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Political Science

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in political science.

Major in Political Science

The major in political science offers systematic study of politics, including the way people are governed and govern themselves in a wide variety of settings. The curriculum focuses on fundamental principles, enduring issues of politics, forms of government, public policy, public law, and public administration from both domestic and international perspectives. It explores political, cultural and philosophical influences on public policy and policy-making. By enabling students to understand the role of government at local, state, and national levels in domestic and foreign settings, the program prepares graduates to become more effective global citizens as well as preparing them to enter or advance careers in government service, private corporations, nonprofit organizations, or advanced study in law, business, journalism, or graduate school.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a degree in political science will be able to

• Explain political theories and the forms and structures of government and discuss their impact upon the political process, policy development, and comparative and international politics.
• Discuss how public policy shapes a society’s approach to such issues as national security, health, education, wealth distribution, and the environment.
• Compare and contrast public decision making and its implementation in domestic and foreign settings.
• Describe how various governmental and nongovernmental organizations contribute to global politics.
• Analyze recurrent patterns of international political conflict, identify underlying political issues, and suggest alternative resolutions.
• Identify techniques of conflict resolution (including negotiation, compromise, and accommodation) that are appropriate at various points along the policy continuum.
• Apply critical thinking and analytic and effective communication skills (oral and written) in discussing and resolving political issues.
• Apply effectively a variety of approaches and methodologies to the analysis of political, administrative, and policy problems.
• Utilize information technology effectively for the research of political science literature.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in political science requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives; and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in political science. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found in the General Education Requirements.

Political Science Major Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

WRTG 101 /101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or MATH 107 College Algebra
or a higher-level math course

GVPT 100 Introduction to Political Science (3)

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirements in behavioral and social sciences

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)
or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

GVPT 280 Comparative Politics and Government (3)

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

GVPT 101 Introduction to Political Theory (3)
or GVPT 444 American Political Theory

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirements in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

GVPT 200 International Political Relations (3)
or GVPT 401 Problems of World Politics

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/writing or speech

STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (3)

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement

GVPT 475 The Presidency and the Executive Branch (3)
or GVPT 170 American Government

Any upper-level GVPT course (3)
supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

Supplemental major courses (9)
(see Requirements for the Major)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (49)

Total credits for BS in political science (120)

Minor in Political Science

The political science minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing systematic study of politics and government. It exposes the student to the basic concepts, theories, policies, and the role of government at local, state, and national levels in domestic and foreign settings.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a minor in political science will be able to

• Explain the scope and concepts of political science, political theories, the forms and structure of government, and their impact on the political process from a comparative and international perspective.
• Analyze recurrent patterns of international political conflict, identify underlying foreign policy issues, and suggest alternative resolutions.
• Identify techniques of conflict resolution including negotiation, compromise and accommodation appropriate at various junctures along the policy continuum.
• Demonstrate competency in the application of social justice through effective political participation.
• Apply critical thinking and analytic and effective communication skills in oral and written work when discussing and resolving political issues.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in political science requires the completion of 15 credits in government and politics. All GVPT courses apply. Students are recommended to take GVPT 100, 101, or 170 as the first course for the minor, if not already applied elsewhere in the degree.

At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Courses may not duplicate those used to meet the requirements for the major. Prerequisites apply for all courses.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students should refer to their major and Bachelor’s Degrees.

Last updated: 11 August 2008