Requirements for the Major in Political Science
All Students majoring in political science must complete the following four introductory courses. They are urged to take POL 112 and 211 before POL 205 and POL 212. All four introductory courses should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
| Introductory Courses |
12 hrs |
| POL 112 Introduction to Political Science |
3 hrs |
| POL 205 Introduction to Political Theory |
3 hrs |
| POL 211 American Government and Politics |
3 hrs |
| POL 212 Introduction to International Relations |
3 hrs |
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| Political Science Tracks |
19-27 hrs |
Students may complete the major in political science by fulfilling the course requirements in the General Political Science, Pre-Law or Practical Politics/Political Reporting tracks and certain collateral or related courses outside the discipline.
Major programs must also include at least four upper-level courses, chosen from at least two of the four main subfields of the discipline: American politics, comparative politics, international relations or political theory. Independent studies and various internship programs may not be counted towards meeting major requirements, except by written permission of the department chair. Majors must earn a grade of C or better in all political science courses needed to satisfy major requirements.
Students contemplating graduate school in political science are strongly encouraged to take at least two semesters of a foreign language, Introduction to Computers, and a relevant methods course such as MAT 313, PSY 270, PSY 274, HIS 390, or ECN 367.
Political Science Tracks
| Track 1: General Political Science Track |
18 hrs |
| Required: One upper level course in each subfield |
12 hrs |
- American Politics: POL 326 Environmental Politics and Policy, POL 301 The American Presidency, POL 311 Political Parties, Voting, & Campaign Strategies, POL 315 American Constitutional Law and Politics, and POL 317 American Jurisprudence, POL 370 Drugs, Politics, and Public Policy
- Comparative Politics: POL 306 West European Government & Politics, POL 308 Post-Soviet Politics
- International Relations: POL 305 International Law and Organizations, POL 362 American Foreign Policy
- Political Theory: POL 302 Political Thought and Modern Society, POL 303 Marxism and the Marxist Tradition, POL 304 American Political Theory
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| Electives: Select any two other political science courses from any subfields. |
6 hrs |
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| Track 2: The Pre-Law Track |
27 hrs |
| Required: Complete the Pre-Law Minor |
21 hrs |
| Electives: Select two other political science courses from any subfields |
6 hrs |
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| Track 3: Practical Politics/Political Reporting Track |
18 hrs |
| Required: |
9 hrs |
| POL 311 Political Parties, Voting & Campaign Strategies |
3 hrs |
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| ENG 360 Issues in Contemporary Media |
3 hrs |
| POL 399 Internship in Practical Politics or Political Reporting |
3 hrs |
| Electives: Select one course from each area below |
9 hrs |
- Issues: POL 300 Political Communication, POL 370 Drugs, Politics and Public Policy
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- American Politics: POL 300 Political Communication, POL 301 The American Presidency, POL 304 American Political Theory, POL 319 Public Administration, POL 362 American Foreign Policy
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Comparative Politics: POL 306 European Government & Politics, POL 308 Post-Soviet Politics, POL 313 Governments & Politics of East Asia, POL 323 Government & Politics of SE Asia, POL 362 American Foreign Policy - ITS 399 Departmental Internship
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