Political Science

pcc.edu/programs/political-science/

Description

Political science focuses upon politics and political systems and the behavior of people within political systems. At PCC, primary emphasis is on American government, the constitutional background of American politics, political parties, interest groups, elections, Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court and domestic and foreign policies. In addition, PCC offers courses in peace studies, comparative politics, international relations, American foreign policy, political ideologies, and global concerns including ecological issues.

PS 106. Citizenship & Engagement: Problems in U.S. Politics. 4 Credits.

Introduces problems in U.S. politics including issues relating to citizenship and controversial topics of public policy concern. Promotes respect for diverse perspectives as it provides background information current and prospective U.S. citizens will find helpful to the successful completion of a wide range of future courses in Political Science. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

PS 201. U.S. Government. 4 Credits.

Examines the development of constitutional traditions in the United States. Includes topics such as the Bill of Rights, interest groups, parties, and elections, as well as, the national institutions including the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of government. PS 201, PS 202, and PS 203 can be taken in sequence. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS

PS 202. U.S. Public Policy & Democracy. 4 Credits.

Examines the public administration of and management issues relating to US national bureaucratic institutions. Covers how these impact a wide range of domestic policies including taxation, spending priorities, economic regulations, poverty programs, healthcare, and environmental programs, social security and other entitlements. PS 201, PS 202, and PS 203 can be taken in sequence. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS

PS 203. State and Local Government. 4 Credits.

Examines state and local government policy formulation and outcomes on issues ranging from taxation to prisons, and education to environmental concerns. Focuses on Oregon state and local politics. PS 201, PS 202, and PS 203 can be taken in sequence. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS

PS 204. Comparative Political Systems. 4 Credits.

Covers the study of political systems in various countries. Includes such issues as policy-making, representation/ participation, political culture, political economy and development and governance. Countries chosen will represent various political systems including, democracies, totalitarian regimes, dictatorships, post-communist systems in transition, newly industrializing and developing countries. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

PS 205. Global Politics: Conflict & Cooperation. 4 Credits.

Examines the nature of relations among states. Includes motivating factors such as nationalism and imperialism, economic rivalries and the quest for security, questions of national sovereignty and international cooperation, war and peace, global issues, and the future. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Cultural Literacy/DIV, Social Sciences/SS

PS 211. Peace and Conflict. 4 Credits.

Explores causes and manifestations of conflict, peace, and resolution at various levels such as: the interpersonal, intergroup, nation state, or the global community. Introduces how value systems, social and political priorities, and frameworks such as power and domination, multiculturalism, democratic pluralism, human rights, or military intervention invest in eventual peace or conflict for global societies. Explores specific strategies at various levels for peacemaking intervention, such as personal tools for conflict resolution, intergroup communication, or the international relations and humanitarian endeavors of global organizations. Fosters skill building to evaluate projects and policy that endeavor to create foundations for peace and resolution of conflict. Includes contexts such as historical events, cultural expressions, environmental conditions, and how movements for social change and political liberation experience success. PS 211 and SOC 211 are equivalent and only one can be taken for credit. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Cultural Literacy/DIV, Social Sciences/SS

PS 220. U.S. Foreign Policy. 4 Credits.

Covers historical analytical treatment of select foreign policy themes since World War I. Examines the United States' attempt to create world order through use of economic, military and diplomatic power, the roles of democratic institutions and decision-making elites in creating foreign policy, and the interdependent basis of the contemporary international system. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS

PS 221. Globalization and International Relations. 4 Credits.

Provides an introductory survey of economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of globalization and evaluates their impacts on international relations. Examines patterns of conflict and cooperation among countries including the influence of international institutions, NGOs, and global corporations. Introduces selected issues such as war and peace, global security, environment, elites and concentration of power, wealth and income distribution, cultural and ethnic identities and explores possible peaceful solutions to these global problems. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. PS 221, EC 221 and SOC 221 are equivalent and only one may be taken for credit. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/SS

PS 225. Political Ideologies: Idea Systems. 4 Credits.

Covers sources, strengths and weaknesses of contemporary ideologies, and the conditions which lead to conflict or to cooperation among them. Includes liberalisms, conservatisms, socialisms, fascisms, and other idea systems. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Cultural Literacy/DIV, Social Sciences/SS

PS 242. Modern China and Its Neighbors. 4 Credits.

Introduces Chinese politics and history emphasizing economic and other policies since 1949. Explores China's relationship to Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as well as political and economic systems in Japan, N. and S. Korea, Vietnam, and elsewhere. Examines diverse development strategies while assessing environmental and other impacts with local and global implications. EC 242 and PS 242 are equivalent and only one may be taken for credit. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

PS 280A. Cooperative Education: Political Science. 1-4 Credit.

Extends knowledge of Political Science through work and/or volunteer time spent in settings that provide learning experiences. Department permission required. Audit available.

PS 280B. Cooperative Education: Community Service & Action Seminar. 2 Credits.

This interdisciplinary seminar provides an integrative framework for students engaged in community service and cooperative education work. Focuses on social interaction, group and organizational processes, and public policies related to service, advocacy, and social change placements.

PS 280C. Cooperative Education: Peace and Conflict. 1-4 Credit.

Extends knowledge of Peace and Conflict Studies through work and/or volunteer time spent in settings that provide learning experiences. Department permission required. Audit available.

PS 297. Environmental Politics and Policy. 4 Credits.

Introduces the politics of environmental policymaking in the United States. Examines the key factors behind environmental policy conflicts, with an emphasis on themes and patterns that cut across cases. Explores topics such as interest groups, social movements, political culture, public opinion, court decisions, political leadership, media coverage and partisanship. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.