Students majoring in Political Science will choose one of the following four tracks: Politics, Law and Politics, Global Politics, or Business and Politics.
You may wish to downloand and print: Political Science Major Requirements Worksheet in pdf format.
This option is designed for students who desire a general liberal education in politics, or who may wish to pursue the Ph.D. in political science or to attend law school. The required curriculum aims to assure liberal breadth, acquaintance with the methods of political science, and some knowledge in depth of one of the subfields of political science. It also cultivates mastery of the English language, habits of careful reading, and the theoretical, logical, and mathematical reasoning abilities that are required in graduate work. Students who prefer to combine this option with preparation for law school should choose from the cognate course options in the Law and Politics track.
Required Major Courses: Thirty-three semester hours in Political
Science, including:
(A) POSC 20, 40, 60 and 80;
(B) Seven upper division courses chosen from at least three of the
Groups I-IV.
NOTE: At least two of the upper division courses must be designated as “writing development” courses.
Recommended Cognate Courses: Six semester hours from any of the following courses: ECON 43, ECON 44, ENGL 104, MATH 26, MATH 70, and 82 and/or 182 of any foreign language. Depending upon their interests, students choosing this option might elect to take the minor in Business Administration, any of the interdisciplinary majors or minors, or any broadly liberal selection of courses.
Recommended Additional Major Course: POSC 193.
This option is designed especially for students who wish to combine liberal education in politics with preparation for law school. The required curriculum aims to assure liberal breadth, familiarity with the nature of American law, and solid grounding in the politics, economics, and history of the society from which that law arises. It also strives to foster the mastery of the English language, the habits of careful reading, and the logical and mathematical reasoning abilities that are demanded by the LSAT.
Required Major Courses: Thirty-three semester hours in Political
Science, including:
(A) POSC 20 and 80, and either POSC 40 or 60;
(B) POSC 133 and 134;
(C) POSC 165;
(D) One upper division course from Group I;
(E) POSC 129 or 135;
(F) one other course from Group II;
(G) Any two additional POSC courses.
NOTE: At least two of the upper division courses must be designated as “writing development” courses.
Recommended Cognate Courses: Six semester hours from any of the following courses: ECON 43, ECON 44, MATH 26, MATH 70, and ENGL 104. Students choosing this option are also strongly advised to satisfy their core curriculum Literature and Fine Arts requirements by taking ENGL 32, 33, and 44. ENGL 165 is also recommended. In addition, students should consider one of ECON 125, 126, 133 and 134; one of HIST 4, 5, 102, 107, 108, 111, 112; MATH 60; and PHIL 106 and 107.
Recommended Additional Major Courses: POSC 179, 182, 191, 193, and additional courses from Group I.
This option is intended for students who wish to combine liberal education in politics with preparation for careers in international politics or business. The required curriculum aims to assure liberal breadth, knowledge of types of regimes found in the modern world, and a basic grasp of international politics, security, political economy, and organization. Students choosing this option also might consider further study in specialized MA programs.
Required Major Courses: At least 33 credits in Political Science,
including:
(A) POSC 20, 40 and 60;
(B) Two upper division courses from Group III;
(C) Either POSC 165 or 167;
(D) Either POSC 177 or 178;
(E) One of POSC 170, 173, 174, 175, 176, and 179;
(F) One of POSC 128, 129, 130, 135;
(G) Any two additional POSC courses.
NOTE: At least two of the upper division courses must be designated as “writing development” courses.
Recommended Cognate Courses: Six credits, either from a third year of foreign language or from ECON 43 and 44. Students in this track should also take elective courses in the histories and literatures of the foreign countries and cultures that interest them most. At a minimum, they should take one of Group III or IV in HIST. In addition, one of THEO 166, 180, 182, 184, 185 or 186; one of MATH 60 or COSC 50; FINA 185; and ECON 154, 155 and 156 are recommended.
Recommended Additional Major Courses: Additional courses from Groups III and IV.
This option is designed for students who wish to combine liberal education in politics with specialty courses that intersect with political economy, philosophy, and political regulation of business. The required curriculum aims to assure liberal breadth, along with knowledge and understanding of the institutions, processes, and historical context of advanced capitalist democracies. Many students choosing this track will double-major in economics or management. Many will choose to go on to business school, a public policy masters program, or other graduate work. Others will work in the private sector or for a government agency.
Required Major Courses: Thirty-three semester hours in Political
Science, including:
(A) POSC 20, and two of POSC 40, 60, and 80;
(B) POSC 110
(C) Two of POSC 106, 143, 177
(D) Three of POSC 105, 111, 112, 117, 123, 135, 141, 179, 193*
(E) Any two additional POSC courses**
Required Cognate Courses:
(A) ECON 43
(B) ECON 44
NOTE: At least two of the upper division courses must be designated as “writing development” courses.
*POSC 193 is subject to approval by the chair
**One of these courses may be the intro course not taken to fulfill (A)
above.
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