Political Science (B.A.)
The B.A. degree emphasizes a traditional liberal arts education including a 16-credit foreign language requirement. Political science majors must have a minimum of 36 credits in political science courses with at least 18 of those credits coming in upper-division courses. The course work also includes the university requirements (see regulation J-3), the general requirements for the B.A. degree, and:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Core Requirements | ||
| POLS 101 | American National Government | 3 |
| POLS 235 | Political Research Methods and Approaches | 3 |
| Select three introductory courses: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to Political Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to American Politics and Policy | ||
| Introduction to International Politics | ||
| Senior Seminar | ||
| POLS 490 | Senior Experience (Requires Senior standing or 24 credit hours in political science.) | 3 |
| Additional Political Science Upper Division Requirements | ||
| Select 18 credits from the following areas: 1 | 18 | |
| American Political Institutions & Behavior | ||
| American Political Parties and Elections | ||
| American Congress | ||
| American Political Culture | ||
| American Presidency | ||
| Federalism in Practice | ||
| Public Opinion and Political Behavior | ||
| Public Administration and Public Policy | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Politics of the Environment | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Public Administration | ||
| Natural Resource Policy | ||
| International and Comparative Politics | ||
| European Politics | ||
| Game Theory | ||
| Introduction to Asian Politics | ||
| Politics, Policy and Gender | ||
| International Organizations and International Law | ||
| World Politics and War | ||
| Politics of Development | ||
| Political Violence and Revolution | ||
| Public Law | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Civil Liberties | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| Contemporary Political Philosophy | ||
| Upper-Division Related Fields | ||
| Select 20 credits from related fields 2 | 20 | |
| Total Hours | 56 | |
Courses to total 120 credits for this degree
- 1
Students may focus their interests in political science by choosing among courses in the following core areas. The allocation of those courses is subject to the approval of the faculty advisor. A maximum of 6 credits of political science internship and/or directed study courses may be counted toward meeting these political science credit requirements.
- 2
Courses chosen depending on student interest in consultation with your advisor.
Thesis and internship credits cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
| Fall Term 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 101 | American National Government | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| Mathematical Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Oral Communication Course | 3 | |
| Scientific Ways of Knowing Course | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| POLS 205 OR POLS 208 OR POLS 209 OR POLS 237 | 3 | |
| POLS 205 OR POLS 208 OR POLS 209 OR POLS 237 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| POLS 235 | Political Research Methods and Approaches | 3 |
| Scientific Ways of Knowing Course | 4 | |
| POLS 205 OR POLS 208 OR POLS 209 OR POLS 237 | 3 | |
| CHIN 101 OR FREN 101 OR GERM 101 OR JAPN 101 OR AIST 101 OR SPAN 101 | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| Elective Course | 1 | |
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| UPDV Political Science, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| UPDV Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| CHIN 102 OR FREN 102 OR GERM 102 OR JAPN 102 OR SPAN 102 | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fall Term 3 | ||
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| UPDV Political Science, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| UPDV Political Science, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 2 | |
| CHIN 201 OR FREN 201 OR GERM 201 OR JAPN 201 OR SPAN 201 | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Term 3 | ||
| UPDV Political Science, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| CHIN 202 OR FREN 202 OR GERM 202 OR JAPN 202 OR SPAN 202 | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fall Term 4 | ||
| UPDV Political Science, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| B.A. Course Requirement | 3 | |
| B.A. Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Term 4 | ||
| POLS 490 | Senior Experience | 3 |
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Related Field, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| B.A. Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The degree map is a guide for the timely completion of your curricular requirements. Your academic advisor or department may be contacted for assistance in interpreting this map. This map is not reflective of your academic history or transcript and it is not official notification of completion of degree or certificate requirements. Please contact the Registrar's Office regarding your official degree/certificate completion status.
1. Students exhibit knowledge of diverse positions in comparative politics, political behavior, political philosophy, public policy, and international politics.
2. Students can critically assess texts and arguments about political topics.
3. Students can design and execute a research project using the appropriate method for investigating their thesis.