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Dr. Todd
Shields, Chair and Dr. Margaret F. Reid, Graduate Coordinator
Note: In case of any discrepancy between this handbook and the
Graduate
School Catalog, the latter will
prevail.
WELCOME
For the latest in
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Here is our
COURSE
PLANNING and TRACKING GUIDE
, the required Annual Student
Review and
Graduate Student dismissal policy
Academic Honesty Policy for Graduate Students
The M. A. Program and Faculty Ì Program Structure and Course Work and Annual Review Requirement Ì Comprehensive Examination, Format & Procedures and Sample questions Ì Thesis Preparation and Defense Ì Graduate Assistantships and Financial Support Ì Academic and Professional Responsibilities Ì Internship Ì Finding a Job; the Portfolio Ì Student Conference Participation Ì
to the M.P.A. program
1. to provide a broad education for students to prepare themselves for careers in public or non-profit service; and
2. to prepare scholars for further graduate study in the field of political science.
by areas of concentration
American Politics
Andrew J. Dowdle Editor, American Review of Politics
Pearl K. Ford ( starting fall 2008)
Brinck Kerr -- Director, Public Policy Ph.D.
Janine Parry, Director, Arkansas Poll
Todd Shields, Director, Blair Center for Southern Politics and Society
Comparative Politics and International Relations
Patrick Conge
Public Administration and Policy
Margaret Reid, Graduate Coordinator/MPA Director
Patrick Stewart (starting fall 2008)
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree:
The M.A. degree is a 36-semester hour program.
Completion of the program is contingent upon passing a comprehensive examination
or writing a thesis (the oral defense of the thesis serves as a substitute for
the written examination).
Courses at the 4000 level may be taken with the graduate advisor’s consent.
Under special circumstances students may arrange to take graduate-level directed
readings or independent research courses. Such courses require an application
that must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor in concert with the
professor from whom the course is to be taken. The student must apply for such a
course prior to the semester in which the course is to be taken.
Areas of study:
Courses are offered in three areas : American Politics, Comparative Politics and International Relations, and
Public Administration. From these offerings students must select a primary area
of study. A secondary field of no less than 6 hours will complement the choices
in the primary field. Selection of the fields of study should be commensurate
with the professional or career goals of the student.
A minimum of 21 hours must be fulfilled by seminars (5000-level classes)
in the student’s chosen areas. Students must take a minimum of 24 of their 36
course hours in the Department of Political Science.
All M.A. students are required to take PLSC 5913
Research Methods. Ph.D.-bound students are advised to take at least one
additional methods or quantitative analysis course.
Thesis Option:
Students must take 30 hours of course work and six hours
of thesis credit. Under this option, students will not take a written
comprehensive exam. All M.A. candidates in this option are required to develop a
prospectus for their thesis. They must then write and orally defend an
acceptable thesis (the oral defense will be considered as the comprehensive
examination).
Non-thesis Option:
Students take 36 semester hours of course work. Under this option, students must take a written comprehensive examination in their primary field of study.
TRANSFER CREDIT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
GUIDELINES
Field committees determine the examination formats. Students planning to take the examinations should carefully read the attached guidelines pertaining to either their MA field(s).
Every effort will be made to develop a fair and balanced exam schedule in order to accommodate the different exam formats.
Below find narratives describing the different formats.
The American/Theory section of the
comprehensive exams is an 8 hour in-class exam
Format: The exam will contain questions from the subfields American
Institutions, Political Behavior, State and Local Politics and Policy, and
Political Theory, depending on the student's coursework. From the list of
questions, students will be required to answer four, with no more than two
questions coming from any specific subfield.
The exam is to encourage evaluation and critical analysis of competing theories and methods of Comparative Politics as well as substantive debates in this field. The student must demonstrate comprehension and ability to construct an argument, that is, we seek the students' own insights and position in such debates.
Format: The examination is a take-home exam (pick up Friday morning and return Monday noon).
Students will answer three questions from a pool of questions. The examination will have 2 parts:
Part I: general questions concerning primary debates in the comparative fields. Students must select one question from this part.
Part II: questions which combine theoretical concerns with knowledge of a particular area(s). This will reflect the coursework of students. Students must select their second question from this part. The third question may be selected from either part.
All answers must be typed, double-spaced. Each answer should be at minimum 8 pages and not exceed 12 pages.
Students may use books and notes and provide citations in simplified format (author, date).
The exam is to test evaluation and critical analysis of theories in this field.
Format: The examination is a take-home exam (pick up Friday morning and return Monday noon). Students can use resources, such as class-notes and books to help in the composition of the test. All answers should be typed.
Students will answer three questions from a pool of 6 questions.
The examination will contain specific instructions how to proceed in answering the questions.
The public administration faculty has agreed on the following guidelines for students taking PA as a field in the MA program and for MPA students. The exam format is designed to foster integrative thinking that joins theoretical and practical concerns. Memorization of authors and theories is not rewarded.
Format: Examination is a take-home examination (pick up Friday morning and return Monday noon). As the comprehensive exam is a measure of individual accomplishments, collaboration with other students is not permitted.
Type and number of questions: All examinees must answer one question covering broad issues in Public Administration.
MA: students select two questions from the remaining pool of questions reflecting on their class work.
MPA students: extensive case study.
Comprehensive Examination Procedures
1. Announcement of Examination Date
2. Responsibilities of the Field Coordinators
2. Assembling the Final Draft
3. Students Intending to Withdraw from Examinations
4. Providing Final Copies of the Exam for the Office Staff
5. Examination Schedule
6. Disseminating and Grading the Examinations
7. Oral exams and Contesting the Grade
8. Student Access to the Exams
Comprehensive Examination Sample Questions
NOTE: These are example questions ONLY! Their purpose it to provide you with a very general sense of the nature of these questions. Some are very broad, others are much more narrowly couched. You should use the class materials and advice of your professors as guide in your preparations. Examination formats may change over time. It is your responsibility to be aware of any changes.
Make sure that you read all your examination questions very carefully, that you organize your answers well, and that you provide appropriate literature references in support of your assertions.
1. Some people argue that we are on the threshold of a new international order. In their view, the end of the cold war will diminish the likelihood of international conflict. Others have doubted this view and argue that international conflict will be more likely and, given modern technology, more ferocious. Evaluate both arguments by considering appropriate literature and decide which one is the more persuasive to you. In your evaluation you should consider:
(a) circumstances that are generally associated with international conflict (examples include anarchy, the distribution of power, relative gains);
(b) whether those circumstances no longer exist, or are becoming increasingly irrelevant.
For (b), you should include some discussion of international institutions, norms and ideas.
2. Students of international politics debate how to incorporate the "logic of capitalism" into their analyses. By incorporating relevant literature, what do you think are the most profitable avenues for international relations theory?
3. Public Administration is highly political. What does this mean? Give some examples of the way in which politics influences so-called "rational" bureaucratic activities. Can we ever get to a point where politics will not play an important role in public organizations? Why or why not? Should politics be eliminated from public administration? Explain your answer.
4. There has been much concern since New Deal times regarding the specter of bureaucratic dominance over traditional democratic institutions, processes, and norms. Assess the major arguments on both sides of this issue an d set forth your own position. Conclude your essay with a consideration of some of the major recommendations for insuring a balance between democratic values and bureaucratic necessity.
5. Some analysts are concerned about the federal budget process and call for its reform. What suggestions have they advanced to correct these problems? Using your readings, what are the defects or deficiencies pointed out by those critics? Would the organizational affiliation of such a critic influence his or her judgment?
6. Political scientists conduct the study of politics from many different perspectives and approaches. Among the most popular is the comparative method. Discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of the comparative method by citing appropriate examples and literature.
7. An important decision that political scientists must face when designing research is choosing an appropriate level of analysis. Discuss the potential pitfall of not carefully choosing the level
of analysis for research projects giving special attention to problems such as "ecological and individualistic fallacies." Cite appropriate literature and provide relevant examples in support of your arguments.
8. Much of the theory building in the area of economic and political integration has been based on the European experience, with considerably less attention being given to the Third World. Yet the developing world has been the scene for a great many integration schemes, though to date few have progressed as far as the European Community. Latin America, in particular,
has been a laboratory of sorts for integration, albeit one which has witnessed many more failures than successes. Are the theories developed in the European context valid when transplanted to Latin America? If not, how can they be amended to provide a better "fit" with the realities of the Latin American context? If such theories are generalizable beyond Europe,
what would they tell us about the prospects for integration within Latin America?
9. Identify and explain the dimensions of institutionalization. For the American
national institutions of the presidency and Congress answer the following:
(a) In what ways is this branch institutionalized? (i. e. what are the specific features of institutionalization within this particular branch of government?)
(b) What led to the institutionalization of this branch?
(c) What are the consequences of institutionalization for: (i) the operation of this branch of government? (ii) the power of the branch as an institution? (iii) the power of individuals serving within this branch?
10. Political commentators are fond of pointing out that in most years between 1952 and 1992, partisan control of the national government has been divided between the two major parties. Based on your reading of the literature, what are the causes and consequences of divided government? Is the operation of American government fundamentally different under unified party control? Why or why not?
THESIS PREPARATION AND DEFENSE
A thesis constitutes a serious work of writing of considerable length that demonstrates the student’s ability to design a research project, propose an appropriate research methodology, and carry the project to its successful conclusion. Unlike a semester project, a thesis often displays elements of originality and sophistication that exhibit his/her ability to integrate their acquired knowledge. Students considering entry into a Ph.D. program are well advised to select the thesis option. Students who select the thesis option should start early to identify a topic. Consult the Guide for Preparing Theses and Dissertations available at the University Bookstore and follow instructions to the letter. The Graduate School and Mullins Library will insist that you adhere to these specifications.
Assembling your thesis committee
In the semester before you plan to start writing your thesis you must assemble a committee of three faculty members that will supervise your project. Under some special circumstances a faculty member from outside the Department can serve as committee member. Please make sure that you consult with individual professors about their availability for the duration of your thesis. Once you have ascertained that all of the professors are willing to serve as members of your committee, one of them must agree to be the chair of your committee.
Check with the Department about special forms (Independent Studies) that must be filled out prior to your enrollment for thesis credit. Schedule an appointment for your committee to meet.
Prospectus
The process of composing your thesis starts with the development of a prospectus. A prospectus is in many ways a mini-version of your thesis and should include the following components:
Writing the thesis
Students should start identifying possible thesis topics early in their program and frequently consult with faculty. The actual thesis writing will in most cases require approximately six months, and in some cases substantial additional time. Consult with your main thesis advisor whether to present the whole project or submit it in segments. The latter has the advantage that you receive continuous feedback.
Review theses that have been written in the Department of Political Science before you launch your project. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with acceptable formats, approximate length, and possible subdivisions for your thesis project.
Depending on the degree of preparation that has gone into planning your project, expect that you will redraft many or all of the segments several times. Careful composition and editing before you submit drafts can minimize misunderstandings and speed along the writing process.
You need to consider turn-around time between drafts in planning your expected time of graduation.
The oral defense
When your committee agrees that the thesis is completed, an oral defense of your project will be scheduled. The purpose of this meeting is to present your research to your committee, defend its merits, and allow you to respond to questions relating to your research. The defense is also an opportunity to question you about your understanding of the literature and provide an opportunity to identify any weaknesses in your thesis. Members of the committee may then recommend to pass the project as presented or to request that you make revisions.
An internship is valuable but not required. The internship should be taken after the course work has been completed. Students may receive up to 6 semester hours of credit. As a rule of thumb, one month of full-time work roughly corresponds to 1 hour credit. It is the student’s responsibility to secure an internship with an agency. The preferred length of the internship is 6 months and working a regular work week. In no case will a student who is employed in a permanent position be allowed to use that experience for internship credit.
We suggest the following procedures:
1. Identify an agency, or organization, willing to assure a professional experience and environment (you should ask questions about a manager supervising you, salary to be received, and work expectations and responsibilities; secure a written, detailed job description to be filed with the Department, and have the agency contact the Graduate Coordinator);
2. Identify a faculty member(s) who will be your departmental mentor(s) and who will assist you in developing an appropriate research project to be submitted at the conclusion of the internship. In this paper students should demonstrate their ability to integrate practical and theoretical concerns. Credit for the internship will be awarded only after the student has submitted a typed copy of the research project;
3. Fill out the appropriate paper work with the Department
prior to the
commencement of the internship.
MPA students should consult with the MPA director.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS and FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Departmental graduate assistantships
Assistantships are available on a semester by semester basis for a maximum
of four semesters. Assistants spend approximately 20 hours per week helping faculty
members with research and other tasks. The majority of our assistantships are
teaching assistantships.
Teaching assistants are teaching one course. GAs/TAs are given stipends and most fees are
remitted. Successful applicants are required to maintain at least a 3.00 grade point
average and avoid incompletes. Admission to the graduate program is necessary
before a student can be considered for an assistantship. The assistant must consult with
assigned faculty on a regular basis and complete tasks on a timely basis. The deadline for
receipt of completed applications is March 15. Additional information concerning these
assistantships and application forms may be obtained from the Department of Political
Science.
Middle East Program Scholarships
For those students pursuing comparative politics with a concentration in the Middle East additional scholarship opportunities are available. Students are advised to check with the Middle East program faculty member in the Political Science Department and then to seek assistance of the Graduate coordinator to assemble the needed paper work
Minority fellowships
The University offers the Benjamin Franklin Lever Graduate Tuition Fellowship to new or continuing minority graduate students who show potential. For further information contact the Graduate School.
Other forms of financial assistance
From time to time, other forms of financial assistance may be available to students. These might include grants that faculty members have received that require the assistance of a graduate student. Other job opportunities are often available on campus. Students should also inquire about student loan programs open to graduate students.
ACADEMIC and PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are expected to take responsibility for their academic progress by familiarizing themselves with the academic calendar and meeting deadlines as stipulated by the Department or the Graduate School. Graduate students should become involved in activities that will contribute to their professional development and the development of their professional contacts.
At the beginning of the program, ALL NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS are REQUIRED to participate in a graduate orientation which is offered in the fall semester of every year. The orientation is composed of a general session introducing the new students to the Department's graduate programs and the faculty, and to departmental expectations. The orientation includes academic and professional components. The general introduction is supplemented by an extensive library orientation by a staff member of Mullins Library, as well as a familiarization with academic and professional expectations, standards and conduct offered by members of the faculty. Students entering in the spring are expected to participate in the orientation in the fall of the year that they enter the program.
The Department makes opportunities available to participate in professional conferences, workshops and field trips, as well as other projects. Participation and membership in professional organizations or the Department's honor society Pi Sigma Alpha--Epsilon Theta Chapter, are other ways to contribute to professional development.
A
CADEMIC HONESTYTrue professionals aspire to behavior that does not compromise the integrity of their workplace and their fellow workers or colleagues. The University of Arkansas has adopted procedures to discourage inappropriate behavior (see Graduate Catalog) that does not uphold such standards. Professional programs such as ours are especially concerned with creating an ethical work environment, as well as provide conditions that are supportive of the students' academic and professional development.
In academic settings, plagiarism is an offense that requires the strongest action by the Department. Consider the following as general guidelines. First, any passage, no matter how short, which is taken word for word from another work must be marked as a quotation and the source must be shown in a footnote. Second, when the wording of a passage is not taken directly from another work, a reference showing the source must be inserted. In general, it is preferable to paraphrase in your own words the opinion of an author, with proper citations, instead of copying lengthy literal quotations. If you feel that you cannot express an idea as well as the author, however, copy the passage exactly and mark it as a quotation. Individual facts which are common knowledge in the field need not be footnoted. In case of doubt whether plagiarism is being committed, consult a reference work or your instructor.
FINDING A JOB
M.A. students have available two sets of career options:
1. to proceed to a Ph.D. program and
2. to begin a career in other professional fields.
Ph.D. option
Students interested in continuing their education in pursuit of a doctoral degree should consult with faculty early on. The commitment to a doctoral program is a serious one and may require a considerable financial sacrifice while imposing emotional and mental strain for an extended time period. Students should also give considerable thought to selecting Ph.D. fields that could improve their chances of finding a job upon completing their degree. This process should start during the time while you are still working on your MA degree. As a pre-requisite, students contemplating entering a Ph.D. program should be careful in the selection of courses and pay particular attention to developing their methodological, theoretical or analytical skills. Participating in conferences is also strongly advised to allow students to meet colleagues and faculty from other programs and begin the all important networking process. Having had contact with faculty from other programs may enhance your chances of being accepted into a program of your choice.
Other Professional Careers
The M.A. degree does not confine students to specific careers. Graduates from this Department have moved into successful careers in the public sector as elected and appointed officials at all levels of government, the nonprofit sector and even into the private sector.
Given the wide range of options, it is imperative that you spend considerable time thinking about what professional fields would be of interest to you. Students should plan on involving themselves in departmental and other extra-curricular activities to help them build a resume and develop marketable job skills while developing a network of contacts. Some students may benefit from an internship, a semester abroad, learning a foreign language, further developing a technical skill area, or expanding their knowledge of a specialized field or area .
We also encourage you develop a professional portfolio
SEE ALSO: http://http://career.uark.edu/
THE MA PORTFOLIO: STARTING YOUR CAREER RIGHT!
A professional portfolio consists of materials representative of one’s work. It is a systematic collection of exemplary accomplishments and a demonstration of one’s skills and abilities. The portfolio approach to developing one’s career should continue after graduation. As such, the portfolio serves both as a documentation of past accomplishments and as a planning tool for the future.
Beginning with the fall semester 1998, the portfolio became an integral part of MA students professional preparation. MA students start building this document when they first enter the program. They will add to the documentation, as their skills and abilities as students and professionals progress. The portfolio should be reviewed with the program director at least once a year or as part of the advising process to identify any areas that the individual might have neglected. Before graduation each student should schedule time to have their entire document peer reviewed and critiqued.
The portfolio should cover the following areas
: Career GoalsProfessional Growth and Continuing Education
Internship and Work Experience
Other (work) experiences
Résumé
Conference Participation
The political science faculty encourages graduate student participation in state, regional, and national conferences. To enhance professional development and the benefits of conference participation, the faculty urges that graduate students observe the following guidelines:
(1) paper proposals for state, regional, and national conferences should only be submitted if supervised by either the faculty member who directed (or will direct) the preparation of the paper, the chair of the student's committee, the graduate advisor, or the department chair;
(2) if the conference proposal is accepted, the student should immediately notify the graduate advisor in writing of the title of the paper and the name and date of the conference; and
(3) prior to the conference, the student should present the paper to an assembly of political science graduate students and faculty for comment and feedback to guide revisions.
The graduate advisor shall be responsible for notifying all graduate students and faculty of the time, place, and agenda for the assembly.
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Department of Political ScienceTel: 479-575-3356 Fax: 479-575-2642
today is 07/21/08