Optional Degree Foci

American Politics is the study of the main branches of the American government, and its theoretical and constitutional foundations. In these courses, students will examine American political culture, the influence of social and economic interest on politics, and political ideology.

PS 5317: Theological Perspectives in Modern Theology
PS 5332: Problems in American Foreign Relations
PS 5334: Texas Politics
PS 5335: Role of Interests in America
PS 5337: American Political Culture
PS 5338: Cultural Discourse of American Politics
PS 5339: The American Presidency
PS 5340: Congress and the Legislative Process
PS 5341: Seminar in Constitutional Law and Theory

An emphasis in comparative politics provides students with a global examination of the political field. Students will study different types of institutional systems from around the world, including economic and social organizations, political cultures, as well as the varying governmental and constitutional structures.

PS 5337: American Political Culture 
PS 5360: Economic Development in Developing Nations 
PS 5361: Government and Politics of African States 
PS 5363: Party Systems in Latin America 
PS 5377: Problems in International Organization 
PS 5378: Problems in International Law 
PS 5379: Seminar in International Political Economy

International relations students will examine the mechanisms of global power, order, and change. Students will engage in the theoretical and concrete traditions of international relations in order to better understand the complex issues constituting international politics and organization, such as diplomacy, war and peace, international law, and economic development.

PS 5332: Problems in American Foreign Relations 
PS 5375: Seminar in International Relations Theory 
PS 5377: Problems in International Organization 
PS 5378: Problems in International Law 
PS 5380: International Conflict and Security

Choose from one: 
PS 5381: The International Politics of Nuclear Weapons 
PS 5358: Civil-Military Relations in Comparative Perspective

Choose from one: 
PS 5355: American Grand Strategy 
PS 5361: Government and Politics of African States

Choose from one: 
PS 5360: Economic Development in Developing Nations 
PS 5379: Seminar in International Political Economy

Using historical and problem-based approaches, the emphasis in political theory provides an emphasis on the philosophy of liberalism and its critics, as well as on the theory and practice of democracy. Additionally, students will explore social contract theory, the roots of American constitutionalism, and the crisis of modernity.

PS 5310: Studies in Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy
PS 5311: Social Contract Theory          
PS 5312: Roots of American Constitutionalism
PS 5313: Justice and Liberty in American Thought              
PS 5315: Contemporary Perspectives in Modern Liberalism
PS 5316: Crisis of Liberalism and the Future of Democracy
PS 5317: Theological Perspectives on Modern Democracy
PS 5318: The Problem of Power and the Crisis of Modernity
PS 5330B: Tocqueville and American Democracy

PS 5302: Political Research and Methodology
PS 5389: Internship in Government
PS 5398: Directed Readings and Research