Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Undergraduate Programs

The undergraduate majors in political science are designed to provide students with a broad education in political and other social sciences with the analytical skills essential in many professions. The wide range of career opportunities open to political science graduates includes administrative positions in local, state, and federal government, or in public and private agencies; work with citizen's action groups and voluntary organizations; employment in the foreign service and various governmental and private international agencies; and careers as teachers and policy analysts. Because additional training beyond the bachelor's  degree is necessary for some careers, many students in political science plan to attend law or graduate school. 

Students in the Department of Political Science may select one of the following majors:

  1. Political Science (General)
  2. Political Science—Prelaw
  3. Public Administration
  4. World Politics


Political Science - General

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science (General)

  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 (General).

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Political Science (General) major is met by completing the following course:  Political Science 422.  That course is referenced in item 3. a. (4) 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 (3 credits): 
         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 or 4 credits):
         PLS  392 Special Topics in Political Science  3 to 4 
         PLS  397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics  3
    d.  One of the following courses (3 credits): 
         PLS  422 Seminar in Political Science (W)  3
         PLS  481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (W)  3
    e.  Two of the following courses (6 credits): 
         PLS  100 Introduction to American Politics  3
         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.
    f.  Complete a minimum of five courses in Political Science at the 300 -400 level (15 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
    g.  At least one courses is required from three of the following subfields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, or Political Philosophy. These courses may meet the 300-400 level requirement. 
    American Politics 
    PLS  100 Introduction to American Politics  3
    PLS  301 American State Government  3
    PLS  302 Urban Politics  3
    PLS  304 Minority Politics  3
    PLS  310 Public Administration and Policy Making  3
    PLS  313 American Public Policy  3
    PLS  320 Judicial Politics  3
    PLS  321 Constitutional Law  3
    PLS  322 Comparative Legal Systems  3
    PLS  324 Congress  3
    PLS  325 The Presidency  3
    PLS  333 Public Opinion and Political Behavior  3
    PLS  334 Campaigns and Elections  3
        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


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


Public Policy

The Public Policy major is designed to prepare students for careers in public service, advocacy, and analysis. It aims at a broad understanding of the goals and problems of public policy, the political process that leads to policy development, and the implementation and evaluation of public policy. The major is valuable preparation for those who intend to engage in research for public agencies, non-profits, or voluntary associations interested in the problems of government. A master’s degree program concentrating in public policy is also available for advanced work in preparation for an executive career in these fields.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Policy

  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 Public Policy.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Public Policy  major is met by completing  Political Science 422.  That course is referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (33 credits):
        (1) All of the following courses (9credits):
               PLS  100 Introduction to American Politics  3
               PLS  200 Introduction to Political Science  3
               PLS  494 Field Experience in Political Science  3
        (2) 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
         (3) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
               PLS  392 Special Topics in Political Science  3 or 4
               PLS  397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics  3
    (4) One of the following courses (3 credits):
               PLS  310 Public Administration and Policy Making  3
              PLS  313 American Public Policy  3
               The course used to fulfill this requirement may not be used to fulfill requirement (5) below.
         (5) Complete a minimum of four of the following courses (12 credits):
               PLS  301 American State Government  3
               PLS  302 Urban Politics  3
               PLS  310 Public Administration and Policy Making  3
               PLS  313 American Public Policy  3
               PLS  324 Congress  3
               PLS  325 The Presidency  3
              PLS  342 Comparative Political Economy  3
               PLS  363 International and Domestic Political Conflict  3
              PLS  364 Politics of the United Nations and International Organizations  3
         (6) One of the following courses (3 credits):
               PLS  422 Seminar in Political Science (W)  3
               PLS  481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (W)  3


World Politics

The Bachelor of Arts degree in World Politics is designed to educate students about governments and political systems of many different nations and the interactions among them. It will prepare students for careers in international affairs in the public, private, and non-profit spheres. The major allows students to study the regions of the world that most interest them but also provides broad coverage of international relations and comparative politics.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in World Politics

  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 World Politics.

    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the World Politics major is met by completing Political Science 422.  That course is referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (33 credits):
        (1) All of the following courses (9credits):
               PLS  140 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3
               PLS  160 Introduction to International Relations 3
               PLS  200 Introduction to Political Science 3
        (2) 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
         (3) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
               PLS  392 Special Topics in Political Science  3 or 4
               PLS  397 Analyzing and Visualizing Data in Politics  3
         (4) Complete a minimum of five of the following courses (15 credits):
               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  352 Latin American 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
    PLS  363 International and Domestic Political Conflict 3
              PLS  364 Politics of the United Nationals and International Organizations 3
         (5) One of the following courses (3 credits):
               PLS  422 Seminar in Political Science (W)  3
               PLS  481 Undergraduate Research Seminar (W)  3