CHAIR: Robert E. Biles

NAVIGATION: Political Science Major BA | Political Science Major BS | Social Science Composite BA | Social Science Composite BS | Political Science Minor | Course Descriptions

FACULTY: Biles, Carroll, Carter, Davis, Domino, Holcombe, Lentz, Lukaszewski, Mahoney, Waggener.

The study of political science mixes the drama of politics and public issues with the development of skills of analysis and communication. Students examine the institutions of government and politics (such as Congress and interest groups), elections, public opinion, and major issues. In the process, they learn tools of analysis, examine alternative explanations, explore major philosophical issues, and develop their skills in writing and speaking.
The department meets the career needs of two sets of students. Some want primarily the traditional liberal arts education that provides a foundation to deal with a broad range of ideas and challenges. With today’s economy, in which most people experience several major career changes, this is a valuable foundation. Other students want to prepare for specific career goals. Most graduates work successfully in private business. Others attend the major Texas law schools, teach (from junior high to university level), work in public service (at the federal, state, county, or city level), or go into political life (such as state legislator, judge, or lobbyist). There is an increasing need for trained people to work in nonprofit organizations, and the department is implementing a program in administration, research, and writing that will prepare graduates to enter this exciting area.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in political science. The department offers courses in five areas: American government and politics, international relations and foreign policy, comparative politics (the study of politics in other nations), public administration, and political theory. Students should consult with their advisor as to what mix of these areas best meets their needs. There are also two special programs: Pre-law and teacher certification. Political science courses can be combined with courses in other areas such as criminal justice or environmental studies to prepare for careers in both the public and private sector.
All students are eligible for the department’s summer field school in Italy and the University’s field school in Mexico. Advanced students are encouraged to gain professional experience through the department’s successful internship program. Students wanting to meet others interested in politics, public service, or community service may join the University Politicians. Outstanding students are recognized with membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society.

Scholarships. In addition to the University’s student financial aid programs, the Department of Political Science also offers scholarships to majors and minors, who should contact the department chair. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships, telephone (936) 294-1672.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science: 31 hours in political science required for B.A., 37 for B.S., including: POL 261, 377, 379, 410, and 472. All Political Science majors are required to take STA 379. A course in SCM is strongly recommended. A minimum of 15 hours of advanced political science is required for the B.A., 18 for the B.S. At least 12 hours of the advanced political science must be taken in residence. Typical curriculum outlines are provided below for guidance. Adjustments, particularly in timing, may be made to suit individual needs.

*Students must have 42 advanced hours. Depending on the number of advanced hours in the minor, students will generally need at least 12 advanced hours of the POL electives and 11 hours of General Electives, PHL, or SCM.

*Subject to approval
**Students must have 42 hours of advanced classes. Depending on the number of advanced hours in the minor, students will generally need at least 12 advanced hours of the POL Electives and 11 hours of General Electives.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science: 19 hours in Political Science, including 261, 379, and 410. At least 6 hours must be advanced and taken in residence.

Students may qualify for teacher certification in the social sciences under either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees. Under state rules, certification in political science (government) alone is no longer available. However, the student may seek certification in the social sciences with a political science emphasis. Upon certification, the student would be eligible to teach any of the social sciences, including government at the eighth to twelfth grade level. Students wishing certification in the social studies for grades 4-8 should pursue the Interdisciplinary Academic Studies Major for a Bachelor of Science Degree with certification for 4-8 Social Studies. This is found in Elementary Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Note that for teacher certification, no grade below C in social science courses is accepted. Students interested in certification should consult with their political science major and a secondary education advisor in the College of Education early in their program. Because of the number of courses required, students should take as many courses as possible that meet more than one requirement. These are indicated in the model curricula.

*Courses that should be taken as part of the Core Curriculum.
**For the B.S., an additional course in Economics or HIS 266 is recommended. Consult with your advisor as to which course best suits your needs.

Requirements for Teacher Certification: SED 374, 383, 394, 464, 480, 496, 497; RDG 392; and SCM 384 (preferred) or 161.

Ordinarily, SCM 384, SED 374, and SED 383 are taken prior to the teaching methods block (RDG 392, SED 394, and SED 464). This is followed by student teaching (SED 480, 496 and 497).

*Consult with your advisor as to which course best suits your needs.

PRE-LAW PROGRAM

COORDINATOR: Robert E. Biles
ADVISORS: Davis, Domino

Legal training provides access to many careers. Lawyers specialize in a range of civil and criminal fields. Many work for law firms and companies, while others have a private practice. Historically, a high proportion of law school graduates do not practice law but work in business, government, and the nonprofit sector.
To pursue a legal career, students should take an undergraduate program that will prepare them to score well on the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT) and present a transcript with solid courses and good grades. Application for law school ordinarily is made in the senior year. Most law school programs begin after the completion of the bachelor’s degree and last three years.
To be successful in law school and the legal profession, students need to take a demanding undergraduate program that will develop five skills: reading speed and comprehension; writing with clarity and confidence; research skills, particularly library and electronic data base usage and research report preparation; oral communication, including poise and correct speech; and analytical reasoning. Students are encouraged to join others interested in the law in the Pre-Law Society.

There is no set pre-law curriculum. No particular major or minor is preferred by law schools. Students should choose a major and a minor that will be challenging and that will be enjoyable. The following classes are suggested as helpful in developing the skills you will need. Take some (not all) of them as electives or where possible to meet requirements. Students should visit with the pre-law advisors about which courses to take, how to prepare for the LSAT, and how to choose a law school and successfully apply.

One of the following classes in research methods: POL 379, HIS 372, SOC 366, or PSY 234/214
One of the following: SCM 284, SCM 161, or THR 164

Courses of General Interest
Do not take all of these; take those of relevance to your needs.
ACC 231, CJ 430, ENG 380, GBA 362, HIS 467, PHL 363, POL 334, POL 433, PSY 131 or 381, SOC 264

POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

REQUIRED INTRODUCTORY COURSE

POL 261 PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — NATIONAL AND STATE. [GOVT 2301] This course deals with the origin, development, and Constitution of the American governmental system, citizenship and civil rights, suffrage, the national party system, the national executive, organization of congress, national judiciary, federal-state relations, and the Constitution of the State of Texas. This course meets the legislative requirement for a course on the Constitutions of the United States and Texas. Credit 3.

POL 232 STATE POLITICAL SYSTEMS. A comparative analysis of politics in the fifty states, including Texas. Variations and similarities in state politics are examined, described, and related to other features of the states. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 235 POLITICS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES AND GENDER. A study of political theory, behavior, beliefs, and public policy as they relate to race, ethnicity, and gender in the United States. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 265 COMPARATIVE SURVEY OF WORLD POLITICAL SYSTEMS. A survey of important issues and trends in world political systems that places American government and politics in a comparative context. Included will be terminology, concepts, and methods of comparative politics. Topics may include institutions, behavior, constitutional processes, political parties and interest groups, public policy, political development, transitions from authoritarianism to democracy and from statist to market economies, sources of domestic violence, and other major concerns of the field. Prerequisite POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 266 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. A survey of national public administration with emphasis on the political processes within the surrounding administrative agencies. Topics include development of the administrative function, policy formulation and budgeting, the relations of administrators to Congress, interest groups, courts and the public. State and local topics may be included. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 281 AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. This course examines the domestic and international forces which influence the development of American foreign policy. The course emphasizes the post-World War II era and includes discussion of such major issues of U.S. foreign policy as the settlement of World War II, the politics and crises of the Cold War, and America’s role in the post-Cold War world order. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 285 AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY. [GOVT 2302] This is a study of national and state policy. Both the policy process and the substance of selected policies will be examined. Topics may include foreign policy, civil liberties, health care, social issues, economic problems, environmental policy, and/or others. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 336 THE PRESIDENCY AND EXECUTIVES. A study of the office of President including the institutionalization of the presidency along with a consideration of state governors and the heads of local governing bodies in the United States. Emphasis is placed on comparative development, roles, structures, processes, and functions. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 337 THE CONGRESS AND LEGISLATURES. An examination of the powers, organization, procedures, and operations of legislative bodies in the United States. Consideration is given to such matters as selection of legislators, legislative leadership, influence of lobbyists, political parties, legislative committees, executives, and legislative roles and norms. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 360 POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS. This course is a survey of the development of the party system from the founding of the republic to the present, together with an examination of party processes, party machines, pressure groups, party finances, the electorate, nominating techniques, political campaigns, and elections. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 364 POLITICS AND THE MEDIA. The primary focus of this course is on the role and impact of the media on US politics. The relationship between the media and politics in other nations may also be considered. (Media is defined broadly to include the Internet, radio, television, and the various forms of print media.) Some of the topics that may be explored in the course include: the impact of the media on campaigns and election outcomes, the media as a source of political information, the agenda setting power of the media, the role of the “free press” in a democracy, and citizens’ relationship to the media. The course makes use of textbooks but also relies heavily on media product being offered each day through the various contemporary media. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 433 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. An analysis of the development of constitutional principles and doctrines with emphasis on the influence of courts in the exercise of judicial review. Particular attention is given to the issues of civil liberties, the attempts to adjust the constitutional system to the requirements of large scale industrialization and the urbanization of life in the United States. Prerequisites: 6 hours of Political Science. Credit 3.

POL 472 POLITICAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR. An examination of political socialization, political recruitment, voting behavior, and public policy outputs. The approaches examined include role, group, political culture, systems analysis, and functional analysis. Prerequisites: 6 hours of Political Science. Credit 3.

POL 378 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT. This course surveys American political ideas and movements from colonial times to the present. Prerequisites: 6 hours of Political Science. Credit 3.

POL 379 RESEARCH AND WRITING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. This course has two primary objectives. First, students will gain knowledge of basic research methods and design in the social sciences. Particular attention will be given to survey research. Second, students will learn research and writing skills including: how to locate, evaluate, and cite electronic and printed sources; how to conduct a literature review; how to write proposals, reports, and research papers; and how to edit proposals, reports, and papers. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 380 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. An analysis of the relations between nation-states in the international system and the factors influencing their behavior. The changing nature of the international system is analyzed, as are the political and economic sources of tension, war and diplomacy, international law and organization, and the bases of power. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 482 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND TERRORISM. This course examines cases and theories of international and domestic conflict, as well as methods of their resolution. Interstate violence, terrorism, guerilla warfare, and revolution are given special emphasis. Prerequisite: 6 hours of Political Science. Credit 3.

POL 368 ASIAN POLITICS. A comparative survey of contemporary politics and government in Asia. The course encompasses most of the countries of East Asia: China, Japan, the Koreas, and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Time permitting, the course may also include India and South Asia. Considerable attention is given to the history and culture of each country as well as the dynamics of change in the region. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 370 WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICS. A comparative survey of contemporary politics and governments in Western Europe. The course typically concentrates on Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, but usually includes other important and interesting countries, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and the Scandinavian countries. The European Union - its policies, institutions, and expansion - is fully treated in the course. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 387 LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS. A survey of contemporary patterns of government and politics in Latin America with emphasis on institutions, processes, behavior, and problems of democracy, authoritarianism, and political development in selected nations. Historical, social, and economic background factors are also considered, along with major issues of U.S.-Latin American relations. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 392 ECONOMIC POLICY. A general study of the role of modern government in the economy and society. Particular attention is given to governmental activity in regulating and promoting business activity. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 393 SOCIAL POLICY. A general study of the roles, actions, and problems of modern governments in dealing with social issues such as education, health, housing, transportation, and welfare services. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 395 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY. A survey of the major environmental issues and policies existing in the United States and the world today. An in-depth investigation of such environmental policy areas as clean air and water, endangered species, invasive alien species, public land management, ecosystem management, the conservation of biodiversity, nuclear power, waste disposal and energy production and use. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 481 PROBLEMS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. This course is designed to examine special topics which cut across the usual areas of concentration in government. A single topic will be considered each semester this course is offered. Topics may include political socialization, ethnic politics, crises in political systems, research techniques, and other subjects. May be repeated when topic varies. Prerequisites: 6 hours of Political Science. Credit 3.

POL 495 DIRECTED STUDIES AND INTERNSHIPS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. This course is designed especially for advanced students in Political Science who are capable of independent study. Work may involve advanced readings, directed research, or assignment as an intern in a political or government office. Registration is upon the approval of the Chair of the Department of Political Science and the instructor directing the course. This course may be taken for Academic Distinction Credit. Prerequisites: 12 hours of Political Science and departmental permission. Credit 1-3.