Political Science B.A./B.S.

The Bachelor of Aarts/Bachelor of Science in Political Science is not career specific. Political Science graduates go to law school or to graduate school for further study in political science. Other career possibilities include government employment, business, teaching, and politics. Political science graduates are required to be knowledgeable about major paradigms in political theory, American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and research methods. The most important competencies are the ability to think clearly and critically, and to engage in effective communication.

Core Curriculum Courses
See the Core Curriculum Requirements		42
Required courses in the major
PSCI 347	Intro to Research Methods	3
PSCI 488	GLB/US-Contemporary Ideas	3
Political Theory and Philosophy
Choose 2 courses from the following:		6
PSCI 332	GLB/Democ & Democratization
PSCI 410	GLB/Political Theory I
PSCI 411	GLB/Political Theory II
PSCI 412	GLB/Political Theory III
PSCI 414	Amer Political Thought
PSCI 430	Rev & Revolutionary Movmt
Public Policy
Choose 2 courses from the following:		6
PSCI 335	Political Economy
PSCI 342	GLB/Intro to Global Pub Pol
PSCI 346	Intro to Public Policy
PSCI 437	GLB/Foreign Policy
PSCI 442	Constitutional Law
PSCI 443	Civil Libs & Civil Rights
American Political Processes
Choose 2 courses from the following:		6
PSCI 341	American Presidency
PSCI 342	GLB/Intro to Global Pub Pol
PSCI 344	Amer Pol Par/Electoral Po
PSCI 345	Public Opinion
PSCI 441	Congressional Politics
PSCI 444	Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process
Comparative Politics and International Relations
Choose 2 courses from the following:		6
PSCI 331	European Political System
PSCI 332	GLB/Democ & Democratization
PSCI 333	GLB/Non-European Polit Systm
PSCI 415	GLB/Intro to Comp Politics
PSCI 430	Rev & Revolutionary Movmt
PSCI 437	GLB/Foreign Policy
PSCI 438	GLB/International Relations
Electives within the major
Choose 2 courses from the following:		6
PSCI 222	Introduction to Law
PSCI 332	GLB/Democ & Democratization
PSCI 333	GLB/Non-European Polit Systm
PSCI 335	Political Economy
PSCI 341	American Presidency
PSCI 342	GLB/Intro to Global Pub Pol
PSCI 346	Intro to Public Policy
PSCI 344	Amer Pol Par/Electoral Po
PSCI 345	Public Opinion
PSCI 348	Applied Data Analysis (This course may only be taken as an elective by BA degree candidates)
PSCI 410	GLB/Political Theory I
PSCI 411	GLB/Political Theory II
PSCI 412	GLB/Political Theory III
PSCI 414	Amer Political Thought
PSCI 415	GLB/Intro to Comp Politics
PSCI 430	Rev & Revolutionary Movmt
PSCI 437	GLB/Foreign Policy
PSCI 438	GLB/International Relations
PSCI 441	Congressional Politics
PSCI 442	Constitutional Law
PSCI 443	Civil Libs & Civil Rights
Choose BA or BS Option (listed below)		42
Total Hours		120

BS ONLY (Non- Language)
Must Take		3
PSCI 348	Applied Data Analysis
Required Minor
Minimum 18 hours required in the Minor		18
Additional Electives Required
Minimum 21 hours of electives required		21
Total Hours		42

BA
Language Requirement
12 hours of a foreign language*		12
Minor Required
Minimum 18 hours in the Minor		18
Additional Electives
Minimum 12 hours required		12
Total Hours		42

In addition to fulfilling these requirements, students majoring Political Science must submit a portfolio of their work in Political Science courses and complete a survey on their experiences in the program. Details may be found on the department’s website.

Notes

While some courses are included more than once in the list of required courses for the first or second major, a particular course may NOT be used to satisfy more than one requirement.