Political Science (PSC)
A course in American national government with emphasis on the historical background, structure, organization, and functioning of that government.
A course in American state government with emphasis on the Texas Constitution and government.
A study of the philosophical and historical background, development, and content of the United States Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court in a complex and ever-changing multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and multi-religious society.
Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
The Western tradition of political philosophy from Ancient Greece to the present day. This course will not substitute for PSC 1387.
Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
This course explores the causes, the magnitude, and the meaning of the Ecological Crisis and analyzes the way in which environmental problems translate into political issues. Attention is given to the political processes on varying public levels and to political actions that have or have not been taken, or might be taken, on matters relevant to social and physical environments. The purpose of the course is to develop a broad base for informed judgment and for constructive attitudes regarding the growing ecological dilemma confronting all societies.
A course designed to equip beginning political scientists with the basic tools of political analysis used by professional political scientists. The scope of the discipline is explored through the use of primary writings, and the student is introduced to general concepts, theories, approaches, and models as well as basic methodologies and techniques of political research.
See PPS 3302 for course information.
Comparative political analysis using current theories and cross-regional examples from both historical and contemporary eras. Special focus on institutions, regime change, and political culture, political violence, and political development.
An examination of state and national legislative institutions and processes. Areas covered include the nature of legislative responsibility, organizational structure, the role of parties and lobbying groups, legislative decision making, legislative relations with executive and judicial branches, policy output, and the theory and methods employed by scholars currently working in this field.
Preparation for Moot Court competitions, which simulate the experience of arguing a constitutional case before the Supreme Court. May be taken twice for a total of six semester hours of credit.
An introduction to the principles of organization, personnel relations, and popular control of public administration in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on the practices of the national administration; comparisons will be made with the practices of England, France, and the American states.
A survey of the political systems and problems of the developing states of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Several components of political systems will be examined.
Theories of international politics will be examined and compared in the light of the evolution of the modern states system. Attention will be given to the factors and variables that affect the formulation and implementation of foreign policies.
A study of the political experiences and public concerns of four major ethnic and minority groups: African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans. Topics include employment, immigration, education, police-community relations, political and economic inequality, political movements, leadership patterns, and ethnic conflicts.
Examination of the sources, development, and application of criminal law in the United States and Texas.
An introductory study of how the dynamics of governmental decision making influence the content of public policy; course focuses upon how legislators, interest groups, chief executives, and the bureaucracy function to define alternatives and to shape policy agenda and content.
A comparative survey of the world's political systems with emphasis on political culture, institutions, processes, and policies. Systems to be covered include the democracies of Western Europe, North America and the Pacific, the Communist and former Communist states of Eastern Europe and Asia, and the politically developing states of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Survey of communal and ethnically based conflicts, using case studies to explore communal grievances vs. state interests. Examines various forms of political accommodations such as exit, autonomy, access, and control.
The American presidency as a political institution and as one of the primary components of the United States governmental structure.
Assessing continuity and change in foreign policy, including internationalism, isolationism, power, principle, and pragmatism to understand post-World War II American foreign policy. Analysis of evolution, patterns, and trends of American foreign policy.
See PHI 3339 for course information.
The United States electoral process and structure primarily from an institutional perspective with emphasis on the role of political parties, interest groups, and citizens in political campaigns and elections.
Values, objectives, processes, and means through which United States foreign policy objectives are formulated and sustained.
An examination of American political and constitutional theory, from its philosophical genesis in the works of major early modern thinkers to the contributions of twentieth-century political and legal theorists. The original writings will be stressed.
The causes of warfare, as viewed through the lenses of human evolution, psychological approaches, economic system, ideology, and the international system.
Cultivates knowledge and expertise relating to a wide range of works by some of the foundational political thinkers in western civilization such as Plato, Aristotle, Thucydides, and Herodotus. Provides students an opportunity to reflect upon and critically engage ancient Greek ideas about philosophy, democracy, equality (and inequality) and virtue—concepts that remain.
Knowledge and understanding of influential works by the most important medieval political thinkers in the history of our western political tradition. Provides students an opportunity to reflect on and to critically engage the texts and social-political thinking of a broad range of medieval thinkers, including Augustine, Aquinas, Alfarabi, and Maimonides.
Rational choice, risk, and behavior as applied to politics and political science. Topics may include introductory game theory, international relations theory, and/or institutional rules.
See PPS 3372 for course information.
Modern political thought from the fifteenth through the nineteenth centuries, stressing the original writings of great political philosophers.
Comparative analysis of the history, institutions, and policies of the European Union. Course emphasizes the continual evolution of the EU and how it responds to contemporary challenges.
An overview of the United Nations, including its origins, the six principal organs established by the UN charter, the UN's role in international relations, and the functions of the General Assembly and Security Council. Recommended for those interested in participating in Baylor's Model UN team. May be taken twice.
Research and seminars supplemented by fieldwork in a regional federal agency, in a state or local governmental agency, or in a not-for-profit agency.
Research and seminars which will usually include attendance at a seminar held in Washington, DC. Also required is regularly scheduled fieldwork in a governmental or not-for-profit agency located in Washington.
Research and seminars supplemented by regularly scheduled fieldwork in a political office located in Washington, DC.
Selection as a Bullock Scholar and research in the Texas Legislature or Executive Branch as part of the Bob Bullock Scholars program.
Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
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.
The philosophy and implementation of human rights protection in the United States and abroad.
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.
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.
The dynamic relationships between political and communication institutions; topics include political discourse, news and information, and portrayal of politics in popular entertainment.
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.
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.
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.
The relationship between a great power's grand strategy and stability in international politics.
Contemporary African American politics, including leading theories and paradigms, important social and political movements, prominent leaders, party politics, and role of the "Black Church.
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.
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.
Foundations, processes, and politics of British government. Emphasis will be given to political parties and interest groups, parliament, cabinet and administration, judiciary, and the prime minister. Analysis of current political issues and policies will be undertaken.
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.
Political institutions and processes in metropolitan areas, including social, economic, and governmental problems resulting from increased urbanization.
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.
See CSS 4353 for course information.
See CSS 4354 for course information.
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.
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.
The impact of intelligence, counterespionage, and covert action policies on national security policy and international relations.
The diverse roles of political parties in representative democracies, with emphasis on the American experience.
See CSS 4351 for course information.
An analysis of the causes of poverty amidst plenty and governmental efforts to address the problem.
A comparative study of the forms of government organization, political processes, and major developments in Western Europe. Course emphasizes parliamentary forms of democracy.
The influence of moral principles on international politics.
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.
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.
The intersection of politics and economics at the domestic and international levels. Political outlooks considered include liberalism, Keynesianism, and Marxism.
The dynamic interaction between religion and politics in the United States and other countries, including the effect of political outcomes in the context of voting, legislative and executive policymaking, and the law.
An upper-level seminar on a philosopher, a tradition of thought, or a theoretical problem in political philosophy.
Government organization and functions, political processes, and major developments in the political systems of Japan, China, and Korea since World War II.
Fundamentals of international politics and international law, advancing to an intensified study of past and, particularly, present international organizations, especially the United Nations.
Examines the evolution of political philosophy and institutions in Muslim culture.
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.)
Continuation of PSC 4361 but may be taken independently of that offering. Deals with those cases relating particularly to personal liberty and civil rights.
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.
The development of contemporary states and nations, emphasizing war, geographic location, natural resources, and cultural and religious norms as determinants of different experiences.
How states and other international actors communicate and pursue their foreign policy objectives through the use of diplomatic agents and techniques.
Evolution of Russia’s foreign policy objectives, its national security strategies and its relations with the U.S., Europe and post-Soviet states, including spheres of cooperation and rivalry between Russia and the West, regional conflicts, energy politics, non-proliferation and counterterrorism.
Examines the evolution of the Ukrainian state from its founding in 1991 and the competing influence of Russia, the European Union and the United States on its society, institutions and political actors.
A tutorial course designed for advanced study in political science. The nature, limits, and requirements will be established in each instance after consultation between professor and student. May also be taken by student in a particular field after consultation with appropriate professor. May be repeated under a different topic for a total of six hours credit.
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.
Senior seminar for international studies majors. Focus on career readiness, writing for a variety of audiences, and developing a final portfolio of analytical and communication skills.
This course looks at the origins, institutions and policies of democratic and authoritarian regimes. It explores the variation among autocracies and its effect on their stability and patterns of change, with a special focus on revolutions and negotiated transitions.
Normative questions of political life and experience (such as, the good citizen, the good soldier, heroism, and virtue) through the medium of film, both recent and past.
See HIS 4V89 for course information.
Examination of special topics in government and politics. May be repeated once under different topic not to exceed six semester hours.
Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.