The University of Texas at Arlington Undergraduate Catalog
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The goal of the political science undergraduate curriculum is to maximize students’ capacities to analyze and interpret political events and governmental processes. In addition to acquiring general knowledge about government and political behavior, students also learn the analytical skills relevant to particular political systems (their own and others’), and to problems of most immediate consequence and concern to them.
The major courses are designed to present a coherent portrait of the discipline. Students begin with a general introduction to national, state, and local politics followed by required courses in political methodology and political theory. Finally, students are exposed to at least four major areas of the discipline. The department also offers options for students who desire a concentration in pre-law, public policy/administration, or international studies. Students may choose any 18 hours (6 advanced) for a minor. Those who want a specialization may concentrate courses in areas of public law; policy and administration; comparative and international politics; American national government; political parties, group politics, and elections; or political theory. The political science student is exposed to a multifaceted and highly regarded faculty, many of whom have received regional and national honors for teaching, service, and research. Upon graduation, U.T. Arlington political science majors are prepared to compete for a wide variety of jobs in both the private and public sectors. Admission to Department of Political
Science Degree Programs Requirements for a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science Requirements for
a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science Requirements for
a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science Requirements
for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science Teacher Certification Oral Communication
and Computer Use Competencies Department of Political
Science Faculty 3310. RESEARCH METHODS
AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS (3-0) 3 hours credit. How to study
politics scientifically, through proper research design, quantitative
and qualitative methods. Students are familiarized with a statistical
package to analyze political data, which will fulfill the computer
competency requirement. 3313. MODERN CRITICS
OF SOCIETY AND POLITICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Designed for
both political science and other majors. Focus on writers like Banfield,
Galbraith, Marcuse, Reich, Revel, Skinner, and Toffler. 4322. ISSUES IN POLITICAL
THEORY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Each time this course is offered
it will focus on one particular issue central to the study of political
theory—for example, authority, justice, citizenship, methodology
of the social sciences. May be repeated for credit when content
varies. 4323. FEMINIST POLITICAL
THOUGHT (3-0) 3 hours credit. Issues raised by the feminist
critique of political theory; the exclusion of women from the political
sphere until the 20th century; Marxist, liberal, and radical feminist
political thought; alternative feminist conceptions of the political.
Also listed as WOMS 4323; credit will be given in only one department. 4327. POLITICAL IDEAS
OF THE ANCIENT WORLD (3-0) 4328. MODERN POLITICAL
IDEAS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The development of political
thought from Machiavelli to Marx. Emphasis on the Renaissance, Classical
Liberalism, French Radicalism and Marxism. 4329. CONTEMPORARY
CONTROVERSIES IN POLITICAL THEORY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Examination
of twentieth-century approaches to political thought and central
controversies in the field. Topics may include: liberal, conservative,
and socialist theories; critical theory; communitarianism; postmodernism;
feminism; and identity politics. 4393. PREPARING FOR
CAREERS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3-0) 3 hours credit. Supervised
employment in a government or government-related organization with
the student performing duties related to the academic curricula
of political science. Students are required to submit a term paper,
case study, or an approved academic project related to the work
performed. A maximum of six semester hours of credit in Political
Science Internship may be used to satisfy a political science elective
requirement for graduation. 3306. LEGISLATIVE
ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURE (3-0) 3 hours credit. Internal
and external influences on the U.S. Congress: rules, norms, committees,
seniority, political parties, presidents, media, constituents and
interest groups. 3311. PUBLIC OPINION
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Measurement of attitudes, public opinion
and ideology, the learning and influencing of public opinion, and
expression of public opinion in elections and mass political movements.
The logic and practice of survey research. 3327. AMERICAN POLITICAL
PARTIES (3-0) 3 hours credit. The development and characteristics
of the American political party system, including systematic goals,
formal organizations, membership recruitment, ideological and issue
orientations, electoral and participatory functions, and linkages
in the political system. 4314. SEPARATION OF
POWERS AND AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Theories
behind institutional design and development of the executive, legislative,
and judicial branches in the United States. Emphasis is placed on
interactions of these units of government. 4316. WOMEN IN THE
POLITICAL PROCESS (3-0) 3 hours credit. This course exposes
students to the unique experiences of women in the political process,
the impact of these experiences on the political system, and explores
theories of gender and politics. Also listed as WOMS 4316; credit
will be given in only one department. 4317. ETHNIC GROUP
POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES (3-0) 3 hours credit. The influence
of selected major ethnic groups with special attention given to
organizational development, participation in political parties,
leadership, ideology, immigration policy, current issues, and relations
with the dominant culture and other ethnic groups. 4318. POLITICS OF
AFRICAN AMERICANS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The influence of
African-American politics on United States government and policies
with special attention given to organizational development, participation
in political parties, leadership, ideology, the Civil Rights movement,
current issues, and relations with other ethnic groups. 4319. POLITICS OF
MEXICAN AMERICANS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The influence of
Mexican-American politics on United States government and policies
with special attention given to organizational development, participation
in political parties, leadership, ideology, the Chicano Movement,
current issues, and relations with other ethnic groups. Also listed
as MAS 4319; credit will be given in only one department. 4324. ELECTORAL BEHAVIOR
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Major theories of candidate strategy
and voter choice, including rational behavior and empirical democratic
theory. Introduction to voting behavior analysis in contemporary
elections. 4326. ELECTION STRATEGY
AND CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT (3-0) 3 hours credit. Strategies
relating to elections and various aspects of managing campaigns,
including the techniques of demographic survey, voting behavior
analysis, opinion survey, issue research, and candidate research. 4330. THE U.S. PRESIDENCY
(3-0) 3 hours credit. The U.S. Presidency, including sources
of power, changes in the office over time, and the relationship
between the individual and the institution. 4333. PRESIDENTIAL
DOMESTIC POLICY MAKING (3-0) 3 hours credit. Explores the
policy process from the perspective of the U.S. president, examining
the president's influence through the policy stages. 3304. INTRODUCTION
TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Cross-national
and cross-cultural comparisons of political systems. Institutional
structure, political process, dynamics of change, and ideology. 3314. POLITICAL SYSTEMS
OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE (3-0) 3 hours credit. The political
institutions and processes of the former communist systems of Eastern
Europe and the Baltic, as well as selected Central European states.
Also listed as RUSS 3314; credit will be given in only one department. 3316. DICTATORSHIP
AND DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The
political development of Latin American nations and various explanations
for trends and differences in Latin American politics. Strategies
of development; Latin America’s relationship with the United
States; and contemporary events in Latin America. 3317. MEXICAN POLITICS AND U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Current economic and political systems of Mexico and relevant issues in U.S.-Mexico relations. Trade, immigration, economic dependency, energy, contraband, and other topics. Also listed as MAS 3317; credit will be given in only one department. 3318. POLITICAL SYSTEMS
OF EAST ASIA (3-0) 3 hours credit. The political institutions
and dynamics in the political systems of East Asia including China
and Japan. 4313. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
(3-0) 3 hours credit. The concept of political development,
political values, structures, issues, and patterns of political
processes in the pre-industrial, industrial, and post-industrial
political communities. 4361. THE POLITICAL
ENVIRONMENT OF RUSSIA AND THE SUCCESSOR STATES (3-0) 3 hours credit.
The domestic political systems of Russia and the other former Soviet
republics. The communist state in retrospect. Development of political
actors, institutions, and parties. Also listed as RUSS 4361; credit
will be given in only one department. 4362. RUSSIA AND THE
SUCCESSOR STATES TODAY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The metamorphosis
of the Communist party and the current political philosophies of
the post-Soviet states. Examination of attitudes and self-perceptions
of citizens of these states in the post-Soviet period. Also listed
as HIST and RUSS 4362; credit will be given in only one department. 3329. THE POLITICS
OF INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT (3-0) 3 hours credit. The impact
of factors such as national security and political ideologies on
international conflict and the role of international organizations
in maintaining world peace. 4334. PRESIDENTIAL
FOREIGN POLICY MAKING (3-0) 3 hours credit. The roles, powers,
and expectations of the presidency in crafting and implementing
foreign policy. By analyzing how presidents utilize the tools of
foreign policy available to them, an understanding of broader social
and political forces shaping the formulation and implementation
of foreign policy is gained. 4336. CONTEMPORARY
UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Theories
and analytical structure for understanding United States foreign
policy. Policy examined from theoretical, structural, regional,
and topical perspectives. 4355. INTERNATIONAL
POLITICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The background, principles,
practices, risks, and problems of international relations and politics
in the world composed of nation-states; international conflicts,
their bases, and mechanisms for their solution. 4360. THEORIES OF
THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM (3-0) 3 hours credit. Major theories
and approaches to the international system. Traditionalist, behavioralist,
and post-behavioralist theories rather than institutional, legal,
or topical considerations. 4365. FOREIGN POLICIES
OF RUSSIA AND THE SUCCESSOR STATES (3-0) 3 hours credit.
The foreign policies of Russia and other former Soviet republics.
Development of their policy-making structures and the major issues
confronting them. Emphasis on Russia and the superpower relationship,
European security and cooperation, relations with developing states,
and the interactions of the former Soviet republics. Also listed
as RUSS 4365; credit will be given in only one department. Public Law 3331. CONTEMPORARY
ISSUES IN CIVIL LIBERTIES (3-0) 3 hours credit. The status
and function of civil liberties in modern America emphasizing problem
areas of Equal Employment Opportunity, invasion of privacy by government,
obscenity and pornography, and corporate and industrial assaults
on civil liberties. 3333. JURISPRUDENCE
(3-0) 3 hours credit. An empirical and normative examination
of the nature of law, legal reasoning, and modern legal systems,
particularly in the U.S. Other topics: the origins of American legal
concepts as they have evolved from earlier legal systems in the
Western world and a comparative treatment of legal systems in the
world today. Especially recommended for pre-law majors. 3335. CRIMINAL LAW
(3-0) 3 hours credit. The substantive legal provisions of
criminal justice; major crimes prohibited by our legal system with
stress upon social values. Texas and Anglo-American criminal laws
treated and contrasted. 4101. MOOT COURT (1-0)
1 hour credit. An understanding of legal debate from the
perspective of student competitions, discussions of legal doctrines,
and legal research methods. Statewide competitions required. This
course does not satisfy area distribution requirements. 4331. THE UNITED STATES
CONSTITUTION: STRUCTURE (3-0) 3 hours credit. The structure
of government in the United States—the principles of separation
of powers, the federal system and the relation of the judicial process
to these topics. 4332. U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL
LAW: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS (3-0) 3 hours credit. U.S. Supreme
Court decision making involving the Bill of Rights and other fundamental
rights. Especially recommended for pre-law majors. Public Administration and
Public Policy 3305. GOVERNMENT IN
URBAN AMERICA (3-0) 3 hours credit. Problems associated with
the growth, diversity, and complexity of urban areas and governmental
solutions. Urban regimes, neighborhood governments, electoral politics,
and intergovernmental relations. Useful for students interested
in urban management. 3307. COMPARATIVE
STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Comparison
of state and local political institutions and policy choices in
the United States. Useful for students interested in state and local
government policy innovations. 3312. INTRODUCTION
TO PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The American
policymaking process from issue creation to program administration
and evaluation. Policy models and methods of policy analysis. Oriented
toward providing students with skills as a professional policy analyst. 4303. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The relationships
of public administration at all levels with democratic institutions,
including its interactions in the formulation and execution of public
policies with the chief executive, the legislative and judicial
branches, political parties, clientele groups, and the public at
large. 4351. ENERGY POLICY
AND ADMINISTRATION (3-0) 3 hours credit. Basic issues underlying
the politics, economics, and administration of energy policy within
the United States. Emerging energy sources, such as solar and geothermal. 4353. PUBLIC BUDGETING
AND TAXATION (3-0) 3 hours credit. The concepts, processes,
and policy impacts of taxation and public budgeting. Individual,
group, and institutional roles in taxes and budgeting are emphasized.
Introduction to current research techniques in political economy. 4354. THE POLITICS
OF REFORM POLICY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Current and past efforts
to change the way American government functions. Sources of reform,
consequences of reform, and case studies of current reforms. Other Courses 3390. HONORS COLLOQUIUM
(3-0) 3 hours credit. An interdisciplinary course designed
to meet the needs of advanced undergraduates in the honors program.
Prerequisite: participation in the honors program and/or permission
of the instructor. 4300. POLITICS IN
FILM (3-0) 3 hours credit. Use of film and video in the presentation
of political ideas, opinions, and facts. Techniques, subject matter,
and alternative forms of presentation. This course does not satisfy
area distribution requirements. 4392. SPECIAL TOPICS
IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3-0) 3 hours credit. May be repeated
for credit as topics change. 4394. HONORS THESIS/SENIOR
PROJECT (3-0) 3 hours credit. Required of all students in
the University Honors College. During the senior year, the student
must complete a thesis or a project under the direction of a faculty
member in the major department. 4395. CONFERENCE COURSE—READINGS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (3-0) 3 hours credit. Designed for the advanced undergraduate student who is capable of independent study. An in-depth examination of one area of political science not necessarily covered in regular course work. May be repeated for credit when the subject matter varies, but only with permission of the department chair. Prerequisite: permission of the undergraduate advisor and written consent of the instructor. --- |