300

PSC 305 Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation

Examines the origins of the drive for nuclear weapons, the history of the nuclear nonproliferation regime, and incentives and disincentives for nuclear proliferation and nonproliferation. Analyzes current nuclear weapons states, "threshold" states, and states that purposefully chose to forgo nuclear weapons development.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (NW) (SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 306 Politics of the Family

This course examines the interplay between politics, policy and family life. The course looks at how family and gender roles impact political involvement, as well as how public policies shape family life, gender roles and support for dependents. The course will look at the politics of family in the United States and a wide variety of countries around the world. Students will have opportunities to develop their analytical writing and research skills.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 307 Law and Society

What is the relationship and role of law in a society? The rule of law, through constitutions, guarantees that there are realms that are unfettered by politics. Political tolerance ensures equal access to the political process and a fair judicial process. Legitimacy, the voluntary relationship between the citizen and the state, depends on public perceptions of the law, the state and its judicial institutions. These questions will be considered in terms of topics ranging from procedural justice, economics, rights and even social movements.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 309 State Politics

This course is designed to provide a broad overview of state politics and government across the 50 states. Using a comparative lens, we will examine how state governments operate and why they function the way they do. Students should leave this course with a deeper understanding of state politics and be able to apply the theories and concepts to Florida's government.
Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

PSC 312 The Politics of Money

When governments make budgets, they set priorities and make plans for future public policy. This course examines the politics surrounding the use of budgets to make public policy in the United States, at both the federal level and in Florida. As a Writing Intensive course, students will track an issue of their choosing and write a research paper on how budgets are used to make policy.
Credit Hours: 4
(SS) (W)

PSC 318 Science, Technology and Public Policy

This course investigates two related questions. First, how do policymakers keep pace with scientific advancements and rapidly-changing technologies? Second, how do technological and scientific advancements shape public policy more broadly?
Credit Hours: 4
(SS) (W)

PSC 321 The Presidency and Executive Power

This course examines the scope and meaning of executive power at the national and state level of government.
Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 100 or PSC 101

PSC 326 Political Campaigns and Electoral Politics

An exploration of the electoral process, particularly in the United States, with focus on political behavior of elites and masses.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 340 The European Union

This course analyzes the EU in three inter-related parts: historical and theoretical approaches to understanding the EU, institutional design of the EU, and policy making within the EU.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 341 International Relations of East Asia

This course examines patterns of conflict and cooperation in Northeast Asia from the perspective of competing theories of international relations. Topics include the changing regional balance of power, nuclear weapons, territorial disputes, conflicts over historical memory, alliance systems, trade relations, human rights and the role of U.S. foreign policy and military bases in the region.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (NW) (SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 342 The Political Economy of Latin America

Examines political cultures, processes, institutions and policies in selected Latin American political systems.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (NW) (SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 343 Third World Political and Economic Development

Examines the political and economic problems facing developing Third World states.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (NW) (SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 345 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa

Examines the politics of this diverse region straddling the nexus of Africa, Europe and Asia. Topics explored include Islam and politics, governance, the oil economy, war and peace in a volatile region, and prospects for the future in a globalizing world.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (NW) (SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 365 Politics of East Asia

Examines post-1950 politics of China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, focusing on common themes of democratization, economic development, elite politics, political culture, foreign policy and human rights. Analytical writing is the primary form of course evaluation.

Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (NW) (SS) (W)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 370 American Judicial Politics

The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the organization of American courts, both state and federal, their role in society, the processes in practice through which judges act, and their impact on politics.  We will also compare the reality of how judges behave to society’s myths and expectations about how they should function as well as the limits of what can and should be expected of courts and judges.  A central theme will be to analyze judges as political players who have a profound impact on the development and implementation of public policy.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 375 Constitutional Law I: Institutional Powers

The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the laws and jurisprudence of the United States government and Constitution.  We will study the development of constitutional jurisprudence in a variety of areas within institutional powers (such as judicial power, legislative power, executive power, federalism, regulatory power, property rights and economic liberties) with an eye towards legal and political explanations for changes in and development of the case law.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 376 Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties

The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the laws and jurisprudence of the United States government and Constitution.  We will study the development of constitutional jurisprudence in a variety of areas within civil rights and liberties (such as due process, obtaining evidence, right of privacy, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and equal protection) with an eye towards legal and political explanations for changes in and development of the case law.

Credit Hours: 4
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 390 Field Work Intern Program

Involves practical experience for careers related to political science and international studies. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Minimum 3.0 GPA and junior or senior standing.

Credit Hours: 2-16
(SS)

Prerequisites

PSC 270