Political Science Course Offerings
Major: (36 hours)* Minor: (16 hours)*
The political science major helps students develop an understanding of politics that integrates four elements: a grasp of fundamental theoretical concepts and problems of political life; an understanding of how those concepts and problems shape and inform the domestic politics of the United States; an understanding of how those concepts and problems shape and inform the world of international relations; and finally a sense of how our understanding of those same concepts and problems is enriched by the comparative analysis of different countries and political systems. In all of these ways, the major helps prepare students for responsible citizenship. It is helpful to students contemplating careers in teaching, government, law, diplomacy, international service, business, and journalism.
| Political Science Major (24 hours of core requirements) | ||
|
POLS 201 POLS 202 POLS 203 POLS 204 |
Introduction to Politics or Immigration and Citizenship or Aristotle or Introduction to Democracy |
4 |
| POLS 212 | Social Science Research Methods | 4 |
| POLS 220 | The American Political System | 4 |
| POLS 230 | Introduction to International Relations | 4 |
| POLS 260 | Introduction to Political Thought | 4 |
| POLS 480 | Senior Capstone: Politics Seminar | 4 |
|
Political Science Electives Majors may fulfill up to 4 of these 12 hours through an internship. |
12 | |
Students will be encouraged to complete a broad liberal arts education, especially including exposure to the other social sciences (economics, sociology, psychology, and cultural anthropology) as well as history, philosophy, ethics, logic, and critical thinking.
Minor: 16 hours of POLS coursework.* Students may take no more than two of the following for the minor: POLS 201, 202, 203, and 204.
*If a student takes a Mayterm course worth only 3 credit hours, s/he may complete the major with only 11 hours of elective credit and 35 hours total. The minor can be completed in 15 hours in the same way.
