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    Political Science
    General information
    Political Science (POLS) Courses
     

    Political Science (POLS) Courses

    POLS 2310-POLS 2311 fulfill the legislative requirements of the State of Texas for courses on the Constitutions of the United States and Texas.

    2310 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.

    2311 American Government and Politics (3-0)
    (Common Course Number GOVT 2301)

    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.

    2312 The Study of Politics (3-0)
    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 2310. General Prerequisite: Junior standing for all 3300 and 4300-level courses.

    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3311 Urban Politics (3-0)
    The American political process in its urban environment. Prerequisites:
    POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3312 The Party System (3-0)
    An analysis of the nature and role of political parties and interest groups and their impacts on the political process. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3313 Public Opinion and Public Policy (3-0)
    A study of the nature and formation of public opinion, its measurement, and the impact of public opinion on policy formation. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3314 Ethnicity and Race in American Politics (3-0)
    A survey of the nature and role of ethnicity and race in the American political system. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4310 The Legislative Process (3-0)
    The interaction of congress, the president, supreme court, and state government in the policy making process. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4311 The Presidency (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4313 Southwestern Border Politics (3-0)
    An analysis of U.S. political behavior in the environment of the Southwestern Border. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4314 Women, Power, and Politics (3-0)
    This course focuses on the distribution of power between women and men in society and the political implications of that distribution. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4315 Latinos in the American Political System (3-0)
    The growing impact of the political participation of Latino peoples. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3321 Civil Rights and Liberties (3-0)
    A study of the limitations on governmental power in the United States, with primary emphasis on civil and political rights. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3322 Law and Society (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4321 Philosophy of Law (3-0)
    A study of the origin, nature, and development of law. The philosophical explanation of law as propounded by the various schools of jurisprudence. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4322 Legal Reasoning (3-0)
    An examination of the method of reasoning about legal problems which arose out of the common law tradition. A core area of the common law (torts, criminal law, contracts, or property) will be explored in depth through the reading and analysis of case law. The techniques of reasoning in cases will be applied to hypothetical and new case materials. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 3211.

    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:
    POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3331 International Regimes (3-0)
    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. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3332 Political Geography (3-0)
    The study of political phenomena and the impact of decision-making in their spatial context. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3333 State and Society (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3336 Third World Politics (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4330 Foreign Policy of the United States (3-0)
    A study of the structures and processes of United States foreign policy decision-making. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4331 Relations of Post-Communist States (3-0)
    Study of the objectives, methods, and results of international relations of Russia and selected post-communist states. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4332 Russian and Post-Communist Politics (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4333 European Politics (3-0)
    A comparative analysis of the political systems of selected European powers and emerging integration of Europe. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4334 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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4335 South American Politics (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4336 Caribbean and Central American Politics (3-0)
    A study of the nature and scope of the problems encountered in the political development of countries in Central America and the Caribbean. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4337 The Politics of Mexico (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4338 Relations Between The United States and Mexico (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    Political Theory and Thought

    3340 Western Political Heritage I (3-0)
    A study of the ideas of the major political philosophers from the ancient and medieval periods. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3341 Western Political Heritage II (3-0)
    A study of the ideas of the major political philosophers from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3342 American Political Thought (3-0)
    A study of American political thought from the colonial period to the present. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4340 The American Constitution (3-0)
    An analysis of America's founding document and its evolution over time. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4341 Democracy (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4342 Contemporary Political Thought (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    Public Administration

    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3351 Public Policy Analysis (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3352 Urban Administration (3-0)
    The organization and administration of urban government in the United States. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    3353 State Administration (3-0)
    The administration of state government in the United States with emphasis on administration in the state of Texas. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4352 Environmental Law and Policy (3-0)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4354 Administrative Theory (3-0)
    Emphasis is placed on administrative decision-making, leadership, supervision, communications, and control in public and private organizations. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4355 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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4360 Internship in Public Administration (0-0-3)
    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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    General

    4370 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: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4380 Undergraduate Research in Political Science (3-0)
    A research and writing experience for undergraduates in Political Science. Prior approval of the instructor and departmental chair is required before enrollment. Prerequisites: POLS 2310 and POLS 2311.

    4390 Advanced Research Techniques (3-0)
    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 2311 and POLS 2312.

     

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