2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Political Science
- Requirements for a Major in Political Science
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Political Science
Requirements for a Major in Political Science
Students seeking the B.A. or B.S. degree are required to take at least 36 credits in political science, including PLS 102, PLS 103, PLS 211, PLS 231 or PLS 232, PLS 495, and seven additional courses, two of which must be in American politics, and one in international relations, one in comparative politics, and one in political thought (200-level or higher). Please see a list of elective courses by category as follows. At least four of these courses must be at the 300 level; independent studies, internships, PLS 300, PLS 350, and PLS 495 do not count toward the 300-level requirement. A total of no more than nine credits of internship and independent study may count toward the major, with no more than six credits in either category. Public Administration (PA) 307 may count as an American politics elective.
Students seeking a B.A. degree must demonstrate third-semester proficiency in a foreign language. Students seeking a B.S. degree must complete the following courses: STA 215, PLS 300, and PLS 350. When taken for the B.S. degree, PLS 300 and PLS 350 do not count toward the 36 required credits for the major.
Political Science Required Courses
- PLS 102 - American Government and Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 103 - Issues in World Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 211 - International Relations (3 credits)
- PLS 231 - Classical Political Thought (3 credits) OR PLS 232 - Modern Political Thought (3 credits)
- PLS 495 - Seminar in the Study of Politics (Capstone) (3 credits)
Additional Required Courses for the B.S. Degree
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- PLS 300 - Political Analysis (3 credits)
- PLS 350 - Comparative Public Opinion (3 credits)
Additional Required Courses for the B.A. Degree
- Third-semester proficiency in a foreign language
Political Science Elective Courses by Category
American Politics (take at least two courses)
- PLS 202 - American Election Campaigns (3 credits)
- PLS 203 - State Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 205 - The Policy Process (3 credits)
- PLS 206 - American Constitutional Foundations (3 credits)
- PLS 301 - Poverty, Inequality, and U.S. Public Policy (3 credits)
- PLS 302 - Women, Politics, and Public Policy (3 credits)
- PLS 303 - Introduction to U.S. Environmental Policy (3 credits)
- PLS 304 - Political Parties and Interest Groups (3 credits)
- PLS 305 - Congress and the Presidency (3 credits)
- PLS 306 - American Constitutional Law I (3 credits)
- PLS 307 - American Constitutional Law II (3 credits)
- PLS 308 - American Judicial Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 310 - Politics and Health Policy (3 credits)
- PLS 330 - Religion and Politics in America (3 credits)
- PLS 340 - Mass Media and American Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 341 - Elections and Voting Behavior (3 credits)
International Relations (take at least one course)
- PLS 212 - Great Decisions (3 credits)
- PLS 215/ GSI 215 - Global Migration (3 credits)
- PLS 311 - International Conflict and Conflict Resolution (3 credits)
- PLS 312 - U.S. Foreign Policy (3 credits)
- PLS 313 - International Organization (3 credits)
- PLS 314 - International Law (3 credits)
- PLS 315 - International Political Economy (3 credits)
- PLS 316 - Human Rights in International Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 321 - The European Union (3 credits)
Comparative Politics (take at least one course)
- PLS 221 - Government and Politics of Western Europe (3 credits)
- PLS 240 - The Holocaust (3 credits)
- PLS 281 - Comparative Political Systems: Canada (3 credits)
- PLS 283 - Chinese Politics and U.S.-China Relations (3 credits)
- PLS 284 - Latin American Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 319 - African Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 320 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East (3 credits)
- PLS 325 - Human Rights and Democracy in Russia and the Post-Communist World (3 credits)
- PLS 327 - Politics of Developing Countries (3 credits)
- PLS 339 - Democracy and the Authoritarian Challenge (3 credits)
Political Thought (take at least one course at the 200- or 300-level)
- PLS 105 - Introduction to Human Rights (3 credits)
- PLS 231 - Classical Political Thought (3 credits)
- PLS 232 - Modern Political Thought (3 credits)
- PLS 333 - Contemporary Political Thought (3 credits)
- PLS 334/ WGS 334 - Sex, Power, and Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 335/ HRT 335 - Theory of Human Rights (3 credits)
- PLS 337 - U.S. Political Thought (3 credits)
- PLS 338 - Citizenship (3 credits)
Special Topics, Independent Study, Internship
- PLS 380 - Special Topics in Political Science (3 credits)
- PLS 399 - Readings in Political Science (1 to 3 credits)
- PLS 490 - Internship (2 to 6 credits)
- PLS 499 - Independent Research (2 to 6 credits)
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Political Science
The flexibility in course selection makes it important for students to seek the advice of a faculty member in the department when choosing courses to fit their specific needs and interests. No sample curriculum will be appropriate for everyone, although these general guidelines should be helpful to nearly everyone. It is also assumed that some counseling will take place to match the curriculum with career plans. We strongly recommend study abroad and an internship. We also advise students to take elective courses in history, economics, and in other social science disciplines.
First Year
- Basic skills as needed (WRT 150 and/or MTH 110)
- One or two general education courses in Arts and/or Philosophy and Literature
- One or two science general education courses
- Electives or foreign language. Choose foreign language if choosing B.A. (see B.A. section)
- PLS 102 - American Government and Politics (3 credits)
- PLS 103 - Issues in World Politics (3 credits)
- One general education social science course from another discipline
(We recommend
ECO 210 - Introductory Macroeconomics (3 credits) OR
ECO 211 - Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
as these courses are good background for
PLS 315 - International Political Economy (3 credits), an option for the B.S.)
Second Year
- PLS 211 - International Relations (3 credits)
- PLS 231 - Classical Political Thought (3 credits) OR PLS 232 - Modern Political Thought (3 credits)
- Two additional political science courses at 200- to 300-level
- Two general education courses (U.S. Diversity, Mathematical Sciences; We recommend STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits) for students choosing B.S., or any remaining requirements)
- Electives (or foreign language)
- Additional writing skills if needed
- If choosing B.S.: STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits) (counts for general education, Mathematical Sciences)
- PLS 300 - Political Analysis (3 credits) (Note: You must take STA 215 before PLS 300)
Third Year
- Three or four political science courses at 200-300 level
- Completion of general education courses
- Electives
- Political science internship
- If choosing B.S. (and upon completion of STA 215 and PLS 300), take PLS 350 - Comparative Public Opinion (3 credits)
Fourth Year
- PLS 495 - Seminar in the Study of Politics (Capstone) (3 credits)
- Political science internship
- Any remaining major or university requirements and electives