POLS - Political Science

A study of the federal and state constitutions and governments with emphasis on civil rights and liberties, elections, political parties, and interest groups. Meets the requirements for Texas teacher certification.

A study of the federal and state constitutions and governments with emphasis on governmental structures, processes, and policy making. Meets the requirements for Texas teacher certification.

Comparative study of the political and governmental systems of various states; emphasis on understanding different types of political systems and their institutions through close study of specific case study states from regions across the world.

An introduction for political science majors and minors and those considering the field, to the methods, specialized language and topics covered by political science, including an examination of its four sub-disciplines: comparative politics, international relations, American government and political theory.

History, development, mission and current operations of selected international, regional and non-governmental organizations; special emphasis on the role of the United Nations in the international interactions of states and non-state actors. Prerequisites: POLS 2320 and POLS 2315.

A study of the development of the power, the influence, and the limitations of the chief executive, including the President of the United States, state governors, and other executives in the American System. Prerequisite: POLS 2310 or 2311 or instructor's consent.

A study of legislative behavior in the US political system, including theories of representation, selection of legislators, organization and procedures of Congress, and the relation of the legislative to the executive and judicial branches. Prerequisite: POLS 2310 or 2311 or instructor's consent.

A study of the development, nature, and problems of political parties, including their organizations, operations, and functions. Prerequisite: POLS 2320 or instructor's consent.

A study of select Central and South American states, including the European conquest and colonial institutions, struggles for independence, establishment of national states and current political, economic and social structures. (Same as HIST 3362) Prerequisite: POLS 2320 and 2315 or instructor's consent.

Students majoring in Political Science must complete the Political Science Capstone examination prior to graduation. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

This course allows the student to obtain credit for interning in a position related to his/her major or minor field of study. It must be pre-approved by the faculty in the History and Political Science Department. Credit hours awarded will be related to the number of hours worked, with at least forty-five hours of internship required for each credit hour awarded. Internships may be either paid or unpaid for field experience. All internships also will contain an academic component supervised by a faculty member in the Department. The internship plan must be approved by all parties prior to registration for the class. This class will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. While the class may be repeated once, only 3 hours may count toward the Political Science major or minor. Prerequisites: Junior standing and at a least a 3.0 GPA.

This course allows the student to obtain credit for interning in a position related to his/her major or minor field of study. It must be pre-approved by the faculty in the History and Political Science Department. Credit hours awarded will be related to the number of hours worked, with at least forty-five hours of internship required for each credit hour awarded. Internships may be either paid or unpaid for field experience. All internships also will contain an academic component supervised by a faculty member in the Department. The internship plan must be approved by all parties prior to registration for the class. This class will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. While the class may be repeated once, only 3 hours may count toward the Political Science major or minor. Prerequisites: Junior standing and at a least a 3.0 GPA.

A study of the Constitution of the United States, including the work of the U.S. Supreme Court and the effects of its various decisions. Court cases are examined, briefed, and discussed. Emphasis is placed on court decisions concerning federalism, separation of powers, and economics. (Same as HIST 4311) Prerequisite: POLS 2310 or 2311 or instructor's consent .

A continuation of POLS 4311, with emphasis placed on U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning civil rights and civil liberties. (Same as HIST 4312) Prerequisite: POLS 2310 or 2311 or instructor's consent.

A study of history and political theory with emphasis on Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, and Machiavelli. (Same as HIST 4314) Prerequisite: POLS 2310 or 2311, or instructor's consent.

A study of modern and early modern western political theory with emphasis on Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, the English utilitarians, Marx, and Nietzche. (Same as HIST 4314) Prerequisite: POLS 2310 or 2311, or instructor's consent.

A study of the relations among sovereign states and the system within which they operate, with special emphasis on the causes of war, security and peace, human rights and political economy. (Same as HIST 4391.02)  Prerequisite: POLS 2315 and POLS 2320 or instructor’s consent.

A study of the geographical factors that affect Texas, national, and world politics. Special emphasis is placed on demography; geography and conflict; landscape and the geography of culture; the geography of religion and politics; spatial dimensions of industrialization, urbanization, and economic development; and environmental pressures and politics. Prerequisite: POLS 1315 or instructor's consent.

A study of the development of the international system of trade, production and finance from the Industrial Revolution through the present era, with special attention to the political effects of this progression. Includes a consideration of specific state and non-state actors within the current international political economic system to investigate their political and political linkages. (Same as BECO 4370) Prerequisite: POLS 2315 and POLS 2320, or instructor’s consent.

A study of the interaction of religion, politics, and the state from colonial times to the present from historical, legal, and social scientific perspectives. (Same as HIST 4330) Prerequisite: HIST 2311, or 2312, or instructor's consent.

This course allows the student to obtain credit for interning in a position related to his/her major or minor field of study. It must be pre-approved by the faculty in the History and Political Science Department. Credit hours awarded will be related to the number of hours worked, with at least forty-five hours of internship required for each credit hour awarded. Internships may be either paid or unpaid for field experience. All internships also will contain an academic component supervised by a faculty member in the Department. The internship plan must be approved by all parties prior to registration for the class. This class will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. While the class may be repeated once, only 3 hours may count toward the Political Science major or minor. Prerequisites: Junior standing and at a least a 3.0 GPA.