B.A. in Political Science

Political Science
Political Science - Global Studies Concentration

Political Science - Legal Studies Concentration

 Political Science

PSC 1200American National Government3
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 4950Capstone in Political Science1
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 Hours31

 Optional Global Studies Concentration

 The foundation for this specialization is a B.A. in Political Science, within which the student must have included the following courses:

PSC 1200American National Government3
PSC 2600Principles of Comparative Politics3
PSC 2700Principles Of International Relations3

At least one course from the following:

PSC 2800Principles Of Political Theory3
PSC 3410Principles of Public Policy3

Departmental Electives drawn from the department’s specialized international political focus:

PSC 1710Current International Problems3
PSC 2400Topics in Political Science3
PSC 2660African Politics 3
PSC 2210Women And Politics3
PSC 2770Great Decisions: America's Foreign Policy1
PSC 2780Political Science and Pop Culture3
PSC 3150Research and Writing in Political Science3
PSC 3600 Fascism and Populism in Comparative Perspective3
PSC 3730American Foreign Policy3
PSC 3790Model United Nations/Model European Union1
PSC 3850Sports, Politics and Policy3
PSC 4340Environmental Policy3
PSC 4520The Politics of Development and Underdevelopment3
PSC 4580International Law3
PSC 4640The European Union3
PSC 4660Politics of Africa3
PSC 4680Politics of Latin America3
PSC 4720International Organization3
PSC 4740Politics of the Middle East3
PSC 4750Terrorism in International Relations3
PSC 4770Human Rights3
PSC 4810Environmental Justice3
PSC 4850Sports, Politics and Policy3
PSC 4900Politics of Asia3
PSC 4940Applied Politics Internship3
PSC 4980Current Topics In Political Science3
PSC 4990Independent Study In Political Science1-3

The requirement of 18 related hours is to be met with the following:

GLST 2000Principles Of Global Studies3
GLST 4900Senior Seminar In Global Studies3

Plus, 12 hours of electives from this list:

ANTH 2800Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH 3850Peoples Of World: An Evolutionary Approach3
ENGL 3670Literature of Diverse and Nonwhite Communities3
ENGL 3660Latinx Literature in the U.S. 3
GEPL 2040World Regional Geography3
ENGL 3770World Literature And Cultures3
ENGL 4550Literature of the British Empire, Beginnings to 18503
ENGL 4560Literature of the British Empire 1850 to the Present3
GEPL 2050World Cities3
GEPL 4160Patterns Of World Development3
SOC 3640Social Inequality3
SOC 4340Population And Society3
SOC 4800Social Change in Developing Nations3


 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.

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 1200American National Government3
PSC 3500Principles Of Law3
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 16
Total Hours33
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.

Political Science
Political Science - Global Studies Concentration

Political Science - Legal Studies Concentration

Below is a sample plan of study. Consult your degree audit for your program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
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
 Hours17
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
 Hours14
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
Fifth Term
PSC Major Elective 6
Related or Minor course (WAC) 3
Related or Minor course 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Sixth Term
PSC Major Elective 3
PSC Major Elective 3
Related or Minor course 3
Elective 3
Diversity of US 3
 Hours15
Seventh Term
PSC Major Elective 6
Non-US Diversity 3
Elective 3
Related or Minor course 3
 Hours15
Eighth Term
PSC 4950 Capstone in Political Science 1
Elective 10
Related or Minor course 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours120

Optional Global Studies Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
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
 Hours17
Second Term
ENGL 1130 College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse 3
Elementary Foreign Language II 4
Natural Science Core 3
Natural Science Core Lab 1
PSC 2700 Principles Of International Relations 3
 Hours14
Third Term
PSC 2600 Principles of Comparative Politics 3
GLST 2000 Principles Of Global Studies 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
 Hours15
Fourth Term
PSC 2800- Principles of Political Theory OR PSC 3410- Principles of Public Policy 3
Intermediate Foreign Language II or approved culture course 3
Natural Science Core 3
Social Science Core 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Fifth Term
PSC International Elective 3
PSC International Elective 3
Related Field Course (WAC) 3
Related Field Course 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Sixth Term
PSC International Elective 3
PSC International Elective 3
Related Field Course 3
Related Field Course (WAC) 3
Diversity US Course 3
 Hours15
Seventh Term
PSC International Elective 3
PSC International Elective 3
Related Field Course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Eighth Term
GLST 4900 Senior Seminar In Global Studies 3
PSC 4950 Capstone in Political Science 1
Related Field Course 3
Electives 7
 Hours14
 Total Hours120

 

Optional Legal Studies Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
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
 Hours17
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
 Hours14
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
Fifth Term
PSC Major Elective 6
Related or Minor course (WAC) 3
Related or Minor course 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Sixth Term
PSC Major Elective 3
PSC Major Elective 3
Related or Minor course 3
Elective 3
Diversity of US 3
 Hours15
Seventh Term
PSC Major Elective 6
Non-US Diversity 3
Elective 3
Related or Minor course 3
 Hours15
Eighth Term
PSC 4950 Capstone in Political Science 1
Elective 10
Related or Minor course 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours120
  • PLO 1: recognize political phenomena and political lacuna worthy of investigation using the methods of political science\\n
  • PLO 2: 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\\n
  • PLO 3: develop descriptive inferences about political phenomena by applying the foundational concepts of political science and known facts\\n
  • PLO 4: interpret and evaluate the significance and dynamics of political events and governmental processes that affect citizens lives\\n
  • PLO 5: analyze political, administrative, and policy issues using empirical methods including formulating hypotheses and organizing information to test those hypotheses\\n
  • PLO 6: normatively evaluate political, administrative, and policy issues and justify students normative conclusions