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 Course (3 credit hours)
Select from one of the following:
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
PSC101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC102 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | 3 - Credit Hours
Distributions Requirements (9 credit hours)
Select one course from each distribution category listed below:
American Government, Politics, and Public Law
International Relations and Comparative Government
Political Theory
American Government, Politics, and Public Law Distribution Category
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
PSC210 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC218 AFRICAN AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC225 THE POLITICS OF DIVERSITY AND JUSTICE | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC250 INTRODUCTION TO LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC312 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC317 U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC320 U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC321 CIVIL PROCEDURE | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC360 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC410 POLITICAL BEHAVIOR AND PUBLIC OPINION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC421 DISCRIMINATION AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC485 MOCK TRIAL | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
International Relations and Comparative Government Distribution Category
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
PSC104 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC240 EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC309 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC330 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC333 AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC335 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC337 POLITICS OF GLOBALIZATION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC341 GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, AND POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC345 POLITICS AND HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST | 3 - Credit Hours
OR HIS313 POLITICS AND HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST | 3 - Credit Hours
Political Theory Distribution Category
Complete at least 1 of the following Courses:
PSC351 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT I | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC352 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT II | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC355 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC375 RACE, SEX, AND POLITICS OF MYTH AND STORY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC450 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 - Credit Hours
General Electives in Political Science (6 credit hours)
Complete at least 2 of the following Courses:
PSC203 POLITICAL ANALYSIS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC204 POLITICAL STATISTICS | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC215 URBAN GOVERNMENT | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC360 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC364 AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC389 TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC390 THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: POLITICS, SOCIETY, & IDENTITY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC415 URBAN PUBLIC POLICY | 3 - Credit Hours
PSC495 SPECIAL PROJECT | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
PSC497 CAPSTONE INTERNSHIP | 3 - 16 Credit Hours
PSC499 INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1 - 12 Credit Hours
Note: Courses not used to fulfill Required Courses or Distribution Requirements may also be used as general electives in Political Science
18 Total Credit Hours