Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Undergraduate Degree(s):
Minor(s):
Graduate Degree(s):
- Executive Master of Public Administration
- Master of Public Administration (Human Resources Specialization)
- Master of Public Administration (International Development Specialization)
- Master of Public Administration (Public Policy Specialization)
- Master of Public Administration (Urban Planning and Environmental Policy Specialization)
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers courses in Emergency Management (EMGT), Homeland Security (HMSC), Political Science (POLS) and Public Affairs (PA) leading to three undergraduate and two graduate degree programs.
In addition to these programs, the department offers six (6) semester credit hours of American and Texas government that are required of all students by the University. Offices of faculty members are located on the fourth floor of the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Building.
The mission of the department is essentially two fold: (1) to develop general competencies in students that will allow them to continue their education in either graduate or professional schools upon completion of their undergraduate studies; and (2) to prepare students for entry-level professional public service positions. Three objectives are prominent in the realization of this mission: (1) to provide students with essential knowledge and understanding of the dynamics related to the Texas, national, and international political systems and their relationships to these systems; (2) to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the American political system; and (3) to develop problem solving skills and competencies in students that will translate to various work settings.
Requirements for the B.A. in Political Science, B.S. in Public Affairs, and the B.S. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security are specified in detail below.
As first-time degree seekers, students are required to declare a minor in a second academic discipline either through the Department or through another department for graduation for the B.A. in Political Science and the B.S. in Public Affairs. No minor is required for the B.S. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Grades of “C” or better (grades of “C-” are unacceptable) must be earned in all major and minor courses required for graduation. Additionally, in selecting minors, students should seek detailed advisement from their designated advisors because the selection of a minor having representative courses in the core curriculum for the degree of choice could impact the total number of credits required. In no case will students qualify for graduation at the undergraduate level with fewer than 120 semester credit hours satisfactorily completed.
At the beginning of the senior year, majors should have their overall transcripts and records evaluated by the Faculty Chair to verify their status with regard to graduation. An exit examination is required of all graduating seniors.
Students wishing to pursue one of the three undergraduate degrees offered through the Department must first gain admission to the University, and must petition the Department for admission. In petitioning, students must have an earned overall GPA of 2.00 or better and have completed the following courses with grades of “C” or better (grades of “C-“ are unacceptable):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 2305 | American Government | 3 |
| POLS 2306 | Texas Government | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Freshman English I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | Freshman English II | 3 |
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In those instances where a student has an exemplary record and may not have met all of the requirements, he/she can make a special appeal to the Department for admission. Once admitted to the Department for admission, students are each assigned an official advisor who must approve all class schedules, and they must keep the Department informed of current addresses and telephone numbers up to graduation. Students must also retain a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and fulfill all prerequisites for required courses prior to scheduling them to remain in good standing in the Department. Students failing to meet prerequisites for courses will be administratively withdrawn from them. Students are also cautioned that transfer credits will be accepted for either elective or required courses only if grades of “C” or better have been earned (grades of “C-” are unacceptable).
Political Science Courses
A study of national, state, and local governments including, but not limited to, principles of American government, constitutions, federalism, political socialization, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, elections, the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and public policy. Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Introduction to Political Science (3) Introduction to the history, scope, methods, and approaches to the study of political science and politics. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232. Required of majors. Three hours of lecture per week.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Introduction to applied research methods in political science with emphasis on research design and descriptive statistical methods as a tool for assisting political scientists to conduct research. Computer applications included.Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 235, 236, and 250.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Introduction to probability and inferential statistics as analytical tools useful to political scientists. Students are expected to gain knowledge and experience in the use of packaged statistical software in data analysis. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 235, 236, 250, and 301.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Legislative Process (3) Structure of the powers and roles of legislatures and legislators, legislative structure, decision making, internal and external pressure upon legislators. Special attention given to the United States Congress. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Judicial Politics (3) Structure, function, and process of the American court systems and related institutions; factors influencing judicial decision-making. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 235 and POLS 236.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 235 and POLS 236
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Comparative Government (3) Introduction to the methods and scope of comparative government; analysis of the institutions and cultures that impact selected governments. Required of majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232) or (POLS 235 and POLS 236)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
International Relations (3) Survey of the major approaches and principles of international relations that affect the members of the international community. Required of majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232) or (POLS 235 and POLS 236)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
International Organizations (3) Study of international organizations along with their roles, functions, and objectives in the international community. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Political Systems of Africa (3) Study of Modern Africa from World War 1, including the different European policies, growth of nationalism, movements to independence, white supremacist bloc, and Africa today. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
The study of U.S. Latino efforts to participate in the American political system, government and societal responses, and present status of U.S. Latinos in the political system. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 235 and POLS 236.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Political Systems of Latin America (3) Study of the political and economic development of selected Latin American countries with emphasis on the period since World War 11. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Development of Political Thought: Classical and Medieval Theory (3) Political philosophy of early Greek, Roman, and medieval European thinkers. Special concentration on the major political works of Plato and Aristotle. Required of majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Modern Political Theory (3) Political philosophy from the Italian city-state to the twentieth century. Special emphasis on Machiavelli, the Social Contract School, and Marx. Required of majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232) or (POLS 235 and POLS 236)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
American Political Thought (3) Study of the development of political thought in the United States from the seventeenth century to the present. Emphasis placed on the historical context in which political thought and movements developed. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
African American Political Thought (3) Analysis of ideas, personalities, relevant ideologies and categories, and the role of theory in African American political thought.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Executive Process (3) The political dynamics of chief executives and their relationship to the competitive branches and units of government within the American political system. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Policy Formulation and Decision Making (3) An examination of the forces and constraints involved in making and implementing public policy. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 235 and POLS 236
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Politics in Black America (3) The study of Blacks' efforts to participate in the American political system; government and societal responses; present status of Blacks in the political system. Required of majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
American Political Parties (3) The study of the American party system, including the functions, activities, development, structure, and organization of political parties. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Civil Rights and Political Judiciary Processes (3) A study of civil rights and how they have been impacted by the constitutional process of checks and balances; civil rights in party politics; civil rights as seen by American minorities. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 235 and POLS 236
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Constitutional Law (3) The development and application of American constitutional law as interpreted by Supreme Court decisions on selected topics, cases, and recent trends. Required of majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): POLS 235 and POLS 236
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
American Foreign Policy (3) Factors shaping contemporary American foreign policy; administration and conduct of foreign affairs; the major foreign policy problems; cases in decision making. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Selected Topics in Political Science (3) Analysis of selected areas and problems in political science. Subject matter to vary from year to year. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Urban Politics (3) Investigation of urban political systems; politics in America's large cities and their relationship to minorities; analysis of resources, strategies, and tactics in urban areas. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 235 and POLS 236)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Seminar on Women's Political Issues (3) Analysis of selected topics relevant to women and politics. Subject matters vary from year to year. Prerequisites: POLS 231 and POLS 232.
Prerequisite(s): (POLS 231 and POLS 232)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Aims to ensure students understand the intersection of politics and religion. The course will describe and analyze the political impact, real and imagined, of religion on several dimensions of political life. It highlights how religion affects the political system and policymaking process, and how religion influences political attitudes, opinions, and behavior. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 235 and POLS 236.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
This course accounts for the role of public opinion in the democratic politics of the U. S. The course addresses the contemporary literature on public opinion, including the relationship between public opinion and policy. This course provides an understanding of the major ideas and concepts in public opinion, fosters interest in learning more about political issues, and engages students in discussion of the important and controversial issues of the day. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 235 and POLS 236.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
The course explores critical and controversial issues that confront the American electoral system. It examines key aspects of American democracy in theory and practice such as the electoral process, suffrage and turnout, voting behavior, candidates, public policy issues, representation, partisanship, money, and the media. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: POLS 235 and POLS 236.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Supervised work experience with various public, private, and governmental agencies. Intern will be jointly supervised by the agency head and appropriate academic advisor. Eighteen hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of the appropriate faculty advisor or Faculty Chair. Prerequisites: POLS 235 and POLS 236.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Directed reading, research, and discussion of different sub-fields in the discipline of Political Science. Includes a significant writing component. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties, and civil rights. Three hours of lecture per week. Listed as GOVT 2305 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.
Prerequisite(s): ( or or or or TSI READ Assessment with a score of 351 or TSI Exemption TAKS with a score of 2200 or or C-Better Reading Resident Stu with a score of 2.00 or C-Better Reading Transfer Stu with a score of 2.00) or ( and READ 101 (may be taken concurrently) and ENG 101 (may be taken concurrently) or ENG 130) or (TSI READ Assessment with a score of 945 and TSI ESSAY Assessment with a score of 5) or (TSI READ Assessment with a score of 910 and TSI ESSAY Assessment with a score of 5 and TSI ESSAY Assessment with a score of 5)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Origin and development of the Texas Constitution, structure and powers of state and local government, federalism and intergovernmental relations, political participation, the election process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas. Three hours of lecture per week. Listed as GOVT 2306 in the Texas Common Course Numbering System.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Public Affairs Courses
Introduction to Public Administration (3) The rise, significance, and role of public administration. Problems of executive leadership, administrative organization, personnel and management, administrative decision-making and adjustment. Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Research Methods in Public Administration (3) Introduction to applied research methods in public administration with emphasis on descriptive statistical methods as a tool for assisting public managers in decision making. Computer applications included. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: MATH 133.
Prerequisite(s): MATH 133
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Quantitative Methods in Public Administration (3) Continuation of PA 301 introducing probability and inferential statistics as analytical tools useful to public administrators. Students are expected to gain knowledge and experience in the use of packaged statistical software in data analysis. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: PA 301.
Prerequisite(s): PA 301
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Introduction to Public Sector Planning (3) Introduction to the principles, methods, and techniques of public sector planning. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: PA 271.
Prerequisite(s): PA 271
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Public Budgeting (3) Introduction to the method and nature of government financing, including a study of public revenues, expenditures, debts, fiscal policies, and certain problems related to government fiscal systems. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: PA 271.
Prerequisite(s): PA 271
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Organization Behavior and Management (3) Analysis of various theories of human behavior in organizational settings from the disciplines of Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Public Administration. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: PA 271.
Prerequisite(s): PA 271
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Personnel Administration (3) Principles, theories, and methods of human resource management. Particular attention given to personnel policy, procedures, and collective bargaining. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: PA 313.
Prerequisite(s): PA 313
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: Dept of Political Sci & Pub Af
Internship (6) Supervised work experience with various public, private, and governmental agencies. Intern will be jointly supervised by the agency head and appropriate academic advisor. Eighteen hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of the appropriate faculty advisor or Faculty Chair.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: Dept of Political Sci & Pub Af
Program Evaluation (3) Focuses on evaluation as a management tool to improve public sector program performance and introduces concepts, principles, methods, and practice of program performance evaluation. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: PA 301 and PA 302.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Policy Process (3) Examines the role, influence, and interaction of legislatures, executives, bureaucracies, courts, and interest groups. Focuses on policy processes: problem definition, agenda setting, budgeting, authorization, implementation, and oversight. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: PA 271.
Prerequisite(s): PA 271
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Seminar in Public Affairs (3) Special topics seminar that provides for the examination of selected public affairs problems and issues. Specific content varies from semester to semester. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Supervised work experience with various public, private, and governmental agencies. Intern will be jointly supervised by the agency head and appropriate academic advisor. Eighteen hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of the appropriate faculty advisor or Faculty Chair.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Supervised Independent Study (6) Designed to allow students to conduct a scientific inquiry into a problem and present the research finding in a scholarly manner. Prerequisites: Senior standing, overall GPA of 3.30 or better, recommendation from appropriate faculty members and faculty advisor, and approval of the Faculty Chair.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Courses
Describes the history, features, principles, organizational structure of Incident Command System and explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Three hours of lecture per week
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Course introduces emergency management theory, definitions, hazard identification, phases of emergency management, resource identification, roles and responsibilities of emergency managers, and coordination of various systems. Prerequisite for all courses. Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
HMSC 260 Introduction to Homeland Security (3) Course introduces the issues of terrorism, the organizations, and key characters in both international and domestic terrorism including delivery systems of weapons of mass destruction.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Course examines major natural hazards and the efforts to mitigate their effect on society, and the management of these events at the various levels of governments.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Course introduces students to the human hand in many “natural” hazards as well as management structures, procedures and techniques designed to cope with hazardous technologies.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Course identifies hazard risks, mitigation programs, strategies, mitigation opportunities, and cost effect solutions. Students learn the tools, resources, techniques, strategies, and programs of hazard mitigation.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
The impact of hazards on people forced to leave their homes and become internally displaced persons (IDPs) or refugees, as a result of disasters.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
The course analyzes the methods by which government, private sector, nonprofits, and the general public respond to and recover from natural manmade disasters.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
The course covers theory and practice of various public health issues in emergency preparedness and considers the implications for policy makers.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Discusses barriers and limitations to reaching vulnerable populations in a disaster and explores culturally competent strategies for their integration into preparedness plans. Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Students explore the process of developing, implementing, exercising, and evaluating continuity of operations for both the public and private sectors and initiates recovery activities.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Focus is on the planning and recovery process, the format, and response procedures; the evaluation of plans and the use of exercises to improve and implement plans.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Human behavior in disaster (myths and reality), group disaster behavior, community social systems, cultures, demographics and sociological disaster research case studies are studied.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
The environmental impact that results from natural and manmade disasters: pollution (biological, chemical, and nuclear), depletion of natural resources, industrial activity and agricultural practices.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Addresses coastal processes, impacts of climate change and the risk imparted to man and his environment. Students learn the best approaches and management strategies.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
This course covers concepts needed to design and implement strategies in protecting communities from disasters, including decreasing community vulnerability and increasing community resiliency.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Students develop a management style and leadership skills for effectively utilizing personnel in the delivery of community services during disaster operations.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
A systematic study of specialized subject matter in Emergency management. Topics for each semester vary, depending upon current interest and needs.Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
Students apply classroom learning in emergency and disaster response associated agencies. Students perform prescribed work in an agency engaged in emergency and disaster management. Three hours of lecture per week.
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
HMSC 361 Terrorism and Homeland Security (3) Overview of international terrorism from its origins to the present. Analyzeshow the U.S. government has responded and organized to counter the threats of terrorism.Three hours of lecture per week.
Prerequisite(s): (HMSC 260)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
HMSC 362 Legal and Political Issues of Homeland Security (3) Describes the legal aspects of current government regulations on intelligence operations, identity management, information dissemination, infrastructure protection, business community security concerns, and ethical issues. Three hours of lecture per week.
Prerequisite(s): (HMSC 260)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338
HMSC 363 Legal and Political Issues of Homeland Security (3) Describes the legal aspects of current government regulations on intelligence operations, identity management, information dissemination, infrastructure protection, business community security concerns, and ethical issues. Three hours of lecture per week.
Prerequisite(s): (HMSC 260)
College/School: The School of Public Affairs
Department: 2338