Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – American Politics, Comparative Politics/International Relations

The Department of Political Science provides majors with a strong foundation to expand awareness and understanding of political life, stimulates scholarship and continuing interest in government, government service, and civics—and provides a framework for enriching the exposure of majors and the wider university community to the study of government, politics, and issues of public concern. Students also may explore themes of war and peace and the effects of globalization, the role of international law and organizations, and America's leadership in the world.

The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Political Science. It also hosts an Interdisciplinary option that can substitute for a Minor: a Concentration in Pre-Law.

The Department's programs are specially designed to develop analytical skills, combining organized knowledge with practical experience that introduces and prepares students for career opportunities in the public as well as non-governmental sectors. Internships are a vital part of the programs. Many occupations today require a college-educated individual who can write and speak well, solve problems, learn new information quickly, and work well with others on a team. Political Science students prepare for professional training in public policy, public administration, law, graduate education in the policy sciences, as well as employment in government and non-government public sector organizations, including non-profit organizations or businesses relating to international affairs.

Degree-Plan Checkoff Sheets

Requirements for a Major in Political Science

Unofficial Degree Plan: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Major

39 semester hours in Political Science as follows:

• American Politics
• State and Local Politics
• Introduction to Political Studies
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Statistics for Behavioral Sciences

Or

• Intro to Probability & Statistics
• Social Science Research Methods

18 semester hours selected from courses listed under one of the following tracks (A - American Politics, B* - International Relations / Comparative Politics). All 18 hours must be completed within one track.

* Students who elect the International Relations/Comparative track must take at least 3 courses designated as Comparative Politics courses and 3 designated as International Relations courses. For designations, see the listing below.

International Relations/Comparative track must take at least 3 courses designated as Comparative Politics courses and 3 designated as International Relations courses.

A. American Politics

• Human Rights
• Environmental Politics
• U.S. Legal System
• U.S. Congress
• U.S. Presidency
• Political Theory
• Moot Court
• Constitutional Law and Politics I
• Constitutional Law and Politics II
• Public Policy
• The United States Foreign Policy
• Political Psychology and Behavior
• Parties and Elections
• Democracy
• Gender and Politics

B. International Relations/Comparative Politics

Comparative Politics Courses

• European Politics
• Politics of Asia
• Political Theory
• Political Psychology and Behavior
• Parties and Elections
• Topics in Comparative Politics
• Constitutional Law and Politics I

International Relations Courses

• Human Rights
• Terrorism and Conflict in the International Arena
• The United States Foreign Policy
• International Law
• Post-Colonialism
• Gender and Politics
• Political Globalization
• Topics in Comparative Politics/International Relations

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Minor Requirements

Political Science majors are required to have a minor or concentration in any other discipline. With the approval of their academic advisor, students may construct an individualized interdisciplinary concentration.

Requirements for a Minor in Political Science

Unofficial Degree Plan: Minor in Political Science

21 semester hours in Political Science as follows:

• American Politics
• State and Local Politics
• Intro to Political Studies
• Comparative Politics

Or

• International Relations

9 semester hours from the GOVT courses listed below, 6 of which must be upper-division. Internships do not meet the requirements for the minor.

• Human Rights
• Public Policy
• Law and Social Justice in Movies and Novels
• International Business Law
• Environmental Politics
• The United States Foreign Policy
• U.S. Legal System
• International Law
• U.S. Congress
• Law and the Media
• U.S. Presidency
• Political Parties and Elections
• European Politics
• Politics of Developing Areas
• Asian Politics
• Political Globalization
• Terrorism and Conflict in the International Arena
• Political Theory
• Political Economy
• Topics in American Politics
• Moot Court
• Model United Nations
• International Economics
• Topics in Comparative Politics
• Constitutional Law and Politics I
• Constitutional Law and Politics II
• Topics in International Relations

Requirements for a concentration in Pre-Law

Unofficial Degree Plan: Pre-Law Concentration (Minor)

28 semester hours as follows:

• Public Speaking
• American Politics
• Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Logic

Research Requirements (3 Hours)

• Social Science Research Methods, or
• Methods Equivalent, Subject to Department Approval

Writing Requirement (3 Hours)

• Professional and Technical Communication
• Introduction to Rhetorical Theory

Law School Application Prep (1 Hour)

• Law School Preparation Colloquium

Electives (6 hours):

• Rhetorical Criticism
• Environmental Politics
• U.S. Congress
• Moot Court
• Constitutional Law I
• Constitutional Law II
• International Law
• Ethics
• Justice