POLSC 112(W) Introduction to Political Theory:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/2/B. Selected writings of the great political thinkers. Recurrent problems of politics from Plato to the present.

POLSC 115(W) Introduction to International Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/2/B. Diplomacy, power, war, peace, terrorism, nationalism, imperialism, the UN, structures and processes of world politics.

POLSC 117(W) Introduction to Comparative Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/2/B. Comparative analysis of liberal democracies, one-party states, and authoritarian regimes; presentation and application of basic concepts and theories of comparative political analysis.

POLSC 110(W) American Government: An Historical Introduction
A Historical Introduction 3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/1/C or GER/2/B. Overview of the American political system from a historical perspective, with emphasis on the Constitution and its enduring influence, development of party systems and citizen participation, and evolving role of Congress, presidency, and courts.  Incoming transfer students cannot receive transfer evaluation credit for PolSc 110; this course can only be taken at Hunter College.

POLSC 111(W) Introduction to American Government and Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/2/B. This course is not actively taught at Hunter College, however incoming transfer students will receive credit for this course if they have taken an introductory course in American Government at another institution.  Transfer credit is not given for PolSc 110.

POLSC 211(W) State Government and Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Comparative analysis of state governments. Power and role of governors, state legislatures, parties, lobbies.

POLSC 212(W) Urban Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Politics in New York City and other urban areas. Decentralization, suburbanization, race, ethnicity, reform.

POLSC 213 Political Parties and Elections:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Organization campaigns, nominations, voting behavior, issues, finances, reforms.

POLSC 214(W) Political Parties and Interest Groups:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Theories and analysis of two key institutions that link citizens and policy makers in the United States, in both historical and contemporary perspective.

POLSC 215(W) Public Opinion and Political Participation:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. What American people think about politics and how they express it, from polls to elections to demonstrations.

POLSC 217 Contemporary Issues in American Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Selected topics in American politics and government.

POLSC 218(W) Women and Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/C. Constitutional and legal position of women, ERA, affirmative action, marriage, divorce, property, feminist causes.

POLSC 219(W) Women and the Law:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/C. Overview of how local, state, and federal laws treat people on the basis of sex.

POLSC 230(W) The American Presidency:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Selection, election, role, functions, and powers of the President

POLSC 235(W) The American Congress:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Legislation and policy-making process. Congressional organization, functions and behavior. Lobbies, parties, leaders.

POLSC 238 The American Legal System:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Civil and criminal law, common law and equity, substantive and procedural law. Emphasis on federal and New York law.

POLSC 240(W) The American Judiciary:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. The Supreme Court and other federal courts as part of policy-making process in American government.

POLSC 241( W) Managing American Government:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Organizing and controlling governmental agencies, with emphasis on efficiency and equity, problems and reforms.

POLSC 244(W) Energy and Environmental Politics and Public Policy:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Examination of political processes and public policies shaping energy production and consumption in the U.S. with comparative reference to other countries. Emphasis on political, economic, social, environmental, and foreign policy aspects.

POLSC 274(W) American Foreign Policy:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Personalities and processes in making, administering, and controlling our foreign policy.

POLSC 301(W) American Political Thought:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Examination of ideas that have shaped American politics from the Revolution to the present, including Federalists and Anti-Federalists, Progressivism and responses to industrialization, and recent debates over the welfare state, political inclusion, and democracy.

POLSC 315(W) Social and Economic Policies in Western Europe and the United States:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. Pre- or coreq: ENGL 120 and any course in comparative politics; or perm instr. Evolution of social and economic policies from the 19th century to the present. Policies are analyzed in light of tensions between democracy and capitalism.

POLSC 317 Contemporary Issues in American Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Selected topics in American politics and government.

POLSC 320(W) Ethnic Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; PD/B; GER/3/B. Ethnicity in local and national politics. Major groups, how they affect government, what government does for them.

POLSC 321(W) American Political Economy:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Critical analysis of the distribution of power between the state and the private sector. Theories about the government-business relationship are tested through a series of case studies.

POLSC 340(W) Constitutional Law:
Organizing the Government 3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 110 or 111 or 238. Constitutional problems and Supreme Court decisions. Federalism, judicial review, separation of powers, foreign policy.

POLSC 341(W) Constitutional Law:
Civil Rights 3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 110 or 111 or 238; GER/3/B. Constitutional problems and Supreme Court decisions regarding race and sex discrimination.

POLSC 342(W) Constitutional Law:
The First Amendment 3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 110 or 111 or 238. Constitutional problems and Supreme Court decisions regarding freedom of speech, press (media), religion, and assembly.

POLSC 343(W) Criminal Law:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 110 or 111 or 238. Constitutional problems and judicial decisions regarding search and seizure, right to counsel, self-incrimination.

POLSC 348(W) Public Administration and Public Policy:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Analysis of problems in policy-making and administration, focusing on motivations, ethics, authority.

POLSC 411, 412 Seminar/Internship in New York City Government:
2 sems, 4 hrs, 4 cr each sem. Prereq: perm dept. POLSC 411 offered fall, 412 offered spring. Practical experience in city government and politics. Weekly Seminars, monthly university-wide meetings.  For more information, click here.

POLSC 482 Seminar in Political Behavior:
3 hrs, 3 cr. Prereq: perm instr. or dept. Advanced seminar in public opinion, voting, mass politics. Major paper required.

POLSC 112(W) Introduction to Political Theory:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/2/B. Selected writings of the great political thinkers. Recurrent problems of politics from Plato to the present.

POLSC 201(W) Ancient to Early Modern Political Thought:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. The study of selected writers from the ancient Greeks to the Renaissance (e.g., Plato to Machiavelli), focusing on the political dimensions of such ideas as rationality, virtue, community, human nature, and historical change.

POLSC 202(W) Modern Political Thought (1600-1900):
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. The study of selected political writers (e.g., Hobbes to Nietzsche), with special emphasis given to the nature of, and problems with, liberty, equality, and justice in modern societies and states.

POLSC 203(W) Political Thought Since 1900:>
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. Pre- or coreq: ENGL 120. Exploration of concepts and thinkers in political theory since 1900. Topics will include such traditional issues of political theory as the nature and scope of political regimes, justice, equality, and changing concepts of human nature.

POLSC 204 Contemporary Issues in Political Theory:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Topics vary each semester. They have included democracy in America, totalitarianism, liberty, and authority.

POLSC 206(W) Research Design in Political Science:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: passing College proficiency examination in math or perm instr. Uses Social Science Data Lab. Offered fall. Public opinion surveys, content analysis, legislative roll-call analysis, census data, election returns. Introduction to statistics.

POLSC 207(W) Data Analysis in Political Science:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 206 or perm instr. Uses Social Science Data Lab. Offered spring. Computer applications and statistical analysis and political science. Students write a quantitative term paper.

POLSC 209(W) Women and Gender in Western Political Thought:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/C or D. Pre- or coreq: ENGL 120 or equivalent. Examines history of political thought from the perspective of gender relations and the treatment of women.

POLSC 301(W) American Political Thought:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Examination of ideas that have shaped American politics from the Revolution to the present, including Federalists and Anti-Federalists, Progressivism and responses to industrialization, and recent debates over the welfare state, political inclusion, and democracy.

POLSC 303(W) Democracy and Dictatorship:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Communism, fascism, democracy. Major political doctrines of the 20th century in theory and practice.

POLSC 304 Contemporary Issues in Political Theory:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. *Prereq: Any course in the Political Theory subfield or perm instr. Selected topics in political theory.

POLSC 305(W) Democratic Theory:
3 hrs. 3 cr; GER/3/B. Pre- or coreq: ENGL 120 and one course in political theory or perm dept. A critical survey of different conceptions of democracy: issues include democracy as a political order, democracy and “non-political” forms of life (e.g., business, family, religion), toleration, political representation, democracy and justice.

POLSC 306(W) Approaches to Political Science:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Major organizing concepts in the study of political science.

POLSC 307(W) Theory of Revolution:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. A theoretical exploration of the meaning of revolution.

POLSC 309(W) Feminist Political Theory:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/C. Readings in feminist ideas, both historical and contemporary, on issues of power, justice, and equality. The course will emphasize different perspectives, including those of liberal, radical, postmodernist, women of color, third world, and "global" feminists.

POLSC 311(W) Utopian Theory:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: ENGL 120 and one course in political theory or perm dept. Political theorists often imagine ideal worlds, both to explore ideals and to criticize political realities. This course will explore utopias and dystopias as theories that explore political possibilities and challenge existing realities.

POLSC 316(W) Political Theory of Human Rights:
3 hrs, 3 crs; GER/3/B. Prereq: ENGL 120 or equivalent; one previous course in political theory or perm instr; GER/3/B. A critical analysis of the intersection of academic and practical discourse of human rights with the central concerns of political theory, particularly as it engages relationships between ethics and power as well as theory and practice.

POLSC 115 (W) Introduction to International Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/2/B. Diplomacy, power, war, peace, terrorism, nationalism, imperialism, the UN, structures and processes of world politics.

POLSC 271(W) International Politics in the Americas:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Imperialism and dependency in Latin America. U.S. public and private agencies, international organizations.

POLSC 273 Contemporary Issues in International Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Special issues in international politics. Past topics included the international law of energy, world water resources, war.

POLSC 274(W) American Foreign Policy:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Personalities and processes in making, administering, and controlling our foreign policy. Crises and dilemmas.

POLSC 275(W) Politics of the Global Economy
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Highlighting the interaction of politics and economics across national borders, this course examines the theories, methods and substantive issues in the international political economy subfield, including the politics of trade, development, varieties of capitalism, globalization, and global commons issues. Not open to students who have taken POLSC 376.

POLSC 276(W) International Relations of the Third World:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Analysis of the role played by Third World states in international arena, examining relations of developing nations with advanced industrialized states, socialist states, and other developing nations.

POLSC 278(W) International Organizations:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 115 or perm instr. Powers, functions, and effectiveness of international institutions; emphasis on United Nations and regional organizations.

POLSC 280(W) Women, War, and Peace:
3 hrs, 3 cr; ; GER/3/B; PD/C. The course examinesthe roles that women have played as subjects and objects in war and peace.

POLSC 281(W) Drugs, Politics, and Public Policy:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Examination of public policies addressing drug use and abuse in the United States and other countries with emphasis on political and cultural determinants, economic and market factors, constitutional implications, and United States foreign policy.

POLSC 282(W) International Security:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: ENGL 120 or equivalent. An introduction to basic concepts and problems in the area of international security, this course will explore explanations for some of the central causes of security/insecurity and peace/war, as well as examine select contemporary security issues.

POLSC 373 Contemporary Issues in International Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 115 or perm instr. Selected topics in international politics.

POLSC 374(W) International Human Rights:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: ENGL 120 or equivalent. An examination of the origins, substance, and processes of human rights in international relations.

POLSC 375(W) International Law:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Case studies on nature, sources, practices, and efficacy of international law, principles, and rules.

POLSC 376(W) International Political Economy:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 115 or 117 or 243 or 271 or perm instr. Critical issues facing international system, such as global inequality, new international economic order, role of multinational corporations, and neo-colonialism.

POLSC 377(W) Theories of International Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 115 or equivalent. An examination of the central concepts and issues in international politics that underpin the main theoretical debates in the field.

POLSC 378(W) Russian National Interest: Past and Present:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. Prereq: ENGL 120 or equiv, POLSC 115 or POLSC 117 or perm instr. In a contemporary, historical, and comparative context, this course will explore the factors influencing debates on and definitions of Russia’s national interests, the strategies for promoting those interests, and the implications for Russia and the international system.

POLSC 380(W) European Security:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. Prereq: POLSC 115 or 273.87 or 282 or perm dept. Examination of the sources of war and peace, instability and stability, and insecurity and security in Europe, using social science theories and historical case studies.

POLSC 117(W) Introduction to Comparative Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/2/B. Comparative analysis of liberal democracies, one-party states, and authoritarian regimes' presentation and application of basic concepts and theories of comparative political analysis.

POLSC 220(W) Globalization and Opposition Movements:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; The environmental, social and political effects of economic globalization in less industrialized and highly industrialized countries; reformist and radical critiques and neoliberal defenses; causes and consequences of opposition movements.

POLSC 251(W) Politics of Africa, Asia, and Latin America:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Pre- or coreq: ENGL 120 or equiv. An examination of the nature of governance and politics in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Through an in-depth study of several countries, topics and concepts, such as political culture, modernization, development, dependency, democracy, political leadership, and the processes of policy making, are explored.

POLSC 252(W) Government and Politics in the Caribbean:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A.Colonial heritage and American presence. Political institutions, cultural diversity, and economic dependency.

POLSC 253(W) Government and Politics in Latin America:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Ideology, revolution, institutions, class structure, distribution of wealth and power, political and economic development.

POLSC 254(W) Government and Politics in Western Europe:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. Theory, practice, institutions, and problems of noncommunist European nations (Britain, France, Germany, etc.).

POLSC 255(W) Government and Politics of Japan and Korea:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Political, social, and economic institutions of Japan and Korea; their domestic politics and relations with the world.

POLSC 256(W) Government and Politics in South and Southeast Asia:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Political, economic, and social institutions of India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, etc.

POLSC 257(W) Government and Politics of China:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Chinese politics, institutions, and foreign policy.

POLSC 260(W) African Politics through African Films:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. An examination of contemporary African politics using various social science theories, films, and documentaries made by African filmmakers.

POLSC 262(W) Government and Politics in Central America:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Political institutions, ideology, class and ethnic structure, economic development, distribution of wealth and power, foreign influences, and revolutionary and evolutionary roads to modernization.

POLSC 263(W) Government and Politics in the Middle East:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Introduction to Islamic societies and their politics with particular attention to cultures of region.

POLSC 264(W) Government and Politics of Israel:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Historic evolution of the Jewish state and its political system, social issues, and foreign policy.

POLSC 265(W) Government and Politics in Eastern Europe:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B;PD/D. Political, social, and economic institutions of individual Eastern Central European nations and their post-communist transitions.

POLSC 267(W) The Politics of Southern Africa:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Political, economic, and social institutions in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, etc.

POLSC 270(W) Black Revolution in Africa:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Examination of varieties of revolution and socialism in Africa in post-independence era.

POLSC 272(W) Contemporary Issues in Comparative Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Prereq: POLSC 113 or 114 or 117 or perm dept. Selected topics in comparative politics. Past topics included comparative communism, Mideast foreign policy.

POLSC 279(W) Revolutionary Mass Movements: Communism, Fascism, Anarchism:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Comparative study of radical social movements in 20th century, including communist, fascist, and anarchist movements.

POLSC 310(W) Comparative Legal Systems:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. *Prereq: POLSC 111, 238 or 340 or 341 or 343 or 375 orany course in the Comparative Politics subfield, or perm instr. Comparative study of major legal traditions of the modern world, including Common Law, Civil Law, Soviet, Islamic, Chinese, tribal, and hybrid systems.

POLSC 315(W) Social and Economic Policies in Western Europe and the United States:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. Pre- or coreq: ENGL 120 and any course in comparative politics; or perm instr. Evolution of social and economic policies from the 19th century to the present. Policies are analyzed in light of tensions between democracy and capitalism.

POLSC 351(W) Government and Politics of Russia and the Post-Soviet States:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. Post-Soviet politics, institutions, social forces, economic transformations, and regions. *Pending Hunter College Senate approval.

POLSC 352(W) State and Society in Africa:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/A. Pre- or coreq: ENGL 120 or equiv. An examination of the nature of the relationship between the African state and civil society in the post-independence period and how this relationship influences governance and democracy.

POLSC 372 Contemporary Issues in Comparative Politics:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B. *Prereq: any course in the Comparative Politics subfield or perm instr. Selected topics in comparative politics.

POLSC 378(W) Russian National Interest: Past and Present:
3 hrs, 3 cr; GER/3/B; PD/D. Prereq: ENGL 120 or equiv, POLSC 115 or POLSC 117 or perm instr. In a contemporary, historical, and comparative context, this course will explore the factors influencing debates on and definitions of Russia’s national interests, the strategies for promoting those interests, and the implications for Russia and the international system.