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Department of Political Science

Chair and Professor: Dr. Clay Arnold, 450-5691
Professors: Dr. McInnis, Dr. Passe-Smith, Dr. Wekkin
Associate Professors: Dr. Mullenbach, Dr. Hoffman, Dr. Howard
Assistant Professors: Dr. Sullivan, Dr. Tiruneh

[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) and in international studies (with the goal of preparing students for careers in international relations and comparative politics).

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 and international studies;
  2. A minimum overall grade point average of 3.50 and a 3.50 grade point average in political science/public administration and international studies;
  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 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (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, 2305, 2315, 2320, and 2312 or 2322 and three hours at the 3000 level or above from a minimum of four of the six Political Science subfields (see below); and nine 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 (24 hours)

PSCI 2300, 2305, 2315, 2312 or 2322, and 2320, and three hours at the 3000 level  or above from three of the six Political Science subfield (see below). PSCI 1330 is a prerequisite for all junior and senior level classes.

Note:

Public administration majors who choose to minor in political science must use PSCI 2305 and PSCI 2312 or 2322 for the public administration major. Therefore, public administration majors must select two additional elective courses from any of the political science subfields to meet the 24-hour minor requirement.

International studies majors who choose to minor in political science must use the PSCI 2300, 2320, and 2312 or 2322 for the international studies major. Therefore, international studies majors must select three additional courses from any of the political science subfields to meet the 24 hour minor requirement.

[3.1.3] Political Science Subfields

American Politics: PSCI 3300, 3330, 3336, 3350, 3372, 3375, 4300, 4301, 4315, 4334, 4335, 4340, 4390, 4199-4499

Comparative Politics: PSCI 3340, 3382, 4305, 4320, 4325, 4328, 4340, 4345, 4348, 4390, 4199-4499

International Relations: PSCI 3305, 3315, 4310, 4312, 4340, 4388, 4395, 4390, 4199-4499

Political Theory: PSCI 3370, 3371, 4307, 4331, 4340, 4390, 4199-4499

Public Administration: PSCI 3365, 4351, 4375, 4385, 4390, 4391, 4199-4499

Public Policy: PSCI 3320, 3361, 4350, 4386, 4390, 4199-4499

[3.2] Bachelor of Science in Public Administration

 [3.2.1] Purpose

The bachelor of Science in Public Administration program, located in the Department of Political Science, prepares students for careers in government (federal, state, and local) and in non-profit organizations. The 36 hour program offers courses in state government and politics, local government and politics, intergovernmental relations, public management, public policy, program evaluation, administrative law, government budgeting, community and regional planning, and a variety of substantive policy topics (education policy, environmental policy, and community and economic development policy). The program also requires a six credit hour internship in a public or non-profit organization.

[3.2.2] Major in Public Administration (36 hours)

The degree of Bachelor of Science, with a major in public administration, requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) specific BS requirements; (3) the major listed below; and (4) a minor approved by the student’s minor advisor.

All public administration majors are required to take PSCI 2305, 2312 or 2322, 3300, 3361, 3365, and 4610 and nine hours at the 3000 level or above from the public administration issue area (see below) with at least two of the three courses selected from PSCI and six hours at the 3000 level or above from the public policy issue area (see below) with at least one of the two courses selected from PSCI. PSCI 1330 is a prerequisite for all junior and senior level classes.

[3.2.3] Issue Areas

Public Administration: PSCI 3336, 4334, 4351, 4375, 4385, 4391, 4199-4499, GEOG 3305, 3325, 3371, 3381, and 4313.

Public Policy: PSCI 3320, 4335, 4350, 4386, 4199-4499, SOC 3370, and 4321; SOC 4321 Social Policy Analysis

[3.2.4] Minor in Public Administration (21 hours)

All public administration minors are required to take PSCI 2305*, 3300, 3361, 3365 and six hours at the 3000 level or above from the public administration issue area (see below) and three hours at the 3000 level or above from the public policy issue area (see below). PSCI 1330 is a prerequisite for all junior and senior level classes.

*Political Science majors who wish to minor in public administration must use PSCI 2305 for their major. Therefore, political science majors must take an additional course from the public administration issue area or public policy issue area to meet the 21 hour minor requirement.

Public Administration: PSCI 3336, 4351, 4375, 4385, 4391, 4199-4499

Public Policy: PSCI 3320, 4350, 4386, 4199-4499

[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: PSCI 3361, 4391
Module 2 Chief of State: PSCI 4390, 4399
Module 3 Chief Diplomat: PSCI 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 120 hours, including (1)the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (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 or PSCI 2322, 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] Concentrations

International Politics & Diplomacy: PSCI 3305, 3315, 3382, 4312, 4320, 4340, 4334 or 4388, 4395, 4390,  4399; HIST 4335, 4365; GEOG 3300, 3381.

International Political Economy & Development: PSCI 3382, 4305, 4310, 4328, 4340, 4390, 4399; ECON 3330, 4320, 4335, 4375; FINA 4333; GEOG 3305; HIST 3312

Regional Studies:

Africa and the Middle East: PSCI 4340, 4345, 4348; HIST 3312, 4305, 4365, 4387, 4388; (Asia) PSCI 4312, 4340; GEOG 3300, 3345, 3346; PHIL 3352; HIST 3303, 3304, 3312, 4365, 4381, 4383, 4386; CHIN 3312

Asia: PSCI 4312, 4340; GEOG 3300, 3345,3346; HIST 3303, 3304, 3312, 4365, 4381, 4383, 4386; PHIL 3352; CHIN 3312

Europe: PSCI 3340, 4340; GEOG 3300, 3335; HIST 4309, 4347, 4365, 4370, 4374, 4376, 4377, 4380, 4382, 4394, 4397; SPAN 3312; FREN 3312; GERM 3312

Latin America: PSCI 4325, 4340; GEOG 3300, 3315; HIST 3312, 3315, 4328, 4343, 4353, 4365; SPAN 3313, 3398, 4396.

[3.4.4] 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 above), 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.

[4] Courses in Political Science (PSCI)

Follow this link for PSCI course descriptions: course link.