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-114X LC Amer Political Issues (3)
The course introduces and explores a range of issues in contemporary American politics. During the term, you will learn about important processes and contentious problems. The course will explore political, social, and economic issues through a political science perspective.
Attributes: LC YLIBPOSC-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-123 P1 Music & Politics (3)
Music is more than just a creative and artistic expression. Often music makes a political statement and the musicians that perform it are political activists. The music they perform and even the artists themselves can become political controversies. To better understand these dynamics, this course examines the relationship between music and politics in terms of the political and cultural context & times in which the music was made and performed. The course will explore such issues as music censorship, the role of music in social movements, and political controversies surrounding artists such as Pete Seeger, John Lennon, and the Dixie Chicks. Formerly titled: P1 Politics & Protest Songs
Attributes: P1 YLIB ZEXLPOSC-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.
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-211 Intro Public Policy (3)
Public policy is the process by which major policy issues are addressed or avoided by policymakers, and the mechanisms through which solutions to these issues are proposed, chosen, implemented, and evaluated. In this course, students will examine this process using various theories, and drawing from a variety of timely policy issues such as education, healthcare, the deficit, or sustainability (including issues like climate protection, transportation, and energy policy).
Attributes: ISFS 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-217 The American Jury (3)
This course examines the role and function of the American jury. Issues presented include strategies in jury selection, jury representativeness, jury impartiality, jury fact finding, and jury decision making.
Formerly titled: Judges, Juries, & Trials.
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-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-245 CC Russian Politics Today (3)
This course examines the domestic and foreign policies of Russia, with an emphasis on how historical factors and more current changes in the domestic and international environment can explain Russia’s re-assertion of power on the global scene and its transition towards authoritarianism. Formerly titled: CC Russian/Post-Soviet Politics.
Attributes: CC ISFS YLIBPOSC-252 Theories of Law (3)
What law is and what is expected from it is in part a function of how law is defined and studied. This course explores the meaning and expectation of law as interpreted by major schools of jurisprudence including natural law, positivism, sociological jurisprudence, legal realism, critical legal studies, feminist legal theory, and critical race theory.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanPOSC-253 Legal Realism: Old & New (3)
This course examines the theoretical and empirical dimensions of “Old” & “New” Legal Realism, particularly as these relate to “law in action” or the “real law.” This course examines both the work of the earliest Legal Realists such as Jerome Frank who argued that due to the personality of judges all law is arbitrary and the more recent work of “New Legal Realist” who strive for an empirical understanding of what “law in action” is. When merged, and as articulated in this course, Old & New Legal Realism recognize that the human behavior and motivation of legal actors define what the “real law” is but that “law on the books” constrains how far these legal actors can go in this definition.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-254 Criminal Courts & Trials (3)
This course explores the function and operation of criminal courts and trials in the American Legal System. Among the topics considered for examination are the roles of the defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge; the rights of the accused; wrongful convictions; and the legal inequalities present in criminal courts and trials.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-259 Amer Political Ideologies (3)
This course examines the meaning and relevance of American political ideologies in modern politics. In particular, we seek to answer several fundamental questions about liberalism and conservatism, including why people adopt particular ideologies (including biological and social explanations), how relevant they are to public opinion, and whether ideologies are “good” or “bad” for political participation and discourse.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-267 P3 Foundations of US Law (3)
This course examines the evolution of the Anglo-American system of common law on which the foundation of the American legal system is built. Among the topics examined are the ?language? of common law and the principles of common-law decision-making. The distinction between the common and civil legal systems is emphasized as they relate to differences in the structure and function of the court systems. Also considered is how common law has shaped areas of law such as contracts, torts, constitutional law, civil procedure, and conflicts of law. Fomerly titled P3 Common Law Tradition
Attributes: AMSS P3 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-272 Pub Opinion & US Politics (3)
This course familiarizes students with the role of public opinion in American politics, including its connection to democracy, representation, and voting. In building student familiarity, this course investigates the formulation of public opinion, how public opinion is gathered, how to interpret polling data, and its use by the media and politicians.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-279 God in Politics (3)
Almost every day, the news remind us that God is central to many political debates, whether they concern world issues like conflict and terrorism or domestic debates like education, health care, marriage, or presidential campaigns. This course examines the place of God in politics, using examples from the United States and other countries and addresses the ways in which secular and sacred authorities have competed for power over the years. Despite discussing religion, this course is not a class on theology or belief systems but rather a class on how religion impacts politics.
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-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-306 American Foreign Policy (3)
An analysis of the structures through which foreign policy decisions are determined. The objectives of this course are to develop a critical approach to the study of foreign policy determination and implementation through an understanding of historical precedents, organizational structures, and traditional and contemporary theories and thereby be in a position to analyze current events and problems of American involvement in world affairs. Formerly titled U.S. Foreign Policy Students with credit for POSC 206 may not earn credit for POSC 306.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-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-326 Judicial Behavior (3)
This course concentrates on the judicial behavior of trial court & appellate court judges with special emphasis on topics such as judicial decision-making, judicial roles, and the differences between trial and appellate judges.
Formerly titled Judicial Process.
Attributes: YLIB ZEXL ZRES
Pre-requisites: POSC-111C D- OR POSC-203 D- OR POSC-210 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-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-345 Politics and the Media (3)
This course examines the relationship between media and politics. It explores the media both as an independent institution reporting on government and politics and influencing public opinion and as a tool used by candidates, elected officials, and governments. Among the topics considered are where Americans get their news, new media versus traditional media, the decline of adversarial reporting, the rise of the ideological media, campaigning through the media, and governing through the media. Cross-listed with COMM 345.
Cannot be taken by students who have credit for POSC 321.
Attributes: YLIBPOSC-350 International Security (3)
This course will examine why countries, groups, and individuals often resort to the use of violence in international politics, what strategies they employ, and what possibilities, if any, exist for bringing them back to nonviolent bargaining. Topics will include civil and interstate war, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, insurgencies, assassinations, peacekeeping, and mediation. Students who have credit for POSC 250 may not earn credit for POSC 350.
Attributes: ISFS YLIBPOSC-355 Issues in Lawyering (3)
This course explores “art” of lawyering by providing a close up examination of the “profession in which attorneys find themselves. Among the topics reviewed are the role of attorneys in the American Legal System; law school and its impact on law school students; the experience and socialization of young attorneys; the attitudes of lawyers toward their work and profession; ethical issues confronted by attorneys; and various content areas in law such as corporate, criminal, personal injury, and intellectual property in which attorneys specialize.
Formerly offered as POSC 255. This cannot be repeated for additional credit by students who have credit for POSC 255.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-398 Special Tpc Legal Studies (3)
This course provides for special topics seminars in Legal Studies. Topics vary by semester and include such diverse themes as Pornography & Law; The Constitutional & Correct Meaning; Rights Retained, Rights, Rights Forgotten; and Feminist Legal Theory. This course may be repeated for credit as the topics change.
Fall 2018 Topic: Law, Porn and Sex Work
Pornography & sex work intersect with law in many areas. This course will explore these many intersections by examining the Adult Entertainment Industry [AEI] & Sex Work (i.e. prostitution) from the perspective of individuals’ liberty interest in “bodily property.” Among the topics to be considered are the property & labor interests in one’s body; the myth of obscenity”; the workers’ rights of Adult Entertainers & Sex Workers; feminist reaction to pornography, the AEI, & Sex Work (both in opposition & support); and government regulation of the AEI & Sex Work.
Attributes: YLIB
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.
Spring 2018 Topic: Military in Politics
This course examines the complicated relationships between militaries and politics. The class covers a range of topics but emphasizes civil-military relations. The class also considers the philosophical underpinnings that inform the ways in which militaries and political actors interact with one another. The class emphasizes the original literature.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Political Science -Class: Junior, SeniorPOSC-400 Portfolio Presentation (1)
This is a one-credit class that asks students to assemble a comprehensive portfolio of their political science work. As part of the course, students will reflect on their courses and experiences and demonstrate that they have met the department?s learning objectives. In addition to preparing a portfolio, students will also participate in an oral presentation.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Political Science -Class: 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