Department of Political Science

Liberal Arts Building 3210
Phone: 410-704-2958
Fax: 410-704-2960
Email: mkorzi@towson.edu

Programs of the Department

The program of courses in political science aims to promote understanding of the nature of political relationships. The department offers a major and minor in Political Science. The major prepares students for advanced study and provides the foundation for careers in public administration, law, public relations, business and research, and urban and regional planning.

The Prelaw Advising Program is administered by the Department of Political Science.

Students who transfer to TU in senior standing are expected to complete a minimum of 15 units of upper-division political science courses. Those who transfer below senior standing normally will be expected to complete 21 units of upper-division political science courses at TU.

Careers in Political Science

Political Science majors generally prepare themselves, at the undergraduate level, for careers in law, government (federal, state and local), service in public and private interest groups, business, and journalism and the media, as well as research and teaching at various levels of the education system.

Student Opportunities

Activities

In addition to its academic curriculum, the department offers opportunities providing a broad range of related experiences. Classes travel to Annapolis and Washington, D.C., to observe first-hand the political workings of government. Political Science majors are given the opportunity to edit the Towson Journal of International Affairs, one of the few undergraduate academic journals in the United States.

Internships

An integral part of the Political Science curriculum is the opportunity for students to participate in an internship in their junior or senior year. Students are placed in all branches and at all levels of government. Placements with the Maryland General Assembly or a member of Congress are most common.

Prelaw Advising

Coordinator: Dr. Jonathan Hensley (Political Science)
Liberal Arts 3224
Phone: 410-704-2850
https://www.towson.edu/cla/departments/polisci/undergrad/advising/

Students contemplating law school after graduation should make an appointment with TU’s Prelaw adviser, Dr. Jonathan Hensley. He can provide prospective students with a copy of the TU Prelaw Handbook, introduce them to the Prelaw Society, and offer advice concerning courses of study, preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and other matters pertaining to what students need for their application to law school. In general, students should concentrate on improving their reading, writing, speaking and thinking skills.

Dual Degree Program

TU offers qualified students the opportunity to apply to the early admission program at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Admission is not automatic but is contingent upon acceptance by the University of Baltimore Law School, including review of LSAT scores. Transfer to the UB law program can only take place at the end of a spring term. To qualify for entrance to the dual-degree program, students must fulfill the first three of the standards listed below; to qualify for graduation from TU, they must also fulfill the fourth and fifth standards listed:

Completion of at least 91 units at TU with at least a 3.50 GPA.
Completion of all TU Core Curriculum requirements.
Completion of a major at TU with at least a 3.50 GPA in the major. No specific areas of study or disciplines are required for this program; accordingly, students may choose majors in which they are most interested.
Successful completion of 29 units at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and of all other TU graduation requirements as listed in the catalog under the heading Degree Requirements.
Grades of C or higher must be earned in the graduate level UB law courses that are transferred to TU. Any courses that receive a grade lower than a C are not eligible to be applied to the undergraduate record.

Subsequent completion of all requirements at the University of Baltimore Law School is necessary in order to earn the J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore. Students interested in this program should contact the TU Prelaw adviser, Dr. Jonathan Hensley, in the Department of Political Science.

Major in Political Science

Minor in Political Science

Courses

POSC 101 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

The origins of modern governments. The nature of constitutions and constitutionalism. A definition and interpretation of politics. Students who have successfully completed the honors version of this course (POSC 102) will not receive additional credit for this course. Core: Social & Behavioral Sciences.

POSC 102 HONORS INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

The origins of modern governments. The nature of constitutions and constitutionalism. A definition and interpretation of politics. Honors College course. Students who have successfully completed the non-honors version of this course will not receive additional credit for this course. Prerequisite: admission to Honors College. Core: Social & Behavioral Sciences.

POSC 103 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (3)

Structure and functions of the government of the United States and the problems involved in the extension of the scope of democratic government in our contemporary life. Core: The United States as a Nation.

POSC 105 GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLD (3)

Comparative survey of governments and political systems in a number of major countries in the world today. Attention given to political behavior, structures, processes and policies. Core: Global Perspectives.

POSC 107 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3)

An introductory examination of principles of legal, political, and social relations among nations, coordination and conflict in the international system, global issues, such as trade, security, war and peace, power and formation of foreign policy. Students who have successfully completed the honors version of this course (POSC 108) will not receive additional credit for this course. Core: Global Perspectives.

POSC 108 HONORS INTRO TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3)

An introductory examination of principles of legal, political and social relations among nations; coordination and conflict in the international system; global issues, such as trade, security, war and peace, power and formation of foreign policy. Honors College course. Students who have successfully completed the non-honors version of this course will not receive additional credit for this course. Core: Global Perspectives.

POSC 207 STATE GOVERNMENT (3)

Historical background, state constitutions, and the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Problems of state administration and federal-state relations. Core: The United States as a Nation.

POSC 209 INTRODUCTION TO LAW (3)

The legal process in the United States for the liberal arts student. Core: The United States as a Nation.

POSC 212 HONORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

Supreme Court as a political institution including personal policy preferences of justices in regard to civil rights and liberties. Honors College course. Core: The United States as a Nation.

POSC 301 POLITICAL RESEARCH I (3)

Multi-method introduction to political research. Discusses how to frame and answer questions about politics. Covers quantitative and qualitative methods. Prerequisite: One POSC course.

POSC 303 THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (3)

The theories of mutual relations of states. Elements of national power; international politics as a struggle for power. Restraints upon the struggle for power. Prerequisite: HIST 103 or POSC 107 or consent of instructor.

POSC 304 POLITICS OF METROPOLITAN GROWTH AND CHANGE (3)

Examination of the political economy of metropolitan growth; role of federal, state and local actors and policies in shaping development. Prerequisite: one lower level political science class or consent of the instructor. Core: Metropolitan Perspectives.

POSC 305 URBAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (3)

The political history of American cities from the 18th century through the recent reform movement. City charters, home rule, types of executives, political machines, the metropolitan area. Prerequisite: POSC 103. Core: Metropolitan Perspectives.

POSC 307 CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (3)

Computer simulation (conducted jointly with colleges and universities throughout the world) used to study the formulation and implementation of contemporary international politics. Prerequisite: POSC 107 or POSC 303 or consent of instructor.

POSC 329 THE POLITICS OF ETHNICITY AND NATIONALISM (3)

Pervasiveness of ethnicity in domestic and international politics, and the instruments for managing ethnic conflict. Prerequisite: POSC 105 or POSC 107 or 6 hours of POSC credit or consent of instructor.

POSC 337 COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT OF FOREIGN POWERS: THE WESTERN WORLD (3)

An examination of the problems of modernization and stable constitutional rule in England, France, Italy, and Germany. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 105 or consent of instructor.

POSC 338 GOVERNMENT OF USSR AND EASTERN EUROPE (3)

Comparisons of the diverse political, economic, and intellectual roads to socialism. Prerequisites: POSC 101, POSC 107, or consent of instructor.

POSC 339 COMPARATIVE POLITICAL SYSTEMS (3)

Attempt to bring together the analytical concepts and methodological techniques that may be applied to the study of political systems in a comparative sense. Prerequisite: POSC 103 or POSC 105.

POSC 340 COMPARATIVE PUBLIC POLICY (3)

Comparative study of the policy problems and processes of the United States, Canada and Western European countries, focusing on the growing convergence of public policy making in the states of the developed world. Prerequisites: POSC 101, POSC 103, POSC 105 or consent of instructor.

POSC 342 RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (3)

Examination of the government and politics of post-Soviet Russia. Special attention to the legacy of the Czarist and Communist systems and the nature of the democracy in Russia today. Prerequisite: POSC 105 or POSC 107 or consent of instructor.

POSC 343 AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICS (3)

Examination of African-American strategies in struggle for full citizenship rights; political behavior in post-Civil Rights era; contemporary trends in electoral politics at local, state, and national levels. Prerequisite: one lower-level political science course or consent of instructor. Core: The United States as a Nation.

POSC 344 RACE AND AMERICAN POLITICS (3)

Examination of the role of race in structuring the exercise of political power and the content of public policy; contemporary trends in political, social, and economic outcomes relevant to race at local, state, and national levels. This course has been offered as a special topic; students who have earned credit for this course as a special topic will not receive additional credit for POSC 344. Prerequisite: one political science course.

POSC 345 GOVERNMENTS AND POLITICS OF EAST ASIA: FOCUS ON CHINA AND JAPAN (3)

Examination of the governments and politics of East Asia with a particular emphasis on China and Japan. Emphasizes current political events and structures. Prerequisite: POSC 105 or consent of the instructor.

POSC 351 THE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICAN (3)

An examination of the informal and formal rules of the political "game" in Latin America with an emphasis on four types of political systems found in contemporary Latin America: democratic reformist, revolutionary, populist, and military authoritarian. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 105 or consent of instructor.

POSC 355 LATIN AMERICAN POLICY OFTHE UNITED STATES (3)

An analysis of the Latin American Policy of the United States from the Monroe Doctrine to the present. Emphasis will be on historical, political, economic, and security factors in the ebb and flow of inter-American relations. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 105 or consent of instructor.

POSC 375 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)

Administration as a central element of contemporary society, with special reference to the problems of government organization, control, personnel, finance and public relations. Prerequisite: POSC 103.

POSC 376 WRITING FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)

The theory and practice of managing the public's business with special emphasis on organizational change, personnel, and budget. Writing for public administration and the use of common-based data sources. Requires grade of C or better to fulfill Core requirement. Prerequisites: POSC 103 and ENGL 102 or ENGL 190 or equivalent. Core: Advanced Writing Seminar.

POSC 381 THE PRESIDENCY (3)

A discussion of the origin of the office, the selection of the president and policy making in the executive branch. Prerequisite: POSC 103.

POSC 383 CONGRESS (3)

An investigation of the relations of Congress with the other branches of government and with the political parties and interest groups. Also examines the relationships between a member of Congress and their constituency as well as the internal dynamics of Congress. Prerequisite: POSC 103.

POSC 384 JUDICIAL SYSTEM (3)

Roles, functions and operations of the American judicial system. Examining ideology of law and justice and consequences of legal decisions. Prerequisite: POSC 103 or consent of instructor.

POSC 410 POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (3)

Examination of key themes in comparative study of the Middle East and North Africa, including the state, political economy, and authoritarianism, with a focus on specific countries as case studies.

POSC 417 AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES (3)

Origin and development of the American two-party system. The activities of pressure groups and organizations, and their effects upon the party system. Prerequisite: POSC 103 or consent of instructor.

POSC 418 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND POLITICS (3)

The nature and origins of the Constitution: judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, and the Commerce Clause. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 103.

POSC 419 CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES: THE FIRST AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS (3)

The constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, religious liberty, free assembly and equal protection. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 103.

POSC 420 CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS: PERSONAL LIBERTY AND THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED. (3)

Personal liberty in the home and the person in regard to individual decision making and criminal justice. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 103.

POSC 421 POLITICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (3)

Analysis and investigation of U.S. environmental problems from a political perspective. Prerequisite: POSC 103 or consent of instructor.

POSC 422 THE SUPREME COURT (3)

Roles, behavior, structure and operations of the U.S. Supreme Court. History, politics, decision making and impact of cases. Prerequisite: POSC 103 or consent of instructor.

POSC 425 LEGAL THEORY (3)

Focuses on the salient arguments for and against the major legal issues of our time. Readings, drawn from time-honored writers of the past, are designed to evoke continuous discussion and debate on contemporary problems in the law. Prerequisites: Junior standing and 9 units of political science or consent of instructor.

POSC 427 POLITICAL THEORY I (3)

Political thought in the West from the Greeks to the end of the 16th century. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 102, or consent of instructor.

POSC 428 POLITICAL THEORY II (3)

Political philosophers and their writings since the 16th century. Attention given to the conflict of ideologies in the 20th century. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or POSC 102, or consent of instructor.

POSC 430 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT (3)

Examines American political thinking, key concepts, and theorists. Addresses major and minor figures and mainstream and alternative perspectives within the American political tradition. Prerequisite: POSC 101 or consent of instructor.

POSC 432 UNITED STATES-RUSSIAN RELATIONS (3)

Relations between the U.S. and Russia. Emphasis on Soviet and post-Soviet periods, nationalities, democratization, and creation of market economics. Prerequisite: Any 100-level political science course or consent of instructor.

POSC 434 COMPARATIVE FOREIGN POLICY (3)

The foreign policy and foreign policy decision-making in countries around the world using a thematic approach. Comprehensive study of the ideas behind foreign policy-making. Prerequisite: POSC 107 or POSC 303 or consent of instructor.

POSC 436 U.S. FOREIGN POLICY (3)

The main events, ideas, and structure behind U.S. foreign policy. Ideas about the formation, conduct, and institutions involved in U.S. foreign policy and the issues facing U.S. presidents and policymakers in the 20th and 21st centuries.

POSC 438 COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISMS (3)

Examination of the political impact of contemporary religious fundamentalism primarily focusing on the United States, Israel, and the Muslim world. The causes for the rise of fundamentalism will receive special attention as well as those movements that encourage violence and terrorism. Prerequisite: POSC 103 or POSC 105 or consent of instructor.

POSC 439 POLITICS OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD (3)

An examination of the causes of poverty in the developing world. Particular attention given to the roles of the international system, domestic politics, and the natural world. Prerequisite: POSC 105 or POSC 107.

POSC 440 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS (3)

Examination of global environmental politics and policy-making. Assessment of the policy dimensions of contemporary global environmental challenges including climate change, pollution, resource depletion, and biodiversity. This course has been offered as a special topic; students who have earned credit for this course as a special topic will not receive additional credit for POSC 440. Prerequisite: POSC 107 is recommended, or consent of instructor.

POSC 445 TERRORISM AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE (3)

An examination of the threats to human rights and security posed by political violence in general and extremist groups in particular, emphasizing the evolving nature of terrorism as a force in both domestic and international affairs. Prerequisites: POSC 107, or 9 units in Political Science, or permission of the instructor.

POSC 447 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATION (3)

The nature, structure, and sources of international law, the relationship between international law and domestic U.S. law, the role of international organizations. Prerequisite: POSC 107 or consent of instructor.

POSC 449 U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY POLICY (3)

Concept of U.S. homeland security in the context of recent history, nature of threats and major vulnerabilities that are the focus of homeland security efforts, and the range of activities that constitute the U.S. homeland security enterprise. Prerequisite: POSC 107 or consent of instructor.

POSC 450 INTEREST GROUPS AND PUBLIC POLICY (3)

The structure, organization, objectives and activities of interest groups and their impact on public policy and campaign financing. Prerequisite: POSC 103 or consent of instructor.

POSC 453 INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY (3)

Principal roles of intelligence in national policy formulation, in the provision of strategic and tactical warning, in providing support for military operations, and in covert action. Problems inherent in conducting intelligence in a democracy. rerequisite: POSC 107 or consent of instructor.

POSC 459 SIMULATION AND GAMES IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

Political decisions using rational choice and game theory. Discussing voting methods, public goods, and paradoxes of collective choice using computer simulation. Prerequisite: one upper-level political science course or consent of instructor.

POSC 465 EDITORIAL WORK -TOWSON JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (1-3)

Members of the Editorial Board of "The Towson Journal of International Affairs" prepare the issues of that journal under the supervision of the faculty advisers. Admission by consent of the instructor. Graded S/U.

POSC 470 SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

An examination of current topics in political science. The content of the course will depend upon mutual faculty and student interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: Any 100-level POSC course or consent of instructor.

POSC 471 SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3)

An examination of current topics in political science. The content of the course will depend upon mutual faculty and student interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: any 100-level POSC course or consent of instructor.

POSC 472 SPEC TOPICS POSC (3)

POSC 473 SPEC TOPICS POSC (3)

POSC 474 SPECIAL TOPICS POSC (3)

POSC 475 SPEC TOPICS POSC (3)

POSC 476 SPEC TOPICS POSC (3)

POSC 477 SPEC TOPICS POSC (3)

POSC 478 SPECIAL TOPICS IN POSC (3)

POSC 479 SPEC TOPICS POSC (3)

POSC 481 SEMINAR IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY (3)

In-depth investigation into the structure and institutions of the American national government and the process of policy formation, implementation, and evaluation. Specific topic of the seminar will vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: POSC 301 and POSC 375 or POSC 381 or POSC 383 or POSC 384.

POSC 482 SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3)

In-depth investigation into the structures, institutions, and policy performance of governments in the contemporary world. Specific topic of the seminar will vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: POSC 301 and POSC 337 or POSC 339 or POSC 340.

POSC 483 SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (3)

In-depth investigation into the structures, institutions, theories, and practices of international relations. Specific topic of the seminar will vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: POSC 301 and POSC 303 or POSC 307 or POSC 434 or POSC 436.

POSC 484 SEMINAR IN LAW AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM (3)

In-depth investigation into the structures, institutions, theories, and practices of American Constitutional law and the Judicial System. Specific topic of the seminar will vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: POSC 301 and POSC 418 or POSC 419 or POSC 422.

POSC 485 SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY (3)

In-depth investigation into the history, theories, and applications of political theory. Specific topic of the seminar will vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: POSC 101, POSC 301, and POSC 427 or POSC 428.

POSC 486 SEMINAR IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (3)

In-depth investigation into the theories and practices of state and local government and politics. Specific topic of the seminar will vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: POSC 301 and POSC 305 or POSC 375.

POSC 490 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3)

Individual and supervised study in selected areas of political science. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Admission by consent of instructor.

POSC 492 INTERNSHIP: WASHINGTON CENTER (1-12)

Familiarizes students with the practical working of government institutions. The flexibility in time and unit arrangements will allow a variety of political experiences in which students combine theory and practice. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

POSC 493 INTERNSHIP I (3-12)

POSC 494 INTERNSHIP (1-6)

Familiarizes the student with the practical working of government institutions in which students theorize and practice. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: junior/senior standing and consent of department.

POSC 498 DIRECTED READINGS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (1-3)

Readings and research in preparation for the writing of a thesis or other research paper in political science under the supervision of one member of the political science faculty. Must be taken in advance of the Honor Thesis course. Prerequisites: 18 units in political science, directed readings in political science, 3.50 average in political science and an overall GPA of 3.25 and consent of instructor.

POSC 499 HONORS THESIS IN POSC (3)

Research and writing of a thesis directed by a faculty member in a chosen area of specialization.

Faculty

Professors: Matthew Hoddie, Michael Korzi (Chairperson), Paul McCartney, John McTague (Assistant Chair), Joseph Rudolph Jr., Donn Worgs

Associate Professors: Joseph Clark (Graduate Program Director), Gorana Draguljic, Navid Hassanzadeh, Sarah Oliver, Amina Sillah

Assistant Professors: Jeong Joo Ahn, Joseph Dietrich, Jonathan Hensley, Juman Kim

Lecturers: John Bullock, Michele Calderon

Affiliated Faculty: Alison Rios Millett McCartney (Dean of Honors College)

Lecturer II: Molly Ruhlman