Department of Political Science

POLS 5078. Problems in Political Science. 1-3 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. Variable Credit (1 to 3).
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5095. Political Science Internship. 3,6 Hours.

Students complete 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. Credit (3 or 6).

POLS 5301. Scope & Methods of Political Science. 3 Hours.

Students explore political science by examining the nature of politics, the nature of science, the scientific method, and the major questions and methodological trends in the discipline.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5319. Women in Politics. 3 Hours.

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, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5330. American Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the major debates and scholarship in the field of American politics. The course focuses on political institutions and political behavior with topics that may include Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, political ideology, attitudes and beliefs, public opinion, voting behavior, political parties, interest groups, and mass movements. Students study the classics in the American politics literature as well as current research. Students engage in research and writing.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5332. State Governments, Policies, and Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the role of state governments, policies, and politics in the American constitutional order. Topics may include federalism; state governmental structure; public policy making and public policies; elections, campaigns, and voting; political behavior; and interest groups and political parties.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5334. Judicial Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the American judicial system and American judicial politics. They study 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, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

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

Students examine the structure, powers, and place of the presidency in the American constitutional order. Students study changes in presidential power from the founding to the contemporary era.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

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

Students explore the structure, powers, organization, procedures, and operations of the U.S. Congress. Topics may include the selection of legislators; legislative leadership; the influence of lobbyists, political parties, legislative committees, and executives; legislative roles and norms; congressional elections; representation; and policymaking.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5339. American Political Parties. 3 Hours.

Students 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, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5340. Political Attitudes & Behavior. 3 Hours.

Students examine 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, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5360. Seminar in American Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the relevant literature pertaining to a specific topic or debate within the field of American politics. Students may repeat this for credit when the topic differs.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5362. Seminar in Political Theory. 3 Hours.

Students examine the relevant literature pertaining to a specific topic or debate within the field of political theory. Students may repeat this for credit when the topic differs.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5364. Media & Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the role and impact of the media on U.S. politics. Students study 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, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5367. Smnr in Internationl Relations. 3 Hours.

Students examine the relevant literature pertaining to a specific topic or debate within the field of international relations. Students may repeat this for credit when the topic differs.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5371. Comparative Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the major theories, concepts, and methods of comparative analysis. Topics include the major concepts of comparative politics which may include: political elites, institutions, public policy, development and modernization, elections and political behavior, mass movements, and revolution and political violence.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5372. Seminar in Comparative Politic. 3 Hours.

Students examine the relevant literature pertaining to a specific topic or debate within the field of international relations. Topics may include 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. Students may repeat this for credit when the topic differs.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5373. International Relations. 3 Hours.

Students examine the major theories, concepts, and methods of international relations. Specific topics may include conflict and cooperation; the relationship between domestic and international politics; and transnational issues and actors.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

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

Students examine a variety of topics useful to teaching political science or government courses. Topics may include Texas politics, constitutional issues, current elections, and using technology in the class classroom. Students may repeat the course when topic varies.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5382. Smnr in Public Administration. 3 Hours.

Students examine the relevant literature pertaining to a specific topic or debate within the field of public administration. Students may repeat this for credit when the topic differs.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

POLS 5385. Public Policy. 3 Hours.

Students examine the process of public policy formulation, governmental planning, and administrative decision-making, giving special attention to the public administrator as a policy-maker and as one responsible for policy implementation.
Prerequisite: Admission to the MA in Political Science program, MA in History & Political Studies program, 18-Hour Certificate in Political Science program, or departmental approval required.

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.

Students 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.

PADM 5001. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

Students examine a topic related to public administration or disaster management. Under the direct supervision of a faculty member, the faculty and student formulate a course of study which could include reviewing relevant literature, engaging in research, exploring professional practice, or conducting other forms of inquiry appropriate to the course of study. The course may be repeated for credit. Variable Credit (1 to 3).
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and Department Approval.

PADM 5002. Public Service Internship. 3,6 Hours.

Students engage in supervised work that provides on-the-job public administration experience within a public or nonprofit organization. Students may earn 3 credit hours for 240 hours of field experience or 6 credit hours for 480 hours of field experience. Under the supervision of a faculty internship coordinator, students apply the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in their MPA core coursework to their field experience. Credit (3 or 6).
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and Department Approval.

PADM 5003. Disaster Management Internship. 3,6 Hours.

Students engage in supervised work that provides on-the-job disaster management experience within a public, non-profit, or private organization. Students may earn 3 credit hours for 240 hours of field experience or 6 credit hours for 480 hours of field experience. Under the supervision of a faculty internship coordinator, students will apply and reflect upon the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in their MPA concentration coursework to their field experience in a series of written assignments. Credit (3 or 6).
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and Department Approval.

PADM 5301. Scope & Methods Public Admin. 3 Hours.

Students examine the quantitative and qualitative research methods used in modern political science.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

PADM 5361. Managing Complex Policy Problems. 3 Hours.

Students explore how organizations manage complex policy problems. They apply concepts from complexity theory, system dynamics, governance, and networks to develop new perspectives and novel solutions to complex social and policy problems. Students evaluate management approaches in policy areas such as disaster management, drug trafficking networks, risk management, and diversity.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

PADM 5362. Managing the Nonprofit Organization. 3 Hours.

Students explore the organizations, groups, and activities that make up the nonprofit sector. They apply the principal theories, knowledge, competencies, and skills of nonprofit management to analyze management practices in nonprofit organizations.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

PADM 5381. Dynamics of Public Administrtn. 3 Hours.

Students examine 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.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5383. Program Evaluation. 3 Hours.

Students examine techniques for the collection, manipulation, interpretation, and presentation of data and information in public policy/management processes, and demonstrate application of the techniques using computer technology. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research and/or professional practice.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5384. Organizational Theory & Behavr. 3 Hours.

Students examine 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. Students explore examples of organizations at federal, state, and local levels of government and a variety of nonprofit organizations, such as hospitals, social service agencies, and faith-based/non-governmental organizations.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5386. Human Resource Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine the evolution and context of human resource management. Specific topics include: human resources planning, recruitment and selection, performance evaluation, compensation, promotion and benefits, staff development, labor relations, discipline, and control structures.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5387. Public Budgeting and Finance. 3 Hours.

Students examine the public budgetary process and related financial management techniques.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5388. Ethics in Government. 3 Hours.

Students examine the classical and contemporary literature on the role and practice of ethics in public administration. Students study contemporary empirical research, case studies, and ethical problem solving around questions of right action and good conduct in public organizations and public policy making.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5389. Public Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine and evaluate current public management techniques and theories with a specific focus on organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors. Topics may 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.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5390. Global Disaster Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the politics that underpin the phases of disaster management. Using a comparative analytical approach, students draw inferences and lessons about the effects of politics on different localities and contexts around the world.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5391. Emergency Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine the system of emergency management in the U.S, applying public administration frameworks of budgeting, human resources, intergovernmental relations, and decision making to analyze and evaluate emergency management responses.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

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

Students examine theories and practical applications of administrative decisions. In public administration, decisions are often made under conditions of uncertainty. Students evaluate strategies used by public and nonprofit managers to reduce risk, and they create their own strategies through a series of simulation exercises.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

PADM 5393. Disaster Resilience. 3 Hours.

Students examine 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: Graduate standing.

PADM 5398. Special Topics in Public Administration. 3 Hours.

Students examine literature pertaining to a specific topic, debate, or problem related to the organization, administration, and management of public and non-profit organizations. Students may repeat this course for credit when topics differ.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

PADM 5399. Special Topics in Disaster Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine literature pertaining to the core concepts and principles of emergency and disaster management as they relate to the organization, administration, and/or management of public and/or non-profit organizations. Students may repeat this course for credit when topics differ.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.