About the Minor

The interdisciplinary minor in presidential studies makes use of the unique programs and resources offered by the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency. This program is designed for students with a keen interest in U.S. presidential leadership and policy-making who seek to examine executive politics from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students who pursue the minor will take relevant courses in departments across the University and conduct primary archival research in presidential studies. The minor will help students develop the critical thinking skills necessary for advanced graduate work in presidential studies, and apply those skills to the practice of presidential politics and policy making.

In consultation with the program adviser, students will develop an individual plan of study for the minor that will identify their specific interests in presidential studies and relevant courses.

Minor Requirements – Total Semester Hours: 18

The minor requires the successful completion of 18 semester hours, distributed as follows:

Notes

Other courses may be accepted for archival research as well, with the approval of the program adviser.

As with the elective courses in B, students are responsible for meeting with the program adviser to identify the course for C in which they will pursue advanced archival research. In consultation with the program adviser and the course instructor, students are responsible for determining their research plan to complete this capstone requirement in presidential studies.

Upon completing 18 credits in presidential studies, students may be required to submit an evaluation of their research and academic development in the minor. This evaluation must be submitted to the program adviser for completion of the presidential studies minor.

No more than 6 s.h. of political science may count toward both the political science major  and the minor in presidential studies.

BA students should be aware that enrollment in more than 45 s.h. in any one department (course prefix) will require enrollment in course work in addition to the 124 s.h. generally required for the BA.

Students interested in declaring a presidential studies minor should consult with the Political Science  Department.