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Majors and Minors

Major in Political Science (B.A.)

Students majoring in political science take a minimum of 12 courses (34 credits).

Required courses:

  • Classical Political Philosophy
  • Modern Political Philosophy
  • American Government: Classic and Contemporary Readings
  • Seminar in Research and Methodology
  • Guided Research
  • Multi-Media Research Application

Students choose six additional upper-level political science courses in consultation with department faculty.

Major in Political Science, Concentration in American Government (B.A.)

Students concentrating in American government gain a solid understanding of our political and legal systems from the founding to the present. Students learn about the origins and development of constitutional law and legislation, our governing institutions, our political process and the ideas that have shaped American political life.

In addition to the required courses, students choose six courses from the following list:

  • American Legal History
  • State and Local Government
  • Political Parties and Public Opinion
  • State Government Internship
  • American Political Thought
  • Special Topics in American Government
  • Constitutional Law
  • Civil Liberties
  • Congress and the Legislative Process
  • American Presidency
  • The American Judiciary

Major in Political Science, Concentration in International and Comparative Political Science (B.A)

Students concentrating in international and comparative political science gain an understanding of the political, economic, social, environmental and military issues impacting our increasingly integrated world. They study how nations conduct diplomacy, fight wars, engage in trade and negotiate conflicting interests. Students learn to appreciate the great variety of regimes, from democracies to tyrannies, and the vast disparities of outcomes, from prosperity and the rule of law to misery and violence.

In addition to the required courses, students choose six courses from the following list:

  • International Relations/Organizations
  • Global Environmental Politics
  • Comparative Government
  • Politics of Developing Nations
  • Contemporary Latin America
  • Contemporary Middle East
  • Contemporary Africa
  • Contemporary East Asia
  • Special Topics in International and Comparative Politics
  • Politics and Societies in Eastern Europe
  • Modern American Foreign Policy
  • Political Economy of Industrial Societies

Minor in Political Science

Students completing a minor in political science take a minimum of six courses (18 credits).

Required courses:

  • Classical Political Philosophy
  • Modern Political Philosophy
  • American Government: Classic and Contemporary Readings

Students take three additional upper-level political science courses in consultation with department faculty.