UIS
Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic
Year 2006 - 2007
POLITICAL STUDIES
Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Undergraduate
Minor
Faculty Hugh Harris, Ramona McNeal, Ronald Michaelson Tim
Miller, Christopher Mooney, Calvin Mouw, Kent Redfield, Jason
Pierceson, Stephen Schwark, Robert Sipe, Pinky Wassenberg
Associated Faculty Peter Boltuc, Heather Dell, Charles
Wheeler
Emeritus Faculty Craig Brown, Larry Golden, Naomi B. Lynn,
Jack Van Der Slik
Adjunct Faculty William G. Hall, Chris McDonald
Contact: (217) 206-6646
pos@uis.edu or www.uis.edu/politicalstudies
 Illinois
is a state with a strong agricultural economy, a diverse industrial
base, and one of the nation's more interesting political cultures.
Located in Springfield, the hub of Illinois political activity, UIS
is able to provide a laboratory for the study of state and local
government and politics.
UIS students encounter political science in a setting where
practical politics brings theoretical studies to life. Opportunities
for experiential learning are available through the legislative
applied study term for undergraduate majors and through internships
and assistantships for graduates. By using electives in particular
areas of public policy and professional studies, students are able
to develop research skills and acquire broad academic backgrounds
reflecting the rich political resources readily available in the
capital city.
Students are encouraged to participate in special activities
related to their course of study. The political studies program is
strongly involved in Model Illinois Government and, with faculty and
students in international studies, in Model United Nations. Students
and faculty in political studies also regularly attend several
public affairs conferences.
THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE
A major in political studies provides students with a systematic
knowledge of political life, helping them evaluate public issues and
make decisions through a balanced program of study in which
philosophical, empirical, and policy concerns complement one
another. The political studies curriculum offers a flexible course
of study that provides a solid foundation for a career in law,
politics, public service, research, or teaching.
The program is strong in the study of American national and state
politics, politics and law, political philosophy, and political
behavior. Individual faculty have special competencies in such
topics as policy analysis, voting behavior, legislative politics,
civil liberties, political philosophy, public administration, and
the role of symbols in politics. Faculty are also active in the UIS
Center for Legal Studies and the Illinois Legislative Studies Center
and participate in several internship programs sponsored by UIS.
Entrance Requirements
While the political studies program has no special entrance
requirements beyond those required for admission to UIS, it is
assumed that students will have had college‑level study in political
science. Students entering the program without preparation in
political science should consult a program adviser before
registering for their first semester.
Communication Skills
Both the study and the practice of politics require that
students/citizens speak, write, and read well. These skills are also
critical for successful careers in government, law, and business.
In view of this, all political studies students are required to
take part in the assessment of their communication skills in their
first semester. As a part of assessment in the major, political
studies faculty also monitor student communication skills in all
program courses. Students with deficiencies are assisted by the
faculty or are directed to the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Advising
Entering students are assigned an initial faculty adviser when
they declare political studies as their major field of study. After
their first semester, when they are acquainted with the faculty and
are more knowledgeable about the program and the campus, students
may wish to select permanent advisers. The course of study for the
B.A. is planned jointly with the academic adviser, so students
should consult with their advisers before each registration and from
time to time during the term.
One distinct advantage of the program is its location in
Springfield, affording opportunities to participate directly in
politics. Cooperation between UIS and governmental and private
agencies provides many opportunities for experiential learning in
public affairs research and politics.
UIS Requirements
Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 semester hours
of UIS requirements in the areas of liberal studies colloquia,
public affairs colloquia, and applied study. These hours must
include at least four hours in each of at least two of these
areas. Students majoring in political studies satisfy these
requirements by taking eight hours of applied study and four hours
of liberal studies or public affairs colloquia. If a student has a
good reason for a different distribution of the 12-hour requirement,
he or she may claim an exception to the rule by petitioning the
political studies program.
Program Requirements
Undergraduate majors must take five foundation courses: POS 201
Introduction to the American Political System, POS 325 Introduction
to Political Philosophy, POS 371 Introduction to Comparative
Politics, POS 373 Introduction to International Relations, and POS
451 Empirical Political Analysis. Students who believe that they
have had a comparable course at their four-year or community
colleges may petition the program to waive the course requirements.
Students may petition to count a maximum of four courses as transfer
credit toward the POS major. Students are encouraged to take the
foundation courses, including POS 451, before taking other 400-level
courses. POS 325 Introduction to Political Philosophy is a
prerequisite to advanced courses in political philosophy (POS
425-435). POS 371 Introduction to Comparative Politics and POS 373
Introduction to International Relations are prerequisites to
advanced courses in comparative and international politics (POS
471-478). In addition to the foundation courses, students are
required to take 16 hours of POS electives, of which 12 credits must
be at the 400 level. This brings the total hours in the major to
32.
Foundation Courses
POS 201 Introduction to the American Political System 3 Hrs.
POS 325 Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 Hrs.
POS 371 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 Hrs.
POS 373 Introduction to International Relations 3 Hrs.
POS 451 Empirical Political Analysis 4 Hrs.
Total 16 Hrs.
Political studies electives
(minimum 12 Hrs. at the 400 level) 16 Hrs.
Total 32 Hrs.
INTEGRATED B.A.-M.A. IN PRACTICAL POLITICS
This special curriculum is designed for undergraduates who wish
to prepare for a career in practical politics. It is an accelerated
program that makes it possible for a student majoring in political
studies to complete both the upper-division bachelor's degree
requirements and master's degree requirements in three years.
Admission to Integrated B.A.-M.A. Program
Students must first be admitted to UIS. Qualifications for
admission include a GPA of at least 3.00 for all previous college
work and completion of a basic course in American government or POS
201 The American Political System.
Undergraduate political studies majors may apply for admission
any time before registering for the applied study term. However,
interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible
after being admitted to UIS.
Integrated B.A.-M.A. Curriculum
To ensure that students acquire the skills and knowledge needed
for effective professional practice in the public sector, three
additional courses are required as part of the 32-hour undergraduate
major in political studies: POS 405 Illinois Government and
Politics, POS 409 Political Parties and Interest Groups, and POS 451
Empirical Political Analysis.
Students must develop expertise in an area of public policy
(i.e., environment, health, or finance) through two significant
learning experiences. One of these must be an upper-division or
graduate course. The other may be a course or experiential learning
in a government position, policy research, or other practical
experience in the policy area. Student plans for gaining policy
expertise must be approved in advance by the B.A.-M.A. adviser.
The integrated B.A.-M.A. plan includes an enhanced applied study
term that focuses on political practice. B.A.-M.A. students must
have their AST placements approved by the B.A.-M.A. adviser before
registering for the AST.
When the student has successfully completed the undergraduate
phase of the B.A.-M.A. curriculum, he/she will be admitted to the
graduate program. The required internship in the practical politics
concentration will be waived -- although the student may choose to
do an additional internship -- and the number of courses required
for the M.A. will be reduced by two.
POLITICAL STUDIES MINOR
Minor Requirements
To earn a minor in political studies, students must complete a
minimum of 20 semester hours, at least eight of which must be
400-level course work taken at the University of Illinois at
Springfield. Required hours vary depending on whether courses are
taken at UIS or at a previously attended college, and on the
distribution of three- and four-credit classes.
Core Courses
Three of the following six courses:
POS/LES 201 Intro to the American Political System 3 Hrs.
POS/LES 202 Introduction to the American Legal System 3 Hrs.
POS 325 Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 Hrs.
POS 371 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 Hrs.
POS 373 Introduction to International Relations 3 Hrs.
POS 451 Empirical Political Analysis 4 Hrs.
Total 9-10 Hrs.
POS Electives
(minimum two at the 400 level) 11-12 Hrs.
THE MASTER'S DEGREE
The master's degree program is designed to join the basic
theoretical pursuits of political science with the practical
knowledge needed by effective public officials and political
practitioners. The campus' location in the state capital offers a
rich setting for combining theory and practice. The political
studies program offers sound academic instruction in American state
and national politics, public law, international relations,
comparative government, and political philosophy. Program faculty
augment their academic specialties with a great variety of
professional and political experiences. Members of the program have
served in state legislatures, as precinct committeepersons, as
participants in major civil rights suits, as legislative staff
aides, as policy consultants, and in other offices. The faculty
encourage students to take full advantage of the academic and
professional opportunities offered by UIS and the state capital.
The master's degree curriculum is organized to meet the needs of
a diverse student body, offering graduate students the option to
take a course of study that focuses on either the academic or
practical aspect of politics. Because students enter the program
with bachelor's degrees in a variety of social sciences and
humanities, the M.A. curriculum is centered in several required
courses that provide essential concepts and skills. For that reason,
all students who have not taken an undergraduate research methods
course are required to take POS 451 Empirical Political Analysis to
prepare them in research and quantitative methods. A range of
options in subject‑matter seminars, elective courses, and
internships allow students to tailor their courses of study to their
individual professional aspirations. The program is particularly
well organized for students who want to pursue careers in practical
politics at the state level or in agencies involved in international
policy making, for those who are preparing to teach, and for those
who aspire to an advanced degree in political science or law.
ACADEMIC POLITICS CONCENTRATION. The political studies
curriculum ensures that competence is coupled with understanding.
Courses in the academic politics concentration examine political
structures, historic changes in political structures and the larger
human meaning of competence in the areas of electoral and
legislative systems, law and civil liberties, political philosophy,
international relations, and comparative politics. Students are also
encouraged to seek appropriate instruction from faculty in public
administration, economics, legal studies, and women's studies, among
other areas.
This field is important to students who are seeking teaching
careers at the secondary, community college, or university level, or
who plan to study toward the doctorate. Sound academic course work
and the hands‑on experience are both important political science
experiences for in‑service teachers and for those preparing to
teach. Interested students can combine course work in several
subfields of particular interest to teachers of world politics,
American government, Illinois history and government, and other
aspects of civic education. Students may also arrange special
teaching internships.
Graduate students in political studies may also shape their M.A.
programs to the special requirements of advanced degrees. Students
who anticipate entering law school can tailor a program that draws
on the resources of legal studies. For those interested in pursuing
a Ph.D. in political science, the subject‑matter seminars offer
graduate preparation in the standard fields required for doctoral
study.
For those interested in international affairs and comparative
politics, the program offers a special combination of courses and
practice‑related experiences. Internships are available in selected
agencies of Illinois government that have international policies and
programs. Because political studies is a part of the campus'
interdisciplinary committee on international studies, students are
encouraged to take courses on international subjects in several
academic programs.
PRACTICAL POLITICS CONCENTRATION. A concentration is
offered for those who wish to specialize in practical politics.
Students are expected to sharpen the skills and understanding
required of thoughtful and effective practitioners in elective and
appointive public service. Instruction involves consultation with
experienced representatives of government and government‑related
endeavors in the capital. Students learn political and policy
research, organizing and lobbying skills, campaign techniques, and
an array of analytical approaches to policy making in partisan and
nonpartisan settings.
Practical knowledge is intelligence in context. All graduate
students in political studies have opportunities to enhance their
skill and understanding in actual political settings. The program
has developed a broad range of internship experiences with
legislative staffs and agencies, legislative liaisons, lobbyists,
public interest groups, political consultants, and campaign
organizations. These learning experiences ensure that M.A. students
are effective learners both in the classroom and in the field and
that they can transfer their learning from one setting to another,
as the professional practice of politics requires.
Admission to the Program
The program encourages diversity among its graduate population
and so admits students who have been trained in most undergraduate
fields of study. For those lacking a strong undergraduate background
in political science, history, or the social sciences, admission is
conditional upon completion of two or more courses designated by the
program committee. Prospective students who do not hold a B.A.
degree should investigate the requirements for alternative admission
discussed in this catalog.
Communication Skills
Successful performance in practical politics and political
science requires ability to write and speak persuasively and to
present sophisticated information and complex subject matter
directly and plausibly. Completion of POS 501 Introduction to the
Graduate Study of Politics will verify satisfaction of the
communication skills requirement.
Advising
On admission to the program, students are assigned an initial
adviser. After a semester a student may select his or her permanent
academic adviser. This faculty member assists the student as thesis
adviser, supervisor for internships and practice units, and academic
counselor in devising an appropriate program of study. The adviser
also monitors student progress in satisfying the requirements of the
program.
Grading
Students must have a grade average of B to qualify for the M.A.
degree. A maximum of eight semester hours of C may be applied toward
the degree so long as each hour of C is balanced by an hour of A. In
no circumstances, however, may a grade lower than B in POS 501
Introduction to the Graduate Study of Politics be counted toward the
degree. For students choosing the credit/no credit option, a CR
represents work equivalent to B, meaning that grades of CR may be
counted toward the master's degree.
Program Requirements
The M.A. in political studies is a 40‑hour program with a
required 28‑hour minimum of 500‑level courses.
Students in established internship programs, such as the Graduate
Public Service Internship or the Illinois Legislative Staff
Internship, may receive credit for the program's internship
requirement by completing an internship report.
Electives may be selected from a wide range of courses in
political studies and related disciplines. Students may take up to
12 semester hours of 400‑level courses for graduate credit. When
they take 400‑level courses, graduate students are held to a higher
standard of performance and must complete additional requirements.
Further information on how electives, seminars, projects, and
colloquia may be combined is available in the program's Handbook
for Graduate Students. The handbook also identifies sets of
elective courses that the program approves for students
concentrating in practical politics and for those developing a
course of study focusing on international studies, the Ph.D. in
political science or other advanced degrees, careers in teaching, or
avocations in public service. It also contains details about
graduate internships.
Master's Closure Requirement
Every graduate degree candidate is required to complete a
closure exercise demonstrating mastery of some area within the major
field of study. Political studies students have four options for
fulfilling this requirement: 1) group research project, 2)
comprehensive examination, 3) master's project in practical
politics, and 4) master's thesis.
Students must enroll for four hours' credit in POS 590 Closure
Exercise for one of the options listed above. Except for the
comprehensive examination, which must be completed in one semester,
students may accrue their four hours' credit in increments. Campus
policy requires that students be enrolled in at least one semester
hour of master's closure exercise each semester after they have
begun their graduate closure exercise until that exercise is
completed. For POS students, this means that if the project/thesis
is not completed by the end of the initial four hours of continuous
enrollment in POS 590, students must register for POS 591 (zero
credit hours, one billable hour) in all subsequent fall and spring
semesters until the exercise is completed.
Concentration in Academic Politics 40 Hrs.
Foundation Seminars:
POS 501 Introduction to the Graduate Study of Politics 4 Hrs.
POS 502 Methods of Inquiry 4 Hrs.
POS 503 Graduate Research Methods 4 Hrs.
Subject Matter Seminars: (three required)
POS 511 Seminar in American Politics 4 Hrs.
POS 512 Seminar in State Politics 4 Hrs.
POS 513 Seminar in Politics and Law 4 Hrs.
POS 514 Seminar in Political Philosophy 4 Hrs.
POS 515 Seminar in International Relations 4 Hrs.
POS 516 Seminar in Comparative Politics 4 Hrs.
POS 517 Seminar on Congress 4 Hrs.
POS 518 Seminar on Public Policy 4 Hrs.
Internships: (not required, may do one as an elective)
POS 520 Internship in Teaching Process 4 Hrs.
POS 521 Internship in the Electoral Process 4 Hrs.
POS 522 Internship in the Legislative Process 4 Hrs.
POS 523 Internship in the Executive Process 4 Hrs.
POS 524 Internship in International Policy 4 Hrs.
Electives 8-12 Hrs.
POS 590 Closure Exercise: (choose one) 4 Hrs.
Group Research Project
Comprehensive Examination
Master's Project in Practical Politics
Thesis
Concentration in Practical Politics 40 Hrs.
Foundation Seminars:
POS 501 Introduction to the Graduate Study of Politics 4 Hrs.
POS 502 Methods of Inquiry 4 Hrs.
Subject Matter Seminar:
POS 511 Seminar in American Politics
or POS 512 Seminar in State Politics 4 Hrs.
Advanced Seminars:
POS 562 Practical Politics Seminar in Political Campaigns
or POS 563 Practical Politics Seminar in Lobbying and
Policy Analysis 4 Hrs.
Internships: (choose one, no more than two)
POS 520 Internship in Teaching Process
POS 521 Internship in the Electoral Process
POS 522 Internship in the Legislative Process
POS 523 Internship in the Executive Process
POS 524 Internship in International Policy 4 or 8 Hrs.
Electives 12-16 Hrs.
POS 590 Closure Exercise: (choose one) 4 Hrs.
Group Research Project
Comprehensive Examination
Master’s Project in Practical Politics
Thesis
|
