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TechnoratiPolitical Science
Through the courses it offers, the research its members conduct and the events it sponsors, the Department of Political Science does this by stimulating examination of these questions: What is the good life? and How can members of the civic community be effective creators of a good life characterized by justice?
The department is committed to the education of the whole student, to the scholarly life, and to an approach which is not "ivory tower," but rather which reaches out in service to society. The primary focus of the discipline of Political Science is the good life. Within the context of St. Mary's University, the mission of the Department of Political Science, the civic conscience of the university community, is to foster the building of the good life.
As Aristotle states: "The end and purpose of a polis [a civic community] is the good life, and the institutions of social life are means to that end."
Through the courses it offers, the research its members conduct and the events it sponsors, the Department of Political Science stimulates examination of questions like "What is the good life?" and "How can members of the civic community be effective creators of a good life characterized by justice?"
The department is committed to the education of the whole student, to the scholarly life, and to an approach which is not "ivory tower," but rather which reaches out in service to society. The primary focus of the discipline of Political Science is the good life. Within the context of St. Mary's University, the mission of the Department of Political Science, the civic conscience of the university community, is to foster the building of the good life.
Our goal is that St. Mary's Political Science graduates apply the answers they formulate in their private lives and in their careers-careers that may take them into public service, the law, teaching, journalism, business and further graduate studies, among other options.
In addition to the traditional four-year bachelor's degree program in Political Science, the department offers an innovative five-year BA/MA program that allows the student to begin graduate study in his/her senior year.
(210) 436-3110 tpowell@stmarytx.edu
Steven Neiheisel, Ph.D., Chair
210-431-2012
sneiheisel@stmarytx.edu
St. Louis Hall 324
The department is committed to the education of the whole student, to the scholarly life, and to an approach which is not "ivory tower," but rather which reaches out in service to society. The primary focus of the discipline of Political Science is the good life. Within the context of St. Mary's University, the mission of the Department of Political Science, the civic conscience of the university community, is to foster the building of the good life.
As Aristotle states: "The end and purpose of a polis [a civic community] is the good life, and the institutions of social life are means to that end."
Through the courses it offers, the research its members conduct and the events it sponsors, the Department of Political Science stimulates examination of questions like "What is the good life?" and "How can members of the civic community be effective creators of a good life characterized by justice?"
The department is committed to the education of the whole student, to the scholarly life, and to an approach which is not "ivory tower," but rather which reaches out in service to society. The primary focus of the discipline of Political Science is the good life. Within the context of St. Mary's University, the mission of the Department of Political Science, the civic conscience of the university community, is to foster the building of the good life.
Our goal is that St. Mary's Political Science graduates apply the answers they formulate in their private lives and in their careers-careers that may take them into public service, the law, teaching, journalism, business and further graduate studies, among other options.
In addition to the traditional four-year bachelor's degree program in Political Science, the department offers an innovative five-year BA/MA program that allows the student to begin graduate study in his/her senior year.
Contact Us
Timothy Powell(210) 436-3110 tpowell@stmarytx.edu
Steven Neiheisel, Ph.D., Chair
210-431-2012
sneiheisel@stmarytx.edu
St. Louis Hall 324
All Political Science majors must complete 15 hours of required courses and 18 hours of advanced work from at least four of the following four areas:
Required Courses
American National Government
Texas State and Local Government or Understanding Politics
Political Research Methodology
Applied Research Methods
Senior Seminar in Political Science
American Politics and Political Behavior
Public Administration/Public Policy and Public Law
Political Theory
Comparitive and International Politics
Required Courses
American National Government
Texas State and Local Government or Understanding Politics
Political Research Methodology
Applied Research Methods
Senior Seminar in Political Science
American Politics and Political Behavior
Public Administration/Public Policy and Public Law
Political Theory
Comparitive and International Politics
The International Public Careers Minor (Political Science Majors)
This minor centers more on the world economy and international economics. For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.The International Public Careers Minor (Non-Political Science Majors)
This minor is available to non-political science majors only. For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.Public Administration Minors
Two Minors: A 21 hour minor in Public Careers and a 21 hour minor in International Public Careers. These interdisciplinary minors are available for those majoring in Political Science with a Program Concentration in Public Administration. They are also available to Non-Political Science Majors.
For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.
Faculty
Amber Aubone
Assistant ProfessorPolitical Science
International Relations
Email: aaubone@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
M.A., St. Mary's University
B.A., University of Texas at San Antonio
Courses taught:
B.A., University of Texas at San Antonio
Courses taught:
- Political Research Methods
- Understanding Politics
- U.S. Foreign Policy
Alex Briseno
Public Service in ResidenceEmail:abriseno@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration 1996
M.A., Trinity University, San Antonio TX 1973
B.A., Trinity University, San Antonio TX 1971
Courses taught:
M.A., Trinity University, San Antonio TX 1973
B.A., Trinity University, San Antonio TX 1971
Courses taught:
- Managing Public Budgets
Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D.
President of the UniversityPolitical Science
International Relations
Email: president@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., University of Arizona
M.A., St. Mary's University
B.A., St. Mary's University
Learn more about Dr. Cotrell on the President's site.
M.A., St. Mary's University
B.A., St. Mary's University
Learn more about Dr. Cotrell on the President's site.
Monica D. Cruz
LecturerEmail:mcruz7@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
M.P.Aff., The University of Texas at Austin
B.A., The University of Texas at San Antonio
Courses taught:
B.A., The University of Texas at San Antonio
Courses taught:
- Gender and Public Policy
- Texas Politics
- Topics in Public Administration and Urban Policy
Henry Flores, Ph.D.
Dean of Graduate SchoolEmail: hflores@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara, 1981
M.A., University of California at Santa Barbara, 1975
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1974
M.A., University of California at Santa Barbara, 1975
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1974
Joseph M. Fonseca
LecturerEmail:jfonseca@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
M.A., St. Mary's University, 2002
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1997
A.A., San Antonio College 1978
Courses taught:
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1997
A.A., San Antonio College 1978
Courses taught:
- American National Government
- Texas State and Local Government
Sonia Garcia, Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorDirector, Graduate Political Science Department
Director, Women's Studies
Director, Latin American and U.S. Latino Studies
Email:sgarcia@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara, 1997
M.A., University of Arizona, 1987
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1984
Courses taught:
M.A., University of Arizona, 1987
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1984
Courses taught:
- Constitutional LawTexas
- Gender Politics
- Judicial Process
- State and Local Government
Tom Hoffman, Ph.D.
Professorthoffman@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1982
M.A., University of Arizona, 1979
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1973
Courses taught:
M.A., University of Arizona, 1979
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1973
Courses taught:
- American National Government
- Classical Political Thought
- Political Research MethodologyTexas State and Local Government
- Religion and Politics
- Texas Politics
Larry Hufford
ProfessorPolitical Science
International Relations
Email: lhufford@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., London School of Economics and Political Science, 1971
M.S.W., Our Lady of the Lake University, 1978
M.A., University of Miami (Ohio), 1965
B.S., Ohio State University. 1964
Courses taught:
M.S.W., Our Lady of the Lake University, 1978
M.A., University of Miami (Ohio), 1965
B.S., Ohio State University. 1964
Courses taught:
- Causes of War and Sustainable Human Development
- Ethical Issues in International Relations
- International Conflict Resolution
- International Relations Theory
Celine A. Jacquemin, Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorPolitical Science
Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Email:cjacquemin1@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, December 2003
M.A., University of California, Irvine, 2000
B.A. Political Science with German minor, CA State University, Fullerton, 1993
Dr. Céline A. Jacquemin was born and raised in France. Dr Céline, as her students call her, is an Associate Professor in Political Science and is currently serving as Associate Dean for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on international response to genocide and to patterns of human rights violations.
Her expertise covers parts of Europe and the Great Lakes of Africa where she more closely studies Rwanda. A constructivist by training, she is developing a new framework that can further help us understand what makes it 'easy' for people to violate the rights of others in order to educate for the respect of human rights. She is expanding her focus to the case of Darfur in the Sudan. This is how she has come to "Researching the Road to Peace" where she makes ground breaking conclusions.
She also serves as a pro-bono expert witness for political asylum cases often linked to female genital mutilation and rape with the St Mary's University Center for Legal and Social Justice.
She co-authored a chapter with Alison Brysk "Bridging Borders for Human Rights" in Transnational Civil Society published by Kumarian Press in 2006. In November 2008, she published "Allied against all odds to fight genocide: How far has the US come?" in Revista Espaco Academico. In April 2010, she published "Female Genital Cutting: shattering the debate yet still violating human rights" also in Revista Espaco Academico.
Eva Bueno, Ph.D., and Celine Jacquemin, Ph.D., were published in the latest Revista Espaco Academico. Read both articles online here.
M.A., University of California, Irvine, 2000
B.A. Political Science with German minor, CA State University, Fullerton, 1993
Dr. Céline A. Jacquemin was born and raised in France. Dr Céline, as her students call her, is an Associate Professor in Political Science and is currently serving as Associate Dean for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on international response to genocide and to patterns of human rights violations.
Her expertise covers parts of Europe and the Great Lakes of Africa where she more closely studies Rwanda. A constructivist by training, she is developing a new framework that can further help us understand what makes it 'easy' for people to violate the rights of others in order to educate for the respect of human rights. She is expanding her focus to the case of Darfur in the Sudan. This is how she has come to "Researching the Road to Peace" where she makes ground breaking conclusions.
She also serves as a pro-bono expert witness for political asylum cases often linked to female genital mutilation and rape with the St Mary's University Center for Legal and Social Justice.
She co-authored a chapter with Alison Brysk "Bridging Borders for Human Rights" in Transnational Civil Society published by Kumarian Press in 2006. In November 2008, she published "Allied against all odds to fight genocide: How far has the US come?" in Revista Espaco Academico. In April 2010, she published "Female Genital Cutting: shattering the debate yet still violating human rights" also in Revista Espaco Academico.
Eva Bueno, Ph.D., and Celine Jacquemin, Ph.D., were published in the latest Revista Espaco Academico. Read both articles online here.
Steven Richard Neiheisel, Ph.D.
ProfessorDirector, Undergraduate Political Science Program
International Relations
Email: sneiheisel@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., Washington University, 1990
M.B.A., Xavier University, 1982
B.A., Xavier University, 1981
Area of interest: Organizational Behavior, International Business
Neiheisel is an award-winning lecturer, internationally published writer, educational philanthropist, and national leader in civic education. Courses taught:
M.B.A., Xavier University, 1982
B.A., Xavier University, 1981
Area of interest: Organizational Behavior, International Business
Neiheisel is an award-winning lecturer, internationally published writer, educational philanthropist, and national leader in civic education. Courses taught:
- American Thought and Culture
- American National Goverment
- Business Government and the Public
- Leadership and Organizations
- Nonprofit Management
Leona Pallansch, Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorPolitical Science
International Relations
Email: lpallansch@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 1995
M.A., Georgetown University, 1983
B.A., University of Virginia, 1981
Courses taught:
M.A., Georgetown University, 1983
B.A., University of Virginia, 1981
Courses taught:
- Applied Research Methods
- International Political Economy
- Scope and Methods in International Relations
- Theories on the Causes of War
- Understanding Politics
Amir Samandi
LecturerAdjunct Faculty, International Relations Email:asamandi@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
M.A., George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs, 2004
B.A., St. Mary's University, 2002
Amir Samandi is a foreign affairs analyst with MacAulay Brown, Inc. He is currently providing analysis of Middle Eastern affairs to the U.S. Department of Defense. Amir is also an Adjunct Professor with the Political Science Department at St. Mary's University, where he teaches Middle Eastern Politics. Prior to working for MacAulay Brown, Amir was the analyst for Iraqi/Shia affairs at the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), where he was awarded a Meritorious Honor Medal for his contributions to U.S.-led efforts in Iraq. He holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from St. Mary's University.
Areas of Interest: International Relations, Conflict and Conflict Resolution, Middle East Politics and Security, Latin American Politics, Globalization, Intelligence and National Security, Counter-Terrorism
B.A., St. Mary's University, 2002
Amir Samandi is a foreign affairs analyst with MacAulay Brown, Inc. He is currently providing analysis of Middle Eastern affairs to the U.S. Department of Defense. Amir is also an Adjunct Professor with the Political Science Department at St. Mary's University, where he teaches Middle Eastern Politics. Prior to working for MacAulay Brown, Amir was the analyst for Iraqi/Shia affairs at the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), where he was awarded a Meritorious Honor Medal for his contributions to U.S.-led efforts in Iraq. He holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from St. Mary's University.
Areas of Interest: International Relations, Conflict and Conflict Resolution, Middle East Politics and Security, Latin American Politics, Globalization, Intelligence and National Security, Counter-Terrorism
Art Vega, Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorGraduate Public Administration Program
Email:avega2@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 1990
M.A., St. Mary's University, 1983
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1981
Courses taught:
M.A., St. Mary's University, 1983
B.A., St. Mary's University, 1981
Courses taught:
- American National Government
- Scope of Political Science
- The Legislative Process
