About the Political Science Bachelor’s Program
The Department of Political Science offers four concentrations for students: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Policy and Public Administration. Students who do not choose to have a concentration will receive a general B.A. in Political Science.
American Politics: Students seeking the notation “American Politics Concentration” on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses: POLS 3300 , POLS 3317 , POLS 3318 , POLS 3319 , POLS 3323 , POLS 3325 , POLS 3327 , POLS 3351 , POLS 3352 , POLS 3353 .
Comparative Politics. Students seeking the notation “Comparative Politics Concentration” on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses: POLS 3302 , POLS 3364 , POLS 3372 , POLS 3373 , POLS 3375 , POLS 3376 .
International Relations. Students seeking the notation “International Relations Concentration” on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses: POLS 3301 , POLS 3360 , POLS 3363 , POLS 3365 , POLS 3366 , POLS 3367 , POLS 3368 .
Policy and Public Administration. Students seeking the notation “Policy & Public Administration Concentration” on their transcripts must take four 3-hour courses (12 hours) with a grade of C or better from the following courses: POLS 3303 , POLS 3328 , POLS 3329 , POLS 3334 , POLS 3341 , POLS 3346 .
Communication Literacy Requirement
Students attending Texas Tech University for the first time in the Fall 2017 term or later will complete a Communication Literacy requirement in their program(s) of study. Texas Tech University’s transition from the Writing Intensive requirement to the Communication Literacy requirement signals the university’s awareness that in addition to the fundamental role that writing plays in enabling students to explore, develop, focus, and organize a message, other types of communication must also be taught as appropriate for a student’s discipline. Throughout each program of study, then, students must be given ample opportunity to develop their skills in forms of communication central to that program.
Students majoring in political science are expected to develop proficiency in written, oral, and graphical/mathematical communication. To satisfy this requirement, all majors are required to take three 3-hour courses (9 hours) of communications literacy courses in the department. The three courses that satisfy this requirement are POLS 3314 , POLS 3300 or POLS 3303 (not both), POLS 3301 or POLS 3302 .