Political Science Major
Overall credit hour requirement: A major in Political Science consists of at least 36 credits to a maximum of 45 credits. Not counting practicum, at least 15 credits must be taken at the 300 course level.
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Specific course requirements:
1. 46.101 Intro to American Politics; normally taken fall semester of the freshman year.
2. 46.201 Intro to Political Analysis; this course examines the scope of the discipline and the methods of political analysis, primarily through a study of current policy issues. These include issues of ethical action and diversity, and this course [along with several other Department courses] meets the general education ethics, diversity and information literacy requirements for Political Science Majors. Normally taken spring semester of the freshman or sophomore year, transfer students should take it as soon as possible.
3. 46.301 Practicum in Political Science [formerly 46.496, 497]; one 3 credit practicum course which will be graded “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory”. Take either 46.301 Practicum Experience, or 46.302 Practicum in the Law, or another department practicum, if offered. The practicum involves 75-100 hours of practical experience in politics, law, government, etc. Normally no student may take more than one practicum as part if the minimum 120 credits required for graduation.
4. 46.401 Research Seminar in Political Science; This requires the writing of a substantial. Students should select a 300 level “seminar” or “lecture” course from among Department offerings that are of interest, all of which involve the writing of one or several papers, and select one paper or topic to expand upon. The student should then register in the Research Seminar section for the appropriate supervising instructor and expand the paper into a more substantial form. [This requirement also fulfills the general education “capstone” self-direction and collaboration requirement.]
Distribution Requirements
All students must take at least 2 courses at any level in the 3 following areas:
- American Politics, Government and Policy
- Law Theory, and Politics
- Comparative and International Politics.
Appropriate courses may be suitable for attribution to more than one area but any particular course may be counted by the student in one area only.
Focus requirement: In conjunction with a faculty advisor, political science majors are encouraged to formulate a program of study in the major that includes three to five courses that focus in a progressively more advanced manner upon one political science sub-area to assure a depth of knowledge. Sub-areas may be defined flexibly.
General Education Departmental Requirements
Ethics Requirement: Political Analysis or any of several additional courses with the ethics designation
Diversity Requirement: Political Analysis or any of several additional courses with the diversity designation
Information Literacy Requirement: Political Analysis and most other department courses
Self-direction and Collaboration Requirement: Research Seminar
Waiver of any requirement may be granted only by the Department Chair in unusual circumstances and for very good reasons.
The Department recommends that Political Science majors select supporting coursework from history, sociology, and economics, and encourages students to develop minor areas of study or supporting majors in related social science disciplines.
Students transferring to the college and wishing to major in Political Science must make individual arrangements with their faculty advisor or the Department Chairperson regarding satisfaction of major course requirements.
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