Department of Political Science

Courses

 Bison image - General Education Course

PSC 104 Bison image  American Government (CT)3 Credit hours   

This course will engage students in critical thinking as they explore the American federal government system, with emphasis on constiutionalism, governmental structure, and the political process.

Attributes: American Institutions, Critical Thinking, Core II Social Sciences
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 105 Bison image  Fundamentals of Politics (CT)3 Credit hours   

General survey introducing the study of politics, its major concepts, processes, institutions, and fields of concern, with attention to the place of political science in the larger context of social science inquiry.

Attributes: Critical Thinking, Core II Social Sciences
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 200 Models of Politics1-3 Credit hours   

Introduction to the use of theory in political science. Offered in one-credit(5 week) modules. Module I is prerequisite to all others. Designed to assist in the develop,emt pf analytic and synthetic skills.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 201 Bison image  Politics, Media, and Culture3 Credit hours   

An introductory survey of how the media and popular culture both reflect and shape political values.

Attributes: Core II Humanities, Core II Social Sciences
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 202 Bison image  State and Local Government3 Credit hours   

Study of the institutions, processes, and significance of this level of political life in America.

Attributes: American Institutions, Core II Social Sciences
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 207 Bison image  Comparative Politics (CT)3 Credit hours   

Introduction to the field of comparative politics, stressing comparative concepts and approaches to the cross-national study of politics and government, with examination of political systems, ranging from democratic to non-democratic types.

Attributes: Critical Thinking, International, Core II Social Sciences
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 209 Bison image  World Politics (CT)3 Credit hours   

Survey of major concepts and approaches in the study of international relations and analysis of processes, institutions, strategies, and trends in world politics.

Attributes: Critical Thinking, International, Core II Social Sciences
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 280 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 281 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 282 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 283 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 301 City Management3 Credit hours   

Political systems in American cities and metropolitan areas.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 302 Models of Public Policy3 Credit hours   

Basic concepts and skills in the analysis of public policy problems. Use of policy as an instrument for solving problems. Application to selected fields, for example, environmental policy and urban policy.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 303 American Political Parties3 Credit hours   

Examination of the American party system, its origins, development and characteristics. Emphasis also on party organization, political ambition and recruitment, party impact on public policy, campaigns, elections, and voting behavior.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 304 Law & Society3 Credit hours   
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 307 Public Opinion and Propaganda3 Credit hours   

Study of the processes by which individuals acquire politically relevant information, attitudes, values, and opinions; the consequences of these processes for political stability and conflict; and the linkage of mass opinions to elite behavior. (Same as Sociology 307)

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 310 Campaigns and Elections3 Credit hours   

Federal and state laws for campaigns and elections and the changing mechanisms for reaching voters are covered in this course.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 311 Issues in Public Policy3 Credit hours   

A course devoted to a special topic of interest in the policy field, such as energy, health care, transportation, environmental concerns, etc.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 312 Research in Political Science3 Credit hours   

Study of the development of political science as a distinct science and discipline, and of the fundamentals of research in political science, such as bibliographic techniques, uses of scientific method, textual and case-study approaches and data analysis.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 333 Public Administration3 Credit hours   

Introduction to modern theories of administration; the relation of administration to the political system and process; and analysis of administrative organizations and functions, including planning, personnel, and finance.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 376 Bison image  Race & Politics3 Credit hours   

Study emphasizing power structures in black communities, dissent and protest, problems and trends, and the uniqueness of black politics as compared with the politics of other ethnic groups.

Attributes: American Institutions, Multicultural
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 381 Am Legislative Process3 Credit hours   

Structure and behavior of American national and state legislative systems; the impact of constituencies, parties, interest groups, interpersonal relations, and other factors on the legislative policymaking process; the role of the legislature as a subsystem in the larger political system; and problems and trends.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 382 The US Congress1 Credit hour   

One week of intensive legislative observation designed to provide selected students an understanding of the organization and processes of the West Virginia legislature and its role in the making of public policy.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 383 The American Presidency3 Credit hours   

Study of governmental executives in the American political system, with emphasis on the president, including analysis of constitutional status and powers, recruitment, administrative responsibilities, political and legislative leadership, accountability, and problems and trends.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 402 Politics of the Undead3 Credit hours   

An exploration of political thought, international relations theory, and political economy through the pop cultural lens of vampires, zombies, and other undead creatures.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 403 Bison image  War and Pop Culture3 Credit hours   

An exploration of evolving depictions of political violence in film, television, graphic novels, video games, and popular music.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 405 Bison image  UN & Global Organizations3 Credit hours   

Study of world and regional organizations as reflections of world politics, as instruments of foreign policies, and as forces for change and order, with emphasis on their role as channels for management of cooperation and conflict.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 406 Bison image  International Relations3 Credit hours   

Study of major issues in world politics, with emphasis on theoretical approaches, problems of war and peace, and contemporary trends.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 409 Bison image  Western Democratic Politics3 Credit hours   

Study of such nations as Canada and those of Western Europe, particularly Great Britian and France.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 410 Bison image  Russian Politics3 Credit hours   

Study of the politics of Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 411 Bison image  Latin American Politics3 Credit hours   

Study of Latin American politics by sectors, such as landed elites, the military, the church, etc. Various styles of governance are considered. Case examples illustrate concepts discussed.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 412 International Political Econ3 Credit hours   

This course will examine the evolution and structure of the global economic system with emphasis on the development of the Liberal International Economic Order.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 415 Bison image  International Law3 Credit hours   

Study of theories, origins, sources, development, present state, and trends of international law as a factor in various aspects of international politics.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 416 Bison image  Politics of Development3 Credit hours   

A survey of major theories of development and modernization and issues confronting developing nations around the world.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 418 American Political Thought II3 Credit hours   

This course is a detailed examination of the philosophical and historical roots of American politics from Reconstruction through the present with emphasis on original texts.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 419 Women and Political Thought3 Credit hours   

This course examines how women were conceptualized in the history of political philosophy and how women then began conceptualizing themselves and their relation to politics.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 420 Bison image  Cur World/Regional Issues3 Credit hours   

An intensive study of specific world or regional problems, such as the politics of world hunger, the role of multinational corporations, imperialism, Third World Communist movements, etc.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 421 American Political Thought I3 Credit hours   

This course is a detailed examination of the philosophical and historical roots of American politics from the Colonial era through the Civil War with emphasis on original texts.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 423 Bison image  American Foreign Policy3 Credit hours   

The study of descriptive, analytical, and normative aspects of United States foreign policy with emphasis on contemporary problems and issues.

Attributes: American Institutions, International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 424 Bison image  Diplomacy3 Credit hours   

Application of the comparative method to foreign policy decision-making and outputs. Comparisons within or between geographic regions.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 425 Classical Political Thought3 Credit hours   

Selective study of classics of Western political theory from earliest times through the 15th century, such as that of Plato, Aristotle, the Romans, Augustine, and Aquinas.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 426 Modern Political Thought3 Credit hours   

Selective study of classics of Western political theory from the 16th century through the 19th century, such as that of Machiavelli, Bodin, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hume, Burke, Mill, and Marx.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 427 Shapers and Definers3 Credit hours   

A study of political leaders who have shaped and defined the American constitutional tradition.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 429 Bison image  Conflict and Revolution3 Credit hours   

Study of major theories of conflict and revolution with emphasis on cross-national explanations and outcomes.

Attributes: International
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 430 Political Ideologies3 Credit hours   

This course examines modern political ideologies including Liberalism, Conservatism, Anarchism, Socialism, Facism, Feminism, and Environmentalism with emphasis on the original texts.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 431 Pol of Global Terrorism3 Credit hours   

An examination of terrorism globally, both in its development and its current manifestations, with attention to its attractions, the difficulties of confronting it, and its implications for democratic society.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 432 Nonprofit Management3 Credit hours   

This course examines the principles and applied practices of nonprofit administration including theories of nonprofit formation, fundraising appeals, executive leadership, marketing, budgeting, and strategic management.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 433 Public Policy Development3 Credit hours   

Examination of alternative theoretical approaches to the study of policy and administration and their implications for the use of policy to shape administrative practice.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 434 Intel and Covert Ops3 Credit hours   

An introduction to the institutions and processes of the U.S. Intelligence Community, with an emphasis on the vital role of intelligence in national security.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 435 Harry Potter Political Theory3 Credit hours   

Detailed examination of the Harry Potter book series through the lens of various theories and theorists of power, with emphasis on scholarly argumentation and writing.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 436 US Court System3 Credit hours   

Structure and behavior in American national and state judicial systems, including analysis of their decision making and policy making functions, their procedures and administration, and problems and trends.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 440 Power in American Society3 Credit hours   

Examination of some of the major theoretical approaches pluralistic, elitist, etc. to the study of power. A major concern is the relationship between the distribution of political resources and the performance of political systems. Efforts to transform political systems are examined on the basis of cross-national research.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 442 Politics of Poverty3 Credit hours   

A comparative course examining the political institutional methods states use to assist citizens who are poor, primarily women and children. It also addresses behavioral concerns that shape welfare policy.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 444 Dictatorship & Democracy3 Credit hours   

An investigation of the strengths of democracies relative to dictatorships with regard to such dimensions as economic growth, income equality, health and welfare of citizens and war reductions.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 445 Environmental Politics3 Credit hours   

This course examines multiple prespectives on the relationship between humans and nature, focusing on how particular interpretations of this relationship determine how we translate environmental concerns into political problems.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 446 Politics in History3 Credit hours   

A study of politics as an order shattering, order restructuring force during some of America's most transformative moments.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 450 Administrative Law3 Credit hours   

A study of the basic legal framework of administrative organization, including the problems of administrative discretion, rule-making and adjudication, regulatory agencies, and administrative responsibility in the democratic state.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 452 Public Personnel3 Credit hours   

Survey of Public Personnel Administration with particular attention to various facets of the merit system concept. Psychological and human relations aspects of the work situation and supervisor-subordinate interaction emphasized.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 453 Public Finance Management3 Credit hours   

Study of organization, administration, and accountability in the management of public funds, with emphasis on the political decision-making processes of budget formulation, presentation and execution.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 454 Politics of the Workplace3 Credit hours   

A study of the contributions of the behavioral sciences to the study of organizations with stress on such concepts as leadership, motivation, power conflict, organizational design and decision making.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 460 Civil Rights & Liberties3 Credit hours   

Pre-req: PSC 104 or PSC 104E.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 461 American Cities3 Credit hours   

Study of policy problems of metropolitan areas in terms of structures, alternatives, and outcomes.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 466 Appalachian Politics3 Credit hours   

Explores Appalachia as both a geographical region and a political construct, focusing on how politics shapes regional identity and the region's relationship to the United States.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 478 Politics and Video Games3 Credit hours   

An exploration of the power dynamics and politics at play in video games, the video game industry, and gaming culture.

Attributes: Digital Humanities
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 480 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic which is not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 481 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic which is not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 482 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic which is not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 483 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

To offer a course on some special topic which is not adequately treated in the regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 484 Constitutional Law3 Credit hours   

Introduction to the principles of American constitutional law and analysis of constitutional issues, emphasizing leading Supreme Court cases.

Pre-req: PSC 104E or PSC 104.

Attributes: American Institutions
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 485 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

These numbers are reserved for tutorials, directed and independent readings, directed and independent research, problem reports, etc.

Attributes: No Textbook Required
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 486 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

These numbers are reserved for tutorials, directed and independent readings, directed and independent research, problem reports, etc.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 487 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

These numbers are reserved for tutorials, directed and independent readings, directed and independent research, problem reports, etc.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 488 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

These numbers are reserved for tutorials, directed and independent readings, directed and independent research, problem reports, etc.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 489 Seminar in Public Service3 Credit hours   
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 490 Public Service Internship6 Credit hours   
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode
PSC 499 Bison image  Capstone Experience3 Credit hours   

This course is designed as a culminating experience for seniors. Students will engage in a service learning project that combines scholarly interests with real life skills. Course offered only in Fall Semester.

Pre-req: PSC 211 with a minimum grade of D.

Attributes: Capstone Course
Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

Faculty

Professors
Morrissette, Warner, Schulenberg

Associate Professors
Arthur, Beller, Davis

Assistant Professor
Morelock

Instructor
Proctor