UNDERGRADUATE POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES AT A&M-TEXARKANA

Updated 10/10/10

GOVT 2305 – Federal Government

This course is an introduction to United States government and politics with emphasis on U.S. Constitution, founding, federalism, voting, political parties, media, interest groups, mass movements, Congress, presidency, courts, civil rights, civil liberties, and foreign policy.

Required Books:

Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey M. Berry, and Jerry Goldman. 2009. The Challenge of Democracy: American Government in a Global World. 10th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth / Cengage Learning. ISBN: 054720454X. (Publisher’s Website)

Nathanson, Stephen. 2001. Should We Consent to Be Governed? A Short Introduction to Political Philosophy. 2d ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth / Cengage Learning. ISBN: 0534574165. (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 305 – Introduction to Political Ideologies

An introductory survey of selected ideologies. Topics may include liberalism, classical Marxism, communism, fascism, democratic socialism, conservatism, authoritarianism, African-American political thought, and gender ideologies. Ideologies’ assumptions, justifications, and implications for political life will also be discussed.

Required Book:

Sargent, Lyman Tower. 2009. Contemporary Political Ideologies: A Comparative Analysis. 14th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. ISBN: 0495569399 (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 320 – Introduction to Constitution Law

This introductory course provides an overview of constitutional law in United States in its theoretical and historical setting. The course will cover the founding period, the Constitution, as well as the development of law in areas such as privacy, freedom of speech, freedom of press, free exercise of religion, the establishment clause, search and seizure, punishment, and states’ rights.

Required Book:

Devins, Neal, and Louis Fisher. 2004. The Democratic Constitution. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 0195171233. (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 331 – Introduction to Public Administration and Leadership

Discuss and assess major concepts of administration and leadership in public agencies. Case studies and field based experiences are employed as learning tools.

Required Book:

Shafritz, Jay M., E.W. Russell, and Christopher P. Borick. 2011. Introducing Public Administration. 7th ed. New York: Longman. ISBN: 0205780504. (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 340 – Introduction to Comparative Politics

This course familiarizes students with the field of comparative politics, its key concepts and major theoretical approaches. The bulk of the course is a broad introduction to the major types of political systems in the modern world, including advanced industrial democracies of the “West,” transitional systems of Communist and post-Communist countries, and economically less developed nations.

Required Books:

Lim, Timothy C. 2010. Doing Comparative Politics: An Introduction to Approaches and Issues. 2d ed. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers ISBN: 158826744X. (Publisher’s Website)

Ragin, Charles C. 1989. The Comparative Method: Moving Beyond Qualitative and Quantitative Strategies. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. ISBN: 9780520066182. (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 341 – European Politics

A study of select European nations and their political institutions. The course considers the organization, political behavior and decision-making process of the major countries of Europe, including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and Russia. It will also examine political and economic trends challenging and reshaping democratic institutions. Particular attention is given to European cooperation and the inclusion of East-Central Europe and Russia into the European community.

PSCI 344 – Russian and East European Politics

A comprehensive examination of the East/Central European countries and the former Soviet Union, covering the general historical overview of the region, its geography, political structures and processes of the communist period and the post-communist transitions to widely divergent societies and politics. Social and economic policy and popular attitudes are also examined. Emphasis will be placed on the diversity of the region.

PSCI 350 – Introduction to International Relations

An examination of changes in the nature of the international community from the Treaty of Westphalia to the present emphasizing the forces that produce cooperation and conflict.

PSCI 395 – Methods of Political Science Research

An introduction to the discipline of political science, including an examination of the development of political science and the methods and approaches used by contemporary political scientists to describe, explain, predict, and evaluate political phenomena.

Required Book:

Dodd, Lawrence C., and Calvin Jillson. The Dynamics of American Politics. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1994. ISBN: 0813317126 (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 410 – American Political Theory

An analysis of American political thought from colonial times to the present.

Required Book:

Skidmore, Max J. 1998. Legacy to the World: A Study of America's Political Ideas. New York: Peter Lang Publishers. ISBN: 0820439681 (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 426 – Civil Rights/Civil Liberties

This course contributes to the student’s understanding of how the constitutional rights and liberties of U.S. citizens have developed. Additionally, examination of the socio-political context provides the basis for understanding the continued evolution of these rights and liberties.

Required Book:

Fisher, Louis, and Katy J. Harriger. American Constitutional Law: Constitutional Rights, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. 8th ed. Vol. 2. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2009. ISBN: 1594606250. (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 427 – Public Law: Federal and State

The development of the concept of constitutional government. The constitutional structure of the American government and the Supreme Court’s role in the evolution of the United States Constitution. Special emphasis on the constitutional structure of the Texas government.

Required Book:

PSCI 428 – Intergovernmental Politics

A study of the process of government that accomplishes practical goals by coordinating the activities within and between national, state, local and special governmental units.

Required Books:

Nice, David C., and Patricia Fredericksen. 1999. The Politics of Intergovernmental Relations. Chicago: Nelson-Hall, Inc. ISBN 083041357X (This book is out of print. Copies of assigned chapters are in the box outside office 124N.)

Wayne, Stephen J. 2008. The Road to the White House, 2008: The Politics of Presidential Elections. 8th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/ Cengage Learning. ISBN: 0495096326 (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 445 – Public Opinion

An accounting of the role of public opinion in the democratic politics of the U. S.

Required Book:

Clawson, Rosalee A., and Zoe M. Oxley. 2008. Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals, Democratic Practice. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. ISBN: 9780872893047.

PSCI 455 – Political Behavior

This course examines key aspects of American electoral politics and democracy.

Required Book:

Lewis-Beck, Michael S., William G. Jacoby, Helmut Norpoth, and Herbert F. Weisberg. 2008. The American Voter Revisited. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. ISBN: 9780472070404.

PSCI 456 – Politics & Religion

This course is an introduction to a hotly debated topic in many political systems: the interaction between religion and politics. During the course of the semester, the student examines the attempts by religious groups, movements, and interests to influence politics through agenda setting, lobbying, demonstrations, and electoral activities.

Required Books:

Norris, Pippa, and Ronald Inglehart. Sacred and Secular: Religion and Politics Worldwide (Cambridge Studies in Social Theory, Religion and Politics). Cambridge University Press. ISBN-10: 0521548721, ISBN-13: 978-0521548724.

Wald, Kenneth, and Allison Calhoun-Brown. Religion and Politics in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN-13: 978-0742540415, ISBN-10: 0742540413.

Jelen, Ted Gerard, and Clyde Wilcox, eds. Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective: The One, the Few, and the Many. Cambridge University Press. ISBN-10: 052165971X, ISBN-13: 978-0521659710.

PSCI 460 – Political Parties & Elections

This course provides a comprehensive review of American political parties and elections. Students will examine the historical development and contemporary nature of the major political parties. Exploration of the presidential election system will cover the different phases of the process, influences of money, the media, and third parties, and possible reforms.

Required Books:

Wayne, Stephen J. 2008. The Road to the White House, 2008: The Politics of Presidential Elections. 8th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/ Cengage Learning. ISBN: 0495096326 (Publisher’s Website)

White, John Kenneth, and Daniel M. Shea. 2004. New Party Politics: From Jefferson and Hamilton to the Information Age. 2d ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/ Cengage Learning. ISBN: 0534560237 (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 464 – Congress

This course provides an examination of the U.S. Congress. Areas of consideration will include the development of the legislative branch, congressional elections, representation, legislative structures and processes, leadership, and the making of public policy.

Required Book:

Davidson, Roger H., Walter J. Oleszek, and Frances E. Lee. Congress and Its Members. 11th ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2007. ISBN: 087289357X (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 465 – The Executive

A review of the executive branch of the United States, including the historical development, primary responsibilities, and decision making processes of the office, as well as contemporary relationships with the public, Congress, and policy making and implementation.

Required Book:

Milkis, Sidney M., and Michael Nelson. 2003. The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 1776-1998, 5th ed. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2003. ISBN: 0872893367 (Publisher’s Website)

PSCI 489 – Individual Study

Individual instruction. May be repeated when topics vary.

PSCI 490 – Political Science Internship (6 SCH)

The internship course is designed to offer students an opportunity to work in the offices of state, federal, and locally elected officials. Students will learn the kinds of services provided by the offices, the expectations the electorate has of their elected officials, and the kinds of activities that occur in these offices. Students will be engaged in meaningful tasks and assignments that contribute to their understanding of democratic government. Prerequisite: Students must have passed PSCI 428, be of Senior standing, have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher, and complete a student application process. Only currently enrolled students who are seeking a degree may apply for the internship course.

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