Political Science (POLS)
1000 Freshman Level2000 Sophomore Level 3000 Junior Level4000 Senior Level
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A student who earns an AP SCORE OF 3 OR BETTER OR A GRADE OF A or B in POLS 1301 may substitute in place of POLS 2302 one of the upper-level courses marked with an asterisk in the course list FOR FULFILLMENT OF THE CORE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES– Political Science requirement. Permission of the instructor may be required for such substitution.
1000 Level Course
1301. [GOVT 2301, 2305] American Government, Organization (3:3:0). Constitutions and organization of the governments of the United States, the states in general, and Texas in particular. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement.
2000 Level Course
2302. [GOVT 2302, 2306] American Public Policy (3:3:0). Completion of POLS 1301 not required but strongly recommended before enrolling in POLS 2302. The policy-making process in the governments of the United States, the states in general, and Texas in particular. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement.Back to Top
3000 Level Courses
3300. Selected Topics in Political Science (3:3:0). Topics of contemporary interest, varying from semester to semester. Consult the department for current topic. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit with changing topics.
3310. Introduction to Political Analysis (3:3:0). Survey of methods of and approaches to the study of politics and their underlying assumptions as they apply to the major concepts of the discipline.
3311. Political Data (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An introduction to political data sources, their strengths and weaknesses and their uses in research.
3323.* Legislation (3:3:0). Factors involved in the framing and enactment of statutory law with emphasis upon the work of the Congress of the United States. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences–Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3325.* Political Parties (3:3:0). Party history, functions, organization, finance, nominations, campaign methods, and elections. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3326.* Women in Politics (3:3:0). A study of female political participation in the United States, including voting, campaign activity, interest group activity, and office holding. Fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Individual or Group Behavior requirement. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive) (WS 3326)
3327.* The American Presidency (3:3:0). The presidency, its constitutional basis, structure, powers, functions, and responsibilities. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3330. Ancient and Medieval Political Theory (3:3:0). Political ideas of the great thinkers in the Western world from the time of the Golden Age of Greece until the rise of modern political thought. (Writing Intensive)
3331. Introduction to Political Philosophy (3:3:0). Basic issues and concepts in political philosophy, including discussion of such topics as justice, freedom, equality, authority, community, and the nature of politics and the state. Fulfills Core Humanities requirement. (PHIL 3320)
3332. Modern Political Theory (3:3:0). Major political thinkers starting with Machiavelli and Hobbes and movements such as liberalism, conservatism, utilitarianism, socialism, and communism. Fulfills Core Humanities requirement. (Writing Intensive)
3333. Contemporary Political Theory (3:3:0). Political thought since World War II; liberalism, conservatism, socialism, communism, and existentialism are examined and criticized. Attention is given to the roots of contemporary thought in the 19th century. Fulfills Core Humanities requirement. (Writing Intensive)
3339.* Religion and Politics (3:3:0). Exploration of various aspects of the relationship between major world religions and politics, including questions of church and state. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3340.* Fiscal Administration (3:3:0). Governmental budgeting and revenue raising, emphasizing theories, techniques, procedures, implementation, the political environment in which such activities take place, and possible alternatives to existing practices. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3341.* The Administrative Process (3:3:0). A survey of the field of public administration. Principles of administrative organization; distribution of administrative functions together with the structure of government charged with the carrying out of public policy. Fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Individual or Group Behavior requiremen. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions).
3346.* Public Policy Analysis (3:3:0). The study of public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation at various levels of government. Particular focus on health, social, and development policies. Attention to policy analysis skills and approaches used in government and consulting. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3350.* Criminal Process (3:3:0). An introduction to the law and government in action when man and state are in conflict. Areas examined include the nature and rationale of punishment, legislative problems in defining criminal behavior, and judicial problems in adjudicating within the legislative framework. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3351.* The Judicial Process (3:3:0). Analysis of the judicial process as part of the political process; judicial personnel and organization; sources and instruments of judicial power; judicial reasoning and behavior; and impact of judicial activity. Fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Individual or Group Behavior requirement. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions).
3352.* Constitutional Law–Powers (3:3:0). A case study of American constitutional law emphasizing constitutional bases of governmental power. Leading cases demonstrating the principles of separation of powers, judicial review, taxation, commerce, and implied powers. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences–Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3353.* Constitutional Law–Limitations (3:3:0). Primarily a case study of American constitutional law emphasizing the constitutional limitations on government, with particular emphasis on personal, civil, and political liberties. The administrative process with particular emphasis on public law relating to the powers and procedures of administrative agencies having powers of adjudication and rule making. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3360.* United States Foreign Policy (3:3:0). Examines the patterns and processes that shape U.S. foreign policy. Partially fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences–Political Science requirement (with restrictions). (Writing Intensive)
3361. International Politics (3:3:0). Introduction to global issues, actions and processes: north-south relations, post-cold war issues, the role of the state, and leading theories of international relations. Fulfills multicultural requirement. Fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Individual or Group Behavior requirement.
3363. International Organization (3:3:0). A comparative study of the major organizations of the League of Nations and the United Nations; approaches to peaceful settlement of disputes, collective security, disarmament, regional organizations, and the future of world order. (Writing Intensive)
3364. Comparative Foreign Policy (3:3:0). Surveys theories that connect domestic politics with foreign policy and applies them to a variety of countries. Fulfills multicultural requirement. (Writing Intensive)
3365. War and Security (3:3:0). Considers the basic problem in international relations; how to survive. How do countries attempt to secure themselves against foreign threats? (Writing Intensive)
3366. International Political Economy (3:3:0). Explores interaction of politics and economics in trade, investment, finance, and development. (Writing Intensive)
3368. Transnational Issues (3:3:0). Survey of current politics of human rights, migration, environment, and technological change. (Writing Intensive)
3371. Comparative Politics (3:3:0). The primary institutions (e.g., parties, groups, executives, legislatures) and processes (e.g., voting, instability) of politics as well as relevant social structures are viewed in various national settings. Questions of how and why to compare also are considered. Fulfills multicultural requirement. Fulfills Core Social and Behavioral Sciences – Individual or Group Behavior requirement.
3372. Governments of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (3:3:0). Examination of the politics, governments, and cultures of Russia and the republics of the former Soviet Union. Fulfills multicultural requirement. (Writing Intensive)
3373. Governments of Western Europe (3:3:0). Political culture, party systems, institutions, and behavior in selected countries of Western Europe. Primary attention paid to France, Germany, and Italy. Comparison between European and American political systems will be emphasized. Fulfills multicultural requirement. (Writing Intensive)
3374. Governments of Mexico and the Caribbean (3:3:0). Culture and constitutional development, ideologies, and functions of political parties and pressure groups in Mexico and selected countries of Central America and the Caribbean. Special attention will be given to problems of nationalism, revolution, and interaction with foreign powers and corporations. Fulfills multicultural requirement. (Writing Intensive)
3375. South American Governments (3:3:0). The government and politics of countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. Includes consideration of special problems such as land tenure and terrorism. Fulfills multicultural requirement. (Writing Intensive)
3376. Asian Governments and Politics (3:3:0). Political culture, party systems, political structure, policy-making, and foreign policy in selected Asian countries. Primary attention focused on Japan, China, and South Korea. Fulfills multicultural requirement. (Writing Intensive)Back to Top
4000 Level Courses
4397. Practicum in Politics (3). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Practical experience integrated with academic study of politics through study programs or work experience. Credit or no credit. (May be repeated once for credit.)
4399. Individual Studies (3). Prerequisite: 15 hours of political science and consent of instructor. Independent research under the guidance of a staff member. (May be repeated once for credit.)Back to Top
5000 Level Courses
5100. Colloquium in Political Science (1:1:0). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Presentations of current research and discussions of the political science profession by department and visiting faculty. Credit-no credit. May be repeated.
5321. Seminar in Political Behavior (3:3:0). Current research on mass political behavior, including public opinion, political socialization, and voting behavior. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated for credit.
5322. Pro-Seminar in American Politics (3:3:0). Advanced study in subjects relevant to an understanding of how the political process is affected by the environment of politics.
5324. The Executive (3:3:0). Study of the executive branch of government in the United States, with particular emphasis on the presidency.
5325. The United States Congress (3:3:0). An examination of the Congress, from formal organization, member recruitment, and theories of representation, to Congressional reform, policy-making, and interbranch relations.
5327. Selected Topics in American Government and Politics (3:3:0). Problems in American government and politics. Varying topics from semester to semester.
5339. Seminar in Political Theory (3:3:0). Examination of ideas and concepts such as liberty, authority, justice, equality, and nationalism.
5356. Judicial Behavior (3:3:0). Political analysis of actors in the judicial decision-making arena.
5360. Pro-Seminar in International Relations (3:3:0). Survey of contending theories of world politics, focusing on those that emphasize the role of power and interest in shaping state behavior.
5361. Interdependence and World Order (3:3:0). Survey of contending theories of world politics focusing on those that emphasize interdependence, democratization, transnationalism, nonstage actors, and the potential for system transformation.
5363. International Organization (3:3:0). Theoretical examination of the rise of global, regional, and functional international organizations and their role in the solution of economic, social, environmental, and political problems.
5365. Special Topics in International Relations (3:3:0). Intensive research on topics in international relations. Subjects vary.
5367. International Political Economy (3:3:0). An exploration of the interaction of international politics and international economic trends. The course surveys the theories in the field, particularly as they relate to the political economy of trade, foreign investment, finance, and development.
5369. International Security Studies (3:3:0). This course examines how states maintain their security in a dangerous world.
5370. Pro-Seminar in Comparative Politics (3:3:0). Critical survey of the major theories and literature in comparative politics, the logic of cross-national and cross-cultural inquiry, and the major concepts and approaches.
5371. Area Studies in Comparative Politics (3:3:0). The culture and political system of a major geographical area like Western Europe, Latin America, or Asia. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated for credit.
5376. Selected Topics in Comparative Government (3:3:0). Studies in comparative politics, with topics varying from semester to semester.
5380. Data Management (3:3:0). This course covers locating and using data, including creating, accessing, and merging data files, preparing data for analysis, and dealing with data problems. Graded credit/no credit.
5381. Research Design (3:3:0). Design and execution of political research.
5382. Data Analysis (3:3:0). Techniques of analyzing political data, including descriptive and inferential statistics and computer applications. Concurrent registration in 5482 lab required.
5383. Advanced Quantitative Research Methods in Political Science (3:3:0). Prerequisite: POLS 5382 or equivalent. Extensions of the least squares model to such techniques as regression and diagnostics, structural equations, factor analysis and/or time series, and computer programs applicable to political data.
5384. Advanced Political Analysis (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Examination of contemporary methods for investigating selected political topics. Topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit.
5396. Research Practicum in International Relations (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Organized professional research on major issues in international relations. May be repeated twice for credit.
5397. Research Practicum in Comparative Politics (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Organized professional research on major issues in comparative politics. May be repeated twice for credit.Back to Top
6000 Level Course
6000. Master's Thesis (V1-6).
7000 Level Course
7000. Research (V1-12).
8000 Level Course
8000. Doctor's Dissertation (V1-12).Back to Top