Political Science
The mission of the political science discipline is to prepare students for positions of leadership in both the private and public sectors, and for further scholarly study leading to an advanced degree, and to be educated and involved citizens. The faculty strives to develop students’ analytical and critical thinking skills, ethical sensitivities, and their abilities to make reasoned and discerned judgments.
Major in political science (liberal arts): 30 semester hours, including POLS 231- 232, 337, 339, 435, 436, 430 or 439, plus nine additional hours of political science. The POLS 430 or 439 requirement is waived if student participates in Washington semester or TLU-sponsored study abroad program.
Supporting courses for political science (liberal arts): 24 semester hours, including three hours of history, three hours of statistics, six hours of economics, and 12 hours to be determined in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Major in political science (pre-law): 30 semester hours, including POLS 231- 232, 332 or 431, 339, 337 or 435, 436, 430 or 439, plus nine additional hours political science. The POLS 430 or 439 requirement is waived if student participates in Washington semester or TLU-sponsored study abroad program.
Supporting courses for political science (pre-law): 24 semester hours, including ENG 335 or 371, PHIL 131, six hours of economics,three hours of history, three hours of statistics, and six hours to be determined in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Major in political science (public policy and administration): 30 semester hours, including POLS 231-232, 331 or 336, 337 or 435, 339, 436, 430 or 439 plus nine additional hours political science. The POLS 430 or 439 requirement is waived if student participates in Washington semester or TLU-sponsored study abroad program.
Supporting courses for political science (public policy and administration): 24 semester hours, including STAT 374, 12 hours of economics, three to six hours of accounting, and six hours to be determined in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Minor in political science: 18 hours, including POLS 231-232, 339, 337 or 435 and six additional hours in political science.
POLITICAL SCIENCE
POLS 231. American Politics I (3:3:0)
Introduction to American political behavior, including federal and Texas (including local government) constitutional structures and processes. (Fulfills requirement to be met by Texas public school teachers.)
POLS 232. American Politics II (3:3:0)
Continuation of POLS 231 emphasizing domestic and foreign policy issues. Prerequisite: POLS 231.
POLS 331. State and Local Government (3:3:0)
American political subcultures and subgovernments. Emphasis is on politics and government locally accessible for study. Prerequisite: POLS 231.
POLS 332. American Legal System (3:3:0)
The study of American law and legal processes; examination of major legal issues; theories of law. Prerequisite: POLS 231.
POLS 333. Electoral Politics (3:3:0)
Campaigns and their management; theories of voting behavior; some involvement by the student in campaigns going on during the course is required. Prerequisite: POLS 231.
POLS 334. American Political Thought (3:3:0)
A survey of the main currents in American thought: the ratification debates, social Darwinism, the reform tradition, radicalism, liberalism and conservatism. Prerequisite: POLS 231.
POLS 335. Gender in Political Theory (3:3:0)
An examination of the understanding of gender in Western political thought that includes ancient, medieval, and modern philosophers and playwrights. Includes a study of the major disagreements among contemporary feminists, and the philosophic ideas that underlie such disagreements. (Also offered as PHIL 332.)
POLS 336. Public Administration (3:3:0)
Organization theory, decision-making, program evaluation, leadership, and budgeting in government agencies in the U.S. Prerequisite: POLS 232.
POLS 337. Comparative Government (3:3:0)
Comparisons between the U.S. political system and those of other western democracies, authoritarian regimes, and the Third World. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.
POLS 339. Political Philosophy (3:3:0)
Classical and modern theories of politics, such as those of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Luther, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, and Marx. (Also offered as PHIL 339.) May not be counted for both philosophy and political science credit. Prerequisite: junior standing.
POLS 379. Special Topic (3:3:0)
Designed to provide flexibility in meeting changing issues and student needs; often conducted by adjunct lecturers with differing viewpoints. May be repeated when topics change. Topics may include political biographies, U.S. foreign policy, or environmental policies. Prerequisite: depends on topic.
POLS 410, 420, 430. Independent Study (X:X:X)
Designed to allow students an opportunity to pursue special individual research interests. Limited to majors with advanced standing. Department approval required.
POLS 419, 429, 439. Internship (X:X:X)
Designed to provide political science majors with opportunities to work in law offices, political campaigns, government agencies and legislative offices. A study component must also be agreed on. Summer internships are encouraged. No more than three hours may be counted towards the major. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
POLS 431. Constitutional Law (3:3:0)
An examination of the major cases in U.S. constitutional development relating to the institutions of the national government, federal-state relations, and civil liberties and rights. The focus is on case research and legal briefing. An historical approach is followed. (Also offered as HIST 431.)
POLS 433. Public Opinion (3:3:0)
The psychology, content and measurement of public opinion. Students are required jointly to conduct a poll, draw a sample, design a questionnaire and test it, interview, and code and analyze their findings.
POLS 435. International Relations (3:3:0)
Power, realism and idealism, diplomacy, imperialism, balance of power, the force of nationalism, deterrence and arms control, and terrorism; the foreign policies of the major powers; environmental and demographic issues; international law and organization. Prerequisite: junior standing.
POLS 436. Research Methods (3:3:0)
Introduction to scope and methods of political inquiry. Primarily for political science majors. Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of political science. (Also offered as SOC 436.)
POLS 440. Washington Semester Research Project in Government (4:0:0)
Supervised, individual research in Washington D.C. designed in consultation between Texas Lutheran and American University to take advantage of the resources of the Washington area through personal interviews, participant observation, etc. Required as part of the Washington Semester program.
POLS 441. Washington Semester Seminar in Government I (4:2:2)
Meetings with politicians, lobbyists, reporters, etc. Course includes lectures and discussions. Sited in Washington, D.C., at American University. Prerequisite: POLS 231, advanced standing, and approval of Texas Lutheran Washington Semester Committee.
POLS 442. Washington Semester Seminar in Government II (4:2:2)
Continuation of POLS 441.
POLS 449. Washington Semester Internship in Government (4:0:8)
Under American University academic supervision, students intern in congressional, governmental, and interest group offices two afternoons a week to gain first-hand experience and insights. Academic requirements and office supervisor’s evaluation determine final granting of credit. Part of the Washington Semester Program.
