What is Political Science?
Political Science is a field of study concerned with understanding political and governmental behaviors, institutions, relations and practices. As such, the field is comprised of a wide variety of sub-fields: political psychology and behavior, political economy, political philosophy and theory, comparative politics, international relations, political institutions, and more.
Why should I study Political Science?
Studying Political Science will introduce you to the structure of government institutions; the development and impact of constitutions; and contemporary issues affecting local, state, national, and international governments. The field also examines political systems, institutional development, as well as theoretical and direct applications of political behavior. As a field of study, it can help you to develop an understanding of how laws and public policy shape and interact with issues of political ideology, voting rights, gender, civil rights, and civil liberties. It further emphasizes the importance of civic engagement both inside and outside the classroom. By including MATH 1342, you will learn how data is collected and understand the direct skills needed to statistically analyze various topics like public opinion, voting behavior, interstate conflict, and predicting judicial decisions. The study of Political Science and Government will also allow you to develop various marketable and transferable skills including critical thinking, leadership, and applied quantitative analysis that can be used in many career fields in the discipline.
What can I do with a Political Science Degree?
Common careers for political science majors include: lawyer, paralegal, educator, policy analyst, legislative assistant, political consultant, public relations or social media specialist, government affairs manager, market research analyst, intelligence analyst, political party or interest group staff, nonprofit organization manager, and more.
What is the Political Science Field of Study (FOS)?
The Field of Study (FOS) curriculum for Political Science is the set of lower division courses that must be applied to the Bachelor degree in Political Science. Collin College follows the FOS to structure a transfer curriculum in the discipline. If a student successfully completes a FOS for an established degree program, the student may transfer that block of courses for full academic credit. The transferred FOS courses must be substituted for that institution's lower-division requirements for the discipline degree program. The FOS is effective starting with the Fall 2020 semester. It includes:
- GOVT 2304 Introduction to Political Science
- GOVT 2305 Federal Government (Federal Constitution and Topics)
- GOVT 2306 Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics)
- MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods
If you are interested in learning more about the field of political science and/or courses offered, feel free to contact a faculty member.
Political Science Faculty
PLANO CAMPUS
Brian Blanchard, Ph.D.
Plano Campus – D108
972-377-1076
bblanchard@collin.edu
Benjamin A. Copeland, J.D.
Political Science Discipline Lead,
Mock Trial Head Coach
Plano Campus – L262
972-881-5422
bcopeland@collin.edu
Chris DuBois, M.A.
Plano Campus – J102
972-881-5139
cdubois@collin.edu
Julie Hershenberg, J.D. M.P.T.
Plano Campus – L260
972-881-5735
jhershenberg@collin.edu
U. Lynn Jones, Ph.D.
Plano Campus – L208
972-881-5841
ljones@collin.edu
Zack Shipley, M.A.
Plano Campus – B235A
972-881-5784
zshipley@collin.edu
Rosalinda Valenzuela, Ph.D.
IGNITE, LEAP, and the Dialogue Society Advisor
Plano Campus – G223
972-881-5426
rvalenzuela@collin.edu
TECHNICAL CAMPUS
Tiffany Cartwright, Ph.D.
Technical Campus - A070J
tcartwright@collin.edu
FRISCO CAMPUS
Travis Hadley, Ph.D.
Frisco Campus – H142
469-365-1817
thadley@collin.edu
H. Jessica Hargis, Ph.D.
Primary Advisor, Phi Theta Kappa – Alpha Mu Tau Chapter,
Associate Regional Coordinator – Texas Region Phi Theta Kappa
Frisco Campus – J210H
972-377-1681
hhargis@collin.edu
Patrick Larue, Ph.D.
Model United Nations Head Coach
Frisco Campus – J230C
972-881-1942
plarue@collin.edu
Nick Morgan, J.D.
Frisco Campus – L213B
nmorgan@collin.edu
Bryan Rassmusan, M.A.
Frisco Campus – J210E
brasmussen@collin.edu
iCOLLIN CAMPUS
Betsy Brody, Ph.D.
Collin College Outstanding Professor 2020
iCollin Virtual Campus
bbrody@collin.edu
Ryan Rynbrandt, M.A.
iCollin Virtual Campus
972-378-8514
rrynbrandt@collin.edu
Tiffiny Vincent, Ph.D.
iCollin Virtual Campus
972-378-8520
tvincent@collin.edu
WYILE CAMPUS
Millie D. Wormley Black, Ph.D.
Wylie Campus – SC335
972-378-8465
mwormleyblack@collin.edu
Michael McConachie, Ph.D., M.Div.
Wylie Campus – WLB220
972-378-8936
mmcconachie@collin.edu
CELINA CAMPUS
Travis Grasser, M.A., M.S.
Celina Campus – 108E
469-905-3540
tgrasser@collin.edu
Christine Millard, Ph.D.
Curriculum Advisory Board Chair
Celina Campus – 108H
469-905-3543
cmillard@collin.edu
McKINNEY CAMPUS
Daniel Betti, Ph.D.
McKinney Campus – B307
972-549-6342
dvbetti@collin.edu
William Geisler, M.A.
McKinney Campus – B216C
972-548-6732
wgeisler@collin.edu
Brian White, M.A.
McKinney Campus
bwhite@collin.edu
Tyler Young, M.A., M.Ed., M.P.P.
McKinney Campus – B230
214-691-6208
tyoung@collin.edu
FARMERSVILLE CAMPUS
Calin Scoggins, M.A.
Farmersville Campus – 113C
972-549-6462
scoggins@collin.edu
ADJUNCT PROFESSORS
Dawan-Diamond Brothers, M.A.
dbrothers@collin.edu
Joyceland Franklin, M.P.A.
2024 Adjunct of the Year (TCCTA)
jfranklin@collin.edu
Bonnie Ford, M.A.
bford@collin.edu
Jehad J. Matariyeh, Ph.D.
jmatariyeh@collin.edu
Rachel N. Muller, M.A.
rnmueller@collin.edu
Jose Cando Naranjo, Ph.D.
jcandonaranjo@collin.edu
Melissa Palacios, M.A.
mpalacios@collin.edu
Barry v. Smith, Ph.D.
bvsmith@collin.edu
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