Courses
POSC-105 Model European Union (1)
Students play the role of decision-makers in the policy-making institutions of the European Union. This simulation is conducted in Europe and upstate New York in alternate years. Involves weekly briefing and preparation sessions prior to the simulation exercise. Participants are responsible for some of the additional fees involved (travel, program registration, meals, etc.). May be repeated for a maximum of three credits. Graded S/U. Permission of the instructor is required.
Attributes: YLIB ZEXL
Pre-requisites: POSC-335 Y D-POSC-106 Mock Trial (1)
A simulated trial procedure in which students play the roles of prosecuting attorneys, judge, jury, and defense attorneys. Participation requires preparation of case materials and practice trial runs. The Fisher team competes against teams from other area colleges. May be repeated for a maximum of three credits. Graded S/U.
Attributes: YLIB ZEXLPOSC-111C P3 Intro American Gov’t (3)
This course presents an introduction to the national governing institutions and processes of the American political system. Topics such as the constitutional framework of American government, Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, and the federal bureaucracy will be discussed.
Attributes: AMSS P3 YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomorePOSC-112C P3 World Politics (3)
A survey of basic political issues in global affairs: nationalism, internationalism, racial and ethnic conflict, resource distribution and depletion, energy consumption, the future possibilities for world order, and foreign policymaking institutions. This course is designed to promote an understanding and interest in the wide scope of international affairs.
Attributes: ISFS P3 YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomorePOSC-113 CC Current Affair Comp Pol (3)
In this course, we study real-world events and seek to explain why politicians and bureaucrats responded the way that they did. The goal of the course is to illustrate how comparativists see world events as puzzles and use tools and techniques of the discipline to solve those puzzles.
Attributes: CC YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomorePOSC-121 Issues in Law&Politics (3)
This course explores both longstanding and contemporary issues that cut across and show the interconnection between law and politics. Issues examined vary from the politics and legal implications of how judges are chosen to the merits of plea-bargaining to questions of constitutional liberty such as same sex marriage.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomorePOSC-122 P1 Politics at the Movies (3)
This course applies principles of film studies to cinematic representations of political phenomena. The class covers technical aspects of filmmaking and applies them to topics including war, gender, race, revolutions, and elections.
Attributes: P1 YLIBPOSC-124 Right, Left, Red, Green (3)
Political editorials, commentary, and analyses are full of references to ?conservatives vs. liberals”, ?right vs. left vs. the center”, etc. This course is intended to help students sort through these “political isms” and understand their basic logic, principals, and political implications. Several contemporary political ideologies will be examined in an introductory manner including liberalism, conservatism, socialism, fascism, nationalism, feminism, environmentalism, and fundamentalism.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomorePOSC-125 P1 Painting Politics (3)
Freedom of expression is one of the essential principles of democracy. By extension, can the democratic character of a country be based on the strength of its artistic expression? In this course, we will address this question by examining the relationship between artists and the state in various countries and historical contexts. The course will particularly examine, through the study of paintings and artistic movements (impressionism, fauvism, naive art, expressionism, futurism, dada, surrealism, and pop art) from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, to what extent paintings have been used as a medium to strengthen or threaten democracy.
Attributes: P1 YLIBPOSC-199C RW Research-based Writing (3)
Students learn the basics of writing an academic research paper in this discipline. Emphasis is on elements of persuasive argumentation, the inclusion of more than one perspective on an issue, the proper use and documentation of sources, and revision. Students also learn how to make an effective oral presentation of their research. Department-determined topic may change from semester to semester and is likely to include literary texts as primary materials.
Restricted to freshmen and transfers.
Note: 199C courses may not be taken for credit more than once.
» Spring Research-based Writing (199) Courses & Topic Descriptions [pdf]
Attributes: RW YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomorePOSC-200 Doing Political Science (3)
In this course students are introduced to the “tools” relevant to thinking about and doing political science. Students will be instructed in how to read & interpret political science literature; present and apply multiple perspectives; write, revise and present a research paper; and understand basic political science methodologies.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanPOSC-202 P3 State & Local Gov (3)
An introduction to state and local governing institutions and political processes. Topics for discussion include state constitutions, political cultures, citizen participation, governors, mayors, legislatures, judicial systems, and bureaucracies.
Attributes: P3 YLIBPOSC-208D CC Intro Comp Politics (3)
Introduction to the study of comparative politics, focusing on the structure and operation of democracies in Western Europe and Japan, Russia, and China. Topics include the aims of comparative study, parliamentary vs. presidential systems, parties and interest groups, constitutionalism, and culture and politics.
Attributes: CC ISFS YLIBPOSC-209C P2 Intro Political Thought (3)
An introduction to the basic concepts and approaches to political thought, focusing on two authors : Plato and Hobbes. Emphasis is placed on learning to read texts and secondary literature through extended analysis and discussion of original works and commentary.
Attributes: P2 YLIBPOSC-210 P3 Law, Politics & Society (3)
This course provides an introduction to the various issues, actors, institutions, and processes that make up the American legal system. Topics include the roles and functions of legal systems, law school and the legal profession, and the structure and operation of court systems.
Attributes: P3 YLIBPOSC-212 Legal Research & Analysis (3)
This course offers step-by-step instruction in the basic manual methods of legal research. Exercises in the use of the West Key Number System, Shepherd’s Citations, Lawyer’s Cooperative Research systems, the Index to Legal Periodicals, and other sources will be included. Emphasis is on the practical use and retrieval of legal materials for social science and law-related research. Students will be required to use these skills and techniques to complete a practical legal research assignment.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-218 P3 International Relations (3)
An examination of the major theories (balance of power, collective security, etc.) and approaches (the decision-making, power realism, etc.) used in the study of international relations. Topics include history, development, and problems of world organizations and regional organizations (NATO, EU, etc.); revolutionary situations; revolution in military affairs; and population problems.
Attributes: P3 YLIBPOSC-220 P3 Global Political Econ (3)
This course examines how globalization affects international and domestic politics and economics. Topics include multinational corporations, trade, investment, inequality, the environment, international institutions, and culture.
Attributes: ISFS P3 YLIBPOSC-223 P3 Parties&Interest Groups (3)
This course examines the role and functions of political parties and interest groups in the American political system. Topics include their roles in elections, campaigns, and policy-making in the legislative and executive branches.
Attributes: P3 YLIBPOSC-224 P3 Campaigns & Elections (3)
This course examines campaigns and elections at the national level. The primary focus of the course is making generalizations across campaigns, although we will follow and discuss the national elections occurring in the election cycle in which the course is taught. Topics include candidate selection; the role of electoral institutions, macro-level forces (e.g., the economy) and the media in campaign outcomes; campaign finance; campaign strategies, including polling, mobilization, and negativity; and vote choice and turnout.
Attributes: AMSS P3 YLIB ZEXLPOSC-225 Italian Politics & the EU (3)
The first half of the course will introduce the Italian political system and party structure; the second half explores the interactions of the nation-state with the evolving regional power of the EU.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-232 Politics Developing Nation (3)
A comparison and contrast of the political, economic, and social challenges faced by Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American countries as they transition toward democratic forms of government.
Attributes: ISRS YLIBPOSC-235D P5 European Politics (3)
This course is a comparative examination of five European political systems: Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia. Topics include pluralism, neocorporatism, state-society analysis, regionalism, and European integration in the context of the European Union as it pertains to the five countries under investigation.
Attributes: ISRS P5 YLIBPOSC-240 CC Middle East Politics (3)
Survey of the development of government and politics in the states of the Middle East. Topics include the rise of Islam, colonialism and its aftermath, nationalism and fundamentalism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, oil politics, and the Gulf Wars.
Attributes: CC ISRS YLIBPOSC-269 Extremist Politics (3)
This course examines the expression of racial hatred and radical conservatism in political movements and parties from the 1920s to the present. Students will explore institutionalized radicalism (the fascist and Nazi regimes of Italy and Germany from 1922 to 1945), partisan radicalism (xenophobic parties in a few European countries), as well as radical movements (tea party) and fringe groups (militias and skinhead movements) in the United States. Students will use the method of comparative analysis to explore the commonalities and differences between these expressions of hate towards “the other” across time and space.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-280 P3 Terrorism & Politics (3)
An examination of the meanings of terrorism, its evolution as political action, counterterrorist activities, and the impact of terrorism on political processes and values.
Attributes: ISFS P3 YLIBPOSC-290 Intro to Intelligence (3)
Definition, typology of intelligence, history, organization of the U.S. and foreign intelligence communities, disciplines (the “INTs”), fundamental briefing techniques, security, the intelligence cycle, basics of analysis, reporting and dissemination, and current issues.
Attributes: YLIB ZEXL ZRESPOSC-292 P2 Intro Amer Politic Thgt (3)
This course is an introduction in American political thought. We will start in the American colony and read our way until the start of the 20th century. This course will analyze topics ranging from revolution, founding, civil war, and discrimination with a focus on the study of primary sources.
Attributes: AMSS P2 YLIBPOSC-301 Classical Political Thgt (3)
The development of ancient and medieval political thought is examined as reflected in the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and Machiavelli. Primary and secondary works are examined in relation to questions about political obligation, freedom, distributive justice and equality, democracy, and the nature of politics.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-302 Modern Political Thought (3)
The political thought of several modern-era European figures (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, and Marx) is examined. Primary and secondary materials are studied in light of questions about political obligation, freedom, distributive justice and equality, democracy, and the nature and value of politics.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-317 The Presidency (3)
An advanced exploration of the roles and functions of the president and the presidency in the American political system. Topics include the constitutional presidency, presidential elections, congressional-presidential relations in domestic and foreign policy, and presidential oversight of the federal bureaucracy.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: POSC-111C D-
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-318 Congress (3)
An advanced exploration of the roles and functions of Congress and its members in the American political system. Topics include the powers of Congress, the elections and careers of members of Congress, the congressional committee system, congressional leadership, and House and Senate differences.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: POSC-111C D-
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-327 Strategies in Politics (3)
In this course, students will examine various strategies political actors have used in order to get the political outcome they want. We will particularly examine the use of political strategies on such issues as voting in democratic societies, agenda-setting, legislating, campaigning, or forming government. Examples will be drawn from the American political system and other democratic polities.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-328 New York Civil Procedure (3)
This course explores the basic provisions, both theoretical and specific, of New York Civil Practice. Where appropriate, New York procedure will be compared to Federal procedure. The course will be divided into two principal segments. The first portion of the course will cover the basic concepts of civil procedure such as jurisdiction, the distinction between law and equity, and statutes of limitations. The second segment will then use those basic concepts as a template for exploration of specific procedural rules and methods.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-332 Con Law I: Govern’ Powers (3)
This course examines the development of Constitutional Law as it relates to the power and authority of Congress, the President, and the Federal Judiciary. Among the topics examined are the nature of judicial power, congressional authority under the Commerce Clause, the war powers of the president, and federalism.
Students who have credit for POSC 325 cannot take POSC 332.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-333 Con Law II:Civ Lib-Civ Rt (3)
This course examines the development of Constitutional Law as it relates to individual civil liberties and civil rights. Among the topics examined are First Amendment liberties, voting rights, rights of the accused, equal protection, and due process. Students who have credit for POSC 325 cannot take POSC 333.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-335 Politics of European Union (3)
This course is an introduction to politics in the European Union. We will discuss the history of the EU from the coal and steel community to the current Union, the role and function of the institutions of the EU, as well as theories about European integration and governance. Students will also learn about some of the major policy areas and controversies that affect the European Union, such as agricultural policy, immigration policy, and common foreign and security policy. Students can, but are not required to, take this course in combination with POSC 105 (Model European Union).
Attributes: ISRS YLIB
Pre-requisites: POSC-105 Y D-
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-390 Intelligence Analysis (3)
Fall 2009 Topic: Psychology and the Law Covers the historical background of forensic psychology from pre-Victorian-era thinking through developments post-world war and to the present. Explores roles of the psychologist, ethical issues and topics such as psychological testing and expert investigation in civil, family, and criminal cases.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: POSC-280D B OR POSC-290 B
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-399 Adv Topic: Pol Sci (3)
Seminar in advanced topics within one of the areas of political science. Topic will vary by semester (e.g., anarchism, methodological approaches to constitutional law, democracy and human rights, theory and practice of war, feminist theory, etc). May be repeated for credit with different content.
Fall 2017 Topic: Theory and Practice of War This course covers what war involves from the perspective of those who participate in it as soldiers. Topics include history of changes in the conditions of battle, the philosophy of war and military ethics (Rules of War), controversies over the “rules of war” and terrorism, conventional vs. asymmetric warfare, torture, minimizing civilian casualties (“collateral damage”), and the implications of remote-piloted vehicles and cyberwarfare.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Political Science -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-490 Washington Sem-Work Exp (6)
A selective program directly involving students in the national political process through a work-study experience in Washington, D.C. Permission of the department chair is required.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-491 Washington Sem-Seminar (3)
A selective program directly involving students in the national political process through a work-study experience in Washington, D.C. Permission of the department chair is required.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-492 Washington Sem-Paper (6)
A selective program directly involving students in the national political process through a work-study experience in Washington, D.C. Permission of the department chair is required.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-495 Internship (3 TO 6)
Local Experiential Learning Opportunities for POSC & LEST majors who have demonstrated appropriate levels of academic ability, professional development, and personal responsibility & maturity and who want to gain applied knowledge & workplace experience in areas of their academic & career interests. Permission of the POSC Department Chair or LEST Program Director is required to register.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Legal Studies, Political Science -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-496 Independent Study (1 TO 3)
In-depth study of a topic in political science under the direction of a full-time member of the Political Science Department. Completion of the Independent Study/Tutorial Authorization form is required.
Attributes: YLIB ZRES
Pre-requisites: GPA >=3.00
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Political Science -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-498H Honors Project (3)
Directed individual research projects arranged for exceptional Political Science majors in consultation with a faculty advisor within the department. The honors committee consists of a Political Science faculty advisor, the department chair, and one additional faculty member (who may come outside of the Political Science department) of the student?s choosing. Projects are presented and defended at a colloquium. The intent to pursue an honors project must be declared before the senior year. Completion of the Independent Study/Tutorial Authorization form is required.
Attributes: YLIB ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Political Science -Class: SeniorPOSC-499 Senior Seminar POSC (3)
Capstone seminar in the discipline. Focus is on a research project in one of the areas of the discipline, with the specific topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. Students will present the results of their research in the form of a major paper presented in a public forum to the department.
Attributes: YLIB ZCAP ZRES
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Political Science -Class: Senior