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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, third world politics, Asian governments (including
China and Japan), Russia and the former Soviet states.
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:
-
helping students increase their chances of being admitted to
law school by developing the reading, writing and analytical
thinking skills needed for law school;
- developing skills in reading, writing and logical reasoning
necessary to compete effectively once admitted to law schools;
and
- developing skills in reading, writing and logical reasoning
necessary to compete effectively once admitted to law schools;
and
- providing course work in areas not covered by law school
but which are necessary in the practice of law. Courses in
statistics, accounting, public policy analysis and judicial
processes are examples.
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 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
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3
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POLS 206 American National Government.
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3
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POLS 207 State and Local Government.
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3
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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.
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24
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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, 369, 454; Comparative Governments--POLS
322, 323, 329, 338, 365, 421, 422; International
Relations--POLS 331, 413, 415, 429, 446, 447.
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College and University Requirements. Other
courses may qualify for the following categories. Students
should consult the approved list of courses
available in the Office of Undergraduate Advising 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
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3
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ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric.
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3
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Communication (3 hours): To be selected
from ENGL 203, 210, 301, 235, 236 or 241; COMM 203
or 243.
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6
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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.
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14
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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.
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6
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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.
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9
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Humanities and Visual and Performing
Arts: 9 hours to be selected from the approved list
in the University Core Curriculum section of this
catalog.
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8
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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.
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6
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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.
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6
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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.
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(6)
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International and Cultural Diversity:
To be selected from approved list. This course may
also be used to satisfy any other requirement.
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*2
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Kinesiology: KINE 198 Health and Fitness
Activity and KINE 199 Required Physical Activity.
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32
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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.)
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| 128 |
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Total hours
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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
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3
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POLS 206 American National Government.
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3
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POLS 207 State and Local Government.
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3
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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.
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6
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Computer Language: Students should
select courses from the following list: AGEC 221,
CPSC 203, 206, 207, EDTC 345, INFO 209 or RENR
201.
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24
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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, 369, 454; Comparative Governments--POLS
322, 323, 329, 338, 365, 421, 422; International
Relations--POLS 331, 413, 415, 429, 446, 447.
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College and University Requirements. Other
courses may qualify for the following categories. Students
should consult the approved list of courses
available in the Office of Undergraduate Advising 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
|
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3
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|
ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric.
|
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3
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Communication (3 hours): To be selected
from ENGL 203, 210, 301,235, 236 or 241; COMM 203
or 243.
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6
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|
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.
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6
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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.
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6
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Statistics: Students should select
courses from the following list: INFO 303, 305 or
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.)
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9
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Humanities and Visual and Performing
Arts: 9 hours to be selected from the approved list
in the University Core Curriculum section of this
catalog.
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8
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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.
|
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6
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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.
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6
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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.
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(6)
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International and Cultural Diversity:
To be selected from approved list. This course may
also be used to satisfy any other requirement.
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*2
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Kinesiology: KINE 198 Health and Fitness
Activity and KINE 199 Required Physical Activity.
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34
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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.)
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| 128 |
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Total hours
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