Description
The political science major is a flexible one, consisting of 33 credit hours with at least a 2.0 GPA It is organized around the various subfields of political science but also allows substantial concentration in an area of interest to the student. It culminates in an integrating seminar.
Students interested in pursuing a legal career will find the political science major emphasizes the development of skills, such as critical thinking and writing, necessary for entering and completing law school. Students may also consider completing the Legal Studies Certificate or the Business Certificate to supplement their interest in law.
Degree Requirements
Political Science Major 33 Credits
| Required Courses |
| | | cr. |
| POL 1000 | Introduction to Political Science | | 3 |
| POL 2100 | American Politics | | 3 |
| POL 2600 | Comparative Politics OR | | 3 or |
| POL 2510 | International Relations | | 3 |
| POL 3800 | Elements of Political Thought (or other approved theory course) | | 3 |
| POL 4990 | Senior Seminar | | 3 |
| STA 2250 | Statistics | | 3 |
| POL | Political Science Electives | | 15 |
The 15 elective credits required to complete the major may be organized into areas of concentration or may be selected from all areas. The suggested areas of concentration are:
Concentrations
| Public Administration |
| | | cr. |
| POL 3200 | Public Administration | | 3 |
| POL 3230 | Personnel Management & Labor Relations | | 3 |
| POL 3240 | Government Budgeting | | 3 |
| POL 3250 | Comparative Administrative Systems | | 3 |
| POL 3300 | Government and the Economy | | 3 |
| POL 3390 | Issues in Public Policy | | 3 |
| POL 3420 | American Constitution & Public Law | | 3 |
| POL 3470 | Administrative Law | | 3 |
Other electives, workshops, internships, and independent studies are listed in the "Courses" section of this catalog.
POLITICAL SCIENCE MINOR
The Political Science Minor will require 18 credits (six courses). One of these six courses--POL 1000--is required. A minimum of three of the remaining five courses must be at the upper-division (i.e., 3000 or 4000) level. Of the five elective courses, no more than two can come from any single sub-field; the sub-fields and courses are described below.
The 18 credit minor in political science provides students with a flexible program that will allow a broad understanding of the various aspects of the discipline. The program will provide the basic foundation in the introductory class followed by a sampling of the subfields. The minimum of three upper-division courses will provide the student with a more in-depth understanding of at least two subfields in which the student has the greatest interests.
| Required Course |
| | | cr. |
| POL 1000 | Introduction to Political Science | | 3 |
SUB-FIELDS
| American Politics |
| | | cr. |
| POL 2100 | American Politics | | 3 |
| POL 3100 | Women and Politics | | 3 |
| POL 3220 | Public Policy Analysis | | 3 |
| POL 3230 | Personnel Management and Labor Relations | | 3 |
| POL 3390 | Issue in Public Policy | | 3 |
| POL 3420 | American Constitution and Public Law | | 3 |
| POL 3460 | Civil Liberties and Equality | | 3 |
| POL 3860 | Politics and the Media | | 3 |
| Comparative and International Relations |
| | | cr. |
| POL 2510 | International Relations | | 3 |
| POL 2520 | Foreign Policy of the United States | | 3 |
| POL 2600 | Intro to Comparative Politics | | 3 |
| POL 3250 | Comparative Administrative Systems | | 3 |
| POL 4540 | International Law | | 3 |
| Political Theory |
| | | cr. |
| POL 3800 | Elements of Political Thought | | 3 |
| POL 2050 | Political Fiction | | 3 |
All course descriptions can be found in the "Courses" section of the catalog.
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