Political Science, B.A.

Completion of this major prepares students for careers in government, including domestic civil service, legislative policy, foreign service, intelligence and national security agencies, intergovernmental work, and international organizations, including the United Nations. The program also prepares students for work in non-governmental organizations, banking, 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.

The requirement for admission to this degree track is a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 or higher.

39 Required Credits as a Political Science Major

Required Courses: 15 Credits
POLI 102United States Politics3
or POLI 140
POLI 105History of Political Thought3
POLI 109Comparative Politics3
POLI 110Introduction to World Politics3
POLI 208Research Methods in the Political and Social Sciences3
Electives
Select at least 9 credits from the following:
POLI 201Political Parties and Elections3
POLI 202State and Local Government3
POLI 204Media and Politics3
POLI 212Introduction to Public Policy Analysis3
POLI 213Urban Politics3
POLI 215Women and Law3
POLI 216Government and Business in United States3
POLI 228President and Congress3
POLI 209Government and Politics of South America3
POLI 210Government & Politics of Mexico & the Caribbean3
POLI 221Politics of Africa3
POLI 222Politics of Western Europe3
POLI 223Government and Politics of Asia3
POLI 224Comparative Politics of the Middle East3
POLI 226Comparative Politics of Russia and Eurasia3
Select at least 12 credits from the following:
POLI 305CyberPolitics3
POLI 306Constitutional Law3
POLI 311Judicial Process3
POLI 313Civil Liberties in the United States3
POLI 320Campaign 20243
POLI 331U.S. Foreign Policy3
POLI 354Politics Through Film3
POLI 307International Law3
POLI 310Global Issues of Urgency3
POLI 322Advanced Studies in European Politics3
POLI 324International Relations in the Middle East3
PHIL 326 International Relations in Central Asia3
POLI 327UN and World Affairs3
POLI 334Issues of War & Peace3
Select 0-6 credits in Co-Op Education
Select 3 credits from the following seminar courses:
POLI 440United Nation Workshop3
POLI 450Seminar in American Government3
POLI 452Seminar in International Relations3
POLI 453Seminar in Urban Politics3
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
ENGL 101
English Composition I
or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students
4-6
MATH 140
Statistics I
or Contemporary Mathematics
3
POLI 102
or POLI 140
United States Politics
or
3
General Education Tier 1 3
General Education Tier I 3
INTD 101 Orientation to College *first time freshmen only 1
 Credits17-19
Semester 2
ENGL 102
English Composition II
or English Composition 2 ESL
4-6
POLI 105 History of Political Thought 3
POLI 110 Introduction to World Politics 3
General Education Tier I 3
General Education Tier I 3
 Credits16-18
Sophomore
Semester 1
POLI 109 Comparative Politics 3
Political Science Major Area Course in American Politics 3
General Education Tier II 3
General Education Tier II 3
Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
POLI 208 Research Methods in the Political and Social Sciences 3
Political Science Major Area in Comparative Politics 3
General Education Tier II 3
General Education Tier II 3
Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Junior
Semester 1
Political Science Major Area in Upper Level American Politics 3
General Education Tier II 3
General Education Tier II 3
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
Political Science Major Area in International Relations 3
General Education Tier III Capstone 3
Political Science Major Area in Co-Op Recommended 3
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Senior
Semester 1
Political Science (One Seminar Course Required) 3
Political Science Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
Political Science Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
Minor/Elective 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits120-124

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Political Science BA program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain  the processes, theories, and functioning of political institutions and political behavior.
  2. Employ critical thinking and demonstrate social scientific literacy with reference to relevant theoretical political science concepts
  3. Use social science research methods to conduct research on political phenomenon.
  4. Communicate to convey complex political science concepts and information in a clear and concise manner.
  5. Distinguish one’s role in a socio-political context and engage as a responsible citizen.