Political Science Courses

Below are the political science courses offered on the Rockville campus of Montgomery College.  For each course, you can view the catalog description as well as when the course is usually offered.  Sample syllabi from the faculty who usually teach each course are being added gradually as faculty convert their syllabi to an electronic format.

Resources     Course List     Course Details

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Current schedule of classes
Final exam schedule
Academic calendar
Course catalog

POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES
PS 101 American Government
PS 102 State and Local Government
PS 105 Introduction to Political Science
PS 111 Current Political Problems
PS 121 Political Ideologies 
PS 201 Comparative Politics and Governments
PS 203 International Relations
PS 209 Introduction to Public Administration
PS 241 Western Political Thought (new course)
PS 250 International Conflict Resolution
PS 260 Politics in Action
PS 282 Politics of the Third World (new course)

COURSE DETAILS

PS 101 American Government

• Structure, powers, and processes of the American political system: executive, legislative, and judicial branches; civil liberties, federalism, democratic patterns and backgrounds, public opinion, pressure group politics, political parties, constitutional mechanisms, and administrative establishment; foreign and domestic policy. Emphasis on national level. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. Three hours each week.
  
• Usually offered fall, spring, and summer semesters. 
• Sample syllabi: Holloway    McHenry    Goldwasser    Hessami

PS 102 State and Local Government

• Powers, organization, and functions of state and local governments; case studies. Emphasis on the governments of the state of Maryland and of Montgomery County. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. Three hours each week.
  
• Usually offered fall semesters.
  
• Sample syllabus: Ewing

PS 105 Introduction to Political Science

• Basic principles and concepts of political science. Scope and methods of political science, nature and purposes of the state; government, its organization and functions; politics, elections, parties, pressure groups, international relations, and political thought. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. Three hours each week.
  
• Usually offered fall and spring semesters.
  
• Sample syllabi: Gillen    Goldwasser

PS 111 Current Political Problems

• Issues of current political relevance which involve the dynamics of the national political system and the challenges to American political institutions. Includes such topics of current political discussion as analyses of elections; squeak points in the federal system; the continuing foreign policy debate; the scope of national policy; and urban and metropolitan decisions. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. One hour each week.
  
• Not currently offered.  If interested, please contact the department for future offerings.

PS 121 Political Ideologies 

• A survey and analysis of leading ideologies of the modern world such as anarchism, nationalism, fascism and national socialism, classical liberalism and conservatism, Fabian socialism, Marxism-Leninism, and liberal democracy. Some consideration of current extremist ideologies of both left and right. Examination of the nature and function of ideologies in political movements and in governance. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. Three hours each week.
  
• Usually offered fall, spring, and summer semesters.
  
• Sample syllabi: McHenry    Hessami

PS 201 Comparative Politics and Governments

• This course introduces students to the comparative study of politics and governments. Topics include political culture, participation, government structures, and public policies. The course compares historical processes and current issues facing countries domestically and internationally. Selected countries from both the developed and developing worlds illustrate broader concepts and provide practice in comparative political analysis. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. Three hours each week.
  
• Usually offered spring semesters.
  
• Sample syllabi: Holloway    Gillen     

PS 203 International Relations

• Critical analysis of international problems. A survey of the concepts and problems of sovereignty and nationalism as well as the successes and failures of international institutions and organizations. Special attention given to the role of the United Nations in today's world and to contemporary situations that affect world politics. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. Three hours each week.
  
• Usually offered fall and summer semesters.
  
• Sample syllabi: Holloway     Hessami

PS 209 Introduction to Public Administration

• The theory and practice of governmental administration; administrative organization, responsibility, and controls; program planning; public personnel administration and utilization; fiscal administration; administrative use of automation and behavioral research. PREREQUISITE: PS 101, PS 105, or consent of department. Three hours each week.
  
• Offered occasionally.  If interested, please contact the department for future offerings.
  
• Sample syllabus: 

PS 250 International Conflict Resolution

• Introduction to the design, management, theory, and analysis of international conflict. The course explores the nature of international conflict and the combination of psychological, social, anthropological, political, and legal strategies that can be used to resolve such conflict. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110.
  
• Usually offered spring semesters.
  
• Sample syllabus: Holloway

PS 260 Politics in Action

• A fieldwork course in politics. Approximately one-half of the semester is devoted to an activity such as preparing a legislative proposal, monitoring the progress of a bill, lobbying, or campaigning; the other half of the semester is spent in research, report writing, and seminar-style presentation and discussion of individual fieldwork projects. PREREQUISITE: Consent of department. Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 110. Hours per week vary.
• Offered every semester.  Please contact the department for further information.