Courses
Undergraduate Courses
American Government
Students examine American government at the national level and develop the knowledge to engage in political and civic life. Topics may include the origin and evolution of the U.S. Constitution, political behavior and attitudes, political parties, interest groups, the media, and the three branches of government - Congress, the Executive Branch, and the Judiciary.
American Government and National Security
This course introduces students to the study of politics and government and examines the basic theoretical, structural, and procedural choices faced by any political system. The course will emphasize the following areas of study: foundations and traditions of American democracy; the structure, decision-making processes, and policy outcomes of the American political system; the specific development of national security strategy and policy; and civil-military relations in the American Republic.
Texas Government
Students examine Texas government and politics. Topics may include the Texas Constitution; Texas' role in the federal system; political culture; individuals' political values and participation; interest groups; parties; elections and campaigns; the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; and fiscal, social, and economic policies.
Quantitative Methods for Political Science
Students study research design and the quantitative methods used in contemporary political science research. Students apply the tools of social science inquiry in a series of projects designed to examine phenomena such as political attitudes and behavior. The course emphasizes, descriptive statistics, tabular and graphic presentation of data, measures of association and correlations, and multivariate analysis in political research.
Introduction to Political Science – Scope and Methods
This course provides an introduction to the discipline. The course introduces students to the methods used in political science, placing emphasis on the process of research design—from coming up with a hypothesis, to determining how to test that hypothesis, to how to present the conclusions of the research. The research approaches presented in this class are essential to the political science major, and of great benefit to cadets in other majors that require the systematic examination of research questions.
Political Attitudes and Behavior
This course explores political attitudes and behavior. It examines such topics as the sources of political knowledge; how political attitudes are formed and changed; how public opinion is measured; and why people vote the way they do.
Politics and the Media
Students examine the role and impact of the media (the Internet, radio, television, and the various forms of print media) on U.S. politics. Topics may include the impact of the media on campaigns and election outcomes, the media as a source of political information, the agenda setting power of the media, the role of the free press in a democracy, and citizens? relationship to the media. The course may also consider the relationship between the media and politics in other nations. The course makes use of textbooks but also relies heavily on contemporary media.
Capstone Seminar in Political Science – Ballots & Bullets: America & America’s Role in the World
This course is the culmination of the political science curriculum. Readings and discussions will encourage a critical and synthetic application of the discipline’s subfields (American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations) in thinking strategically about a rapidly changing world and America’s role in it. Cadets will undertake an elected research project with a faculty mentor. This blend of experiences seeks to produce officer-scholars with the intellectual foundations to develop as adaptive and strategic thinkers and national security leaders able to navigate the political-military dimensions of their profession.
Honors College Seminar: From Information to Decision: Coping With a Complex World
The primary objective of this course is to introduce the student to fundamentals of decision making
and problem solving that will prepared them for subsequent course work and to enrich their lives.
Graduate Seminars
Scope & Methods of Political Science
Students examine individuals' attitudes and behaviors regarding politics. They analyze the determinants, formation, and expression of ideology and partisanship. Students also explore individuals' political participation, particularly voting behavior. The course is research oriented, with an emphasis on pursuing new directions in research.
American Political Behavior
Students examine individuals' attitudes and behaviors regarding politics. They analyze the determinants, formation, and expression of ideology and partisanship. Students also explore individuals' political participation, particularly voting behavior. The course is research oriented, with an emphasis on pursuing new directions in research.
Seminar in American Politics: Women in Politics
An empirical investigation of various aspects of the role of women in politics. The course will include an examination of the origins and implications of gender differences, women as political participants, women as political candidates, and women as political office holders.