Public Law Concentration

Methods Sequence

Students may choose between a regular and a more advanced methods track.

Choose One

Either

• POLS 6100 - Seminar in American Politics 3 Hours

• or

• POLS 8100 - Seminar in American Politics 3 Hours

•  

• POLS 6200 - Comparative Politics Analysis 3 Hours

• or

• POLS 8200 - Comparative Politics Analysis 3 Hours

•  

• POLS 6400 - International Politics 3 Hours

• or

• POLS 8400 - International Politics 3 Hours

Required Courses

• POLS 8140 - Judicial Process and Policy Making 3 Hours
• POLS 8145 - Law, Courts & Policy 3 Hours

Choose One

Either

• POLS 8427 - Politics of Human Rights 3 Hours
• POLS 8139 - Studies in Public Law 3 Hours

Additional Public Law or Public Law-Related Courses (6 Hours)

For students on the regular methods track, choose two additional Public Law or Public Law-related courses (6). For students on the advanced methods track, choose one additional Public Law or Public Law-related course (3). One course may be taken in a different political science concentration with the advance approval of the departmental Director of Graduate Studies. Potential courses include, but are not limited to:

• POLS 6139 - Separation of Powers 3 Hours
• POLS 6190 - Studies in American Politics 3 Hours
• POLS 8421 - International Organizations and Institutions 3 Hours

Choose One Elective Course (3 Hours)

For students on the regular methods track, choose one elective course in consultation with the departmental Director of Graduate Studies (3). Two of the above courses may be taken in another department or may be taken as experiential learning hours with the advance approval of the departmental Director of Graduate Studies.

Thesis Option

• A minimum of six hours of POLS 8999 - Thesis Research .
• A thesis, written following successful defense of proposal before three-member faculty committee.
• A thesis defense.

Non-Thesis Option

(Students wishing to pursue a doctoral degree should not choose this option):

• Six additional hours of graduate courses in Public Law or Public Law-related courses.
• A research paper completed according to departmental guidelines.