Political Science (B.A., B.S.)

Location(s): Main Campus, Online Campus

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Program Summary

Political science is devoted to the study of the theory and practice of government and politics. The political science program complements a student’s liberal arts education with an emphasis on understanding the theoretical and practical aspects of political philosophy, public administration, law, international relations, and American government and policy. Vocational alternatives for political science majors include teaching, public management, law, and foreign service.

Program Information

All courses must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better to be counted in the major.
No more than 15 credits of lower-division political science courses may be counted toward the credits requirement for the major.
No more than 12 credits of transfer courses will apply toward the major.
Up to six (6) credits of POLS 4830 - Readings and Conference may be used as track-specific electives with approval.

General Education Requirement (30-35 Credits)

See General Education for course options.

Core Course Requirements (12-15 Credits)
Breadth Area Requirements (16-20 Credits)

Please note: All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits between the Core and Breadth Area requirements.

Bachelor’s Degree Type: Arts or Science Requirement (12* or 16** Credits)

Select one degree type from either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science:

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree Requirement (12 Credits*)

Bachelor of Science Degree - Math or Science minimum requirement 12 Credits

* Note: A portion of the B.S. requirements may be met by fulfilling the General Education Core and Breadth Areas. Because of this, these credits are typically not counted in the degree total at the bottom of page. Some students majoring in non-science fields may need additional math/science courses to reach the minimum 12 credits. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

or

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree Requirement (16 Credits**)

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Foreign Language Requirement 16 Credits

** Note: One semester of a foreign language may also fulfill the General Education Humanities requirement. The 16 credits may be fulfilled by taking four semesters of a foreign language or by testing out of a language and purchasing the credits. These credits are typically counted in the degree total at the bottom of the page. Consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Political Science Curriculum (37 Credits)

Core Requirements (19 Credits)

POLS 1100 - American National Government 3 Credit(s)
POLS 2000 - Research Methods in Political Science 3 Credit(s)
POLS 2005 - Research Methods in Political Science Lab 1 Credit(s)
POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Thought 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4890 - Internship 1-12 Credit(s) (3 credits must be obtained to meet degree requirements) 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4990 - Capstone Seminar in Political Science 3 Credit(s)

Complete One of the Following (3 Credits)

POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Relations 3 Credit(s)
POLS 2200 - Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 Credit(s)

Complete One of the Following Tracks (18 Credits)

American Politics Track

Required Courses (6 Credits)

Complete two of the following:

POLS 3110 - American Presidency: Executive Process 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3120 - Courts 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3130 - American Legislative Process and Behavior 3 Credit(s)

Complete Four of the Following (12 Credits)

POLS 3010 - Current Political Issues 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3030 - State and Local Government 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3110 - American Presidency: Executive Process 3 Credit(s) (if not used in the required courses)
POLS 3120 - Courts 3 Credit(s) (if not used in the required courses)
POLS 3130 - American Legislative Process and Behavior 3 Credit(s) (if not used in the required courses)
POLS 3410 - Public Administration 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3500 - Identity Politics 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3510 - Constitutional Law 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3520 - Civil Rights and Liberties 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3620 - National Security Policy 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4100 - Special Topics in American Politics and Policy 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4210 - History of Political Thought 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4510 - Politics and Religion 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4660 - American Foreign Policy 3 Credit(s)

Pre-Law Track

Required Course (3 Credits)

LEGL 1100 - Introduction to Law 3 Credit(s)

Complete Five of the Following (15 Credits)

No more than 6 credits may be from the LEGL courses:

LEGL 1500 - Family Law 3 Credit(s)
LEGL 1700 - Torts 3 Credit(s)
LEGL 1900 - Civil Procedure 3 Credit(s)
LEGL 2100 - Estate Planning and Probate Law 3 Credit(s)
LEGL 2400 - Real Estate and Property Law 3 Credit(s)
LEGL 2600 - Business and Corporate Law 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3120 - Courts 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3510 - Constitutional Law 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3520 - Civil Rights and Liberties 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4210 - History of Political Thought 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4320 - Special Topics in Law 3 Credit(s) (only 3 credits may be used to meet the Track requirements)
POLS 4610 - International Law and Organization 3 Credit(s)

International Politics Track

Required Courses (3 Credits)

Complete one of the following (whichever one NOT completed as part of the Core Requirements):

POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Relations 3 Credit(s)
POLS 2200 - Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 Credit(s)

Complete Five of the Following (15 Credits)

POLS 3010 - Current Political Issues 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3100 - Parties, Elections, and Voting Behavior 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3410 - Public Administration 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3440 - Introduction to the Middle East 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3500 - Identity Politics 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3620 - National Security Policy 3 Credit(s)
POLS 3670 - Comparative Public Policy 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4300 - Special Topics in World Affairs 3 Credit(s) (repeatable for credit)
POLS 4330 - Special Topics in Comparative Politics 3 Credit(s) (repeatable for credit)
POLS 4600 - Theories of International Relations 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4610 - International Law and Organization 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4660 - American Foreign Policy 3 Credit(s)
POLS 4700 - International Conflict 3 Credit(s)

Free Electives (32-56 Credits)

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (courses numbered 3000-4999). Students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Total Credits, B.A./B.S. Degree: 120

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will develop a mastery of critical thinking skills by evaluating political developments individually, through research, and in course discussions.
Students will be exposed to and understand alternative perspectives on political affairs by engaging in internships, study abroad, community service, and other experiential learning opportunities. Students will develop an understanding of the scholarship, analytical methods, and theories of politics in one or more of the discipline’s four sub-fields: American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and/or Political Theory.
Students will develop and hone a mastery of oral and writing skills by communicating their perspectives, empirical findings, interpretations, and the conclusions of their research on political issues, policies, institutions, and behavior.