Department of Political Science
Main Departmental Office
Wooten Hall, 125
P.O. Box 305340
Denton, TX 76203-5340
(940) 565-2276
Web site: www.psci.unt.edu
Advising Office
Wooten Hall, 125A
(940) 565-2310
Fax: (940) 565-4818
Frank Feigert, Chair
Faculty
Professors Booth, Feigert, Forde, Tate.
Associate Professors Books, Cox, King, Meernik, Poe,
Reban, Ruderman, Sahliyeh, Todd. Assistant
Professors Battista, Brandt, Enterline, Kang, Smith, Tan, VonDoepp.
Introduction
Department courses meet the needs of both undergraduate and graduate students preparing to
enter national, state and local government employment; public and private foreign service; law; politics;
public and private research; writing and reporting of public affairs and political science; and government
and social science teaching.
Pre-Law Information
UNT annually prepares many students to enter law schools. No prescribed program of courses has
been found to be of greater value than regular liberal arts degree programs. Consequently, there is no
pre-law program of courses; students may select any major.
Future law school students should take courses that emphasize writing and oral skills, research
into problems facing society, logical reasoning, the American legal system and Constitutional Law.
Pre-law students should take the Law School Admission Test during the fall term of their senior year. For
further advice, students should consult early in their career at UNT with the pre-law adviser in Wooten Hall,
Room 129.
Political Science Requirement
The university may not award a baccalaureate degree or a lesser degree or academic certificate unless
the student has completed six hours of credit in American government to include consideration of the
constitutions of the United States and Texas. The university may determine that a student has met the
requirement in whole or in part on the basis of credit transferred from another accredited college or upon
successful completion of an advanced standing examination. Completion of 12 semester hours of upper division
ROTC courses may be substituted for PSCI 1050. The student may satisfy part (3 hours) or all of the
6-hour political science requirement by credit through examination.
Programs of Study
The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:
- Bachelor of Arts,
- Master of Arts,
- Master of Science, and
- Doctor of Philosophy, all with a major in political science; and
- concentrations under the political science major at the master's and doctoral level in American
government and public law, international politics, comparative government and politics, political theory
and methodology, and public administration and management.
Degree Requirements
1. Hours Required and General/College
Requirements: A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which
42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree
as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.
2. Major Requirements: 31 hours in political science: PSCI 1040 and either PSCI 1050 or 1060,
2300, any political theory course and 18 other hours, including at least one advanced course in each of three of
the listed areas of study (not including political theory). Advanced courses are offered in six areas of study.
Field A, American Government and Politics: PSCI 2100, 3010, 3100*, 3110, 3130, 3160, 3420,
4020, 4100, 4120, 4140 and 4450.
Field B, Public Law: PSCI 3200, 3210, 4200, 4210, 4220 and 4810.
Field C, Political Theory and
Methodology: PSCI 2300, 2310, 3300, 3310, 3320, 4320 and 4330.
Field D, Public Policy: PSCI 3420, 4130, 4450 and 4490.
Field E, Comparative Government and
Politics: PSCI 3600, 3700*, 4620, 4630, 4640, 4650, 4660,
4700, 4710 and 4720.
Field F, International Relations: PSCI 3500, 3810, 4520, 4800, 4810, 4820*, 4830, 4840, 4850 and 4860.
Courses listed in more than one area of study may be counted toward the requirements of only one area.
*May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
3. Electives: See four-year plan.
Degree Requirements
1. Hours Required and General/College
Requirements: A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which
42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree
as specified in the "General University Requirements
" in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.
2. Major Requirements: Majors need 36 hours from the list of approved courses below, including
21 hours in one of the areas listed below and 15 in one or two of the remaining three areas. Other courses
(e.g., PSCI 4900, Special Topics) may be approved by the international studies major adviser. Twelve of the
21 hours of the primary area must be in advanced courses.
Area 1, International Politics: PSCI 3500, 3810, 4520, 4800, 4810, 4820, 4850, 4860; HIST 4070,
4360, 4790, 4800.
Area 2, International Economics and Business:
ECON 4150, 4600, 4850; BLAW 4480,BUSI 4660;
FINA 4500 ; MKTG 4280.
Area 3, International Development: PSCI 4650, 4860; SOCI 4160, 4750; ANTH 2035, 2045, 3100 ;
PHIL 2500, 4700; GEOG 1170.
Area 4, Regional Studies: GEOG 1200; PSCI 3600, 3700, 4620, 4630, 4640, 4700*, 4710, 4720;
HIST 4560, 4590; ECON 4510.
Courses listed in more than one field may be counted toward the requirements of only one field.
*May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
3. Other Course Requirements: 6 upper-division hours in a foreign language or BCIS 2610 and
MSCI 2710.
4. Minor: Optional.
5. Electives: See four-year plan.
Degree Plans
During the sophomore year of enrollment, the student should make a degree plan. The student must
bring or send all transcripts of prior college work, if any, to the departmental adviser, with whom an
advisory sheet is made. Transcripts and advisory sheet are then taken to General Academic Building, Room 313,
for the completion of the degree plan. The process should be completed in time for the next registration period.
Minor in International Studies
A minor in international studies requires 18 hours, including at least 6 advanced hours chosen from
a multidisciplinary list of courses available in the Department of Political Science. 9 hours must be in one
area of concentration, with the 9 remaining hours distributed between one or two other areas.
Minor in Peace Studies
Students wising to obtain a minor in peace studies must complete a minimum of 18 hours (6
advanced), including PSCI 3500 plus at least one course from each of these three areas:
- Determinants of Violence: PSCI 4640; or, when topic is appropriate, ANTH 4600, 4610, HIST 4260,
PSCI 3100, 4700 or 4820.
- Conflict Management: AECO 2120, 4120; COMM 2025; or, when topic is appropriate, PSCI 4820
or HIST 4260.
- Issues of Justice: ANTH 2035, 4050; ECON 3150; HIST 3150, 4440, 4450, 4780; PSCI 4210, 4520,
4620, 4630, 4800, 4810; SOCI 3300, 4160, 4540; or, when topic is appropriate, HIST 4260, PSCI 3100, 4490
or 4820.
Any of the following courses may also be taken to fulfil the remaining 6 hours: AECO 4420; HIST
4070, 4260, 4350, 4650, 4660; PSCI 3810; or SOCI 4750. Practicums and special problems courses may
also apply if approved by the Director of Peace Studies. Interested students should contact Steve Poe,
Department of Political Science, Wooten Hall, (940) 565-2276.
Minor in Political Science
A minor in political science requires 18 hours: PSCI 1040 and 1050, plus 12 semester hours that
include 6 advanced.
Teacher Certification
Teacher certification requirements were under review by the State Board for Educator Certification
at the time this catalog went to press. Contact your undergraduate adviser and the Department of
Teacher Education and Administration for current information.
Graduate Degrees
The department offers degree programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor
of Philosophy. Undergraduates who anticipate political science graduate study should take the
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) during their senior year. For information, consult the
Graduate Catalog.
Pender Scholars
The department annually awards two $1,000 scholarships based on merit to incoming students (fall
term) who declare their intention to major in political science. The awardees are known as Pender Scholars
in honor of the first chair of the political science department, J.W. "Dad" Pender.
High school seniors must rank in the top quarter of their class and have a score of at least
1100 recentered on the SAT I (or its equivalent). Transfer students must have a 3.5 grade point average and
a score of at least 1100 recentered on the SAT I (or its equivalent). Application deadline is April 1;
awards are announced May 1. Contact the undergraduate adviser in Wooten Hall, Room 125A, for more
information.
All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.
The "Course and Subject Guide," found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as
a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.
Major in Political Science
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all course
prerequisites. *See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options. ** See
Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
LANG 2040*, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3
MATH (above College Math, except 2090)** 3
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
PSCI 2300, The Study of Politics 4
Elective 3
Elective 3
Natural Sciences** 4
Wellness* 3
Total 17
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
PSCI Political Field (advanced, see major requirements) 3
PSCI Political Field (advanced, see major requirements) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Laboratory Science** 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 16
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
PSCI elective 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
ENGL 1320, College Writing II* 3
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3
LANG 2050, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3
PSCI 1050, American Government, or PSCI 1060, American Government: Process and Policy* 3
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
PSCI Field C (advanced) 3
Communication** 3
Literature** 3
Humanities* 3
Physical Science** 4
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
PSCI Field (advanced, see major requirements) 3
PSCI Elective (advanced) 3
PSCI Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 4
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies*
3
Total 16
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 3
Total 18
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses
may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a
minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.
Major in International Studies
Following is one suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their adviser each
semester for help with program decisions and enrollment. Students are responsible for meeting all course prerequisites.
*See the University Core Curriculum section of this catalog for approved list of course options. ** See
Arts and Sciences degree requirements section of this catalog for approved list of course options.
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL HOURS
ENGL 1310, College Writing I* 3
HIST 2610, United States History to 1865* 3
LANG 2040*, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3
MATH (Above College Math, Except 2090)** 3
PSCI 1040, American Government* 3
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL HOURS
LANG (advanced) 3
Area One (advanced) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Natural Sciences** 4
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
Area One (advanced) 3
Area One (advanced) 3
Area Two (advanced) 3
Laboratory Science** 4
Social and Behavioral Sciences* 3
Total 16
SENIOR YEAR
FALL HOURS
Area One 3
Area Two 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Wellness* 3
Total 18
FRESHMAN YEAR
SPRING HOURS
ENGL 1320, College Writing II* 3
HIST 2620, United States History Since 1865* 3
LANG 2050, Foreign Language (intermediate)** 3
PSCI 1050, American Government* 3
Visual and Performing Arts* 3
Total 15
SOPHOMORE YEAR
SPRING HOURS
LANG (advanced) 3
Area One (advanced) 3
Communication** 3
Literature** 3
Physical Science** 4
Total 16
JUNIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Area One 3
Area One (advanced) 3
Area Two (advanced) 3
Cross-cultural, Diversity and Global Studies* 3
Elective 3
Total 15
SENIOR YEAR
SPRING HOURS
Area Three 3
Area Three 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective (advanced) 3
Elective 2
Humanities* 3
Total 17
Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester. Some courses
may require prerequisites not listed. Students may wish to use opportunities for electives to complete a
minor of their choice or secondary education courses for teacher certification.