2019-2020 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 Credits: 3
- PLS 103 - Issues in World Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 211 - International Relations Credits: 3
- PLS 231 - Classical Political Thought Credits: 3 OR PLS 232 - Modern Political Thought (3 credits)
- PLS 495 - Seminar in the Study of Politics (Capstone) Credits: 3
Additional Required Courses for the B.S. Degree
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics Credits: 3
- PLS 300 - Political Analysis Credits: 3
- PLS 350 - Comparative Public Opinion Credits: 3
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 Credits: 3
- PLS 203 - State Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 205 - The Policy Process Credits: 3
- PLS 206 - American Constitutional Foundations Credits: 3
- PLS 301 - Poverty, Inequality, and U.S. Public Policy Credits: 3
- PLS 302 - Women, Politics, and Public Policy Credits: 3
- PLS 303 - Introduction to U.S. Environmental Policy Credits: 3
- PLS 304 - Political Parties and Interest Groups Credits: 3
- PLS 305 - Congress and the Presidency Credits: 3
- PLS 306 - American Constitutional Law I Credits: 3
- PLS 307 - American Constitutional Law II Credits: 3
- PLS 308 - American Judicial Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 310 - Politics and Health Policy Credits: 3
- PLS 330 - Religion and Politics in America Credits: 3
- PLS 340 - Mass Media and American Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 341 - Elections and Voting Behavior Credits: 3
International Relations (take at least one course)
- PLS 212 - Great Decisions Credits: 3
- PLS 215/ GSI 215 - Global Migration Credits: 3
- PLS 311 - International Conflict and Conflict Resolution Credits: 3
- PLS 312 - U.S. Foreign Policy Credits: 3
- PLS 313 - International Organization Credits: 3
- PLS 314 - International Law Credits: 3
- PLS 315 - International Political Economy Credits: 3
- PLS 316 - Human Rights in International Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 321 - The European Union Credits: 3
Comparative Politics (take at least one course)
- PLS 221 - Government and Politics of Western Europe Credits: 3
- PLS 240 - The Holocaust Credits: 3
- PLS 281 - Comparative Political Systems: Canada Credits: 3
- PLS 283 - Chinese Politics and U.S.-China Relations Credits: 3
- PLS 284 - Latin American Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 319 - African Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 320 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East Credits: 3
- PLS 325 - Human Rights and Democracy in Russia and the Post Communist World Credits: 3
- PLS 327 - Politics of Developing Countries Credits: 3
- PLS 339 - Democracy and the Authoritarian Challenge Credits: 3
- PLS 382 - Politics of Post-Communist Europe Credits: 3
- PLS 385 - Russian and Post-Soviet Politics Credits: 3
Political Thought (take at least one course at the 200- or 300-level)
- PLS 105 - Introduction to Human Rights Credits: 3
- PLS 231 - Classical Political Thought Credits: 3
- PLS 232 - Modern Political Thought Credits: 3
- PLS 333 - Contemporary Political Thought Credits: 3
- PLS 334/WGS 334 - Sex, Power, and Politics Credits: 3
- PLS 335/HRT 335 - Theory of Human Rights Credits: 3
- PLS 337 - U.S. Political Thought Credits: 3
- PLS 338 - Citizenship Credits: 3
Special Topics, Independent Study, Internship
- PLS 380 - Special Topics in Political Science Credits: 3
- PLS 399 - Readings in Political Science Credits: 1 to 3
- PLS 490 - Internship Credits: 2 to 6
- PLS 499 - Independent Research Credits: 2 to 6
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 - 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 course - Social and Behavioral Science from another discipline
as these courses are good background for PLS 315 - International Political Economy (3 credits))
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; STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits) recommended for students choosing B.S., or any remaining requirements)
- Electives (or foreign language)
- Additional writing skills (if needed)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits) (if choosing B.S.; 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
- PLS 350 - Comparative Public Opinion (3 credits) (if choosing B.S. and upon completion of STA 215 and PLS 300)
Fourth Year
- PLS 495 - Seminar in the Study of Politics (Capstone) (3 credits)
- Political science internship
- Any remaining major or university requirements and electives