Spring 2027 Course Offerings
Explore our Spring 2027 course offerings, organized by area of study: Introductory Courses, American Politics, Comparative Politics, The Constitution, Criminal Justice, International Relations, Political Theory and Philosophy, and internships. Each course is designed to help students build critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills while engaging with the political questions shaping our world.
Browse the categories below to find courses that match your interests and goals.
Introductory Courses
PSC 1387 The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience
A study of the philosophical and historical background, development, and content of the United States Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court in a complex and ever-changing multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and multi-religious society.
Instructors: Steve Block, Ph.D. Andrew Clayton, Ph.D. Ian Dagg, Ph.D. Frank Enriquez, J.D. Patrick Flenniken, D.P.P. Braeden McNulty, Ph.D.
PSC 1305 American National Government
A course in American national government with emphasis on the historical background, structure, organization, and functioning of that government.
Instructors: Jacob Rodriguez
PSC 2315 Fundamentals of International Politics
An interactive and engaged look at conflict, cooperation and identity in relations between countries.
Instructors: Joshua Alley, Ph.D. Andy Marshall, Ph.D.
PSC 2343 Introduction to Western Political Philosophy
The Western tradition of political philosophy from Ancient Greece to the present day.
Instructors: Dwight Allman, Ph.D. Lee Ward, Ph.D.
PSC 3304 Comparative Politics
Comparative political analysis using current theories and cross-regional examples from both historical and contemporary eras. Special focus on institutions, regime change, and political culture, political violence, and political development.
Instructors: Ivy Hamerly, Ph.D. Sergiy Kudelia, Ph.D. Sarah Lee, Ph.D. Andy Marshall, Ph.D.
American Politics
PSC 3300 The Environment and Political Processes
Cross-listed as ENV3300
This course explores the causes, the magnitude, and the meaning of the Ecological Crisis and analyzes the way in which environmental problems translate into political issues. Attention is given to the political processes on varying public levels and to political actions that have or have not been taken, or might be taken, on matters relevant to social and physical environments. The purpose of the course is to develop a broad base for informed judgment and for constructive attitudes regarding the growing ecological dilemma confronting all societies.
Instructor: Julie A. King, J.D.
PSC 3322 American Public Policy
An introductory study of how the dynamics of governmental decision making influence the content of public policy; course focuses upon how legislators, interest groups, chief executives, and the bureaucracy function to define alternatives and to shape policy agenda and content.
Instructor: Colby Humphrey, Ph.D.
PSC 3339 Law and Religion in the United States
Cross-listed as AMS 3339, CHS 3339 and REL 3339
An examination of the relationships between government and religion in the American experience. Special attention is given to United States Supreme Court decisions dealing with matters such as prayer and Bible reading in public schools, government aid to church-related schools, and religious liberty rights of individuals and churches.
Instructor: Frances Beckwith, Ph.D.
PSC 4307 Environmental Law
Cross-listed as ENV 4307
Prerequisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Fundamentals of environmental protection laws in the United States, including the evolution of environmental law in the areas of case law, common law, and administrative law. Topics include air and water quality, toxic and hazardous substances, endangered species, and wetlands and coastal management issues.
Instructor: Julie A. King, J.D.
PSC 4309 Environmental Justice
Cross-Listed as ENV 4309
Instructor: Julie A. King, J.D.
PSC 4320 African American Politics
Cross-listed as AMS 4321
Prerequisite(s): Upper-level standing
Contemporary African American politics, including leading theories and paradigms, important social and political movements, prominent leaders, party politics, and role of the "Black Church."
Instructor: Dave Bridge, Ph.D.
PSC 4330 Urban Political Processes
Cross-listed as ENV4330
Political institutions and processes in metropolitan areas, including social, economic, and governmental problems resulting from increased urbanization.
Instructor: Colby Humphrey, Ph.D.
PSC 4v94-01: American Pol. Development
Come study Presidents, Political Parties, and Voting Cycles in American Political History. Look for 4v94 at the very bottom of the course offerings.
Instructor: Curt Nichols, Ph.D.
Comparative Politics
PSC 4312 Government and Politics of Africa
Historical and contemporary political developments across Africa’s states, with primary focus on the states of sub-Saharan Africa.
Instructor: Andy Marshall, Ph.D.
PSC 4314 Government and Politics of Mexico
Constitutional development and political processes in the Mexican federal system. Emphasis will be placed on twentieth-century constitutional and political change, with special attention given to the current scene.
Instructor: Victor J. Hinojosa, Ph.D.
PSC 4354 Governments and Politics of Western Europe
Prerequisite(s): Upper-level standing.
A comparative study of the forms of government organization, political processes, and major developments in Western Europe. The course emphasizes parliamentary forms of democracy.
Instructor: Ivy Hamerly, Ph.D.
PSC 4364 The Governments and Politics of the Asia-Pacific Region
Examines political, economic, and social development of the Asia-Pacific region, with special focus on China, Japan, the Koreas, and the United States. Study of contemporary socio-political issues within states, such as the aging population, environmental pollution, and regime change, as well as among states, such as territorial disputes, historical enmity, and the spread of pop culture.
Instructor: Sarah Lee, Ph.D.
PSC 4397 Political Regimes and International Security
Discover how democracies and dictatorships function, compete, and cooperate throughout history and in the world today. Explore how their institutions and interactions shape prospects for war, peace, and international security.
Instructor: Sergiy Kudelia, Ph.D.
The Constitution
PSC 4342 Public Policy and the Courts
Course examines the role assumed by the Supreme Court in the making of public policy, its history, its justification, and its limits, by looking at such areas as economic policy (e.g., property rights, economic regulation, contracts); civil rights policy (e.g., segregation and affirmative action); social policy (e.g., family rights, child-rearing, education, reproduction issues); and campaign finance regulation. Class will read both Court cases and secondary literature on judicial policy-making.
Instructor: Benjamin Kleinerman, Ph.D.
PSC 4381 American Constitutional Law
This course focuses on SCOTUS cases dealing with civil rights and liberties. You can take this independently of PSC 4361 and take the courses in any order. The class will focus on close reading of key cases and developing your skills as a writer.
Instructor: Rebecca Flavin, Ph.D.
Criminal Justice
PSC 2303 Criminal Justice and Community Law Enforcement
Explore the evolution of American policing, including police organizations, officer decision-making, ethics, accountability, community relations, technology, wellness, and reform, while developing practical knowledge for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, and public service.
Instructor: Keith Vaughan
PSC 3321 Criminal Law
Examination of the sources, development, and application of criminal law in the United States and Texas. This course will serve both the criminal justice minor and the pre-law track, as well as provide an elective for political science majors.
Instructor: Chester Long
International Relations
PSC 3375 Model UN
For spring 2027 Baylor’s Model UN team will be representing a Middle Eastern Member State in preparation for the NMUN-NY conference. Reach out to Dr. Flavin before November 1 to request a permit. Minimum 3.0 GPA required to enroll. Independent research progress will be strongly recommended in January before the semester begins, and optional zoom meetings will be provided to support you in this process.
Instructor: Rebecca Flavin, Ph.D.
PSC 4305 International Law
Nature and origins of international law and the rights, duties, and responsibilities of the states under that law, as well as the problems which have arisen in its interpretation and enforcement.
Instructor: Dan Ogden, J.D.
PSC 4355 Power, Morality, and International Relations
Prerequisite(s): Upper-level standing
The influence of moral principles on international politics.
Instructor: Richard Jordan, Ph.D.
PSC 4375 International Organization
Prerequisite(s): Upper-level standing
How states and other international actors communicate and pursue their foreign policy objectives through the use of diplomatic agents and techniques.
Instructor: Joanne Cummings
PSC 4392 National Security & Geoeconomics
Geoeconomics is about the ways policymakers use economics to achieve geopolitical goals. We’ll study how economics intersects power, national security, military and civilian supply chains, the industrial defense base, and military strategy.
Instructor: Dan Ogden, J.D.
Political Theory and Philosophy
PSC 3353 American Political Thought
Cross-listed as AMS-3353
An examination of American political and constitutional theory, from its philosophical genesis in the works of major early modern thinkers to the contributions of twentieth-century political and legal theorists. The original writings will be stressed.
Instructor: Ann Ward, Ph.D.
PSC 3363 Western Political Thought: Classical and Medieval
The tradition of western political thought from its origins in Greek antiquity through the Christian middle ages, stressing the original writings of great political philosophers.
Instructor: Ann Ward, Ph.D.
PSC 3373 Western Political Thought: Modern
Modern political thought from the fifteenth through the nineteenth centuries, stressing the original writings of great political philosophers.
Instructor: Timothy Burns, Ph.D.
PSC 4313 Politics and Literature
Prerequisite(s): Upper-level standing
Study of fundamental questions of political theory as treated in works of literature. Topics my include authority, law and discretion, the individual and the community, and the nature of freedom, especially as these issues emerge in different political orders. This course may be taken more than once, for a maximum of six credit hours, when content differs.
Instructor: Steve Block, Ph.D.
Internships
PSC 3372 Law, Justice, and the Community
Cross-listed as PPS 3372
Course covers the various subfields of legal practice, writing assignments useful for law school applications, as well as a community service component, which consists of 8 hours per week of volunteer work in a local law office. Course should be especially interesting to those students considering a career in law.
Instructor: Chris Galeczka, J.D.
PSC 3382 Public Service Internship
Prerequisite(s): Consent of program director
Research and seminars supplemented by fieldwork in a regional federal agency, in a state or local governmental agency, or in a not-for-profit agency.
Instructor: Braeden McNulty, Ph.D.