DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

The graduate program in Political Science is designed to expand students’ knowledge and to develop their skills of analysis and professional communication in the area of political science and public administration. The program is of value to both recent college graduates and those seeking to advance their careers. Among these it serves are students preparing for doctoral work or law school, school teachers seeking to improve their professional competence, promising scholars wanting to teach in community colleges, present and prospective public administrators, and those preparing for careers or advancement in nonprofit organizations, international organizations, the military, and private business.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the graduate program in Political Science must meet the basic requirements of Graduate Studies specified in the ADMISSION section of this catalogue. In addition the following are required:

1. At least two letters of recommendation that discuss your suitability for graduate study, and
2. A writing sample of scholarly work.

Graduate Curriculum

Political Science majors may choose one of three degrees: Master of Arts, Plan I, Master of Arts, Plan II, and Master of Education, Plan II. M.A. Plans I and II may be thesis or non-thesis. Those writing a thesis will take 24 hours of course work and receive 6 hours of credit for the thesis (30 hours total). When counseling with the student indicates that the student’s needs would be better served, the department may substitute 12 hours of additional course work in lieu of the thesis (total of 36 hours).

Political Science students ordinarily take two core courses and then focus on the areas of concentration appropriate to their needs. The three areas of concentration are American politics, comparative politics and international relations, and public administration and public policy. With departmental approval, students may take a minor or special concentration in an appropriate area from one or more other departments, such as history, criminal justice, business, or health. The intent is to design a program that best fits the student’s needs. For each degree, a comprehensive examination will be given over the core and major and minor areas of study.

Master of Arts, Plan I. The student will normally have a major of at least 18 hours within two areas of concentration in Political Science and a minor of 12 hours in a supporting field.

Master of Arts, Plan II. This degree plan is designed for prospective junior and senior college teachers, students planning to pursue a doctoral program, and those preparing for a career in government service. Under this plan, the student takes at least 30 hours in Political Science.

Master of Education, Plan II. This degree program is designed to provide additional study in Political Science for the professional secondary school teacher and is initiated in the College of Education and Applied Science. Students may take from 12 to 24 hours of course work in Political Science, 6 to 12 semester hours in a secondary teaching field, and 12 to 18 semester hours in Education, for a total of 36 semester hours. No thesis is required under this plan. Students enrolled for the Master of Education, Plan II, must also satisfy the requirements for a second teaching field (or minor) as set forth by the department in which the minor is taken. Further information is provided in this catalogue under Teacher Education and Professional Certification Programs.

Political Science Course Descriptions

Courses in Political Science (POL) at the 400 level may be taken in limited numbers for graduate credit. They are listed below, but see the undergraduate catalogue for the course descriptions. Those courses listed as “General Courses” will generally fit one of the concentrations, depending on the topics covered.

GRADUATE COURSES

CORE COURSES

POL 562 SEMINAR IN POLITICAL THEORY. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Credit 3.

POL 577 THE SCOPE AND METHODS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE. This is a study of the discipline of modern political science and an inquiry into the literature, scope, and techniques of research with particular emphasis upon the mathematical and quantitative methods of empirical research. Credit 3.

AMERICAN POLITICS

POL 530 AMERICAN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. This course offers an overview of American national political institutions: Congress, the Presidency, and the Judiciary. The course covers classics in the literature of the sub-fields as well as current research questions and controversies. Credit 3.

POL 531 AMERICAN POLITICAL BEHAVIOR. This course is designed to provide an overview of the scholarship in the field of American Political Behavior. The course explores political ideology, attitudes and beliefs, public opinion, voting behavior, political parties, interest groups, and mass movements. Credit 3.

POL 560 SEMINAR IN AMERICA POLITICS. This course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Credit 3.

COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

POL 567 SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. This course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Credit 3.

POL 571 COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ANALYSIS. A comprehensive overview of the theories, concepts, and methods of comparative analysis. The techniques of comparing political systems are examined, as are the major concepts of comparative politics, such as political elites, institutions, public policy, development and modernization, elections and political behavior, mass movements, and revolution and political violence. Credit 3.

POL 572 SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS. The seminar will focus on such topics as political development, sustainability, comparative institutions, comparative public policy, transitions to democracy, and opinions and behavior. The seminar may also focus on one or more regions or individual countries. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics differ. Credit 3.

POL 573 THEORY AND METHOD OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. This study places emphasis on the attempts to construct a general theory of international relations and the evolution of international relations methodology. Attention is also given to such techniques as systems analysis, decision-making, conflict resolution, field theory, etc. Credit 3.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC POLICY

POL 582 SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. This course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Credit 3.

POL 585 PUBLIC POLICY. This course involves the consideration of the process of public policy formulation, governmental planning, and administrative decision-making. Attention is given to the public administrator as a policy-maker and as one responsible for policy implementation. Credit 3.

POL 730 PUBLIC POLICY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. Examines school districts as systems of governance in American communities and the problems associated with governance, with particular emphasis upon educational issues. Topics may include democratic theory, local political systems, intergovernmental relations, relationships with citizens, and political accountability. Credit 3.

GENERAL COURSES

POL 578 PROBLEMS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE. This course is designed for topics in which the subject cuts across two or more areas of concentration. The course may be taken on an individual basis with the permission of the Political Science Department Chair. May be repeated when topic varies. Credit 3.

POL 579 WORKSHOP: TEACHING POLITICAL SCIENCE. Developed specifically for public school teachers, the course will offer a variety of topics useful to classroom teaching. Topics will vary according to need and the instructor but may include Texas politics, constitutional issues, current elections, and using technology in the classroom. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics differ. Credit 3.

POL 698, 699 THESIS. Credit 3.