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Department of Political Science
Lawrence German (chair), Nathan Griffith, Larry Hall, Vaughn May.

Political Economy | Political Science

Political Science

Purpose:

Political Science examines the issues, events, and texts that shape a student’s understanding and application of governments and politics. As an intellectual discipline, political science may be divided into four general areas of study: American Government, Politics, and Administration; International Relations; Comparative Politics and Government; and Political Theory and Methodology.

Goals:

Political Science students will be able to comprehend political ideas and issues and respond critically and intelligently through several means. The department seeks to cultivate these opportunities through a number of approaches.

First, the program furnishes students with a broad and diverse survey of government and politics, focusing upon the ideas, institutions, and processes that shape contemporary political studies through the examination of the various sub-fields of the discipline.

Second, it promotes an academic environment of active learning that cultivates such skills as effective written and oral communication, coherent and critical reading and independent thinking, and informed ethical understanding and development.

Third, the department provides a student-centered program that focuses upon individual-oriented advising and attention to satisfy the unique needs of each student in an academically challenging program.

Political Science Courses (PSC)

PSC 1100. Special Topics in General Education: Political Science (3). These courses are designed to provide special topic classes in political science approved for the general education program. Students may take no more than one course from this prefix to meet social science general education requirements.

PSC 1210. American Government (3). An introductory course covering the federal government in the United States. This course may not count toward a major or minor in Political Science or Political Economy.

PSC 1300. The United States and World Affairs (3). A course which examines current international political, economic and cultural issues and their implications for American foreign policy. This course may not count toward a major or minor in Political Science or Political Economy.

PSC 1990-4990. Special Studies (1-3).

PSC 2010. Capital Experience (3-9). Co requisites: Permission of the Capital Internship liaison and enrollment in a capital internship in the student's major or minor. Students who have been admitted to an approved internship program will complete a full-term internship in an office or agency located in Washington, D.C. or Nashville. Open to all students. Credit earned will be counted as general elective credit only. (Students participating in the Washington Center Program pay an alternate tuition during their semester in the capital equal to the Center's program fees plus additional Belmont University course fees. Students are fully responsible for all housing costs during the semester.)

PSC 2220. State and Local Government (3). A study of the organization function and process of politics at the level of states and localities, with special emphasis on the interrelationships of cities, states, and the federal government.

PSC 2300. International Relations (3). A survey of the sub-field of international relations, this course gives special emphasis to political and economic factors which contribute to conflict and cooperation among nations.

PSC 2400. Introduction to Comparative Politics (3). Prerequisite: PSC 1210. This course examines political, economic and social divergence between nations. As one branch of political science, Comparative Politics attempts to identify patterns of divergence and to determine their causes.

PSC 2500. Political Theory (3). An introduction to the foundations of normative political theory, with emphasis on great political ideas and thinkers.

PSC 2600. The Discipline of Political Science (3). This course is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the various sub-fields, approaches, and methods of Political Science. Special emphasis is placed on honing the research, writing, and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in the discipline.

PSC 2710. Introduction to American Political Economy (3). (See POE 2710 for course description.)

PSC 2760. Introduction to International Political Economy (3). (See POE 2760 for course description.)

PSC 2950-4950. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

PSC 3200. Congress and the Presidency (3). Prerequisite: PSC 121. An institutional and process-oriented study of the elected national branches in American politics, with particular attention given to the interaction between the two bodies.

PSC 3210. Judiciary and the Constitution (3). Prerequisite: PSC 121. An examination of the American federal court structure and the important historical and contemporary constitutional issues of the Supreme Court.

PSC 3220. Bureaucracy and Administration (3). An investigation of the structure and processes of American Bureaucracy, with particular attention given to the relationship of administrative needs and democratic values in the national context.

PSC 3230. American Democracy and Popular Film (3). An examination of American political culture and ideas through the medium of popular film, focusing upon the period from the New Deal to the Vietnam War. Course offered Pass/Fail only.

PSC 3270. Electoral and Pressure Politics (3). Prerequisite: PSC 1210. This course investigates the inputs in the American democratic process including the study of parties and elections, interest groups and political action committees, and public opinion.

PSC 3340. National Security Policy and Process (3). Prerequisite: PSC 2300 or instructor's consent. Examines the evolution of security policy and the primary institutions involved in decision-making related to issues of foreign policy and defense.

PSC 3380. Contemporary American Foreign Policy (3). A survey of the evolution of United States foreign policy from the end of World War II to the present.

PSC 3410. Politics of Africa (3). This course focuses on the development of modern political and economic institutions in contemporary African states. The course centers on the issues of political development and democratization, considering the impacts which the legacies of slavery and colonialism, cultural diversity, and the integration of Africa into the modern world economy have produced for the evolution of the modern African state.

PSC 3450. Politics of Europe (3). This course centers on institutions and processes in modern Europe, with a heavy emphasis given to the issues of economic and political unification leading to formation of the European Union. Special attention is given to contemporary politics in Great Britain, France and Germany and the relationship between political institutions and the economic systems in these key European states.

PSC 3470. Topics in Comparative Politics (3). (May be taken more than once with instructor's consent; maximum of twice.) A seminar in a specially chosen topic area in comparative politics.

PSC 3480. Politics of the Middle East (3). This course examines the political, economic and cultural factors that contribute to conflict in the Middle East region. Special attention is given to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the relationship between religion and politics, competition for leadership in the Muslim world, and the role which the United States plays in managing the dynamics of Middle Eastern politics.

PSC 3550. Modern Ideologies (3). This course is designed to introduce students to modern ideologies from a generally American perspective. Areas of study may include, among other topics, Classical and Modern Liberalism, Conservatism, Fascism, Libertarianism, Marxism, Socialism, and Feminism.

PSC 4000. Internship (1-3). Prerequisite: Approval of department chair. Practical training and experience in government and private agencies that provide an environment for substantial growth in the understanding of politics and/or government. Students are expected to work four to five hours per week per semester credit hour. A maximum of three hours may apply toward the major or minor.

PSC 4010. Capital Internship in Political Science (6). Co requisite: Permission of the Capital Internship liaison and enrollment in PSC 2010. Students who have been admitted to an approved internship program will complete a full-term internship in a government office or agency. Credit earned will be counted toward a political science major or minor. (Students participating in the Washington Center Program pay an alternate tuition during their semester in the capital equal to the Center's program fees plus additional Belmont University course fees. Students are fully responsible for all housing costs during the semester.)

PSC 4240. American Public Policy (3). Prerequisite: PSC 1210. An examination of the American policy process and environment, with additional emphasis on the broader theoretical issues that arise in the unique American political setting.

PSC 4320. International Law and Organization (3). Prerequisite: PSC 2300 or instructor's consent. A survey of the role of international law and the contributions of the United Nations system to international peace and security.

PSC 4530. Topics in Political Thought (3). (May be taken more than once with instructor's consent – maximum of twice). A seminar in specially chosen topic areas (historical periods, schools of thought, etc.) in the history of political thought.

PSC 4570. American Political Thought (3). Prerequisite: PSC 1210. An intensive seminar designed to provide a broad overview of the evolution of American political ideas and thinkers by analysis of the general advancement of critical American political values through specific historical contexts.

PSC 4600. Research Seminar in Political Science (3). Prerequisites: PSC 1210, 2300, and 2600 or permission of the instructor. (Taught each spring semester). A culminating research seminar designed for majors in their last year of matriculation. Students will examine the many sub-fields in the discipline and complete and present a major independent research thesis. Normally taken in concert with PSC 4980. Open to non-majors with instructor's permission.

PSC 4980. Political Science Exit Seminar (0). Required of all Political Science majors and taken in concert with PSC 4600. The seminar is designed to allow student assessment of the general Political Science program and to assist students in planning post-baccalaureate decisions. Pass/Fail only.