COURSE CURRICULUM

The Political Science major at the requires students to complete between 10 and 12 courses totaling 40 to 48 credits while maintaining a minimum grade of C- in every major course and an overall major GPA of at least 2.0. Students must also fulfill all university Discovery, Writing Program and Bachelor of Arts foreign language proficiency requirements. The major begins with three introductory courses selected from Politics and Society, American Politics and Government, United States in World Affairs and Introduction to Comparative Politics, which must generally be completed within the first year after declaring the major. Students then complete six advanced 500-level courses, including three courses from different political science subfields and three elective courses chosen from any subfield. The program covers a wide range of areas including American politics, comparative politics, political thought, international politics and research methods. Courses examine topics such as public policy, elections, law and justice, international security, global conflict, political ideologies, comparative governments, Asian and Middle Eastern politics, environmental politics, race and democracy, women in politics and international organizations. Students can also take selected economics courses to fulfill part of the elective requirement with departmental approval. A senior capstone course at the 700 level is required to strengthen advanced research, analytical and communication skills. The curriculum is designed to help students understand political institutions, policy making, global affairs and the role of power in society while building strong abilities in critical thinking, research, debate and writing. Graduates are prepared for careers in government, public administration, diplomacy, journalism, nonprofit organizations, law, political consulting, public policy, international relations and education, as well as graduate and professional studies. The program provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of politics at the local, national and international levels, preparing them to engage with complex political and social challenges in modern society.