Political Science B.A./B.S.
The discipline of Political Science offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science, as well as minors in Pre-Law, International Relations, International Studies, Terrorism Studies, and Political Science.
Objectives
The discipline of Political Science provides a comprehensive understanding of the problems and processes of politics. In addition to acquiring critical writing, communications, and analytical skills, political science majors master the political institutions of both Texas and the United States, explore the intricacies of international relations and foreign policy, compare political systems, gain experience with the law, and are challenged by the basic philosophical questions of political existence.
A field of great breadth and diversity, political science is a very popular undergraduate major. Curricula promote critical thinking, ethics, citizenship skills, an understanding of cultural and social diversity within the national and international context and communication and technological skills.
A degree in political science is excellent preparation for a career in law or political analysis. Political science majors qualify for public sector careers in local, state and federal governments, international organizations, and pre-college and college teaching, as well as careers in journalism, finance, political campaigns, and interest groups and organizations. Training in political science further provides outstanding preparation for participation in community organizations, electoral politics, social and political movements, and elected or appointed positions in government.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours=120
University Core Curriculum (42 hrs.)
A minimum grade of "C" in all political science courses.
Twelve semester hours of upper division political science courses must be completed at this university.
A minimum of 36 semester hours in political science, of which 30 must be upper division, as follows:
Required
| POLS 2305 | Introductory American Government [TCCN: GOVT 2305] | |
| POLS 2306 | Introductory Texas Politics [TCCN: GOVT 2306] | |
Political Theory: (3 hours)
| POLS 3360 | Classical Foundations of Western Political Theory | |
| POLS 3361 | Western Political Theory from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance | |
| POLS 3362 | Western Political Theory from the Enlightenment | |
| POLS 4353 | Contemporary Political Theory | |
| POLS 4360 | American Political Thought | |
| POLS 4361 | Theories of Nonviolence | |
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
American Politics: (6 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Comparative Politics: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
International Politics: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Public Administration and Policy: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Legal Studies: (3 hours)
POLS 4365 Topics in Political Science when applicable
Methodology: (3 hours)
| POLS 4396 | Political Research and Methodology | |
| or | |
| SOCI 3396 | Social Research Methods | |
| or | |
| Equivalent | |
Upper-division political science electives (6 hours)
A minor of at least 18 hours, chosen in consultation with an advisor in the minor discipline.
FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE: At least four semesters of a single foreign language or a satisfactory grade on a written examination approved by the foreign language faculty.
FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE: Six hours from economics, geography, and/or computer science in addition to those otherwise counted as lower-division preparation.
Five-year BA (or BS)/MA 4+1 Program
Undergraduate students in Political Science may choose this program to complete their master’s degree in one additional year. Students may chose thesis or project under this program and they are required to take 9 credits of graduate-level courses (electives) in their senior year. Students interested in this program must obtain department approval to enroll in this program. Students with a minimum GPA of 3.49 will be provisionally admitted to this program in the fall semester of their senior year, and will receive full admission to the graduate program after they complete all BA (or BS) graduation requirements. Students must obtain an average “B” grade in all the graduate-level courses taken during their senior year.