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

Major in political science, including public administration and international studies;
A minimum overall grade point average of 3.50 and a 3.50 grade point average in political science/public administration and international studies;
Enrollment in PSCI 4399 during first semester of senior year;
Departmental Honors form signed;
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.

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

LD = Lower Division
UD = Upper Division

C = Effective Communication
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry

R = Responsible Living
Z = Capstone Experience

[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):

PSCI 2300 Introduction to International Relations [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 2305 Introduction to Public Administration & Policy
PSCI 2312 Statistical Methods for Political Analysis or PSCI 2322 Political Applications in G.I.S.
PSCI 2315 Introduction to Political Theory [ UCA Core: R ]
PSCI 2320 Introduction to Comparative Politics

[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:

PSCI 3300 State Government & Politics
PSCI 3330 Political Parties & Electoral Problems
PSCI 3336 Local Government & Politics
PSCI 3350 Interest groups & Money in Politics
PSCI 3372 Political Behavior
PSCI 3375 The American Judicial System
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4300 Constitutional Law [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 4301 Civil Liberties [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 4315 The Politics of Presidential Selection
PSCI 4334 The American Presidency [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 4335 The American Congress
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science

Comparative Politics:

PSCI 3340 Governments & Politics of Europe and Russia
PSCI 3382 Politics of Developing Nations
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4305 The Political Economy of Development
PSCI 4320 Revolution & Political Violence
PSCI 4325 Mexican Politics & U.S.-Mexico Relations
PSCI 4328 Dynamics of Democratization [ UCA Core: Z ]
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4345 Governments & Politics of Africa
PSCI 4348 Governments & Politics of the Middle East
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science

International Relations:

PSCI 3305 United Nations & International Politics [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 3315 International Law & Organizations
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4310 International Political Economy & Globalization
PSCI 4312 China & International Politics
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4388 American Foreign Policy
PSCI 4395 International Conflict & Conflict Management
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science

Political Theory:

PSCI 3370 Political Theory I [ UCA Core: R ]
PSCI 3371 Political Theory II [ UCA Core: R, I ]
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Sciences (Independent Study)
PSCI 4307 Political Ethics [ UCA Core: R, I ]
PSCI 4331 American Political Theory [ UCA Core: R, I ]
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science

Public Administration:

PSCI 3365 Public Administration
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4351 Community & Regional Planning
PSCI 4375 Intergovernmental Relations [ UCA Core: C ]
PSCI 4385 Special Topics in Public Administration
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
PSCI 4391 Government Budgeting

Public Policy:

PSCI 3320 Environmental Policy [ UCA Core: R, I ]
PSCI 3361 Public Policy Analysis [ UCA Core: Z ]
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4350 Public Policy & Program Evaluation
PSCI 4386 Special Topics in Public Policy
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science

*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 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 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):

PSCI 2305 Introduction to Public Administration and Policy
PSCI 2312 Statistical Methods for Political Analysis or PSCI 2322 Political Applications in G.I.S.
PSCI 3300 State Government & Politics
PSCI 3361 Public Policy Analysis [ UCA Core: Z ]
PSCI 3365 Public Management
PSCI 4610 Internship in Public Administration

[3.2.3] Issue Areas:

Public Administration:

PSCI 3336 Local Government & Politics
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4334 The American Presidency
PSCI 4351 Community & Regional Planning
PSCI 4375 Intergovernmental Relations [ UCA Core: C ]
PSCI 4385 Special Topics in Public Administration
PSCI 4391 Government Budgeting
GEOG 3305 Economic Geography
GEOG 3325 Urban & Regional Planning
GEOG 3371 Urban Geography
GEOG 3381 Political Geography
GEOG 4313 Recreation & Tourism

Public Policy:

PSCI 3320 Environmental Policy [ UCA Core: R, I ]
PSCI 3361 Public Policy Analysis [ UCA Core: Z ]
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4350 Public Policy & Program Evaluation
PSCI 4386 Special Topics in Public Policy
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science

[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:

PSCI 2305 Introduction to Public Administration and Policy*
PSCI 3300 State Government & Politics
PSCI 3361 Public Policy Analysis
PSCI 3365 Public Management

*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:

PSCI 3336 Local Government & Politics
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4351Community & Regional Planning
PSCI 4375 Intergovernmental Relations [ UCA Core: C ]
PSCI 4385 Special Topics in Public Administration
PSCI 4391 Government Budgeting

Public Policy Issue Area:

PSCI 3320 Environmental Policy [ UCA Core: I, R ]
PSCI 4199-4499 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
PSCI 4350 Public Policy & Program Evaluation [ UCA Core: R ]
PSCI 4386 Special Topics in Public Policy

[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.

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).

Required PSCI Courses (12 hours):

PSCI 1330 [ ACTS: PLSC2003 ] U.S. Government & Politics [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 2300 Introduction to International Relations [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 2312 Statistical Methods for Political Analysis or PSCI 2322 Political Science Applications in G.I.S.
PSCI 2320 Introduction to Comparative Politics

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 (18 hours from one concentration, including at least 6 hours from the PSCI offerings)

International Politics & Diplomacy Concentration:

PSCI 3305 United Nations & International Politics [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 3315 International Law & Organizations
PSCI 3382 Politics of Developing Nations
PSCI 4312 China & International Politics
PSCI 4320 Revolution & Political Violence
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4334 The American Presidency or 4388 American Foreign Policy
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
PSCI 4395 International Conflict & Conflict Management
PSCI 4399 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography
GEOG 3381 Political Geography
HIST 4335 Diplomatic History of the U.S.
HIST 4365 The History of Imperialism

International Political Economy & Development Concentration:

PSCI 3382 Politics of Developing Nations
PSCI 4305 The Political Economy of Development
PSCI 4310 International Political Economy & Globalization
PSCI 4328 Dynamics of Democratization [ UCA Core: Z ]
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
PSCI 4399 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
ECON 3330 Environmental Economics
ECON 4320 Comparative Economics Systems
ECON 4335 International Trade
ECON 4375 Economics of Developing Nations
FINA 4333 International Finance
GEOG 3305 Economic Geography
HIST 3312 Comparative Modern Third World History

Regional Studies Concentration:

Africa and the Middle East:
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4345 Governments & Politics of Africa
PSCI 4348 Governments & Politics of the Middle East
GEOG 3300 Geography of China & East Asia
HIST 3312 Comparative Modern Third World History
HIST 4305 The U.S. and the Middle East
HIST 4365 The History of Imperialism
HIST 4387 The Islamic Middle East
HIST 4388 African History

Asia:
PSCI 4312 China & International Politics
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics
CHIN 3312 Chinese Culture & Society
GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography
GEOG 3345 Geography of China & East Asia
GEOG 3346 Geography of South Asia
HIST 3303 Asian Civilization I
HIST 3304 Asian Civilization II
HIST 3312 Comparative History of Developing Countries
HIST 4365 The History of Imperialism
HIST 4381 History of Modern China
HIST 4383 History of Modern Japan
HIST 4386 The War in the Pacific, 1931-1945
PHIL 3352 Asian Philosophy & Religion

Europe:
PSCI 3340 Governments & Politics of Europe & Russia
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
FREN 3312 French Civilization
GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography
GEOG 3335 Geography of Europe & Russia
GERM 3312 German Civilization
HIST 4309 Women in European History
HIST 4347 Ideas & Society in Modern Europe
HIST 4365 The History of Imperialism
HIST 4370 Europe, 1815-1914
HIST 4374 The European Renaissance and Reformation
HIST 4376 Europe, 1914-1939
HIST 4377 Europe in the Global Era
HIST 4380 Czarist Russia
HIST 4382 Russia since 1917
HIST 4394 Germany since 1918
HIST 4397 History of Ireland, 1500-present
SPAN 3312 Spanish Civilization

Latin America:
PSCI 4325 Mexican Politics & U.S.-Mexican Relations
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography
GEOG 3315 Geography of Latin America
HIST 3312 Comparative Modern Third World History
HIST 3315 From Columbus to Castro: An Introduction to Latin America
HIST 4328 Modern Latin America
HIST 4343 History of Mexico
HIST 4353 Inter-American Relations
HIST 4365 The History of Imperialism
SPAN 3313 Latin American Civilization
SPAN 3398 Travel Seminar in Mexico
SPAN 4396 Studies in Hispanic Civilization-Latin American

[3.4.4] Minor in International Studies (21 hours)

Required PSCI Courses (9 hours):

PSCI 1330 [ACTS: PLSC 2003], U.S. Government & Politics [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 2300 Introduction to International Relations [ UCA Core: I ]
PSCI 2320 Introduction Comparative Politics

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.