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Department of Political Science

 

BA in Political Science | BS in Political Science | Minor in Political Science |
Minor in Legal Studies | Course Descriptions

 

Chair:   Rhonda L. Callaway     (936) 294-1408 

Faculty:  Robert Biles, Robin Bittick, John Bolus, Rhonda Callaway, William Carroll, James Carter, John Domino, Heather Evans, Masoud Kazemzadeh, Melinda Kovács, Corliss Lentz,  Mitzi Mahoney, Sarmistha Majumdar, Stacy Ulbig,  Tamara Waggener, Mike Yawn

Secretary:  Evelyn McDaniel        (936) 294-4571

Information:  polsci@shsu.edu      (936) 294-1457
On Campus: Building CHSS, Rm. 490
Mail: P.O. Box 2149, Huntsville, TX 77341-2149

Website: www.shsu.edu/~pol_www/

The study of political science is exciting. It mixes the drama of politics and public issues with the development of skills of analysis and communication. Students examine major problems such as the influence of interest groups on Congress’ decisions, how candidates win elections, what election results mean, and how decisions about war and peace are made. In the process, students learn tools of analysis, explore major philosophical issues, and develop their skills in writing and speaking - tools of value in any profession.

Mission

The mission of the Political Science Department is to provide students with theoretical knowledge and understanding of core concepts and principles in political science while helping students develop practical experience and skills that are necessary for the marketplace. Within that context, the department focuses on programs and courses that emphasize civic engagement, public service, and citizenship and ethics at the local, national, and global levels.

To carry out this mission, the Political Science faculty endeavor to:

  • Develop students’ analytic, writing, speaking, interpersonal, and professional skills
  • Prepare students for professional careers in the 21st century
  • Build students’ citizenship skills, knowledge, and activism
  • Help students understand human beings in their diversity and appreciate democratic values
  • Expand the frontiers of knowledge in political science and public and nonprofit administration
  • Contribute to a better community within the university and the society.

Academic Programs

The department offers courses in five areas: American government and politics, international relations and foreign policy, comparative politics (the study of politics in other nations), public administration, and political theory and methodology. Students should consult with their advisor as to what mix of these areas best meets their needs. Political science courses can be combined with courses in other areas such as criminal justice, environmental studies, or business to prepare for careers in both the public and private sector.

Highlights

Political Science faculty members bring unique backgrounds to the classroom. They have strong academic credentials, with doctorates from top schools such as, Rice, Rutgers, and the University of Texas, and they write scholarly books and articles. But they also have practical experience in government and politics to bring to the classroom. They have served on local school boards and city councils, as party county chairs, members of state boards of citizens groups, U.S. Senate staff, Foreign Commercial Officer, local, state, and federal administrators, and political consultants. Visiting professors have included a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a former member of Congress, and judges from the Texas Supreme Court.

Suggested Minors

The Legal Studies minor is offered through the political science department. Legal Studies offers opportunities in many fields. The study of law and the legal system as part of American society and culture is an integral part of a liberal arts education. In terms of career opportunities, many positions in the public and private sectors require knowledge of the law or may require interactions with legal professionals. Employers are also seeking graduates who possess strong analytical, writing, and research skills, which this minor would seek to develop.

Beyond considering Legal Studies as a minor, students should select a minor that suits their interests and career needs. Common minors include Agriculture, Communication Studies, Criminal Justice, English, Environmental Science, General Business, Geography, History, Legal Studies, Mass Communication (Journalism), Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish (or other foreign language), and Statistics.

Career Opportunities

Studying political science meets the career needs of two different sets of students. Some want a liberal arts education that provides a foundation to deal with a broad range of ideas and challenges. With today’s economy, in which most people experience several major career changes, this is a valuable foundation. Other students want to prepare for specific career goals. Most graduates work successfully in private business. Others attend the major Texas law schools, teach (from junior high to university level), work in public service (at the federal, state, county, or city level), or go into political life (such as state legislator, judge, or lobbyist). Recent graduates have held a range of positions: congressional aide, state director of a cattleman’s association, city planner, director of a local development organization, and radio talk-show host. There is an increasing need for trained people to work in nonprofit organizations, and the department has a program in administration, research, and writing that prepares graduates to enter this exciting area.

Student Organizations and Activities

Outstanding students are recognized with membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Political Science students are active in (and often lead) the student government, the campus organizations of political parties, the NAACP, and service organizations. The Junior Fellows conduct field trips to events such as the presidential inauguration, presentations by national leaders at the Bush Library and provide opportunities to meet and work with candidates.  In the past, students have organized a model political convention featuring speakers from the local, state, and national level.  Another student group meets regularly to discuss international events.  In department-sponsored events, students have listened to and questioned members of Congress, leading political scientists, and foreign scholars.

Internships

Advanced students are encouraged to gain professional experience, make contacts, and explore career options through the department’s successful internship program. Recently, students have interned in city and county governments, the state legislature, the U.S. Congress, nonprofit groups, both major political parties, and the Washington office of the NAACP. The department’s Junior Fellows program allows undergraduates to work with faculty members on research and special projects.

Scholarships

In addition to the University’s student financial aid programs, the Department of Political Science also offers scholarships to majors and minors. For information, contact the department secretary. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/~sfa_www/scholarship.html or telephone (936) 294-1672.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Degree Requirements:

 

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
SHSU Course Number
Hours
Recommended Sequence
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)
6
Component Area II (Mathematics)
3
Component Area III (Natural Sciences)
8
Component Area IV (Humanities/Visual/Performing Arts)*
9
Component Area V (Social/Behavioral Sciences)*
15
Component Area VI (Institutionally Designated Option)
1
Degree Specific Requirements
Foreign Language first two courses
6-8
Freshman
Foreign Language second two courses
6
Sophomore
Fine Arts*
3
Major Foundation
Communication/Theatre
3
Computer Science
3
Major Core
POL 374 <POLS 3374>
3
POL 377 <POLS 3377>
3
POL 379 <POLS 3379>
3
Major
Political Science electives
15
Any Approved Minor
18
Electives
19
Total Hours:
120

 

 *Take PHL in one of the marked areas.

Bachelor of Science in Political Science

Degree Requirements:

 

Bachelor of Science in Political Science
SHSU Course Number
Hours
Recommended Sequence
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)
6
Component Area II (Mathematics)
3
Component Area III (Natural Sciences)
8
Component Area IV (Humanities/Visual/Performing Arts)*
9
Component Area V (Social/Behavioral Sciences)*
15
Component Area VI (Institutionally Designated Option)
1
Degree Specific Requirements
Natural Sciences
8
Math or Natural Science
6
Math or PHL 262 <PHIL 2303> or PHL 362 <PHIL 3362>
3
Major Foundation
Communication/Theatre
3
Computer Science
3
Major Core
POL 374 <POLS 3374>
3
POL 377 <POLS 3377>
3
POL 379 <POLS 3379>
3
Restricted Electives in POL <POLS>
6
  
Major
Political Science electives
15
Any Approved Minor
18
Electives
10
Total Hours:
120

 

 

Minor in Political Science

Minors in Political Science must complete 18 hours in Political Science, including POL 261 <POLS 2301>. At least 6 hours must be advanced and taken in residence. No grade below C in Political Science will count toward this minor.

Minor in Legal Studies

Minors in Legal Studies must complete 18 semester credit hours of required courses and electives. In keeping with the intent of a minor to broaden the student’s background knowledge, none of the courses taken by Legal Studies minors may be used to satisfy the requirement of any other major or minor. Every student enrolling in the Legal Studies Minor will be required to take Constitutional Law I (POL 434 <POLS 4334>) and Constitutional Law II (POL 435 <POLS 4335>). In addition, minors have two categories of electives where they must choose one Law-Related Skills Course (COM 382 <COMS 3382>, COM 284 <COMS 2384>, ENG 377 <ENGL 3377>, PHL 362 <PHIL 3362>, or PHL 262 <PHIL 2303>) and three courses pertaining to Substantive Legal Content. Students may only take one course from a single department and two of the three must be writing enhanced. The student may choose courses from Criminal Justice (CJ 430 <CRIJ 4330>, CJ 432 <CRIJ 4332>, CJ 480 <CRIJ 4380>, CJ 361 <CRIJ 3361>, CJ 362 <CRIJ 3362>), General Business (GBA 362 <BUAD 3355>, GBA 385 <BUAD 3365>, GBA 363 <BUAD 3360>, GBA 465 <BUAD 4340>), Mass Communications (MCM 471 <MCOM 4371>), Political Science (POL 334 <POLS 3334>, POL 338 <POLS 3338>, POL 395 <POLS 3395>), Psychology (PSY 383 <PSYC 3383>), and Sociology (SOC 333 <SOCI 3354>, SOC 335 <SOCI 3325>, SOC 364 <SOCI 3324>, SOC 465 <SOCI 3355>).

Requirements for Teacher Certification

Students who want to teach in a high school or junior high school can do so with the Social Science Composite program. A graduate with the social science certification will be able to teach government, economics, history, sociology, or geography at the eighth to twelfth grade level. The ability to teach several areas makes it much more likely to find and keep a job. To teach just government, the social science composite gets the student in the door, and with time graduates can move to other areas. Under present state rules, certification in political science (government) alone is no longer available. History is the only social science for which certification is available without the social science composite.

Students may qualify for teacher certification in the social sciences under either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees. Students seeking certification in the social studies for grades 4-8 should pursue the Interdisciplinary Academic Studies Major for a Bachelor of Science Degree with certification for 4-8 Social Studies. This is found in Elementary Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Students interested in certification should consult with their political science advisor and a secondary education advisor in the College of Education early in their program. Because of the number of courses required, students should take as many courses as possible that meet more than one requirement. These are indicated in the model curricula. Note that for teacher certification, no grade below C in social science courses is accepted.

Social Science Composite with Political Science Emphasis for Secondary Education

 

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science:
Political Science: BA 24 hours; BS 27 hours: POL 261 <POLS 2301>*; POL 265 <POLS 2365>*; POL 235 <POLS 2335>, POL 378 <POLS 3378>; POL 379 <POLS 3379>; 3 hours from among POL 434 <POLS 4334> or 435 <POLS 4335>; 6 hours from among POL 285 <POLS 2302>, POL 336 <POLS 3336>, POL 337 <POLS 3337>, and POL 377 <POLS 3377>. For BS: POL 374 <POLS 3374>
Geography: GEO 131 <GEOG 1301> and GEO 111 <GEOG 1101>*, GEO 161 <GEOG 1321>, GEO 265 <GEOG 2355>, GEO 266 <GEOG 2356>, GEO 369 <GEOG 3359>, GEO 471 <GEOG 4358>
History: HIS 163 <HIST 1301>*, HIS 164 <HIST 1302>*, HIS 265 <HIST 2311>*, HIS 266 <HIST 2312>, HIS 369 <HIST 3369>, HIS 379 <HIST 3379>, HIS 398 <HIST 3398>
Economics: ECO 234 <ECON 2301>* and ECO 233 <ECON 2302>**
Sociology: SOC 131 <SOCI 1301>

*    Courses that should be taken as part of the Core Curriculum.

** Students seeking teacher certification should use general electives for the certification courses and should consult with their advisor in Teacher Education as to the timing of the courses.  Required courses are listed just above.

Requirements for Teacher Certification*: SED 374 <CISE 3374>, SED 383 <CISE 3383>, SED 394 <CISE 3394>, SED 464 <CISE 4364>, SED 480 <CISE 4380>, SED 496 <CISE 4396>, SED 497 <CISE 4397>; RDG 392 <READ 3392>; and COM 384 <COMS 3384> (preferred) or COM 161 <COMS 1361>**.

The Social Science Composite may be taken with or without teacher certification.  Ordinarily, COM 384 <COMS 3384>, SED 374 <CISE 3374>, and SED 383 <CISE 3383> are taken prior to the teaching methods block (RDG 392 <READ 3392>, SED 394 <CISE 3394>, and SED 464 <CISE 4364>). This is followed by student teaching (SED 480 <CISE 4380>, SED 496 <CISE 4396> and SED 497 <CISE 4397>).

*Students seeking teacher certification should use general electives for the certification courses and should consult with their advisor in Teacher Education as to the timing of the courses.

Required courses are listed just above.

**If not seeking teacher certification, may substitute COM 131 <COMS 1331>, COM 282 <COMS 2382>, COM 382 <COMS 3382>, COM 383 <COMS 3383>, THR 164 <THEA 1364>, or THR 231 <THEA 2336>.

 


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