Dec 30, 2024

2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin

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2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Political Science, BA Major in

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Program Requirements

A BA major in Political Science consists of a minimum of 27 semester hours in political science, including PSC 001, 002, 135 and 142 or 143. In addition, 18 semester hours distributed among at least four of the following areas: anthropology, criminology, economics (ECO 001 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.

All majors are required to take a comprehensive examination administered by the department in the senior year.

PSC 012S , 014F and 014S may be applied toward the major in political science. Beyond these, the Political Science Department strongly recommends the following progression for majors in political science:

I. Introductory

PSC 001 - (BH) American Politics Semester Hours: 3-4
PSC 002 - (BH) Comparative Politics Semester Hours: 3

II. Intermediate

PSC 135 - International Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 142 - Western Political Theory: Plato to Hobbes Semester Hours: 3
or
PSC 143 - Ideas in Conflict: Modern Democratic and Totalitarian Political Thought Semester Hours: 3

III. Advanced

A minimum of 15 semester hours selected from one or more of the following four areas:

A. American Government and Politics

PSC 105 - Contemporary Issues in American Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 111 - Politics of Race in the United States Semester Hours: 3
PSC 112 - Politics of Education Semester Hours: 3
PSC 114 - Political Parties and the Voter Semester Hours: 3
PSC 115 - (BH) State and Local Politics and Governments Semester Hours: 3
PSC 120 - (BH) Law and Politics: Judicial Process Semester Hours: 3
PSC 121 - The American Presidency Semester Hours: 3
PSC 122 - Congress: National Legislative Process Semester Hours: 3
PSC 126 - (BH) Politics of Public Administration Semester Hours: 3
PSC 127 - Constitutional Law Semester Hours: 3
PSC 128 - The Constitution: Political Freedom and Civil Liberties Semester Hours: 3
PSC 129 - (BH) The Administration of Justice in America Semester Hours: 3
PSC 134 - American Foreign Policy Semester Hours: 3
PSC 147 - Public Opinion and Political Communications Semester Hours: 3
PSC 151 A-Z - Special Topics in American Politics Semester Hours: 1-4
PSC 195 - Introduction to Administration Semester Hours: 3

B. Comparative Politics

PSC 106 - The Government and Politics of Israel Semester Hours: 3
PSC 108 - (BH, CC) Politics of the Middle East Semester Hours: 3
PSC 109 - (CC) Political Islam Semester Hours: 3
PSC 110 - (BH, CC) African Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 117 - (CC) Religion and Politics in Turkey Semester Hours: 3
PSC 118 - Political Economy of Turkey Semester Hours: 3
PSC 130 - (BH, CC) Latin American and Caribbean Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 131 - (CC) Comparative Political Economy of Development Semester Hours: 3
PSC 132 - Comparative European Governments Semester Hours: 3
PSC 133 - Politics of the European Union Semester Hours: 3
PSC 139 - (BH) Russia: Post-Soviet Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 144 - (BH, CC) Asian Politics and Government Semester Hours: 3
PSC 145 - (BH, CC) Japan: Government and Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 146 - (BH, CC) China: Government and Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 154 A-Z - Special Topics in Comparative Politics Semester Hours: 1-4
PSC 193 - Political Corruption Semester Hours: 2

C. International Relations and Politics

PSC 107 - The Arab-Israeli Conflict Semester Hours: 3
PSC 113 - Technology and Defense Policy Semester Hours: 3
PSC 133 - Politics of the European Union Semester Hours: 3
PSC 134 - American Foreign Policy Semester Hours: 3
PSC 135 - International Politics Semester Hours: 3
PSC 137 - World Organization and International Law Semester Hours: 3
PSC 152 A-Z - Special Topics in International Politics Semester Hours: 1-4
PSC 192 - Field Study at the United Nations Semester Hours: 3

D. Political Theory

PSC 141 - American Political Thought Semester Hours: 3
PSC 142 - Western Political Theory: Plato to Hobbes Semester Hours: 3
PSC 143 - Ideas in Conflict: Modern Democratic and Totalitarian Political Thought Semester Hours: 3
PSC 148 - Political Science Scope and Methods Semester Hours: 3
PSC 153 A-Z - Special Topics in Political Theory Semester Hours: 1-4

Note

PSC 100 and reading courses PSC 161 and 162 can relate to any of the above fields depending upon the focus desired.

PSC 100 - Honors Essay Semester Hours: 3
PSC 161 - Independent Readings in Political Science Semester Hours: 1-3
PSC 162 - Independent Readings in Political Science Semester Hours: 1-3

Note About Courses:

For both majors and non-majors, it is strongly recommended that, before taking advanced courses in American Government and Politics (PSC 105, 111, 114, 115, 120, 121, 122, 126, 127, 128, 129, 147), PSC 1 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.

Complete BA Requirements

BA Requirements in HCLAS.

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.

Local Internships

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.

Teaching of high school social studies:

See BA in Social Studies Education in the School of Education .

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