Department of Political Science
College of Liberal Arts

PS 134 (3) Introduction to Political Science. An introduction to the discipline of political science, its concepts and methods of analysis.

PS 135 (3) American Government. Survey of the constitutional basis, organization, and functioning of the American national government; the principles underlying constitutional government, citizenship, civil rights and political institutions.

PS 136 (3) State and Local Government. The role of the state and local governments in the federal system: political institutions, elections, the organization, functions and problems of state and local government, with special emphasis on Mississippi government.

PS 236 (3) Political Statistics. An examination of a set of techniques for describing groups of data and for making decisions related to the allocation of political resources.

PS 238 (3) Introduction to Comparative Politics. Prerequisite: PS 134. An introduction to the basic concepts and approaches in comparative politics and the application of these concepts and approaches to major regions of the world.

PS 270 (3) Film and Politics. This course provides an understanding of the role of the media in the political system as well as the advantages and challenges that come with digital media and the 24/7 news cycle.

PS 290 (3) Racism in American Politics. This course will review racism in the American political system and engage students in courageous conversations as a means of inspiring them to think critically about race and its role in society and politics.

PS 320 (3) Legal Research and Writing. Introduction to the basic research and writing techniques in law. Special emphasis will be placed upon the use of legal reference materials such as reporters, legal encyclopedias, digests and periodicals, and Lexis-Nexis.

PS 341 (3) Blacks and the American Political System. Prerequisite: PS 135. A study of the role of black people in the American political process. Consideration will be given to the impact of American institutions upon black people in America and the diaspora.

PS 343 (3) Political Philosophy. Prerequisite: PS 135. An introductory analysis of the major works in political thought from Montesquieu to Mao Tse-Tung with special attention placed on the relevance of the political tracts in examining recent political problems. Open to juniors and seniors only.

PS 346 (3) Civil Rights and Liberties. Prerequisite: PS 135. A study of development in the field of civil rights under the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and under federal and state legislation.

PS 347 (3) Judicial Process. Prerequisite: PS 135. An analysis of the structure and functions of judicial systems emphasizing the organization, administration and politics of judicial bureaucracies and roles of judges, juries, counsel, litigants and interest groups in the adjudication process.

PS 350 (3) American Political Parties and Pressure Groups. Prerequisite: PS 135. The nature and functions of political parties; nominations; elections and the role of interest groups in the political process.

PS 351 (3) The American Presidency. Prerequisite: PS 135. A consideration of the nature, powers, and functions of the American presidency with emphasis on executive-congressional relations and presidential leadership in foreign and domestic affairs.

PS 352 (3) Modernization and Political Change. Prerequisite: PS 238. An analysis of political and social problems associated with modernization in the non-western world. Empirical focus is placed on two or more developing regions.

PS 353 (3) Government and Politics in Latin America. Prerequisite: PS 238. An analysis of the political systems of contemporary Latin America and an examination of the relationship of the political process to social structure and national diversity.

PS 364 (3) Public Opinion and Political Psychology. This course is about the influences of public opinion and political psychology in U.S. politics. This course provides an understanding of the major concepts, ideas, and theories in public opinion and political psychology.

PS 365 (3) Voting and Elections. This course is about American electoral politics. It will address critical and controversial issues that confront the U.S. electoral system, American democracy in theory and practice, suffrage and turnout, voting behavior, candidates, public policy issues, representation, partisanship, money, and the media.

PS 376 (3) LSAT Survey. An analysis and survey of the mechanics, techniques and content of the Law School Admission Test.

PS 390 (3) Internship in Political Science. Supervised field work with public related agencies. Students receive three (3) semester hours for halftime work for one semester. No student may receive more than a total of fifteen (15) semester hours in political science from the internship program.

PS 423 (3) Constitutional Law. This is the first of a two semester course which will examine the philosophy and constitutional growth of Supreme Court decisions. Emphasis in this portion is on the limitations imposed upon governmental interferences with individual rights.

PS 424 (3) Constitutional Law II. This is the second part of a two semester course which examines the limitations placed upon the federal and state government.

PS 425 (3) Environmental Law. Prerequisite: PS 432. Primary emphasis upon the regulation of air and water pollution at the national, state and regional levels and the political, social and economic considerations behind these laws.

PS 429 (3) African Governments and Politics. Prerequisite: PS 238. This is a survey course. It will analyze African traditional political institutions, the cause of the demise of those institutions, colonialism, independence, and the past independent governments and politics of African countries.

PS 431 (3) African International Relations. This course is designed to study and analyze the role of African countries and organizations in the global system.

PS 432 (3) Introduction to Law I. Prerequisite: PS 135. This is the first part of a two semester course which examines the role of law in society. Emphasis is on the nature of law and the variety of legal mechanisms that exist in society.

PS 433 (3) Introduction to Law II. Prerequisite: PS 135. This is the second part of a two semester course which examines the processes of how law functions to meet the political, social and economic needs of society.

PS 437 (3) International Relations. Nature of international relations, problems of national power, the state system, diplomacy, war and peace.

PS 446 (3) Scope and Methods. Prerequisite: PS 236. This course is designed to introduce students of political science to critical epistemological and methodological issues, to the philosophy of science and to the scientific and intellectual issues that characterize major trends in the disciplines.

PS 447 (3) Senior Research Seminar in Political Science. Prerequisite: PS 446. This course is designed for students of political science. It is an attempt to integrate research methods with the substance of politics. Statistical techniques and illustrative computer applications will be utilized focusing on political research.

PS 449 (3) Mississippi Legislative Internship Program. Prerequisite: PS 134, PS 136. Students become acquainted with legislative functions by working as interns for a legislator during regular legislative session. Students will observe, participate in the writing of bills and perform other tasks germane to the operation of the legislature.

PS 450 (3) Urban Politics. This course will examine the concept of community and the political process in a variety of American localities. An examination of the black community with special emphasis upon political problems will be examined.

PS 453 (3) Independent Study and/or Directed Readings. Prerequisites: Senior standing, 2.0 grade point average in major courses and consent of instructor (a specialist in the area of study).

PS 473 (3) The American Legislative Process. Prerequisite: PS 135. Analytical treatment of the law-making functions of the national and state legislatures and their place in the political system. Emphasis on such areas as patterns of recruitment, internal leadership structure and role of parties.

PS 484 (3) Intergovernmental Relations. Prerequisite: PS 135, 136. Evolution of the American Federal System; consideration of inter-unit cooperation and conflict; review of administrative issues like revenue sharing, federal grants and regulations.

PS 490 Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment. Establishes the foundations and practical applications of computer-based research in the legal environment. Computer-assisted legal research will include understanding government legal databases and private legal databases such as Westlaw and Lexis and filing mechanisms for Mississippi and the Federal Government.

PS 491 Law Office Management and Technology. Examines applications of computer software and hardware in the legal environment. Legal applications of word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. Legal software for document generation, document management, fiscal management, time billing, time and document management, computer-assisted legal research, and information management in the workflow process.

PS 492 Trial Preparation. Presents a comprehensive overview of the criminal and civil trial processes. Preparation for trial of criminal and civil cases, as studied through case law, procedures, techniques, and strategies. This course presents a comprehensive overview of the criminal trial process. Preparation and trial of a criminal case as studied through case law, procedures, techniques, and strategies. Contrast of Mississippi law and Federal procedures.

PS 493 eDiscovery for Paralegals. Introduces the eDiscovery process. This will analyze the entire eDiscovery process, from preparation, requests, collection, and review of Electronically Stored Information (ESI). 

PS 494 Paralegal Internship. Encompasses field work experience of 90 hours in a private sector law office, corporation, bank, or public sector agency. Required classroom seminar supplements experiential component and includes discussion of field work experience, ethical considerations, and career options.