Major & Minor Requirements

There are separate tracks for students pursuing a teaching certification in political science or social studies, and a separate composite major in International Studies.

Major Requirements

Each student must complete a minimum of 36 credits in the department:

Foundation courses:

1. POL 100 - Introduction to American Politics (4 credits)
2. POL 151 - Introduction to Global Politics (4 credits)
3. POL 242 - Research Methods (4 credits)
(formerly Scope and Methods)
4. POL 251 - International Relations (4 credits)
5. POL 494 - Capstone Seminar (4 credits)
6. An experiential learning course (4 credits)

One elective course from each area:

7. American Government (4 credits)
8. Comparative Politics (4 credits)
9. Political Theory (4 credits)

Additional Courses Offered:

10. POL 110 - Topics in Political Science (2 credits)
11. POL 160 - Global Feminisms (4 credits)
12. POL 201 - Political Geography (4 credits)
13. POL 350 - United Nations (2 credits)
14. POL 351 - International Law, Organization, and Systems (4 credits)
15. POL 352 - Global Political Economy (4 credits)

Minor Requirements - Students with a Political Science Minor prior to Fall 2013

A minor consists of a minimum of 16 credits selected as follows: POL 100 or 110, 242 (or other approved research methods course), 251 and one to two advanced courses to reach the 16-credit requirement. For a teaching minor, students should select one or two additional courses from the foreign and domestic courses described above.

Minor Requirements - Students declaring a minor beginning Fall 2013

A minor in Political Science consists of a minimum of 20 credits in Political Science. Students must complete at least one 4 credit survey course (100 level). The remaining 16 credits should include courses from both the “American” and “International” offerings of the Department.

Majors can also focus their study of political science by specializing in one or more subfield concentrations.