Political Science (B.A.)
Political Science majors complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree, including 41–44 credits of core courses and 37 credits in their major. Majors take one introductory course at the 100-level, three foundation courses at the 200-level, a seven credit sequence of Skills for Success courses in the junior and senior years, and six elective courses at the 200-level and above.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway to Political Science | ||
| Select one of the following two courses; the other course will not count for the major: | 3 | |
| The American Political System | ||
| How to Rule the World: Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Political Theory Foundation | ||
| Select one of the following two courses; the other course may count as an elective for the major: | 3 | |
| Classical Political Philosophy | ||
| Modern Political Philosophy | ||
| American Government Foundation | ||
| POL-215 | American Government: Classic and Contemporary Readings | 3 |
| International Relations and Comparative Politics Foundation | ||
| Select one of the following two courses; the other course may count as an elective for the major: | 3 | |
| International Relations and Diplomacy | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Skills for Success | ||
| POL-372 | Seminar in Research and Methodology | 3 |
| POL-400 | Guided Research Capstone | 3 |
| POL-402 | Multi-Media Research Application Capstone | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Select six additional Political Science courses at the 200-level or above | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
Concentrations
The major does not require a concentration. Majors in Political Science may, however, take either of two concentrations: Political Science, American Government and Public Law or Political Science, International Relations and Comparative Politics Concentration. To complete a concentration, four of the six electives (12 out of the 18 elective credits) must be taken from one of the following lists.
American Government and Public Law Concentration Requirements
The three courses taken as part of the Foundation requirement—Theory Foundation POL-201 Classical Political Philosophy or POL-202 Modern Political Philosophy and American Government Foundation POL-215 American Government: Classic and Contemporary Readings will not count toward a concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Classical Political Philosophy 1 | ||
or POL-202 | Modern Political Philosophy | |
| American Legal History | ||
| State Government Internship | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Special Topics in American Government | ||
| Constitutional Law and Development | ||
| The Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure | ||
| Civil Liberties | ||
| Modern American Foreign Policy | ||
| Congress and the Legislative Process | ||
| American Presidency | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
POL-201 Classical Political Philosophy or POL-202 Modern Political Philosophy (whichever course is not taken to fulfill the Political Theory Foundation requirement).
International Relations and Comparative Politics Concentration Requirements
The three courses taken as part of the Foundation requirement—American Government Foundation POL-215 American Government: Classic and Contemporary Readings and International Relations and Comparative Politics Foundation POL-211 International Relations and Diplomacy or POL-240 Comparative Politics will not count toward a concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| International Relations and Diplomacy 1 | ||
or POL-240 | Comparative Politics | |
| Special Topics | ||
| Contemporary Latin America | ||
| Contemporary Middle East | ||
| Contemporary Africa | ||
| Contemporary Asia | ||
| International Environment and Development | ||
| Special Topics in International and Comparative Politics | ||
| Modern American Foreign Policy | ||
| Contemporary Europe and Russia | ||
| Political Economy of Industrial Societies | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
POL-211 International Relations and Diplomacy or POL-240 Comparative Politics (whichever is not taken to fulfill the International Relations and Comparative Politics Foundation requirement).
Students preparing for graduate school are recommended to take the following: STA-173 Statistical Methods, ECN-101 Introductory Macroeconomics, and one or two History courses (American, European, or Non-Western, depending on student's area of interest).
Degree Plan for Political Science (B.A.)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| FYT-101 | First Year Studio | 1 |
| UNV-101 | University Seminar | 3 |
| POL-115 or POL-120 |
The American Political System or How to Rule the World: Introduction to International Relations |
3 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNV-102 | University Seminar II | 3 |
| POL Elective | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GST-098 | Sophomore Studio 1 | 1 |
| RTS-225 or PHL-225 |
The Quest for the Ultimate: Dialogue with Global Religious Traditions 2 or Quest for the Good Life |
3 |
| POL-211 | International Relations and Diplomacy | 3 |
| POL-201 | Classical Political Philosophy | 3 |
| POL Elective | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| RTS-225 or PHL-225 |
The Quest for the Ultimate: Dialogue with Global Religious Traditions 2 or Quest for the Good Life |
3 |
| POL-215 | American Government: Classic and Contemporary Readings | 3 |
| POL-240 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL Elective | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL-202 | Modern Political Philosophy | 3 |
| POL-372 | Seminar in Research and Methodology | 3 |
| POL Elective | 3 | |
| Core Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL-400 | Guided Research Capstone | 3 |
| POL Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL-402 | Multi-Media Research Application Capstone | 1 |
| POL Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
This weekend workshop may be taken in either the fall or spring semester of sophomore year.
- 2
One each semester.