Department of Political Science

POLS 5319. Women in Politics. 3 Hours.

In this course students examine the role of women in politics, including the origins and implications of gender differences, women as political participants, women as political candidates, and women as political office holders.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program or departmental approval.

POLS 5330. American Politics. 3 Hours.

This course offers an overview of the scholarship in the fields of American national political institutions, and political behavior. The course explores Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, political ideology, attitudes and beliefs, public opinion, voting behavior, political parties, interest groups, and mass movements. The course covers classics in the literature of the sub-fields as well as current research questions and controversies. Students will engage in research and writing. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5334. Judicial Politics. 3 Hours.

In this course, students explore the American judicial system and American judicial politics. They examine the function and operation of the judiciary, including the role and operation of the U.S. Supreme Court, the origins and function of judicial power, and methods of judicial selection.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program or departmental approval.

POLS 5336. The U.S. Presidency. 3 Hours.

In this course students evaluate the structure, powers, and place of the presidency in the American constitutional order. Students examine changes in presidential power from the Founding to the contemporary era.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program or departmental approval.

POLS 5337. The U.S. Congress. 3 Hours.

In this course students explore the structure, powers, organization, procedures, and operations of the U.S. Congress. Topics include the selection of legislators; legislative leadership; the influence of lobbyists, political parties, legislative committees, and executives; legislative roles and norms. Students also examine the structure of Congress, congressional elections, representation, and policymaking.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program or departmental approval.

POLS 5339. American Political Parties. 3 Hours.

Students in this course examine political parties in American politics. Topics may include party formation, ideologies, and party functions in government, elections, and organization.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program or departmental approval.

POLS 5340. Political Attitudes & Behavior. 3 Hours.

Students in this course explore individuals' attitudes and behaviors regarding politics. They analyze the determinants, formation, and expression of ideology and partisanship. Students also explore individuals' political participation, particularly voting behavior. The course is research oriented, with an emphasis on pursuing new directions in research.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program or departmental approval.

POLS 5360. Seminar In American Politics. 3 Hours.

The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5362. Seminar In Political Theory. 3 Hours.

The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5364. Media & Politics. 3 Hours.

In this course students explore the role and impact of the media on U.S. politics. Students examine the impact of the media on campaigns and election outcomes, the media as a source of political information, the agenda setting power of the media, the role of the "free press" in a democracy, and citizens' relationship to the media.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program or departmental approval.

POLS 5367. Smnr In Internationl Relations. 3 Hours.

The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5371. Comparative Politics. 3 Hours.

A comprehensive overview of the theories, concepts, and methods of comparative analysis. The techniques of comparing political systems are examined, as are the major concepts of comparative politics, such as political elites, institutions, public policy, development and modernization, elections and political behavior, mass movements, and revolution and political violence. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5372. Seminar In Comparative Politic. 3 Hours.

The seminar will focus on such topics as political development, sustainability, comparative institutions, comparative public policy, transitions to democracy, and opinions and behavior. The seminar may also focus on one or more regions or individual countries. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics differ. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5373. International Relations. 3 Hours.

This study places emphasis on the attempts to construct a general theory of international relations and the evolution of international relations methodology. Attention is also given to such techniques as systems analysis, decision-making, conflict resolution, and field theory. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5377. Scope & Mth Of Political Sci. 3 Hours.

This is a study of the discipline of modern political science and an inquiry into the literature, scope, and techniques of research with particular emphasis upon the mathematical and quantitative methods of empirical research. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5378. Problems/Internships- Pol Sci. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for topics in which the subject cuts across two or more areas of concentration. The course may be taken on an individual basis with the permission of the Political Science Department Chair. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research and/or professional practice. May be repeated when topic varies. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5379. Workshop:Teachng Political Sci. 3 Hours.

Developed specifically for public school teachers, the course will offer a variety of topics useful to classroom teaching. Topics will vary according to need and the instructor but may include Texas politics, constitutional issues, current elections, and using technology in the class classroom. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research and/or professional practice. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics differ. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5382. Smnr In Public Administration. 3 Hours.

The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. The course may be repeated for credit when the announced topics vary. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5385. Public Policy. 3 Hours.

This course involves the consideration of the process of public policy formulation, governmental planning, and administrative decision-making. Attention is given to the public administrator as a policy-maker and as one responsible for policy implementation. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 5395. Intrnshp & Wrk Exp-Public Serv. 3 Hours.

This course is useful for students who desire substantive work experience in a governmental or non-governmental organization. This course will allow students to take a 6 hour, 12 month internship. The internship is required for the MPA degree and fulfils a requirement by its accrediting agency NASPAA, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. Enrollment is by permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. The course engages students in appropriate professional practice. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

POLS 6098. Thesis. 1-3 Hours.

Students will make use of appropriate literature and research techniques in the development of the thesis. Variable Credit (1-3).

POLS 6099. Thesis. 1-3 Hours.

Students will make use of appropriate literature and research techniques in the development of the thesis. Variable Credit (1-3).

POLS 7330. Public Policy & School Distrct. 3 Hours.

Examines school districts as systems of governance in American communities and the problems associated with governance, with particular emphasis upon educational issues. Topics may include democratic theory, local political systems, intergovernmental relations, relationships with citizens, and political accountability. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research. Students not enrolled in the Master of Political Science program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

PADM 5381. Dynamics Of Public Administrtn. 3 Hours.

Examines the history and theoretical basis of public administration and the basic issues that confront it, including administrative responsibility and ethics, and the formulation and implementation of public policy. Students not enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

PADM 5383. Program Evaluation. 3 Hours.

Examines techniques for the collection, manipulation, interpretation, and presentation of data and information in public policy/management processes, and demonstrates application of the techniques using computer technology. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research and/or professional practice. Students not enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

PADM 5384. Organizational Theory & Behavr. 3 Hours.

This course covers the major topics, issues, and contributions in the literature on organizations, their structures and functions, and the behavior of people in them, with emphasis on applications to government and nonprofit organizations. Examples and exercises refer to organizations at federal, state, and local levels of government and to a variety of nonprofit organizations, such as hospitals, social service agencies, and faith-based/non-governmental organizations. Students not enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

PADM 5386. Human Resource Management. 3 Hours.

This course provides an understanding of the evolution and context of the public service. The reasons for merit and its unique political and management problems are addressed. Specific topics include: human resources planning, recruitment and selection, performance evaluation, compensation, promotion and benefits, staff development, labor relations, discipline, and control structures. Students not enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

PADM 5387. Public Budgeting and Finance. 3 Hours.

Examination of the public budgetary process and related financial management techniques. Students not enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

PADM 5388. Ethics In Government. 3 Hours.

This course provides a review of classical and contemporary literature on the role and practice of ethics in public administration. Contemporary empirical research, case studies, and ethical problem solving are also addressed. A primary theme of the course will be fostering and applying ?right action? and ?good conduct? in public organizations and public policy making. Students not enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in this course.

PADM 5389. Public Management. 3 Hours.

This course examines current public management techniques and theories with a specific focus on organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors. The course prepares students to evaluate current management approaches in the public and nonprofit sectors with a specific focus on application of the approaches in the field. Topics will include theories related to the field of public management, the political context of public management, contracting out, networking, strategic management and planning, performance management, and public participation. Students not enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program must obtain the Department of Political Science Graduate Director's permission to enroll in the course.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in MPA program or departmental approval.

PADM 5390. Global Disaster Politics. 3 Hours.

This course explores the politics that underpin the phases of disaster management globally. It emphasizes a comparative analytical approach for drawing inferences and lessons about the effects of politics on different localities and contexts.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.

PADM 5391. Emergency Management. 3 Hours.

This course examines the system of emergency management in the U.S. It applies Public Administration frameworks of budgeting, human resources, intergovernmental relations, and decision making to analyze and evaluate emergency management responses.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.

PADM 5392. Decision Making in Pub Adm. 3 Hours.

This course examines theories and practical applications of administrative decision. In public administration, decision are often made under conditions of uncertainty. Students will be guided to evaluate strategies used by public and nonprofit managers to reduce risk and they will be led to create their own strategies through a series of simulation exercises.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.

PADM 5393. Disaster Resilience. 3 Hours.

This course examines theories and conceptual frameworks of disaster resilience. Students evaluate approaches to the measurement of resilience and apply these to create a disaster resilience assessment of a community.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.