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2026-2027 Undergraduate Bulletin
Political Science, BA Major in
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The Department of Political Science’s Law and Politics concentration examines the intricate interaction between politics and the law at the state, national, and international levels. It focuses on the dynamics between legal and political structures and processes and explores how laws are created, interpreted, and applied within the context of politics, societal influences, and governmental institutions.
This concentration spans the traditional political science subfields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Students will gain the ability to comprehend and apply Political Science theories, principles and concepts necessary to examine state, national and international functioning of law through the lens of politics. This concentration develops the knowledge and skills for graduate and professional schools (particularly law school) as well as careers within governmental agencies, law enforcement, judicial administration, and non-governmental organizations.
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Program Requirements: Total Semester Hours: 124
Major Requirements - 45 semester hours A BA major in Political Science consists of a minimum of 33 semester hours in political science, including PSC 001, 002, 135, and 142 or 143. In addition, 12 semester hours are distributed among at least three of the following areas: anthropology, criminology, economics (ECO 001, ECO 002, or ECO 007 required), geography, global studies, history, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology, and sustainability studies. Honors College courses HUHC 011 and 012 may also be used to satisfy this requirement. PSC 012S , 014F , and 014S may be applied toward the major in political science. All majors are required to take a comprehensive examination administered by the department in their senior year. Students who receive internship or study abroad credit in a department-approved program may apply a maximum total of 6 political science credits toward the major. The Political Science Department strongly recommends the following progression for majors in political science: I. Required Political Science Courses: 12 semester hours
II. Political Science Electives: 21 semester hours chosen from the following
A. American Government and Politics
C. International Relations and Politics
E. Additional Political Science Electives:
Note:
PSC 100, Internship course PSC 170, and reading courses PSC 161 and 162 can relate to any of the above fields depending upon the focus desired. III. Additional 12 semester hours required that are distributed among three of the following areas:
Anthropology (ANTH), criminology (CRM), economics (ECO), geography (GEOG), global studies (GS), history (HIST), philosophy (PHI), psychology (PSY), religion (RELI), sociology (SOC), and sustainability studies (SBLY). - Required Course: 3 semester hours
ECO 001 - Principles of Economics, ECO 002-Principles of Economics, or ECO 007 - (BH) Explorations of Current Economic Issues - Additional 9 semester hours chosen under advisement.
Honors College courses HUHC 011 and 012 may also be used to satisfy this requirement. Note About Course Sequences:
For both majors and non-majors, it is strongly recommended that, before taking advanced courses in American Government and Politics (PSC 105, 111, 112, 114, 115, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129, 147), PSC 001 be taken first. Only students who have a clear understanding of the workings of the American system of government should consider taking advanced courses in American Government and Politics without first taking the introductory course. Concentration in International Relations Semester Hours: 45
A BA major in Political Science with a Concentration in International Relations consists of a minimum of 33 semester hours in political science, including PSC 001, 002, 135 and 142 or 143, and 15 semester hours in Comparative Politics and International Relations and Politics courses. In addition, 12 semester hours are distributed among at least three of the following areas: anthropology, criminology, economics (ECO 001, ECO 002, or 007 required), geography, global studies, history, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology, and sustainability studies. Honors College courses HUHC 011 and 012 may also be used to satisfy this requirement. PSC 012S, 014F, and 014S may be applied as semester hours in political science. All majors are required to take a comprehensive examination administered by the department in their senior year. Students who receive internship or study abroad credit in a department-approved program may apply a maximum total of 6 political science credits toward the major and, depending on the content, toward the concentration. Students who plan to major in Political Science are recommended to seek an advisor within the department to select an appropriate progression of major coursework. Under advisement, students must choose between either a BA in Political Science or a BA in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs. Students who major in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs may not also minor in Political Science. The 15 semester hours for the Political Science Major with a Concentration in International Relations must include at least 6 semester hours from Comparative Politics and 6 semester hours from International Relations. A. Comparative Politics
A minimum of 6 semester hours chosen from the following: B. International Relations and Politics
A minimum of 6 semester hours chosen from the following: Note:
For both majors and non-majors, it is strongly recommended that, before taking advanced courses in Comparative Politics and International relations, PSC 002 and PSC 135 be taken first. Concentration in Law and Politics: 33 Semester Hours
The BA major in Political Science with a Concentration in Law and Politics consists of a minimum of 33 semester hours in political science, including PSC 001, 002, 135 and 142 or 143, and 15 semester hours drawn from the Law and Politics Concentration. In addition, 12 semester hours are distributed among at least three of the following areas: anthropology, criminology, economics (ECO 001, ECO 002, or 007 required), geography, global studies, history, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology, and sustainability studies. Honors College courses HUHC 011 and 012 may also be used to satisfy this requirement. PSC 012S, 014F, and 014S may be applied as semester hours in political science. All majors are required to take a comprehensive examination administered by the department in their senior year. Students who receive internship or study abroad credit in a department-approved program may apply a maximum total of 6 political science credits toward the major and, depending on the content, toward the concentration. Students who plan to major in Political Science are recommended to seek an advisor within the department to select an appropriate progression of major coursework. Under advisement, students must choose between either a BA in Political Science or a BA in Political Science with a concentration in Law and Politics. Students who major in Political Science with a concentration in Law and Politics may not also minor in Political Science. The 15 semester hours for the Political Science Major with a Concentration in Law and Politics must take the two Foundational Courses, PSC 120 and PSC 127, and nine semester hours in law and politics electives across at least two categories.
A. Political Science Core: 12 semester hours
These courses introduce students to the four recognized fields of Political Science. B. Political Science Electives: 21 Semester Hours
Students take an additional seven courses drawn from the Political Science Department offerings.
Law and Politics Concentration: 15 Semester Hours
A. Foundational Courses: 6 Semester Hours
All students are required to take the foundational courses: B. Law and Politics Elective Courses: 9 Semester Hours
Students will be required to take nine semester hours drawn from at least two different categories from the following. American Government Institutions and Processes
The Struggle for Equality and Justice in the United States.
Law and Politics on the World Stage.
The Struggle for Equality and Justice in Foreign Societies.
Recommended Program Sequence - Total Hours: 124
Washington Semester Program
The department supervises a select number of students with at least a junior standing and nine hours of credit in political science in an intern program for a full semester in Washington. Sixteen semester hours of credit are normally granted for satisfactory completion of the internship. Students who receive internship credit may apply a maximum total of 6 political science credits toward the major. Local Internships or PSC 170
On a limited basis, students may work in state or local government offices under the joint supervision of the Department of Political Science and the government unit on projects leading to academic credit. Students who receive internship credit may apply a maximum total of 6 political science credits toward the major. |
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