The College gives you a general knowledge of many things, more than what you thought you would study.
Political Science & International Studies
Major Description
The major in Political Science and International Studies is designed to provide an understanding of political systems in general and of the American government, European affairs, and international relations in particular.
This major provides intellectual and practical preparation for public service, diplomacy, and journalism, and serves as a preparation for law studies and other graduate-level pursuits. Small classes permit students to hone their information literacy, research methods, and communication skills. McDaniel’s Budapest campus exposes students to a host of different cultures and international institutions, while its campus in Maryland provides a platform for work in Washington, D.C
Job and Further Study Opportunities
Students completing the Political Science and International Studies major pursue careers in government and politics, intelligence, international business, international non-profit organizations, law, research and analysis, and media. They advance to postgraduate work in fields like electoral studies, media and politics, public policy, international security, international law, peace studies, political philosophy, governmental institutions, and studies of major geographic regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East).
Tobi Kelenna Onuoha
Nigerian Political Science Student
Skills You Get
Political Systems & Philosophy
Diplomacy, Public Service
Media and Politics
International Law
Courses
PSI 1101 Introduction to Political Science
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding.
A survey of political systems with an emphasis on theoretical principles of government and the citizen's relationship to the state. The course will also examine the methodology of the discipline of political science, including various aspects of the political and governmental process.
A survey of political systems with an emphasis on theoretical principles of government and the citizen's relationship to the state. The course will also examine the methodology of the discipline of political science, including various aspects of the political and governmental process.
PSI 1111 Classical Political Thought
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding.
A survey of classical political thought from the ancient Greeks through the medieval period. The course will emphasize the concepts of natural law, Roman law, church-state relations, and other topics relating to the political ideas of the period.
A survey of classical political thought from the ancient Greeks through the medieval period. The course will emphasize the concepts of natural law, Roman law, church-state relations, and other topics relating to the political ideas of the period.
PSI 1112 Modern Political Thought
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding.
An overview of political thought from the Enlightenment to the present with particular focus on the origin, nature, function, structure, and organization of the state and its relation to the citizens governed by it. The course explores the justification of governmental authority and the scope of governmental rights to interfere with individual lives and discusses the utility of political philosophy for contemporary life.
An overview of political thought from the Enlightenment to the present with particular focus on the origin, nature, function, structure, and organization of the state and its relation to the citizens governed by it. The course explores the justification of governmental authority and the scope of governmental rights to interfere with individual lives and discusses the utility of political philosophy for contemporary life.
PSI 2202 State and Local Government
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding.
A comprehensive survey of state, county, and urban politics and administration with emphasis on the evolving federal relationship, the development of strong governors, and the emergence of professional state legislatures. Special attention is given to Maryland problems, prospects, policy dynamics and the environment as well as to the politics of public education.
A comprehensive survey of state, county, and urban politics and administration with emphasis on the evolving federal relationship, the development of strong governors, and the emergence of professional state legislatures. Special attention is given to Maryland problems, prospects, policy dynamics and the environment as well as to the politics of public education.
PSI 2203 International Law and Organization
Credits: 4 International Non-western. Prerequisites PSI 1101.
An introduction to the history, purpose, environmental policy and scope of international law and organizations. Questions this course attempts to answer include: How does international law affect states, international organizations, non-state actors, and individuals? Who creates international law, and who is governed by it? What is the relation between international and domestic law? What role do international organizations play in the international system? How does membership in international organizations influence states' abilities to achieve their goals?
An introduction to the history, purpose, environmental policy and scope of international law and organizations. Questions this course attempts to answer include: How does international law affect states, international organizations, non-state actors, and individuals? Who creates international law, and who is governed by it? What is the relation between international and domestic law? What role do international organizations play in the international system? How does membership in international organizations influence states' abilities to achieve their goals?
PSI 2204 Approaches to International Relations
Credits: 4
An introduction to the major theories and approaches for analyzing global developments, studying the structure and organization of the international system, examining the various actors shaping world politics, exploring causes of conflicts and means for conflict resolution, and reflecting on the future of international relations and the role of individuals in the world community.
An introduction to the major theories and approaches for analyzing global developments, studying the structure and organization of the international system, examining the various actors shaping world politics, exploring causes of conflicts and means for conflict resolution, and reflecting on the future of international relations and the role of individuals in the world community.
PSI 2205 The European Union: History, Institutions, and Major Policies
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding.
This is a one-semester course encompassing all essential features of European integration and the existing European Union. (Budapest Campus only.)
This is a one-semester course encompassing all essential features of European integration and the existing European Union. (Budapest Campus only.)
PSI 2206 American Political Thought
Credits: 4
An overview of American political thought from the colonial period to the end of the twentieth century. Main topics include the origins of American democracy, the debate over the constitution, the expansion of individual rights, the problems associated with industrialization, and contemporary American liberalism and conservatism. The course is taught on the Budapest campus and is specifically designed to acquaint non-American students with the development of the political culture that underlies modern American democracy.
An overview of American political thought from the colonial period to the end of the twentieth century. Main topics include the origins of American democracy, the debate over the constitution, the expansion of individual rights, the problems associated with industrialization, and contemporary American liberalism and conservatism. The course is taught on the Budapest campus and is specifically designed to acquaint non-American students with the development of the political culture that underlies modern American democracy.
PSI 2207 American Public Policy
Credits: 4
An examination of the major theoretical, conceptual, and practical issues in the study of public policy and the policy process, with examples drawn from current issues in American policy. These may include education, civil liberties, political economy, environmental policy, welfare, and energy.
An examination of the major theoretical, conceptual, and practical issues in the study of public policy and the policy process, with examples drawn from current issues in American policy. These may include education, civil liberties, political economy, environmental policy, welfare, and energy.
PSI 2213 Comparative Politics of Western European Polities
Credits: 4 International Western.
A comparative methodological analysis of the Western European governments of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany with an emphasis on systems analysis, political culture, structural-functionalism, and elite analysis. All three polities are members of the European Union which is also analyzed with relation to the regional integration of Europe.
A comparative methodological analysis of the Western European governments of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany with an emphasis on systems analysis, political culture, structural-functionalism, and elite analysis. All three polities are members of the European Union which is also analyzed with relation to the regional integration of Europe.
PSI 2215 Environmental Policy
Credits: 4
An investigation of the history, institutions, and decision-making processes that shape environmental policy in the United States. The course will emphasize the roles of and relationship between local, state, and federal governments as well as industry, science, and public opinion in environmental management and protection.
An investigation of the history, institutions, and decision-making processes that shape environmental policy in the United States. The course will emphasize the roles of and relationship between local, state, and federal governments as well as industry, science, and public opinion in environmental management and protection.
PSI 2216 United States Campaigns and Elections
Credits: 4 Prerequisites ECO 2201 or permission of the instructor.
An examination of the development of American election campaigns from party-based to candidate-centered and media-oriented. The course features in-depth coverage of the role of public opinion polling and its various strategic and tactical uses in campaign politics. Among the topics related to survey research will be sampling, question wording, questionnaire design, and analysis of the results.
An examination of the development of American election campaigns from party-based to candidate-centered and media-oriented. The course features in-depth coverage of the role of public opinion polling and its various strategic and tactical uses in campaign politics. Among the topics related to survey research will be sampling, question wording, questionnaire design, and analysis of the results.
PSI 2219 Research Design and Methods
Credits: 4 Quantitative Reasoning
An introduction to the steps involved in designing social science research and to understanding and interpreting quantitative data and conducting basic statistical analysis. Students learn how to develop researchable questions, formulate testable hypotheses, decide on the most appropriate methods for measuring concepts, testing hypotheses, analyzing data, writing up findings and presenting results.
An introduction to the steps involved in designing social science research and to understanding and interpreting quantitative data and conducting basic statistical analysis. Students learn how to develop researchable questions, formulate testable hypotheses, decide on the most appropriate methods for measuring concepts, testing hypotheses, analyzing data, writing up findings and presenting results.
PSI 2295 Internships in Political Science
Credits: 4
Supervised field experiences in appropriate settings, usually off-campus, designed to assist students in acquiring and using skills and knowledge of the discipline unique to the selected topic.
Supervised field experiences in appropriate settings, usually off-campus, designed to assist students in acquiring and using skills and knowledge of the discipline unique to the selected topic.
PSI 2298 Independent Studies in Political Science
Credits: 0-4 Prerequisites
Directed study planned and conducted with reference to the needs of those students who are candidates for departmental honors. Qualified students who are not candidates for such honors but who desire to do independent studies are also admitted with permission of the Department.
Directed study planned and conducted with reference to the needs of those students who are candidates for departmental honors. Qualified students who are not candidates for such honors but who desire to do independent studies are also admitted with permission of the Department.
PSI 3307 U.S. Foreign Policy
Credits: 4
An overview over U.S. foreign policy from the Second World War to present. The primary objective is to acquire a general understanding of the main ideas, events, and strategies that have shaped U.S. foreign policy over the past half-century. Topics discussed include containment, deterrence, the nuclear arms race, humanitarian intervention and the use of force, economic assistance and trade, and a number of regional and thematic issues.
An overview over U.S. foreign policy from the Second World War to present. The primary objective is to acquire a general understanding of the main ideas, events, and strategies that have shaped U.S. foreign policy over the past half-century. Topics discussed include containment, deterrence, the nuclear arms race, humanitarian intervention and the use of force, economic assistance and trade, and a number of regional and thematic issues.
PSI 3308 American Constitutional Law
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding.
Introduction to the study of the principles of constitutional law as related to the changing political, social, economic and environmental problems of the United States; the role of the Supreme Court in the political process.
Introduction to the study of the principles of constitutional law as related to the changing political, social, economic and environmental problems of the United States; the role of the Supreme Court in the political process.
PSI 3310 Politics of Developing Areas
Credits: 4 International Non-western.
An examination of the political, social, environmental policy, and economic problems of "third world" development with Latin America as the regional area of focus. The models of corporatism, bureaucratic-authoritarianism, civil-military relations, and dependency theory are applied to case studies in Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Peru. An examination of the role of women in development as well as the impact of development on the environment is also included. Sustainable development models are offered as an alternative to the failed attempts at development.
An examination of the political, social, environmental policy, and economic problems of "third world" development with Latin America as the regional area of focus. The models of corporatism, bureaucratic-authoritarianism, civil-military relations, and dependency theory are applied to case studies in Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Peru. An examination of the role of women in development as well as the impact of development on the environment is also included. Sustainable development models are offered as an alternative to the failed attempts at development.
PSI 3317 Comparative Politics of Communist and Post Communist Political Systems
Credits: 4 International Non-western.
A comparative exploration of the historical, cultural, social, political, and economic similarities and differences in the systems of the Former Soviet Union and The People' s Republic of China. Both systems attempted to implement Marxism in their systems. The failure of Marxism in the Former Soviet Union and the revisions of the application of the Marxist model in China are explored. Theoretical paradigms that attempt to predict the future of these regimes are also analyzed.
A comparative exploration of the historical, cultural, social, political, and economic similarities and differences in the systems of the Former Soviet Union and The People' s Republic of China. Both systems attempted to implement Marxism in their systems. The failure of Marxism in the Former Soviet Union and the revisions of the application of the Marxist model in China are explored. Theoretical paradigms that attempt to predict the future of these regimes are also analyzed.
PSI 3319 American Civil Liberties
Credits: 4 Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding.
A study of the First Amendment and the Fourth Estate with an emphasis on the major Supreme Court decisions on freedom of speech, press, environmental policy, communication law, assembly, and the law of mass media. This course involves students in classroom simulations and visits to courts.
A study of the First Amendment and the Fourth Estate with an emphasis on the major Supreme Court decisions on freedom of speech, press, environmental policy, communication law, assembly, and the law of mass media. This course involves students in classroom simulations and visits to courts.
PSI 3333 Conflict Resolution, Peacemaking, and Peacekeeping in Post-Cold War World
Credits: 4 International Non-western.
This course is designed to expose students to the multifaceted nature of conflict on the inter and intra state levels, historically, and in the current post Cold War period. This objective will be achieved by exploring the sources, causes, environmental impact, and determinants of conflict, presenting the various perspectives on the genesis and the amelioration of conflict, and utilizing some case method analysis to demonstrate the life cycles of some specific conflicts and the management or resolution thereof. The cases vary each semester but have included the following: The Middle East Conflict, the Anglo-Irish Conflict, the Gulf War (and now the second war against Iraq), the war on terrorism, and the conflict in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The course also covers the spread of radical fundamentalist Islam as a source of conflict in the Post Cold War World and specifically with regard to the "War on Terror."
This course is designed to expose students to the multifaceted nature of conflict on the inter and intra state levels, historically, and in the current post Cold War period. This objective will be achieved by exploring the sources, causes, environmental impact, and determinants of conflict, presenting the various perspectives on the genesis and the amelioration of conflict, and utilizing some case method analysis to demonstrate the life cycles of some specific conflicts and the management or resolution thereof. The cases vary each semester but have included the following: The Middle East Conflict, the Anglo-Irish Conflict, the Gulf War (and now the second war against Iraq), the war on terrorism, and the conflict in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The course also covers the spread of radical fundamentalist Islam as a source of conflict in the Post Cold War World and specifically with regard to the "War on Terror."
PSI 3398 Independent Studies in Political Science
Credits: 0-4
Directed study planned and conducted with reference to the needs of those students who are candidates for departmental honors. Qualified students who are not candidates for such honors but who desire to do independent studies are also admitted with permission of the Department.
Directed study planned and conducted with reference to the needs of those students who are candidates for departmental honors. Qualified students who are not candidates for such honors but who desire to do independent studies are also admitted with permission of the Department.
PSI 4492 Senior Seminar
Credits: 4 Prerequisites
An analysis of various topical or recurring problems in the area of either domestic or international politics. This course serves as a focal point for an integration of methodology, theory, and substantive problem areas.
An analysis of various topical or recurring problems in the area of either domestic or international politics. This course serves as a focal point for an integration of methodology, theory, and substantive problem areas.