The graduate program in Political Science is designed to prepare students for doctoral work or law school, to improve the professional competence of public school teachers, to develop promising scholars for community college teaching, and to further the preparation of students wishing to enter public service or private business.

Admission Requirements
    Students seeking admission to the graduate program in Political Science must, under normal circumstances, meet the basic requirements of Graduate Studies specified on page 22 of this Catalogue. In addition the following are required:

    The curriculum is organized around five areas of concentration: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Public Administration.

    A student majoring in Political Science may choose from: Master of Arts, Plan I, Master of Arts, Plan II, and Master of Education, Plan II. The Department reserves the right to substitute a block of twelve additional hours of course work in lieu of the thesis requirement.

Master of Arts, Plan I. The student will normally have a major of at least eighteen hours within two areas of concentration in Political Science and a minor of twelve hours in a supporting field. A comprehensive examination will be given over the major and minor areas.

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 thirty hours in Political Science. A comprehensive examination will be given over the major area of concentration and two minor areas.

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 twelve to twenty-four hours of course work in Political Science, six to twelve semester hours in a secondary teaching field, and twelve to eighteen semester hours in Education, for a total of thirty-six 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. A comprehensive examination will be given. Further information is provided in this catalogue under Teacher Education and Professional Certification Programs.

Graduate Curriculum. The 400 level courses in Political Science (POL) open to graduate students are indicated; consult the undergraduate catalogue for the descriptions.

POL 433  CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

POL 560  SEMINAR IN AMERICAN NATIONAL POLITICS. This course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary.

POL 561  SEMINAR IN AMERICAN STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS. This course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary.

POL 484  COMPARATIVE POLITICS

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.

POL 482  International Conflict and Terrorism

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

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.

POL 472  Political Attitudes and Behavior

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

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.

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

POL 584  LEGAL PARAMETERS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. This course examines the role of law in shaping the behavior of public institutions, the power vested in administrative agencies, methods of operation, and the degree of judicial control over administrative decision-making.

POL 585  PUBLIC POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION. 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.

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.

POL 481  Problems in Political Science

POL 495  Directed Studies and Internships in Political Science

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.

POL 698, 699  THESIS