Political Science, Bachelor of Arts

Offered by Department of Political Science

General Education
Foundational Requirements (LOPERS 1-4)12
Broad Knowledge Requirements (LOPERs 5-8)12
Dispositional Requirements (LOPERS 9-10) 16
Including:
LOPER 9:Civic Competency and Engagement
Democracy and Global Citizenship PSCI 140 can also be used for LOPER 7: Social Science
LOPER 10:Respect for Human Diversity
Introduction to International Relations
Wellness (LOPER 11) Optional0
BA Language requirement
Complete all required courses 26
Major Option
Complete all required courses36
Minor or 2nd Major
Complete all required courses 324
Unrestricted electives
Needed to reach 120 credit hour minimum24
Total Credit Hours120

Major Option

Political Science Core
PSCI 110Introduction to American Politics3
PSCI 281Political Analysis3
PSCI 489Senior Seminar3
Political Science Requirements
Select at least 3 credit hours from five separate subfields: 15
Political Thought
Theoretical Foundations of American Politics and Law
Ancient Political Thought
Modern Political Thought
Democratic Political Thought
20th & 21st Century Political Thought
Topics in Political Thought 4
Feminist Political Thought
American Government
Introduction to Public Administration
The Courts and the Judicial Process
The American Congress
The American Presidency
Topics in American Politics 4
State and Local Government
Advanced Study in American Government: Special Topics
Mass Political Behavior
Comparative Political Behavior
Campaigns and Elections
Political Parties and Interest Groups
Religion & Politics
Public Opinion and Political Problems
Advanced Study in Political Behavior: Special Topics
Public Law
The Courts and the Judicial Process
American Constitutional Law
Individual Liberties and Civil Rights
International Law and Organization
Public Policy Administration
Introduction to Public Administration
Environmental Politics & Policy
The Politics and Policy of Health Care
Politics of the Drug War
Race & Politics
Public Budgeting
Public Personnel Administration
American Foreign Policy
Foundations of Public Policy
Public Administration
Policy Analysis
Comparative Politics
Topics in Comparative Politics 4
Politics of the Drug War
Politics of the Developed World
Politics of the Developing World
Latin American Politics
Comparative Political Behavior
Military Politics and Civil-Military Relations
Dynamics of Humanitarian Crises and Global Society
Politics & Culture of Asia
Advanced Study in Comparative Politics: Special Topics
Nations in Transition
International Relations
The Institutions and Processes of the United Nations
Politics and Law of International Human Rights
Politics of the Drug War
Politics of Globalization
Dynamics of Humanitarian Crises and Global Society
Human Security and Global Peacekeeping
International Law and Organization
International Political Economy
American Foreign Policy
Topics in International Relations 4
U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East
War in World Politics
Political Science Electives
Take 12 hours of any PSCI course 200-49912
It is strongly recommended that at least one elective course be in experiential learning: PSCI 456 Field Study (6 hours max), PSCI 475 Internship in Political Science (9 hours max) AND/OR PSCI 490 Directed Research
Total Credit Hours36
1

Designated courses with the appropriate content may be approved to satisfy one of the Broad Knowledge requirements plus LOPER 9 or Broad Knowledge plus LOPER 10. Courses may be approved to satisfy LOPER 9 or LOPER 10 alone. (Courses satisfying LOPER 9 or LOPER 10 alone must be 3 credit hours.)Students applying this option will need to take additional hours in other categories to meet the required General Education hours.

2

For specific language requirements see #2 of Bachelor of Arts Degree requirements.

3

A minor or second major is required for a complete degree program. The number of required electives needed to reach 120 total credit hours overall will depend upon the specific program chosen.

4

May be repeated once with different topic.

This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your academic advisor. Advisors can also help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.

Semester 1
PSCI 110Introduction to American Politics3
PSCI 168Introduction to International Relations3
LOPER 1: First-year Seminar3
LOPER 2: Writing Skills3
LOPER 5: Visual or Performing Arts3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 2
PSCI 140Democracy and Global Citizenship3
Major Elective3
Major Elective3
LOPER 4: Mathematics, Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning3
LOPER 8: Natural Science3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 3
Major Elective3
Major Elective3
BA Requirement3
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
LOPER 6: Humanities3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 4
PSCI 281Political Analysis3
Major Elective3
BA Requirement3
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
LOPER 3: Oral Communication Skills3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 5
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
Major Elective3
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
LOPER 7: Social Science3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 6
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
Major Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 7
Major Elective3
Minor or 2nd Major Course3
Unrestricted Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Total Credit Hours15
Semester 8
PSCI 489Senior Seminar3
Major Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Unrestricted Elective3
Total Credit Hours15