Political Science
www.majbill.vt.edu/polisci/main/
Ilja A. Luciak, Chair
University Distinguished Professor: T. W. Luke
Edward S. Diggs Professor in the Social Sciences: E. Weisband
Professors: K. M. Hult; I. A. Luciak; R. C. Rich; C. L. Taylor; C. E. Walcott
Associate Professors: D. A. Borer; D. J. Milly; W. D. Moore; R. D. Shingles
Assistant Professors: C. L. Brians; C. I. Clement; S. G. Nelson
Internship Director: R. C. Rich (231-5823)
|
 |
|
|
Overview
-
The department offers courses leading to the B.A. and M.A. in
political science. These courses provide understanding of political
systems, forms of government, and political processes throughout the
world. Political science courses also offer preparation for careers in
government, business, law, politics, and education.
General Option
- In addition to required courses in the core curricula of both the university and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, a student majoring in political science must complete the following:
- PSci 1014: Intro. to United States Government and Politics;
- PSCI 1024: Intro. to Comparative Government and Politics;
- PSci 2024: Research Methods in Political Science;
- PSci 3015 or 3016: Political Theory;
- 18 hours of political science electives;
- 12 hours in 3000-4000 level courses in one of the following:
- any one of the humanities;
- any one of the social sciences;
- any courses in the College of Business.
Note: This requirement also may be met by taking 12 hours in a foreign language beyond what may be needed to complete the core curriculum.
Legal Studies Option
- This option is intended to help students gain appreciation of one of western civilization's greatest intellectual achievements the structure and application of the law. The option is not intended to be a pre-law program, although students hoping to attend law school may enroll for the option and may well benefit from its completion. In addition to meeting the requirements of the college and university core curricula, a student taking the legal studies option must complete:
- PSci 1014: Intro. to United States Government and Politics;
- PSCI 1024: Intro. to Comparative Government and Politics;
- PSci 2024: Research Methods in Political Science;
- PSci 3015 or 3016: Political Theory;
- 18 hours of electives, including at least two of:
- PSCI 3345, 3346: Constitutional Law;
- PSci 3334: Judicial Process;
- PSCI 4324: Seminar in Constitutional Law
- PHIL 1204: Knowledge and Reality;
- PHIL 1304: Morality and Justice;
- 15 hours of courses from among the following:
AAEC 3314: Environmental Law
AAEC 3604: Agricultural Law
AAEC 4754: Real Estate Law
COMM 4024: Communications Law and Ethics
Econ 4894: Law and Economics
HD 4354: The Family, Law, and Public Policy
FIN 3055-3056: Legal Environment of Business
FIN 3064: Legal Environment of Business for Accountants
FIN 4004: Wills, Trusts, and Estates
FIN 4014: Internet, Electronic and Online Law
FIN 4054: Poverty and Law
FIN 4064: Contemporary Law and the Individual
HIST 4224: Topics in Legal and Constitutional History
PHIL 4334: Jurisprudence
SOC 3414: Criminology
SOC 4404: Sociology of Law
UAP 4754: Legal Foundations of Planning
Minor
- A minor in political science may be obtained by completing:
- PSci 1014: Intro. to United States Government and Politics;
- PSCI 1024: Intro. to Comparative Government and Politics;
- PSci 3015 or 3016: Political Theory;
- 9 hours of political science electives.
Advising
- The department provides advisors to help students understand and meet degree requirements. Career counseling also is available in the department, as is advising for students interested in attending law school after graduation from Virginia Tech. The department participates in the Cooperative Education Program and arranges internships in state, local, and federal governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate settings.
- The department's internship program offers students a chance to gain career-related experience in a wide variety of organizations. Information on these opportunities can be obtained from the internship director. Study abroad is available through the London Semester and other programs of the university.
- To provide opportunities for informal association of faculty and students, the department sponsors the Political Science Club, a chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law honor fraternity, and a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society in political science. Information about these organizations, as well as about any other aspect of the department, may be obtained from the department chair, advisors, or the department office.
- The department offers honors courses and participates fully in the University Honors Program.
Satisfactory Progress
- University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the University Core (see Academics chapter in this catalog), toward the Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Core (see first part of this chapter), and toward the degree in political science.
- Satisfactory progress toward the B.A. in political science requires completion of PSCI 1014, 1024, and 2024 within the first 60 credit hours attempted. Students must also maintain an in-major GPA of 2.0.
Study Abroad
- The School of Public and International Affairs, of which Political Science is a part, offers the London Semester each summer. This four-week program is based in that city, but it includes visits such as to the headquarters of the European Union in Brussells and to the Parliament in Scotland. Virginia Tech offers a variety of other study-abroad programs, including that of the European Studies Center in the university's own facilities in Switzerland.
Honors
- Honors courses are offered in Political Science. Majors in the department also may be admitted into the University Honors Program. In this program, they may graduate with one of three honors diplomas. Two of these diplomas require a senior honors thesis written under the direction of a faculty member in the department.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (PSCI)1004 (SPIA 1004): NATIONS AND NATIONALITIES
Introduction to world and American ethnic and indigenous cultures and to social constructions of human and group identity, nationalism and extreme ethno-nationalism. Music, dance, film, art, ceremonial rituals and other multimedia forms of creative or symbolic expression, supplement readings and lectures. Multidisciplinary exploration of collective conceptions of cultural differences. (2H,3C)
SPIA 2004: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
Use of computer technology to enhance research skills, analysis, and communication in the social sciences and planning. Use of the Internet in research. Incorporation of Geographic Information Systems in projects. Experience in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, web-site development, and presentation software to communicate effectively. (3H,3C) II.
1014: INTRODUCTION TO UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Government and politics of the United States; the
Constitution, political culture, interest groups, political
parties, elections, Congress, bureaucracy, presidency, and
federal courts; selected current policy issues.
(3H,3C)
I,II,III,IV.
1024: INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Government and politics of selected countries outside the
United States; nature of politics and government, types of
political systems, linkages of people and governments, and
current political issues.
(3H,3C)
I,II,III,IV.
2014: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY
Examines central themes involved in the practices of
normative political theory. Topics will include critical
review of the historical origins, established traditions,
and major themes in normative political thinking.
(3H,3C)
2024: RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Introduction to research in political science; formulation
of theory, operationalization and measurement, gathering,
analysis and interpretation of data.
Pre: 1014, 1024.
(3H,3C)
I,II,III,IV.
2055-2056 (GEOG 2055-2056-2056) (IS 2055-2056-2056): WORLD POLITICS AND ECONOMY
Introduction to the study of world politics and political
economy. Topics include balance of power, conflict
resolution, interdependence, international trade and
monetary management, poverty and development, as well as the
role of values in world order.
(3H,3C)
2055: I; 2056: II.
2964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3015,3016 (PHIL 3015, 3016): POLITICAL THEORY
Analysis of the fundamental ideas in the history of
political theory. 3015: Plato to the 17th century. 3016:
late 17th century to the present.
Pre: 1014, 1024.
(3H,3C)
3015: I; 3016: II.
3214: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Levels and types of political participation; reasons for
participation; who participates and why; effects of
political activity on political processes.
Pre: 1014 or 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3224: PUBLIC OPINION
Sources and distribution of public opinion; measurement of
public opinion; relationships between public opinion and
public policy; institutions linking public opinion to
government decisions.
Pre: 1014 or 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3234: VOTING AND ELECTIONS
Voting, elections, and support for political parties and
party leaders in the United States and other Western
democracies; impact of economic conditions on political
support and patterns of realignment and dealignment.
Pre: 1014 or 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3244 (COMM 3244): POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
Distribution of political information; elite-mass
communication; alternative models of political
communication; communication and telecommunications policy.
Pre: 1014 or 1024.
(3H,3C)
II.
3255,3256: THE POLITICS OF RACE, ETHNICITY AND GENDER
Studies the status and political behavior of selected
political minorities. 3255: compares African-, Mexican-
and Native-Americans. 3256: examines diverse political
responses to traditional gender roles, current gender
issues, and the unique gender problems facing people of
color.
Pre: 1014 or 1024.
(3H,3C)
3255: I; 3256: II.
3264: INTEREST GROUPS
Formation, structure, activities, and regulation of interest
groups; comparison of American interest groups with those
in other countries; evaluation of interest groups as
participants in the political process.
Pre: 1014 or 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3274: POLITICAL PARTIES
Development, organization, activities, and personnel of
political parties; citizens' partisan attitudes and
behavior; origins, characteristics, stability, and changes
of party systems.
Pre: 1014 or 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3314: CONGRESS
Congressional structure; organization and procedure;
characteristics of members of Congress; Congressional
elections; decision-making and external influences;
change and reform.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
I.
3324: THE PRESIDENCY
Election, institutionalization, staffing, relations with
Congress, and the bureaucracy; initiation and implementation
of public policy.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
II.
3334: JUDICIAL PROCESS
Structure and functions of American legal institutions;
participants in the process, impact of legal institutions
on society.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
II.
3344 (UAP 3344): GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES
Critical examination of major global environmental problems
(e.g., global warming, atmospheric ozone depletion, acid
rain, tropical deforestation, toxic waste) with emphasis
on their social, economic, political, ethical, and
policy implications and solutions. Pre: completion of
Area 4 of University Core.
(3H,3C)
II..
3345,3346: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
3345: Powers and authority of President, Congress, and
Courts; division of power between states and federal
government. 3346: civil rights and liberties; rights of
criminal defendants.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
3345: I; 3346: I,II.
3415-3416 (MGT 3415-3416-3416) (UAP 3415-3416-3416): PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Context, role, and the legal processes of public
administration. 3415: Attributes of administrative
organization and decision-making, public finances, personnel
relations, and program implementation. 3416: Federal
administration process; rule-making and adjudication, legal
restrictions, and controls.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
3415: I; 3416: II.
3424: STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Institutions, functions, and policies of state, county,
and municipal governments in the U.S.; issues confronting
these governments in the federal system.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
I.
3434: URBAN POLITICS
Basic concepts of urban politics; governmental structures,
policy processes, and political conflicts in U.S. cities,
policy options for coping with urban problems.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
II.
3514: LATIN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Introduction to the political systems of Latin American
countries, including legislative-executive relations,
interest groups, political parties, electoral systems,
political violence, and socio-political development.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
II.
3515,3516: EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS
The government and politics of selected European states and
of the European Union. 3515: normally includes the United
Kingdom. 3516: normally includes Germany and Hungary.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
3515: I; 3516: II.
3524: POLITICS OF POST-COMMUNIST SYSTEMS
Institutions, party structures, political economy, elite
politics, ethnic conflicts, leadership dynamics, and mass
political behavior in Russia and other post-communist
political systems.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
II.
3534: AFRICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Survey of major concepts and themes in the study of African
politics and development: analyses of the state, political
institutions, social forces, democratization, sustainable
development, issues of contemporary African politics.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3544 (JUD 3544): THE STATE OF ISRAEL: A POLITICAL HISTORY
This course provides a survey on the political history of
the State of Israel and highlights major themes uniquely
characterizing the specific events surrounding its
establishment and its first 50 years of existence.
Additionally, the course will add a comparative dimension
by using the political history of Israel as a case study to
discuss major themes in political science such as democracy,
government, political economy, etc.
PSCI 1024 or JUD 2134.
(3H,3C)
II.
3554: COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ECONOMY
Economic policies and collective choice processes of
pre-industrial, industrializing, and advanced industrial
states; problems and crises of industrial development,
economic distribution, and technological transfer in the
transition from an agrarian to advanced industrial society.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
II.
3564: VIOLENT POLITICAL CHANGE
Historical origins, political processes, and institutional
outcomes of violent political change, rising from mass
protest movements, revolutionary organization, military
coups, and radical political parties.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3574: GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF JAPAN
Introduction to governmental institutions, patterns of
political organization and behavior, and key policies of the
Japanese political system.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3584: GOVERNMENTS AND POLITICS OF ASIA
Introduction to governmental institutions, political
behavior, and social and economic policy approaches of China
and other selected countries in the Asian region.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3615-3616: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Structure and development of the modern international
system; theories of international politics; international
law; international organizations.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
3615: I; 3616: II.
3625,3626: FOREIGN POLICIES OF THE SUPER POWERS
3625: Formulation of American foreign policy; roles of the
President, Congress, press, public, and bureaucracy; central
themes, issues, and problems of American diplomacy; 3626:
Development and operational practices of Russian foreign
policy decision-making in the international environment;
party and state political institutions; Marxist-Leninist
ideology.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
3625: I; 3626: II.
3684 (AINS 3684): INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND WORLD POLITICS
A survey of the historical and contemporary struggles of
indigenous peoples throughout the world. Examines the
dynamics of colonialism (internal and external), identity
construction, gender, cultural integrity, and the ongoing
global indigenous rights discourse. In addition to covering
broad global processes/theoretical approaches,
comparative case studies of particular indigenous groups,
such as the Maasai (Kenya, Tanzania) and Mayans (Mexico,
Guatemala, Belize), are used to highlight the global,
regional and intra-community diversity among contemporary
indigenous peoples.
(3H,3C)
3714 (UAP 3714): THE U.S. POLICY PROCESS
Description and analysis of the processes and institutions
involved in the making and implementation of public policy
in the United States, with a primary focus on domestic and
economic policy. Empirical and normative models of the
process of public policy making in the U.S.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
I.
3724: POVERTY AND WELFARE POLICY
Public policies regarding the poor, impact of current
policies; future policy options.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
I.
3734: NATIONAL SECURITY
Post-1945 strategic problems, policies, and security
commitments of major participants in international politics,
especially the United States and Russia; effects
of security policies on international and domestic
political economies.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3744 (UAP 3744): PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS
Methods and approaches used in the analysis and evaluation
of public policy; strengths and limitations of various
analytic tools; normative issues in the practice of policy
analysis.
Pre: 1014.
(3H,3C)
II.
3754: AMERICAN POLITICAL THEORY
American political theory from the pre-Revolutionary era to
the present. American contribution to the understanding of
freedom, equality, political community, constitutionalism,
political dissent, and the welfare state.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
I.
3764: CONTEMPORARY DEMOCRATIC THEORY
History and critiques of classical theories of democracy;
contradictions within and contemporary problems facing
democracy; future of democracy according to conservative,
liberal, and radical theoretical perspectives.
Pre: 1014, (3015 or 3016).
(3H,3C)
II.
3774 (UAP 3774): MARXIAN POLITICAL ANALYSIS
Contemporary uses of Marxian concepts and theories to study
the world economy, business structure, current social
issues, modern ethical values, and alienation.
Pre: 1024, (3016 or 3554).
(3H,3C)
II.
3784: ORIGINS OF THE STATE
Theories of the origins of politics and government; evidence
of state formation in prehistoric societies; political
behavior in contemporary pre-literate societies as precursor
to state formation.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
II.
4214: SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLITICAL BEHAVIOR
Political behavior: socialization, voting, opinion formation
and expression, decision-making in government, as explained
by personality, rationality, culture, class, and
institutional roles. Topics vary from semester to semester
as announced. Must have senior standing and any two of
the prerequisites.
Pre: 3214, 3224, 3234, 3244, 3264, 3274.
(3H,3C)
4314: SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Selected topics in political institutions, including
decision-making, types and structures of political
institutions, internal and external influences on
institutional behavior. Topics vary from semester to
semester. Must have senior standing and any two of the
prerequisites.
X-grade allowed.
Pre: 3314, 3324, 3334, 3515, 3516, 3524.
(3H,3C)
4324: SENIOR SEMINAR IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Cases, law review articles, and related materials containing
describing, or commenting on major decisions of
the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics vary from semester to
semester as announced. Must have senior standing and any
two of the prerequisites.
Pre: 3334, 3345, 3346.
(3H,3C)
4414: SENIOR SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Selected topics in public administration, including
norms of practice, government personnel, administrative
process, administrative law, privatizing, and contracting.
Topics vary from semester to semester as announced.
Must have senior standing and any two of the prerequisites.
Pre: 3415, 3416, 3424.
(3H,3C)
4514: SENIOR SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Selected topics in the comparative analysis of political
behavior, processes, and institutions; cross-national
institutional and aggregate data analysis. Topics vary
from semester to semester as announced. Must have
senior standing and any two of the prerequisites.
Pre: 3515, 3516, 3524, 3554, 3564.
(3H,3C)
4614: SENIOR SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Selected topics in international relations, including
objectives of national policy, dimensions and components
of national power, comparative diplomacy, international
conflict and cooperation, instruments for conflict
resolution. Topics vary from semester to semester as
announced. Must have senior standing and any two of
the prerequisites.
Pre: 3615, 3616, 3625, 3626, 3734.
(3H,3C)
4624 (UAP 4624): THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
This seminar is the integrative forum for the principal
elements of the Washington Semester experience. The course
explores both the role of political institutions in policy
formation and implementation and the primary managerial and
leadership challenges that arise for implementing
organization managers in American democratic public
policy-making. PRE: Junior standing or instructor consent
and acceptance into the Washington Semester program.
X-grade allowed.
(3H,3C)
III,IV.
4644 (UAP 4644): THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: POLITICS, POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION IN A DEMOCRACY
This course is part of the Washington Semester. Explores
the relationship between the imperatives of democratic
mobilization, policy choices and organizational choices
through intensive study of the operating context of a
selected public or nonprofit organization. Examines
implications of policy-maker choices for implementing
institution dynamics and challenges. Junior standing and
acceptance into the Washington Semester program required.
X-grade allowed.
Pre: 3714.
(3H,3C)
III,IV.
4714: SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLICY ANALYSIS
Theoretical, analytical, and methodological approaches used to assess government activities and public policy. Topics vary from semester to semester as announced. Must have senior standing an any two of the prerequisites. Pre: 3724, 3734. (3H,3C)
4724: SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY
Selected topics in analytic political philosophy,
contemporary ideologies, and democratic theory. Topics
vary from semester to semester as announced. Senior
standing required. Must have senior standing and any two
of the prerequisites.
Pre: 3015 or 3016 or 3764 or 3754 or 3774.
(3H,3C)
4754: INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Qualified students are placed in an administrative or legislative staff position under the combined supervision of a faculty member and a responsible supervisor in the employing agency. Detailed reports on the internship experience and a specific project will be required of each intern. (Variable credit to maximum of 6 credits for a full-time position over an entire semester). 3 hours of appropriate advanced American government courses, Junior standing, a screening interview, GPA of 3.00 or better and consent required. Variable credit course. X-grade allowed. I,II.
4964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
TOP
|