Political Science

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.

This course will provide students with an introduction to Texas State government and politics within the context of other US states and the federal government. Students will learn general information about state governments in the public policy process, specifically Texas State government. Students will assess state political cultures, as well as federalism and state constitutions, with a specific emphasis on the Texas State Constitution.

An introduction to basic research methodology in the social and behavioral sciences. Prerequisites: POSC 2331 and 2332.

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic quantitative methodology in the social sciences and to teach them research design from the conception of an idea to the analysis and interpretation of data. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

(LGST and HIST 3302) An introduction to the development of the principle English legal institutions and doctrines. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An historical analysis of the work of the United States Supreme Court between 1789 and 1835. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

A comparative study of common law legal systems and civil law systems from Europe and Latin America. Prerequisites: POSC 2331 and 2332.

A study of the implementation of statutes by the executive agencies of government, covering enforcement, economic and social regulation, taxation, education, distribution of welfare benefits, land management and many other activities of government.

A practical approach to the substantive law of immigration in the context of American immigration history and developing public policy. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

This course will address how the American legal system is structured and how lawyers, judges and others who participate in the system on a daily basis interact with the system.

This course covers the context in which city governments operate the politics and policymaking process of urban places, and the service delivery issues confronting municipalities. The course is designed to assist the student in obtaining an in–depth understanding of the politics of local public problems. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

How the values and attitudes of society influence the content and enforcement of the law and how the law influences the mores and behavior of society. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Students are offered the opportunity to actively participate in the campaigns of candidates. Academic research is combined with “on–the–job” training. Classroom analysis and critique of the individual campaigns round out the course. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An examination of the various components of political participation: political parties, interest groups, public opinion and the role of media. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

This course analyzes the impact of the media on the American political system. There is an examination of the evolution of the media from the earliest days of the republic to its place of central importance in elections and governing today. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Development and operations of courts and related institutions; impact of judicial decisions upon the political system. Prerequisites: POSC 2331 and 2332.

Advanced study of the U.S. Congress Prerequisites: POSC 2331 and 2332.

(INST 3352) Theories of international politics and the decision–making process that generates foreign policy. An examination of the role of power in the modern world, the utility of force in conflict resolution versus the multilateral, collaborative approach. An introduction to the way current international politics is increasingly related to the world economic situation, with special attention to the role of multinational corporations, international trade and finance. Prerequisites: POSC 2331 and 2332, INST 1351 or permission of faculty member.

This course focuses on the role of the presidency in the American political system. Emphasis will be on the office and powers of the President, the expansion of the constitutional presidency and the changing nature of presidential politics. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

This course focuses on the evolution of U.S. disaster policy and the practice of emergency management, with particular attention top the roles of local governments and nonprofit agencies in disaster management. The course examines the major policy issues, including the utility of the “all–hazard” or comprehensive model of emergency management, the role of the military in disaster operations, state and local capacity building, and the design and implementation of hazard mitigation policies and programs. Prerequisites: POSC 2331 and 2332.

An analysis of the development and evolutionary interpretation of the United States Constitution through study of decisions by the United States Supreme Court from 1789 to the present. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Examines the American constitutional law of criminal justice and criminal procedure as it relates to the administration of criminal substantive law, and the procedural law of arrest, stop and frisk, search, confessions, identification, preliminary hearings, bail, indictment, plea bargaining, venue, discovery, trial, sentencing, appeal, and habeas corpus. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An exploration of the ways in which public policy is made in the United States. Prerequisites: POSC 2331 and 2332.

The political behavior of the mass public in modern democratic systems, especially the United States. Major areas of emphasis will include: political socialization and learning, public opinion and attitude formation, participation and voting behavior. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332

A basic overview of justice and peace studies, based on the seven main principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Among the topics that will be reviewed in conjunction with these principles are the dignity of the human person, community–building, human rights, economic development, culture, class, and gender concerns, conflict resolution and care for the environment. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An examination of political participation by minorities (African–American, Asian–American, Latin–American, Native American, women, and other minorities) in American politics, and of the impact of public policies on minority groups. Particular reference will be made to Texas and U.S. Southwest politics. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

A survey of the forms of political participation and types of public policies that affect Latinos in the United States. Particular reference will be made to Texas and U.S. Southwest politics. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332

An overview of the basic components of administration in government and nonprofit organizations. Topics covered include executive branch structures, federalism, budgeting, policymaking, personnel administration and ethics. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An introduction to civil service systems in the United States. Particular emphasis will be placed on the following topics: the history of the U.S. Civil Service, position classification systems, equal employment opportunity, employee recruitment, in–service training, performance appraisals, employee motivation and collective bargaining. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An examination of individual, professional, and institutional ethical issues that arise in public and non-profit organizations. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Explores knowledge of organization theory and administrative behavior to understand and diagnose organizational problems and dynamics in the public sector. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

This course examines the origins, foundations and 200–year history of the American system of national, state and local governance. The course will especially focus on how national, state and local governments interact through the intergovernmental process. Specific topics the course will cover include court cases on federalism, fiscal aspects of federalism, models of federalism, comparative federalism and the future of federalism. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Examines the techniques and politics of raising and spending public funds. Discusses topics such as deficits politics, legislative and executive powers, and the budgetary role of the courts. Assesses the impacts of taxing and spending policies. Explores issues relevant to national, state, and local governments. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

This course is the second semester continuation of a two–semester long (3 credit) capstone course in which majors develop, elaborate, and research a topic of their own choosing, in consultation with their thesis director. The result of this intensive research and writing exercise will be a thesis fit for presentation at a professional conference and UST Research Day. Prerequisite: POSC 4399.

Practicum or on-the-job experience under the guidance of practicing specialists in the field. To be supervised individually by a department faculty member with the approval of the chair. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An introduction to the development of political ideas from the ancient times to the Renaissance. Students will study Greek, Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance political thinkers. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An introduction to the development of American political ideas from the colonial period to the present. Gender and minority perspectives are an integral part of the course. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

An introduction to the development of political ideas in the 20th and 21st century. A comparison between Western and non-Western political theory is an integral part of the course. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

A basic review of the history and/or fundamental issues entailed in the interrelationship of religion and politics. In particular, the course will focus on the impact religion has on political participation, political institutions and political culture. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

This course is designed to teach the basics of trial procedure through the use of simulations and mock trials. Students will read texts and discuss trial procedure and selected readings on the structure and procedures of trial courts. The main goal of the course is to impart the fundamentals necessary for successful participation in intercollegiate mock trial competition and to lay the groundwork for more advanced study in law school. The majority of class time in the second half of the course will be spent in "hands on" practice of these techniques in mock trials.

A capstone course for government and pre-law senior students that explores and summarizes selected areas of government, law and the public arena. This course may be team taught. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Political anthropology course focused on a fresh evaluation of archaeological data leading to contemporary political and governmental conclusions about the intersection of Chaco/Aztec N.M./Paquimé and Mesoamerican cultures. This course provides an insightful alternative to eastern and western European approaches to the development of government.

(INST 4354) The foreign policy–making process and factors influencing U.S. international behavior since 1945. Special emphasis on foreign policy issues affecting United States interests in the coming decade. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

This course overviews the growth and scope of cyber warfare and its impacts on national power in the domains of government, diplomacy, international law, international commerce/economic power, social media/privacy, science/technology, and civil society. It traces the evolution of conflict from traditional information gathering to the development of cyber weaponry with destructive capabilities and the use of those capabilities to advance national foreign policy interests. Through the use of case studies and selective readings from a variety of sources (government policy directives, cyber security industry studies, and defense related academic papers), the course guides students through the emergent quality of the broadening scope of cyber conflict and the multifaceted response to the challenge. Ultimately, students are confronted with the impact of the ongoing threat as they interface with cyberspace in their day-to-day interactions. The goal is for a deeper understanding of the scope and complexity of the cyber domain and the global conflict that is raging out of view.

This course begins with the premise that conflict is a part of everyday life that spans across every inch of the globe and is found in all careers and relationships, so it is designed to be a practical course that provides a comprehensive overview of conflict resolution from a micro (person-to-person) to a global perspective. This course reviews the theoretical components while exploring conflict within different contexts, including intergroup, interpersonal, cross-cultural, legal, and international, by analyzing select global conflicts and learning to identify its primary and secondary participants. This course introduces positive conflict management skills, including active listening, communication skills, principled negotiation, facilitation, and peacekeeping skills. This skill-based course will explore how these variables and behavioral attributes have, and can, influence global conflicts through escalation and de-escalation. Upon completion of this course and attendance in class for at least 40 hours, as designated by Texas State Statute, graduate and undergraduate students will be able to mediate globally with their basic mediation certificate.

This course will provide a broader understanding of security and geopolitics in East Asia. With the rise of China and the nuclear threat from North Korea, the security dynamics within and beyond East Asian states is of critical importance to both the United States and the world. To better comprehend such complex security dynamics in East Asia, this course will review the historical progress of diplomatic and security related interactions between East Asian countries, and their relations with the United States as well. After a profound understanding of the history is acquired, this course will guide students to analyze the current events and potential changes in this region and derive policy implications and strategic proposals for the East Asian countries and the United States.

Practicum or on-the-job experience under the guidance of practicing specialists in the field. To be supervised individually by a department faculty member with the approval of the chair. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Upper division treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the professor and students. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Research–based project open to political science majors and others with the permission of the department. Project topic to be approved and supervised by the department according to the standards and guidelines available from the department chair. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Practicum or on-the-job experience under the guidance of practicing specialists in the field. To be supervised individually by a department faculty member with the approval of the chair. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.

Practicum or on-the-job experience under the guidance of practicing specialists in the field. To be supervised individually by a department faculty member with the approval of the chair. Prerequisites: POSC 2331, 2332.