About the Program
Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department
Cassety Hall 202
(716) 878-6116
https://gpp.buffalostate.edu/
Political science is the study of government and politics. The Political Science Minor is divided into three areas: a required introductory course; distribution courses selected from American government, politics, and public law courses, International Relations and Comparative Government courses, and Political Theory; and elective courses. The program offers a variety of courses in each of these areas.
Students gain an understanding of government and politics through a combination of directed reading and writing exercises. A minor in Political Science may help students to prepare for an array of career options in both the public and private sectors.
Admission Requirements
Any matriculated student in good academic standing may declare this program.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. Appraise the existing literature in a given topic area of political science and how the major historical schools of thought explain that topic
2. Defend valid conclusions concerning political science topic area based on analysis of literature, theory development, hypothesis generation, statistical analysis of data, and discussion of study outcomes
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the civic dispositions and skills conducive to democratic involvement and global awareness
Program Requirements
Required Courses (18 credit hours)
Select one from the following: 3
PSC 101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
PSC 102 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Distribution Requirements (9 credit hours)
Select one from each category: 9
American Government, Politics, and Public Law
PSC 210 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
PSC 218 AFRICAN AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE
PSC 225 WOMEN IN AMERICAN POLITICS
PSC 250 INTRODUCTION TO LAW
PSC 312 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
PSC 317 U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
PSC 320 U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES
PSC 321 CIVIL PROCEDURE
PSC 360 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PSC 410 POLITICAL BEHAVIOR AND PUBLIC OPINION
PSC 421 DISCRIMINATION AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
PSC 485 MOCK TRIAL
International Relations and Comparative Government
PSC 104 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PSC 240 EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS
PSC 305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PSC 308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
PSC 309 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
PSC 330 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
PSC 333 AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PSC 335 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
PSC 337 POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION
PSC 341 GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, AND POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
PSC 345/HIS 313 POLITICS AND HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Political Theory
PSC 351 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT I
PSC 352 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT II
PSC 355 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
PSC 375 RACE, SEX, AND POLITICS OF MYTH AND STORY
PSC 450 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT
General Electives in Political Science (6 credit hours)
Note: Courses not used to fulfill Required Courses or Distribution Requirements may also be used as general electives in Political Science
Select two from the following: 6
PSC 203 POLITICAL ANALYSIS
PSC 204 POLITICAL STATISTICS
PSC 215 URBAN GOVERNMENT
PSC 360 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PSC 364 AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY
PSC 389 TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
PSC 390 THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: POLITICS, SOCIETY, & IDENTITY
PSC 415 URBAN PUBLIC POLICY
PSC 495 SPECIAL PROJECT (1-3)
PSC 497 WASHINGTON SEMESTER (1-16)
PSC 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY (3-12)
Total Credit Hours 18