Political Science, B.A.
Completion of this major prepares students for careers in government, including state and federal civil service, the foreign service, state and federal legislative policy, intergovernmental work, and international organizations, including the United Nations. The program also prepares students for work in non-governmental organizations, business and business-related organizations, consulting, media, non-profit, educational, and research organizations. Completion of the Political Science major also prepares students to pursue advanced degrees in law, public administration and policy, diplomacy and international relations.
Major Credit Hours: 36 Required Credits as a Political Science Major
Minimum GPA Graduation Requirement: 2.0 CGPA
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: 12 Credits | ||
| POLI 102 | United States Politics | 3 |
| POLI 105 | History of Political Thought | 3 |
| POLI 109 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLI 110 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| Electives (21 credits total)* | ||
| Select at least 9 credits from the following 200 level courses: | ||
| POLI 201 | Political Parties and Elections | 3 |
| POLI 202 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLI 204 | Media and Politics | 3 |
| POLI 213 | Urban Politics | 3 |
| POLI 215 | Women and Law | 3 |
| POLI 216 | Government and Business in United States | 3 |
| POLI 228 | President and Congress | 3 |
| POLI 209 | Government and Politics of South America | 3 |
| POLI 210 | Government & Politics of Mexico & the Caribbean | 3 |
| POLI 221 | Politics of Africa | 3 |
| POLI 222 | Politics of Western Europe | 3 |
| POLI 223 | Government and Politics of Asia | 3 |
| POLI 224 | Comparative Politics of the Middle East | 3 |
| POLI 226 | Comparative Politics of Russia and Eurasia | 3 |
| Select at least 12 credits from the following 300 level courses: | ||
| POLI 306 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| POLI 311 | Judicial Process | 3 |
| POLI 313 | Civil Liberties in the United States | 3 |
| POLI 320 | Current Political Campaigns in the US | 3 |
| POLI 331 | U.S. Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POLI 354 | Politics Through Film | 3 |
| POLI 307 | International Law | 3 |
| POLI 310 | Global Issues of Urgency | 3 |
| POLI 322 | Advanced Studies in European Politics | 3 |
| POLI 324 | International Relations in the Middle East | 3 |
| POLI 327 | UN and World Affairs (Required for POLI 440) | 3 |
| POLI 334 | Issues of War & Peace | 3 |
| *Up to 6 credits of Co Op Education may be included in the elective total | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following seminar courses: | ||
| POLI 440 | United Nation Workshop (POLI 327 pre-req) | 3 |
| POLI 450 | Seminar in American Government | 3 |
| POLI 452 | Seminar in International Relations | 3 |
| Total | 36 | |
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| POLI 102 | United States Politics | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| POLI 105 | History of Political Thought | 3 |
| POLI 110 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| POLI 109 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Political Science 200 level Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Political Science 200 Level Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Junior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Political Science 200 Level Elective | 3 | |
| Political Science 300 Level Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Political Science 300 Level Elective or POLI 440, or POLI 450, or POLI 452 | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Political Science 300 Level Elective | 3 | |
| POLI 450 or POLI 452 | Seminar in American Government (or Political Science 300 Level Electve) or Seminar in International Relations | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| POLI 440 | United Nation Workshop (or 300 Level Political Science Elective) | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Political Science BA program, students will be able to:
- Explain the processes, theories, and functioning of political institutions and political behavior.
- Employ critical thinking and demonstrate social scientific literacy with reference to relevant theoretical political science concepts
- Use social science research methods to conduct research on political phenomena.
- Communicate to convey complex political science concepts and information in a clear and concise manner.
- Distinguish one’s role in a socio-political context and engage as a responsible citizen.