Department of Political Science   

• Department of Political Science
• FACULTY
• ASSOCIATE FACULTY
• UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
• Major
• Minor
• Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements
• Departmental Honors
• Integrated Graduate Studies
• GRADUATE PROGRAMS
• Master of Arts
• Doctor of Philosophy
• UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
• GRADUATE COURSES
• Public Policy Program
• FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
• PUBLIC POLICY AT CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
• UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM - MINOR
• GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Department of Political Science

111 Mather House
Phone 368-2424; Fax 368-4681
Vincent E. McHale

FACULTY

ASSOCIATE FACULTY

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Major

Three hours of POSC 109

Six hours of POSC courses at the 200 level

Eighteen hours of POSC courses at the 300 level

Three hours of a senior project (POSC 395)

No more than six hours of independent study (i.e., POSC 395 and/or POSC 397, 398, Honors Program) may count toward the major. Independent study completed through the Washington Semester program or the Washington Center program is excluded from this limitation.

Minor

Sequences (Case Core curriculum)

Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements

Departmental Honors

Integrated Graduate Studies

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Master of Arts

• three hours in American government and politics;
• three hours in research methods;
• three hours in comparative politics; and
• three hours in international affairs.

Doctor of Philosophy

Complete information on requirements and procedures for all aspects of the Doctor of Philosophy program in political science is available in a special announcement from the department office.

Political Science (POSC)

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

Introduction to the study of American politics, addressing the questions "Who rules?" and "Who benefits?" in the American political system. Explores the nature of constitutional limits, the role of public participation, the impact of pressure groups, and the influence of various governmental institutions on American political life.

POSC 196, Energy and Society, 3

(Also listed as GEOL 196, HSTY 196, PHYS 196) Global and national perspectives on the problems of energy supply and demand; global warming; oil cartels; solar, nuclear and wind energy; politics and economics of fossil fuels; and alternative energy sources.

POSC 241, Political Inquiry, 3

Organized around a fundamental question in the study of modern political science: Is systematic, general information about political phenomena obtainable? Opportunities to test various theories and explanations of political phenomena through the medium of computer applications. Assumes no previous familiarity with statistics and/or computers.

POSC 260, Introduction to Comparative Politics, 3

Comparison of selected national political systems organized around the concept of political development. Examination of the interrelationships between the cultural, social and economic characteristics of the nations and their government structure and political behavior.

POSC 272, Introduction to International Relations, 3

Survey of the principles of international relations, politics, law and organization; the rise, development and change of the nation-state system; development of international cooperation; methods of studying international relations.

POSC 305, Urban Politics and Policy, 3

The social, economic, participatory, service, fiscal, and planning challenges of metropolitan areas. Consideration of proposals for reforming urban government through new structures of greater centralization or decentralization, and the implications such structures may have on urban policy-making.

POSC 308, The American Presidency, 3

The sources, strategies and restraints of presidential leadership in the United States. Emphasis on problems of policy formation, presidential relations with congress and executive agencies, and the electoral process.

POSC 310, The Legislative Process, 3

Legislative, representative, and other functions of Congress and state legislatures; legislative relations with the executive and with private interests; limitations of the legislature as a policy-making institution.

POSC 315, Black Americans and the Political Process, 3

An examination of the relationship between black Americans and the U.S. political process from three interconnected perspectives. First, the historical struggle that surrounded but excluded blacks in this country, from slavery to the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Second, the ways in which blacks have participated directly in the political process in contemporary times. Third, the political implications of black separatist movements.

POSC 320B, The U.S. Midterm Elections, 3

Analysis of the midterm elections in the United States. Covers congressional and state elections in all regions, focusing on the issues, personalities, campaign strategies, and voter trends in this key electoral battle held between presidential elections.

POSC 320C, The Presidential Election, 3

Analysis of the upcoming presidential election in the United States. Focuses on the issues and personalities, polls and public opinion, campaign strategies, and electoral behavior. Offered every four years in conjunction with the United States presidential election cycle.

POSC 320D, Politics of the American South, 3

Analysis of forces that have transformed the political landscape of the American south since World War II, changing the region from an economically backward bastion of white supremacy to a prospering, biracial society fast on the way to rejoining the national mainstream.

POSC 320E, Reforming American Political Institutions, 3

Examination of current arguments about the American constitutional system and proposals for reform to make institutions respond with greater efficiency and equity.

POSC 321, The Media and Politics, 3

(Also listed as COSI 320) Theoretical and empirical examination of the role of the news media in interpreting political events, following elections, and setting the political agenda, primarily in the United States.

POSC 325, American Constitutional Law, 3

Court cases on the United States governmental structure and relationships. Judicial review, federalism, relations among the president, Congress, and courts; taxing, spending and commerce powers; treaty and war powers; and an examination of judicial resources and techniques in rendering decisions.

POSC 327, Civil Liberties in America I, 3

Overview of constitutional interpretation and decision making by the U.S. Supreme Court in the definition and protection of civil liberties. Emphasis is on First Amendment freedoms of speech, religion, press, and assembly; and Fourteenth Amendment issues of substantive due process and equal protection.

POSC 328, Topics in Civil Liberties in America, 3

Two or three current topics involving civil liberties in fields as diverse as medicine, creative arts, civil rights, education, domestic relations, and religion to be explored through case law, supplementary readings, and outside speakers.

POSC 334, Violence and the Political System, 3

Empirical analysis of various theories advanced in the cross-cultural explanation of factors which cause and mediate the occurrence of violence--revolutions, terrorism, and civil disorder--within the political system.

POSC 341, Elections, Voters, and Political Parties, 3

Examination of American political parties, their activities, organization, characteristics, and functions. Candidate strategies and electoral history viewed within the context of voter orientations and predispositions, stressing linkage between citizen and party and between party and government.

POSC 343, Public Opinion and American Democracy, 3

Examination of theories, concepts and empirical research related to attitudes and the political behavior of mass publics.

POSC 345, Psychology and Politics, 3

Application of various psychological concepts, theories, and methodologies to the study of politics.

POSC 346, Women and Politics, 3

Examination of the role of women in politics. Topics include: political socialization; sources and implications of gender difference in political participation (voting, candidacy, leadership); and the politics of "women's issues."

POSC 348, Political and Social Thought in the Machine Age, 3

(Also listed as HSTY 348) Explores the responses of economist writers, philosophers, cultural critics, and public policy makers to changes in Western society wrought by industrialization, by focusing on their concerns with technological change.

POSC 351, Modern Political Thought, 3

Examination of a limited topic in the study of modern political thought. Topics vary.

POSC 352, American Political Thought, 3

Examination of the unique contribution to the science of government made by American political thinkers.

POSC 354, Political and Social Philosophy, 3

(Also listed as PHIL 334) Justification of social institutions, primarily political ones. Such distinctions as that between de facto and legitimate authority; analysis of criteria for evaluation, such as social justice and equality; inquiry into theories of justification of the state; theory of democratic government and its alternatives. Readings from classical and contemporary sources.

Prerequisite: PHIL 101

POSC 360B, Political Leadership, 3

Seminar directed toward an understanding of the role and character of political leadership in contemporary societies.

POSC 360C, Communist and Authoritarian Political Systems, 3

Primarily concentrates on the Soviet Union, but includes comparisons with other communist systems, such as those of China and Eastern Europe as well as various authoritarian societies.

POSC 360D, Politics of Change in Latin America, 3

Provides initial mastery of structure and process in the Latin American political environment. Examines critically some of the politically salient economic and social changes that have occurred in Latin American societies. The dynamics of political life in Latin America are related to the wider contexts of comparative politics and political sociology.

POSC 360E, Politics and Society of India, 3

Examination of the nature and durability of democracy in India, with an eye toward policy areas such as poverty, economic stability, and foreign relations. Readings include materials from a variety of disciplines--history, literature, and anthropology--in order to provide a sense of the cultural and social setting of Indian political life.

POSC 365, Science, Technology and Government, 3

(Also listed as HSTY 366) Traces the development and effects of federal technology and science policies from colonial times to the present, with emphasis on the 20^th century.

POSC 366, Government and Politics of Africa, 3

Comparative analysis of the political forces and organizations currently functioning in Africa, as well as a survey of the formal governmental institutions. Special emphasis on single-party rule, military rule, and the political ramifications of African socialism, tribalism and the problems of national integration.

POSC 367, Western European Political Systems, 3

Comparative analysis of sociopolitical systems of selected Western European industrial democracies, using North American systems as a point of comparison.

POSC 368, The People's Republic of China, 3

(Also listed as ASIA 283 and HSTY 383) The development of Chinese Communist theory and practice from 1949 to the current reforms. The problems involved in attempting to establish a socialist state and society while engaging in industrial development.

POSC 370A, Political Economy, 3

Focus on debates concerning the proper relationship between political and economic systems, including conservative, liberal, and radical perspectives. The politics of international economics and the economics of international politics receive separate attention. The course concludes with study of "modern" political economy and the application of economic theory to the study of political systems.

POSC 370D, Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, 3

Role of international law and organizations in the maintenance of world peace.

POSC 370E, The United States and Japan, 3

Survey and analysis of U.S.-Japanese relations in the post-World War II period, with emphasis on the interaction of economics, politics, and culture.

POSC 370F, The Global Policy Agenda, 3

Examination of global pluralism, the idea that interest groups with policy preferences are as active on the global level as they are at the national and local levels. Focus on processes of the emergence of issues; formation of leadership groups and organizations; interlocking character of issues such as peace, population, natural resources, and environment; conflicts of value and perception; and development of new models of activity designed to find solutions to complex global problems.

POSC 370G, U.S. Intelligence and National Security, 3

Examination of the impact of the intelligence process on foreign policy making and superpower relations. Covers the life cycle of United States strategic intelligence from the collection of data to formulation of analytic judgments and the policy-level uses of intelligence. Emphasis on contemporary intelligence issues and processes, but includes the formative period of modern American intelligence in the World War II era.

POSC 370H, Comparative Foreign Policy, 3

Examination of ways a variety of nations deal with their foreign affairs agendas in order to formulate general principles governing the conduct of diplomacy around the world.

POSC 370J, International Law and Organizations, 3

Study of international organizations and international law as two means for regulating and coordinating nation-state behavior. History of the two techniques will be traced, covering 19th century efforts at cooperation, the League of Nations and the United Nations, regional and specialized global organization. The functions of international law in global politics will be stressed, with primary focus on the evolving role of law in dealing with global problems, e.g., war, the environment, economic cooperation, and human rights.

POSC 371, Natural Resources and World Politics, 3

Examination of the political causes and ramifications of the uneven distribution of the valuable natural resources for modern industrial societies. Strategic and military issues and the exploitation of the sea bed. Examination in some detail of selected commodity issues, including petroleum, copper and uranium.

POSC 373, U.S. and Latin America, 3

A review of diplomatic and cultural relations between the United States and the countries of Latin America, 1900 to present.

POSC 374, Third World in Global Politics, 3

Exploration of the post-World War II emergence of the Third-World nations of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and the process and meaning of their entry into the world political arena.

POSC 375, Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control, 3

(Also listed as HSTY 377) National and international problems concerning nuclear weapons, and the past and present attempts to control their spread (and prevent their use). Topics covered include the science and technology of nuclear weapons, their history, domestic policies, and international relations.

POSC 376, United States Foreign Policy, 3

Focus on U.S. foreign policy making with a dynamic network of executive and congressional actors and organizations; analysis of traditional and contemporary U.S. foreign policies from nuclear defense to current economic resource issues; future role of the United States in world affairs.

POSC 377, Russian Foreign Policy, 3

Institutions, procedures, objectives, and instruments of Russian foreign policy since 1917, with emphasis on the period since the breakup of the USSR.

POSC 378, War and Conflict in the International System, 3

Examination of questions central to the study of international relations such as: What are the causes of war? How can the escalation of conflicts be avoided? Does the end of the Cold War affect the causes and nature of war in the international system? Several case studies of war and conflict will be covered.

POSC 379, Middle East: Politics, Economics, and American Policy, 3

Examination of continuing conflicts, major trends, and internal political and economic developments affecting U.S. policy in the Middle East region. Discussions include human rights, petroleum economics, and Islamic politics.

POSC 382, Policy and Planning Methods, 3

Designed to familiarize students with the empirical techniques and strategies of public policy planning. Conceptual, methodological, and political considerations that influence the effectiveness of policy analysts in the definition, implementation, and evaluation of public programs. The role of planning experts; the problems of experts in a democratic system; methodological approaches available to experts, such as survey research, quasi-experimental designs, and cost-benefit analysis.

POSC 383, Cultural Politics and Policy in the U.S., 3

Examination of American cultural policies and the politics that guide those policies. Topics to be covered include funding for the arts and humanities, public broadcasting structures and processes, copyright laws, international cultural exchanges, and a comparison with the cultural policies of other nations.

POSC 386, American Public Policy Process, 3

Focus on the concepts and strategies concerned with moving the public policy process to action. Agenda-setting, issue definition, and feedback techniques will be a particular focus. Assessing political change, support, and obstacles also will be covered, as well as how policy systems operate with regard to different types of issues, such as regulatory, distributive, and redistributive policies, and in different configurations ranging from subgovernments to issue networks and advocacy coalitions.

POSC 395, Special Projects, 1-6

Study of a topic of particular interest, or an approved internship. The student must submit to the departmental office a project prospectus form, approved and signed by the faculty supervisor, no later than the end of the second week of classes. The prospectus must outline the goals of the project and the research methodology to be used and is part of the basis for grading. The prospectus form is available from the departmental office. Open to juniors and seniors majoring in political science. Open to majors in other departments with consent of faculty.

POSC 397, Honors Program I, 3

The student must submit to the departmental office an honors project prospectus form, approved and signed by the faculty project supervisor, no later than the end of the second week of classes. The prospectus must outline the goals of the project and the research methodology to be used and thus is part of the basis for grading. The prospectus form is available from the departmental office. Contact department for eligibility information.

POSC 398, Honors Program II, 3

Continuation of POSC 397.

Prerequisite: POSC 397

GRADUATE COURSES

(See POSC 305)

POSC 408, The American Presidency, 3

(See POSC 308)

POSC 410, The Legislative Process, 3

(See POSC 310)

POSC 420B, The U.S. Midterm Elections, 3

(See POSC 320B)

POSC 420C, The Presidential Election, 3

(See POSC 320C)

POSC 420D, Politics of the American South, 3

(See POSC 320D)

POSC 420E, Reforming American Political Institutions, 3

(See POSC 320E)

POSC 421, The Media and Politics, 3

(See POSC 321)

POSC 425, American Constitutional Law, 3

See POSC 325

POSC 427, Civil Liberties in America I, 3

(See POSC 327)

POSC 428, Topics in Civil Liberties in America, 3

(See POSC 328)

POSC 434, Violence and the Political System, 3

(See POSC 334)

POSC 441, Elections, Voters and Political Parties, 3

(See POSC 341)

POSC 443, Public Opinion and American Democracy, 3

(See POSC 343)

POSC 445, Psychology and Politics, 3

(See POSC 345)

POSC 446, Women and Politics, 3

(See POSC 346)

POSC 451, Modern Political Thought, 3

(See POSC 351)

POSC 452, American Political Thought, 3

(See POSC 352)

POSC 454, Political and Social Philosophy, 3

(See PHIL 354)

POSC 460B, Political Leadership, 3

(See POSC 360B)

POSC 460C, Communist and Authoritarian Political Systems, 3

(See POSC 360C)

POSC 460D, Politics of Change in Latin America, 3

(See POSC 360D)

POSC 460E, Politics and Society of India, 3

(See POSC 360E)

POSC 466, Government and Politics of Africa, 3

(See POSC 366)

POSC 467, Western European Political Systems, 3

(See POSC 367)

POSC 470A, Political Economy, 3

(See POSC 370A)

POSC 470D, Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, 3

(See POSC 370D)

POSC 470E, The United States and Japan, 3

(See POSC 370E)

POSC 470F, The Global Policy Agenda, 3

(See POSC 370F)

POSC 470G, U.S. Intelligence and National Security, 3

(See POSC 370G)

POSC 470H, Comparative Foreign Policy, 3

(See POSC 370H)

POSC 470J, International Law and Organizations, 3

(See POSC 370J)

POSC 471, Natural Resources and World Politics, 3

(See POSC 371)

POSC 473, U.S. and Latin America, 3

(See POSC 373)

POSC 474, Third World in Global Politics, 3

(See POSC 374)

POSC 475, Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control, 3

(See POSC 375)

POSC 476, United States Foreign Policy, 3

(See POSC 376)

POSC 477, Russian Foreign Policy, 3

(See POSC 377)

POSC 479, Middle East: Politics, Economics, and American Policy, 3

(See POSC 379)

POSC 480, Public Policy and Aging, 3

Overview of public policies affecting aging and impact of population aging on public policies. Contemporary policy dilemmas, policy choices for the future, and political contents of such dilemmas and choices. Also cross-listed as ANTH 498, EPBI 408, HSTY 480, NURS 479/579, SOCI 496.

POSC 482, Policy and Planning Methods, 3

(See POSC 382)

POSC 483, Cultural Politics and Policy in the U.S., 3

(See POSC 383)

POSC 485, Public Administration in the U.S., 3

(See POSC 385)

POSC 486, American Public Policy Process, 3

(See POSC 386)

POSC 601, Individual Investigation, 1-6

The student must submit to the departmental office a project prospectus form, approved and signed by the faculty project supervisor, no later than the end of the second week of classes. The prospectus must outline the goals of the project and the research methodology to be used and is part of the basis for grading. The prospectus form is available from the departmental office.

POSC 701, Dissertation Ph.D., 1-9

Consent of instructor required.

Public Policy Program

Mather House Room 1
Phone 368-2690; fax 368-4681;
e-mail: xx343@po.cwru.edu
David C. Hammack, Director

Margaret Wyszomirski,
Undergraduate Program
Coordinator

FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

PUBLIC POLICY AT CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
MINOR

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

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