Professor: S. Bellar (PhD), C.T. McInnis (PhD), J. Passe-Smith (PhD)
Associate Professor: K. Hoffman (PhD), J. Howard (PhD), M. Mullenbach (PhD), M. Sullivan (PhD), G. Tiruneh (PhD)
Assistant Professor: H. Yates (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
UD = Upper Division
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
Z = Capstone Experience
[3.1] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Political Science
[Back to program-of-study links]
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):
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
PSCI 2320 Introduction to Comparative Politics
[3.1.2] Minor in Political Science (24 hours)
[Back to program-of-study links]
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 3330 Political Parties & Electoral Problems
PSCI 3336 Local Government & Politics
PSCI 3345 Women and U.S. Politics [UD UCA Core: D]
PSCI 3350 Interest groups & Money in Politics
PSCI 3355 Race and U.S. Politics [UD UCA Core: D]
PSCI 3372 Political Behavior
PSCI 3375 The American Judicial System
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4300 Constitutional Law [UD UCA Core: I]
PSCI 4301 Civil Liberties [UD UCA Core: I]
PSCI 4315 The Politics of Presidential Selection
PSCI 4334 The American Presidency [UD UCA Core: I, C]
PSCI 4335 The American Congress
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
Comparative Politics:
PSCI 3382 Politics of Developing Nations [UD UCA Core: D, C]
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4305 The Political Economy of Development
PSCI 4320 Revolution & Political Violence [UD UCA Core: D, C]
PSCI 4325 Mexican Politics & U.S.-Mexico Relations
PSCI 4328 Dynamics of Democratization [UD UCA Core: Z]
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4345 Governments & Politics of Africa [UD UCA Core: D]
PSCI 4348 Governments & Politics of the Middle East [UD UCA Core: D]
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
International Relations:
PSCI 3315 International Law & Organizations [UD UCA Core: I, C]
PSCI 3316 Cybersecurity Law and Policy [UD UCA Core: C]
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4310 International Political Economy & Globalization [UD UCA Core: I, C]
PSCI 4312 China & International Politics [UD UCA Core: D]
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 [UD UCA Core: R]
PSCI 3371 Political Theory II [UD UCA Core: R, I]
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Sciences (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4307 Political Ethics [UD UCA Core: R, I]
PSCI 4331 American Political Theory [UD UCA Core: R, I]
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
Public Administration:
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4351 Community & Regional Planning
PSCI 4375 Intergovernmental Relations [UD UCA Core: C]
PSCI 4385 Special Topics in Public Administration
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
PSCI 4391 Government Budgeting
Public Policy:
PSCI 3361 Public Policy Analysis [UD UCA Core: Z]
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
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
[Back to program-of-study links]
[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):
PSCI 2312 Statistical Methods for Political Analysis or PSCI 2322 Political Applications in GIS.
PSCI 3300 State Government & Politics
PSCI 3361 Public Policy Analysis [UD UCA Core: Z]
PSCI 3365 Public Management
PSCI 4610 Internship in Public Administration
[3.2.3] Issue Areas:
Public Administration:
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4334 The American Presidency [UD UCA Core: I, C]
PSCI 4351 Community & Regional Planning
PSCI 4375 Intergovernmental Relations [UD 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 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4335 The American Congress
PSCI 4350 Public Policy & Program Evaluation
PSCI 4386 Special Topics in Public Policy
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
SOC 3370 Criminology
SOC 4321 Social Policy Analysis
[3.2.4] Minor in Public Administration (21 hours)
[Back to program-of-study links]
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 3300 State Government & Politics
PSCI 3361 Public Policy Analysis [UD UCA Core: Z]
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 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4351Community & Regional Planning
PSCI 4375 Intergovernmental Relations [UD UCA Core: C]
PSCI 4385 Special Topics in Public Administration
PSCI 4391 Government Budgeting
Public Policy Issue Area:
PSCI 4V99 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study, variable credit)
PSCI 4350 Public Policy & Program Evaluation
PSCI 4386 Special Topics in Public Policy
[3.3] Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
[Back to program-of-study links]
[3.3.1] Purpose
The International Studies Program is an interdisciplinary 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.
[3.3.2] 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, 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). A student whose second major is International Studies must complete at least 24 credit hours of required and elective courses that are not also counted toward the first major. The nine credit hours of courses that may overlap between the two majors may include both lower-division required courses and upper-division elective courses.
Designated PSCI and other courses may be used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity [D], Critical Inquiry [I], Responsible Living [R], Effective Communication [C], and Capstone Experience [Z].
Required PSCI Courses (12 hours):
PSCI 2300 Introduction to International Relations
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.
[3.3.3] Concentrations
The student completes 18 hours from one concentration, including at least 6 hours from the PSCI offerings
[3.3.3.1] International Politics & Diplomacy Concentration
[Back to program-of-study links]
PSCI 3315 International Law & Organizations [UD UCA Core: I, C]
PSCI 3316 Cybersecurity Law and Policy [UD UCA Core: C]
PSCI 4312 China & International Politics [UD UCA Core: D]
PSCI 4320 Revolution & Political Violence [UD UCA Core: D, C]
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics*
PSCI 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 3381 Political Geography [UD UCA Core: I]
HIST 4335 Diplomatic History of the U.S. [UD UCA Core: I, C]
HIST 4365 The History of Imperialism [UD UCA Core: D]
[3.3.3.2] International Political Economy & Development Concentration
[Back to program-of-study links]
PSCI 4305 The Political Economy of Development
PSCI 4310 International Political Economy & Globalization [UD UCA Core: I, C]
PSCI 4328 Dynamics of Democratization [UD 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 [UD UCA Core: R]
ECON 4320 Comparative Economics Systems
ECON 4335 International Trade [UD UCA Core: D]
ECON 4375 Economics of Developing Nations
FINA 4333 International Finance
GEOG 3305 Economic Geography [UD UCA Core: I]
GEOG 3385 Global Food Resources
HIST 3312 Comparative History of Developing Countries
SOC 4310 Globalization and Development
[3.3.3.3] Regional Studies Concentration
[Back to program-of-study links]
Africa and the Middle East
PSCI 4345 Governments & Politics of Africa [UD UCA Core: D]
PSCI 4348 Governments & Politics of the Middle East [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 3360 Pre-Colonial African History [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 3365 Modern African History [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 4305 The U.S. and the Middle East [UD UCA Core: I]
HIST 4372 Pan-Africanism, Anti-Colonialism, and African Unity [UD UCA Core: R, C]
FREN 3315 Issues of Cultural Identity in the Francophone World [UD UCA Core: D, R]
Asia and the Pacific
PSCI 4312 China & International Politics [UD UCA Core: D]
CHIN 3312 Chinese Culture & Society: Advanced Readings on Modern China [UD UCA Core: D, I]
CHIN 3320 Advanced Readings in Chinese Literature [UD UCA Core: D, I]
CHIN 3398 Travel Seminar in China
GEOG 3345 Geography of China & East Asia [UD UCA Core: D]
GEOG 3346 Geography of South Asia
HIST 3303 Asian Civilization I [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 3304 Asian Civilization II [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 4381 Modern China [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 4383 Modern Japan [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 4386 The War in the Pacific, 1931-1945 [UD UCA Core: D]
PHIL 3352 Asian Philosophy & Religion [UD UCA Core: D, C]
RELG 3325 Buddhism [UD UCA Core: D, R]
RELG 4305 Chinese Philosophies & Religions [UD UCA Core: D, R]
Europe
PSCI 3340 Governments & Politics of Europe and Russia
FREN 3312 French Civilization [UD UCA Core: D, I]
FREN 3320 French Literature I
FREN 3321 French Literature II [UD UCA Core: D, I]
FREN 3350 French Cinema
GEOG 3335 Geography of Europe and Russia [UD UCA Core: D]
GERM 3312 German Civilization [UD UCA Core: D,C]
GERM 3320 German Literature [UD UCA Core: D, I]
HIST 4347 Ideas & Society in Modern Europe
HIST 4369 Victorian Britain
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 4394 Germany since 1918
HIST 4397 History of Ireland, 1500-present
SPAN 3312 Spanish Civilization [UD UCA Core: D, I]
SPAN 3320 Spanish Literaure [UD UCA Core: D, I]
Latin America and the Caribbean
PSCI 4325 Mexican Politics & U.S.-Mexican Relations
GEOG 3315 Geography of Latin America [UD UCA Core: D, C]
HIST 4328 Modern Latin America [UD UCA Core: D]
HIST 4343 History of Mexico [UD UCA Core: D]
SPAN 3313 Latin American Civilization [UD UCA Core: I]
SPAN 3315 Topics in Hispanic Studies [UD UCA Core: D, R]
SPAN 3321 Latin American Literature [UD UCA Core: D, I]
General:
PSCI 4340 Seminar in Selected Topics
PSCI 4390 Internship in Political Science
PSCI 4399 Studies in Political Science (Independent Study)
GEOG 3300 World Regional Geography
[3.3.4] Minor in International Studies (21 hours)
[Back to program-of-study links]
Required PSCI Courses (9 hours):
PSCI 2300 Introduction to International Relations
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 BA degree) in one foreign language.
[4] Courses in Political Science (PSCI)
Follow this link for PSCI course descriptions: course link.