(Archived) Political Science

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

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

Curricula: Major in Political Science BACHELOR OF ARTS

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
POL 261	3	POL 379	3
ENG 164, 165	6	ENG 265, 275, or 295	3
MTH (164 or approved substitute)	3	ENG (200 level or higher) or SCM	3
POL elective	3	FL 263, 264	6
HIS 163, 164	6	STA 379	3
FL 141, 142	8	BIO, CHM, GEL/GEO 130/111, or PHY (from two different departments)	8
KIN 215 or accepted substitute	1	POL 377, POL elective	6
KIN activity or accepted substitute	1-3	CS elective	3
	31-33		35

Third and Fourth Years Credit
POL 410, POL 472, and POL electives	16
PHL elective	3
Criterion VI electives	9
Minor	18-24
ART,DNC,MUS,THR, or PHL 366	6
Electives	4-10
	62

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
POL 261	3	POL 379	3
ENG 164, 165	6	ENG 265, 275, or 295	3
MTH 164 (or approved substitute)	3	ENG (200 level or higher) or SCM	3
MTH	3	STA 379	3
BIO, CHM, GEL, PHY (one field)	8	HIS 163, 164 6 BIO, CHM, GEL, PHY (one field not used in first year)	8
KIN 215 or accepted substitute	1	ART, DNC, MUS, or THR	3
KIN activity or accepted substitute	1-3	CS elective	3
	31-33	POL elective	3
		Criterion VI elective	3
			32

Third and Fourth Years Credit
POL 410, POL (including POL 377 and 472)	28
Criterion VI electives	6
Minor	18-24
Electives	7-13
	65

REQUIRED POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES FOR MAJORS

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science: POL 261, 377, 379, 410, and 472. (NOTE: All Political Science majors are required to take STA 379.)

MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science: 19 hours in Political Science including 261, 379, and 410.

SOCIAL SCIENCE COMPOSITE WITH POLITICAL SCIENCE EMPHASIS

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science:

Political Science: 31 hours including 261, 335, 378, 379, 410, 433, and 3 hours in Comparative Politics.

Economics: 230 and 3 hours advanced ECO.

Geography: 161, 265, 266, 369, and 471.

History: 265, 266, and 463.

Sociology: 261.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Students may qualify for teacher certification with government as one of their teaching fields by majoring or minoring in Political Science under either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. A single composite teaching field in social science is also available. Students may qualify for the composite teaching field by completing the social science composite with political science emphasis under either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to the teacher certification requirements, the following courses are required in Political Science for those students seeking certification with a government or social science composite teaching field: POL 261, 335, 378, 379, 410, 433, and 3 hours in Comparative Politics.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Students who plan to teach must satisfy the following certification requirements: SED 383, 392, 394, 464, 480, 496, 497; SED 374 (Criterion VI); SCM 161 or 384.

POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

INTRODUCTORY COURSES 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 for teacher certification. Credit 3. AMERICAN POLITICS POL 285 AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY. [GOVT 2302] This is a study of National and State Policy. Topics may include foreign policy, civil liberties, health care, social, economic, and/or environmental policy. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 331 LOCAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS. A comparative study of local governments with emphasis on the municipality. Topics include the political theory of local government, leadership recruitment and political participation, intergovernmental relations, and revenue and service levels of local government. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 332 STATE POLITICAL SYSTEMS. A comparative analysis of politics in the fifty states. Variations and similarities in state politics are examined, described, and related to other features of the states. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 334 JUDICIAL SYSTEMS. An orientation course for pre-law students and others interested in the legal aspects of government. Emphasis is placed on the development of judicial systems and the policy making role of courts. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 335 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 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 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.

POLITICAL THEORY AND METHODOLOGY POL 371 ELEMENTARY STATISTICS FOR POLITICAL SCIENCE. This course introduces the basic statistical methods employed by political scientists. Topics covered are the relation of statistics to mathematics, variables, measurements, graphs, frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory, elementary sampling theory, and inductive statistics. The place of statistics in a research design, applications to political phenomena, and computer usage are also considered. Prerequisite: POL 261. (A sophisticated mathematical background is not required). THIS COURSE DOES NOT SATISFY CRITERION V OF THE GENERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS. Credit 3.

POL 377 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY. A survey of the development of political theory. The course will examine definitions, purposes, and basic characteristics of classical political theory. Prerequisite: POL 261. 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. A survey of the basic concepts and methods of research in political science. Attention is given to library usage, professional journals, primary source materials, and writing techniques. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS POL 376 INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IN THE POST-SOVIET ERA. A study of the relations among nations and states in the wake of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the disintegration of communism. Problems such as internal stability, national conflicts, and internal security will be given particular emphasis. 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 381 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 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.

COMPARATIVE POLITICS POL 361 CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN POLITICS. A comparative study of the political systems of Central and Eastern European states, including the European portions of the former Soviet Union, with emphasis on the problems of transition from communism to democracy and market economy. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 368 ASIAN POLITICS. A comparative survey of politics and government in Asia, concentrating on China and Japan, but including other countries. Considerable attention is given to the historical and cultural backgrounds of each country as well as recent developments in the region. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 370 WESTERN EUROPEAN POLITICS. A comparative study of politics and government in Western Europe, concentrating on Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, but including Spain, Sweden, Holland, and others. Special attention is also given to the institutions and development of the European Community. 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 484 COMPARATIVE POLITICS. An examination of major issues and problems within the field of comparative politics. Topics will vary and may include political development, democratization, violence and revolution, elites, parties, bureaucracies, problems of comparative analysis, and other major concerns of the field. Prerequisites: 6 hours of Political Science. Credit 3.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC POLICY POL 366 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. A survey of American 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. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

POL 391 GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. Comparison of governmental organizations within society and analysis of the differences and their impact upon practices of administration in public agencies. Consideration is also given to the management tools available to governmental agencies and their capabilities and limitations. Prerequisites: 6 hours of Political Science. 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 study of the major environmental issues confronting government and society and the development of national, state, and local policies to deal with those issues. Attention is also given to the implementation and administration of the policies. Prerequisite: POL 261. Credit 3.

GENERAL COURSES POL 410 SEMINAR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. Discussions of current literature and developments in political science. Required of Political Science majors and minors. Prerequisites: 12 hours in Political Science and junior or senior standing. Credit 1.

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. 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.

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