This course explains the role of American national government, its formation and principles of the Constitution; relation of state to the national government; political parties and their relationship to interest groups. This course also explains the structure of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

This course introduces comparative politics by examining the political history, social and economic structures, and contemporary political institutions and behavior, with focus on occurrences in countries representing diverse cultures, geographies, and levels of development. Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

What makes the field of political science a science? What are the variety of research methods and tools for analysis employed by scholars? The goal of this course is to introduce students to the scientific process by political scientists. The interpretation and analysis of data is also essential for almost any career that a political science major might pursue. Lawyers and lobbyists, politicians and professors all need to be able to read and understand reports in which numerical summaries of data (i.e., statistics) are used as evidence to support an argument or point of view. These professionals need to ascertain whether these statistics are being used appropriately. In addition, many of these professionals need to do their own statistical analysis. This course introduces students to statistics and the scientific study of politics. Students will learn why statistics are useful, how to interpret a variety of statistics, how to analyze data to generate their own statistics, and how to tell whether their statistics support their own argument. Students will also learn how to apply the scientific research process to their own research questions by completing a research design project.

Faculty-supervised individual study in an area of special interest not readily available through conventional course offerings. Open to majors and minors with 3.30 GPA and permission of instructor. Political Science major students are limited to 6 credit hours, minor students to 3 credit hours in aggregate. Additional or excess credit hours above these limits may be counted as Arts and Sciences electives. Restriction: permission of instructor.

Individual research into an area proposed by the student and conducted under the direction of a faculty member. No limits on repetitions if topics vary.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis. No limits on repetitions if topics vary. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a doctoral dissertation. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.