Distinguished Professors

John G. Gunnell, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Richard P. Nathan, Ph.D.
Harvard University

Professors Emeritae/I

Carlos A. Astiz, Ph.D.
Pennsylvania State University

Webb S. Fiser, Ph.D.
University of Chicago

Walter Goldstein, Ph.D.
University of Chicago

Bernard K. Johnpoll Ph.D.
State University of New York at Albany

Alvin Magid, Ph.D.
Michigan State University

James A Riedel, Ph.D.
University of Chicago

Stephen L. Wasby, Ph.D.
University of Oregon

Lewis P. Welch, Ph.D.
Syracuse University

Theodore P. Wright Jr., Ph.D.
Yale University

Professors

Thomas W. Church, Ph.D.
Cornell University

Martin Edelman, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of California, Berkeley

Erik P. Hoffmann, Ph.D.
Indiana University

Michael J. Malbin, Ph.D.
Cornell University

Bruce L. Miroff, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkley

Robert T. Nakamura, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Charles D. Tarlton, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles

Frank J. Thompson, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Joseph F. Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Syracuse University

Associate Professors

Scott W. Barclay, Ph.D.
Northwestern University

Thomas A. Birkland, Ph.D.
University of Washington

Peter D. Breiner, Ph.D.
Stanford University

Jose E. Cruz, Ph.D.
CUNY Graduate Center

Benjamin Fordham, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Sally Friedman, Ph.D.
University of Michigan

Anne M. Hildreth, Ph.D.
University of Iowa

Gregory P. Nowell, Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Morton Schoolman, Ph.D.
Brown University

Alissa Worden, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina

Assistant Professors

Cheng Chen, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania

Jennifer Jensen, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Thomas Walker, Ph.D.
Rutgers University

Adjuncts (estimated): 5
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 18

While a major in the Department of Political Science may be used as preparation for graduate programs in law, public administration, public affairs or other professional study, the major can also lead to entry-level employment in government or industry training programs and the programs provide a basis for effective citizen participation in public affairs, whether or not a student pursues further professional training. The most common careers are in law, government service, teaching, business, and journalism.

Recognizing the fact that a lawyer must be politically knowledgeable, many prelaw students major in political science. Individuals engaged in the practice of law automatically are involved in "political" activities because of their dealings with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

The location of the Graduate School of Public Affairs in the capital city of the Empire State affords students of political science unusual opportunities to observe and study the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the state government, the second largest public employer in the United States. With a few exceptions, the principal office of each state department, division, and office is located in Albany.

Internship opportunities are available for juniors and seniors to work in legislative and other governmental offices in Albany, and a new internship and educational program has been established for political science honors students in Washington, DC. See R Pos 338, 341, 342, and 495Z.

Library resources to support research in New York State government are excellent. Students have access to the New York State Library, with one of the largest collections in the world. State departments, divisions and offices also have specialized libraries containing information not commonly housed in university or public libraries.

General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits in political science including R Pos 101M or 101G and 102M or 102G and 103M or 103G; at least 18 credits from courses at or above the 300 level (including the concentration-see below); and at least 3 credits from courses at the 400 level that require a major research or writing project.

Majors in Political Science must pick an upper-division area of concentration in American Politics, Global Politics, Public Law, or Political Theory and take at least four courses in this area of concentration at the 300 or 400 level. It is recommended, but not required, that students take the 400- level writing intensive course that is part of the major in their area of concentration.

The list of courses for each area of concentration follows:

American Politics
R Pos 320
R Pos 321 (R Pub 321)
R Pos 323
R Pos 324 (A Lcs 375)
R Pos 325 (R Pub 325)
R Pos 329 (R Pad 329)
R Pos 331
R Pos 332
R Pos 334
R Pos 337
R Pos 339
R Pos 341
R Pos 365
R Pos 402Z (R Pub 402Z)
R Pos 406Z (R Pub 406Z)
R Pos 411Z (R Pub 411Z)
R Pos 424
R Pos 430
R Pos 433 (A Wss 433)
R Pos 433Z (A Wss 433Z)
R Pos 435Z
R Pos 438Z
R Pos 439
R Pos 439Z
R Pos 495Z

Global Politics
R Pos 350 (R Pub 350)
R Pos 351
R Pos 353
R Pos 354
R Pos 355
R Pos 356
R Pos 357 (A Lcs 357)
R Pos 358
R Pos 359 (A Jst 359)
R Pos 370
R Pos 371
R Pos 373
R Pos 374
R Pos 375
R Pos 376
R Pos 380
R Pos 383
R Pos 384
R Pos 395 (R Pub 395)
R Pos 396 (R Pub 396)
R Pos 398 (R Pub 398)
R Pos 444
R Pos 444Z
R Pos 452Z
R Pos 469
R Pos 469Z
R Pos 472Z
R Pos 473Z
R Pos 479
R Pos 479Z

Political Theory
R Pos 301
R Pos 302
R Pos 306
R Pos 307
R Pos 308
R Pos 310
R Pos 313
R Pos 314
R Pos 419Z

Public Law
R Pos 328 (R Pub 328)
R Pos 330
R Pos 333 (A Wss 333)
R Pos 335
R Pos 336
R Pos 346
R Pos 363
R Pos 410Z (R Pub 410Z)
R Pos 426Z
R Pos 427Z
R Pos 428
R Pos 429Z
R Pos 437Z
R Pos 449
R Pos 449Z

Internships cannot be used to satisfy the 400-level course requirement, but honors seminars or independent studies can be counted if they are appropriate and with permission.

Independent study courses are used to deal with topics not covered by regular departmental offerings and after classroom courses dealing with the same subject have been completed. Prior to registering for independent study, students must have their proposed research project approved by a faculty member willing to direct the research. The student's prospectus must outline the topic of the proposed research, indicate its importance to political science, and describe the methodology to be employed and methodological problems that may be encountered. Students may not register for independent study unless a copy of the prospectus, properly signed, has been filed with the department; independent study courses may not be used in lieu of classroom courses.

Public Administration courses other than R Pad 110, 111, 210 and 111, Public Policy courses and Criminal Justice 353 and 414 are acceptable as political science courses in meeting the 36-credit requirement in political science, but R Pad and R Crj 400- level courses cannot be used to satisfy the requirement of a 400-level course which requires a major research or writing project.

The Political internship (R Pos 338) is open only to juniors and seniors with a minimum overall average of 2.5 or higher. A maximum of 3 credits from R Pos 338, the former R Pos 431; and U Uni 390, 391 and 392 will be applied toward a major in Political Science. Approval of the undergraduate coordinator is required prior to enrollment.

The Department recommends that students take the 200-level survey and topical courses.

The Department offers a two-course sequence (R Pos 416Z and 417Z) in empirical methodology for social scientists. R Pos 416Z and R Pos 417Z are both required for all Public Affairs majors. They will satisfy some of the requirements for a minor in computing in the social sciences.

This program is designed to provide serious students of politics with the opportunity for a special educational experience in small seminars where they can develop their writing, discussion and analytical skills.

Majors may apply for admission to the Faculty Honors Committee at the end of the sophomore year, or for junior transfers, upon admission to the University. The requirements for admission include:

Overall cumulative grade point average of 3.25, with special attention paid to grades in political science courses.

Completion of 9 credits in political science (including, normally, R Pos 101M or 101G, R Pos 102M or 102G, and R Pos 103M or 103G) before beginning the program.

Submission of a one-page typed statement of purpose, a transcript of courses taken, and a letter of support from one member of the faculty or a teaching assistant.

The Honors Program will require 16 credits of honors work.

All students beginning the Honors Program will take Great Ideas in Political Science (R Pos 496Z). This seminar will be taught each fall and will be restricted to honors students only.

Students in the honors program must take two 4-credit honors versions of existing 300-level courses (R Pos 300-level + 1 credit R Pos 300). In addition to attending classes and doing the same assignments as the other students in the course, they will earn the additional fourth credit through a tutorial with the faculty member teaching the course that will include extra reading and writing assignments.

Students in the honors program will have the option of capping their studies with either a 4-credit honors thesis (R Pos 499Z) written under the supervision of a faculty member or a 4-credit version of an existing 400-level course in which the honors student will undertake a major writing project (R Pos 400-level + 1 credit R Pos 400) or R Pos 495Z.

Honors students will need to have an upper-division area of concentration in American Politics, Global Politics, Public Law, or Political Theory. The two 300-level honors courses and the 400-level honors course or honors thesis can be used to fulfill this requirement.

Maintenance of a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.50 in political science to continue in the program in the senior year and to graduate with honors.

Political Science/Political Science

The combined B.A./M.A. program in political science/political science provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of the junior student to earn the B.A. and M.A. degrees within nine semesters.

The combined program requires a minimum of 143 credits, of which at least 32 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all University and school requirements, including the requirements of the major described previously, the minor requirement, the minimum 90-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.A., students must meet all University and school requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 38 graduate credits and any other conditions such as field seminars and Master's Essay (R Pos 698), professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 9 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.A. programs.

Students are considered as undergraduates until completion of 120 graduation credits and satisfactory completion of all B.A. requirements. Upon meeting B.A. requirements, students are automatically considered as graduate students.

Students may apply to the combined degree program in political science/political science at the beginning of their junior year or after the successful completion of 56 credits, but no later than the accumulation of 100 credits. To be eligible for admission, the student must have completed at least one semester in residency at this University.

The student must also have completed at least 6 credits of course work in political science at this University. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, a grade point average of 3.20 or higher in course work completed at Albany, and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration.

Political Science/Public Administration

The combined B.A./M.P.A. program in political science/public administration provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of the junior year. A carefully designed program can permit a student to earn the B.A. and M.P.A. degrees in one less semester than is normally required.

The combined program requires a minimum of 154 credits, of which at least 46 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all University and school requirements, including the requirements of the major described previously, the minor requirement, the minimum 90-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements, and residency requirements.

In qualifying for the M.P.A., students must meet all University and school requirements, as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 46 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience and residency requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.P.A. programs.

Students are considered as undergraduates until completion of 120 graduation credits and satisfactory completion of all B.A. requirements. Upon meeting B.A. requirements, students are automatically considered as graduate students.

Students may apply to the combined degree program in political science/public administration at the beginning of their junior year or after the successful completion of 56 credits, but no later than the accumulation of 100 credits. To be eligible for admission, the student must have completed at least one semester in residency at this University. The student must also have completed at least 6 credits of course work in political science at this University. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, a grade point average of 3.20 or higher in course work completed at Albany, and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration. The Graduate Record Exam is not required. Of the 36 credits required for the B.A. degree in political science, at least 18 credits must be from courses taken in political science on this campus.

Political Science/Public Affairs and Policy

The combined BA/MA joins the undergraduate major (BA) in Political Science (POS) with the Master of Arts in Public Affairs and Policy (MA) in the Department of Public Administration and Policy. This program will allow a student to earn a BA in POS and the MA in Public Affairs and Policy in approximately one less semester than otherwise would be required.

In order to complete the combined degree program, students would need to meet all the requirements for the BA in Political Science, including all major requirements, the minimum liberal arts and science graduation credit requirement, the residency requirement, the General Education requirement, and a 400-level writing intensive course. Students could take up to 12 graduate credits during the senior year which would be applied toward the credits required for the BA in Political Science, as well as to the 40 credits required for the MA degree. Finally, students would need to meet the requirements for the MA. Applicants to the program would need to have a 3.2 GPA and, as in the case of the other programs, the GRE would be waived.

The B.A. in Public Policy is offered by the Department of Public Administration and Policy. The Public Policy program is a joint major/minor program designed to help intellectually mature and motivated students understand and respond to changes in government and society. The program helps students understand how public problems are defined, and how policies are made and implemented to address those problems.

Public policy making affects everyone and involves questions of politics, economics, administration and management. A B.A. in public policy will help the student develop a broad interdisciplinary understanding of the forces that affect what government does and why.

Combining a student-designed concentration with field experience, the combined major and minor in Public Policy assists students through an interdisciplinary approach to develop analytic ability, research skills, and substantive competence in a specific public policy area. Student-selected technical and theoretical courses help develop skills and background desirable to future employers.

Typical policy concentrations include business-government relations, civil rights policy, criminal justice policy, environmental policy, foreign policy and international relations, health policy, labor relations and personnel policy, law and policy, policy and politics, public administration and management, social welfare policy, urban policy, and women and public policy. Students may work with their adviser to develop a concentration in other issue areas.

The Public Policy curriculum combines a strong academic program with opportunities to develop expertise in a particular policy area and hone communications and analytical skills. The program is excellent preparation for graduate study, law school, or employment in the public, private or nonprofit sectors. Graduates of the Public Policy program are employed in the state legislature, the executive branch, and have gone on to graduate study and careers in business, law, and management.

The internship is an integral part of the Public Policy degree. The University's location in the state capital affords students with unique opportunities for internships directly related to their fields of interest. These internships can be in the legislature, state agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations. The internship can give students practical experience, useful recommendations, and substantial advantages in graduate admissions and job placement.

General Program B.A.:
The major in public policy is a combined major and minor program requiring a minimum of 54 credits as follows: Required courses (30 credits):

R Pub 140, A Eco 110M A Eco 111M, R Pad 204, R Pad 303, R Pub 316, R Pad 329, R Pub 340, R Pub 397 (or R Pos 342), R Pub 499 (or R Pos 495Z).

Plus two elective courses (6 credits) must be selected from the following courses:

R Pad 302, R Pub 303 /R Pad 304, R Pad 307, R Pub 321, R Pad 324, R Pub 325 or R Pos 325, R Pub 328 or R Pos 328, R Pub 330, R Pub 399, R Pad 414/R Pub 414, R Pad 424.

Approved concentration (18 credits): In addition to the 36 credits of core courses, each public policy major shall take 18 credits (of which at least 9 credits must be at or above the 300-level) in one of the following nine concentrations. No course may count toward both the concentration and as an elective course. The student-defined concentration must be approved by the Director of the Public Policy Program.

1. Public Administration
   18 credits chosen from: B Law 220, A Com 204, R Pad 304 or R Pub 303 or R Pos 303, R Pad 307, R Pad 324, R Pub 325 or R Pos 325, R Pad 302 or B Mgt 341 or A Soc 342, A Soc 345, A Eco 355, A Soc 357, R Pad 414, R Pad 424.

2. Study of Society
   18 credits chosen from: R Pos 101 or A Soc 115, A Soc 180, A Aas 219, A Soc 200, R Pos 320, R Pos 321, R Pos 325 or R Pub 325, R Pos 328 or R Pub 328, R Pub 330, R Pos 339, R Pos 365, R Pad 302 or B Mgt 341 or A Soc 342, A Soc 344, A Soc 350, A Wss 360, R Pub 410, A Aas 435, R Pos 438Z.

3. Urban Issues
   18 credits chosen from: R Pos 101 or A Soc 115, A Soc 180, A Gog 102M, A Gog 125M, A Gog 220M, A Pln 220M, A Gog 225Z, A His 317, R Pos 321, A Gog 321, R Pos 323, A Aas 333, A Eco 341, A Eco 355, A Eco 356, A Soc 373, A Soc 375, R Pos 424.

4. Economics
   18 credits chosen from: A Eco 300, A Eco 301, A Eco 330, A Eco 350, A Eco 370, A Eco 341, A Eco 355, A Eco 356, A Eco 357, A Eco 360.

5. Women, Gender & Policy
   18 credits chosen from: A Soc 115, A Wss 220, A Wss 240, A Wss 260, A Wss 262, A Wss 360, R Pos/A Wss 333, A Soc 344, R Pos 346, A Wss/R Pos 433, A Aas 440.

6. International
   18 credits chosen from: R Pos 102, A Lcs 100 or A Lcs 102 or A Lcs 150, A Aas 150, R Pos 351, A Lcs 357, R Pos 359, A Lcs 360, A Eco 360, A Eco 361, R Pos 370, R Pos 371, R Pos 373, R Pos 375, R Pos 383, R Pos 395, A Wss 330, R Pub 398, A Wss 451, R Pos 473.

7. Environment and Society
   18 credits chosen from: A Ant 119, A Atm 100 or A Atm 101 or A Atm 102N, A Atm 107, A Bio 230P, A Geo 100N, A Geo 250, A Geo 260, A Gog 101N, A Phy 202, A Atm 300Z, A Atm 304, A Atm 307Z, A Bio 311, A Bio 319, A Bio 320, A Atm 408B, A Atm 414.

8. Education Policy
   18 credits chosen from: A Soc 180M, A Aas 220, A Aas 240, E Edu 275, E Est 300, E Est 301, A Eco 341, A Eco 380, R Crj 308, E Psy 441, E Aps 400, E Aps 470.

9. Student-Defined Concentration
   With the agreement of the Director of the Undergraduate Public Policy Program, a student may create a concentration that combines a set of existing policy-related subjects to establish a coherent program of study in a defined area of public policy to form a concentration composed of 18 credits.

10. Administration
    The Director of the Undergraduate Public Policy Program administers the honors program, advises students, and helps students in selecting thesis advisers. The thesis is discussed in a forum involving the adviser, the honors director, and other faculty members selected by the student and the adviser upon its completion in the senior year.