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 1101 | American National Government | 3 |
| POLS 2350 | 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 4900 | 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 | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | ||
| 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 1101 | American National Government | 3 |
| ENGL 1101 | 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 1102 | Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| POLS 2050 OR POLS 2080 OR POLS 2090 OR POLS 2370 | 3 | |
| POLS 2050 OR POLS 2080 OR POLS 2090 OR POLS 2370 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| POLS 2350 | Political Research Methods and Approaches | 3 |
| Scientific Ways of Knowing Course | 4 | |
| POLS 2050 OR POLS 2080 OR POLS 2090 OR POLS 2370 | 3 | |
| CHIN 1010 OR FREN 1101 OR GERM 1101 OR JAPN 1010 OR AIST 1010 OR SPAN 1101 | 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 1020 OR FREN 1102 OR GERM 1102 OR JAPN 1020 OR SPAN 1102 | 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 2010 OR FREN 2010 OR GERM 2010 OR JAPN 2010 OR SPAN 2010 | 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 2020 OR FREN 2020 OR GERM 2020 OR JAPN 2020 OR SPAN 2020 | 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 4900 | 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.