B.A. in Political Science
The American Political Science Association has developed a broad description of the discipline. “Political Science,” it says, “is the study of governments, public policies and political processes, systems, and political behavior.” The profession’s sub-fields include American politics, political philosophy, comparative politics, international relations and a host of related fields such as policy studies, political geography, political economy, and studies of particular countries or geographic areas. Political scientists use a variety of approaches to examine the process, systems and political dynamics of all countries and regions of the world.
Students majoring in political science must complete a 30-credit course of study. Several required courses introduce students to the discipline’s traditional sub-fields and to different methods of analysis. There is also considerable room for student choice within the major, and the department offers ample opportunities for independent study, honors theses and internships.
Major Requirements
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| Required Political Science Courses (30 Credits) |
||
| POL 11 | Power and Politics | 3 |
| POL 185 | Seminar: Political Inquiry | 3 |
| Required World Politics Courses (One of the following) |
||
| POL 150 | World Politics | 3 |
| POL 151 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| Required Political Theory Courses (One of the following) |
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| POL 170 | Classical Political Theory | 3 |
| POL 171 | Modern Political Theory | 3 |
| One of the following | ||
| POL 130 | The American Judicial System | 3 |
| POL 135 | The United Nations: Theory | 3 |
| POL 136 | The United Nations: Participation | 3 |
| POL 137 | The Politics of Popular Culture | 3 |
| POL 143 | Urban Politics and Problems | 3 |
| POL 145 | Ethnic Politics | 3 |
| POL 146 | The Politics of the Civil Rights Movement | 3 |
| POL 147 | The Dynamics of Political Leadership | 3 |
| POL 148 | Political Leaders and Community: A Practicum | 3 |
| One of the following |
||
| POL 152 | Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| POL 153 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| POL 154 | Human Rights in International Politics | 3 |
| POL 158 | The Politics of Globalization | 3 |
| POL 159 | Geopolitics | 3 |
| One of the following | ||
| POL 161 | Concepts and Theories in Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POL 164 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| POL 166 | The Politics of Development | 3 |
| POL 167 | Revolutionary Theory and Governments | 3 |
| Two Electives | 6 | |
| Senior Capstone: One of the following |
||
| SSC 223 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| SSC 224 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| Required Core Courses | ||
| English Composition | ||
| ENG 16/ ENG 16C | English Composition | 3 |
| English Literature Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| ENG 61 | European Literatures I | 3 |
| ENG 62 | European Literatures II | 3 |
| ENG 63 | American Literatures | 3 |
| ENG 64 | Global Literatures | 3 |
| History Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| HIS 1 | Perspectives in Pre-modern World History | 3 |
| HIS 2 | Perspectives in Modern World History | 3 |
| Philosophy | ||
| PHI 60 | Philosophical Explorations | 3 |
| Speech | ||
| SPE 3 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Mathematics Select one (1) course from the following, unless major requirements list specific Math courses: |
||
| MTH 15 | Math Tools and Their Use | 4 |
| MTH 16 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| Science Lab-Based Course Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| BIO | Biology | 4 |
| CHM | Chemistry | 4 |
| PHY | Physics | 4 |
| Foreign Language Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| SPA 11 | Introductory Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA 12 | Introductory Spanish II | 3 |
| ITL 11 | Introductory Italian I | 3 |
| ITL 12 | Introductory Italian II | 3 |
| FRE 11 | Introductory French I | 3 |
| FRE 12 | Introductory French II | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| ART 61 | Introduction to Visual Art | 3 |
| DNC 61 | Dance Through Time | 3 |
| JOU 61 | Journalism, Social Media, and You | 3 |
| MA 61 | Media Arts and Technology | 3 |
| MUS 61 | Music and Culture | 3 |
| THE 61 | The Theatrical Vision | 3 |
| Social Sciences I Select any introductory course from the following: |
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| Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology | 3 | |
| Social Sciences II Select any introductory course from the following: |
||
| Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology | 3 | |
| Credit Requirements | |
| Total Major Requirement Credits | 30 |
| Total Elective Liberal Arts & Sciences Credits | 55-56 |
| Total Core Requirement Credits | 34-35 |
| Total Degree Credits | 120 |
Core Requirements
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| English Composition | ||
| ENG 16/ ENG 16C | English Composition | 3 |
| English Literature Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| ENG 61 | European Literatures I | 3 |
| ENG 62 | European Literatures II | 3 |
| ENG 63 | American Literatures | 3 |
| ENG 64 | Global Literatures | 3 |
| History Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| HIS 1 | Perspectives in Pre-modern World History | 3 |
| HIS 2 | Perspectives in Modern World History | 3 |
| Philosophy | ||
| PHI 60 | Philosophical Explorations | 3 |
| Speech | ||
| SPE 3 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Mathematics Select one (1) course from the following, unless major requirements list specific Math courses: |
||
| MTH 15 | Math Tools and Their Use | 4 |
| MTH 16 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| Science Lab-Based Course Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| BIO | Biology | 4 |
| CHM | Chemistry | 4 |
| PHY | Physics | 4 |
| Foreign Language Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| SPA 11 | Introductory Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA 12 | Introductory Spanish II | 3 |
| ITL 11 | Introductory Italian I | 3 |
| ITL 12 | Introductory Italian II | 3 |
| FRE 11 | Introductory French I | 3 |
| FRE 12 | Introductory French II | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| ART 61 | Introduction to Visual Art | 3 |
| DNC 61 | Dance Through Time | 3 |
| JOU 61 | Journalism, Social Media, and You | 3 |
| MA 61 | Media Arts and Technology | 3 |
| MUS 61 | Music and Culture | 3 |
| THE 61 | The Theatrical Vision | 3 |
| Social Sciences I Select any introductory course from the following: |
||
| Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology | 3 | |
| Social Sciences II Select any introductory course from the following: |
||
| Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology | 3 | |
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