Political Science B.A./B.S.

A bachelor’s degree in political science prepares graduates for a very broad range of educational and career opportunities.  Political science graduates have gone on to successful careers in business, public administration, government, teaching, and politics.  Others have continued their educations in graduate school and law school.  In addition to being knowledgeable in the subject areas of political philosophy, American politics, comparative politics, international relations and foreign policy, and social science research methods; majors in political science develop the ability to think clearly and critically, as well as the ability to engage in effective written and oral communication.

Core Curriculum Courses
See the Core Curriculum Requirements42
Required courses in the major
PSCI 347Intro to Research Methods3
PSCI 488GLB/US-Contemporary Ideas3
Political Theory and Philosophy
Choose 2 courses from the following:6
GLB/Democ & Democratization
GLB/The Quest for Order, Justice, and Community
GLB/Liberty, the State, and the Person
GLB/The Age of Ideology
Amer Political Thought
Rev & Revolutionary Movmt
Public Policy
Choose 2 courses from the following:6
Political Economy
GLB/Intro to Global Pub Pol
Intro to Public Policy
GLB/Foreign Policy
Constitutional Law
Civil Libs & Civil Rights
American Politics
Choose 2 courses from the following:6
American State and Local Government
American Presidency
Amer Pol Par/Electoral Po
Public Opinion
Congressional Politics
Law, Politics, and the Judicial Process
Comparative Politics and International Relations
Choose 2 courses from the following:6
European Political System
GLB/Democ & Democratization
GLB/Non-European Polit Systm
GLB/Intro to Global Pub Pol
GLB/Intro to Comp Politics
Rev & Revolutionary Movmt
GLB/Foreign Policy
GLB/International Relations
Electives within the major
Choose 2 courses from the following that were not already used to satisfy a requirement above :6
GLB/Democ & Democratization
GLB/Non-European Polit Systm
Political Economy
American Presidency
American State and Local Government
GLB/Intro to Global Pub Pol
Intro to Public Policy
Amer Pol Par/Electoral Po
Public Opinion
Applied Data Analysis (This course may only be taken as an elective by BA degree candidates)
GLB/The Quest for Order, Justice, and Community
GLB/Liberty, the State, and the Person
GLB/The Age of Ideology
Amer Political Thought
GLB/Intro to Comp Politics
Rev & Revolutionary Movmt
GLB/Foreign Policy
GLB/International Relations
Congressional Politics
Constitutional Law
Civil Libs & Civil Rights
GLB/Special Topic
Choose BA or BS Option (listed below)42
Total Hours120
BS ONLY (Non- Language)
Must Take3
Applied Data Analysis
Required Minor
Minimum 18 hours required in the Minor18
Additional Electives Required
Minimum 21 hours of electives required21
Total Hours42
BA
Language Requirement
12 hours of a foreign language* 12
Minor Required
Minimum 18 hours in the Minor18
Additional Electives
Minimum 12 hours required12
Total Hours42

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.

A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in all courses in this Major.

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