COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Concordia University Chicago requires a total of 36 credit hours within the major, forming part of the 120-credit-hour program that includes general education and electives. Students begin with foundational courses, including American Government and Politics, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. political system, Social and Political Philosophy, which explores ethical and theoretical frameworks guiding political thought, and International Relations, which examines global political dynamics and the interaction of nations. Beyond these core courses, students select 27 credit hours of electives with a POS prefix, allowing them to tailor their studies to areas of personal interest such as Constitutional Law, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, the American Presidency, or specialized topics like Global Terrorism and International Security. The program emphasizes small class sizes, fostering close interactions with faculty who are accessible for mentorship, academic guidance, and discussions extending beyond the classroom. Through this combination of required courses and electives, students develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills essential for careers in government, law, public service, or further graduate studies. The Political Science major equips students to actively engage in civic life, understand complex political systems, and make informed contributions to society and public policy at local, national, and global levels.