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American Politics
2336: U.S. Government and Texas Constitution, Politics and Institutions Cr. 3 (3-0).
Constitutions and politics of the United States and Texas, emphasizing constitutional
structure; executive, legislative, and judiciary institutions, state and federal;
limited government, public opinion, elections, and civil liberties.
3331: American Foreign Policy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. The foreign
policy-making process and factors influencing U.S. international behavior, especially
since World War II.
3360: Politics and Mass Media Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Impact
of mass media coverage on American political institutions, the election process, and
public opinion in general and the appropriate role of media and news in a society.
3361: Politics and Literature. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. An examination
of enduring political problems through the study of classic works of literature.
3362: Political Marketing Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, and junior standing, or consent
of instructor. Techniques that political candidates, parties, and interest groups
utilize in elections, focusing upon television and radio advertising, direct mail,
phone banks, and candidate utilization, with special emphasis on gubernatorial campaigns
in Texas.
3363: Groups in the Political Process Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, and junior standing, or consent
of instructor. Organizational characteristics of interest groups; types of political
interest groups; strategy and tactics of group politics; impact on policy and the
political system in general.
3364: Legislative Processes Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1336. Organization, operation, behavior, and functions of American
legislatures; emphasis usually on Congress.
3365: Public Opinion Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. The analysis of
the kinds and distributions of opinions and attitudes in mass public and the effects
of those opinions on activities of policy makers.
3366: Political Parties Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1337. History and organization of political parties in the United
States; function of parties for the political system; electoral base of American political
parties.
3367: United States Campaigns and Elections Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1337. Uses examples and data from historic and current elections
to examine the strategies candidates employ, the role of money and the media, and
how voters respond.
3368: Race, Gender, and Ethnic Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, and junior standing, or consent of
instructor. Examines the roles, strategies and different levels of success minority
groups and women have had in the American political system.
3369: The Presidency Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1336. Role of the president and the bureaucracy in policy-making,
emphasizing the influence of the man on the office and the office on the man.
3370: State Government and Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Problems
facing the states in the 20th century; roles of the legislature and governor; party
systems, finances, and taxation; nature of governmental policies.
3371: Introduction to Urban Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. The city
and its environment including social, economic, and governmental problems resulting
from increased urbanization.
3372: Latino Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Analysis
of the cultural, economic, sociological, and psychological roots of the political
life of Latinos and their impact on current political struggles.
3376: Black Political Thought Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalents or consent of instructor. Explores
the lives and writings of prominent African Americans to explore how black political
thought has evolved and developed.
3378: Political Economy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Study
of systems for allocating scarce resources. Consideration of the strength and weaknesses
of market solutions and political solutions to allocation questions.
3388: Politics in Film and Television. Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. An examination
of enduring political problems through the study of film and television and the effects
of each on the American public and electorate.
3390: Women in Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Study of
women’s roles in the political system beginning with the attainment of suffrage and
continuing through current problems of mobilization and recruitment to office.
3391: Political Scandals Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: 1337 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. A selected examination
of contemporary American political scandals including Watergate and the Clinton impeachment.
3395: Selected Topics in American Government Cr. 3 (3-0).
4365: National Defense Policy Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. The evolution
of U.S. national defense strategy and policy making.
4395: Selected Topics in American Government and Urban Politics Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. May be
repeated for credit and when topics vary.