Course Descriptions

This course is a survey of the U.S. national government. It is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the foundations, constitutions and processes of their national government. The major institutions of the national government are examined in order to gain an understanding of how they work, the role of the people in the political system, and the consequences of a democratic political system. The success (and lack thereof) of some groups to influence government and obtain benefits from it are considered in an effort to evaluate the workings of a democratic system. 

This survey of state and local government focuses specifically on Texas and is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the foundations, constitutions and processes of their state government. The Texas government institutions and practices are examined in order to gain an understanding of the relationship between the national and state systems, the role of the people in the political system, and the consequences of a democratic political system. The success (and lack thereof) of some groups to influence the government and obtain benefits from it will be considered in an effort to evaluate the workings of a democratic system. The unique history of Texas and how it has influenced the structure and practices of governing also are examined.

This course introduces students to the professional standards and expectations of Political Science. The course focuses on the process of developing political arguments, discovery and evaluation of sources, as well as oral and written presentation of Political Science material. 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 

This course introduces students to the comparative study of political systems. Students develop a core body of knowledge concerning various political regions of the world. Students will also learn what the comparative method is and how to apply it to the study of different political systems. Students also examine the political systems of selected nation-states around the world. May be taken as a CLST elective.

This course introduces students to the different approaches to the study of relations between sovereign states. The study of international relations covers many topics, from the study of war and peace, to world government and the conduct of trade between nations. An emphasis is placed on how nations relate to each other politically and how politics affects such things as economics and human rights. 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

Students design and analyze research problems in the social sciences. This course is an introduction to the methods of social science research with emphasis on research design and data analysis.

This course studies individual, group and society rights, the basis of a just society, and the meaning of equality. This course also examines the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of justice as well as the extent to which society is just and how to promote greater justice. May be taken as a CLST elective. May be taken as a Service Learning course.

This course focuses on the history and politics of the international and American environmental movements. Students also develop an understanding of environmental policy-making at both the domestic and international levels.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

This course introduces the student to the workings, organization and impacts of the judicial system in the United States. Cross Listed Courses: CRJU 2392 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 

Students examine Congress and Congressional behavior in the American political system. The course covers representation, selection of legislators, organization and procedures of legislative bodies, and the relation of the legislative to the executive and judicial branches. Student gain an understanding of how legislatures function, how and why legislators behave as they do, and how legislatures relate to the other branches of the government as well as to constituents. 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

Students explore theory, organization, and behavior of the American presidency. Students compare state governors and executives in other nations, but the emphasis is on the American president. Students understand what constitutes an executive, how executives behave, how executives interact with other branches of government and with other executives, and how they affect people and institutions. 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

Students explore the U.S. Constitution using the case-study method and historical, institutional, philosophical and behavioral approaches to the development of constitutional law. Emphasis is placed on constitutional provisions for presidential, congressional, and judicial powers, as well as states' powers in the federal system. 

Prerequisite:  POLS 1315

Students explore the U.S. Constitution using the case-study method and historical, institutional, philosophical and behavioral approaches to the development of constitutional law. Emphasis is placed on sources of rights and constitutional provisions for civil liberties and civil rights, focusing on U.S. Supreme Court interpretations and applications of the Bill of Rights. The course also examines the social justice dimensions of individual rights and the dilemmas of communitarianism versus individualism in constitutional law. 

Prerequisite:  POLS 1315

Students examine the causes and effects of governmental policy-making, including theories of decision-making and an exploration of the impact of policy on people and institutions. Students also explore political decision-making within an ethical framework. Emphasis is on the impact of political decisions on minorities and the underclass. 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

Students examine the formation, implementation and implications of American foreign policy. Students also examine the major problems and challenges facing the international community and U.S. reaction to and influence on these problems. Primary emphasis is placed on the post-WWII era. 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

This course seeks to help students learn about the sources, distribution and consequences of people’s political behavior in general and of their electoral behavior in particular. This course studies the nature of and major influences on public attitudes, the development and measurement of public opinion, the role of public opinion in government and campaigns, and the impact of media on political campaigns.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

Students get an introduction to the study of social and political change and conflict in developing areas of the world. The course points out the wide diversity of the developing countries around the world in their approaches to social, economic and political change. Emphasis is placed on such issues as who governs, the role of the military in politics under different types of regimes, and causes of military intervention, revolution and transitions to democracy.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

This course provides an introduction to the basic types of modern democracy and examines key constitutional institutions of democracy. This course will also introduce students to theories of democracy, democratic transitions and democratic consolidation, and electoral representation and political accountability.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 (or permission of instructor)

This course surveys central topics in the study of gender and politics, covering such issues as the LGBTQ+ community and women’s participation in political parties and social movements, women and the LGBTQ+ community as voters and candidates in political elections, feminism and the state, and gender and politics around the world. The course will also offer an introduction to the contribution of feminist theory to our understanding of politics and public policies.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 (or permission of instructor)

This advanced study in Political Science focuses on American politics. The course may be repeated for credit when topics vary.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

This course studies individual, group and society rights, the basis of a just society, and the meaning of equality. This course also examines the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of justice as well as examines the extent to which society is just and how to promote greater justice. May be taken as a CLST elective. May be taken as a Service Learning course.

This course focuses on the history and politics of the international and American environmental movements. Students also develop an understanding of environmental policy-making at both the domestic and international levels.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

Students examine politics in Europe and develop a core body of knowledge concerning the political systems in Europe. Students also are introduced to the political systems of selected nation-states in Europe.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 and POLS 2310/POLS 2320

This course is an advanced examination of the study of politics in Asia. Students develop a core body of knowledge concerning the political systems in Asia. Students examine in more depth those countries introduced in POLS 2310 and are introduced to the political systems of other selected nation-states in Asia.

Prerequisite: POLS 2310

Students explore the causes of war and terrorism. Students examine what we need to know to possibly prevent war and prepare for it when necessary. Students examine the extent to which wars are the purposeful, rational pursuit of policy, the result of miscalculation and misperception, or the result of forces over which there is little control.

Prerequisite: POLS 2320

Students examine the formation, implementation and implications of American foreign policy. Students also examine the major problems and challenges facing the international community and U.S. reaction to and influence on these problems. Primary emphasis is placed on the post-WWII era.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

This course seeks to help students learn about the sources, distribution and consequences of people’s political behavior in general and of their electoral behavior in particular. This course studies the nature of and major influences on public attitudes, the development and measurement of public opinion, the role of public opinion in government and campaigns, and the impact of media on political campaigns. 

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

Students examine the development and application of the rules that nations recognize as governing their relationships with one another.

Prerequisite: POLS 2320

Students get an introduction to the study of social and political change and conflict in developing areas of the world. The course points out the wide diversity of the developing countries around the world in their approaches to social, economic and political change. Emphasis is placed on such issues as who governs, the role of the military in politics under different types of regimes, and causes of military intervention, revolution and transitions to democracy.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315

This course provides an introduction to the basic types of modern democracy and examines key constitutional institutions of democracy. This course will also introduce students to theories of democracy, democratic transitions and democratic consolidation, and electoral representation and political accountability.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 (or permission of instructor)

This class explores the history of imperialism in its political, economic, and cultural dimensions. Over the course of the semester, we will explore the importance of colonialism in the development and evolution of the international system, and its social structures, rules, and norms, the relationship between discourse and power in the representations and construction of identities, and the role of race, class, gender, and sexualities in the making of hierarchies. Additionally, we will examine the economic, social, and environmental impact of colonial rule, the forces behind decolonization, and globalization in the post-colonial world.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 and POLS 2320 (or permission of the instructor)

This course surveys central topics in the study of gender and politics, covering such issues as the LGBTQ+ community and women’s participation in political parties and social movements, women and the LGBTQ+ community as voters and candidates in political elections, feminism and the state, and gender and politics around the world. The course will also offer an introduction to the contribution of feminist theory to our understanding of politics and public policies.

Prerequisite: POLS 1315 (or permission of instructor)

This course is a general introduction to the study of social and political change and conflict in developing areas of the world. It seeks both to point up the wide diversity of the developing countries around the world in their approaches to social, economic and political change. Emphasis will be placed on such issues as who governs, the role of the military in politics under different types of regimes, and causes of military intervention, revolution and transitions to democracy. May be taken as a CLST elective.

Prerequisite: POLS 2310

This course is designed to serve as an introduction to the study of politics in Latin America and the Caribbean. Students will develop a core body of knowledge concerning the political systems of Latin America and the Caribbean. Students will also be introduced to the political systems of selected nation-states in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This course explores the interrelatedness of issues such as food, energy, population, arms race, East/West and North/South confrontations. It examines alternative world order models. May be taken as a CLST elective.

This course is an advanced study in Political Science focusing on comparative politics or international relations. The course may be repeated for credit when topics vary. May be taken as a CLST elective.

Prerequisite: POLS 2310 OR POLS 2320