Political Science 2011-2012
Department of Political Science
Interim Department Chair: Terri B. Davis
201 Social and Behavioral Sciences Building, ph 409.880.8526, fx 409.880.1710
Pre-Law Advisor: Terri B. Davis
Distinguished Professor Emeritus: Drury, Utter
Professors: Castle, Vanderleeuw, Lassen
Associate Professors: Lanier, Sowers, Sandovicci
Assistant Professors: Davis, Sides
Visiting Instructors: Gubala, Raizada
Instructors: Owen
The Political Science Department provides all university students with knowledge and appreciation of national and state political processes and equips undergraduate majors with a wide knowledge of the various substantive areas of the discipline, including American politics, comparative politics, public administration and public policy, and international relations. Students receive instruction in social science research methodology, critical analysis, and methods of effective communication to prepare them for appropriate professional, educational, and occupational opportunities. Political Science faculty members have earned doctorates in a wide range of specializations within the broad areas of the discipline. Departmental instruction is energized and informed by faculty involvement in research, scholarly publication, and professional activities at political science and social science organization meetings. Department faculty serve the larger community by participating in civic organizations, commissions, and task forces, and offering professional expertise as consultants and advisers to local governmental and nongovernmental organizations.
Degrees Offered
Political Science Degree Plans
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of Science in Political Science
Bachelor of Science in Political Science with Social Studies Teacher Certification
Additionally, the Department offers a Pre-Law Program leading to Bachelor of Arts or Science degrees.
Minimum Academic Standards for Political Science Majors
The following minimum academic standards apply to students enrolled as a majors in the Department of Political Science:
- A grade of C or better in English composition courses is required.
- A grade of C or better in all Political Science courses is required.
- A grade of C or better in all courses in the minor is required.
- A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for graduation.
- An overall grade point average of 2.0 is required for graduation.
- A student with a grade point deficiency of 10 or more will not be allowed to register as a Political Science major or transfer into Political Science programs.
Political Science – Pre-Law
One of the traditional routes to law school is a four-year undergraduate degree in Political Science. Students may pursue either the Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science or Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science as candidates for admission to a school of law. Both degrees retain the values of a liberal education (such as instruction in history, English, and foreign language) and the enhancement of technical skills (including accounting and mathematics). With several free electives and an 18-hour minor, the Bachelor of Arts or Science in Political Science affords considerable flexibility in meeting each student’s unique educational and career needs. The Political Science Department Pre-Law advisor assists students in selecting appropriate undergraduate courses, applying for admission to law school and maximizing the chance for success on the Law School Admission Test.
Juniors and seniors who meet the required academic standards may also apply for participation in the State of Texas Legislative Internship Program and various legal, legislative and local government internships.
Legal Internships – Pre-Law
Exceptional students may qualify for a cooperative education program available in the legal profession. They earn up to six semester hours of elective internship credit in their junior and senior years while working half-days in local law firms. Law office experience is combined with academic assignments to develop skills useful to the potential lawyer. Admission to the program is by permission of the chair of the Department of Political Science and the pre-law advisor.
Bachelor of Arts – Political Science Major
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science emphasizes a traditional liberal arts or humanities curriculum and includes the following requirements:
A. General Requirements: See Core Curriculum. Students must have COMM 1315, and must take three additional hours of Math from MATH 1316, 1320, 1325, 1342, 2312, 2376 or higher, and three additional hours of sophomore literature.
B. Major (33 semester hours, 6 in the University Core Curriculum) Political Science 1301 Political Science 2301-2302 (see University Core Curriculum)
Political Science 3351–Statistics for Social Scientists . Six semester hours from each of the following fields: American politics (POLS 3314, 3313, 3318, 3317, 4312).
Three semester hours from each of the following fields: International relations (POLS 3320, 3321, 4322) . Comparative politics (POLS 3320, 3332, 4331) Public administration and policy (POLS 3341, 3342, 3343, 4340, 4341)
Three semester hours in either International Relations or Comparative Politics
Three semester hours in an advanced POLS elective
C. Minor (Minimum of 18 semester hours). An approved minor of 18 semester hours, including at least twelve advanced hours.
D. Additional requirements (13 semester hours) Completion of 2312 in a foreign language (normally 12 semester hours) One semester of physical activity
E. Electives. A number sufficient to total 120 semester hours, including 45 advanced (at least 24 in the major); 24 of the advanced hours must be completed at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô.
Suggested Program of Study
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Total Min. Hours: 120
| First Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 1301 | 3 | English Composition | 3 |
| English Composition | 3 | Modern Language | 3 |
| Modern Language | 3 | Math (MATH 1316, 1320, 1325, 1342, 2312, or 2376) | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 | PHIL 1370 | 3 |
| Physical Activity | 1 | Fine Arts (from HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306, ARTS 1301, THEA 1310, DANC 2304 or COMM 1375) . | 3 |
| COMM 1315 | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 16 | 15 | |
| Second Year |
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 2301 | 3 | POLS 2302 | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | English Literature | 3 |
| Modern Language | 3 | Modern Language | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | 3 | HIST 1302 | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | Social Science (from ANTH 2346, ANTH 2351, ECON 1301, PSYC2301 or SOCI 1301 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 3351 | 3 | Political Science advanced | 3 |
| Political Science advanced | 3 | Political Science advanced | 3 |
| Political Science advanced | 3 | Minor (advanced) | 3 |
| Laboratory Science | 4 | Minor (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | Laboratory Science | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| Political Science advanced | 3 | Political Science advanced | 3 |
| Political Science advanced | 3 | Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor (advanced) | 3 | Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor (advanced) | 3 | Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 | 12 |
BS Political Science
The Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science emphasizes quantitative skills in the applied social sciences and includes the following requirements:
A. General Requirements: See Core Curriculum. Students must have COMM 1315, and must take three additional hours of Math from MATH 1316, 1320, 1325, 1342, 2312, 2376, or higher, and three additional hours of sophomore literature.
B. Major ( 33 semester hours, with 6 in the University Core Curriculum) Political Science 1301 Political Science 2301-2302 (see University Core Curriculum) Political Science 3351 -Statistics for Social Scientists. Political Science 3352 -Advanced Research Methods Six semester hours from each of the following fields: American politics (POLS 3314, 3313, 3318, 3317, 4312).
Three semester hours from each of the following fields: International relations (POLS 3320, 3321, 4322) . Comparative politics (POLS 3320, 3332, 4331) Public administration and policy (POLS 3341, 3342, 3343, 4340, 4341)
Three semester hours in either International Relations or Comparative Politics
C. Minor (18 semester hours). An approved minor of 18 semester hours, including at least twelve advanced hours.
D. Additional requirements (13 semester hours). BS Core courses
Accounting 1301. Economics 1301, 2301 Three hours in an approved advanced elective (Economics 3340, Economics 3320, or Math 3312) One semester of physical activity
E. Electives. A number sufficient to total 120 semester hours including 45 advanced (at least 24 in the major); 24.of the advanced hours must be completed at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô.
Suggested Program of Study
Bachelor of Science in Political Science – Total Min. Hours: 120
| First Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 1301 | 3 | English Composition | 3 |
| English Composition | 3 | BS Core Course | 3 |
| BS Core Course | 3 | Math (MATH 1316, 1320, 1325, 1342, 2312, or 2376) | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 | PHIL 1370 | 3 |
| Physical Activity | 1 | History 1301 | 3 |
| COMM 1315 | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 16 | 15 | |
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 2301 | 3 | POLS 2302 | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | English Literature | 3 |
| BS Core Course | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Social Science (from ANTH 2346, ANTH 2351, ECON 1301, | 3 | HIST 1302 | 3 |
| PSYC2301 or SOCI 1301 | |||
| Fine Arts (from HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306, ARTS 1301, THEA 1310, DANC 2304 or COMM 1375) . | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 3351 | 3 | POLS 3352 | 3 |
| Political Science (advanced) | 3 | Political Science (advanced) | 3 |
| BS Core Course (advanced) | 3 | Minor (advanced) | 3 |
| Laboratory Science | 4 | Minor (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | Laboratory Science | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| Political Science( advanced) | 3 | Political Science (advanced) | 3 |
| Political Science (advanced) | 3 | Political Science (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor (advanced) | 3 | Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor (advanced) | 3 | Elective (advanced) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 | 12 |
Students wishing to earn the Bachelor of Science in Political Science and at the same time certify with Social Studies as a teaching field must meet the following requirements:
A. General Requirements: See Core Curriculum. Students must take three additional hours of Math from MATH 1316, 1320, 1325, 1342, 2312, 2376, or higher, and three additional hours of sophomore literature. Lab Science must include eight hours in the same science; Communication must be 1315 or 3310. Social Science course must be ECON 2301. History must include HIST 2301.
B. Major 33 semester hours, with 6 in University Core Curriculum, and 12 in Social
Studies Foundation Core Political Science 2301-2302 (see University Core Curriculum) Political Science 1301 (see Social Studies Foundation requirements)
Political Science 2330 (see Social Studies Foundation requirements) Political Science 3352 (see Social Studies Foundation requirements) American Politics POLS 3318or 4312, now numbered 4312) (see Social Studies Foundation requirements)
Three semester hours from each of the following fields:
International relations (POLS 3320, 3321, 4322) . Comparative politics (POLS 3320, 3332, 4331) Public administration and policy (POLS 3341, 3342, 3343, 4340, 4341)
Research Methods (POLS 3351) Advanced POLS elective
C. Composite Social Studies 30 semester hours, 27 advanced. HIST 2301 (see University Core Curriculum), HIST 3301, HIST 3302, HIST 3303, HIST 3321, HIST 3322, ECON 3340, FINC 3306, SOCI 3301, SOCI 3306
D. Pedagogy (24 semester hours). PEDG 2310, 3310, 3320, 3380, 4380 and 4620; READ 3326
E. Foundation requirements (18 semester hours) POLS 2301 – Introduction to American Government I (see University Core Curriculum) POLS 2302 – Introduction to American Government II (see University Core Curriculum) POLS 1301 – Introduction to Political Science . Political Science 2330 -Political Geography. Political Science 3352 -Advanced Research Methods. Political Science 3318 or 4370
F. Additional requirement (one semester hour). One semester of physical activity
G. The minimum number of semester hours required for the Bachelor of Science in Political Science with Social Studies teacher certification is 130 (with at least 129 exclusive of physical activity), including 69 hours advanced, at least 24 of which must be completed at Â鶹ӳ»Ó°Òô.
Suggested Program of Study
Bachelor of Science in Political Science with Social Studies Teacher Certification – Total Min. Hours: 129 hours
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 1301 | 3 | English Composition | 3 |
| English Composition | 3 | ECON 2301 | 3 |
| Phil of Knowledge 1370 | 3 | Math (MATH 1316, 1320, 1325, 1342, 2312, or 2376) | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 | Fine Arts (from HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306, ARTS 1301, THEA 1310, DANC 2304 or COMM 1375) | 3 |
| Physical Activity | 1 | History 1301or 1302 | 3 |
| COMM 1315 or 3310 | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 16 | 15 | |
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 2301 | 3 | POLS 2302 | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | English Literature | 3 |
| History 2301 | 3 | POLS 3330 | 3 |
| History 3301 | 3 | History 3302 | 3 |
| Laboratory Science | 4 | Laboratory Science | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 16 | |
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 3351 | 3 | POLS 3352 | 3 |
| Political Science (advanced) | 3 | Political Science (advanced) | 3 |
| Political Science (advanced) | 3 | PEDG 3310 | 3 |
| SOCI 3301 | 3 | PEDG 3320 | 3 |
| READ 3326 | 3 | FINC 3306 | 3 |
| PEDG 2310 | 3 | ECON 3340 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 18 | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| Political Science( advanced) | 3 | POLS 3318 or 4312 | 3 |
| Political Science (advanced) | 3 | ||
| SOCI 3306 | 3 | PEDG4380 | 3 |
| HIST 3303 | 3 | PEDG 4620 | 6 |
| HIST 3321 | 3 | . | |
| HIST 3322 | 3 | ||
| PEDG 3380 | |||
| TOTAL | 18 | 12 |
Minor in Political Science (No grade less than “C”) A 21 hour Political Science minor consists of nine hours of lower division courses plus twelve hours of advanced courses. The lower division courses are:
POLS 1301 Introduction to Political Science .
POLS 2301 Introduction to American Government I (see University Core Curriculum)
POLS 2302 Introduction to American Government II (see University Core Curriculum) The twelve hours of advanced work may be chosen from among the department’s offerings at the 3000 and 4000 levels, excluding directed study and internships.
A minor in Political Science may not be used for Pre-Law Certification. All students seeking Pre-Law Certification must minor in Legal Studies through the Department of Political Science
Minor in Legal Studies
Minors in Legal Studies must complete 21 semester credit hours of required courses and approved electives. A grade of C or better is required in all courses in the minor. At least 15 hours must be advanced and taken in residence.
Legal Studies Minors are required to complete the following courses:
POLS 3313 Judicial Process
CRIJ 4300 Legal Research, Brief Writing and Oral Advocacy
COMM 2335 Argument and Critical Thinking
PHIL 2303 Logic
POLS 4312 Constitutional Law
Students may choose from the following approved electives:
CRIJ 3300 Advanced Criminal Law
COMM 4310 Communication Law
BULW 3330 Environmental Law
POLS 4322 International Law
POLS 4370 Constitutional Law
BULW 3310 Business Law Students are encouraged but not required to complete at least one Legal Internship. Legal Internships must be approved by the Pre-Law advisor and are offered only to students with junior or senior standing and with a minimum cumulative grade point average no less than 3.0.
All persons seeking a certificate in Pre-Law must minor in Legal Studies.
Bachelor of Science – Political Science with Legal Studies Minor
A. See Requirements for Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science above.
B. Legal Studies Minor (21 semester hours, 15 advanced)
Suggested Program of StudyBachelor of Science in Political Science with Legal Studies Minor – Total Min. Hours: 120, 45 advanced
| First Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 1301 | 3 | English Composition | 3 |
| English Composition | 3 | BS Core Course | 3 |
| BS Core Course | 3 | Math (MATH 1316, 1320, 1325, 1342, 2312, or 2376) | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | 3 | PHIL 1370 | 3 |
| Physical Activity | 1 | History 1301 | 3 |
| COMM 1315 | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 16 | 15 | |
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 2301 | 3 | POLS 2302 | 3 |
| English Literature | 3 | English Literature | 3 |
| BS Core Course | 3 | PHIL 2303 | 3 |
| Social Science (from ANTH 2346, ANTH 2351, ECON 1301, PSYC2301 or SOCI 1301 | 3 | HIST 1302 | 3 |
| Fine Arts (from HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306, ARTS 1301, THEA 1310, DANC 2304 or COMM 1375) . | 3 | COMM 2335 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| POLS 3351 | 3 | POLS 3352 | 3 |
| POLS 3313 | 3 | Political Science (advanced)(4312) | 3 |
| BS Core Course (advanced) | 3 | Elective (advanced)-legal internship | 3 |
| Laboratory Science | 4 | POLS (advanced) | 3 |
| CRIJ 4300 | 3 | Laboratory Science | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Spring | ||
| Political Science( advanced) | 3 | Political Science (advanced) | 3 |
| POLS 4312 | 3 | Political Science (advanced) | 3 |
| Minor elective | 3 | Political Science (advanced) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Minor Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 | 12 |