Political Science, BA
100 Eggers Hall
315-443-2416
Chair: Seth Jolly
Undergraduate Director: Lamis Abdelaaty
Faculty
Lamis Abdelaaty, Richard Barton, Matthew Baxter, Hossein Bashiriyeh, Mark Brockway, Colleen Burton, Keith Bybee, Horace Campbell, Matthew Cleary, Daniel Daneri, Joshua Darr, Renée de Nevers, Johanna Dunaway, Colin Elman, Miriam Elman, Margarita Estévez-Abe, Christopher Faricy, Shana Gadarian, Liwu Gan, Ryan Griffiths, Dimitar Gueorguiev, Petra Hejnova, Catherine Herrold, Erin Hern, Jennifer Jackson, Seth Jolly, Sebastian Karcher, Thomas Keck, Minju Kim, Audie Klotz, Daniel McDowell, Glyn Morgan, Sarah Pralle, Dennis Rasmussen, Grant Reeher, Shane Sanders, S.N. Sangmpam, Yüksel Sezgin, Takumi Shibaike, Greg Smith, Sebastian Stohler, Jennifer Stromer-Galley, Emily Sydnor, Brian Taylor, Margaret Susan Thompson, Emily Thorson, Jessie Trudeau, Steven White, Michael Williams, Ryan O. Williams, Chengzhi Yin, Yael Zeira, Baobao Zhang
Program Description
Political science is the study of politics, government, and their relationship with other aspects of society. Courses in political science enable students to use political theory and empirical analyses to make sense of their world, to interpret political phenomena in the United States and in other areas of the world, and to understand global politics. Political science students gain research, critical thinking, and writing skills that help prepare them for a variety of careers including law, public service, electoral politics, public policy, nonprofit advocacy, international relations, business, journalism, communication, and academia.
Note:
Students are required to fulfill the requirements for the B.A. or minor in political science as stipulated in the course catalog for the academic year in which they enter Syracuse University. Graduation with a B.A. or a minor in political science requires a 2.0 average in the upper-division coursework applied toward the major or minor.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Describe U.S. political institutions and processes and explain how they operate
- Describe the structure and politics of the international system or countries outside the United States
- Apply political science concepts, theories, and/or philosophies to current political issues and policy debates
- Communicate in written and oral form about politics in a way that demonstrates the ability to organize ideas, create and defend an argument, and use and cite sources properly
- Conduct or evaluate political research, whether quantitative or qualitative in nature, and evaluate the extent to which arguments are well reasoned and/or empirically supported
Major Requirements
To declare a political science major, students must complete one PSC course with a grade no lower than a C-. The B.A. in political science requires 30 credits. Majors must complete PSC 121 American National Government and Politics and PSC 202 Introduction to Political Analysis; an additional lower division course (100 or 200 level); six upper division courses; and an additional course at any level. Please note that PSC courses with a grade of D may not be applied to the major requirements.
For students directly admitted to the political science major, to remain a political science major, students must complete one PSC course with a grade no lower than a C- in their first two semesters at Syracuse University. The B.A. in political science requires 30 credits. Majors must complete PSC 121 American National Government and Politics and PSC 202 Introduction to Political Analysis; an additional lower division course (100 or 200 level); six upper division courses; and an additional course at any level. Please note that PSC courses with a grade of D may not be applied to the major requirements.
The upper-division courses regularly offered by the department are included in the list below. PSC majors must take at least one course from the approved list of courses with international content (approved courses are designated with an asterisk [*], see list below). Political science majors must take at least 9 credits of coursework included in one concentration of related upper-division courses. (Concentrations are listed below.) Experience credit courses may not be used to satisfy major requirements. Political science majors seeking a degree with honors must satisfy the requirements of the Honors Program in addition to the requirements for the major in political science.
Political Science Courses and Concentrations
The courses regularly offered by the department for application toward a major are listed below. Special topics courses (PSC 300 Selected Topics, PSC 400 Selected Topics, PSC 411 Senior Seminars) and courses which may be taken multiple times (PSC 350 Problems in International Relations) may be included in a concentration with the approval of the undergraduate advisor. Courses taken abroad may also count with the approval of the undergraduate advisor. Finally, students may petition to construct their own concentration; this petition will be considered by the department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee.
Students matriculating prior to Fall 2018 must use the list as it appears in the online course catalog for the academic year in which they entered Syracuse University.
Political Science courses that do not count toward a political science major concentration:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 121 | American National Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 122 | American State and Local Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 123 | Comparative Government and Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 124 | International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 125 | Political Theory | 3 |
| PSC 129 | American National Government and Politics (Honors) | 3 |
| PSC 139 | International Relations (Honors) * | 3 |
| PSC 202 | Introduction to Political Analysis | 3 |
| PSC 215 | The Politics of Income Inequality | 3 |
| PSC 231 | Canadian Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 495 | Distinction Thesis Seminar in Political Science I | 3 |
| PSC 496 | Distinction Thesis Seminar in Political Science II | 3 |
Political Science Major Concentrations
Students matriculating in or after Fall 2018 must use the following list to determine a political science major concentration.
American Politics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 302 | Environmental Politics and Policy | 3 |
| PSC 303 | The Development of the American State | 3 |
| PSC 304 | The Judicial Process | 3 |
| PSC 305 | U.S. Congressional Politics | 3 |
| PSC 306 | African American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 307 | The Politics of Citizenship | 3 |
| PSC 308 | The Politics of U.S. Public Policy | 3 |
| PSC 309 | Interest Group Politics | 3 |
| PSC 311 | American Political Parties | 3 |
| PSC 312 | e New Deal and American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 313 | Campaign Analysis | 3 |
| PSC 314 | Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior | 3 |
| PSC 315 | Politics and Media | 3 |
| PSC 316 | The Supreme Court in American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 317 | Local Internship | 3 |
| PSC 319 | Gender and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 321 | Populism and Conspiracy Culture | 3 |
| PSC 324 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| PSC 325 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| PSC 326 | Foundations of American Political Thought | 3 |
| PSC 327 | Modern American Political Thought | 3 |
| PSC 328 | American Social Movements | 3 |
| PSC 329 | The Modern American Presidency | 3 |
| PSC 336 | Money and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 338 | Race, Ethnicity, and American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 357 | U.S. Foreign Policy * | 3 |
| PSC 360 | Sustainability Science and Policy | 3 |
| PSC 376 | The Creation of the U.S. Constitution | 3 |
| PSC 398 | How the United States Became a Great Power | 3 |
Comparative Politics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 320 | Comparative Law and Courts * | 3 |
| PSC 330 | Political Economy of Gender in Industrialized Countries * | 3 |
| PSC 333 | Politics of Latin America * | 3 |
| PSC 334 | Mexico and the United States * | 3 |
| PSC 335 | Politics of East Asia * | 3 |
| PSC 337 | Politics and Economy of Japan * | 3 |
| PSC 339 | Transitions to Democracy * | 3 |
| PSC 341 | Politics of Africa * | 3 |
| PSC 342 | Religion and Politics in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict * | 3 |
| PSC 343 | Politics of Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 344 | Politics of the Middle East * | 3 |
| PSC 346 | Comparative Third World Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 347 | Politics of Russia * | 3 |
| PSC 348 | Politics and the Military * | 3 |
| PSC 349 | Politics of Iran * | 3 |
| PSC 351 | Political Economy of Development * | 3 |
| PSC 362 | Religion, Identity and Power * | 3 |
| PSC 364 | African International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 365 | International Political Economy of the Third World * | 3 |
| PSC 368 | Islam and the West * | 3 |
| PSC 381 | Islamic Law & Society * | 3 |
| PSC 387 | Ethnic Conflict * | 3 |
| PSC 388 | Globalization & the Rise of Populism * | 3 |
| PSC 391 | Revolutions in the Middle East * | 3 |
| PSC 392 | Islamism and Islamist Movements Today * | 3 |
| PSC 393 | Middle Eastern Political Systems * | 3 |
| PSC 394 | History of Islamic Political Thought * | 3 |
| PSC 395 | Democratization in the Muslim World * | 3 |
| PSC 396 | European Integration * | 3 |
| PSC 405 | Politics of the European Union * | 3 |
| PSC 408 | Politics of Immigration in Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 409 | The European Union * | 3 |
| PSC 414 | European Identity: Shifting Borders * | 3 |
| PSC 420 | The East Asian Century? Opportunities and Challenges for the Region & the US * | 3 |
| PSC 421 | Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 422 | Modern Spain: History and Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 424 | Dictatorships, Human Rights, and Historical Memory in the Southern Cone * | 3 |
| PSC 426 | Religion and Diversity in London * | 3 |
| PSC 427 | Policy Seminar/Contemporary Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 428 | Contemporary Issues in Chile and Latin America * | 3 |
| PSC 429 | European Human Rights * | 3 |
| PSC 432 | The Pale and Beyond * | 3 |
| PSC 433 | Negotiating Identity Across Europe's Borders * | 3 |
| PSC 442 | Democratization in East Asia * | 3 |
| PSC 444 | Culture, Business and Political Economics in East Asia * | 3 |
| PSC 445 | Contemporary British Politics and the Modern World * | 3 |
| PSC 451 | Italian Politics: Laboratory of Populism * | 3 |
| PSC 452 | Italy: Past, Present and Future Challenges * | 3 |
| PSC 453 | Twentieth Century Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 456 | Religion and Conflicts in Contemporary Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 458 | Contemporary Issues in Turkey * | 3 |
| PSC 464 | Borders in Flux: Identities and Conflict in Ireland * | 3 |
| PSC 478 | Politics of China * | 3 |
| PSC 481 | East Central Europe in the 20th Century * | 3 |
International Politics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 310 | Refugees in International Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 322 | International Security * | 3 |
| PSC 334 | Mexico and the United States * | 3 |
| PSC 350 | Problems in International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 352 | International Law * | 3 |
| PSC 353 | International Organization * | 3 |
| PSC 354 | Human Rights and Global Affairs * | 3 |
| PSC 355 | International Political Economy * | 3 |
| PSC 357 | U.S. Foreign Policy * | 3 |
| PSC 358 | Latin American International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 360 | Sustainability Science and Policy | 3 |
| PSC 363 | Ethics and International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 388 | Globalization & the Rise of Populism * | 3 |
| PSC 396 | European Integration * | 3 |
| PSC 397 | Realism and Power Politics in International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 398 | How the United States Became a Great Power * | 3 |
| PSC 405 | Politics of the European Union * | 3 |
| PSC 408 | Politics of Immigration in Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 412 | Global Governance: The United Nations System * | 3 |
| PSC 414 | European Identity: Shifting Borders * | 3 |
| PSC 426 | Religion and Diversity in London * | 3 |
| PSC 429 | European Human Rights * | 3 |
| PSC 435 | Humanitarian Action in World Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 441 | Europe and International Security Issues * | 3 |
| PSC 458 | Contemporary Issues in Turkey * | 3 |
| PSC 462 | Globalization Development and Environment * | 3 |
| PSC 464 | Borders in Flux: Identities and Conflict in Ireland * | 3 |
| PSC 478 | Politics of China * | 3 |
| PSC 481 | East Central Europe in the 20th Century * | 3 |
Law and Courts
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 304 | The Judicial Process | 3 |
| PSC 316 | The Supreme Court in American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 320 | Comparative Law and Courts * | 3 |
| PSC 324 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| PSC 325 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| PSC 352 | International Law * | 3 |
| PSC 374 | Law and Society | 3 |
| PSC 375 | Philosophy of Law | 3 |
| PSC 376 | The Creation of the U.S. Constitution | 3 |
| PSC 381 | Islamic Law & Society * | 3 |
Political Economy
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 330 | Political Economy of Gender in Industrialized Countries * | 3 |
| PSC 333 | Politics of Latin America * | 3 |
| PSC 334 | Mexico and the United States * | 3 |
| PSC 335 | Politics of East Asia * | 3 |
| PSC 336 | Money and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 337 | Politics and Economy of Japan * | 3 |
| PSC 343 | Politics of Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 351 | Political Economy of Development * | 3 |
| PSC 355 | International Political Economy * | 3 |
| PSC 365 | International Political Economy of the Third World * | 3 |
| PSC 388 | Globalization & the Rise of Populism * | 3 |
| PSC 396 | European Integration * | 3 |
| PSC 420 | The East Asian Century? Opportunities and Challenges for the Region & the US * | 3 |
| PSC 444 | Culture, Business and Political Economics in East Asia * | 3 |
| PSC 469 | Global Migration * | 3 |
Political Theory
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 307 | The Politics of Citizenship | 3 |
| PSC 326 | Foundations of American Political Thought | 3 |
| PSC 327 | Modern American Political Thought | 3 |
| PSC 345 | Capitalism, For and Against | 3 |
| PSC 363 | Ethics and International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 371 | Democratic Theory and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 373 | Political Philosophy: The Social Contract Tradition and its Critics | 3 |
| PSC 376 | The Creation of the U.S. Constitution | 3 |
| PSC 378 | Power and Identity | 3 |
| PSC 382 | Contemporary Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PSC 394 | History of Islamic Political Thought * | 3 |
| PSC 406 | Citizenship from Modernity to Globalization * | 3 |
Public Policy
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 302 | Environmental Politics and Policy | 3 |
| PSC 303 | The Development of the American State | 3 |
| PSC 305 | U.S. Congressional Politics | 3 |
| PSC 308 | The Politics of U.S. Public Policy | 3 |
| PSC 309 | Interest Group Politics | 3 |
| PSC 312 | e New Deal and American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 315 | Politics and Media | 3 |
| PSC 317 | Local Internship | 3 |
| PSC 318 | Technology, Politics, and Environment | 3 |
| PSC 337 | Politics and Economy of Japan * | 3 |
| PSC 338 | Race, Ethnicity, and American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 357 | U.S. Foreign Policy * | 3 |
| PSC 360 | Sustainability Science and Policy | 3 |
| PSC 427 | Policy Seminar/Contemporary Europe * | 3 |
| PSC 462 | Globalization Development and Environment * | 3 |
| PSC 469 | Global Migration * | 3 |
Race, Gender, Class
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 306 | African American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 310 | Refugees in International Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 312 | e New Deal and American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 319 | Gender and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 321 | Populism and Conspiracy Culture | 3 |
| PSC 328 | American Social Movements | 3 |
| PSC 330 | Political Economy of Gender in Industrialized Countries * | 3 |
| PSC 338 | Race, Ethnicity, and American Politics | 3 |
| PSC 354 | Human Rights and Global Affairs * | 3 |
| PSC 378 | Power and Identity | 3 |
| PSC 386 | Gender, Militarism, and War * | 3 |
| PSC 387 | Ethnic Conflict | 3 |
| PSC 413 | Identity and Difference | 3 |
| PSC 414 | European Identity: Shifting Borders * | 3 |
| PSC 424 | Dictatorships, Human Rights, and Historical Memory in the Southern Cone * | 3 |
| PSC 429 | European Human Rights * | 3 |
| PSC 435 | Humanitarian Action in World Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 481 | East Central Europe in the 20th Century * | 3 |
Security Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 310 | Refugees in International Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 322 | International Security * | 3 |
| PSC 342 | Religion and Politics in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict * | 3 |
| PSC 348 | Politics and the Military * | 3 |
| PSC 352 | International Law * | 3 |
| PSC 354 | Human Rights and Global Affairs * | 3 |
| PSC 356 | Political Conflict * | 3 |
| PSC 363 | Ethics and International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 377 | Religion and Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 386 | Gender, Militarism, and War * | 3 |
| PSC 387 | Ethnic Conflict * | 3 |
| PSC 391 | Revolutions in the Middle East * | 3 |
| PSC 392 | Islamism and Islamist Movements Today * | 3 |
| PSC 397 | Realism and Power Politics in International Relations * | 3 |
| PSC 412 | Global Governance: The United Nations System * | 3 |
| PSC 429 | European Human Rights * | 3 |
| PSC 435 | Humanitarian Action in World Politics * | 3 |
| PSC 441 | Europe and International Security Issues * | 3 |
| PSC 456 | Religion and Conflicts in Contemporary Europe * | 3 |
Additional Information
Award of Distinction in Political Science requires successful completion of 6 credits of distinction thesis preparatory coursework (PSC 495 Distinction Thesis Seminar in Political Science I and PSC 496 Distinction Thesis Seminar in Political Science II) and successful defense of written thesis.
College of Arts and Sciences Requirements
For all Arts and Sciences|Maxwell students, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in this major requires a minimum of 120 credits, 96 of which must be Arts and Sciences|Maxwell credits, completion of the Liberal Arts Core requirements, and the requirements for this major (30 credits) that are listed above.
Dual Enrollments:
Students dually enrolled in Newhouse* and Arts and Sciences|Maxwell will complete a minimum of 122 credits, with at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences|Maxwell coursework and an Arts and Sciences|Maxwell major.
*Students dually enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences|Maxwell as first year students must complete the Liberal Arts Core. Students who transfer to the dual program after their first year as singly enrolled students in the Newhouse School will satisfy general requirements for the dual degree program by completing the Newhouse Core Requirements.
Undergraduate University Requirements
The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.