American Government and Politics

Course Information

American Politics focuses on the study of the framework of politics (including the Constitution and constitutional law); national institutions such as the presidency or the courts; political processes and behavior, notably elections and public opinion; and urban politics and subnational government in the United States. Courses at the more advanced level explore theoretical debates about such matters as state-society relations in the United States and current issues in American politics. Internships are a popular choice among students who concentrate in American politics.

POLSC 21100(W) State Government and Politics

Comparative analysis of state governments. Power and role of governors, state legislatures, parties, lobbies.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 21200(W) Urban Politics

Politics in New York City and other urban areas. Decentralization, suburbanization, race, ethnicity, reform.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 21300(W) Political Parties and Elections

Organization, campaigns, nominations, voting behavior, issues, finances, reforms.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 21500(W) Public Opinion & Political Participation

What American people think about politics and how they express it, from polls to elections to demonstrations.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr; PD/4

POLSC 21600(W) Democracy and the Media

Democracy requires free and independant media to inform citizens, hold officials accountable, and encourage party competition on public policy. This course examines how well U.S. news organizations do so. It also analyzes how media influence public opinion through agenda setting and framing, indentifies sources of media bias (such as organizational routines, private ownership reliance on official sources, sexism, racism, and partisanship), and assesses how the rise of social media, digital technologies, and disinformation campaigns have affected these patterns.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 217XX Contemporary Issues in American Politics

Selected topics in American politics and government.
Prereq: ENGL 12000. This course number acts as an 'umbrella', with differing courses appearing as decimals (e.g., POLSC 21769, Media & Politics).
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 21800(W) Gender and Politics

Analysis of how gender identity shapes (and is shaped by) politics and society.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr; PD/C; PD/3

POLSC 21900(W) Gender and the Law

Analysis of how gender identity and expression shape (and are shaped by) law and society.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr; PD/C; PD 2 or 3

POLSC 22100(W) Immigration Policy

The course focuses on the political development of federal immigration policy, and on historical and contemporary issues in policy design and implementation. The course also surveys recent findings and debates arising from empirical analyses of immigration policy.
Prereq/Coreq: ENGL 12000 and (POLSC 11000 or POLSC 11100 or HIST 15100 or HIST 15200).
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr; PD/B or C; PD/2

POLSC 22600(W) Interest Group Politics

Analysis of the organization and role of interest groups in American politics. The course stresses the importance of organizational resources and the ability of interest groups to be “faithful advocates” of member interests in exercising influence in elections and policy-making.
Prereq: ENGL 12000. Not open to students who have completed POLSC 21400.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 22800(W) Protest Movements in American Politics

Analysis of historical and contemporary protest movements in the context of American politics; includes key concepts and explanatory factors in social movement theory, and movements such as the anti-slavery, women's suffrage, labor, civil-rights, anti-war, feminist, environmental, gay-rights, pro-choice, pro-life, and Patriot movements.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr; PD/B or C; PD/2

POLSC 23000(W) The American Presidency

Selection, election, role, functions and powers of the president.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 23500(W) The American Congress

Legislation and policy-making process. Congressional organization, functions and behavior. Lobbies, parties, leaders.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 23800 American Legal System

Civil and criminal law, common law and equity, substantive and procedural law. Emphasis on federal and New York law.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 24000(W) The American Judiciary

The Supreme Court and other federal courts as part of policy-making process in American government.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 24400(W) Energy & Environmental Politics & Public Policy

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.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 27400(W) American Foreign Policy

Broad overview of the sources, processes, institutions, traditional tenets, current challenges, and aims of American foreign policy.
Prereq: ENGL 12000. Counts as either American or IR (but not both).
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 30100(W) American Political Thought

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.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and one course in Political Theory. Counts as either American or Theory (but not both).
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 317XX Contemporary Issues in American Politics

Selected topics in American politics and government.
Prereq: ENGL 12000. This course number acts as an 'umbrella', with differing courses appearing as decimals (e.g., PolSc 31771, The Law of Privacy).
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 31800(W) Politics of Rage

American politics in an age of political extremism with a focus on white identity politics and the mainstreaming of white nationalism.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and any Political Science course.
Credits: 4 hrs, 4 cr

POLSC 32000(W) Politics, Identity, and Representation

Major theories and empirical approaches to the study of race, ethnicity, and gender in American politics. Study of identity as an organizing and motivating force in American politics.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and any Political Science course.
Credits: 4 hrs, 4 cr; PD/B

POLSC 32100(W) American Political Economy

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.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 32200(W) Social and Economic Policies in Western Europe and the United States

Evolution of social and economic policies from the 19th century to the present. Policies are analyzed in light of tensions between democracy and capitalism.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and any course in American politics or comparative politics. Only open to students who have completed 45 credits and 9 credits in PolSc. Not open to students who have completed POLSC 31500. Counts as either American or Comparative (but not both).
Credits: 4 hrs, 4 cr; PD/D

POLSC 32300(W) Politics of Public Budgeting

Course sets the processes and techniques of public budgeting within the context of American political institutions at the national. state, and local levels.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and 2 POLSC courses 20000 level or above.
Credits: 4 hrs. 4cr

POLSC 33000(W) American Political Development

Analysis of the historical development of American politics, including: the impact of the Constitution, ideas, and political culture; state building/unbuilding in different historical eras; and the evolution of citizenship and political participation.
Prereq: ENGL 120 and POLSC 11000 or POLSC 11100.
Credits: 4 hrs, 4 cr

POLSC 33400 (W) Queer Policy & Politics

This course traces the development of law and policy impacting LGBTQ people in America. Its focus will be on how political struggles for LGBTQ identity and equality have framed the policy and legal battles in state legislatures, the Congress, and the courts. The course will examine institutional and non-institutional approaches taken by queer activists on a number of topics including employment, public accomodations, healthcare access, and immigration.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 4 hrs, 4 cr

POLSC 34000(W) Constitutional Law: Organizing the Government

Constitutional problems and Supreme Court decisions. Federalism, judicial review, separation of powers, foreign policy.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and (POLSC 11000 or POLSC 11100 or POLSC 23800).
Credits: 4 hrs, 4 cr

POLSC 34100(W) Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties

Constitutional problems and Supreme Court decisions regarding race and sex discrimination.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and (POLSC 11000 or POLSC 11100 or POLSC 23800).
Credits: 4 hrs, 4 cr

POLSC 34300(W) Criminal Law

Constitutional problems and judicial decisions regarding search and seizure, right to counsel, self incrimination.
Prereq: ENGL 12000 and (POLSC 11000 or POLSC 11100 or POLSC 23800).
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr

POLSC 34800(W) Public Administration and Public Policy

Analysis of problems in policy-making and administration, focusing on motivations, ethics, authority.
Prereq: ENGL 12000.
Credits: 3 hrs, 3 cr