Program in Political Science

Website: https://twu.edu/political-science/

Program Lead:  Parker Hevron, Associate Professor
Location: CFO 605
Phone: 940-898-2055
E-mail: historygov@twu.edu

Graduate Degrees Offered

The Department of Social Sciences and Historical Studies offers a master's degree in political science. An additional certificate program in History is also available to master’s level graduate students who wish to complete 18 hours in the discipline, enabling them to teach dual credit or community college courses in both Political Science and History. Students in other graduate departments are welcome to take graduate courses in the department with the consent of the instructor.

The M.A. in Political Science provides a postgraduate study of U.S. and global politics (Comparative Politics and International Relations), public policy and public affairs, and political philosophy. Two different emphases may be chosen, a traditional politics emphasis or an emphasis in public policy and public affairs. The extensive Women’s Collection at the Blagg-Huey Library is an excellent research resource for graduate students. Students are strongly encouraged by the faculty to consider courses from other disciplines outside the department as part of their graduate program. Course selection should be made with the advice and approval of the student’s graduate committee. In addition, students may choose to write the longer MA thesis or the shorter MA professional paper in consultation with the student's graduate advisor and the Graduate Director.

The department’s programs include internships in both the public and private sectors.

 

Minors

Master’s level

All minors must be approved by the student's graduate committee and must include at least 6 graduate semester credit hours in history.

Faculty

*BEJARANO, CHRISTINA, Professor of Political Science, B.A., University of North Texas; M.A., University of Iowa; Ph.D., University of Iowa
*BORN, VIVIANNE, Assistant Professor of Political Science, B.A., University of Colorado; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
*HEVRON, PARKER R., Associate Professor of Political Science, B.A., Austin College; Ph.D., University of Southern California
*HOYE, TIMOTHY K., Professor of Political Science, B.A., East Texas State University; M.A., East Texas State University; Ph.D., Duke University
*OLSEN, JONATHAN, Professor of Political Science, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Historical Studies, B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.A., The University of Kansas; M.A., University of Maryland; Ph.D., University of Maryland

Courses

POLS 5003. Comparative Politics. Review of major theoretical models and approaches in the field of comparative politics including group politics, elite analysis, class analysis, structural functional analysis, and systems theory with emphasis upon modernization and political development. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5013. American National Defense Policy. Review of alternative theories of American national defense policy with emphasis upon historical development of current U.S. policy, including nuclear strategies, mutual defense agreements, regional conflicts, guerilla warfare, terrorism, and protection of strategic resources. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5033. Research Methods in Government. Examination of methodology used in Government/Political Science research. Prerequisite: Must be taken in the first 12 hours of graduate study. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5053. The Presidency and Public Policy. Personnel politics and policy process of the executive branch. Advanced reading, research, and group discussion. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5073. Issues in Constitutional Law. Review and examination of selected issues in U.S. constitutional development including judicial politics, governmental structure, judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, due process, equal protection, and individual liberties. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5093. Law, Gender, and Sexuality. Evolution of legal rights for women and sexual minorities and theoretical issues raised in concrete legal cases. Examination of debates over equality approaches in law; ways in which law constructs gender and sexuality; and the intersecting roles of gender, sexuality, and race in legal doctrine and theory. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5133. Leadership and Women. An examination of the principles and exercise of leadership. Emphasis on women as leaders. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5163. Women in Politics. Impact of gender on power and influence in society. Political socialization, participation, and leadership of women. Women's political issues and movements. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5193. Rights, Race, and Social Justice. Interpretations of the utility of constitutional rights in movements for social justice, with special attention to struggles for racial equality. Readings in legal studies, social sciences, critical legal studies, and critical race theory that address the relationship of legal rights and change. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5263. Women, Elections, and Strategy. Advocacy and electoral obstacles associated with a woman's running for office or advocating for change. Emphasis on practical elements including communications, fundraising, and advocacy. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5303. Problems in the Legislative Process. Legislative decision making in selected areas of public policy; appraisals of strengths and weaknesses in the American legislative process. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5473. Vietnam War: Culture, History, and Law. Historical context of American involvement in the Vietnam conflict; political decisions of the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon administrations; impact of the war on political protest and social unrest; courts resolution of related controversies; legacy of the war. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5493. Women As Citizens. Interdisciplinary analysis of women's roles in community building from colonial period to present and examination of current grassroots activism in the United States worldwide. Emphasis on women leaders, interest groups, and movements impacting the political process. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5523. American International Relations. The revolution in American foreign policy in the twentieth century; America's leading role in the world today. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5723. Seminar in Political Theory. A study of contemporary debates concerning fundamental political issues and principles of good government; analysis and discussion of ideas on class, race, sex, power, citizenship, and justice. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5833. Seminar in Political Science. Individual research topics; methodology and bibliography. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5903. Special Topics. Organized course with each section's title and content varying with specific subject matter and topic offered. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5911. Independent Study. Independent study of selected topics in government. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Credit: One hour.

POLS 5913. Independent Study. Independent study of selected topics in government. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Credit: Three hour.

POLS 5933. Internship. Supervised practical experience, related to the academic and career objectives of the student, in a public or private agency. A paper will be required. May be repeated for a total of six hours. Eight practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5936. Internship. Supervised practical experience, related to the academic and career objectives of the student, in a public or private agency. Sixteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 5973. Professional Paper. The research and writing of a professional paper by each student on a topic selected jointly by the student and the instructor. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5983. Thesis. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 5993. Thesis. Prerequisite: POLS 5983. Credit: Three hours.