The major introduces students to the various methods, concerns, and analytical issues in the basic subfields of the discipline: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.
In this major, students will acquire broad skills regarding the analysis of, and critical knowledge about: the agencies, functions and structures of the institutions of power; the nature of political behavior; and the principles and processes of governance. It prepares students for careers in government, law, development, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and research areas.
Students can earn academic credit for internships in a range of settings such as the United Nations, multinational corporations, transnational financial institutions, cultural and political organizations, the White House, Capitol Hill, law offices and courts, political campaigns, and social service agencies. All students majoring in political science are encouraged to take part in a study abroad or exchange program to further broaden their academic experience.
Political Science Major
The total number of courses required for the major in political science is 14 (43-45 semester hours).
Required Courses
All of the following (22-24 sem. hrs.)
INTL 151 Introduction to International Studies (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 155 American Politics (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 390 Internship in Political Science (2-4 sem. hrs.)
POLS 401 Senior Seminar and Thesis in Political Science (4 sem. hrs.)
SS 294 Research Methods for the Social Sciences (4 sem. hrs.)
Two additional courses from any subfield listed below; one course must be at the 300-level (6 sem. hrs.)
One of the following courses in American Politics subfield (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 201 Media and Politics (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 235 The U.S. Congress (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 345 Public Opinion (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 360 The U.S. Judiciary (3 sem. hrs.)
One of the following courses in Comparative Politics subfield (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 340 Politics of the Emerging Nations in Asia (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 365 Governments and Politics in Industrialized Countries (3 sem. hrs.)
One of the following courses in Political Theory subfield (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 221 Liberalism and Its Critics (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 230 Democracy in America (3 sem. hrs.)
Other relevant course from philosophy with permission of department chair
One of the following courses in World Politics subfield (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 355 Approaches to International Relations (3 sem. hrs.)
Three relevant courses from related disciplines (9 sem. hrs.)
Anthropology
ANTH 222 Anthropology, Religion and Colonialism (3 sem. hrs.)
ANTH 270 The Social Science of Food (3 sem. hrs.)
Business
BUS 203 Social Entrepreneurship (3 sem. hrs.)
BUS 202 Principles of Marketing (3 sem. hrs.)
BUS 305 Legal Environment of Business (3 sem. hrs.)
Economics
ECON 233 Economics of Health and Medical Care (3 sem. hrs.)
ECON 255 The Political Economy of Globalization (3 sem. hrs.)
ECON 325 Ecological Economics (3 sem. hrs.)
ECON 326 Energy and the Economy (3 sem. hrs.)
ECON 350 Economics of Developing Countries (3 sem. hrs.)
Film and Media Studies
FMS 101 Introduction to Cinema Studies (3 sem. hrs.)
History
HIST 228 The Making of Modernity, 1815-1914 (3 sem. hrs.)
HIST 241 Interpreting U.S. History I (3 sem. hrs.)
HIST 242 Interpreting U.S. History II (3 sem. hrs.)
Mathematics
MATH 151 Elementary Statistics (3 sem. hrs.)
Philosophy
PHIL 240 Ethics, Equality and Social Justice (3 sem. hrs.)
Psychology
PSY 214 The Psychology of Women (3 sem. hrs.)
PSY 224 Social Psychology (3 sem. hrs.)
PSY 330 Indigenous Psychologies (3 sem. hrs.)
PSY 306 Organizational Behavior (3 sem. hrs.)
PSY 335/SUS 335 Psychology of Environmental Sustainability (3 sem. hrs.)
Sociology
SOC 228 Social Problems (3 sem. hrs.)
SOC 277 Social Inequality: Class and Ethnicity (3 sem. hrs.)
SOC 315 Men and Masculinities (3 sem. hrs.)
SOC 331 Mass Media and Society 3 sem. hrs.)
Women’s and Gender Studies
WGS 245 Body Politics (3 sem. hrs.)
WGS 260 Indigenous Women’s Experiences (3 sem. hrs.)
WGS 301 Feminist Theory (3 sem. hrs.)
WGS 310 Feminist Methodologies: Intersectionalities (3 sem. hrs.)
Students are encouraged to explore other relevant courses which may be approved with permission of department chair
Political Science Minor
A minor in political science allows students to analyze a variety of political phenomena, from the struggle for power to the search for the common good.
The total number of courses required for the minor is 5 (15 semester hours).
Required Courses
All of the following (9 sem. hrs.)
INTL 151 Introduction to International Studies (3 sem. hrs.)
POLS 155 American Politics (3 sem. hrs.)
One course from the political theory subfield listing
Two additional political science courses, at least one of which must be at the 300-level (6 sem. hrs.)