Table of Contents - Hartwick College

majors and minors and recommended for anyone wishing to take upperlevel
courses in the department. (SBA)
111 Accelerated U.S. Government and Politics (3 credits) Topics
covered in this course are the same as those covered in Posc 101, but they
are covered in greater depth. (SBA)
210 State and Local Government (3 credits) An examination of the
structure, functions and problems of contemporary state and local
government in the U.S. federal system. Prerequisite: Posc 101 or 111.
Typically offered alternate years. (SBA)
220 Congress and the Presidency (3 credits) An examination of the
legislative process and the role of presidential leadership in the making of
the nation’s public policy, with particular attention given to the
constitutional and political dimensions to the contest of power between
the two branches. Prerequisite: Posc 101 or 111. (SBA)
230 Courts and Judicial Process (3 credits) This course is an introduction to
judicial politics. It examines the role and structure of the judiciary, the judicial
process, and how judicial decisions affect, and are affected by, society. The
primary focus is the Supreme Court but the course also covers other federal
courts and the state courts. Topics include: the courts and the constitution,
models of judicial decision-making, judicial selection, the judicial process, the
courts and public opinion, and the courts and democracy. Prerequisite POSC 101
or 111 or 107 (SBA)
232 Mock Trial (2 credits) Students will learn how a trial works. Topics
will include the fundamentals of case preparation, courtroom procedure,
witness questioning, and rules of evidence. While the course is open to all
students, it is designed especially for students preparing to participate in
inter-collegiate mock trial competitions. Typically offered Fall Term.
240 Women, Men, and Politics (3 credits) An exploration of the
different treatment of men and women within the American political
system. We examine policies that discriminated against women as well as
policies that have attempted to promote equality between the sexes. In
addition, we explore the gender gap in terms of political views, voting
behavior, running for office and legislative behavior. Prerequisite Posc 101
or 111, or 107, or any Women’s and Gender Studies course. (SBA)
260 Public Opinion and Voting (3 credits) An examination of the
political ideology and behavior of Americans. The first portion of the class
focuses on public opinion: where it comes from, what people think, how it
influences government and vice-versa. In the second half of the class we
explore the actions and inaction of citizens—exploring why some citizens
decide to participate and others do not and how people decide which
candidate to vote for in congressional and presidential elections.
Prerequisite Posc 101 or 11, or 107. (SBA)
270 Constitutional Law I: Sources of Governmental Power (3
credits) An exploration of Supreme Court decisions that have established
the boundaries of legitimate government action in the United States.
Special attention is given to decisions that have drawn lines between state
and federal power and have expanded or limited the capacity of various
levels of government to address important social and political problems,
including poverty, racial conflict, and environmental degradation.
Political Science Prerequisite: Posc 101 or 111, or 107 or 280. Offered
alternate years. (SBA)
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