POLITICAL SCIENCE (PSCI)
PSCI 2304 Introduction to Political Science. Three semester hours.
An introductory survey of concepts, theories, and principles of political science. The political dynamics and institutions of several leading nations of today; the competing philosophies of the twentieth century (democracy, communism and fascism). This course cannot be used to satisfy the state required government courses.
PSCI 2305 American National Government. Three semester hours.
A survey of national government in the United States with emphasis upon the Constitution, government structure, and processes. European background; federal, state, and interstate relations; rights and obligations of citizens; political parties; group organization; the legislative process; and the executive, judicial, and administrative functions in federal government.
PSCI 2306 American State Government. Three semester hours.
Analysis of state and local government in the United States, with particular emphasis upon the State of Texas. History of state governments; state constitutions; the role of the individual pertaining to the rights and liberties in participation in government; political parties, pressure groups, and the franchised. The state legislature, the governor and state administration, state court system, county municipal organization, and current problems of local government.
PSCI 3301 Political Science Research Methods. Three semester hours.
An introduction to research methods, research designs, and the analysis of political data. Students will also be introduced to basic computer techniques. Open to sophomores with consent of the instructor. Interchangeable with CRIJ 3305, PSYC 4304 or SOCI 4303.
PSCI 3305 Government and Politics of Western Europe. Three semester hours.
The structures, function, and processes of selected Western European political systems. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 3310 Studies in Comparative Politics. Three semester hours.
This course will explore the methods of comparative political analysis. The course will emphasize political culture, structural functionalism, formal, legal, group, elite, class, and system approaches.
PSCI 3311 Introduction to Political Thought. Three semester hours.
A survey and analysis of political thought, theory, and political philosophy from Greek antiquity to the present. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 3312 Political Thought (Modern). Three semester hours.
Fundamentals of political thought, theory, and philosophy since Machiavelli; major contemporary political theories and movements. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 3320 The Legislative Process in the United States. Three semester hours.
Survey and description of the legislative process in the United States Congress with relevant comparisons to practices within several states and foreign nations. Emphasis upon law making as a decision-making process explained in terms of structure, participants, group associations and power relationships. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 3322 The Politics of Class and Gender Politics. Three semester hours.
This class focuses on the political and economic power of women as a function of the dynamics of contemporary U.S. culture. Using various socioeconomic models, the interactive effects of gender, class, and ethnicity will be explored. Consideration will be given to such issues as womens workplace and educational opportunities, the feminization of poverty, womens health policy, and other contemporary concerns.
PSCI 3325 Political Parties, Interest Groups and Elections. Three semester hours.
A study of the nature, functions, and problems of American political parties, followed by an analysis of the role of pressure groups in the American political system. Prerequisites: PSCI 2305 and PSCI 2306 or permission of the instructor.
PSCI 3340 International Law and Organization. Three semester hours.
A survey of the historical development and present role played by international law in the world community, and the formation and operation of international organizations. Organizations to be examined include the United Nations, regional development banks, alliance systems, cartels, common markets, and other international political organizations.
PSCI 3345 Introduction to Public Administration. Three semester hours.
Perceptions of bureaucracy; organizational theory and behavior; administrative leadership and decision making; personnel problems and public unions; agency clientele and public interest; questions of administrative ethics, morality, and accountability; and individual in-depth studies of selected public policies.
PSCI 3350 Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy. Three semester hours.
Systematic analysis of factors affecting policy-making and implementation at various stages. Theories of decision-making, organizational behavior of bureaucracies, and regulatory alternatives.
PSCI 4308 Latin American Politics: South America. Three semester hours.
Governmental structure and political forces of South American political systems. Prerequisite: six hours of political science. *May be taken for graduate credit.
PSCI 4309 Latin American Politics: Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Three semester hours.
Governmental structure and political forces of Mexico, Central America, and the principal or major Caribbean nations. Prerequisite: six hours of political science. *May be taken for graduate credit.
PSCI 4311 Constitutional Law. Three semester hours.
A case study of American constitutional law based on the leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. This course deals with the functional and federal distributions of governing authority. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 4312 Constitutional Law: Criminal Procedures and Civil Liberties. Three semester hours.
A case study of American constitutional law based on the leading decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Civil iberties, rights of the criminally accused, and civil rights. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 4314 Issues in U.S. Government. Three semester hours.
Basic issues and cases of U.S. Government are analyzed in order to better understand the workings of our political system. The Constitution, political parties and interest groups, public opinion and the media, civil rights and the workings of the federal system and the main branches of government are also evaluated. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 4315 Issues in State and Local Governments. Three semester hours.
This course is a study, through readings and case studies, of the issues and problems particular to government at the state and local level.
PSCI 4320 The Political System of the United States of America. Three semester hours.
An intensive analysis of the United States of Americas political system in terms of elitism and democratic behavior of elites and masses. Prerequisite: six hours of political science. *May be taken for graduate credit.
PSCI 4321 Special Studies in Political Science. Three semester hours.
An intensive examination of special topics of study in political science. May be repeated once when topic changes. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 4326 The Judicial Process. Three semester hours.
A study of the American judicial system with emphasis upon its structure, function, and process. Prerequisite: six hours of political science. Interchangeable with CRIJ 1306 with permission of CRIJ faculty advisor.
PSCI 4330 The American Presidency. Three semester hours.
Analysis of the institution of the presidency, its functions, formal and informal relationships, its limitations and power within the American political system. Emphasis on the dynamics of the presidency, including presidential personality, conception of role, impact of public opinion, and responses to changes in the environment.
PSCI 4335 International Politics. Three semester hours.
This course will explore and analyze various topics in international politics. Emphasis will be given to major theories and their application to related areas, issues, and regions. May be repeated once when topic changes. Prerequisite: six hours of political science. *May be taken for graduate credit.
PSCI 4340 American Foreign Policy. Three semester hours.
A study of the sources of American foreign policy in domestic institutions and public opinion, and in the actions of foreign governments, as a means of elucidating the policy making process. *May be taken for graduate credit.
PSCI 4345 Urban Politics. Three semester hours.
Forms and organization of city government. A study of urban political processes and major public problems confronting urban areas. Prerequisite: six hours of political science.
PSCI 4350 Ethnic Politics. Three semester hours.
A study of ethnic interest groups and the varieties of American ethnic politics. Emphasis on ethnic groups in Texas. Prerequisite: six hours of political science. *May be taken for graduate credit.
PSCI 5301 Research Methods in Political Science. Three semester hours.
The course deals with the basic tools of the social sciences to better understand political behavior. Analytical concepts, survey research, statistical correlations, and the application of the scientific method will be basic to the course. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5303 Seminar in American Government. Three semester hours.
An intensive study of the origins, structure, and functions of the United States Government. The concepts of federalism, separation of powers, democratic theory, and other subjects central to the understanding of U.S. government are analyzed. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5308 The Presidency. Three semester hours.
The operationsand functions of the Office of the President are examined as they affect the White House staff, the Cabinet, executive branch agencies, Congress, the judiciary, the military, and public policy in general. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5330 Seminar in Political Philosophy. Three semester hours.
Intensive investigation in selected topics of concern to students of political science.
PSCI 5340 Comparative Politics. Three semester hours.
An in-depth comparative analysis of the political systems of the countries of Western Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.
PSCI 5345 Government and Politics in the Middle East. Three semester hours.
An intensive investigation of the social, economic, and political conditions of Islamic, Arab, and non-Arab countries of the Middle East. Topics include basic tenets of Islam, political culture, formation of nation-states, political systems (monarchies and republics), modernization, and the role of the Middle East in international politics. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5360 American Foreign Policy. Three semester hours.
An analysis of the forces and institutions involved in the establishment of American foreign policies. Emphasis is placed on the effect of the growth of American power and responsibility on the development of foreign policies. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5368 Seminar in International Politics. Three semester hours.
Selected problems and concepts related to the theory and practice of international politics. Subject may vary from semester to semester. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5372 Seminar in International Law and Organization. Three semester hours.
An examination of the historical development of the ideas and rules of international law and organization. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5373 Advanced Seminar in Latin-American Politics. Three semester hours.
Focused study of one major regional issue or unifying theme in Latin American Politics. May be repeated once when topic changes. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5375 Advanced Seminar in Public Administration. Three semester hours.
Principles and practices of management in public sector bureaucracies are examined as they influence divisions of labor, organizational structure, personnel, and resources. Selected existing bureaucracies are utilized as case studies. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5378 Personnel Management in Public Bureaucracies. Three semester hours.
Principles and practices of personnel administration in public bureaucracies are analyzed as these principles bear on personnel motivation, retention, bureaucratic subculture, organizational change, and political climate. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5380 Budgeting and Financial Management in Public Bureaucracies. Three semester hours.
Methods of allocating financial resources in public bureaucracies are studied. Course covers relevant accounting procedures, statistical presentations of budgets, lobbying legislative bodies for budgetary resources, and the politics of agency funding. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5382 Public Policy Development. Three semester hours.
Focuses on the public process in the United States, including agenda setting, policy formulation, legitimation, budget-making, implementation, evaluation and termination. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5385 Political Science Internship. Three semester hours.
This course is an option for students enrolled in thesis and topical focus plans. Students will be placed in one of many types of organizations, pollstes, and government agencies. Intern students will attend class meetings, maintain activity logs, and write a research paper. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5390 Special Problems In Political Science. Three semester hours.
Opportunity for graduate students to undertake independent study or research in political science. Prior consent of faculty members with whom students wish to work. Subject may vary from semester or semester. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PSCI 5398 Thesis. Three semester hours.
To be scheduled by the student in consultation with his/her major professor. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of the major instructor/advisor.
PSCI 5399 Thesis. Three semester hours.
To be scheduled by the student in consultation with his/her major professor. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of the major instructor/advisor.