Political Science, B.A.

The major requires eight core courses and six elective courses. The core courses are: United States Politics (PO 1100), Comparative Politics (PO 1200), International Relations (PO 1300), Political Thought (PO 1400), Qualitative Research Methods (PO 3510), and Quantitative Research Methods (PO 3511), Quantitative Research Methods Lab (PO 3521) as well as the Capstone course (PO 4710). Students are strongly encouraged to take PO 3510, PO 3511, and its corequisite PO 3521, no later than during their junior year. PO 3510 MUST be taken prior to PO 3511/PO3521.

The six elective courses may be concentrated in one area to complete a concentration, or distributed across several areas. At least one of the six elective courses must involve Experiential Learning (see courses designated as EL further below), and it should be completed prior to taking the required capstone course, PO 4710, which is designed to be taken during the senior year.

Only nine hours of electives for the major may be chosen from 1000 or 2000-level courses. PO 1500 is an elective for the major and satisfies the Quantitative Analysis (QA) requirement for the University Core. Prospective political science majors are strongly encouraged to take PO 1500 to fulfil their QA requirement. Before taking an upper-level course in a given area, the department recommends (and in certain cases requires) that students first take the 1000-level foundational course corresponding to that area of study.

Political science majors are also required to take the Major Field Test (MFT) during the second semester of their senior year. The test is administered by the political science department. The department sponsors the Mu Upsilon chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Membership is open to students whose academic record reflects outstanding achievement and demonstrated interest in the study of political science.

Program Learning Goals in Political Science

Students will: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the connections across established fields of study in political science, as well as the discipline’s relationship to the other social sciences.

2. Demonstrate transferable academic and intellectual skills in the study of local, national, and global politics. These include critical analysis, academic writing, data fluency, oral communication, and intercultural competence.

3. Understand how to participate in political and civic life with an appreciation for diverse value systems, ideologies, and cultures.

4. Demonstrate preparation for graduate school, law school, or other career opportunities according to interest.

College of Arts and Sciences Professional Development Program

All majors in the Humanities and Social Sciences must complete CE 2001, a 0-credit, professional development course as one of their degree requirements. The course introduces students to resources and strategies for finding internships, articulating transferable skills, and preparing for employment or graduate/professional schools after graduation. Students typically complete this course in their sophomore year. The course provides a good foundation for further training.

Major Requirements: 40 credit hours

The political science core:

18 hours of elective courses, selected from among PO 1500, PO 1600 and those PO courses not specifically required for the major. One elective must be an experiential learning course, as defined below. These elective courses may be concentrated in one area or distributed across several areas. Only nine hours of electives for the major may be chosen from 1000 or 2000-level courses.

Experiential Learning Requirement

Students majoring in political science must also complete at least one course designated as involving Experiential Learning (EL). This requirement must be completed before a student takes the capstone course.

Concentrations within the major of Political Science

Students majoring in political science may also complete a concentration within the major as a way of developing expertise through focus in a particular area. PO majors may elect one or both of the following two concentrations.

Global Studies Concentration: 18 credit hours

This concentration is for those majors who wish to develop expertise in global politics. It is also useful preparation for advanced study in comparative politics or international relations, or for a government or private sector career dealing with foreign affairs.

Applied Politics Concentration: 18 credit hours

This concentration is for those majors who wish to transition into a job in practical politics or public service.  It is also useful for developing tangible skills, networking, and understanding how the political system works in practice.

And 12 hours selected from among