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 |
| POL 1000 |
Introduction to Political Science |
3 cr. |
| POL 2100 |
American Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 2600 |
Comparative Politics OR |
3 cr. or |
| POL 2510 |
International Relations |
3 cr. |
| POL 3800 |
Elements of Political Thought (or other approved theory course) |
3 cr. |
| POL 4990 |
Senior Seminar |
3 cr. |
| STA 2250 |
Statistics |
3 cr. |
| 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
| Judicial Studies and Law |
| POL 2010 |
Introduction to Law and the Judiciary |
3 cr. |
| POL 2020 |
Criminal Law and Procedure |
3 cr. |
| POL 2030 |
Topics in Legal Issues |
3 cr. |
| POL 2040 |
Tort Law |
3 cr. |
| POL 2800 |
Legal Research |
3 cr. |
| POL 3420 |
American Constitution & ublic Law |
3 cr. |
| POL 3460 |
Civil Liberties and Equality |
3 cr. |
| POL 3100 |
Women and Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 3510 |
International Law |
3 cr. |
| American Studies and Theory |
| POL 2050 |
Political Fiction |
3 cr. |
| POL 2100 |
American Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 3100 |
Women and Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 3220 |
Public Policy Analysis |
3 cr. |
| POL 3300 |
Government and the Economy |
3 cr. |
| POL 3390 |
Issues in Public Policy |
3 cr. |
| POL 3420 |
Constitutional and Public Law |
3 cr. |
| POL 3460 |
Civil Liberties and Equality |
3 cr. |
| POL 3860 |
Politics and the Media |
3 cr. |
| International and Comparative Politics |
| POL2520 |
Foreign Policy of the United States |
3 cr. |
| POL 3250 |
Comparative Administrative Systems |
3 cr. |
| POL 4530 |
Japanese Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 4540 |
International Law |
3 cr. |
| POL 4570 |
International Political Economy |
3 cr. |
| POL 4600 |
European Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 4610 |
Russian Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 4630 |
Third World Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 4660 |
Chinese Politics |
3 cr. |
| POL 4670 |
Politics in Africa |
3 cr. |
| Public Administration |
| POL 3200 |
Public Administration |
3 cr. |
| POL 3230 |
Personnel Management & Labor Relations |
3 cr. |
| POL 3240 |
Government Budgeting |
3 cr. |
| POL 3250 |
Comparative Administrative Systems |
3 cr. |
| POL 3300 |
Government and the Economy |
3 cr. |
| POL 3390 |
Issues in Public Policy |
3 cr. |
| POL 3420 |
American Constitution & ublic Law |
3 cr. |
| POL 3470 |
Administrative Law |
3 cr. |
Other electives, workshops, internships, and independent studies are listed in the "Courses" section of the catalog.
