Department of Political Science, Geography, and Public Administration

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Department of Political Science, Geography, and Public Administration

Chair to be named

Vera Dugas Liberal Arts North 124
(936) 468-3903
Fax: (936) 468-2732
rclaunch@sfasu.edu
www.sfasu.edu/polisci

Faculty

Professor
Richard J. Herzog

Associate Professors
Charles F. Abel, Mary L. Carns, Kenneth E. Collier, Michael P. Tkacik

Assistant Professors
Kwame Antwi-Boasiako, Frank Codispoti, William Forbes, Steven Galatas, Hans Hacker, Julie Harrelson-Stephens, Heather Wyatt-Nichol

Coordinator of Political Science
Frank Codispoti

Coordinator of Geography
William Forbes

Coordinator of Public Administration
Heather Wyatt-Nichol

Pre-Law Adviser
Hans Hacker

Areas of Study & Degrees
B.A./B.S. in Political Science
Minor in Political Science
B.A./B.S. in Public Administration
Minor in Public Administration
B.A./B.S. in Geography
Minor in Geography
B.S. in Environmental Science with Geography Emphasis

Objectives

The Department of Political Science, Geography, and Public Administration provides a well-balanced curriculum leading to baccalaureate degrees with requirements for a major, second major or minor in the fields of political science, public administration or geography. Courses provide both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, the latter reflected in field assignments and internships. Students experience a variety of teaching strategies and techniques from a highly qualified faculty, and there are many opportunities for faculty-student interaction both within and outside the classroom through organizations and activities.

Political Science Programs

Today there are many opportunities for the serious and ambitious student of political science. Government is the biggest business and the largest employer in the United States. Knowledge of political science may equip the graduate for a secure and well-paid profession and give the student a deeper understanding of the world in which he or she lives.

Among an almost endless variety of opportunities for which an undergraduate degree in political science can prepare one are:

diplomatic, civil and military service careers from city manager to intelligence analyst and White House or congressional administrative assistant;
law school, journalism and other post-graduate professional training leading to careers in public life;
teacher certification as a secondary social studies teacher or teaching and research opportunities in a college or university;
executive positions in the United States and abroad in public and private concerns with international operations.

Other career opportunities are also possible, and programs leading to them can be worked out with the chairmen of the departments concerned.

Because college students should become well informed about political institutions in order to discharge their duties as citizens and assume leadership roles in civic affairs, the state legislature in 1930 and in 1937 enacted laws requiring the study of United States and Texas governments by all students receiving degrees from state-supported colleges and universities in the state. The department seeks to discharge its responsibilities to the state by offering a two-semester non-technical sequence of courses open to all students.

Public Administration Programs

The public administration program provides a liberal arts education to the career-oriented student. It prepares for managerial careers at local, state and national levels of government. The program allows students in public administration to obtain career-enhancing positions in the private sector. Some pursue graduate school in public administration at Stephen F. Austin State University or elsewhere. The program provides supervised internships for qualified students which improve employment options. The high level of contact between the public administration faculty and governmental employees in local, regional, state and national governmental positions enhances job placement possibilities.

Geography Programs

Ours is a finite world characterized by ever-increasing population, resource demands by advanced societies and those striving to become advanced, and frequent confrontations of world units of contrasting nature. Therefore, it is necessary that the informed citizen has some idea of the nature, causes and meanings of variations in earth and human resources. Geography helps impart this knowledge and understanding.

Geography seeks to define and study the patterns of physical and human features of the earth, the relationships between them, the association of features giving personality or character to individual places or regions, the connections and movements between places, and the meaning to man of the sameness and differences among places on the earth. Because it presents an integrated view of the physical and social sciences, geography is of significance to liberal arts and science programs whether the subject is selected as the major, minor or elective.

The geography program offers courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Topics include building databases, thematic map analysis, spatial modeling, digitizing, base maps, spatial date manipulation and applications. GIS provides the development of a research tool in geographic application for solving society’s problems.

Definitions of Majors and Minors

Political Science Majors and Minor

A first major in political science consists of PSC 303 and 33 additional hours in advanced political science. A second major consists of PSC 303 and 24 additional semester hours in advanced political science. A minor in political science consists of 18 hours in advanced political science. PSC 141 and 142 do not count toward the major, second major or minor. Students with a first major in political science may choose the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Geography 365 (political geography) will be accepted as three hours credit toward the first major, second major or minor in political science.

Public Administration Major and Minor

The public administration major consists of two components: (1) a 21 semester hour public administration core-PSC 344, 345, 346, 444, 445, 470 and CSC 121; (2) an additional nine semester hours selected from PSC 313, 402, 403, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, or 499.

Students who major in public administration may choose the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

Students may also elect to minor in public administration. The minor consists of the 21 semester public administration core-PSC 344, 345, 346, 444, 445, 470 and CSC 121.

A second major in public administration consists of the 21 semester hour core plus six semester hours from the political science component of the public administration major.

Geography Majors and Minors

A first major in geography (30 hours) requires a nine hour common core (GEO 130, 131 and 132) and at least one course from each of the following groups: techniques (GEO 220, 315, 320 or 410); physical 9GEO 234, 305 or 443); human (GEO 230, 310, 365 or 439); and regional (GEO 330, 332, 344 or 450). GEO 375 may be substituted, as appropriate. Nine additional hours of geography electives may be selected in any combination from one or more groups. Students with a first major in geography select either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor or Science degree.

A second major in geography (24 hours) requires the nine hour core, three hours from each group, and one elective.

The minor in geography (18 hours) requires the nine hour core plus three hours from three of the four groups.

Suggested Programs

Geographers have broad interests and career goals. With that in mind, each student should plan a course of study in consultation with a departmental adviser who facilitates those interests and goals. Those considering graduate study should follow a general course of study within the field of geography, should take MTH 220 and SOC 378 and 379 and should spread the required nine hours of geography electives over three of the four groups listed above. Those considering a professional career should concentrate the nine hours of electives in the techniques group.

B.S. Environmental Science with Geography Emphasis

A geography minor requires 18 semester hours: GEO 130, 234, 305 and nine hours of electives.

A geography second major requires 24 hours: GEO 130, 234, 305 and 15 hours of electives.

Teaching Certification

Students who expect to qualify for teaching certificates in Composite Social Studies should also see the appropriate programs listed in the College of Education.

Urban Studies Emphasis

The major program requires a first major of 30 semester hours in geography and a second major of 27 semester hours in political science. The student must complete GEO 220 and 439; 12 semester hours from GEO 130, 230, 310, 315, 410; and 12 hours from appropriate courses in sociology. The requirements for the second major include PSC 449 and 450; 12 hours from PSC 344, 345, 412, 475, and 499; three hours of advanced political science approved by the chair; and six hours from appropriate courses in economics (such as ECO 341, Urban Economics).

The remaining course work, after the basic degree requirements are met, should be selected so as to develop various urban-oriented skills such as design-illustration, communication, computer science-statistics or business-management. For the specific courses recommended, see the coordinator of geography.

A minor in geography with an urban studies emphasis includes GEO 220, 230, and 439 plus nine hours of appropriate courses from sociology, political science and/or economics. For the specific courses which may apply, see the coordinator of geography.

Undergraduate Honors Study in Political Science

A student may apply for Honors in Political Science if he or she meets the criteria described under the title “Departmental Honors Study” in the introductory section devoted to the College of Liberal and Applied Arts in this bulletin. Applicants may procure admission forms from the chair of the department. An honors committee of the department reviews applications, approves admissions, suggests individual projects and administers all regulations pertaining to honors study.

The number of semester hours of credit for the honors course (PSC 398H) is determined by the scope of the project undertaken. At the completion of the project the student will receive a written and an oral examination. He or she also must submit to the department a copy of the research project to be retained by the department. Before registering for the honors course, a student must receive written permission from the dean of liberal and applied arts.

Pre-law Study

The department offers a suggested course of study designed to prepare students for law school. This plan is especially designed for those interested in legal careers in public service or politics. Appropriate political science courses for a pre-law emphasis would include: PSC 301, 302, 402, 403, and 12 semester hours selected from PSC 313, 412, 413, 441, 447, 448, 449 and 450. Electives could include ACC 231 and 232, BLW 335 and 437, CJS 413 and 414 and PHI 163. There is no pre-law major.

Practical Politics

The department offers a suggested course of study designed to prepare students for active participation in political life, especially at the local level. The practical politics emphasis includes the following courses: PSC 306, 313, 344, 403, 412, 413, 449 and 450. SOC 139 and 253, ECO 341 and GEO 439 are strongly recommended electives.

Political Economy Emphasis

A major in political science emphasizing a political economy focus could take 12 semester hours from PSC 303, 332, 412 and 413; 15 semester hours from ECO 231, 232, 331, 337 and 480; and 27 semester hours from the following: advanced economics; advanced political science; GEO 310, 365 and 439; FOR 435; and BLW 335, 437. Basic degree requirements are the same as those for the major in political science, except no minor is required.

International Studies

The department has course offerings within the International Studies second major and minor. Please see the International Studies section of this bulletin.

Other Emphases

The Geography program is actively involved in many other interdepartmental programs, including American Studies and Humanities.

A major or minor is available in Geography with an emphasis in American Studies which includes GEO 130, 230, 310, 332, and a selection from a variety of courses from both within and without the geography offerings.

In addition, the department is a participant in interdepartmental programs such as Earth Sciences (Geology, College of Sciences and Mathematics) and Environmental Science (Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.)

Political Science Honor Society

Political Science students who have (1) completed at least 12 semester hours in political science and public administration with at least six hours at SFA, (2) a grade point average in political science and public administration courses of 3.20, (3) an overall grade point average of 3.20, and (4) junior, senior or graduate standing are eligible for membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, a national political science honor society.

Geographical Honor Society

Geography students who have (1) completed at least nine semester hours of geography, (2) a grade point average in geography of 3.00, (3) a ranking in the upper 35 percent of their respective class or an overall GPA of 3.0; and (4) completed at least three semesters of university courses, are eligible for membership in Gamma Theta Upsilon, an international geographical honor society. Associate memberships are also available for those having completed three hours in geography with a 3.00 grade point average and completed at least two semesters of university courses. An associate member of GTU can become a regular member when the qualifications are completed. Contact the geography coordinator.

Course Credit

Unless otherwise indicated, courses are three semester hours credit, three hours lecture per week. Students must successfully complete six semester hours of introductory political science courses (PCS 141, 142 or equivalent) before enrolling for advanced political science courses.

Courses in Political Science (PSC)

141.	Introduction to American Government: Theory and Politics (GOVT 2301) – Origins and development of American and Texas government systems; federalism; civil liberties and civil rights; interest groups, political parties and elections. Meets the state requirement for American Government.
142.	Introduction to American Government: Structure and Functions (GOVT 2302) – Legislative, executive and judicial functions in American and Texas governments; public policy areas such as finance, social services and foreign policy; Texas local and county governments. Meets the state requirement for Texas Government.
301.	Judicial Process – Analysis of law and the legal system; legal training, the bar and legal occupations; the jury system; criminal and civil procedures. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
302.	Topics in the Development of American Law – Usually taught as Judicial Behavior topic: judicial activism and restraint roles, judicial selection, Texas and federal court structure with emphasis upon the U.S. Supreme Court. With a change in topic, may be repeated one time for a total of six hours credit. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
303.	Introduction to Political Science – Introduction to the discipline of political science emphasizing political ideas, concepts, institutions and methods of analysis. Required of all political science majors and second majors. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
304.	Major Foreign Governments – (A) Latin America, (B) Europe, (C) Asia, (D) Middle East , (E) Africa - Government and politics of the principal countries of each area. Prerequisites: Political Science 141 and 142.
306.	Political Parties & Interest Groups – An analysis of the development and functioning of American political parties and interest groups and their role in the political, policy and administrative processes of government. Prerequisites: Political Science 141 and 142.
313.	State Governments – Systematic and intensive study of state governmental organization, operation and functions as carried on at the state level throughout the United States. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
332.	International Politics – Forces and forms of international politics. Restraints on the struggle for power, balance of power, morality, law. Problems of world stability, peaceful change, international interdependence, global governance, structure and dilemmas of the international political economy, nature and influence of non-state and transnational actors. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
333.	International Political Economy – A survey of the analyses of the relationship between economics and politics in the formation of states’ economic policies and in international economic relations. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
334.	International Human Rights – Studies the sources of human rights and the evolution of an international human rights norm. Investigates the struggle between international human rights and state sovereignty, the question of universalism versus cultural relativism, the motivations for state-sponsored torture and its effectiveness. Analyzes first-hand accounts of torture. Prere quisites: PSC 141 and 142.
335.	Classical Political Thought – Development and analysis of classical political thought from the pre-Socratic period through the Middle Ages. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
336.	Modern Political Thought – Development and analysis of political thought from Machiavelli through the present. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
337.	Theories of Democracy – An examination and comparison and contrast of the varieties of democratic theory, including those based in liberalism and civic republicanism. Traces the development of those theories over time with emphasis on recent variations such as libertarianism and deliberative democracy. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
338.	American Foreign Policy – Analysis of the formulation and control of United States foreign policy and the origin and content of contemporary policies; formulation and application of theories of U.S. foreign policy. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
344.	Introduction to Public Administration – An overview of the field including topics, such as public versus private administration, the study of organizations, personnel administration, financial resources management, budgeting, decision making and policy making. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
345.	American Public Policy – Study of various concepts, approaches and the processes used in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policy. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
346.	Public Personnel Administration – Context, processes and challenges of human resource management including legal rights and responsibilities, job analysis, recruitment, selection, position classification, job evaluation, performance appraisal, compensation and benefits, and training. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
397.	Topics in International and Comparative Politics – Analyze selected topics in international politics. May be repeated one time with different topic for a total of six semester credit hours. Prerequisite: PSC 141 and 142.
398H.	Honors Reading and Research – Two to six semester hours. Program of reading and research for individual instruction of the honors student. Amount of credit determined by the scope of the program. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
399.	Topics in American Politics – Analyze selected topics in American politics. May be repeated one time with different topic for a total of six semester hours credit. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
402.	American Constitutional Law: Structure and Powers – Federal constitutional provisions concerning organization and powers in the federal system. Major Supreme Court cases. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
403.	American Constitutional Law: Individual and His Rights – Federal constitutional provisions concerning the individual and his rights. Major Supreme Court cases. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
412.	Public Opinion & American Democracy – A study of the origins, measurement and impact of public opinion in the practice of American democracy. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
413.	Campaigns and Elections – Examination of the behavior of candidates, campaigns and voters in the electoral process. Topics: the role of the media, the impact of money, the operation of political campaigns and the effect of campaign laws. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142
433.	American Political Thought – Development of American political ideologies. Ideas of leading American political thinkers and movements from colonial times to the present. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
441.	International Law – Nature, sources and application of the law of nations. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
444.	Management of Public Organization – Behavior, structures, environment, culture, group dynamics and development of public sector organizations from a managerial perspective. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142 and PSC 344 or instructor approval.
445.	Policy Analysis – Study of analytical tools necessary for evaluating public policies and problems. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142 and PSC 344 or instructor approval.
446.	Topics in Public Administration – Study of selected subject areas in contemporary public administration with an emphasis on practical skills and field experiences. Sample topics: ethics, conflict resolution, administrative law and advanced topics in public policy. May be repeated one time with a change of topic for a total of six hours credit. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142 and PSC 344 or instructor approval.
447.	The U.S. Congress – Structure, powers, organization, political control and procedures of Congress. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
448.	The American Presidency – Development, power, organization and influence of the presidency. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
449.	Urban Affairs – Analysis of urban setting, growth and change, legal framework, participation and politics, reform, administration and finance. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
450.	Urban Political Problems – Analysis of such contemporary urban political problems as crime and law enforcement, transportation, pollution, health, education, welfare and poverty, housing and urban renewal, planning and zoning. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142.
470.	Public Budgeting and Financial Administration – Budgeting processes, types of budgets, the politics of budgeting, revenue systems, capital improvement planning, cash management, debt administration, purchasing, risk management, and financial control as practiced in local governments. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142 and PSC 344 or instructor approval.
475.	Special Problems – One to three semester hours. Credit determined by the amount and difficulty of the project undertaken. Individual research for advanced political science students. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142 and six semester hours of upper-level political science and special permission from department chair.
476.	Special Problems – One to three semester hours. Credit determined by the amount and difficulty of the project undertaken. Individual research for advanced political science students. Prerequisites: PSC 141 and 142, six semester hours of upper-level political science, plus PSC 475 and special permission from department chair.
499.	Internship in Political Science and Public Administration – Supervised work with governmental bodies to gain field experience that augments classroom training; with approval of the supervising faculty member and department chair. (one to six semester hour credit). Prerequisites: PSC 141, PSC 142, junior standing, and nine hours of advanced (300 level and above) PSC courses.

Courses in Geography (GEO)

130.	Physical Geography (GEOG 1301) – Provides systematic examination of the physical environment with primary emphasis upon the nature, location and general patterns of landforms, climate, vegetation and soils. Describes processes that shape Earth surfaces at global, regional and local scales.
131.	World Regional Geography (GEOG 1303) – Broad investigation of the world’s culture regions. Basic cultural, economic, political and physical patterns, with current events highlighted.
132.	Human Geography (GEOG 1302) – Systematic introduction to the humanized earth, including human landscape features, cultural elements such as populations, migration patterns, languages, religions, political structures, economic systems and settlement patterns.
220.	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – Overview of computer-based GIS concepts and components. Topics include spatial (location) and attributes (descriptions of features), base maps, spatial data manipulation and analysis. Course fee $40.
230.	Cultural Geography – The study of how culturally diverse societies adapted to and modified the earth’s surfaces creating “cultural landscapes” which contrast with pristine “natural landscapes.”
234.	Conservation Geography – Examines human modification of landscapes and the impact of cultural processes on land use and conservation. Topics inlcude current issues in conservation and preservation.
305.	Biogeography – Introduction to the distribution patterns of wild plants and animals and the factors that determine these patterns.
310.	Economic Geography – Surveys human influences on patterns of contemporary global economic activities. Economic patterns examined at local to global scales. Themes include spatial dimensions of resource use, energy consumption, trade, transportation, communication, population, agriculture/industrial patterns and trends of post-modern landscapes.
315.	Cartography – Principles and theory of basic map design, layout, and communication. Course fee $30. Prerequisites: GEO 220 or premission of instructor.
320.	Geographic Systems Applications – Develops GIS topics such as geodata-base construction, thematic map analysis, spatial modeling, data classification and verification, and GIS application design. Class meets two hours lecture and one hour lab. Prerequisite: GEO 220. Course fee $30.
330.	Texas Geography – Physical and cultural geography of Texas, including physical regions, distribution of natural resources, environmental issues, patterns of historical and contemporary population, economic activities, political trends and impacts of urbanization on landscapes.
332.	Geography of the United States and Canada – Surveys the human and physical geography of North America, including physical regions, economic activities, political trends and environmental issues.
344.	Historical Geography of the United States – Historical spatial interpretation of growth and development of the United States, human activities that shaped landscapes, and environmental and cultural landscape changes and patterns.
365.	Political Geography – Surveys geopolitical patterns, conflicts and disputes over time, including concepts of nation-states, geopolitical strategies, colonialism and neo-colonialism, territoriality, boundaries, spheres of influence and the impact of globalization.
375.	Topics in Geography – In-depth geographical study and analysis of selected topics, states and/or regions. May be repeated once with change in topic. Suggested background: Six semester hours of geography or related fields.
410.	Remote Sensing – Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Analysis and interpretation of remote sensing images with emphasis upon the cultural, and physical features and patterns found on all imagery. Suggested background: Nine semester hours of geography or related fields.
439.	Urban Geography – Examines patterns found in cities, suburbs, exurbs and metropolitan regions. Emphasis on housing, land use, urban politics, urban models, impact on surrounding landscapes. Identifies form, function and classification systems for urban areas.
443.	Meteorology – Fundamental physical processes producing the short-term patterns of temperature, moisture, atmospheric circulation, and storms of the atmosphere. Suggested background: Nine semester hours of geography, including GEO 130. Same as FOR 443. Required field trips.
450.	Area Studies – Physical, cultural, political, and economic characteristics of specified states and regions. Area may vary from continental scale to city scale.
475.	Advanced Independent Studies in Geography – One to three semester hours. Credit determined by the amount and difficulty of the project undertaken. Individual instruction, conference and research for advanced students. Prerequisite: Junior standing and 12 semester hours of geography.

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