Political Science
www.psci.vt.edu/
Timothy W. Luke, Chair
University Distinguished Professor: T. W. Luke
Edward S. Diggs Professor in the Social Sciences: E. Weisband
Professors: F. Debrix; K. M. Hult; I. A. Luciak; C. L. Taylor
Associate Professors: C. Apodaca; C. L. Brians; B. Koch; C. Lavin; D. J. Milly;
W. D. Moore; S. G. Nelson; I. Stivachtis; L. Zanotti
Assistant Professors: P. Dixit; P. Hoon; J. P. Kelly; D. X. Medina Vidal
Emeritus Faculty: R.C. Rich; R.D. Shingles; C.E. Walcott
Internship Director: C. I. P. Thomas (231-2855)
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Overview
The department offers courses leading to degrees in Political Science and International Studies. 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 for the B.A. Degree
In addition to required courses in the Curriculum for Liberal Education and the department’s general education requirements, a student majoring in political science must complete the following:
- LAHS 1004: Introduction to a Research University
- PSCI 1014: Introduction to United States Government and Politics
- PSCI 1024: Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
- PSCI 2014: Introduction to Political Theory
- PSCI 2024: Research Methods in Political Science
- PSCI 2054: Introduction to World Politics or
PSCI 2064: Global Economy and World Politics
- 21 hours of political science electives (of which 18 at the 3000 or 4000 level)
- One course in advanced theory and practice in Political Science
- 12 hours in 3000-4000 level courses in one of these related disciplines:
Agricultural and Applied Economics, Communication, Economics, English, Geography, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Urban Affairs and Planning, or a single foreign language.
Legal Studies Option for the B.A. Degree
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 Curriculum for Liberal Education and the department’s general education requirements, a student taking the legal studies option must complete:
- 1004: Introduction to a Research University
- PSCI 1014: Introduction to United States Government and Politics
- PSCI 1024: Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
- PSCI 2014: Introduction to Political Theory
- PSCI 2024: Research Methods in Political Science
- PSCI 2054: Introduction to World Politics or
- PSCI 2064: Global Economy and World Politics
Two of the following courses:
PSCI 3354: Constitutional Law: Structures and Relationships
PSCI 3364: Constitutional Law: Civil and Political Rights
PSCI 3334: Judicial Process
PSCI 4324: Senior Seminar in Constitutional Law
- PHIL 1204: Knowledge and Reality
- PHIL 1304: Morality and Justice
- 15 hours of political science electives (of which 12 at the 3000 or 4000 level)
- One course in advanced theory and practice in Political Science
- 12 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
ENGL 3684: Literature and the Law
FIN 3055: Legal Environment of Business
FIN 4004: Wills, Trusts, and Estates
FIN 4014: Internet, Electronic and Online Law
HD 4354: The Family, Law, and Public Policy
HIST 4224: Topics in Legal and Constitutional History
PHIL 4334: Jurisprudence
SOC 3414: Criminology
SOC 4404: Sociology of Law
UAP 4344: Law of Critical Environmental Areas
UAP 4754: Legal Foundations of Planning
Minor
- PSCI 1014: Introduction to United States Government and Politics;
- PSCI 1024: Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics;
- PSCI 2014: Introduction to Political Theory; or PSCI 3015 or 3016: Political Theory;
- 9 hours of political science electives (of which 6 at the 3000 or 4000 level).
Regarding Double Majors
The Department of Political Science offers majors in both Political Science and International Studies. Courses for the two majors overlap significantly. Therefore, students may not pursue both majors simultaneously, nor major in one and minor in the other.
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 arranges academic credit for 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.
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, a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society in political science, and other student organizations. Information about these activities, as well as about any other aspect of the department, may be obtained from the department chair, advisors, or the department office.
Satisfactory Progress
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the Curriculum for Liberal Education (see Academics chapter in this catalog), toward the department’s general education requirements, 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 and must achieve a minimum grade of C in both PSCI 1014 and 1024.
Study Abroad
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 choose among a variety of honors diplomas. Several of these 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. (3H,3C)
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.
1014H: HONORS INTRODUCTION TO UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
(3H,3C)
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.
1024H: HONORS INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
(3H,3C)
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 or 1014H, 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C) I,II,III,IV.
2054 (GEOG 2054) (IS 2054): INTRODUCTION TO WORLD POLITICS
An introduction to the prevalent methods and theories in the study of world politics. Topics include: historical context of contemporary world politics, global actors and power relations, international conflict and conflict resolution, international systems, interdependence, trade and integration, international law and prospects for global governance. (3H,3C)
2064 (GEOG 2064) (IS 2064): THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND WORLD POLITICS
An introduction to the interaction of politics and economics power and wealth, within the world political economy. Topics include: the international financial system, the dynamics and principles of trade, and the role of transnational firms, as well as issues of environmental protection, sustainable development, and the distribution of wealth and power. (3H,3C)
2964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
2974H: 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. I Pre: 2014. (3H,3C)
3214: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Levels and types of political participation; reasons for participation; who participates and why; effects of political activity on political processes. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H or 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H or 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H or 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
3244 (COMM 3244): POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
Distribution of political information; elite-mass communication; alternative models of political communication; communication and telecommunications policy. Pre: 1014 or 1014H or 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 1014 or 1024. (3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H or 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
3274: POLITICAL PARTIES
Development, organization, activities, and personnel of political parties; citizens' partisan attitudes and behavior; origins, characteristics, stability, and changes of party systems. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H or 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
3314: CONGRESS
Congressional structure; organization and procedure; characteristics of members of Congress; Congressional elections; decision-making and external influences; change and reform. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
3324: THE PRESIDENCY
Election, institutionalization, staffing, relations with Congress, and the bureaucracy; initiation and implementation of public policy. Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (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 or 1014H. (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.
3354: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: STRUCTURES AND RELATIONSHIPS
Power and authority of president, Congress, and courts; division of powers between states and federal government. Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
3364: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
Civil rights and liberties; rights of criminal defendants; competing conceptions of constitutional rights. Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
3414 (UAP 3434): PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
The role and context of public administration in the contemporary United States, administrative organization and decision-making, public finance, human resources administration, and program implementation. Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
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 or 1014H. (3H,3C) II.
3444 (UAP 3444): ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND POLICY
The legal context of the exercise of discretion by public administrators in the United States. Adjudication and rule-making; access to administrative processes and information; legislative and judicial control of administration. Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
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: 1014H or 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. I Pre: 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
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 or 1024H. (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. I Pre: 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
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. Pre: 1024 or 1024H 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 or 1024H. (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. I Pre: 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
3574: GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF JAPAN
Introduction to governmental institutions, patterns of political organization and behavior, and key policies of the Japanese political system. I Pre: 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
3615-3616: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Structure and development of the modern international system; theories of international politics; international law; international organizations. I Pre: IS 2054 or PSCI 2054 or GEOG 2054 or PSCI 2064 or IS 2064 or GEOG 2064 for 3615; 2054 or IS 2054 or GEOG 2054 or PSCI 2064 or IS 2064 or GEOG 2064 for 3616.(3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 1024 or 1024H. (3H,3C)
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 US 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. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
3724: POVERTY AND WELFARE POLICY
Public policies regarding the poor, impact of current policies; future policy options. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
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. I Pre: 2054 or IS 2054 or GEOG 2054. (3H,3C)
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 or 1014H. (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. I Pre: 1014 or 1014H. (3H,3C)
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: 2014, (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: 2014, (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: 2014, (3015 or 3016). (3H,3C) II.
3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
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. Pre: 3214 or 3224 or 3234 or 3244 or 3264 or 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. X-grade allowed. Pre: 3314 or 3324 or 3334 or 3515 or 3516 or 3524. (3H,3C)
4314H: HONORS SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
X-grade allowed. (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. Pre: 3354 or 3364. (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. Pre: 3414 or 3424 or 3444. (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. Pre: 3515 or 3516 or 3524 or 3554 or 3564 or 3514 or 3534 or 3544 or 3574 or 3584. (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 or 3616 or 3625 or 3626 or 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.
4624H (UAP 4624H): HONORS THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: SEM IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
X-grade allowed. (3H,3C)
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.
4644H (UAP 4644H): HONORS THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: POLITICS, POLICY AND ADMIN IN A DEMOCRACY
X-grade allowed.(3H,3C)
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. 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). Three 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.
4974H: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
4994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
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