Political Science Major (Bachelor of Science)

First Year - Credits: 32

• World Language  (Cr: 6)
• Individual and Society General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
• Global Issues General Education Requirement  (Cr: 3)
• Electives   (Cr: 6)

• ENG 111 - Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)

• Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.

• ENG 112 - Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)

• Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.

• INT 100 - Internship I (Cr: 2)
• POL 110 - World Politics (Cr: 3)
• POL 113 - American Government and Politics (Cr: 3)

Sophomore - Credits: 32-33

• Quantitative Reasoning General Education Requirement  (Cr. 3)
• Science & Technology General Education Requirement  (Cr: 3-4)
• Literary Perspectives General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
• Values and Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement  (Cr: 3)
• Political Science Elective  (Cr: 6)

• INT 200 - Internship II (Cr: 2)
• POL 220 - Comparative Political Models (Cr: 3)
• POL 250 - Political Theory (Cr: 3)
• POL 270 - Research Methods in Political Science (Cr: 3)
• POL 271 - Advanced Research Design in Political Science (Cr: 3)

Junior - Credits: 31

• Aesthetic Awareness and Creative Expression General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
• World Cultures General Education Requirement   (Cr: 3)
• Political Science Elective  (Cr: 15)
• General Education Electives   (Cr: 6)
• Electives  (Cr: 3)

• POL 379 - Semester Internship Strategies (Cr: 1)

Senior - Credits: 30

• Elective  (Cr: 6)
• General Education Electives  (Cr: 6)
  (must be above the 100 level)

• POL 480 - Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
• POL 489 - Senior Research (Cr: 3)
• POL 490 - Senior Thesis (Cr: 3)

• Or

• POL 491 - Senior Capstone (Cr: 3)

Political Science Electives

Students must choose 7 courses from the following lists; at least 3 of the 7 must have a POL designation. 
Students may select a specific focus area in choosing their electives.

American Politics and Law

• POL 210 - Introduction to Public Policy (Cr: 3)
• POL 240 - American Foreign Policy (Cr: 3)
• POL 260 - Identity Politics (Cr: 3)
• POL 265 - Political Psychology (Cr: 3)
• POL 300 - Contemporary Issues in Politics (Cr: 3)
• POL 305 - Social Policy (Cr: 3)
• POL 310 - Gender and Politics (Cr: 3)
• POL 315 - American Political Thought (Cr: 3)
• POL 343 - Constitutional Law (Cr: 3)
• POL 382 - Environmental Law and Politics (Cr: 3)
• CJ 205 - American Court System (Cr: 3)
• CJ 355 - Race and Justice (Cr: 3)
• CJ 410 - Law and Society (Cr: 3)
• ECN 201 - Macroeconomics (Cr: 3)
• ECN 202 - Microeconomics (Cr: 3)
• ENV 375 - Environmental Economics (Cr: 3)
• HST 317 - Civil Rights Movement (Cr: 3)
• SOC 216 - United States Healthcare: Institutions and Outcomes (Cr: 3)
• SOC 302 - Social Problems (Cr: 3)
• SST 201 - Global Risk: Assessing and Managing Transnational Threats (Cr: 3)
• SST 301 - Terrorism Studies (Cr: 3)

Global Affairs

• POL 215 - The New Europe (Cr: 3)
• POL 216 - International Conflicts (Cr: 3)
• POL 225 - International Law and Organizations (Cr: 3)
• POL 230 - Political and Social Change in Developing Countries (Cr: 3)
• POL 240 - American Foreign Policy (Cr: 3)
• POL 280 - Global Political Economy (Cr: 3)
• POL 300 - Contemporary Issues in Politics (Cr: 3)
• POL 310 - Gender and Politics (Cr: 3)
• POL 312 - Great Power Politics (Cr: 3)
• POL 430 - Human Rights (Cr: 3)
• CJ 354 - International Justice (Cr: 3)
• ECN 201 - Macroeconomics (Cr: 3)
• ECN 202 - Microeconomics (Cr: 3)
• ENV 375 - Environmental Economics (Cr: 3)
• HST 310 - Economies and Peoples (Cr: 3)
• REL 252 - Religion and Politics in the Contemporary World (Cr: 3)
• SST 201 - Global Risk: Assessing and Managing Transnational Threats (Cr: 3)
• SST 301 - Terrorism Studies (Cr: 3)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the political science program, students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of content and application in the four core areas of political science: American government and politics, political theory, comparative government, and international relations.
• Actively engage in political action and processes at any level on and off campus through field research, internships, service programs, and club activities.
• Communicate effectively in written form within the conventions of the political science discipline.
• Demonstrate the critical inquiry and analysis skills needed to engage constructively in academic discourse within the political science discipline.