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Government / Political Science Department

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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