2.- Political Science (POLS) Courses

2.- Political Science (POLS) Courses

POLS 3210 -3211 fulfill the legislative requirements of the State of Texas for courses on the Constitutions of the United States and Texas and are prerequisites to upper division political science course offerings.

3210 Introduction to Politics (3-0) (Common Course Number GOVT 2302)

An overview of the concepts, principles, and practices of politics as background for the study of American and Texas political institutions. The course may employ an international, comparative, or theoretical focus. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

a survey of contemporary american national, state, and local political processes and institutions, with emphasis upon the constitutions of the united states and texas. This course meets teacher certification requirements for out-of-state graduate students. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

A review of the various techniques used in the study of politics. Students will examine political situations and prepare written reports on their findings. Grade of "C" or better required for majors and minors. Prerequisite: POLS 3210.

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AMERICAN POLITICAL PROCESSES

3310 Political Socialization and Political Culture (3-0)

An analysis of the influence of cultural, psychological, and social patterns on the nature of political orientations and political systems. Prerequisites:3210 and POLS 3211 .

The American political process in its urban environment. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

An analysis of the nature and role of political parties and interest groups and their impacts on the political process. 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of the nature and formation of public opinion, its measurement, and the impact of public opinion on policy formation. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A survey of the nature and role of ethnicity and race in the American political system. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The interaction of congress, the president, supreme court, and state government in the policy making process. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

Examination of the office of the President in relation to the functions, roles, powers, and duties which have accrued to the office as it has developed in scope and authority from Washington to the present. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

An analysis of U.S. political behavior in the environment of the Southwestern Border. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

This course focuses on the distribution of power between women and men in society and the political implications of that distribution. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The growing impact of the political participation of Latino peoples. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

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PUBLIC LAW

3320 Constitutional Law (3-0)

A study through the use of court cases of the allocation of governmental powers with emphasis on the national government, and an introduction to the judicial function and the American legal system. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of the limitations on governmental power in the United States, with primary emphasis on civil and political rights. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

An examination of the legal-judicial arrangements in the Western world and particularly the United States, with emphasis on the interaction of legal systems with society. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of the origin, nature, and development of law. The philosophical explanation of law as propounded by the various schools of jurisprudence. Prerequisites:3210 and POLS 3211 .

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COMPARATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

3330 International Politics (3-0)

The theory and practice of international politics with particular attention to the forces and processes contributing to conflict and cooperation among global political structures and institutions. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The study of political structures at the global regional level such as the European Economic Community or interamerican system, among intergovernmental or nongovernmental actors, and also functional areas such as the arts, sports, energy, food, the seas, disarmament, or the environment. Course may be repeated under different topic and/or instructor. 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The study of political phenomena and the impact of decision-making in their spatial context. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The study of the state and distribution of power in different societies. Topics include classical theories of the relationship between the state and society, growth of the state sector in modern societies, functions of the state, and studies of distribution of the community, national, and international power. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

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3335 Comparative Political Systems (3-0)

An examination of theories and methods used in comparative political analysis with illustrative cases drawn from a variety of political cultures. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The study of political cultures, interest groups, political parties, processes, and structure of Third World areas. Specific areas of subject matter to be studied may vary with instructor. Prerequisites:3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of the structures and processes of United States foreign policy decision-making. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

Study of the objectives, methods, and results of international relations of Russia and selected post-communist states. Prerequisites:3210 and POLS 3211 .

A survey of contemporary politics of the Russian Federation and selected post-communist countries stressing challenges in transition to democracy and the market economy. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A comparative analysis of the political systems of selected European powers and emerging integration of Europe. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

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3434 Regional Politics (3-0)

The study of political institutions and processes in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. Course may be repeated under a different topic and/or instructor. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A survey of the political systems and institutional structures of the major countries in South America. Emphasis is placed on the sources of political cleavage and the problems of stability and instability within and among the nations of the region. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of the political processes and institutions within Mexico. Attention will be given to the political culture of Mexico, the role of interest groups and political parties, the nature of federalism and separation powers, public policy and administration, and human rights. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of relations between the United States and Mexico. Attention will be devoted to critical issues such as trade, immigration, narcotics, and especially to issues in the U.S.-Mexico borderland. Prerequisites:3210 and POLS 3211 .

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3340 Western Political Heritage I (3-0)

A study of the ideas of the major political philosophers from the ancient and medieval periods. Prerequisites:3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of the ideas of the major political philosophers from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 . .

A study of American political thought from the colonial period to the present. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

An analysis of America's founding document and its evolution over time. Prerequisites:3210 and POLS 3211 .

The development of democratic theory and its relation to contemporary political problems and challenges. Particular attention will be given to the conditions and requisites for democracy as a worldwide phenomena. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The ideas of contemporary political thinkers concerning the issues of democracy, dictatorships, and the relations between economic systems and political systems. Emphasis also will be placed upon the process of political theorizing today. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

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3350 Introduction to Public Administration (3-0)

A study of management processes involved in the accomplishing of government; analysis of the structure and procedures of the administrative or executive branch of government, with particular reference to national, state, and local governments in the United States. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

Issues and techniques in the analysis of public agenda-building, decision-making, implementation, and evaluation. Course may be comparative in content and may be repeated under different topic and/or instructor. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The organization and administration of urban government in the United States. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

The administration of state government in the United States with emphasis on administration in the state of Texas. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

Focus on the formulation, implementation, enforcement, and evaluation of environmental policies. Course may be comparative or focus on a specific issue. Course may be repeated under different topic and/or instructor. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

Emphasis is placed on administrative decision-making, leadership, supervision, communications, and control in public and private organizations. 3210 and POLS 3211 .

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3455 Development Management (3-0)

A course on the management of development programs and projects in low-income countries of Africa, Asia, and/or Latin America. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

This course is open to seniors and graduate students with the approval of the Chairperson of the Department or Director of the MPA Program. It is a work-study program in which the student is assigned two days (or 16-20 hours) each week to a governmental agency. Normally open to students interested in professional preparation in Public Administration. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

3470 Readings in Political Science (0-0-3)

Special course to be taken only with prior approval of the instructor and the departmental chair. May be taught as a regular class for experimental courses. Prerequisites: 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A research and writing experience for undergraduates in Political Science. Prior approval of the instructor and departmental chair is required before enrollment. Prerequisites: POLS 3210 and POLS 3211 .

A study of advanced data generation and statistical analysis techniques. Students will use these techniques in individual or group research projects. This course is recommended for majors intending to go to graduate school and for those interested in the latest analytical techniques used in public and private organizations. Prerequisites: POLS 3211 and POLS 3212 .

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