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University of Central Arkansas
Undergraduate Bulletin 2006 - 2008

Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.05.06

Political Science

Chair and Professor: Dr. Clay Arnold, 450-5691
Professors: Dr. Tom McInnis, Dr. John Passe-Smith, Dr. Don Whistler, Dr. Gary Wekkin
Assistant Professors: Dr. Howard, Dr. Mark Mullenbach, Dr. Kim Hoffman
Instructor: Mr. Dooley

[1] Purposes

The primary objective of the undergraduate political science program, located in the Department of Political Science, is to provide students with the conceptual and analytical tools for understanding political institutions and processes. The political science curriculum is designed to satisfy the needs of (1) those students desiring to major or minor in political science and (2) those students majoring in other fields of study who elect to include courses in political science as a part of their general education requirements. In addition, the department administers an undergraduate degree program in public administration with the goal of preparing students for careers in local, state, and/or federal government.

Courses offered deal with the place of politics in society and contribute to an understanding and appreciation of the purposes, organization, and operation of domestic and international political systems.

[2] The Undergraduate Scholars Program in Political Science

Senior students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in political science may participate in the scholars program. Successful completion of the program allows the student to graduate with honors in political science. The requirements are as follows:

  1. Major in political science, including public administration;
  2. A minimum overall grade point average of 3.25 and a 3.50 grade point average in political science/public administration;
  3. Enrollment in PSCI 4399 during first semester of senior year;
  4. Departmental Honors form signed;
  5. Departmental approval of the honors research project prior to graduation.

[3] Baccalaureate Degrees and Minor Programs

[3.1] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Political Science

The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, with a major in political science, requires successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) specific BA or BS degree requirements, (3) major requirements listed below, and (4) a minor approved by the student's minor advisor.

[3.1.1] Major in Political Science (36 hours)

All political science majors are required to take PSCI 2300, 2312, 2320, and 2340, six hours at the 3000 level or above from each of the three "issue areas" (see below); and three hours at the 3000 level or above of political science electives. PSCI 1330 is a prerequisite for all junior- and senior-level classes.

[3.1.2] Minor in Political Science (21 hours)

PSCI 2300, 2320, and 2340; three hours at the 3000 level or above from each of the three "issue areas" (see below); and three hours at the 3000 level or above of political science electives. PSCI 1330 is a prerequisite for all junior- and senior-level classes.

[3.1.3] Issue Areas

American Government and Public Administration: PSCI 3320, 3330, 3350, 3360, 3361, 3375, 4300, 4301, 4315, 4334, 4335, 4340, 4336, 4351, 4375, 4390, 4391, 4199-4399

International Relations and Comparative Politics: PSCI 3305, 3315, 3340, 3382, 4305, 4310, 4320, 4325, 4340, 4345, 4388, 4390, 4199-4399, 4395

Political Theory and Methods: PSCI 3313, 3370, 3371, 3372, 4331, 4340, 4199-4399, 4390

[3.1.4] Major in International Studies (33 hours)

Students who choose to major in International Studies are required to select one of the following concentrations:

[3.1.4a] International Politics and Diplomacy Track

Required courses (12 hours): PSCI 1330, 2300, 2320 and 2312. Elective courses (18 hours-a minimum of 6 hours from the PSCI offerings): PSCI 3305, 3315, 3382, 4320, 4388, 4390, 4395, 4399, HIST 4335, 4377, GEOG 3381 and three hours of a foreign language component in addition to the 9 hours required for a B.A. degree.

[3.1.4b] International Political Economy and Development Track

Required courses (12 hours): PSCI 1330, 2300, 2320 and 2312. Elective courses (18 hours-a minimum of 6 hours from the PSCI offerings): PSCI 3382, 4305, 4310, 4328, 4390, 4399, ECON 4320, 4335, 4375, FINA 4333, GEOG 3385, 4395 and three hours of a foreign language component in addition to the 9 hours required for a B.A. degree.

[3.1.4c] Regional Studies Track

Required courses (12 hours): PSCI 1330, 2300, 2320 and 2312. Elective courses (18 hours-a minimum of 6 hours from the PSCI offerings): PSCI 3340, 4325, 4345, 4390, 4399, HIST 3303, 3304, 3312, 3315, 4305, 4309, 4328, 4347, 4353, 4369, 4370, 4376, 4381, 4382, 4383, 4387, 4388, 4391, 4394, PHIL 3352, GEOG 3315, 4360, ECON 4380, SPAN 3312, 3313, 3398, 4396, GERM 3312, FREN 3312, 3315 and three hours of a foreign language component in addition to the 9 hours required for a B.A. degree.

[3.1.5] Minor in International Studies (21 hours)

Students who choose to major in International Studies are required to select one of the following concentrations:

[3.1.5a] International Politics and Diplomacy Track

Required courses (9 hours): PSCI 1330, 2300 and 2320. Elective courses (9 hours-a minimum of 3 hours from the PSCI offerings): PSCI 3305, 3315, 3382, 4320, 4388, 4390, 4395, 4399, HIST 4335, 4377, GEOG 3381 and three hours of a foreign language component in addition to the 9 hours required for a B.A. degree.

[3.1.5b] International Political Economy and Development Track

Required courses (9 hours): PSCI 1330, 2300 and 2320. Elective courses (9 hours-a minimum of 3 hours from the PSCI offerings): PSCI 3382, 4305, 4310, 4328, 4390, 4399, ECON 4320, 4335, 4375, FINA 4333, GEOG 3385, 4395 and three hours of a foreign language component in addition to the 9 hours required for a B.A. degree.

[3.1.5c] Regional Studies Track

Required courses (9 hours): PSCI 1330, 2300 and 2320. Elective courses (9 hours-a minimum of 3 hours from the PSCI offerings): PSCI 3340, 4325, 4345, 4390, 4399, HIST 3303, 3304, 3312, 3315, 4305, 4309, 4328, 4347, 4353, 4369, 4370, 4376, 4381, 4382, 4383, 4387, 4388, 4391, 4394, PHIL 3352, GEOG 3315, 4360, ECON 4380, SPAN 3312, 3313, 3398, 4396, GERM 3312, FREN 3312, 3315 and three hours of a foreign language component in addition to the 9 hours required for a B.A. degree.

[3.2] Bachelor of Science in Public Administration

The degree of Bachelor of Science, with a major in public administration, requires successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) MATH 1390 or 1395 and MATH 2311, and (3) the major listed below. No minor is required.

[3.2.1] Major in Public Administration (60 hours)

Core requirements (39 hours): PSCI 1330, 2340, 3360, 3361, 4375, 4391, 4610; ACCT 2310, 2311; ECON 2320, 2321; MGMT 3340

Areas of Special Emphasis (21 hours): A minimum of six semester hours from two of the following "areas of special emphasis" and nine semester hours electives from any of the areas listed below.

[3.2.2] Areas of Special Emphasis

Public Management: ECON 3310, 4335; MGMT 3300, 3346, 4348; FINA 3330; ACCT 3314, 4304; PSCI 4334

Public Policy: PSCI 3320, 4300 or 4301, 4335, 4336; ECON 3310, FINA 3340

Planning: GEOG 2302, 2345, 3305, 3371, 4313, PSCI 4336, 4351

[3.2.3] Minor in Public Administration (21 hours)

Core requirements (12 hours): PSCI 1330*, 2340*, 3360, 3361

*Political Science majors who wish to minor in public administration and use these courses for their major must take two additional courses from the electives in the minor to meet the 21 hour requirement

Electives (6 hours) select two courses from the following public administration courses: PSCI 4336, 4351, 4375 or 4391

Elective (3 hours) select one course from the following public policy courses: PSCI 3320 or 4340

 

[3.3] Minor in Presidential Studies

[3.3.1] Purpose

The goal of the Presidential Studies minor is to enable the undergraduate student seeking a career in Political Science, Public Administration, History, Journalism/Mass Communication, Business, or Education to select a minor field of study that will significantly enhance his/her substantive knowledge of the institutions, procedures, and policies of the American national government. Unlike the Political Science major and minor, which place equal emphasis upon political theory, American politics, and global politics, the Presidential Studies minor concentrates on American national politics and policy, focusing on how the chief executive influences and in turn is influenced by other institutions in the making of American national policy at home and abroad. Enhancing the minor is the close proximity of the Clinton Presidential Center with its guest lectures, learning programs, and extensive museum and archive holdings.

[3.3.2] Curriculum (21 hours)

Recommended courses: HIST 2301, 2302, 2320

Prerequisites (6 hours): PSCI 1330, 2300

Required core courses (6 hours): PSCI 4315, 4334

Electives (15 hours): Select one course from each of five modules. Module 1, Chief Executive Officer: PSCI 3361, 3360, 4391. Module 2, Ceremonial Head of State: PSCI 4390, 4399. Module 3, Chief Diplomat: PSIC 4388, HIST 4335. Module 4, Commander in Chief: HIST 3381, PSCI 4395. Module 5, Chief Legislator: PSCI 4335

 

[3.4] Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

[3.4.1] Purpose

The International Studies Program is a multidisciplinary program located in the Department of Political Science at the University of Central Arkansas that is intended for students who are interested in studying global topics and problems primarily from a social science perspective. Students are exposed to a variety of courses in the fields of international relations and comparative politics within the discipline of political science, as well as a variety of courses within the disciplines of economics, finance, geography, history, philosophy, and world languages. Students may choose to pursue either a major or a minor in International Studies.

[3.4.2] Major in International Studies (33 hours)


The degree of Bachelor of Arts, with a major in international studies, requires successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) completion of  the BA degree requirements, (3) completion of an additional three [3] hours in a Foreign Language on the 2000-level or above, and (4) the major requirements listed below.

Core Requirements (12 hours): PSCI 1330, PSCI 2300, PSCI 2312, and PSCI 2320.

Concentrations (18 hours): six courses at the 3000-level or above from one of the three International Studies concentrations (see below), including at least two courses (six hours) from the political science offerings.


Foreign Language Component (3 hours): one additional 2000-level or higher course (beyond the language requirements for a B.A. degree) in one foreign language.

[3.4.3] Minor in International Studies (21 hours)

 

Core Requirements (9 hours): PSCI 1330, PSCI 2300, and PSCI 2320.

Concentrations (9 hours): three courses at the 3000-level or above from one of the three International Studies concentrations (see below), including at least one course (three hours) from the political science offerings.

Foreign Language Component (3 hours): one additional 2000-level or higher course (beyond the language requirements for a B.A. degree) in one foreign language.

 

[3.4.4] Concentrations

International Politics & Diplomacy: PSCI 3305, PSCI 3315, PSCI 3382, PSCI 4320, PSCI 4388 (or PSCI 4334), PSCI 4395, PSCI 4390, PSCI 4399, HIST 4335, HIST 4377, GEOG 3381.

International Political Economy & Development: PSCI 3382, PSCI 4305, PSCI 4310, PSCI 4390, PSCI 4399, ECON 4320, ECON 4335, ECON 4375, FINA 4333, GEOG 3385, GEOG 4395.  

Regional Studies: (Africa-AF, Asia-AS, Europe-EU, Latin America-LA, and Middle East-ME): PSCI 3340, PSCI 4325, PSCI 4345, PSCI 4390, PSCI 4399, HIST 3303, HIST 3304, HIST 3312, HIST 3315, HIST 4305, HIST 4309, HIST 4328, HIST 4347, HIST 4353, HIST 4369, HIST 4370, HIST 4376, HIST 4381, HIST 4382, HIST 4383, HIST 4387, HIST 4388, HIST 4391, HIST 4394, PHIL 3352, GEOG 3315, GEOG 3335, GEOG 3345, GEOG 4360, ECON 4380, SPAN 3312, SPAN 3313, SPAN 3398, SPAN 4396, GERM 3312, FREN 3312, 3315.   

[4] Courses in Political Science (PSCI)

Follow this link for PSCI course descriptions: course link.