Political Science Course Descriptions
PSC 100 American Politics (3 credits)
Taught: Fall and spring.
National government in the U.S.; decision making process, government structure, politics.
General education credit: Individual and Society
PSC 101 State and Local Politics (3 credits)
Taught: Fall and spring
Policy making processes in U.S. state governments, Kentucky state and local governments.
General education credit: Individual and Society.
PSC 102 Comparative Politics (3 credits)
Taught: Fall and spring.
Analysis of political systems using the comparative approach to political processes and behavior.
General education credit: Global Viewpoints.
PSC 103 International Politics (3 credits)
Taught: Fall and spring.
Fundamental factors governing international politics.
General education credit: Global Viewpoints.
PSC 103H Honors International Politics (3 credits)
Taught: Variable, check with department.
Fundamental factors governing international politics.
General education credit: Global Viewpoints.
PSC 110 History of Western Political Thought (3 credits)
Taught: Fall and spring.
Trends and ideas that have helped shape Western political heritage.
General education credit: Global Viewpoints.
PSC 302 The American Presidency (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only-odd years.
A comprehensive examination of the Presidency of the United States of America. This class will look at leadership styles, different time periods in presidential history, the historical impact of past presidents on current office holders and the interaction between the presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court.
PSC 303 The American Legislature (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-even years
A comprehensive examination of the Congress of the United States of America. The focus will be how laws are made, how candidates are elected, the role of the political parties, the interactions between the Congress and the Presidency/Supreme Court, the constitutional foundations of the Congress, and development of congressional power since the founding.
PSC 304 Introduction to the Law (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall and spring.
Various approaches to law, including philosophical, sociological, political, and historical; elements of legal reasoning; institutions, functions, and effects of law in American society.
PSC 305 The Judicial Process (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall and spring.
A systems approach to the behavior of actors in the federal judiciary.
PSC 307 Constitutional Law (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall and spring.
Major constitutional issues studied through decisions of the Supreme Court.
PSC 308 Civil Liberties (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall and spring.
Equal protection under the law; criminal due process, First Amendment freedoms studied through case methods.
PSC 309 Law of Mass Communication (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall and spring.
Basic legal concepts and issues affecting mass communication, constitutional law, the First Amendment, libel, slander, invasion of privacy, copyright, the FCC and its regulation of broadcasting, legal access to the media, and the use of classified information by the media.
PSC 310 Political Behavior (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only
Voting, campaigns, and recruitment of political leadership; academic background for courses in campaign management, public opinion, or elections.
PSC 311 Political Parties and Elections (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only
Development and structure of U.S. party and electoral systems; party nominations, conventions, funding, and campaigning; role of elections in the political system.
PSC 312 Modern Ideologies (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only-odd years.
Major political ideologies of the 20th and 21st centuries: liberal democratic capitalism, democratic socialism, fascism, and communism; role of propaganda and political socialization in dissemination of ideological values; relationships among ideology, nationalism, and revolution.
PSC 315 Scope and Methods (3 credits)
Prerequisites: 3 semester hours of introductory political science courses.
Taught: Fall and spring.
Philosophical foundations of political analysis; various methodologies and quantitative techniques; nature of the role of the political scientist.
PSC 316 Data Analysis (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 315.
Taught: Spring only.
Applied current research techniques in, e.g., legal research, survey research, use of microcomputers, management of information, and applied governmental research.
PSC 320 American Politics in Film (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Summer only.
Role of films in shaping public agendas, enhancing awareness of public issues; effect of films on public understanding of political processes and problems; examination of accuracy and bias of political messages in films.
PSC 322 International Politics in Film (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Summer only.
Role of films in examining global relations, enhancing awareness of global issues; effect of films on public understanding of political processes and problems; examination of accuracy and bias of political messages in films.
PSC 330 Politics of Europe (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-odd years.
Organization and functioning of modern European political systems, especially Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.
PSC 335 Politics of Latin America (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-even years.
Comparative analysis of selected republics, especially Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela.
PSC 338 U.S. Foreign Policy and the Developing World (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only-even years.
A comprehensive examination of the theory and practice of United States foreign policy in the developing world and critical analysis of the implications of such policy on U.S./Developing World relations. Analysis aimed to assist students to see and understand how the perceptions formed by both sides are based on how they view the impact of the policy on their perceived national interests.
PSC 350 Diplomacy and Negotiation (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Summer only.
Factors that affect decision making; levels of analysis from which decisions are made; implications of diplomatic choices and policy making.
PSC 355 Comparative Revolutionary Politics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: 3 semester hours of introductory political science courses.
Taught: Variable, check with department.
Comparative analysis of major western revolutions and Third World revolutions; causes and consequences of revolutionary activity.
PSC 366 Politics of Africa (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only-odd years
PSC 370 Ancient Political Theory (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-odd years.
Nature of political life; basic questions examined through close reading of original works of early Greek and Christian thinkers.
PSC 372 Modern Political Theory (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-even years.
Renaissance through Industrialization, considering thought on power, natural rights, the social contract, liberal democracy, utilitarianism, communism, and arguably the roots of feminism.
PSC 373 Contemporary Political Theory (3 credits)
Prerequisites: Introductory-level PSC course.
Taught: Spring only.
This course emphasizes the changes in political theory in the 20th century, following Nietzsche's criticism of the Enlightenment. The course focuses on the transformation of Enlightenment themes like power, modernity, gender, labor, and class.
PSC 380 Politics of the Middle East (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only.
Context in which Middle Eastern politics evolved; organization and functioning of modern Middle Eastern political systems; factors affecting ideological and political trends in the region.
PSC 382 Politics of Canada (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 03 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-even years.
To provide a comprehensive analysis of the theory, practice and reality of Canadian politics and policies. The major intent is to help the student better grasp and comprehend the structure and nature of government and politics in Canada, as well as the policies resulting and their impact on the Canadian policy and the greater international community.
PSC 388 Politics of Asia (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-even years.
Examines the politics, governments, economy, security issues, and history of Asia; particular focus on East Asia's rapid growth.
PSC 394 Topics: Politics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Variable, check with department.
Topics vary from semester to semester. See Schedule of Classes for topic and additional prerequisites. May be repeated.
PSC 403 Public Policy (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only.
Forces molding public choice; general processes of policy formation and adoption; analysis of implementation of policies dealing with problems of compliance and policy impact, distribution, and evaluation; major domestic public policy issues including criminal justice, social welfare, environment, health care, and taxation.
PSC 405 Economic Policy (3 credits)
Prerequisites: Any PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103, PSC 110 or ECO 200 or consent of instructor.
Taught: Fall only-odd years.
Examination of national-level economic policymaking in the United States. Emphasis on how the political process affects economic policy.
PSC 410 International Political Economy (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103, PSC 110 or ECO 200.
Taught: Spring only.
Interaction between politics and economics at the domestic and international levels; process leading to national and international distribution of wealth and economic development.
PSC 415 United States Foreign Policy (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only-even years.
The historical setting, foreign policy process models, institutions and actors that influence United States foreign policy, emerging and enduring issues addressed by states.
PSC 425 Sex in Global Society (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103, PSC 110 or any WGS course.
Taught: Fall only-even years
Dynamics, institutions, actors, and policies that shape gender stereotypes, identity, and movements across cultures and regions of the world, serving to subordinate women. Topics include sexuality, economic issues, political and legal systems, globalization factors, and religion.
PSC 430 Politics and the Media (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only-even years.
Impact of media on political process in the United States; structure and ownership of mass media; mass media and political behavior; role of the media in campaigns, elections and policy making.
PSC 470 The Post-Cold War World (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only.
A global approach to international politics through studying the interdependence of the political, economic, environmental, and cultural relationships in today's world; characteristics of the evolving international system.
PSC 480 International Law (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Fall only.
Development of international law; enforcement of international law; impact of international law on conduct of international relations among nation states.
PSC 481 International Organization (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-odd years.
Development of international organizations; recent international organizations; role of United Nations in peacekeeping and international socioeconomic and cultural development.
PSC 485 Comparative Foreign Policies (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PSC 100, PSC 101, PSC 102, PSC 103 or PSC 110.
Taught: Spring only-odd years.
Comparative analysis of foreign policies of selected tates; decision-making and factors affecting foreign policy.
PSC 486 Conflict and Security (3 credits)
Prerequisites: 3 semester hours of introductory political science courses.
Taught: Fall only-odd years.
This course is an investigation into the causes and correlates of conflict in our time, and how fighting these conflicts has changed over time. The course begins just prior to the year 1648, with the advent of the modern nation-state system, and unfolds to the present days of the “New World disorder,” with the occurrence of acts of political terrorism upon American soil.
PSC 496 Internship in Political Science (1-5 credits)
Taught: Fall, spring, and summer.
Students may enroll for real-world experiential credit with public or private hosts. Students must have the consent of Internship Coordinator.
PSC 499 Readings and Practica for Seniors (1-3 credits)
Prerequisites: consent of program director.
Taught: Fall, spring, and summer.
Specialized reading or primary research interests completed through independent study at the direction of a specific instructor. May be repeated as projects vary.