BSU Catalog Home | Political Science Program | Political Science Course Descriptions

Political Science Areas of Study

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Political Science Major, B.A.

I. Required Core Courses

Note: SOC 3001 has a prerequisite not included in this major or requires consent of instructor.

PHIL 3380 Political Philosophy (3 credits)
or POL 1100 Understanding Politics (3 credits)
POL 1200 Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
POL 1300 Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
POL 1400 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
POL 3240 Political Analysis (3 credits)
POL 4100 Political Inquiry (3 credits)
POL 4500 Thesis and Career Preparation (3 credits)
SOC 3001 Social Statistics (3 credits)

Subtotal 24 Credits

II. Required Electives

Select one of the following:

A. General

Select 12 credits of guided electives from Political Science courses numbered above 3000 with consent of advisor. May include internship up to 4 credits.

Select 6 credits of guided electives from appropriate courses numbered above 3000 with consent of advisor. May include internship up to 4 credits. Appropriate courses are included in Economics, Geography, History, International Studies, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Sociology, or Women's Studies.

Note: A total of up to 8 credits of internship may be taken.

B. Pre-Law Emphasis

POL 4200 Constitutional Law (3 credits)

Select 15 credits of guided electives from appropriate courses numbered above 3000 with consent of advisor. Appropriate courses are included in Accounting, Economics, English, History, Philosophy, Sociology, and Speech.

Subtotal 18 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major 42 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

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SUGGESTED SEMESTER SCHEDULE FOR POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR, B.A.

The following is a list of required Political Science Major, B.A. courses arranged by year. This schedule is intended to help students plan their courses in an orderly fashion; however, these are only suggestions and this schedule is flexible.

Freshman

POL 1200 Introduction to American Politics
POL 1300 Introduction to International Relations
Liberal Education requirements

Sophomore

POL 1400 Introduction to Comparative Politics
PHIL 3380 Political Philosophy
or POL 1100 Understanding Politics
Liberal Education requirements
Electives in Political Science

Junior

POL 3240 Political Analysis
SOC 3001 Social Statistics
Liberal Education Requirements
Electives in Political Science

Senior

POL 4500 Thesis and Career Preparation
Electives in Political Science

Political Science Minor

Required Courses

PHIL 3380 Political Philosophy (3 credits)
or POL 1100 Understanding Politics (3 credits)
POL 1200 Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
POL 1300 Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
POL 1400 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)

Subtotal 12 Credits

Select 12 credits of guided electives from Political Science courses numbered above 3000 with consent of advisor. May include internship up to 4 credits.

Subtotal 12 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Minor 24 Credits