Program in Political Science
Website: https://twu.edu/political-science/
Director of Graduate Programs: Christina Bejarano, 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
Courses
Contact hours identified in the course descriptions are based on a 15-week term. Students who enroll in Summer or mini-terms are expected to meet the same total number of contact hours as a 15-week term.
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 5023. State and Local Politics. National politics at the state and local level. Focus on federalism, intergovernmental relations, preemption, and issues of administration and taxation. Three seminar 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 5043. Seminar in American Politics. Concepts and theories of American politics. Institutions (i.e., legislative, executive, and judicial branches); political parties; interest groups; and voting behavior. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
POLS 5063. America's National Parks and Public Lands: History, Culture, and Law. History of America's national park system; the role of national parks, monuments, memorials, and historic sites in American culture; and the political and legal issues regarding them. Examination of educational and interpretive programming in the parks; the role of the national park system in promoting environmental sustainability within and outside of the parks; and contemporary political and legal issues related to land use. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
POLS 5083. Popular Culture and American Politics. Selected themes in American politics, society, and history considered through the lens of popular culture such as film, music, and literature. Critical analysis of the role of popular culture in the cultural, political, and social history of the United States. Historical and political implications of social movements, societal systems, and hierarchies examined through art, considering questions of equality, representation, and expression. 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 5153. Seminar in Public Policy. Analytical and conceptual frameworks used by policy professionals and researchers to understand public policy. Institutions, political processes, stakeholders, advocacy, and the major theories of policy change. Skills used in the area of policy, such as clear communication, concise political analysis, and the writing of policy memos. Three seminar 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 5183. Women of Color in Politics. Women of color or racial/ethnic minority women in U.S. politics, political participation as political activists, voters, and political leaders and elites. Three seminar 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 5313. Dilemmas in Immigration Policy. Concepts and theories of immigration and immigration policymaking in the U.S. and from a comparative perspective. Borders, admissions, asylum, legal status, citizenship, and assimilation. Three seminar 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 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/Project. The development and implementation of an individual research paper/project on a topic selected jointly by the student and the faculty advisor. May be repeated, but only three hours may apply on degree. Credit: Three hours.
POLS 5983. Thesis. Credit: Three hours.
POLS 5993. Thesis. Prerequisite: POLS 5983. Credit: Three hours.
