People's Republic of China pre-1949
political history, socialist goals and Chinese society, structure
and function of political institutions and organizations.
CPSC 534:
Comparative European Government. 3 credits
Cross-national
analysis of political institutions and political behavior in
Eastern and Western European nations.
CPSC 535:
The Politics of Revolutionary Change. 3 credits
Analysis
of ideas which generate fundamental change, leadership and movements
which organize change and examination of their successes and/or
failures.
CPSC 536:
Comparative Political Parties. 3 credits
Examination
of selected party systems, including single and multiparty systems,
Marxist and non-Marxist systems, and systems in industrial and
non industrial states.
CPSC 537:
Government and Politics of the Caribbean. 3 credits
Examination
of political processes in Caribbean states with special emphasis
on political problems arising in transition from colonial status
to independence.
CPSC 538:
Seminar on Asian Politics. 3 credits
Survey
of political processes and interrelationships of major nations
of Asia; focus on China, India, and Japan.
CPSC 539:
Third-World Women and Development. 3 credits
History,
status and role of Third-World women in development, governmental
policies and practices toward women as well as movements and
activities of Third-World women examined.
CPSC 540:
The Politics of the Multinational Corporation. 3 credits
Study
of impact of MNCs on the international system and national politics
and economics, particularly in the Third-World; special emphasis
on the issues of development, dependency, sovereignty and control.
CPSC 541:
Politics and Education. 3 credits
Examination
of role of education in creation and maintenance of a political
culture and role of politics in the creation and philosophy of
education structures; the relationship between political education
and political participation.
CPSC 542:
Seminar on Comparative Politics. 3 credits
Designed
for advanced students concentrating in comparative politics;
focus on readings and research on selected topics and problems
in comparative politics.
Theory and
Methodology
CPSC 543:
Political Theory. 3 credits
In-depth
analysis of major schools of thought in the field of political
theory from the classical period to the present.
CPSC 560:
African-American Political Thought. 3 credits
Analysis
of categories of black political thought; emphasis on meaning
of theory related to black political thinking.
CPSC 600:
African Political Ideas. 3 credits
Survey
course and resource mechanism designed to (1) identify political
thinkers on the African continent and research their ideas, and
(2) analyze works of major continental political thinkers of
the contemporary era.
CPSC 601:
Philosophy of Science. 3 credits
Problems
involved in scientific study of political society; epistemological
consideration of "approaches" to the study of politics,
and consideration of outstanding problems confronted by political
scientists in their efforts to explain and predict.
CPSC 602:
Scope and Method of Political Inquiry. 3 credits
Study
of concepts and methods of social science, especially of political
science; philosophy of science; presuppositions, aims and history
of procedures and methods; research techniques, sources, bibliography
and presentation and publication of investigative results; required
of all majors.
CPSC 603:
European Political Philosophy. 3 credits
Survey
of major ideologies of liberalism, socialism, conservatism that
have developed in European political thinking in the modern era,
with emphasis on the relationship of these ideas to European
writings on colonialism and imperialism.
CPSC 605:
Seminar in Political Theory. 3 credits
Problems
of black political theory that have developed since the end of
the civil rights era; evaluation of new concepts in black political
theory and links between these concepts and historical problems
considered in African-American political theory.
CPSC 606:
Feminist Theory. 3 credits
Examines
and analyzes various theoretical, strategic and political positions
which characterize the literature and study of women, related
issues; special emphasis on study of black feminist theory.
CPSC 608:
Problems in Political Science Research. 3 credits
Intensive
examination of problems of conceptualization, design and experimentation
in political science research.
CPSC 609:
American Political Thought. 3 credits
Survey
of ideas, personalities and relevant ideologies.
CPSC 640:
Independent Research. 3 credits
Designed
to give students opportunity for advanced research in such fields
and on such topics as may be agreed upon between the individual
and the instructor; students permitted only one (1) Independent
Research.
CPSC 701:
Thesis Consultation. 1 credit
CPSC 705: M.A. Thesis Research. 3 credits
CPSC 801:
Dissertation Consultation. 1 credit
CPSC 805: Dissertation Research. 3 credits |
