Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
About This Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science aims to maximize students' capacities to analyze and interpret political events and governmental processes. In addition to acquiring general knowledge about government and political behavior, students also learn the analytical skills relevant to particular political systems (their own and others'), and to problems of most immediate consequence and concern to them.
The major courses are designed to present a coherent portrait of the discipline. Students begin with a general introduction to national, state, and local politics followed by a require course in research methods and political analysis. Finally, students are exposed to four major areas of the discipline. The department also offers options for students who desire a concentration in American Politics, International Studies, Law and Courts, and Public Policy. Students may choose any 18 hours (6 advanced) for a minor. Those who want a specialization may concentrate courses in any of these areas: public law; policy and administration; comparative and international politics; American national government; political parties, group politics, and elections.
The political science student is exposed to a multifaceted and highly regarded faculty, many of whom have received regional and national honors for teaching, service, and research. Upon graduation, UT Arlington political science majors are prepared to compete for a wide variety of jobs in both the private and public sectors.
Competencies
- Upon completion, students will be able to identify and describe political structures, rules, behaviors, and environments which shape political action.
- Upon completion, students will be able to explain and employ statistical and methodological techniques to analyze information.
- Upon completion, students will be able to identify, comprehend, and apply comparative, theoretical, or conceptual approaches to actors and their policies.
- Upon completion, students will be able to develop the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate political phenomena.
Admissions Criteria
Students should have completed 30 hours of core with 30 hours at UT Arlington, or 40 hours of core with 12 hours at UT Arlington with an overall GPA greater than 2.0. Students may be accepted as pre-political science majors if the above standards are not met.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Students must complete specific classes in certain core areas. | ||
| For Communication select: | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I and RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | ||
| For Mathematics select: | ||
| CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS (or MATH 1302) | ||
| ELEMENTARY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS (or MATH 1309) | ||
| For U.S. History select: | ||
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865 | ||
| HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT | ||
| Political Science Foundations | ||
| UNIV 1131 | STUDENT SUCCESS (or UNIV 1101) | 1 |
| Select 6 hours in social or cultural anthropology; archaeology; social/political/cultural geography; economics; criminal justice; psychology; sociology; gender, women & sexuality studies. | 6 | |
| Select 6 hours of English literature from the following: | 6 | |
| TOPICS IN LITERATURE | ||
| WORLD LITERATURE | ||
| BRITISH LITERATURE | ||
| AMERICAN LITERATURE | ||
Another ENGL course approved by advisor | ||
| Select 1441 and 1442 in any modern or classical language | 8 | |
| Polictical Science Specialization | ||
| The follwing general education requirements must be competed as prepartion for work in the major: | ||
| GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES | ||
| STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | ||
| POLS 3310 | RESEARCH METHODS AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Select one course from each of the following areas: | 12 | |
| Area I: American Politics | ||
| LEGISLATIVE ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURE | ||
| COMPARATIVE STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS | ||
| PUBLIC OPINION | ||
| WOMEN IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS | ||
| ETHNIC GROUP POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| POLITICS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS | ||
| POLITICS OF MEXICAN AMERICANS | ||
| CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND COMMUNITY | ||
| ELECTION STRATEGY AND CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT | ||
| THE U.S. PRESIDENCY | ||
| PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP IN DOMESTIC POLICY MAKING | ||
| Area II: International Studies | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL ISSUES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS | ||
| MEXICAN POLITICS AND U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS | ||
| CAUSES OF WAR | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE EAST POLITICS | ||
| LATINO POLITICS | ||
| LATINO POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| CONTEMPORARY UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY | ||
| CITIZENSHIP IN THE AMERICAS | ||
| THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| WAR, PEACE, AND POLITICS IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION | ||
| RUSSIA AND THE POST-SOVIET STATES TODAY | ||
| RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY | ||
| THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT | ||
| INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST | ||
| THE POLITICS AND FOREIGN POLICY OF ISRAEL | ||
| VIOLENCE AND SCARCITY IN WORLD POLITICS | ||
| POLITICS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
| SCIENCE FICTION AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| Area III: Law & Courts | ||
| JUDICIAL POLITICS | ||
| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CIVIL LIBERTIES | ||
| JURISPRUDENCE AND CONSTITUTIONAL CONFLICT | ||
| STATE COURTS | ||
| U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: GOVERNMENT POWER | ||
| U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS | ||
| Area IV: Public Policy | ||
| BUREAUCRATIC POLITICS | ||
| GOVERNMENT IN URBAN AMERICA | ||
| HEALTH POLITICS, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS | ||
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS | ||
| POLICY ENTREPRENEURSHIP | ||
| FEDERAL SOCIAL POLICY | ||
| HEALTH POLITICS AND POLICY | ||
| Optional Concentration | ||
| Student may concentrate by completing 12-21 hours in one of the following areas: | ||
| American Politics | ||
Select 12 hours from Area I: American Politics | ||
| International Studies | ||
Select 12 hours from Area II: International Studies | ||
| Law & Courts | ||
Select 12 hours from Area III: Law & Courts | ||
And select 3 from the following: | ||
| GROUP COMMUNICATION THEORY | ||
| THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM | ||
| ADVANCED ARGUMENTATION | ||
| U.S. LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, COLONIAL TO 1877 | ||
| U.S. LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, 1877 TO PRESENT | ||
| GREAT ANGLO-AMERICAN TRIALS | ||
| U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES | ||
| BRITISH CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF REASONING | ||
| LOGIC | ||
| PHILOSOPHY OF LAW | ||
| CRIMINOLOGY | ||
| LAW AND SOCIETY | ||
| LAW I | ||
| LAW II | ||
| Public Policy | ||
Select 12 hours from Area IV: Public Policy | ||
| Select electives sufficent to complete 120 hours (with at least 36 at the 3000/4000 level). Complete at least 36 hours in POLS (with at least 12 hours at the 3000/4000) level 1 | 42 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Optional Concentration
A concentration provides the student with a focused, systematic, and in-depth educational experience in the context of a broad liberal arts education. Students may declare a specific area of concentration by filing a statement of intent with the Political Science Department. The area of concentration will require that the student complete the requirements for the general degree plan while also fulfilling certain requirements for the concentration. All students will receive the BA in Political Science. Those completing the selected specialization will also receive recognition of completion.
Oral Communication and Computer Use Competencies
Students majoring in political science are required to demonstrate computer use and oral communication competencies. Computer use proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
- successful completion of POLS 3310 RESEARCH METHODS AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS; or
- successful completion of CSE 1301 COMPUTER LITERACY or INSY 2303 INTRODUCTION TO M.I.S. AND DATA PROCESSING; or
- successful completion of other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly; or
- passing the University computer use competency exam.
Oral communication proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
- successful completion of specific political science courses approved by the department; or
- successful completion of one of the following: COMS 1301, COMS 2305, or COMS 3315.
- successful completion of other courses approved by the Undergraduate Assembly.
Students should discuss these options with their undergraduate advisor who may also provide a list of other courses approved by the University to meet these requirements.
Minor
Political Science classes may be used toward the major requirements or minor requirements (at the discretion of the department offering the minor) but not both.
Program Completion
To graduate a student must earn a 2.0 GPA.
Advising Resources
The faculty and staff of Political Science are here to help you however we can. Please consult your adviser on a regular basis regarding your degree plan. It’s okay to ask for help, so reach out if you need information about your academic work or other campus resources. GO MAVS!
Location:
University Hall 449
Email:
polsinfo@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-9194