Political Science, BA Major in

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Program Requirements

A BA major in Political Science consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours in political science, including PSC 001, 002, 135 and 142 or 143. In addition, 15 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:

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 - Departmental Honors Candidacy: 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, 123, 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. A maximum of 6 credits from an internship may be applied toward political science coursework.

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. A maximum of 6 credits from an internship may be applied toward political science coursework.

Teaching of high school social studies:

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

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