Government and International Affairs

• College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Government and International Affairs Departmental website

TThe mission of the Department of Government and International Affairs is to provide the majors with a strong foundation to expand awareness and understanding of political life, to stimulate scholarship and continuing interest in political science, government service, and international affairs—and to provide a framework for enriching the exposure of majors and the wider university community to the study of government, politics, and issues of public concern. Moreover, the Department offers course work to the general student population in light of its commitment to the CORE Curriculum. The Department offers two majors: a B.A. in Government and a B.A. in International Affairs. The Department also offers a Minor in Government and hosts several Interdisciplinary Concentrations that can substitute for a Minor, including Concentrations in International Affairs, Justice and Peace Studies, Political Economy, and Pre-Law.

The programs in Government and International Affairs at the University are especially designed to develop analytical skills, combining organized knowledge with practical experience that introduces and prepares students for career opportunities in the public as well as non-governmental sectors. Many occupations today require a college educated individual who can write and speak well, solve problems, learn new information quickly and work well with others on a team, and the department’s majors, minors, and interdisciplinary concentrations help students on that path.
Government and International Affairs graduates use their education in a wide variety of fields. By selecting appropriate courses and internships, students can prepare themselves for professional training in public policy, public administration, law, graduate education in the policy sciences, as well as employment in government and non-government public sector organizations, including non-profit organizations or businesses relating to international affairs. As a step in that preparation, students majoring in International Affairs will normally spend a semester studying outside the United States and will include courses in cultural studies and languages, enabling students to gain a global perspective through exposure to courses in many disciplines including political science, history, art history, sociology, business, and economics.

Students are strongly encouraged to take at least one internship course. Up to 6 hours of Internships can be substituted for the same number of hours in the area of focus. To enroll in an internship, students must have a 2.5 GPA overall, a 3.0 GPA in the major, and approval of the instructor.

Washington Internship

Qualified juniors and seniors have an opportunity to earn up to 15 credit hours (9 towards the major) by serving an approved internship in Washington, D.C. for a semester. Placement opportunities include Capitol Hill, the White House, the Department of Justice, the State Department, major law firms, American Civil Liberties Union, U.S. Information Agency, and other government agencies and private sector organizations. Applicants must have a 2.5 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in the major and approval of the Department Chair.

Major Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Government

Government Majors must choose from the following degree tracks:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics/International Relations

Government Majors must also complete either a minor or an interdisciplinary concentration in addition to the major. With the approval of their academic advisor, students may construct an individualized interdisciplinary minor. Government majors may not choose the Pre-Law Concentration--those planning to attend law school should select American Politics as their track within the major.

39 semester hours are required for a Government Major as follows:
1. 21 semester hours of required courses:

POLS 1315 American Politics
POLS 1316 State and Local Politics
POLS 2300 Social Science Research Methods
POLS 2305 Introduction to Political Studies
POLS 2310 Comparative Politics
POLS 2320 International Relations
SOCI 3381 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences

2. 18 semester hours selected from courses listed under one of the following tracks.
A.            American Politics:

POLS 1391             Human Rights
POLS 2342             Law and Social Justice in Movies and Novels
POLS 2350             Environmental Politics                       
POLS 2392             Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
POLS 3300            U.S. Congress
POLS 3305            U.S. Presidency
POLS 3353             Texas Legislative Process
POLS 3371             Political Theory
POLS 3375             Moot Court
POLS 4315             Constitutional Law I: Institutional Powers
POLS 4316             Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
POLS 4317             Public Policy
POLS 4321             United States Foreign Policy
POLS 4325             Political Behavior
COMM 4332             Law and the Media
POLS 4335             Political Parties and Elections
POLS 4385             Topics in American Politics

• Comparative Politics/International Relations

Students who choose to focus in Comparative Politics/International Relations must take three courses designated as Comparative Politics and three designated as International Relations:

Comparative Politics Courses

POLS 1391             Human Rights
POLS 2350             Environmental Politics
POLS 3350             European Politics
POLS 3371             Political Theory
POLS 4335             Political Parties and Elections
POLS 4355             Politics of Developing Countries
POLS 4387             Topics in Comparative Politics

International Relations Courses

POLS 2375             International Organizations
POLS 2376             Model Organization of the American States
POLS 3356             Terrorism and Conflict in the International Arena
BINT 4310               International Economics
BLAW 4320             International Business Law
POLS 4321             United States Foreign Policy
POLS 4322             National Security Policy
POLS 4323             Politics of Coffee and Sugar
POLS 4330             International Law
POLS 4363             Political Globalization
POLS 4387             Topics in International Relations

 

Major Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs

39 semester hours are required for a Major in International Affairs as follows:
1.            21 semester hours of required courses:
POLS 1315             American Politics
POLS 2300             Social Science Research Methods (or a similar research methods course in another department, with approval of the Advisor)
POLS 2320            International Relations
INST 3110            International Affairs Colloquium (to be repeated once for a total of 2 hours)
INST 4390             International Affairs Capstone (4 hours)
Foreign Language beyond the elementary level (6 hours)
Study Abroad Experience (may be satisfied through semester abroad or internship abroad)

2.            9 semester hours from Group I: Fine Arts and Humanities courses:
ARTH 2361             Art History: Ancient through Medieval
ARTH 2362             Art History: Renaissance to Modern
ARTH  3350              Latin American Art: 20th Century
ARTH 3357             History of Photography
ARTH 4350             Modern Art of Mexico

CLST 3325              Cultural Studies Theory
CLST 2320             Cultural Studies Method: Inquiry and Evidence
CLST  4399             Selected Topics in Cultural Studies

ENGL 2310             World Literature Studies
ENGL 4320             Period Studies- when appropriate
ENGL 4340             Major Authors- when appropriate
ENGL 4350              Literary Movements

HIST 1311             World History I
HIST 1312             World History II
HIST 3331             Colonial Latin America
HIST 3332             Latin America since Independence
HIST 3340             Modern Europe
HIST 4334             History of Portuguese America
HIST 4336             Topics in Chinese History
HIST 4338             Topics in South Asian History
HIST 4350             Topics in World History
HIST 4332             Mexico

MUSI 3348             Studies in World Music

PHIL 3325             Philosophy of Culture
PHIL 3355             World Philosophy
PHIL 3385             Justice: Tradition and Transformation

RELS 2345             World Religions
RELS 3322             Christianity through ART
RELS 3350             Environmental Theology and Ethics
RELS 4345             Theologies of Liberation

SPAN 3311             Culture and Civilization of Spain
SPAN 3312             Culture and Civilization of Latin America

2.            9 semester hours from Group II: Social Science and Business courses
ANTH 1311             Cultural Anthropology
ANTH/SOCI 3232/3332 Culturology and Cross-Cultural Communication

ECON 2301              Macroeconomics
ECON 4310             International Economics
ECON/BINT 4350 Latin America Economics

BINT 3331             International Business Management
BINT 3345             International Accounting
BINT 3355             International Banking and Finance
BINT 3361             International Marketing
BINT/ECON 4350 Latin America Economics
BINT 4390             International Policies and Relations (Study Abroad)

POLS 1391             Human Rights
POLS 2350             Environmental Politics
POLS 2375             International Organizations
POLS 2376             Model Organization of American States
POLS 3356             Terrorism and Conflict in the International Arena
POLS 4321             U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 4322             National Security Policy
POLS 4323             Politics of Coffee and Sugar
POLS 4330             International Law
POLS 4355             Politics of Developing Countries
POLS 4363             Political Globalization
POLS 4387             Topics in International Relations
POLS 4387             Topics in Comparative Politics

 

MINOR REQUIREMENTS IN GOVERNMENT (21 hours total):
POLS 1315, 1316, 2305, and 2310 or 2320; Nine additional semester hours in other POLS courses, 6 of which must be upper division. Internships do not meet requirements for the minor.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS CONCENTRATION
Requirements for a Concentration in International Affairs (18 hours total plus Study Abroad). Study Abroad Experience may be satisfied through semester abroad, course based study abroad, or internship abroad.

6 hours of the following:
POLS 2320            International Relations
POLS 2300             Social Science Research Methods (or a similar research methods course in another department, with approval of the Advisor)
6 hours from Group I: Fine Arts and Humanities:
ARTH  2361             Art History: Ancient through Medieval
ARTH 2362             Art History: Renaissance to Modern
ARTH 3350             Latin American Art: 20th Century
ARTH 3357             History of Photography
ARTH 4350             Modern Art of Mexico

CLST 3325             Culture Studies Theory
CLST 2320             Cultural Studies Method: Inquiry and Evidence
CLST 4399             Selected Topics in Cultural Studies

ENGL 2310              World Literature Studies
ENGL 4320             Period Studies-when appropriate
ENGL 4340             Major Authors-when appropriate
ENGL 4350             Literary Movements

HIST 1311             World History I
HIST 1312             World History II
HIST 3331             Colonial Latin America
HIST 3332             Latin America since Independence
HIST 3340              Modern Europe
HIST 4334             History of Portuguese America
HIST 4336             Topics in Chinese History
HIST 4338             Topics in South Asian History
HIST 4350             Topics in World History
HIST 4332             Mexico

MUSI 3348             Studies in World Music

PHIL 3325             Philosophy of Culture
PHIL 3355             World Philosophy
PHIL 3385             Justice: Tradition and Transformation

RELS  2345              World Religions
RELS 3322             Christianity through Art
RELS 3350             Environmental Theology and Ethics
RELS 4345             Theologies of Liberation

SPAN 3311             Culture and Civilization of Spain
SPAN 3312             Culture and Civilization of Latin America

6 hours from Group II: Social Sciences and Business:
ANTH 1311             Cultural Anthropology
ANTH/SOCI 3232/3332 Culturology and Cross-Cultural Communication

ECON 2301             Macroeconomics
ECON 4310             International Economics
ECON/BINT 4350 Latin America Economics

BINT 3331              International Business Management
BINT 3345             International Accounting
BINT 3355             International Banking and Finance
BINT 3361             International Marketing
BINT/ECON 4350 Latin America Economics
BINT 4390             International Policies and Relations (Study Abroad)

INST 3110            International Affairs Colloquium

POLS 1391             Human Rights
POLS 2350             Environmental Politics
POLS 2375             International Organizations
POLS 2376             Model Organization of American States
POLS 3356             Terrorism and Conflict in the International Arena
POLS 4321              U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 4322             National Security Policy
POLS 4323             Politics of Coffee and Sugar
POLS 4330             International Law
POLS 4355             Politics of Developing Countries
POLS 4363             Political Globalization
POLS 4387             Topics in Comparative/International Relations
POLS 4387             Topics in Comparative Studies

 

JUSTICE AND PEACE STUDIES CONCENTRATION
A concentration in Justice and Peace Studies insures that students graduate with an understanding of the theoretical and philosophic underpinnings of justice, the extent to which society is just and how to promote greater justice, and how to practically address the ways in which they can work toward a more just world.  This facilitates the search for and the communication of truth to help meet the spiritual and material needs of people as articulated in the UIW Mission Statement.

The program is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing upon course and faculty in schools and departments from across the campus. The program takes a broad view of the world and of issues of justice and peace. It is designed to attract students who are preparing for academic, government, nonprofit, or business careers with a focus on justice, peace, and equality and who value the benefits of interdisciplinary learning.

Requirements for a Concentration in Justice and Peace (24 hours total)

18 hours of required courses as follows:
POLS 1315             American Politics
POLS 1391             Human Rights
RELS 1360             Christian Ethics
ARTH 3357             History of Photography
PHIL 3385            Justice: Tradition and Transformation
JUSP 4390             Justice and Peace*

6 hours selected from the following courses:

ECON 2301             Principles of Macroeconomics
POLS 2350            Environmental Politics
ARTS 2357             Photography
POLS 2392             U.S. Legal System
RELS 3305             Catholic Social Teachings
SOCI 3321             Social Problems and Social Justice
SOCI 3323             Criminal Justice
PHIL 3332             Ethics
RELS 3350             Environmental Theology and Ethics
POLS 3356             Terrorism and Conflict in the International Arena
ARTH 3360             Survey in Contemporary Art
ARTS 3365             Art Photography: Directorial Photography
POLS 3371             Political Theory
RELS 4300             Women and Faith
POLS 4322             National Security Policy
POLS 4323             Politics of Coffee and Sugar
RELS 4345             Theologies of Liberation
POLS 4355             Politics of Developing Areas
POLS 4363             Political Globalization

*Students are also required to participate in a service learning experience or internship which will be part of the requirements for JUSP 4300.  Students will also be encouraged to participate in other service learning opportunities which could be accomplished either through a course or through Alternative Spring Break.

POLITICAL ECONOMY CONCENTRATION
The Political Economy concentration aims to develop theoretical and empirical understanding of the connections between economics and politics.  Students majoring in Government or in International Affairs gain an appreciation of the role of economic forces in politics.  Economics majors learn how politics influence economic behavior in the real world.  Students choosing a concentration in Political Economy will be especially well prepared for graduate study in Economics, Political Science or business, and for both academic and non-academic careers in policy analysis, business administration, law, government relations, and other fields.

Requirements for a concentration in Political Economy (30 hours):

A.             18 semester hours of required hours in economics:

ECON 2301                        Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2302                        Principles of Microeconomics
ECON            3201                        Econometrics I
ECON            3340                        Public Finance
ECON            4310                        International Economics
ECON            4350                        Economic Development of Latin America

B.             6 semester hours required in Government:
POLS 1315                        American Politics
POLS 2320                        International Relations

C.            6 elective hours in Government from the following courses:
POLS 2375                        International Organizations
POLS 4321                        United States Foreign Policy
POLS 4322                        National Security Policy
POLS 4323                        Politics of Coffee and Sugar
POLS 4363                        Political Globalization

PRE-LAW CONCENTRATION
The pre-law program at the University of the Incarnate Word is designed to introduce students to the study of law, to encourage student engagement with the legal profession, and to prepare students for the law school admission process.

Students from any major may consider applying to law school upon graduation. The Department of Government and International Affairs offers a series of public law courses to assist students considering law as a career. For students majoring or minoring in Government, these courses can be taken to count for the American Politics track; for students in other majors, these courses can be taken as a Pre-Law Concentration. The Pre-Law Concentration provides a basic political science and law background for those students who hope to go on to law school but are not majoring in Government.

Requirements for a Concentration in Pre-Law (24 hours total):
15 hours required:

POLS 1315             American Politics
POLS 2392            Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
PHIL 1381             Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 3312             Logic
ENGL             upper level Rhetoric course

3 hours from the following list:
POLS 1391             Human Rights
POLS 2342             Law and Social Justice in Movies and Novels
POLS 2375             International Organizations
POLS 3375            Moot Court
POLS 4315             Constitutional Law I
POLS 4316             Constitutional Law II
POLS 4330            International Law

6 hours from the following list:
BLAW 3317             Business Law
BLAW 4320            International Business Law
BLAW 4340             Labor and Employment Law
ECON 2301            Principles of Macroeconomics
ENGL             upper level Literature course
PHIL 3332             Ethics
PHIL 3385             Justice
SPCH 1311             Public Speaking

Contact
Dr. Lydia Andrade
Chair, Department of Political Science
Administration Building 369
University of the Incarnate Word
4301 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
Office:  (210) 829-3877
Fax:  (210) 829-3880

andrade@uiwtx.edu