Department of Political Science

Chair and Professor: C. Arnold (PhD), 450-5691
Professor: T. McInnis (PhD), J. Passe-Smith (PhD), G. Wekkin (PhD)
Associate Professor: K. Hoffman (PhD), J. Howard (PhD), M. Mullenbach (PhD), G. Tiruneh (PhD)
Assistant Professor: M. Sullivan (PhD), T. Staley (PhD)

[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] Honors in Political Science, Public Administration, International Studies

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

Students wishing to write an honors thesis in either political science, public administration, or international studies should enroll in three hours of PSCI 4399, Independent Study, during both semesters of their senior year. During pre-registration the semester before the start of the senior year, a student should choose a thesis advisor and discuss the proposed thesis topic with the thesis advisor. At this time, it is the responsibility of the thesis advisor to give the student a copy of the thesis guidelines. To be recognized as an honors thesis in either political science, public administration, or international studies, the project must conform to provisions found either at the department’s website or the department description in the Undergraduate Bulletin. In general to be eligible, a student must have an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 at UCA and a 3.5 in the Department of Political Science.

[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 15 hours of core required PSCI courses 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 [ACTS: PLSC2003] U.S. Government & Politics is a prerequisite for all junior and senior level classes.

PSCI courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry and Responsible Living. Designated PSCI courses may be used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, Effective Communication, and Capstone Experience.

Political Science Required Courses (15 hours):

[3.1.2] Minor in Political Science (24 hours)

All Political Science minors are required to take 15 hours of core required PSCI courses (see above) and three hours at the 3000 level or above from three of the six Political Science subfields (see below). PSCI 1330 [ACTS: PLSC2003] U.S. Government and Politics, 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:

Comparative Politics:

International Relations:

Political Theory:

Public Administration:

Public Policy:

*PSCI 4340, Seminar in Selected Topics, can be applied to the subfields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory, depending on the content of the seminar.

[3.2] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Public Administration

[3.2.1] Purpose

The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, 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, 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 government or non-profit organization.

[3.2.2] Major in Public Administration (36 hours)

The degree of Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts, 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 BA or 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 21 hours of core required PSCI courses 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 [ACTS: PLSC2003] U.S. Government & Politics, is a prerequisite for all junior and senior level classes.

PSCI courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry. Designated PSCI courses may be used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, Effective Communication, and Capstone Experience.

Public Administration Major Required Courses (21 hours):

[3.2.3] Issue Areas:

Public Administration:

Public Policy:

[3.2.4] Minor in Public Administration (21 hours)

All public administration minors are required to take 12 hours of core required PSCI courses 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 [ACTS: PLSC2003] Government & Politics, is a prerequisite for all junior and senior level classes.

Public Administration Minor Required Courses:

*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 Issue Area:

Public Policy Issue Area:

[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:

Prerequisites (6 hours):

Required core courses (6 hours):

Electives (15 hours): Select one course from each of five modules.

[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.

All international studies majors are required to take 12 hours of core required PSCI courses, one additional 2000-level or higher foreign language course beyond the language requirements for the B.A. degree (see below), and 18 hours of course work at the 3000-level or above from one of the three International Studies concentrations, including at least six hours of PSCI courses (see below).

PSCI courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Critical Inquiry. Designated PSCI courses may be used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, Effective Communication, and Capstone Experience.

Required PSCI Courses (12 hours):

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

The student completes 18 hours from one concentration, including at least 6 hours from the PSCI offerings

International Politics & Diplomacy Concentration:

International Political Economy & Development Concentration:

Regional Studies Concentration:

*PSCI 4340, Seminar in Selected Topics, can be applied to the subfields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory, depending on the content of the seminar.

[3.4.4] Minor in International Studies (21 hours)

Required PSCI Courses (9 hours):

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 BA degree) in one foreign language.

[4] Courses in Political Science (PSCI)

Follow this link for PSCI course descriptions: course link.