GOVERNMENT
Professor William A. Taggart, department head
Professors Flores, Lapid, Taggart; Associate Professors Baker, Butler, Garcia, Harvey, Winn; Assistant Professors Ackleson, DeNardis, Prindeville; College Assistant Professors Seckler
(505) 646-4935; (505) 646-2052 (fax)
DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts
MAJOR: Government
SUPPLEMENTARY MAJOR: Law and Society
The study of government (political science) blends the strengths of a liberal arts education in public affairs with a preparation for careers in federal, state, and local government, in law, in management and public administration, in public policy analysis and for general opportunities for college graduates. The government major program calls for a thorough preparation in the study of government as described below with the opportunity for those interested in specific careers to concentrate in one of the subfields: American government, public law, public administration, comparative politics, political theory and international relations.
The department also offers a supplementary major in law and society, which is supportive of law-related careers.
A government minor program involving 18 credits of course work is also offered. A disciplinary field minor or a general minor may be selected. Information on specific requirements is available in the department office.
In addition, the department administers interdisciplinary minorsin Global Political Economy and U.S.-Mexico Border Studies. More information on both of these programs can be obtained from the department.
MAJOR: Government
Departmental Requirements
GOVT 100G, American National Government (or HON 249G)......................... 3
GOVT 110G, Introduction to Political Science (or HON 248G).......................... 3
One upper-division coursein four of the six fields: public administration (20/30 series), American government and politics (40/50 series), international relations (60 series, may include HON 304G), comparative politics (70 series, may include HON 307G), political theory (80 series, may include GOVT 380G), and public law (90 series). Additional credits in government to bring total credits in major to 33, including 20 upper-division. Majors will not be allowed to register in upper-division government courses until lower-level departmental requirements are completed.
Degree candidates must also complete GOVT 300 or 3 credits of course work in social science research methods. A list of approved courses is available in the department office.
Twelve hours of internship credit also are available. However, only three hours count toward the major. Internship guidelines are available in the department office.
Electives: Sufficient to bring total credits to 128, including 54 upper-division.
SUPPLEMENTARY MAJOR: Law and Society
The Department of Government also coordinates a supplementary major in law and society that may be taken in addition to a regular major. The program is designed to provide a multidisciplinary preprofessional education for undergraduates who plan to attend law school or who contemplate careers in fields closely related to the legal profession, such as government, social work and law enforcement.
Departmental Requirements
The supplementary major consists of 24 credits chosen from the courses listed below. At least 18 credits must be earned in upper-division courses and 6 credits must be earned from listed courses outside the student's primary major. Candidates for the Law and Society degree must declare their supplementary major prior to completing the last 9 credits of the program.
Core Courses (select three of the five options)
Communication Skills (select one)
COMM 351, Persuasion Theory and Practice............................................................. 3
COMM 353, Advanced Public Speaking ...................................................................... 3
ENGL 311G, Advanced Composition............................................................................. 3
PHIL 348, Writing Philosophy ............................................................................................ 3
Critical Thinking Skills (select one)
GOVT 484, Contemporary Political Theory................................................................. 3
PHIL 211G, Informal Logic................................................................................................... 3
PHIL 312, Formal Logic ......................................................................................................... 3
PHIL 313, Inductive logic and Probability ................................................................... 3
Jurisprudence (select one)
C J 307, Law of Evidence ...................................................................................................... 3
C J 425, Forensic Law ............................................................................................................. 3
GOVT 485, American Political Thought ........................................................................ 3
PHIL 376, Philosophy of Law.............................................................................................. 3
PSY 330, Psychology and the Law .................................................................................. 3
SOC 391, Crime and Society............................................................................................... 3
SOC 485, Sociology of Law ................................................................................................. 3
Legal Policy Issues (select two)
BLAW 316, Legal Environment of Business ................................................................ 3
BLAW 385G/HON 385G, Consumers and the Law.................................................. 3
C J 250, Courts and the Criminal Justice System ..................................................... 3
C J 332, Correctional Law..................................................................................................... 3
C J/GOVT/HIST/JOUR/SOC 399, New Mexico Law.................................................. 3
GOVT 421, The Regulatory Process ................................................................................ 3
GOVT 445, The Supreme Court ........................................................................................ 3
GOVT 490, Special Topics in Public Law ....................................................................... 3
GOVT 495, Law and Sex ....................................................................................................... 3
GOVT 496, International Law............................................................................................. 3
HIST 407, Recent United States, 1960-Present.......................................................... 3
HLS 489, Ethics and Jurispudence for Health Personnel ..................................... 3
HON 335G, Legal Issues in Modern Society ............................................................... 3
HON 350G, Law, Culture, and Conflict .......................................................................... 3
HON 352G, Crime, Justice, and Society ........................................................................ 3
HRTM 304, Hospitality Law................................................................................................. 3
PLAN 301, Legal Aspects of Planning............................................................................ 3
SOC 392, Juvenile Delinquency ....................................................................................... 3
SOC 475, Advanced Social Stratification...................................................................... 3