DEPARTMENT
OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND GOVERNMENT
Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science
and Government Requirements
The
course of study for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government
takes four years. The minimum requirements for the degree are 124 semester hours.
A candidate must complete his general education requirements as prescribed by
the University of Liberia and the special requirements of Liberia College. He
is required to earn 36 semester hours in his major, 18 semester hours in his minor
and 6 semester hours of electives.
The
Department offers two areas of concentration: International Relations and Comparative
Government & Politics. Students may specialize in only one after completing
general Political Science requirements.
Comparative
Government and Politics is the comparative analysis of various forms of government,
including unitary, federal, parliamentary, monarchy, totalitarian, presidential.
It seeks to analyze how governments approach problems and issues such as political
parties, electorial behavior, bureaucracy, socio-economic and cultural development.
Moreover, research on the basic units of government, inter-governmental and non-governmental
political actors form an intricate part of the program. Comparative Government
and Politics also includes the study of various political regions such as the
Middle East, Latin America, West Africa, Southern Africa, Asia Super-power politics.
International
Relations seeks to explain and interpret interactions between and among nations
by analyzing their internal patterns of development. International Relations encompasses
foreign policy analyse;, and seeks to explain foreign policy behavior. International
Relations between and among global poiitical actors. The study of International
Relations will acquaint students with the politics of world community, elements
of power, elements of nationalism, imperialism, diplomacy, and Balance of Power.
This field also examines military, economic and psychological warfare, and many
others as instruments in international relations.
Course
Description
300
Political Science- Introduction to Political Science
(Pre-requisite for
all Political Science course)
A
systematic study of Political Science, its principles, methods, nature; the State,
its origin, form, functions; Government, its forms and functions.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
302
Political Science - History of Political Thought
A
study of the origin and development of the state and of Political Thought selected
from works of ancient, Medieval and modern political philosophers, such as: Plato,
Aristotle, Rousseau and Nkrumah.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
303
Political Science - Modern Political Thought
Pre-requisite: (Political
Science 300)
A
study of selected modern and contemporary political thoughts and their impact
and influences on social formations, various regimes and development of political
ideology. The emphasis will be put on their concepts of man, society, politics
and economics. The selected philosophers may include Karl Marx, Edward Blyden,
Ghandi, Mao and Nyerere.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
350
Political Science - Introduction to Comparative Government
and Politics
A
comparative study of leading forms of government in developed states and societies,
as well as the process of modernization.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
351
Political Science - Liberian Government and Politics
A
study of the historical development, institutional structures, political and economic
processes of the Liberian society and an evaluation of the development and execution
of specific policies and programs.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
352
Political Science - Government and Politics of the Developing
Nations
A
study of the characteristics of a selected number of emerging nations and regions,
with major emphasis on the course, degree and nature of "under-development"
; politico-economic problems and prospects, examination of the European colonial
instructions, nationalistic and anti-colonial movements, dynamic cultural exchange
and post independent experimentation with Western representative government and
other models of government.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
360
Political Science - Introduction to International Politics
An
examination of the various schools of international relations. A study of Politics
in the world community, national power and its elements, nationalism, imperialism,
balance of power, international law, co -lective security and decision-making
process within the international system.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
361
Political Science - African International Relations
An
examination of patterns of interactions among African states and of the economic,
political and social forces both internal and external which influence and determine
relationship among African states. A study of the search for African Unity, its
diaspora, and Africa's response to international issues.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
362
Political Science - International Organizations
A
study of the theoretical and empirical approaches to the understanding of International
Organizations and associations and their relationships to nation-states, such
as: United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Non-Aligned Movements, the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
468
Political Science - The Formulation of Foreign Policy
Pre-requisite: Political
Science 360 and 362
An
analysis of decision-making theories with references to the environment, actors,
inputs, objectives and other considerations and how they are applied to the formulation
of foreign policy. A study of foreign policy options and alternatives and of the
constraints on foreign policy decision-making and implementation.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
469
Political Science Seminar in International Relations
(Pre-requisite:
Senior Standing)
Research
seminar on strategic studies, conflict research, and the use of world resources
in politics between nations and/or regions.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
471
Political Science -Political Change
(Pre-requisite: Political Science 352
or 361)
This
course probes the political implications of the economic strategies of selected
African states. The aim of this course is to comprehend the interactions between
political constraints and economic choices with respect to question of urban and
rural development, mineral resources, labor and wage policies, population and
migration in Africa.'
Credit:
3 credits/semester
472
Political Science - Political Culture & Behavior
(Pre-requisite: Political
Science 302 and 350)
An
examination of both theoretical aspects and case studies of political culture,
socialization and modernization in developing and developed countries. The seminar
deals with the issues of opinion formation, attitude change, political ideology,
the role of mass-media, political parties, pressure groups and values as they
relate to violent or peaceful change.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
402
Political Science -African Political Philosophies
(Pre-requisite: Political
Science 302)
Investigation
of the philosophies and thoughts of African political thinkers and theoreticians
and their impact on African society.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
420
Political Science - Seminar in Liberian Government
Pre-requisite: Political
Science 300
A
study of the operational aspect of the government of Liberia with, emphasis on
Unification Policy, Open Door Policy, Operation Production, Economic Development
Programs, Public Administration as well as Liberia's role in international affairs.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
453
Political Science -Colonialism and Modem African Political
System
(Pre-requisite:
Senior Standing*)
Seminar
in the philosophy of colonialism, its problems, and impact on nation-building.
An examination of Liberation Movements (for instance ANC, PAIGC) of the post World
War II period, and types of government and Political Institution including military
regimes, modified Presidential and Parliamentary systems, Marxist regimes and
single party states as they are developing in Africa.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
454
Political Science - Government and Politics of Latin America
Pre-requisite:
Political Science 352
A
study of the economic, social and political factors which influence and determine
the course of Latin American politics. Emphasis is placed on the role of the military,
the landlords, the "mono* economics and the peasants.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
Senior
standing refers to students who have completed all their 300 level Political Science
courses.
455 Political Science - Government and Politics of Asia
and the Middle East.
Pre-requisite: Political Science 352
Introduction
to the political systems of Asia and the Middle East. A study of the evolution
of the political Institutions and of the external and Internal factors which have
influenced the politics and development of Asian and Middle Eastern states.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
459
Political Science - Seminar in Comparative Government
and Politics
Pre-requisite:
Senior Standing
Research
Seminar in various aspects of comparative government and politics with reference
to development theories, modernization, socio-cultural Influences, on politics.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
462
Political Science - International Regional Organizations
Pre-requisite:
Political Science 362
A
study of the development, structure, functions and problems of international regional
organizations with emphasis on The Organization of African Unity (OAU), Organization
of American States (OASJ, and of such economic groupings as the European Economic
Community (EEC), and The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Credit:
3 credits/semester
464
Political Science - The Conduct of Liberian Foreign Relations
Pre-requisite:
Political Science 351 & 360
A
study of the implementation of Liberian foreign policy. The role of the President,
the Legislature, public opinion and other agencies of the Liberian political system.
The impact of the national environment and the external system on the implementation
of foreign policy decisions is also studied.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
495
Political Science - Research Methodology
Pre-requisite: Senior Standing
A
study of the basic assumptions, and techniques of research methodology in Political
Science including the analysis of variables, theories, hypothesis, operational
definitions level of measurement and survey research.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
497
Political Science - Senior Thesis in Political Science
and Government
Pre-requisite: Political Science 495
Research
and writing of a scholarly thesis embodying a critical analysis in any Political
Science issue. The Research project is presented in a 30-page (Minimum) that is
defended by the student research before a Departmental Committee.
Credit:
3 credits /semester
