Catalog 2024-2025

PSC - Political Science

 

PSC 100 Introduction to Government and World Affairs

Covers the essential elements of political science from a national and international perspective.

Spartan Studies:

SSD

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 101 Introduction to American Government

Covers the political processes, institutions and policies of the national political system of the United States.

Spartan Studies:

SSD

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 102 Introduction to International Relations

An exploration of the political, economic and social processes between and among actors in the global community.

Spartan Studies:

SSD

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 202 International Political Economy

Introduces the contours of the international economic system, including issues of dependency, aid, trade, multinational corporations and the politics of economic exchange.

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 206 Contemporary Latin America

This course analyzes the cultural, economic, social and political dimensions of Latin America. Focuses primarily on how several broad issues shape contemporary Latin America.

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 208 Political Networks: Travel to Washington DC

This course will serve as an introduction to the politics and policymaking of a specialized policy area in the United States and will rotate each time the course is taught to a different policy area. The course has two components: a semester length class and a travel component to Washington, D.C.
Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Department chair approval required. Restricted to students selected through an interview process.

PSC 212 Decision-Making in the United Nations

This course prepares students participating at the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) for competition through the use of traditional and experiential instructional methods. The course is offered to students selected to serve as members of The University of Tampa delegation to the HNMUN. Because UT delegations only represent nonwestern counties at the HNMUN, students are further enriched through exposure to different cultures, customs and values.

Credit Hours: 2

Prerequisites

Department chair approval required. Restricted to students selected through an interview process.

PSC 215 Introduction to Public Policy

This course examines the politics and practice of public policy, including theories of policy change, the dynamics of agenda setting and problem definition, and policy implementation and feedback. The course also covers specific topics such as energy and the environment, health care, business regulation and cybersecurity.
Credit Hours: 4

PSC 225 International Human Rights

This course explores the role of politics in human rights and vice versa from a mostly international perspective.
Credit Hours: 4

PSC 269 Research Methods for Political Science

Trains students in the research design strategies and data collection techniques relevant to the field of political science.
Credit Hours: 4

PSC 270 Political Analysis

Trains students in the methods of quantitative analysis used for political science.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 269

PSC 272 Contemporary Japan

This course provides a comprehensive survey of Japanese political economy, society, and culture from the end of the Cold War to the present day. Upon completion of the course, students will travel for two weeks to Japan to visit the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto.

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 280 Introduction to Peace Studies

An introduction to peace studies with a focus on the meanings and nature of peace and non-peace, the origins and causes of conflict and war, and the quest for achieving peace.

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 282 Development Strategies and Projects in Africa: A Travel Course to Ghana

Through class readings, films, discussions and a travel component, this course focuses on development as part of an academic discourse and as an underlying assumption behind applied service projects. Students begin by questioning what development is and who defines it, and they explore who benefits from it. They then read about a wide range of development projects and evaluate them for effectiveness. Finally, students and residents of the poor and rural villages of Nabdam, Ghana, put together developmentally oriented service projects and implement them during a trip to Ghana.

Credit Hours: 2-4

PSC 285 Environmental Politics

Politics is about who gets what, when, and how. This course explores the ways in which environmental policies from different parts of the globe benefit some while harming others. Through hands on data collection techniques students explore the ways particular policies designed to promote environmental protections impact individuals. We also explore how a lack of environmental protections has consequences not just for flora and fauna but for humans. Students will learn to perform a cost/benefit analysis of environmental policies that takes into account residents of the impacted area and the world.

Credit Hours: 4

PSC 290 Special Studies

Special courses that are not part of the regular PSC program are offered occasionally.

Credit Hours: 2-4

PSC 302 U.S. National Security Policy

Examines the process and substance of U.S. national security policy, including institutional settings and specific policy problems.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

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

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

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

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

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

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

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

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

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

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

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

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

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

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

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

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 343 Politics of Development

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

Credit Hours: 4

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

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 350 Independent Study

This course is designed for students who wish to participate in the research experience working directly with a faculty member. This course does not count towards the major or minor requirements.
Credit Hours: 2-4

Prerequisites

3.0 GPA or higher and PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 353 Cuba and the U.S.: Then and Now

This travel course will introduce students to the developments, past and present, that define Cuba-U.S. relations. The course will have a strong emphasis on the historical importance of José Martí, Cuba’s most prominent political and literary writer. Students will learn about the conditions that lead to Castro’s revolutionary movement and the deterioration of the relationship between the two countries that culminated with the U.S. embargo. Students will also study how the animosity intensified during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods, and consider how the relationship will evolve when the Castro years come to an end.

Credit Hours: 4

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

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

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

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

Prerequisites

PSC 100, PSC 101 or PSC 102

PSC 380 Political Psychology

An analysis of psychological perspectives of personality, information processing, and decision making as it applies to mass and elite political behavior.

Credit Hours: 4

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. May be repeated once for a total of 4 credits toward the major.

Credit Hours: 2

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 401 Public Policy Analysis

Studies the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policies.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 405 Congress and Legislative Politics

This course will examine the U.S. Congress and uses the 50 state legislatures as a basis of comparison. We will organize our discussion of Congress and legislative politics around three primary topics: representation, organization and power.
Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 410 International Law

Concentrates on public international law, examining the legal and political framework by which international legal instruments are created, litigated and enforced across national boundaries. Makes limited reference to private international law.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 412 Comparative Judicial Politics

This course examines courts from a comparative perspective and the variations in role, autonomy, power and accountability of courts and judges in both democratic and authoritarian regimes. Theories of judicial behavior and the impact of institutional arrangements contribute to the growing power of courts and the judicialization of politics that has occurred around the world. The course will give particular attention to the fundamental role of courts across societies including those of common, civil, Chinese and Islamic law.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 413 Topics in Government and World Affairs

Involves selected topics in political science. Content varies; may be repeated for credit if subject matter is not repeated.

Credit Hours: 2-4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 426 Public Opinion

Examines public opinion from a variety of perspectives, providing students with the ability to be intelligent consumers of public opinion research and effective users of public opinion research tools. This course explores public opinion's effects on contemporary society and politics.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 444 The Political Economy of Africa

Examines the political and economic problems and opportunities facing the continent of Africa; the African colonial experience and its impact on modern African development; and how the continent has struggled with political and economic trends over the past 40 years.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 446 International Organization

This course examines the role of international organizations in facilitating cooperation between states to achieve commonly held goals such as peace and prosperity. The course introduces competing theories of international organization and their applications to international organizations spanning fields such as security, trade, the environment and human rights. The course also is designed to help students develop analytical writing skills and research methods for the study of international organization.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270

PSC 450 Independent Study

Involves guided readings, research and criticism. Independent studies must be under the direction of a full-time PSC professor. Subject matter must be determined through student-faculty consultation.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Prerequisites

12 hours of political science, a minimum 3.0 GPA in the major and PSC 270. Maximum of 4 credit hours and it does not fulfill the 400 level research intensive requirement.

PSC 451 Senior Thesis

Involves a major research paper planned and written with possible publication in mind.  A senior thesis must be written under the direction of any full-time PSC professor.  Subject matter must be determined through student-faculty consultation.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270 and senior standing with a minimum 3.25 GPA.

PSC 455 NGOs and Global Civil Society

This course offers an overview of how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other non-state actors in the international arena communicate, organize and advocate on behalf of individuals and interests that are overlooked by states, or run counter to national interests. The course will focus on how issues are framed and campaigns are waged by NGOs and advocacy networks in order to compel states or intergovernmental institutions to change behavior or policies.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

PSC 270