PLSC 202. State and Local Government (3).  A comparative study of the structure and functions of state and local government institutions and political processes.  Notes: Offered in fall and spring.

PLSC 205. International Relations (3). An introduction to the conceptual framework of contemporary foreign policy and international relations.  Notes: Offered in fall and spring.

PLSC 207. Comparative Politics (3). An introduction to the discipline of comparative politics.  The course will explore the theoretical components of governments of the world and will prepare students for upper level area studies.  Notes: Offered in fall and spring.

PLSC 260. The United Nations (3). The organization and procedures of the United Nations.  Preparation for participation in a model United Nations.  Notes: Lab Fee: $10.  Intensive Oral Communication course. Offered in spring.

PLSC 261. Model UN Symposium (1).  Learn to chair and support parliamentary organizations.  Mange large conference.  Understand how United Nations Secretariat functions.  Prerequisite(s):  PLSC 260 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.  Notes:  Offered in spring.

PLSC 302. Government of South Carolina (3).  The study of the government of South Carolina with particular emphasis on current and perennial problems.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 202 or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 305. The National Executive (3).  Study of the contemporary U.S. Presidency and the Executive Branch.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission on instructor.

PLSC 306. Congress (3).  Congress and its principal activities, including an analysis of the legislative process.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.

PLSC 307. American Parties and Practical Politics (3).  Political parties, interest groups and citizen politics.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 310. The Judiciary (3).  The courts as decision-making bodies in the political process. Their relationship to the legal profession, interest groups and other parts of government.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 311. Constitutional Law: Federalism and Institutions (3).  The substantive law of separation of powers; powers among the branches of government and between national and state governments. Emphasis on legal, political and historical contexts and processes.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.  PLSC 311 and 312 may be used to satisfy the Constitution Requirement.

PLSC 312. Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3).  The substantive law of rights and liberties, with an emphasis on the political freedoms of speech and press, religious freedom, freedom from discrimination, and due process rights in criminal law.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.  PLSC 311 and 312 may be used to satisfy the Constitution Requirement.

PLSC 313. Public Opinion and Political Participation (3).  The nature, formation and measurement of public opinion, including the kinds of political participation, and the ways that public opinion, political participation, and public policy influence one another. Participation in conducting telephone surveys is required.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes: Lab Fee: $40.  Offered variable times.

PLSC 314. Media and Politics (3).  The effects of the mass media on American politics including its impact on campaigns, institutions and public policy.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.

PLSC 315. Urban Politics (3).  The operation of government in metropolitan areas.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.  Cross-listed with AAMS 315

PLSC 317. African American Politics (3).  This course is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the Black political experience in the United States.  It considers relevant historical background and context, the constitutional framework of American government, and the nature of interactions with the main institutions of government.  What is more, the course focuses on the role and participation of Blacks in US government and politics as well as the role of politics parties, independent group politics, and social movements.  In the process, the course highlights the Black struggle for freedom, justice, equality, and full inclusion in the American political community.  The role of race, class, and gender in African American politics is a concomitant focus of the course.  Prerequisite(s):  PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes:  Cross listed with AAMS 317.  Offered Periodically.

PLSC 320. Public Budgeting (3).  A practical focus upon public finance that includes a comparison of alternative budget formats, key analytical techniques and budgetary politics.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 321. Public Policy and Policy Analysis (3).  A study of policy formulation and adoption at various governmental levels and of methodologies used to measure policy impacts.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered in fall and spring.

PLSC 323. Public Administration (3).  A survey of the major topics in the study of American public administration, including organization theory, personnel management, financial management, and administrative law.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 325. Environmental Politics (3).  A study of the creation and implementation of major national and international environmental policies, and the varied social and political movements engaged environmental politics. 

PLSC 332. Government and Politics of Asia (3).  Examination of contemporary political issues, political forces, and governmental institutions in Asia.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 335. Government and Politics of Latin America (3).  Examination of contemporary political issues, political forces, and governmental institutions in Latin America.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 336. Post Soviet Politics (3).  An introduction to the government and politics of the nations of the former Soviet Union with particular emphasis on the politics of reform. The latest scholarship will be utilized, as will the enduring classics in the field.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or permission of instructor.

PLSC 337. Women and Global Politics (3).  Examines the role of women in the sphere of global politics. Course assumes some knowledge of the basic issues confronting women in contemporary global context.  Prerequisite(s): WMST 300 or PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or permission of instructor.  Notes:  Cross-listed with WMST 337.

PLSC 338. Government and Politics of Africa (3).  Examination of historical and contemporary political issues, political forces, and governmental institutions in Africa.  Notes: PLSC 205 or PLSC 207, or AAMS 300, or permission of instructor.  Notes:  Cross-listed with AAMS 338.  Offered in Spring. 

PLSC 345. European Politics (3).  A study of governmental systems, cultures, and enduring problems of Western and Central Europe.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or permission of the instructor.  Notes: Offered alternate fall semesters.

PLSC 350. Scope and Methods (3).  Introduction to methodology, the research process, the relationship of theory to research and the conduct of research involving research techniques and simple numerical analysis.  Participation in conducting telephone surveys is required.  Notes: Lab Fee: $40. Offered in the fall and spring.

PLSC 351. Ancient and Medieval Political Thought (3).  Survey of the history of Western political thought from the Ancient Greeks through the Middle Ages.  Prerequisite(s): HMXP 102 or permission of instructor.  Notes:  Intensive writing course.

PLSC 352. Modern and Contemporary Political Thought (3).  Survey of the major political ideas of the modern era from the Enlightenment through Postmodernism.  Prerequisite(s): HMXP 102 or permission of instructor.

PLSC 355. Political Ideologies (3).  A critical study of the ideologies important to the formulation and development of the political systems in the modern world.  Prerequisite(s): HMXP 102 or permission of instructor.

PLSC 356. American Political Thought (3).  Explores the origins of current American Political Thought through an examination of political writings from colonial times to the present.  Prerequisite(s): HMXP 102 or permission of instructor.  Notes:  Course may be used to satisfy the constitution requirement.

PLSC 371. Women and Politics in the U S (3).  Explores women’s roles in the American political process.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 or WMST 300 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.  Notes:  Cross-listed with WMST 371.

PLSC 390. Selected Topics in Political Science (3). Topics to be chosen by the instructor.  Notes:  May be retaken for additional credit.  Offered variable times.

PLSC 450H. Honors: Selected Topics in Political Science (3).  Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Chair.  Notes: Offered in Spring and Fall.

PLSC 471, 472, 473. Academic Internship in Political Science (1)(2)(3).  Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Chair.  Notes: Offered in fall, spring and summer.

PLSC 490. Senior Capstone in Political Science (3). This course focuses on the Political Science research process. Students will be required to write a lengthy paper on the Political Science topic of their choice and participate in a variety of classroom activities as they develop their topics, drafts and final versions. Prerequisite(s): PLSC 350 and a total of 21 hours of Political Science; senior status. Notes:  Intensive writing course.  Students may not receive credit for both PLSC 450H and 490, or both HONR 450H and PLSC 490.  Offered in spring and fall.

PLSC 498. Independent Study in Political Science (3).  This course is designed to allow students to study a topic of Political Science in greater depth than allowed in a traditional classroom setting. Students will receive assignments from their supervising instructor as appropriate.  Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and chairperson required.  Notes: Course may be repeated once. Students are limited to a total of nine hours in PLSC 450H,471,472,473,498, 501,502, and 503 combined.

PLSC 501, 502, 503. Academic Research in Political Science (1)(2)(3).  Students conduct original research in a Political Science field.  Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor and chair required.  Notes: Students are limited to a total of nine hours in PLSC 471, 472, 473, 498, 501, 502, 503, and 450H combined.

PLSC 504. American Foreign Policy (3).  Study of policy formulation and the decision-making process.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or graduate status or permission of instructor.

PLSC 505. Government and Politics of Modern China (3).  This course will provide students a chance to focus on one of the most powerful Asian countries in the world in terms of its place in present day politics. Students will learn how China deals with its own policies as a Communist country and how it deals with the rest of the world.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or 207 or graduate status or permission of instructor.

PLSC 506. International Political Economy (3).  A study of the foundations and operation of the international political economy. Examines the impact and influences of the key institutions, theories, and trends guiding the interaction of politics and economics globally.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or graduate status or permission of instructor.

PLSC 508. National Security (3).  An exploration of a number of approaches to national security, including traditional military analysis to newer issues such as environmental and resource security.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 205 or PLSC 207 or graduate status or permission of instructor.  Notes: Offered alternate fall semesters.

PLSC 510. Topics in Political Inquiry (3).  Topics to be chosen by the instructor.  Notes: May be retaken for additional credit. Offered variable times.

PLSC 512. Politics and Education (3).  Public schools as agents of political socialization and their interaction with governments and political forces at the local, state and national level.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better, or graduate status or permission of instructor. Notes: Offered variable times.

PLSC 514. Survey Research & Data Management (3).  This course offers a comprehensive, hands-on examination of survey research including questionnaire construction, programming a Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing (CATI) system, sampling frames, survey methodology, caller training and supervision, data collection, and data analysis.  Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.  Offered variable times. 

PLSC 518. Politics of the American South (3).  Focuses on the unique politics of the South. It places southern politics in its theoretical and historical context and examines the central role of race in southern politics as well as regional importance to national politics.  Prerequisite(s): PLSC 201 with a grade of C or better or graduate status or permission of instructor.  Notes: Cross-listed with AAMS 518.  Offered fall or spring on a biennial basis.

PLSC 524H. Health, Media and Public Policy (3).  This course examines the intersection between media and public policy, with a particular focus on the field of health policy.  Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or graduate status..

PLSC 551. African American Political Thought (3).  This course explores the historical struggle of African Americans to assess their identity in relationship to their legal and social oppression. In reflecting on the work of Audre Lorde, W.E.B. DuBois, Frederick Douglass, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, Sojourner Truth, Toni Morrison, Edward Said, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Cornell West, Henry Louis Gates, Alice Walker, Bell Hooks, Mark Twain and others, we will angle in on the question of black identity from a variety of perspectives. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between these articulations of “blackness” and the historical and political settings in which they arise. Informed class discussion will be emphasized. Students are expected to write a term paper and to present it to the class.  Prerequisite(s): HMSP 102 or AAMS 300, or permission of the instructor, or graduate status.  Notes:  Intensive Writing Course.  Offered periodically.

PLSC 553. Feminist Theory (3).  This course is designed to acquaint students with the variety of ideas, methods and issues raised within  contemporary feminist literature.  Prerequisite(s): HMXP 102, graduate status, or permission of instructor.  Cross-listed with WMST 553.  Offered alternate fall semesters.