POLITICAL SCIENCEThe Department of Political Science offers two degree programs: a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science. Both require a total of 130 credit hours. Both prepare students for a wide range of graduate programs and career opportunities. The bachelor of arts program is specifically recommended for students interested in communication and language arts. The bachelor of science program is recommended for those with an aptitude in mathematics and an interest in public policy analysis or other fields requiring advanced quantitative skills. Both programs are equally suitable as preparation for law school. Note that the bachelor of arts degree requires a minor, and the bachelor of science degree requires a field of concentration and, depending on the concentration, requires or allows a minor.
Bachelor of ArtsThe requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science consist of PO SC 101, 102 or 104, 250 and at least 21 additional credit hours of political science, including at least one course from four of the following five fields:
American GovernmentPO SC 403, 405, 432, 442 Comparative PoliticsPO SC 371, 373, 471, 472, 476, 477, 478 International RelationsPO SC 361, 362, 363, 428, 465 Political TheoryPO SC 451, 452, 453 Public Policy and Public AdministrationPO SC 302, 321, 421, 423, 424
The student's elective hours in political science are chosen with the consent and advice of the departmental advisor to ensure an appropriate balance of breadth and specialization within the field of political science. In addition to the courses listed above, the department offers a wide range of specialized courses in each of the subfields of the political science discipline.
Note: No more than six hours credit from PO SC 310, 311, and 312 may be counted toward any degree; no more than three hours credit from these courses may be applied to the requirements of a Political Science major.
Freshman YearFirst Semester 3 - ENGL 101 Composition I 3 - MTHSC 101 Introduction to Probability1 3 - PO SC 101 Introduction to American Politics 4 - Foreign Language Requirement2 4 - Science Requirement3 17
Second Semester 3 - ENGL 102 Composition II 3 - MTHSC 102 Intro. to Mathematical Analysis1 3 - PO SC 102 Introduction to Global Issues 4 - Foreign Language Requirement2 4 - Science Requirement3 17
Sophomore YearFirst Semester 3 - HIST 172 Western Civilization 3 - PO SC 250 Introduction to Political Science 3 - Computer Skills Requirement3 3 - Foreign Language Requirement2 3 - Literature Requirement4 3 - Oral Communication Requirement3 18
Second Semester 3 - HIST 173 Western Civilization 3 - Foreign Language Requirement2 3 - Literature Requirement4 6 - Major and Minor Areas5 3 - Writing Intensive Requirement3 18
Junior YearFirst Semester 3 - ECON 211 Principles of Microeconomics 3 - Advanced Humanities Requirement6 6 - Major and Minor Areas5 3 - Elective 15
Second Semester 3 - ECON 212 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 - Advanced Humanities Requirement6 6 - Major and Minor Areas5 3 - Elective 15
Senior YearFirst Semester 3 - Advanced Humanities Requirement6 6 - Major and Minor Areas5 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 9 - Major and Minor Areas5 6 - Elective 15
130 Total Semester Hours
1Students may pursue alternate sequences consistent with General Education Requirements. Examples include MTHSC 101 and 106 or 203; 102 and 207; 106 and 108, 207, or 301. 2The equivalent of two years (through 202) of the same modern language is required. 3See General Education Requirements. 4ENGL 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, or H210. 5See list of approved minors on page 65. 6Advanced humanities are courses numbered 300 or higher (A A H 210, MUSIC 210, THEA 210 excepted). The humanities for this purpose include art and architectural history, English (except 304, 312, 314, 316, 331, 333, 334, 335, 485, 490, 495), languages, music, philosophy, religion, speech (except 362 and 364), theatre (except 377, 487, and 497), and women's studies, as well as courses entitled Humanities.
POLITICAL SCIENCEBachelor of ScienceFreshman YearFirst Semester 3 - ENGL 101 Composition I 3 - MTHSC 102 Intro. to Mathematical Analysis1 3 - PO SC 101 Introduction to American Politics 4 - Foreign Language Requirement2 4 - Science Requirement3 17
Second Semester 3 - ENGL 102 Composition II 3 - MTHSC 207 Multivariable Calculus1 3 - PO SC 102 Introduction to Global Issues or 3 - PO SC 104 Intro. to Comparative Politics 4 - Foreign Language Requirement2 4 - Science Requirement3 17
Sophomore YearFirst Semester 3 - ECON 211 Principles of Microeconomics 3 - MTHSC 301 Statistical Theory and Methods I 3 - PO SC 250 Introduction to Political Science 3 - Foreign Language Requirement2 or 3 - PHIL 102 Introduction to Logic 3 - Humanities Requirement E.13 3 - Major Requirement4 18
Second Semester 3 - ECON 212 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 - CP SC 120 Intro. to Information Technology 3 - Foreign Language Requirement2 or 3 - Elective 3 - Oral Communication Requirement3 3 - Political Science Requirement5 3 - Writing Intensive Requirement3 18
1MTHSC 106 and 108 may be substituted. 2The equivalent of one year (through 102) of the same modern foreign language is required. Students pursuing an international concentration must complete the equivalent of two years (through 202) of the same modern foreign language and may substitute a 200-level language class for PHIL 102. 3See General Education Requirements. 4See advisor. 5Any 300400-level course in political science.
AMERICAN POLITICS/ INTERNATIONAL POLITICS CONCENTRATIONJunior YearFirst Semester 3 - PO SC 341 Quantitative Methods in Pol. Sci. 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 3 - Minor2 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 3 - Minor2 9 - Elective 15
Senior YearFirst Semester 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 6 - Minor2 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 6 - Minor2 6 - Elective 15
130 Total Semester Hours
1See advisor. 2See page 65 for approved minors.
POLITICAL ECONOMY/INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY CONCENTRATIONSJunior YearFirst Semester 3 - ECON 314 Intermediate Microeconomics 4 - ECON 405 Introduction to Econometrics 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 5 - Elective 15
Second Semester 3 - ECON 315 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 9 - Elective 15
Senior YearFirst Semester 3 - ECON 419 Economics of Defense or 3 - ECON 420 Public Sector Economics2 6 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 3 - Advanced Economics Requirement3 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 9 - Elective 15
130 Total Semester Hours
1See advisor. 2International Concentration students must substitute ECON 404 or 413. 3Any 300- or 400-level course in economics.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/ INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CONCENTRATIONSJunior YearFirst Semester 3 - PO SC 302 State and Local Government or 3 - PO SC 424 Federalism and Intergovernmnental Relations1 3 - PO SC 321 General Public Administration 3 - PO SC 341 Quantitative Methods in Pol. Sci. 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement2 6 - Public Administration Requirement2 6 - Elective 15
Senior YearFirst Semester 3 - PO SC 430 Public Policy Evaluation 6 - Public Administration Requirement2 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 6 - Public Administration Requirement2 9 - Elective 15
130 Total Semester Hours
1International Concentration students must substitute PO SC 363, 428, or 429. 2See advisor.
PUBLIC POLICY/INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY CONCENTRATIONSJunior YearFirst Semester 3 - PO SC 341 Quantitative Methods in Pol. Sci. 3 - PO SC 421 Public Policy Processes 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 3 - Advanced Political Science Requirement1 6 - Public Policy Requirement1 6 - Elective 15
Senior YearFirst Semester 3 - PO SC 430 Public Policy Evaluation 6 - Public Policy Requirement1 6 - Elective 15
Second Semester 6 - Public Policy Requirement1 9 - Elective 15
130 Total Semester Hours
1See advisor. |