Program in Political Science

POLS 2013. U.S. National Government. (TCCN GOVT 2305) Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution; structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; federalism; democratic theory, political participation, and the national election process; policy-making and factors influencing national policy decisions; civil liberties and civil rights; American foreign relations; demographics and the politics of race, gender, and class in the American political system. Satisfies three hours Government/Political Science Core (70). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 2023. Texas Government. (TCCN GOVT 2306) Origin and development of the Texas Constitution; structure and powers of the state government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; federal-state relations; political participation and the election process in Texas; local governments; policy-making and factors influencing policy decisions in Texas; demographics and the politics of race, gender, and class in the Texas political system. Satisfies three hours Government/Political Science Core (70). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 2093. Women As Citizens: Women and Community Activism. Interdisciplinary analysis of women's roles in community building from the 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. Required community service internship. Prerequisites: ENG 1013, ENG 1023, HIST 1013, HIST 1023, and POLS 2013 or POLS 2023. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 2223. Criminal Investigation. (TCCN CRIJ 2314) Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3013. Community Conversation in Sustainability. Sustainability issues from scientific, sociological, and business perspectives. Topics include the impacts of energy production, food production, industry, and our modern lifestyle on our local and global community with an emphasis on systems and possible solutions. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3053. The American Presidency. Recruitment, selection, and authority; interaction of the executive branch with Congress, parties, the courts, and the public; the influence of personality on performance. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3063. 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. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3153. Law, Politics, and Public Policy. Interaction between law, politics, and public policy; the role of the courts in the American political system; the role of the court as policymaker; overview of the American legal system; value conflicts and public policy questions which arise within it. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3163. Media and Politics. Survey of the many roles that mass media play in democratic politics. How the news is created, its potential biases, and its impact on people's political opinions and actions. How journalists, politicians, and the public work to construct meaning about political issues, people, and events. How emerging technologies transform news gathering and consumption. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3173. Introduction to Comparative Politics. Introduction to the study of comparative political systems around the world. Comparative analysis of political institutions, political culture, policy-making, and historical development of selected cases (states) within the country categories of Liberal Democracies, Communist and post-Communist states, New Democracies, Developing countries, Marginal states, and the Islamic world. Foundational concepts of comparative political science and basic research skills using inductive and deductive reasoning. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3233. Police, Policies, and Practices. The police profession; organization of law enforcement systems; the police role; police discretion; ethics; police-community interaction; current and future issues. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of the instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3243. Criminal Law. A study of the nature of criminal law; philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations; criminal responsibility. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3253. Criminal Evidence and Procedure. The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of American court system; prosecution; right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence; sentencing. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3303. The American Legislative Process. The legislative branch of government; including both Congress and state legislative bodies; influences on the legislative process. Course offered in alternate spring semesters coinciding with the biennial sessions of the Texas Legislature and using the current session for special class study. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3393. Gender, Identity, and the Law. Impact of gender, identity, race, and class on legal status; evolution of the current legal environment, with an emphasis on parallels between gender discrimination and discrimination based on racial, ethnic, and sexual identity; substantive law regarding working conditions, compensation, education, the family, reproductive rights, and criminal law; feminist perspectives on legal reforms to improve the professional lives of individuals of all genders. Satisfies three hours Core Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3513. Japanese Culture and Politics. An introduction to modern Japan with particular emphasis on Japanese politics. Topics include Japanese language and literature, geography, religion, the arts, social dynamics, education, economics, history, constitutionalism, government institutions, political parties, elections, and foreign policy. The Japanese way of politics is related to larger forces in Japanese culture. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3613. The Politics of Food in America. United States food policy in global perspective; political and global nature of food production and consumption; history, institutions, and economy of food in America situated in an international context; ethical problems facing the modern food economy and ways to overcome challenges. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3723. Modern Political Thought. A study of Western political theory from the Renaissance to the present with particular emphasis on the development of contemporary ideologies: liberalism, socialism, nationalism, Marxism, fascism. Prerequisites: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor or head of department. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4073. Constitutional Law: Governmental Structure. The development of the American Constitution through judicial interpretation by the Supreme Court, including cases involving commerce, taxation, divisions of powers, and separation of powers. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4083. Constitutional Law: Individual Rights. Judicial cases, especially those involving the Bill of Rights, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4093. Constitutional Rights and Criminal Justice. Constitutional rights as interpreted by courts and application by criminal justice system. Analysis of decisions and empirical research assessing the extent to which decisions are consistently applied by the criminal justice personnel. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4113. Public Administration. Introduction to the study of bureaucracies. Examines such theoretical, political, and practical issues as decision-making, budgeting, staffing, and organizational structure. Considers the influence of bureaucracy on policy formation and implementation. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4133. Women in Leadership. An introduction to the principles and practices of leadership, with emphasis on women in exercising leadership. Stresses political leadership, but includes business and community leadership as well. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4263. 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 4503. Criminal Justice Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. May be repeated. Eight practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4506. Criminal Justice Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. May be repeated. Sixteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4523. American Foreign Policy. Constitutional framework and actors in foreign policy decision-making; roles of the President and Congress; the art of diplomacy. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4533. International Relations. The interaction of countries and nonstate actors in the area of diplomacy, international law, international economics, international organization, and war. A study of the general pattern of political, economic, social, geographical, and technological relationships in world affairs. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Prerequisites: Six hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4553. Modern Nationalism. Modern nationalism; patriotism and nationality; the impact of nationalism on current world events. How nationalism can lead to terrorism and civil warfare. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4563. Global Law and Legal Systems. Introduction to legal systems and traditions from around the world including common law and civil law (the two dominant western legal traditions), and religious and tribal law. Exploration of the historical, institutional, and structural context for ancient Roman and Talmudic law systems as well as laws of Napoleon, the British Empire, and contemporary Western Europe. Consideration of alternative solutions to common legal issues; identification and critical reflection on assumptions of students' legal systems and education. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4603. Legal Studies Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Nine hours of legal studies courses and approval of internship director. Eighteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4606. Legal Studies Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. May be repeated. Prerequisites: Nine hours of legal studies courses and approval of internship director. Sixteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4613. Comparative Government: Europe. Constitutional structures, methods, philosophies, and policies of selected governments in the Western world. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4633. Comparative Government: Africa and Asia. Constitutional structures, methods, philosophies, and policies of selected Asian and African governments. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4653. German Politics Since 1945 Through Film. Survey of political and social history of the two German states post-1945, German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic of Germany, and reunified Germany since 1990. Major events of the Cold War era and contemporary political challenges in unified Germany. Analysis of political institutions and social and economic development of the two German states utilizing films that illustrate major periods in modern Germany history. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4703. Public Affairs Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. Eight practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4706. Public Affairs Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. Sixteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4803. Government Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours of advanced, and consent of internship coordinator. May be repeated. Eight practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4806. Government Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. Sisteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4813. Seminar in Public Policy. Analysis of the formation, implementation, and impact of public policy in selected areas of current interest. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4833. Political Science: Scope and Methods. Research in political science; emphasis on the scope of the discipline and methodology used in the field. Includes analyses of sources and documentary study and interpretations of the standard literature of political science. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4901. Special Topics. Organized course with each section's title and content varying with specific subject matter and topic offered. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. One lecture hour a week. Credit: One hour.

POLS 4902. Special Topics. Organized course with each section's title and content varying with specific subject matter and topic offered. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Two lecture hours a week. Credit: Two hours.

POLS 4903. Special Topics. Organized course with each section's title and content varying with specific subject matter and topic offered. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4911. Independent Study. Individual study of selected topics in political science. Prerequisites: Three hours of political science and consent of instructor. Credit: One hour.

POLS 4913. Independent Study. Individual study of selected topics in political science. Prerequisites: Three hours of political science and consent of instructor. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4933. Senior Seminar. Capstone course for all political science majors; focus on extensive readings and portfolio development including both verbal and written presentations of research findings. Prerequisite: Fifteen hours of advanced political science or consent of instructor. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4953. Internship. Nine practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4956. INTERNSHIP. Eighteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.