Political Science
Department of Political Science
Graduate Program Director: Dwight Allman
Baylor's Political Science Department is renowned for its high quality teaching and for professors who care about students. Our students have gone on to become lawyers, journalists, politicians, lobbyists, diplomats, political analysts and teachers.
The Department of Political Science offers graduate work leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in political science, as well as the following M.A. degrees:
- Master of Arts in international relations
- Master of Public Policy and Administration
- Master of Public Policy and Administration and Juris Doctor, offered jointly with the Baylor University School of Law
Admission
For admission to the department’s graduate programs, an applicant must present:
- a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university either in political science or a field relevant to applicant’s program of study
- an overall GPA and a Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) score predictive of success in the program
- three letters of recommendation
- a “statement of purpose,” identifying areas of primary interest, describing intellectual background and ambitions, and explaining how the degree sought facilitates applicant’s academic and professional goals (1-2 pages)
- a brief writing sample (e.g., an undergraduate paper of 10-12 pages)
- expressed areas of academic/research interests compatible with those of the faculty
- applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate degree is from an institution outside the United States must also submit results from either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam. (For further details, see the section on Admissions at the front of this catalog.)
Decisions about admissions and financial aid will, in each case, be based on evaluation of these materials as a whole.
Political Science (PSC)
PSC 4300 Political Behavior (3)
Psychological and social dimensions of political behavior including political images, culture and socialization, participation, leadership, elites, parties and interest groups, voting behavior, and decision making processes.
PSC 4303 International Human Rights (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
The philosophy and implementation of human rights protection in the United States and abroad.
PSC 4304 Governments and Politics of Latin America (3)
Forms of organization, functions, and operations of governments in Latin America, with emphasis on contemporary conditions, trends, and distinctive types of Latin American institutions and policies.
PSC 4305 International Law (3)
Nature and origins of international law and the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the states under that law, as well as the problems which have arisen in its interpretation and enforcement.
PSC 4310 Politics and Communication (3)
Cross-listed as CSS 4310
The dynamic relationships between political and communication institutions; topics include political discourse, news and information, and portrayal of politics in popular entertainment.
PSC 4313 Politics and Literature (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
Study of fundamental questions of political theory as treated in works of literature. Topics may include authority, law and discretion, the individual and the community, and the nature of freedom, especially as these issues emerge in different political orders. This course may be taken more than once, for a maximum of six credit hours, when content differs.
PSC 4314 Government and Politics of Mexico (3)
Constitutional development and political processes in the Mexican federal system. Emphasis will be placed on twentieth-century constitutional and political change, with special attention given to the current scene.
PSC 4315 Political Geography (3)
Concepts and principles of political geography. Analysis of dynamics of spatial relations and interactions of states. Comparison of main approaches, including geo-politics. Study of state elements, especially territorial integrity and frontiers. Survey and analysis of world political patterns.
PSC 4316 Grand Strategy (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
How leaders attempt to coordinate all the instruments of national power—military, economic, political, diplomatic, and cultural—to achieve foreign policy objectives. Attention is paid both to grand strategic problems historically and to ones confronting American foreign policy today.
PSC 4320 African American Politics (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
Contemporary African American politics, including leading theories and paradigms, important social and political movements, prominent leaders, party politics, and role of the "Black Church.
PSC 4321 Administrative Law (3)
Nature and the law of the administrative procedure, of separation and delegation of powers, and of the scope of judicial review and other remedies against administrative actions.
PSC 4322 Seminar in Public Administration (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
A course for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students contemplating careers requiring administrative skills. Topics, which will be chosen to meet the special needs of students, include the study of public personnel techniques and methods, project design and analysis, and program budgeting.
PSC 4324 Special Topics in British Government and Politics (3)
Special topics in British Government and Politics such as institutions, the role of parties and interest groups, the history of British political thought, and/or current political issues and policies. May be repeated once under a different topic not to exceed six semester hours.
PSC 4325 Asian International Relations (3)
Cross-listed as AST 4325
Historical and cultural background and structure of the emerging international order in Asia, with particular attention to the role of Japan, Russia and the Soviet successor states, and the People's Republic of China.
PSC 4330 Urban Political Processes (3)
Cross-listed as ENV 4330
Political institutions and processes in metropolitan areas, including social, economic, and governmental problems resulting from increased urbanization. Students will also apply this knowledge in engaged learning projects.
PSC 4334 Governments and Politics of the Middle East (3)
Political structures and processes of the Middle East nations with an emphasis on elites, political parties, interest groups, and bureaucracies. Inter-regional relations, nationalism, the impact of religion and the Arab-Israeli conflict will be considered. Problems of nation-building, regional cooperation, as well as super- and great-power penetration, will also be explored.
PSC 4335 Public Discourse and Foreign Policy (3)
Cross-listed as CSS 4353
See CSS 4353 for course information.
PSC 4340 African American Communication (3)
Cross-listed as CSS 4354
See CSS 4354 for course information.
PSC 4342 Public Policy and the Courts (3)
Pre-requisite(s): PSC 1387 or consent of instructor
The Supreme Court's role in the making of public policy, including its history, its justification, and its limits. Emphasis on court cases and literature covering economic, social and civil rights issues.
PSC 4344 Government and Politics of Russia (3)
Historical and cultural background, the organization and functions of government, and the theory and practice of Russian politics. Emphasis is given to Russia's relationships with associated states.
PSC 4346 Intelligence and Covert Action (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper level standing
The impact of intelligence, counterespionage, and covert action policies on national security policy and international relations.
PSC 4350 Political Parties (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
The diverse roles of political parties in representative democracies, with emphasis on the American experience.
PSC 4351 Criticism of Contemporary Public Address (3)
Cross-listed as CSS 4351
See CSS 4351 for course information.
PSC 4354 Governments and Politics of Western Europe (3)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in PSC 3304; or consent of instructor
A comparative study of the forms of government organization, political processes, and major developments in Western Europe. Course emphasizes parliamentary forms of democracy.
PSC 4355 Power, Morality, and International Relations (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
The influence of moral principles on international politics.
PSC 4361 American Constitutional Law (3)
Constitutional law of the United States with basic cases concerning such subjects as separation of powers, federalism, the taxing and spending powers, and interstate and foreign commerce.
PSC 4364 The Governments and Politics of the Asia-Pacific Region (3)
Cross-listed as AST 4364
Historical development of the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on the contrasting roles played by China, Japan, and the United States. Discussion of alternative models of economic development and the impact of ASEAN and APEC on regionalism. Survey of the socio-political conditions in and among the region's states, with special attention devoted to Korean unification and cross-strait relations.
PSC 4365 International Political Economics (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Junior standing or above
How international politics and economics intersect. Special emphasis is placed on the politics of trade. Other topics may include development, exchange rates, globalization, inequality, international institutions, migration, monetary policy, regional integration, sanctions, and transnational regulation.
PSC 4370 Politics and Religion (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
The dynamic interaction between religion and politics in countries around the world, including how religion shapes political ideologies and behavior as well as the interplay between politics and religion in the context of political institutions, including legislative, executive, and judicial branches as well as political parties.
PSC 4374 Governments and Politics of East Asia (3)
Cross-listed as AST 4374
Government organization and functions, political processes, and major developments in the political systems of Japan, China, and Korea since World War II.
PSC 4375 International Organization (3)
Fundamentals of international politics and international law, advancing to an intensified study of past and, particularly, present international organizations, especially the United Nations.
PSC 4379 Islam and Democracy (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
Examines the evolution of political philosophy and institutions in Muslim culture.
PSC 4380 Government and Business (3)
Government in relation to the economy. Public policy with respect to such vital areas as maintenance of competition, public utilities, transportation, labor, agriculture, protection of the investor, and foreign economic policy. (Not to be taken if ECO 4317 has already been taken for credit.)
PSC 4381 American Constitutional Law (3)
Continuation of PSC 4361 but may be taken independently of that offering. Deals with those cases relating particularly to personal liberty and civil rights.
PSC 4383 Contemporary Political Thought (3)
Twentieth-century political ideas, with emphasis on contemporary democratic political theory and the challenges posed for traditional democratic ideals by major movements in contemporary psychological, existentialist, ethnic, feminist, socialist, and nationalist thought, and by problems arising from technology, mass society, and the observations of empirical political science.
PSC 4384 Wars, Ideas, and State-building (3)
The development of contemporary states and nations, emphasizing war, geographic location, natural resources, and cultural and religious norms as determinants of different experiences.
PSC 4385 Diplomacy in Theory and Practice (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
How states and other international actors communicate and pursue their foreign policy objectives through the use of diplomatic agents and techniques.
PSC 4395 Terrorism (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
The effectiveness of terrorism as a coercive strategy for states and non-state actors as well as the threat terrorism poses to the interests of the United States.
PSC 4V94 Special Topics in Political Science (1-6)
Examination of special topics in government and politics. May be repeated once under different topic not to exceed six semester hours.
PSC 5199 Non-Thesis Degree Completion (1)
To fulfill requirements for non-thesis master's students who need to complete final degree requirements other than coursework during their last semester. This may include such things as a comprehensive examination, oral examination, or foreign language requirement. Students are required to be registered during the semester they graduate.
PSC 5310 Seminar in American Politics (3)
Examination of American politics, institutions, and behavior. Topics will vary within the subfield of American politics. May be repeated three times for graduate credit when topics differ.
PSC 5311 Readings from the Philosophers (3)
Cross-listed as PHI 5311
See PHI 5311 for course information.
PSC 5312 Social Science Data Analysis (3)
Cross-listed as SOC 5312
See SOC 5312 for course information.
PSC 5315 Development of International Relations Thought (3)
A study of major thinkers on international politics through history, with reference to contemporary international relations thought.
PSC 5320 Seminar in Comparative Public Policy (3)
Modern industrial state in Western democracies from a comparative policy perspective, with selected emphasis on such topics as economic management, re-industrialization, social welfare, environmental protection, education, health care, defense, and housing/transportation.
PSC 5321 Seminar in Public Law (3)
Role(s) of the judiciary in American politics and administration. Areas examined may include American constitutional development, constitutional and legal interpretation, judicial behavior and politics, including the role of interest groups and public opinion, and judicial recruitment. May be repeated three times for graduate credit when topics differ.
PSC 5322 Seminar in Public Administration (3)
Special topics, including organizational theory, administrative behavior, and personnel management, financial management and budgeting, program management and evaluation, and quantitative analysis. May be repeated for credit when topics differ.
PSC 5323 Research Design and Research Methods (3)
Cross-listed as ENV 5323
Introduction to the discipline of political science, focusing particularly on research methods, research design, and questions relating to the philosophy of science.
PSC 5324 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3)
Political culture, institutions, processes, and policies from a cross national perspective. Emphasis on role of political, economic, social, and cultural factors relating to political development, stability, and organization. Research topics and primary country analyses may vary.
PSC 5325 Seminar in International Relations (3)
Theories concerning relations among nations, foreign policy formation and administration, cases of cooperation and conflict within the society of nations. Research topics vary so as to cover a broad range of contemporary issues, problems, and diplomatic practice.
PSC 5330 American Political Development (3)
Cross-listed as AMS 5330
Study of the development and reform of political institutions and practices over the course of American history.
PSC 5333 Seminar in Political Philosophy (3)
Cross-listed as PHI 5333
Select topics and issues in contemporary political theory developed and explored with an emphasis on the seminal writings of original thinkers and on the contemporary debates surrounding these writings. Possible themes of this course include postmodern political thought, neo-Kantian and neo-Hegelian political theory, contemporary liberal and communitarian thought, theories of justice, contemporary relevance of ancient political philosophy.
PSC 5335 Seminar in National Security Decision Making (3)
Analysis of the components of national security strategy and those international and domestic factors that shape it. Seminar covers the process, factors, institutions, and issues in national security decision making.
PSC 5340 The American Founding (3)
Cross-listed as AMS 5340
Study of the debates on the proper structure, institutional arrangements, and purposes of government during the Founding period focusing on the creation and ratification of the American constitution.
PSC 5342 Seminar on Religion, Law, and Politics (3)
Cross-listed as PHI 5342
See PHI 5342 for course information.
PSC 5343 Classical Political Thought (3)
Cross-listed as PHI 5343
Study of selected major texts in classical (Greek and Roman) political thought, with an emphasis on the origin of political philosophy in the thought of Socrates and its development in the works of Plato and Aristotle. This course may be repeated, for a maximum of nine credit hours, when content differs.
PSC 5344 Comparative Constitutional Law (3)
Comparative analysis of constitutional theory and development, the link between democracy and constitutionalism, and the role of judicial review. Different constitutional approaches to issues such as executive-legislative relations, federalism, political participation, and civil liberties will be considered.
PSC 5345 American Foreign Policy (3)
Course examines the theory and practice of American foreign policy. Emphasis is on major issues in United States diplomacy and basic ideas governing American foreign policy.
PSC 5350 Seminar in Presidential Rhetoric (3)
Cross-listed as CSS 5350
Survey of the genres of presidential rhetoric and theories of the rhetorical presidency; critical analysis of presidential discourse in selected eras, with focus on texts in context; methods of evaluating presidential communication.
PSC 5353 Medieval Political Thought (3)
Cross-listed as PHI 5353
Study of selected major texts in medieval political thought, with an emphasis on either major thinker(s), or theme(s). Themes may include nature and grace, politics and salvation, theology and practical wisdom. This course may be repeated, for a maximum of nine credit hours, when content differs.
PSC 5355 Development of Strategic Thought (3)
This seminar will examine the ideas of strategic thinkers who lived in a variety of historical periods. Students will read works by major strategists including Thucydides, Sun Tzu, Machiavelli, and Clausewitz.
PSC 5363 Modern Political Thought (3)
Cross-listed as PHI 5363
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to graduate program at Baylor University or consent of instructor
Study of selected major texts in modern political thought, from Machiavelli to Nietzsche. Course may be repeated, for a maximum of nine credit hours, when content differs.
PSC 5373 Contemporary Democratic Theory (3)
Study of themes, issues and debates defining the contemporary conversation about democracy among political theorists. Texts will include works of major importance to recent democratic theory.
PSC 5391 Reading Course in Political Science (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of instructor
A tutorial course designed for advanced graduate study in political science to supplement other course requirements. The nature, limits, and requirements will be established in each instance after consultation between professor and student. May be repeated under a different topic for a total of six hours credit.
PSC 5392 Professional Paper in Public Policy and Administration (3)
Satisfies the non-thesis option for the Master of Public policy and Administration degree and the Master of Arts degree in international relations. A problem or topic in either public policy or administration will be selected, and the student will write a substantial paper for submission to the faculty. May not be taken if PSC 5V12 (Internship) is required.
PSC 5393 Advanced Seminar in Political Philosophy (3)
Cross-listed as PHI 5393
Concentrated study of major thinkers or texts in the history of political philosophy. This course may be taken more than once, for a maximum of eighteen credit hours, when content differs.
PSC 5395 Professional Paper in International Relations (3)
Under the direction of a supervising professor, a problem or topic in international relations to be selected and a substantial paper to be written. This is one of the options for the master's degree in international relations.
PSC 5396 Teaching Political Science (3)
Directed readings done in conjunction with an undergraduate course for which the student serves as a teaching apprentice. Course requirements include graduate-level research paper and annotated bibliography of undergraduate course materials. May be taken three times for graduate credit, in conjunction with different undergraduate courses.
PSC 5V12 Graduate Internship (1-6)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of Director of Graduate Studies required
Internship of a minimum of three months of supervised, full-time employment. The experience combines practical field experience and research. Completion of the course requires a written report on the work done during the internship. Students seeking the MA in International Relations must work in a public or private concern involved in international affairs. Students seeking the MA in Public Policy Administration or the JD/MPPA must work in a public sector agency. All students must secure the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies to take this course.
PSC 5V99 Thesis (1-6)
Research, data analysis, writing, and oral defense of an approved master's thesis. At least six hours of PSC 5V99 are required.
PSC 6V10 Prospectus Research (1-6)
Pre-requisite(s): Completion of regular coursework
Supervised research for developing and writing a dissertation prospectus that will be the subject of an oral defense that will admit students to candidacy. A student may repeat this course for credit with a maximum of twelve total hours. Registration for this course is the equivalent of full-time status for graduate students.
PSC 6V99 Dissertation (1-12)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of the student's supervisory committee and admission to candidacy
Supervised research for the doctoral dissertation with a minimum of twelve semester hours required. Three to six of these hours may be taken in a section of 6V99 designed for the purpose of discussion and criticism of dissertation chapters and journal articles. Dissertation writing group will also serve as a forum for research presentations for job interviews when appropriate.