1999-2000 Undergraduate Catalog

College of Arts and Sciences - Government
NMSU

Professor William A. Taggart, department head

Professor Taggart; Associate Professors Baker, Butler, Garcia, Lapid, Winn; Assistant Professors Harvey, Prindeville, Rubaii-Barrett, Ward

(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.

MAJOR: Government

Departmental Requirements

GOVT 100G, American National Government3
GOVT 110G, Introduction to Political Science3

One upper-division course in four of the six fields: public administration (40 series), American government and politics (50 series), international relations (60 series), comparative government (70 series), political theory (80 series), 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 3 credits of course work in social science research methods. A list of approved courses is available in the department office.

Six 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 55 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 major prior to completing the last 9 credits of the program.

Core Courses (select three of the four options)

CJ 205, Criminal Law I3
GOVT 390, Constitutional Law3
GOVT 391, Judicial Process3
Or one of the following three courses: CJ 306, Criminal Procedural Law; GOVT 492, Civil Liberties; JOUR 493, Mass Communications Law (same as GOVT 493 , COMM493)3

Critical Thinking (select one)

COMM 351, Persuasion Theory and Practice3
COMM 353, Advanced Public Speaking3
ENGL 211G, Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences3
ENGL 311G, Advanced Composition3
GOVT 387, Contemporary Political Theory3
PHIL 211G, Informal Logic3
PHIL 312, Formal Logic3
PHIL 313, Inductive Logic and Probability3

Jurisprudence (select one)

CJ 307, Law of Evidence3
CJ 332, Correctional Law3
CJ 399/GOVT399/HIST399/JOUR399/SOC399, New Mexico Law3
GOVT 383, American Political Ideas3
PHIL 376, Philosophy of Law3
PSY 330, Psychology and the Law3
SOC 391, Criminology3
SOC 485, Sociology of Law3

Legal Issues in Society (select one)

CJ 250, Courts and the Criminal Justice System3
GOVT 393, Law and Sex3
GOVT 394, The Supreme Court3
GOVT 395, Law and Society3
HIST 407, Recent United States, 1960-Present3
PLAN 301, Legal Aspects of Planning3
SOC 371, Race and Ethnic Relations3
SOC 392, Juvenile Delinquency3

Electives (6 credits)

  1. All courses listed above (no repeats)
  2. Honors law courses: HON 335G, 350G, 352G, 377G, 385G
  3. Business college law courses: BLAW 316, 317, 318, 320, 325, 385G
  4. GOVT 442, The Regulatory Process
  5. HLS 489, Ethics and Jurisprudence for Health Personnel
  6. HRTM 304, Hospitality and Travel Law

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