Apr 19, 2024  
2009-2011 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2009-2011 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Political Science

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Chair
Tuman, John 
  (2001), Associate Professor; B.A., University of California, Berkeley; M.A., University of Chicago; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles.
   

Graduate Coordinators
M.A. Ethics and Policy Studies
Fott, David S.
  (1992), Associate Professor; B.A., Vanderbilt University; A.M., Ph.D., Harvard University.

M.A. and Ph.D. Political Science
Pirages, Dennis

  (2009), Professor; B.A., State University of Iowa; Ph.D., Stanford University.
 

Graduate Faculty
Bowers, Michael
  (1984), Professor; B.A., Cameron University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Arizona.
Damore, David
  (2000), Associate Professor; B.A., University of California, San Diego; M.A., University of Georgia; Ph.D., University of California, Davis.
Fernandez, Kenneth
  (2004), Assistant Professor; B.A., University of California, San Diego; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside.
Howard, Tiffiany
  (2008), Assistant Professor; B.A., Florida A&M University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Jelen, Ted G.
  (1997), Professor; B.A., Knox College; M.A., Ph.D., Ohio State University.
Kuenzi, Michele
  (2004), Assistant Professor; B.A., Grinnell College; M.P.A., Wayne State University; Ph.D., Michigan State University.
Lutz, Mark
  (2006), Assistant Professor; B.A., University of Chicago; M.A., Ph.D., University of Toronto.
Parker, Steven
  (1979), Associate Professor; B.A., Assumption College; M.A., Ph.D., State University of New York, Albany.
Strand, Jonathan
  (2001), Associate Professor; B.S., University of Wisconsin-Platteville; M.A., Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Tamadonfar, Mehran 
  (1987), Associate Professor; B.A., M.A., University of Tehran; Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder.
Titus, Dina
  (1977), Professor; B.A., College of William and Mary; M.A., University of Georgia; Ph.D., Florida State University.

Wood, Rebecca

  (2008), Assistant Professor; B.A., James Madison College at Michigan State University; Ph.D., Michigan State University.
   

Professors Emeriti
Bigler, Robert M.
  (1970-1998), Emeritus Professor; Diploma, University of Budapest; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley.
Dixon, Brock
  (1971-1985), Emeritus Vice President; B.A., Pacific College; M.A., University of Oregon; Ph.D., University of Southern California.
Jones, Gary L.
  (1969-2002), Emeritus Associate Professor; A.A., Long Beach City College; B.A., Long Beach State College; Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School.
Simich, Jerry L.
  (1973-2008), Emeritus Associate Professor; B.A., California State University, Long Beach; Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara.
Tuttle, Andrew C.
  (1968-2000), Emeritus Associate Professor; B.A., M.A., University of California, Santa Barbara; Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School.

The Department of Political Science offers two master’s degree programs: one in Political Science, the other in Ethics and Policy Studies, and a doctoral degree program in Political Science. A description of each follows. Programs are flexible, and students may take advantage of individualized instruction.

Political Science

The Department of Political Science offers a general Master of Arts degree. Students tailor their program with the assistance of the department’s graduate coordinator. Advisory committees will approve programs that provide an appropriate degree of specialization in two of the fields of political science with supporting studies in others.

Students can pursue graduate education in the areas of comparative politics, international relations, American politics, political theory, public law, and public policy. Students can normally expect to complete the program in from one-and-a-half to two years. The department offers a number of graduate assistantships as well as internship opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels, where students can obtain on-the-job experience.

The graduate program in political science is designed to prepare graduate students for doctoral studies, teaching positions at secondary schools and community colleges, or employment by government agencies, research centers, or private industry. Our graduates have gone on to executive positions in national, state, and local governments and to doctoral programs at top schools throughout the country.

Ethics and Policy Studies

Advisory Committee

Bernick, Lee
 
(2000), Professor of Public Administration and Interim Dean of the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs; B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Oklahoma.
Fernandez, Kenneth
  (2004), Assistant Professor; B.A., University of California, San Diego; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside.
Fott, David S.
  (1992), Associate Professor; B.A., Vanderbilt University; A.M., Ph.D., Harvard University.
Lutz, Mark
  (2006), Assistant Professor; B.A., University of Chicago; M.A., Ph.D., University of Toronto.
Schollmeier, Paul
  (1989), Professor of Philosophy; B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Chicago.
Titus, Dina
  (1977), Professor; B.A., College of William and Mary; M.A., University of Georgia; Ph.D., Florida State University.

The Department of Political Science offers a Master of Arts degree in Ethics and Policy Studies (EPS). EPS is a unique program for students who have already begun or are planning to enter careers in government, legal or medical professions, or business, and who are curious enough to study the ethical questions involved in the making of decisions in those areas. Such students find that they can contribute more to their families, communities, and professions or businesses if they study ethics, policy, and the relation between the two. Each student in the program can pursue a specialized emphasis in his or her program of studies, contingent on the availability of faculty. EPS draws upon a wide variety of faculty from the UNLV Graduate College. Emphases may come from such areas as ethics in business, ethics in government, environmental ethics, and medical ethics (including health care policy).

EPS students learn about moral and political philosophy, about political science more generally, and about related fields in the liberal arts. This interdisciplinary focus allows EPS students a greater opportunity to study the sociopolitical context in which ethical decisions in business and the professions are made.

Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science

The Ph.D. program offers major concentrations in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and minor concentrations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.

Globalization is a dominant characteristic of politics in the twenty-first century. The program focuses on the causes, consequences, and limitations of the political, economic, and cultural aspects of globalization.

The PhD program is intended to prepare its graduates for careers in academic institutions, government (at all levels), and business and industry. Increasingly, a cross-national, cross-cultural understanding of political processes is essential for education, public policy, and commerce.

Programs

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