Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, B.A.


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 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  .

Recommended Curriculum


First Year


Fall


Total: 13


Spring


Total: 15


Second Year


Fall


  • 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • Foreign Language (2000 level) 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • ENGL 2000-level Literature 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • Creative Arts 3 Semester Credit Hours *
  • Personal Fitness and Wellness 1 Semester Credit Hours
  • POLS Jr./Sr. Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours

Total: 16


Spring


Total: 15


Third Year


Fall


  • POLS Communication Literacy Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • Oral Communication 3 Semester Credit Hours *
  • Life and Physical Sciences 4 Semester Credit Hours *
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Semester Credit Hours *
  • Minor 3 Semester Credit Hours

Total: 16


Spring


Total: 15


Fourth Year


Fall


  • POLS Communication Literacy Course 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • Minor 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • Language, Philosophy, & Culture 3 Semester Credit Hours *
  • Creative Arts 3 Semester Credit Hours *
  • POLS Jr./Sr. Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours

Total: 15


Spring


  • POLS Jr./Sr. Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • POLS Jr./Sr. Elective 3 Semester Credit Hours
  • Minor 6 Semester Credit Hours
  • Multicultural 3 Semester Credit Hours (Choose from the university’s multicultural  list.)

Total: 15


Total Hours: 120


40 hours must be at the junior/senior level; 9 hours must be communication literacy courses in the major.

* Choose from the university’s core curriculum .

Foreign Language


A student must complete 6 hours at the sophomore level or above in a single language. The prerequisite for all sophomore language courses is credit for the freshman level. This credit can be determined through a credit by examination. The score attained on the exam will determine whether the student is placed in a second-year course, a 5-hour review course, or in some cases the first or second semester of a beginning (first-year) language course. See Arts and Sciences General Degree Requirements  for further explanation.