Political Science (BS)
Political scientists inquire how government can best fulfill the diverse needs of humanity as individuals, as well as in various groups. The study of politics deals with the ways in which humanity shares and distributes such fundamental values as security and prosperity and seeks self-determination. In the tradition of the liberal arts, this program prepares students to make sound decisions and creates a foundation for lifetime intellectual and spiritual growth. This includes such specific skills as the collection and evaluation of valid data, the systematic analysis of problems, and the clarification of values.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| PO 1025 | American Government | 4 |
| PO 1025 | American Government | 4 |
| PO 1060 | PO 1060: Politics in Action | 4 |
| PO 2025 | Public Administration (DICO) | 4 |
| PO 3065 | Political Analysis and Policy (TECO,WRCO) | 4 |
| American Politics | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 4 | |
| The Presidency and Congress | ||
| Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups (TECO) | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| International Relations/Comparative Politics | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Comparative Politics and Government | ||
| Politics and Conflict in the Middle East (GACO) | ||
| Model United Nations (GACO) | ||
| Latin American Politics (GACO,WRCO) | ||
| War and Conflict | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning in the Discipline Connection | ||
| MA 2300 | Statistics I (QRCO) | 3 |
| or SS 3705 | Social Statistics (QRCO) | |
| General Education | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SSDI | Self and Society Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 3-4 |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 31-34 | |
| GACO | Global Awareness Connection 2 | 6-8 |
| PO 3000/4000 level Political Science electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Directions should total 16-17 credits because SSDI is waived for BA Political Science.
- 2
The foreign language requirement for all BA degrees calls for 0-8 credits: One Year of language (6-8 credits); or one 3000/4000 level world language course (3 credits); or being a native speaker of a language other than English (zero credit). American Sign Language I and II fulfill this requirement; however, American Sign Language does not satisfy the Global Awareness Connection.
A 2.50 grade point average in PO courses taken for the degree is require.
Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.
To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years. For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester. Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| PO 1025 | American Government | 4 |
| PO 1035 | World Politics (GACO) | 4 |
| PO 1060 | PO 1060: Politics in Action | 4 |
| CTDI | Creative Thought Direction | 3-4 |
| GACO | Foreign Language | 6 |
| Elective | 3-5 | |
| Credits | 35-39 | |
| Year Two | ||
| PO 2025 | Public Administration (DICO) | 4 |
| PPDI | Past and Present Direction | 3-4 |
| SIDI | Scientific Inquiry Direction | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SIDI) 1 | 4-8 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning in the Discipline Connection Course: | ||
| MA 2300 or SS 3705 |
Statistics I (QRCO) or Social Statistics (QRCO) |
3-4 |
| WECO | Wellness Connection | 3-4 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 26-34 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Complete one American Politics Course from the following: | 4 | |
| The Presidency and Congress | ||
| Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups (TECO) | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Complete one International Relations/Comparative Politics Course from the following: | 4 | |
| Comparative Politics and Government | ||
| Politics and Conflict in the Middle East (GACO) | ||
| Political Analysis and Policy (TECO,WRCO) | ||
| Model United Nations (GACO) | ||
| Latin American Politics (GACO,WRCO) | ||
| War and Conflict | ||
| Political Thought | ||
| Electives | 14 | |
| Credits | 22 | |
| Year Four | ||
| PO | 3000/4000 level Political Science electives (not PODI) | 12 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 3-4 |
| Electives | 14-15 | |
| Credits | 29-31 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |