Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog 2004-2005 Edition

Curricula in
Political Science

Political science is the study of governments, the processes by which government officials and institutions make public policies and the effects of those policies on society. The governments of all nations--and all levels of government such as those for cities and states as well as national governments--are subjects for study in the discipline. Political scientists also devote a great deal of research to the political attitudes and behavior of citizens and of those individuals who hold official government positions. Political science also examines the relations among the nations of the world. Finally, political science poses such fundamental questions as how governments ought to be organized and what government policies best serve citizens' interests.

Course work in political science educates citizens about the character of government in the United States and other countries and about historical and contemporary issues of politics and public policy. Political science courses also illustrate how governmental processes can be subjected to scientific investigation, and they raise normative questions about the quality of government, the law, journalism, higher education and the private sector. Political science courses also help develop analytical abilities and written and oral communication skills.

Undergraduate Courses. The Department of Political Science offers courses in all facets of the discipline: American Government, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Law and Politics, Political Theory, and Public Administration and Policy.

American Government. American government involves the study of a variety of topics that range from the study of the Presidency and Congress to such topics as public opinion, mass media and politics, interest groups, political parties, campaigns and elections, voting behavior, American state and local governments, urban politics and women in politics.

International Relations. International relations involve the study of relations between the governments of the world. Courses are offered in world politics, American foreign relations and national security policy.

Comparative Politics. This area of political science allows students to develop an in-depth understanding of foreign governments and politics. Courses are offered in Western European governments, Latin American governments, Asian governments, Russia and the former Soviet states, and in the politics of inequality and globalization.

Law and Politics. While this area of political science is often of primary interest to students interested in going to law school, it also offers students the opportunity to study law and the courts within political environments. Courses are offered in U.S. Constitution law, the courts, politics and law, jurisprudence, women and the law, and comparative legal systems.

Political Theory. The study of political theory will provide the student with an understanding of the fundamental relationships between governments and people. Courses range from the study of Greek antiquity to contemporary political ideologies.

Public Administration and Policy. This area of political science encompasses the study of public administration and the role of public policy in American politics. Study in this area will provide the student with the opportunity to understand the fundamentals of administration within a political environment. Courses are offered in bureaucracy and administration, state and local finance, urban administration and government and the economy.

Pre-law Track

Political science is among the most frequent choices for students planning a career in law. The pre-law track in political science provides an excellent opportunity to acquire the broad-based liberal arts education recommended by law schools today.

The pre-law track is designed with three main objectives:

Honors Program

The Department of Political Science participates actively in the University honors program. Honors courses are available in all areas of political science. In addition, students may graduate with honors distinction in political science. Honor students also are offered individual instruction under POLS 497. Students interested in the Department's Honors Program should contact the Political Science Undergraduate Programs Office.

Certificate in European Union Politics

The Certificate in European Union Politics is an initiative of the European Union Center and the Department of Political Science. Both interdisciplinary and international in its orientation, the Certificate program offers students seeking a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University the opportunity to combine courses, intermediate level foreign language skills, other relevant experiences on campus, and a study abroad.

Certificate requirements include 18 semester hours of course work including an approved study abroad program. The 18 semester hours of course work can be accommodated within the regular undergraduate curriculum. Students are encouraged to begin planning as freshmen to avoid the addition of extra hours to the degree plan. Certificate requirements are specified in a current brochure available in the Department of Political Science's Undergraduate Program Office, Allen Building, room 2024.

Teacher Certification

Students desiring certification to teach civics or government in secondary schools in Texas must meet special additional requirements.

More complete information on requirements for teacher certification may be found in the College of Education and Human Development section.

Bachelor of Arts

Political Science. 33 credits. No more than 33 credits in political science may be applied to the degree. Students must complete POLS 206, 207 and 209 and 24 political science elective hours. A grade of C or higher is required for a course to be counted in the major field.

Credits
3		POLS 206 American National Government.
3		POLS 207 State and Local Government.
3		POLS 209 Introduction to Political Science Research. Students must complete POLS 209 before taking more than six hours of 300- or 400-level courses in Political Science.
24		Electives Distribution Requirement: In addition to the required courses in American Government (POLS 206 and 207), students must complete one course in at least two of the following three areas of Political Science: Political Theory--POLS 349, 350, 359, 364, 369, 454, 455; Comparative Governments--POLS 312, 322, 323, 324, 326, 328, 329, 338, 352, 365, 421, 424, 432; International Relations--POLS 331, 413, 415, 423, 429, 447.

College and University Requirements. Other courses may qualify for the following categories. Students should consult the approved list of courses available in the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts. The following lists incorporate University Core Curriculum requirements. No course can be counted in more than one category.

Credits
3		ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric.
3		Communication (3 hours): To be selected from ENGL 203, 210, 301, 235, 236 or 241; COMM 203 or 243.
6		Literature in English (6 hours): To be selected from ENGL 203 (unless 203 is used to satisfy the communication requirement), 212, 221, 222, 227, 228, 231, 232 or courses for which one of these listed courses is a prerequisite.
14		Foreign Language (14 hours or equivalent): Four course sequence in French, German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Greek or Latin unless permission is received from the department head to substitute work in other languages. This will not satisfy the college humanities and visual and performing arts requirements.
6		Mathematics: At least 3 hours must be in MATH (excluding 102, 103, 104, 130, 150, 165, 365 and 366). Three hours also may be in logic.
9		Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts: 9 hours to be selected from the approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog.
8		Natural Sciences: Two or more courses which deal with fundamental principles and in which a critical evaluation and analysis of data and processes are required. A minimum of one course shall include a corresponding laboratory. See approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog.
6		Social and Behavioral Sciences: To be selected from such areas as cultural anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, and applied ethics. See approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog.
6		U.S. History and Political Science: HIST 105 and 106 or other courses in American and Texas history, except that courses pertaining solely to Texas history may not comprise more than 3 hours.
(6)		International and Cultural Diversity: To be selected from approved list. This course may also be used to satisfy any other requirement.
*2		Kinesiology: KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity and KINE 199 Required Physical Activity.
32		Free Electives: Students may choose 9 hours of free electives. Remaining hours must be approved by the departmental advisor. (Political science courses may not be used as elective hours.)
128		Total hours

* See Kinesiology requirements.

Bachelor of Science

Political Science. 33 credits. No more than 33 credits in political science may be applied to the degree. Students must complete POLS 206, 207, 209 and 24 political science elective hours.

Credits
3		POLS 206 American National Government.
3		POLS 207 State and Local Government.
3		POLS 209 Introduction to Political Science Research. Students must complete POLS 209 before taking more than 6 hours of 300- or 400-level courses in political science.
6		Computer Language: Students should select courses from the following list: AGEC 221, CPSC 203, 206, 207, EDTC 345, INFO 209 or RENR 201.
24		Electives Distribution Requirement: In addition to the required courses in American Government (POLS 206 and 207) students must complete one course in at least two of the following three areas of political science. Political Theory--POLS 349, 350, 359, 364, 369, 454, 455; Comparative Governments--POLS 312, 322, 323, 324, 326, 328, 329, 338, 352, 365, 421, 424, 432; International Relations--POLS 331, 413, 415, 423, 429, 447.

Credits
3		ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric.
3		Communication (3 hours): To be selected from ENGL 203, 210, 301,235, 236 or 241; COMM 203 or 243.
6		Literature in English (6 hours): To be selected from ENGL 203 (unless 203 is used to satisfy the communication requirement), 212, 221, 222, 227, 228, 231, 232 or courses for which one of these listed courses is a prerequisite.
6		Mathematics: At least 3 hours must be in MATH (excluding 102, 103, 104, 130, 150, 165, 365, and 366). 3 hours also may be in logic.
6		Statistics: Students should select courses from the following list: STAT 201, 303 or 307 or any other course in the Statistics Department. ( Note: only one course should be taken for credit among STAT 301, 302 and 303.)
9		Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts: 9 hours to be selected from the approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog.
8		Natural Sciences: Two or more courses which deal with fundamental principles and in which a critical evaluation and analysis of data and processes are required. A minimum of one course shall include a corresponding laboratory. See approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog.
6		Social and Behavioral Sciences: To be selected from such areas as cultural anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, and applied ethics. See approved list in the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog.
6		U.S. History and Political Science: HIST 105 and 106 or other courses in American and Texas history, except that courses pertaining solely to Texas history may not comprise more than 3 hours.
(6)		International and Cultural Diversity: To be selected from approved list. This course may also be used to satisfy any other requirement.
*2		Kinesiology: KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity and KINE 199 Required Physical Activity.
34		Free Electives: A student may freely choose 9 hours of free electives. The remaining hours must be approved by the departmental advisor. (Political science courses may not be used as elective hours.)
128		Total hours