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Political Science Areas of Study

Political Science Major, B.A.

I.Required Courses

Subtotal: 36 credits

II. Required Options in Political Science

*Note: Some of the courses listed have prerequisites not included in this program.
  1. General Political Science

    The general political science option is intended for those students who desire a broad perspective in political science.

    Select twenty-four elective credits from political science or economics. Twelve of these elective credits must be above the 300 level.

    Subtotal Option A: 24 credits

    TOTAL QUARTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR MAJOR: 60 CREDITS

  2. Public and Governmental Relations

    The public and governmental relations option is intended for those students interested in careers in public service, public administration, journalism, policy advocacy, and business.

    Select 24 credits from the following courses: Updated:

    • ECON 312 Public Finance (4 credits)
    • ECON 321 Business and Government (4 credits)
    • ECON 333 Environmental Economics (4 credits)
    • POL 260 Introduction to Public Administration (4 credits)
    • POL 280 Environmental Politics (4 credits)
    • POL 300 State and Local Government (4 credits)
    • POL 340 Legislative Behavior (4 credits)
    • POL 350 The Presidency (4 credits)
    • POL 360 Political Parties and Interest Groups (4 credits)
    • POL 497 Internship in Political Science (4 credits)
    • MASC 200 Persuasion in the Media (3 credits)
    • MASC 303 Public Relations Methods (4 credits)
    • MASC 342 Public Opinion & Mass Comm (3 credits)
    • THSP 210 Advanced Speech Communication (3 credits
    • WMST 222 Women's Issues (4 credits)

      Subtotal Option B: 24 credits

      TOTAL QUARTER HOURS FOR MAJOR: 60 CREDITS

  3. Pre-Law.

    The pre-law option in political science is intended primarily for those students interested in pursuing careers in the legal field.

    Select 24 credits from the following courses:

    • BUAD 220 American Legal Environment (4 credits)
    • ECON 321 Business and Government (4 credits)
    • ECON 351 American Economic History (4 credits)
    • ENGL 220 Expository Writing (4 credits)
    • ENGL 320 Advanced Prose Style (4 credits)
    • PHIL 202 Ethics (4 credits)
    • PHIL 203 Logic (4 credits)
    • PHIL 320 Marxist Philosophy (4 credits)
    • POL 280 Environmental Politics (4 credits)
    • POL 330 Constitutional Law I (4 credits)
    • POL 331 Constitutional Law II (4 credits)
    • POL 340 Legislative Behavior (4 credits)
    • POL 405 Federal Indian Law (4 credits)
    • POL 497 Internship in Political Science (4 credits)
    • THSP 210 Advanced Speech Communication (4 credits)
    • WMST 319 Feminist Theory (4 credits)
    • Select no more than two of the following:
      • HST 200 17th -18th Century America (4 credits)
      • HST 201 19th Century United States (4 credits)
      • HST 202 20th Century United States (4 credits)

        Subtotal Optional: 24 credits

        TOTAL QUARTER HOURS FOR MAJOR: 60 CREDITS

  4. International Relations

    The international relations option is intended for those students interested in careers in the areas of international organizations, international business, diplomacy and public service.

    Select 24 credits from the following courses:

    • ECON 331 International Trade and Factor Mvmts (4 credits)
    • ECON 332 International Finance (4 credits)
    • ECON 335 Comparative Economic Systems (4 credits)
    • GEOG 400 Population and Settlement (4 credits)
    • HST 223 Colonialism and Modernization (4 credits)
    • HST 270 20th Century Latin America (4 credits)
    • HST 280 20th Century Africa (4 credits)
    • INTL 201 International Study Experience (4 credits)
    • INTL 202 Comparative International Study Project (4 credits)
    • POL 207 International Conflict (4 credits)
    • POL 220 United Nations (4 credits)
    • POL 250 Introduction to Asian Government and Politics (4 credits)
      *May use as an elective in Option D if not used in section I. Required Courses.
    • POL 309 U.S. Foreign Policy (4 credits)
    • POL 310 Comparative European Governments (4 credits)
      *May use as an elective in Option D if not used in section I. Required Courses.
    • POL 321 International Law I (4 credits)
    • POL 322 International Law II (4 credits)
    • POL 463 Seminar in International Law (4 credits)
    • POL 450 Japan and Korea (4 credits)
    • POL 451 Southeast Asia (4 credits)
    • POL 452 South Asia (4 credits)
    • POL 453 People's Republic of China (4 credits)

      Subtotal Option D: 24 credits

TOTAL QUARTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR MAJOR: 60 CREDITS

In addition to the above program, the Department recommends that students take the following courses: CS 114 Introduction to Computers and Programming, and ENGL 220 Expository Writing.

Suggested Schedule For Political Science

Freshman

POL 200 Introduction to American Politics
POL 210 Introduction to International Relations
POL 240 Introduction to Political Science
Liberal Education Requirements and Prerequisites

Sophomore

ECON 201, 202, 203 Principles of Economics I, II, III
PHIL 325 Political Philosophy
POL 250 Introduction to Asian Government and Politics
or POL 310 Comparative European Governments
Liberal Education Requirements and Prerequisites
Electives in Political Science according to option.

Junior

POL 320 International Relations
SOC 240 Social Statistics
SOC 250 Methods in Social Research
Electives in Political Science according to option.

Senior

POL 491 Directed Independent Study
Electives in Political Science according to option.

Political Science Minor

I.Required Courses

Subtotal: 16 credits

II.Required Electives in Political Science

Sixteen elective credits in political science, twelve of which must be above the 300 level.

Subtotal: 16 credits

TOTAL QUARTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR MINOR: 32 CREDITS

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