B.A. in Political Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 1200 | American National Government | 3 |
| In addition, students must take three of the following: | 9 | |
| Principles of Comparative Politics | ||
| Principles Of International Relations | ||
| Principles Of Political Theory | ||
| Principles of Public Policy | ||
| PSC 4950 | Capstone in Political Science | 1 |
| Complete additional courses in the department to satisfy the 31-hour requirement. PSC 3150 Research and Writing in Political Science is highly recommended. | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Optional Legal Studies Concentration
This program is designed to allow students to focus their studies on law, legal processes, and legal institutions for careers in the legal profession, for leadership in public affairs, as well as for an interesting major. This solid liberal arts specialization provides excellent preparation for law school and a subsequent career as a lawyer or judge.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration in Legal Studies | ||
| The foundation for this specialization is a B.A. in Political Science, within which the student must have included the following two courses: | ||
| PSC 1200 | American National Government | 3 |
| PSC 3500 | Principles Of Law | 3 |
| At least four courses from the department's specialized law and legal studies course offerings: | 12 | |
| Constitutional Law I | ||
| Constitutional Law and Politics II | ||
| Civil Rights | ||
| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN LAW AND POLITICS | ||
| International Law | ||
| Three courses from the following four: | 9 | |
| Principles of Comparative Politics | ||
| Principles Of International Relations | ||
| Principles Of Political Theory | ||
| Principles of Public Policy | ||
| Major Electives 1 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 1
While only two additional electives within political science are required for the Legal Studies specialization, students may elect to complete additional classes in the discipline.
Below is a sample plan of study. Consult your degree audit for your program requirements.
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AR 1000 | First Year Orientation | 1 |
| ENGL 1110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1180 | Reasoning With Mathematics | 3 |
| PSC 1200 | American National Government | 3 |
| Elementary Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| HIST 1010-1200 Arts/Humanities Core (History) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Term | ||
| ENGL 1130 | College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse | 3 |
| Elementary Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| PSC 2700 | Principles Of International Relations | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core (Lab) | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Term | ||
| PSC 2600 | Principles of Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PSC 2800 | Principles Of Political Theory (WAC) | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language I or approved culture course | 3 | |
| ENGL 2710-2800 Arts/Humanities Core (English Lit) | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Core (Fine Art) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| PSC 3410 | Principles of Public Policy | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language II or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| PSC Major Elective | 6 | |
| Related or Minor course (WAC) | 3 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sixth Term | ||
| PSC Major Elective | 3 | |
| PSC Major Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Diversity of US | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Seventh Term | ||
| PSC Major Elective | 6 | |
| Non-US Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Eighth Term | ||
| PSC 4950 | Capstone in Political Science | 1 |
| Elective | 10 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Optional Legal Studies Concentration
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AR 1000 | First Year Orientation | 1 |
| ENGL 1110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1180 | Reasoning With Mathematics | 3 |
| PSC 1200 | American National Government | 3 |
| Elementary Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| HIST 1010-1200 Arts/Humanities Core (History) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Term | ||
| ENGL 1130 | College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse | 3 |
| Elementary Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| PSC 2700 | Principles Of International Relations | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core (Lab) | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Term | ||
| PSC 2600 | Principles of Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PSC 2800 | Principles Of Political Theory (WAC) | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language I or approved culture course | 3 | |
| ENGL 2710-2800 Arts/Humanities Core (English Lit) | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Core (Fine Art) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| PSC 3410 | Principles of Public Policy | 3 |
| Intermediate Foreign Language II or approved culture course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| PSC Major Elective | 6 | |
| Related or Minor course (WAC) | 3 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sixth Term | ||
| PSC Major Elective | 3 | |
| PSC Major Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Diversity of US | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Seventh Term | ||
| PSC Major Elective | 6 | |
| Non-US Diversity | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Eighth Term | ||
| PSC 4950 | Capstone in Political Science | 1 |
| Elective | 10 | |
| Related or Minor course | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
recognize political phenomena and political lacuna worthy of investigation using the methods of political science
describe and critique the essential concepts in four of five subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public administration
develop descriptive inferences about political phenomena by applying the foundational concepts of political science and known facts
interpret and evaluate the significance and dynamics of political events and governmental processes that affect citizens lives
analyze political, administrative, and policy issues using empirical methods including formulating hypotheses and organizing information to test those hypotheses
normatively evaluate political, administrative, and policy issues and justify students normative conclusions
describe and critique the essential concepts in four of five subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public administration
develop descriptive inferences about political phenomena by applying the foundational concepts of political science and known facts
interpret and evaluate the significance and dynamics of political events and governmental processes that affect citizens lives
analyze political, administrative, and policy issues using empirical methods including formulating hypotheses and organizing information to test those hypotheses
normatively evaluate political, administrative, and policy issues and justify students normative conclusions