Academic Programs Catalog

James Madison College

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in James Madison College

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in James Madison College.

    The completion of the Freshman Writing Program (James Madison College 111) referenced in requirement 2. a. below satisfies the University's Tier I writing requirement. 

    The University's Tier II writing requirements for the James Madison College majors are met by completing courses as specified below:

    Comparative Cultures and Politics: James Madison College 493 and any two of the following courses: James Madison College 320, 325, 361, 366, 372, 377, 385, 386, 387, or 390. Those courses are referenced in item 1. in the statement on Comparative Cultures and Politics below.

    International Relations:  James Madison College 492 and any of the two elective courses required in International Relations.  Those courses are referenced in items 1.a. and  1. c. in the statement on International Relations below.

    Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy:  James Madison College 370, 371, and 497.  Those courses are referenced in item 1. a. in the statement on the Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy below.

    Social Relations and Policy:  James Madison College 380 and 498 and any two of the following courses:  James Madison College 375, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 390.  Those courses are referenced in items 1. a. and 1. b. in the statement on Social Relations and Policy below.

    The completion of the introductory public affairs course sequence (James Madison College 201 and 202) referenced in requirement 2. a. below satisfies the University's Integrative Studies requirement in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences. The completion of James Madison College 201 and 202 also satisfies the requirements specified in item 2. under the heading Integrative Studies in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog. James Madison College 201 emphasizes both national diversity and international and multicultural diversity, and James Madison College 202 emphasizes international and multicultural diversity.
  2. The following requirements of James Madison College for the Bachelor of Arts degree. All of the courses that are used to satisfy University and College requirements must be graded on the numerical or Pass–No Grade system with the following exception:  first–year courses in Russian, Japanese, or Chinese or in an African language may be graded on the Credit–No Credit system.
    a. Required Courses:
    MC 111 Identity and Community:  An Approach to Writing I 4
    MC 201 Introduction to the Study of Public Affairs I 4
    MC 202 Introduction to the Study of Public Affairs II 4
    EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
    EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
    The James Madison College courses listed above serve as a foundation for the College's curriculum.  Students should complete these courses during the first year of study.
    Economics 201 and 202 provide a foundation for study in the major. Students should complete these courses during the first two years of study.
    Students who are admitted to James Madison College with fewer than 4 credits that count toward the University's Integrative Studies requirement in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences must complete James Madison College 201 and 202.  Students who are admitted to James Madison College with at least 4, but fewer than 8, credits that count toward the University's Integrative Studies requirement in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences must complete either James Madison College 201 or 202.
    b. Language Requirement.  Second year competency in a foreign language.  This requirement may be satisfied by placing into a 300–level foreign language course based on a MSU placement test.  Students are encouraged to complete a third year of study in the same language that is used to satisfy this requirement.
    c. Field Experience.  Students meet this requirement by completing James Madison College 400 (5 to 9 credits) and 401 (3 credits).  With the approval of the College, this requirement may be met by completing an alternative option.
    d. Major. One of the four approved majors described below.  Each major combines courses in James Madison College and other units of the University.   Students' programs of study must be approved by their academic advisors.
    e. James Madison College credit requirement:  A minimum of 51 credits in James Madison College courses is required for students who enroll in the College as first–semester freshmen.  A minimum of 41 credits in James Madison College courses is required for all other students; i.e., students who enroll in the College as transfer students from other colleges and universities, or who enroll in the College after having been enrolled in other programs at MSU. Students who have been admitted to the teacher certification program are required to complete a minimum of 41 credits in James Madison College courses.
    f. Students may elect to complete a cognate in business. The requirements for the cognate are met by completing:
    MC 341 Politics and Markets 4
    Four of the following courses (12 credits):
    ACC 230 Survey of Accounting Concepts 3
    FI 320 Introduction to Finance 3
    GBL 323 Introduction to Business Law 3
    MGT 325 Management Skills and Processes 3
    MKT 327 Introduction to Marketing 3
    Students may substitute Accounting 201 and 202 for Accounting 230.

Comparative Cultures and Politics Major

1. The student must complete (41 to 44 credits):
a. All of the following courses (13 credits):
MC 230 Cultures and Politics in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 231 Cultures and Politics in Transnational Perspective 4
MC 493 Senior Seminar in Comparative Cultures and Politics (W) 5
b. Four courses with at least one from each group (16 credits):
COMPARATIVE STUDIES
MC 320 Politics, Society and Economy in the Third World 4
MC 325 State and Society in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 331 Encounters with Post-Communism 4
MC 332 Literature and Politics in a Comparative Perspective 4
MC 333 Performance, Politics, and Nation 4
MC 334 Rights, Advocacy and Activism 4
MC 335 Israeli Politics, Cultures and Society 4
MC 338 Environmental Justice and Global Change 4
MC 361 Political Economy and Comparative Public Policymaking 4
MC 366 Film, History and Nation 4
MC 367 Global Cities and Urbanism 4
MC 369 Global Issues in Citizenship (W) 4
MC 372 Comparative Black Political Thought 4
MC 382 Social Movements 4
MC 385 Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations 4
MC 386 Women and Power in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 387 Jews and Anti-Semitism 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
MC 441 Islam and World Politics 4
MC 482 Gender and Violent Conflict 4
James Madison College 390 and 395 can be used in fulfillment of the requirement when the topic is relevant to comparative studies in cultures and politics.
TRANSNATIONAL STUDIES
MC 319 Asian American History 4
MC 321 The Cold War: Culture, Politics and Foreign Policy 4
MC 331 Encounters with Post-Communism 4
MC 334 Rights, Advocacy and Activism 4
MC 337 Global Public Health 4
MC 338 Environmental Justice and Global Change 4
MC 350 Evolution and Society 4
MC 366 Film, History and Nation 4
MC 376 Modern Political Thought in the Muslim World 4
MC 377 Culture, Politics, and Post-Colonialism 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
MC 430 Applied International Development 4
MC 441 Islam and World Politics 4
MC 482 Gender and Violent Conflict 4
James Madison College 390 and 395 can be used in fulfillment of the requirement when the topic is relevant to transnational studies in cultures and politics.
c. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
ANP 429 Ethnographic Field Methods 4
HST 201 Historical Methods and Skills 3
MC 295 Research Design and Quantitative Analysis in Public Policy 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PLS 201 Introduction to Methods of Political Analysis 4
SOC 281 Social Research Methods 4
WRA 360 Design of Print and Digital Documents 4
d. Complete 6 to 9 credits from two or three courses at the 300-level or above, selected in consultation with an academic advisor. All credits must focus on a particular region of the world or social group. Students may also propose their own thematically focused related area for advisor approval.

International Relations Major

1. The student must complete (44 to 48 credits):
a. All of the following courses (13 credits):
MC 220 International Relations I:  World Politics and International Security 4
MC 221 International Relations II: The Politics of International Economic Relations 4
MC 492 Senior Seminar in International Relations (W) 5
b. One of the following courses (3 credits):
EC 340 Survey of International Economics 3
EC 440 International Trade (W) 3
EC 441 International Finance (W) 3
c. Four courses with at least one course from Groups (1), (2), and (3) (16 credits):
(1) SECURITY STUDIES AND FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS
MC 318 Chinese Foreign Policy 4
MC 321 The Cold War: Culture, Politics and Foreign Policy 4
MC 322 International Security 4
MC 323 Japanese Foreign Policy 4
MC 326 U.S. Foreign Policy 4
MC 327 The Comparative Analysis of Foreign Policy 4
MC 328 Russian Foreign Policy 4
MC 329 European Security: Challenges and Strategies 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 391 Selected Topics in Public Affairs 3 or 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
MC 441 Islam and World Politics 4
MC 482 Gender and Violent Conflict 4
(2) INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
FW 445 Biodiversity Conservation Policy and Practice 3
MC 320 Politics, Society and Economy in the Third World 4
MC 324E Regional Politics, Cooperation and Conflict in Europe 4
MC 361 Political, Economy and Comparative Public Policymaking 4
MC 362 Public International Law 4
MC 363 Global Governance 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 391 Selected Topics in Public Affairs 3 or 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
MC 446 International Energy Policy (W) 3
MC 450 International Environmental Law and Policy 3
(3) COMPARATIVE, REGIONAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES
MC 320 Politics, Society and Economy in the Third World 4
MC 321 The Cold War: Culture, Politics and Foreign Policy 4
MC 324A Regional Politics, Cooperation and Conflict in the Middle East 4
MC 324B Regional Politics, Cooperation and Conflict Sub-Saharan Africa 4
MC 324C Regional Politics, Cooperation and Conflict in Latin American and the Caribbean 4
MC 324D Regional Politics, Cooperation and Conflict  in Asia 4
MC 325 State and Society in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 331 Encounters with Post-Communism 4
MC 332 Literature and Politics in a Comparative Perspective 4
MC 335 Israeli Politics, Cultures and Society 4
MC 368 Black Nationalisms: Africa and Its Diaspora 4
MC 377 Culture, Politics and Post-Colonialism 4
MC 385 Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations 4
MC 386 Women and Power in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 387 Jews and Anti-Semitism 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 391 Selected Topics in Public Affairs 3 or 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
MC 441 Islam and World Politics 4
MC 482 Gender and Violent Conflict 4
PLS 358 Politics of the U.S.S.R. and Its Successor States 3
(4) NEW PERSPECTIVES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
FW 481 Global Issues in Fisheries and Wildlife 3
MC 272 Political Theory and Political Issues 4
MC 369 Global Issues in Citizenship (W) 4
MC 372 Comparative Black Political Thought 4
MC 376 Modern Political Thought in the Muslim World 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 391 Selected Topics in Public Affairs 3 or 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
James Madison College 272 may be counted toward requirement 1.c. only when the topic deals with Marxist Theories of Revolution.
James Madison College 390, 391, and 395 may be counted toward requirement 1.c. only when the topic deals with international relations.
d. Complete two courses from one of the following ten groups of courses. Students must complete one course from Course A, which should be completed prior to the junior year, and one course from Course B, which should be completed prior to taking James Madison College 492. (6 to 8 credits)
(1) Course A
MC 295 Research Design and Quantitative Analysis in Public Policy 4
Course B
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
STT 441 Probability and Statistics I: Probability 3
(2) Course A
SOC 281 Social Research Methods 4
Course B
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
SOC 282 Quantitative Analysis for Social Research 4
STT 441 Probability and Statistics I: Probability 3
(3) Course A
STT 421 Statistics I 3
Course B
EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods 3
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
STT 422 Statistics II 3
(4) Course A
STT 441 Probability and Statistics I: Probability 3
Course B
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
STT 442 Statistics II 3
(5) Course A
PLS 201 Introduction to Methods of Political Analysis 4
Course B
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
(6) Course A
STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
Course B
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
(7) Course A
EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods 3
Course B
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
STT 441 Probability and Statistics I: Probability 3
(8) Course A
STT 315 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Business 3
Course B
EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods 3
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
(9) Course A
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
Course B
MC 295 Research Design and Quantitative Analysis in Public Policy 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
PLS 201 Introduction to Methods of Political Analysis 4
SOC 281 Social Research Methods 4
STT 421 Statistics I 3
STT 441 Probability and Statistics I: Probability 3
e. Two related courses from one of the following four groups (6 to 8 credits):
(1) HISTORY
HST 205 The Ancient Mediterranean and the Medieval World 4
HST 206 European History since 1500 4
HST 325 United States Foreign Relations to 1914 3
HST 326 United States Foreign Relations since 1914 3
HST 337 European Power, Culture, and Thought: Renaissance to the Enlightenment 4 
HST 338 European Power, Culture, and Thought: The Modern Era 4 
HST 390 History of International Relations 3
(2) ECONOMICS
EC 302 Intermediate Macroeconomics  3
EC 306 Comparative Economic Systems  3
EC 406 Economic Analysis of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (W) 3
EC 410 Issues in the Economics of Developing Countries (W) 3
EC 412 Economic Analysis of Latin America (W) 3
EC 413 Economic Analysis of Asia (W) 3
EC 414 Economic Analysis of Sub–Saharan Africa (W) 3
MC 341 Politics and Markets 4
(3) POLITICAL THEORY
MC 270 Classical Republicanism 4
MC 271 Constitutionalism and Democracy 4
MC 370 Radical Challenges to Liberal Democracy 4
(4) An area and related courses approved by the student's academic advisor. In order to fulfill this requirement, a student may complete 300–400 level courses in a foreign language.  Courses at the 100–200 level in a foreign language may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy Major

1. The student must complete (44 to 49 credits):
a. All of the following courses (21 credits):
MC 270 Classical Republicanism 4
MC 271 Constitutionalism and Democracy 4
MC 370 Radical Challenges to Liberal Democracy 4
MC 371 Beyond Liberal Democracy?  New Directions in Political Theory 4
MC 497 Senior Seminar in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy (W) 5
b. One of the following courses (4 credits):
MC 373A Constitutionalism:  The Supreme Court 4
MC 373B Constitutionalism: The Presidency 4
MC 373C Constitutionalism: Congress 4
MC 375 Contemporary Developments in American Politics 4
MC 378 Law and Social Groups 4
These courses may not be used to fulfill both requirements b. and c.
c. One of the following courses (4 credits):
MC 272 Political Theory and Political Issues 4
MC 325 State and Society in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 326 U.S. Foreign Policy 4
MC 332 Literature and Politics in a Comparative Perspective 4
MC 341 Politics and Markets 4
MC 349 Economics of Legal Relationships in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 350 Evolution and Society 4
MC 351 Science and Social Policy 4
MC 368 The Civil Rights Movement and its Legacies 4
MC 369 Global Issues in Citizenship (W) 4
MC 372 Comparative Black Political Thought 4
MC 377 Culture, Politics and Post-Colonialism 4
MC 373A Constitutionalism: The Supreme Court 4
MC 373B Constitutionalism: The Presidency 4
MC 373C Constitutionalism: Congress 4
MC 375 Contemporary Developments in American Politics 4
MC 376 Modern Political Thought in the Muslim World 4
MC 378 Law and Social Groups 4
MC 381 American Politics and Equality 4
MC 383 African American Politics 4
MC 386 Women and Power in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 387 Jews and Anti–Semitism 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 391 Selected Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
MC 482 Gender and Violent Conflict 4
James Madison College 390 and 391 must contain political theory and constitutional democracy content. Students should consult with their advisor prior to enrolling.
d. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
MC 293 Methods for Strategic Analysis in Public Affairs 4
MC 295 Research Design and Quantitative Analysis in Public Policy 4
PHL 330 Formal Reasoning 4
PHL 480 Philosophy of Science 4
PLS 201 Introduction to Methods of Political Analysis 4
STT 421 Statistics I 3
One college–level mathematics course selected from Mathematics 126, 133, 152H, 153H.
e. One of the following two options (12 to 16 credits). Both the option and the related courses must be approved by the student's academic advisor.
(1) Four courses from one of the following disciplines or fields:  anthropology, economics, English, history, international relations, philosophy, political economy, political science, social relations, sociology, or a foreign language. With the approval of the student's academic advisor, another discipline or field may be substituted. At least two of the four courses must be at the 300–level or above with the following exception:  all of the courses in a foreign language must be at the 300–level or above.
(2) Four courses on a historically significant polity in another time and place.  One course must be in History; the other three courses may involve other aspects of life in the polity. Two of the three courses may be in the language of the polity.  Courses at the 300–400 level in the same language that was used to satisfy the College's foreign language requirement, or courses at the 100–200 level in another foreign language, may be counted toward this requirement.

Social Relations and Policy Major

1. The student must complete (38 to 41 credits):
a. All of the following courses (17 credits):
MC 280 Social Theory and Social Relations 4
MC 281 Immigrants, Minorities, and American Pluralism 4
MC 380 Social Policy 4
MC 498 Senior Seminar in Social Relations (W) 5
b. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
ANP 429 Ethnographic Field Methods 4
CJ 292 Methods of Criminal Justice Research 3
COM 300 Methods of Communication Inquiry 4
EC 420 Introduction to Econometric Methods 3
GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information 3
MC 295 Research Design and Quantitative Analysis in Public Policy 4
PLS 201 Introduction to Methods of Political Analysis 4
PSY 295 Data Analysis in Psychological Research 3
SOC 281 Social Research Methods 4
STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
STT 201 Statistical Methods 4
STT 315 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Business 3
STT 421 Statistics I 3
Statistics and Probability 200 and 201 may not be used to fulfill both the university mathematics requirement and this requirement.
c. Three courses selected from the following in consultation with an academic advisor (12 credits):
MC 319 Asian American History 4
MC 320 Politics, Society and Economy in the Third World 4
MC 325 State and Society in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 334 Rights, Advocacy, and Activism 4
MC 335 Israeli Politics, Cultures and Society 4
MC 337 Global Public Health 4
MC 338 Environmental Justice and Global Change 4
MC 348 Educational Policy 4
MC 350 Evolution and Society 4
MC 351 Science and Social Policy 4
MC 364 Policy Evaluation 4
MC 367 Global Cities and Urbanism 4
MC 368 The Civil Rights Movement and its Legacies 4
MC 369 Global Issues in Citizenship (W) 4
MC 372 Comparative Black Political Thought 4
MC 375 Contemporary Developments in American Politics 4
MC 377 Culture, Politics, and Post-Colonialism 4
MC 378 Law and Social Groups 4
MC 381 American Politics and Equality 4
MC 382 Social Movements 4
MC 383 African American Politics 4
MC 384 Metropolitan Society 4
MC 385 Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations 4
MC 386 Women and Power in Comparative Perspective 4
MC 387 Jews and Anti-Semitism 4
MC 388 Sexual Politics: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives 4
MC 390 Advanced Topics in Public Affairs 4
MC 391 Selected Topics in Public Affairs 3 or 4
MC 395 Cultural Dimensions of Public Affairs 4
MC 445 Biodiversity Conservation Policy and Practice 3
MC 482 Gender and Violent Conflict 4
James Madison College 390, 391 and 395 may be counted toward requirement  1. b. when the topic deals with Social Relations and Policy.
d. Two courses at the 300–400 level in a related discipline (e.g., anthropology, economics, history, political science, psychology, or sociology) or in an approved related area (e.g., ethnicity and race, gender and women's studies, urban and metropolitan society, or U.S. politics) (6 to 8 credits).