Graduate Program

Graduate students in PSPA are required to complete at least 24 credit hours in PSPA courses numbered 300 and above plus a thesis.

Students majoring in political studies are required to take core courses, which must include PSPA 300, PSPA 301, PSPA 310, and PSPA 320.  Students are encouraged to complete all core courses by the end of their fourth semester in the program. Two additional graduate courses are required from the chosen sub-discipline of specialization.  The sub-disciplines include political theory: PSPA 301, PSPA 302, PSPA 303, PSPA 304, PSPA 305, and PSPA 306; international politics: PSPA 310, PSPA 311, PSPA 312, PSPA 313, PSPA 315, PSPA 316, PSPA 317, and PSPA 318; and comparative politics: PSPA 320, PSPA 321, PSPA 322, PSPA 323, PSPA 324, and PSPA 325.

Students majoring in public administration are required to take core courses, which must include PSPA 300, PSPA 350, PSPA 360, and PSPA 370.  Students are encouraged to complete all core courses by the end of their fourth semester in the program. Two additional graduate courses are required from the chosen sub-discipline of specialization.  The sub-disciplines include human resources: PSPA 371, PSPA 372, and PSPA 373; administration: PSPA 351, PSPA 352, PSPA 353, PSPA 354, PSPA 355, PSPA 380, PSPA 381, and PSPA 382; and fiscal resources: PSPA 361 and PSPA 362.

An introductory course in statistics (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for graduate work in the department.  Students admitted to graduate work who have not completed this prerequisite will be required to take the course in addition to the normal program.  Majors are expected to choose, in consultation with their adviser, no more than two electives from the humanities and social sciences.

 

PSPA 300

Methodology and Research Design

3.0; 3 cr.

An introduction to the philosophy of science and how it influences the choice of research design.  The emphasis is on developing skills that are useful for any method (survey, research, comparative historical analysis, game theory).  The objective is to provide students with the practical tools they need to successfully complete original research.  Core course.  Annually.

PSPA 301

Political Theory

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that provides a critical examination and analysis of the theoretical bases and perennial issues of political theory and ideologies.  Core course.  Annually.

PSPA 302

Western Political Thought

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines theories and assumptions of selected western political theorists.  This course seeks to help the student situate particular political analysis against a wider theoretical background. Offered occasionally.

PSPA 303

Islamic Political Thought

3.0; 3 cr.

An in-depth course on modern Islamic political thought.  This course focuses on the historical and intellectual developments that have fueled both revolutionary and conservative trends in Islamic political movements and states.  Discussions cover issues such as the relationships between religion and politics, political philosophy and ideology, and political action and revolution. Offered occasionally.

PSPA 304

Theories of Political Economy

3.0; 3 cr.

This course surveys various theories and theorists such as Marxism, Polyani, rational choice, and the new institutionalism. It introduces students to the study of how the political system and the economy interact. Annually.

PSPA 305

Ideological Trends in the Middle East

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that covers the major ideological and political trends that have characterized the Middle East since the turn of the twentieth century.  This course also examines the components of these trends and their relations to Arab political culture as well as their effects on the political process in selected countries.  Alternate years.

PSPA 306

Research Methods and Techniques

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that deals with various methods of data collection and analysis.  Specific research methods include both quantitative and qualitative techniques such as experimental, survey, field observation, content analysis, historical/comparative and evaluation.  Offered occasionally.

PSPA 310

Theories of International Relations

3.0; 3 cr.

A survey of the major theoretical traditions (realism, idealism, constructivism) and the current foci of the theoretical debate.  Issues include the limits of international cooperation, the origins of war, and changing concentration of power in the study of international relations.  Core course.  Annually.

PSPA 311

International Politics and the Middle East

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that deals with issues and themes relevant to contemporary Middle East politics within the context of international relations. Issues include: the Arab-Israeli conflict, regional conflicts, inter-Arab relations, Gulf Politics, and relations between Middle Eastern countries and major powers. Annually.

PSPA 312

Public International Law

3.0; 3 cr.

A course whose aim is to provide understanding of the principles underlying public international law that facilitates relations among states, resolves disputes, protects human rights, allocates resources and restricts conduct during war time.  Emphasis is placed on selected legal cases and their policy ramifications.  Annually.

PSPA 313

Diplomacy

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that provides a comprehensive understanding of theoretical and practical dimensions of diplomacy.  This course focuses on diplomatic skills in statecraft and on the emerging trends such as coercive and preventive diplomacy. Offered occasionally.

PSPA 316 (ENSC 650)

International Environmental Policy

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that seeks to provide a broad overview of the key concepts, actors, and issues related to global environmental policy.  This course outlines the evolution of environmental policy in facing global environmental challenges and how such policies have become inherently intertwined with government policy, business practice, and international trade.  Annually.

PSPA 317 (ENSC 657)

Environmental Regulation and Legislation

3.0; 3 cr.

An introduction to contemporary legislative approaches to environmental protection, the rationales for their embodiment in policies, and their effectiveness in achieving prescribed goals and alleviating environmental degradation. This course also examines the emergence of environmental initiatives in developing countries with a focus on latest developments in Lebanon.  Alternate years.

PSPA 318 (ENSC 658)

Environmental Conflict Resolution

3.0; 3 cr.

An introduction to contemporary approaches to global environmental negotiation and conflict resolution including the efforts of international organizations at risk communication, mediation and facilitation. This course focuses on procedures to manage negotiations of environmental conflicts and disputes between governments, corporations, ecologists, the media and the general population.  Information will also be provided on environmental dispute cases successfully resolved. Alternate years.

PSPA 320

Theories of Comparative Politics

3.0; 3 cr.

A survey of various paradigms in comparative politics, focusing on behaviorist, institutional, development, and radical approaches. Themes such as structure of power, state-society relations, political development, political culture and political economy are emphasized. Core course. Annually.

PSPA 321

Contemporary Politics in Middle Eastern States

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that analyzes contemporary politics in selected Middle Eastern states.  This course emphasizes the problems of political participation, effective governance and socio-economic development.  Alternate years.

PSPA 322

Contemporary Politics in Non-Middle Eastern States

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines political institutions, processes, and problems facing governments in selected countries outside the Middle East. This course focuses on topics such as authority systems, relations between the public and private sector, and politics of collective identity.  Offered occasionally.

PSPA 323

Communalism in the Middle East

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that deals with the emergence of ethnic and religious issues in the Middle East, with emphasis on post World War I developments. This course addresses the situation of minority groups, the nature of their demands, and their prospects of achieving them.  In addition, this course assesses the impact of localism on the nation-state in the region.  Annually.

PSPA 324

Government and Politics in Lebanon

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines the evolution of the political system and the different approaches to the study of government institutions in Lebanon. This course focuses on patterns of change involving state and society from the founding of the state in the early 1920s to the present.  Alternate years.

PSPA 325

Special Topics in Comparative Politics

3.0; 3 cr.

May be repeated for credit.

PSPA 330

Graduate Tutorial in Political Science

3.0; 3 cr.

A graduate seminar in which selected topics are arranged on an individual basis where existing courses do not offer the required subject matter. May be repeated for credit.

PSPA 350

Organization Theory

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that explores the major debates, both theoretical and applied, that frame contemporary discussions about organizing in the public and nonprofit sectors.  This course introduces organization theories about public organizations and the basic methods used to study organizational behavior in non-private spheres. Topics include organizational decision-making, culture learning, as well as postmodern narratives on organizational management.  Core course.  Annually.

PSPA 351

New Public Management

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that investigates the conceptual and practical boundaries of new public management reform initiatives with a comparative perspective. Topics include empowerment entrepreneurialism, performance management, and productivity improvement. Alternate years.

PSPA 352

Administration and Public Policy

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that studies policy-making environments as sub-systems of larger social and political contexts. This course compares the way policy makers and administrators in different cultural and socio-economic settings deal with globalization, the nature and substance of politics and administration, and the relations between governmental and non-governmental actors. Alternate years.

PSPA 354

Administration Ethics

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines the ethical foundation for professional public administrators. Topics include the ethics of managerial behavior in government and organizations, codes of ethics in administration and their implementation, and other moral questions facing administrators. Offered occasionally.

PSPA 360

Public Budgeting

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines concepts and practices of public budgeting and financial management.  This course studies public budgeting and financial management as instruments of fiscal, management, and public policy. Topics include the budget cycle, fiscal planning, financial accountability, and control. Core course.  Annually.

PSPA 361

Comparative Public Budgeting

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that studies budgetary and financial practices in advanced, developing, and transitional countries through comparative case study research and writing. This course covers the budget process, financial management functions, and tax analysis.  Offered occasionally.

PSPA 362

Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation for Policy Analysts

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that introduces students to a wide array of quantitative techniques and skills used by public managers to analyze policy-related data and problems. This course covers different theoretical and applied frameworks for evaluating policy options, as well as program assessment and improvement.  Offered occasionally.

PSPA 370

Human Resource Management

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that explores theories and models of human resource management, including programs and processes by which skills and motivation are examined. Topics include education, work environment and mobility, training, and workplace cooperation. Core course.  Annually.

PSPA 371

Comparative Human Resource Administration and Development

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that compares problems in human resource management in selected government systems.  This course covers topics such as political accountability, professional responsibilities, as well as theories and mechanisms for human resource management in local, national, regional, and global contexts.  It also studies major theories and models that shape human resource development research.  Alternate years.

PSPA 372

Non-Profit Management

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines the development and characteristics of non profit management systems, managerial challenges, and the application of theories and mechanisms relevant to non-profit management. This course covers topics such as organizational structure, financial management, board-executive relations, and public-private cooperations.  Offered occasionally.

PSPA 373

Leadership and Motivation

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that analyzes the major theories of leadership and motivation. This course assesses their impact on group and individual behavior in light of personality differences and cross-cultural management.  Annually.

PSPA 380

E-Governance and E-Administration

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that surveys current literature on electronic government. This course explores the impact of information and communication technology on policies and decisions concerning public life, as well as economic and social development. It also investigates the impact of information and communication technology on government decision-making, communication and decision implementation. Alternate years.

PSPA 381

Organizational Informatics

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that explores how information technologies influence the way policy-makers; public administrators and information technology managers work in policy environments. This course investigates how information technology stores, transmits, and controls flows of information and creates new possibilities of collaboration in the public sector.  Offered occasionally.

PSPA 382

Information Communication Technology and Policy

3.0; 3 cr.

A course that examines the trends and issues associated with the development of telecommunication and information technology policies. This course covers topics such as regulation and deregulation of the telecommunication industries; the convergence of telecommunication, computer, and television technologies; competition among local, long-distance, and wireless services; and intellectual property rights.  Offered occasionally.

PSPA 390

Graduate Tutorial in Public Administration

3.0; 3 cr.

A graduate seminar in which selected topics are arranged on an individual basis where existing courses do not offer the required subject matter. May be repeated for credit.

PSPA 399

IMA Thesis