Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Department of Political Science

Undergraduate Programs
Political Science - Prelaw

The prelaw major is designed to introduce students to the study of law and the judicial process and at the same time to provide an orientation to the law which is more general than that of most law schools. Students who elect this program may plan careers in (1) government and large businesses, (2) law firms, (3) individual or partnership practice of civil law, (4) trial practice, including criminal law, and (5) teaching. Since very few law schools provide information about the political, economic, societal and psychological environment in which the law exists, this background must generally be acquired prior to or after law school. The prelaw major is intended to give students the analytical skills and substantive background in those courses which will most likely contribute to their development.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science–Prelaw

  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 Political Science–Prelaw.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Political Science—Prelaw major is met by completing the following course:  Political Science 422.  That course is referenced in item 3.a.(5) below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a.  The following course (6 credits): 
    PLS  100 Introduction to American Politics  3
         PLS  200 Introduction to Political Science  3
    b.  One of the following courses (3 credits): 
         PLS  201 Introduction to Methods of Political Analysis  3
         PLS  202 Introduction to Data Analytics and the Social Sciences  3
    c. One of the following courses (3 credits): 
    PLS  320 Judicial Process 3
    PLS  321 Constitutional Law  3
    d.  One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
         PLS  392 Special Topics in Political Science  3 to 4 
         PLS  397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics  3
    e.  One of the following courses (3 credits): 
         PLS  422 Seminar in Political Science (W)  3
         PLS  481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (W)  3
    f.  One of the following courses (3 credits): 
         PLS  140 Introduction to Comparative Politics  3
         PLS  160 Introduction to International Relations  3
         PLS  170 Introduction to Political Philosophy  3
         These courses may also meet subfield requirements.
    g.  Complete a minimum of four courses in Political Science at the 300 -400 level (12 credits) These courses may only count toward the 300-400 level requirement if completed a second time with the exception of PLS 397. 
         PLS  392 Special Topics in Political Science  3 to 4
         PLS  397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics  3
         PLS  422 Seminar in Political Science (W)  3
         PLS  481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (W)  3
         Only one of the following courses may count toward the 300-400 level requirement: 
         PLS  494 Field Experience in Political Science  3 to 4
         PLS  495 Independent Study  1 to 6
    h. At least one course is required from each of two of the following three subfields: Comparative Politics, International Politics, or Political Philosophy. These courses may meet the 300-400 level requirement. 
        Comparative Politics 
       PLS  140 Introduction to Comparative Politics  3
        PLS  342 Comparative Political Economy  3
        PLS  344 Politics of Developing Areas  3
        PLS  345 Religion and World Politics  3
        PLS  346 Middle East Politics  3
        PLS  347 Democratic Regimes  3
        PLS  351 African Politics  3
        PLS  354 Politics of Asia  3
        PLS  356 Politics of Europe and the European Union  3
        PLS  357 Politics of English Speaking Democracies  3
        PLS  358 Politics of the U.S.S.R. and Its Successor States  3
        International Politics 
       PLS  160 Introduction to International Relations  3
        PLS  363 International and Domestic Political Conflict  3
        PLS  364 Politics of the United Nations and International Organizations  3
        Political Philosophy 
        PLS  170 Introduction to Political Philosophy  3
        PLS  371 Classical Political Philosophy  3
        PLS  372 Modern Political Philosophy  3
        PLS  377 American Political Thought  3