2003-2004 - The University of Scranton

184 Arts and Sciences/Political Science
PS 280 3 cr.
Pre-Law Internship
PS 310 3 cr.
Judicial Politics
Role of the federal and state court systems in our
constitutional democracy, with an emphasis on
their policy-making functions. Consideration of
the factors shaping the judicial philosophies and
political orientations of federal and state justices
and judges.
PS 311-312 6 cr.
Constitutional Law
An examination, by means of case law, of the
demands of liberty and the demands of democracy
within the American Constitution. Topics
include federalism, the separation and division
of powers, social issues tied to industrialization
and urbanization, commercial and property
rights, and the rights of the poor and the
oppressed as they arise in our legal framework.
PS 313 3 cr.
(D) Classical Political Ideas
An examination of philosophical questions
about politics (including the nature of law,
morals, justice, and authority; and the role of
ideas in political and social life) in classical texts
from East and West, from Lao Tzu and Plato to
the beginnings of modernity and Machiavelli.
PS 314 3 cr.
(D) Modern Political Ideas
An examination of philosophical questions and
politics (including the nature of law, morals, justice,
and authority; and the role of ideas in political
and social life) in modern texts from East
and West, from the beginnings of modernity
with Machiavelli to Marx and Mao.
PS 315 3 cr.
Contemporary Political Thought
A study, based on primary materials, of the current
state of the controversies in contemporary
political thinking. A wide range of perspectives,
from far left to far right, will be analyzed and
critically examined. Minimally, the works of
John Rawls, Robert Nozick, C.B. MacPherson,
Isaiah Berlin, and Leo Strauss will be included.
PS 316 3 cr.
Jurisprudence
An examination of the differences between “the
law” and “the laws”; the nature of legal systems;
the nature and grounds of political, moral and
legal obligations, and the controversy between
the traditions of Natural Law and Positive Law.
PS 317 3 cr.
Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups
Discussion of the historical development and
current status of political parties and interest
groups in the United States. Emphasis on the
functions performed by political parties in our
system vs. their functions in other systems, such
as parliamentary democracies. Emphasis also on
factors shaping the creation, maintenance, and
political power of organized interest groups.
PS 318 3 cr.
(W) U.S. Foreign Policy: Cold War and
Aftermath
Examines and analyzes critically the content of
American foreign policy in the Cold War and
post–Cold War eras. Special emphasis on themes,
goals and means of American foreign policy, particularly
national security.
PS 319 3 cr.
(W) U.S. Foreign Policy Process
Examines the actual formulation and implementation
of American foreign policy within the
decision-making process. Analyzes what the
process is, who the decision makers are, and
internal and external variables of policy making
in the U.S. Involves at least two in-depth American
foreign policy case studies.
PS 322 3 cr.
Public Personnel
(Prerequisites: At least two of PS 130, 131, 135,
231, 232 or permission of instructor) An examination
of public-personnel administration and
management. Theories of organization, personnel
choices, personnel management, civil-service
history, and current issues in personnel administration
and management are considered.
PS 325 3 cr.
Politics of the Budgetary Process
(Prerequisites: At least two of PS 130, 131, 135,
231, 232 or permission of instructor) Public
budgeting in theory and in practice is discussed.
Historical reforms and the inevitable politics of
the process are considered. Use of budget simulations
allow for practical experience.
PS 326 3 cr.
Theories of Political Economy
An examination of the works of the great
thinkers in the tradition of the political economy,
and an extensive study of the historical evolution
of theories of value, the creation of value and the
increase of productive abilities.