Southwestern University
2002-2003 Catalog

Academic Calendar

Southwestern University: A Statement
The Academic Program
Degree Requirements
Academic Regulations

Course Descriptions

Brown College of Arts & Sciences
 Biology
 Chemistry
 Classics
 Communication
 Economics & Business
 Education
 English
 History
 Kinesiology
 Math & Computer Science
 Modern Languages & Literatures
 Physics
 Political Science
 Psychology
 Religion & Philosophy
 Sociology & Anthropology

Sarofim School of Fine Arts
 Art
 Music
 Theatre

Interdisciplinary Programs
Special Academic Programs

Admission & Financial Aid
Student Life
Cultural Activities
History & Governance
Endowments & Scholarships

University Directory
Board & Officers
Faculty
Administration
 

 

POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Division of Social Sciences
Associate Professor Robert S. Snyder, PhD, Chair
Professor Timothy J. O’Neill, PhD
Associate Professor Eric A. Selbin, PhD
Assistant Professor Teena Gabrielson, PhD
Assistant Professor Alisa Gaunder, PhD
Assistant Professor Peter Beck, PhD (part-time)
Instructor Neal Allen, BA (part-time)

The Political Science curriculum is designed with two main objectives in view: (1) to give preparation for effective citizenship in our society and in the world community; (2) to serve general educational needs of students who plan to go on to graduate school or into various professions such as law, politics, government, journalism, public relations, secondary school teaching, and business. However, the primary aim of the Political Science Department is to stimulate the development of its students as humane individuals who are aware of the major problems of human society and who bring the best constructive critical thinking to bear on them from a base of high moral values.
Course offerings in Political Science are divided into four broad categories: (1) American politics (32-113 and courses with 500 numbers); (2) comparative politics (32-143 and courses with 400 numbers); (3) international relations (courses with 200 numbers); and (4) political theory (courses with 600 numbers). The program of each student majoring in political science is worked out in consultation with members of the Department to ensure proper balance of courses in each category.
Students may major or minor in Political Science. A major consists of 30 semester hours of work in the Department with at least 24 semester hours at the advanced level. A minor consists of 18 semester hours with 12 semester hours at the advanced level. American Politics (32-113) is a prerequisite for all advanced courses in the American category (courses with 500 numbers). Comparative Politics (32-143) is a prerequisite for all advanced courses in comparative and international politics (courses with 200 and 400 numbers). Either Political Science 32-113 or 32-143 is a prerequisite for all political theory courses (with 600 numbers).
Political Science majors must take a minimum of six semester hours (including at least three semester hours at the advanced level) in the field of American politics, six semester hours (including three semester hours at the advanced level) in comparative politics, six semester hours in international politics, three semester hours in political theory, and three semester hours in the capstone Senior Seminar. The remaining hours may be taken in any of the four categories of political science, depending on individual interest. Graduating seniors must take Senior Seminar (32-963) during the fall or spring semester of the senior year. This will satisfy the capstone requirement for the Political Science major. Students may offer a completed Honors project or Independent Study in lieu of the Senior Seminar with prior departmental approval.
Political Science minors must take six semester hours (including 32-113 and three advanced hours) in the field of American politics, comparative politics (32-143), and three semester hours in international politics. The remaining hours may be taken in any of the four categories of Political Science, depending on individual interest.
Independent Study (32-951, 952, and 953) and Texas Politics Internships (32-513) are open to students with three semester hours of credit in Political Science. Internships normally are open to juniors and seniors.
Students pursuing a 24-hour academic specialization in Political Science for secondary certification, see Education Department.
Credit may be obtained for American government (equivalent to Political Science 32-113) by scoring 55 or better on the CLEP subject examination in the area, provided prior approval has been secured from the Department Chair.

Political Science (PSC)

†32-113AMERICAN POLITICS. An introduction to political analysis through a study of the origin and development of the American political system, federalism with special reference to the Constitution of the State of Texas, citizenship and civil rights, and political parties and interest groups. (POK-American and Western Cultural Heritage)
32-143 COMPARATIVE POLITICS. An introductory survey of major political systems, representing both Western and non-Western countries. No single political system will be studied in depth. This course provides the tools for such study in the future.
32-213 INTERNATIONAL POLITICS. An introductory study of the theory and practice of international politics. The course examines both the origins and the consequences of the political organization of the world.
32-223 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION. An examination of the ways by which states and non-state actors seek to handle increasing interdependence in the world. Particular attention is given to the United Nations, the European Union, and multinational corporations.
32-233 INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY. A seminar that examines how changes in the international political economy have affected international politics and international relations theory. Prerequisite: 32-213 or by permission of the instructor.
32-243 INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND VIOLENCE. An exploration of issues concerning the characteristics, causes, and justifications of occurrences of international peace and violence. The focus is primarily on post-nuclear era state terrorism (internal and external), low intensity conflict, internal conflict resistance, rebellion and revolution, terrorism, and peace.
32-253 U.S. FOREIGN POLICY. A survey of American foreign policy with particular focus on the Cold War period and the post-Cold War period. Societal, ideo-logical, and governmental sources of American foreign policy are examined.
32-263 TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS. An in-depth investigation into selected topics of contemporary interest in international relations. May be repeated when topics vary.
†32-273FILM, LITERATURE, AND THE COLD WAR. This course examines how selected Western writers and filmmakers portrayed the Cold War. (POK-American and Western Cultural Heritage)
32-403 WOMEN AND POLITICS. A study of women and politics from a comparative perspective. Explores the connection between feminist theory and practice and examines the structural and attitudinal conditions that influence public policy and that limit or facilitate change in the life options of women. Also Feminist Studies 04-403.
32-423 MIDDLE EAST POLITICS. A survey of the comparative and international politics of the Middle East, focusing on major Arab states, Israel, and Iran.
32-433 LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS. An introduction to contemporary Latin American and Caribbean politics which also allows students with previous know-ledge about the region to further their interests. The course is built around some of the issues which confront Latin America. Also Sociology 34-433.
32-443 CONTENTIOUS POLITICS. This seminar is designed to explore both the concept as well as various manifestations of “contentious” politics, primarily focused on collective actions such as social movements, cycles of protest, rebellion, and revolution.
32-453 EUROPEAN POLITICS. An in-depth analysis of the political cultures, structures, processes, and policies of selected systems in Europe. May be repeated when topics vary.
†32-463RUSSIAN POLITICS. A study of the institutions and dynamics of Russian politics, examining particularly the role of ideology, leadership, and ethnic diversity in the context of continuing political change. (POK-Other Cultures and Civilizations)
32-473 TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS. An in-depth investigation into selected topics of contemporary interest in comparative politics. May be repeated when topics vary.
†32-503TEXAS POLITICS. An intensive analysis of selected issues in Texas politics and public policy. Students engage in projects that will bring them in contact with state and local political actors. (POK-Social Analysis)
32-513 TEXAS POLITICS INTERNSHIPS. An opportunity to compare political theory and practical politics in a work environment, under supervision of department faculty. In alternate spring semesters the internships will be at the state capitol and in Williamson County.
32-523 AMERICAN PRESIDENT. An examination of the roles of the chief executive as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, principal diplomat, party leader, chief legislator, and law enforcement officer. Emphasis will be placed on the major historical crises which have enhanced the president’s power in these roles. Comparison will also be made to the chief executives in other countries and in the United States.
†32-533LEGISLATIVE POLITICS. An exploration of the roles played by interest groups, electoral campaigns, money, and personalities in legislative decision-making. Policy areas treated are civil rights legislation, the politics of budgets and taxes, and congressional involvement in foreign policy. (POK-Social Analysis)
32-543 RELIGION AND POLITICS IN AMERICA. An exploration of the tension between religious and political impulses and values in America. The approach is both theological and political, analyzing the changes and continuity in religious and political beliefs and structures. Topics include how religion encourages political action (disputes over abolitionism, prohibition, abortion, and nuclear arms), how politics affects religion (religious pluralism, the development of black churches, Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses), and how the American nation is affected by both.
32-553 LAW AND POLITICS. A discussion of the nature of law as a political process, investigating such topics as the functions of the police, the role and powers of the legal profession, and the contributions of judges,
juries, and prisons to the attainment of justice and order.
32-563 ISSUES IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. An intensive analysis of the constitutional values, policy issues, and philosophical principles in judicial debates about the meaning of the American Constitution. Possible topics include the powers of the national government, judicial review, civil rights and liberties, and due process in the criminal justice system. May be repeated when topics vary.
32-573 TOPICS IN AMERICAN POLITICS. An in-depth investigation into selected topics of contemporary interest in American politics. May be repeated when topics vary.
32-583 PUBLIC POLICY. An introduction to the discipline of policy analysis. Explores who is responsible for making public policies, how choices are made, what kind of tools are at the disposal of policy-makers and how their effectiveness can be enhanced. Also, the course explores theories about how bureaucracies operate and how they ought to operate. Theories and concepts are illustrated by investigating current policy efforts in such areas as environmental protection and the development and justification of nuclear deterrence.
32-613 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY. Philosophical debates about politics from Thucydides to Marx, with emphasis on their contribution to modern theories about democracy. Also Philosophy 18-243.
32-623 POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES. An introduction to the systems of ideas, ideals, and beliefs through which people view and act in the world. Particular emphasis is placed on the argumentative structure and the political and psychological functions of ideologies; on their historical origin(s) and development; and on their respective conceptions of freedom and democracy. May be taken for theory or comparative politics credit.
†32-653AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT. A study of writers who have made major contributions to the philosophy of American government, such as Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Calhoun, and Lincoln, along with a brief treatment of radical movements from the right and left in the United States. (POK-Values Analysis)
32-713 RESEARCH THEORY AND METHODOLOGY. Theory and design of research problems, studies and experiments in political science, and evaluation of research methodology using examples from current literature.

32-301, 302, 303 SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic.

32-943ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP. May be arranged through the department. These internships require a minimum of 120 semester hours of work supervised by a member of the departmental faculty and a substantial written component. Must be taken Pass/D/F.
32-951, 952, 953INDEPENDENT STUDY. Requires permission of instructor. May be repeated with changed content.
32-963SENIOR SEMINAR. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for the major.
32-983HONORS. By invitation only.