Description
Political Science is the study of the state and of power relations within and among states, as they are and as they ought to be. It seeks a better understanding of political and governmental behavior and institutions in order to enable society to use its collective resources more effectively for the general welfare. The principal sub-fields of the discipline are: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory.
What can I do with a political science major?
Admission to the Program
Any undergraduate student can declare this major.
Program Requirements
Students in the political science major pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements. There are 3 parts to the major. The first is completing 5 required foundational courses. Students then take an upper division elective within each of the 4 subfields of the discipline: American politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics and Political Theory. Finally, students select 3 electives to complete the 36 credits for the major.
I. Required foundation courses -- Students must take all 5 courses (15 credits)
- PLS 111 International Relations
- PLS 112 Comparative Politics
- PLS 113 American Politics
- PLS 203 Political Thought
- PLS 303 Political Science Research Methods(This course now requires a basic statistic course prerequisite e.g. Sociology statistics 200)
II. Subfields -- Students must select one course from each subfield listed below (12 credits)
- Select at least one course from American Politics:
- PLS 306 - The Theatre of Politics (cross-listed with THE 306)
- PLS 309 Campaigns and Elections
- PLS 311 Parties and Elections
- PLS 312 Introduction to Public Administration
- PLS 313* Gender Politics
- PLS 314 Issues in American Politics and Government
- PLS 316 Congressional Politics
- PLS 317 American Presidency
- PLS 318 State and Local Government
- PLS 319 Urban Politics
- PLS 320 Introduction to Law and Legal Process
- PLS 324 Constitutional Law I
- PLS 326 Constitutional Law II
- PLS 335 Politics of Work and Labor
- PLS 401 Legal Government Internship
- PLS 402 Legal Internship
- PLS 403 Introduction to Legal Studies
- PLS 412 Public Policy: Values, Means Methods
- PLS 425 Law and Social Problems
- PLS 435 Legal Rights of the Disadvantaged
- PLS 490 Moot Court Seminar
- PLS 491 Advanced Moot Court Competition
- an internship experience in the Public Service Internship Program
- an internship experience in the Washington Program
- Select at least one course from Comparative Politics:
- PLS 305 The Politics of European Integration
- PLS 337 Politics of Nonviolent Struggle
- PLS 340 European Political Systems
- PLS 342 Latin American Politics
- PLS 343 Canadian Politics and Society
- PLS 346 Russian and Eastern European Politics
- PLS 348 Asian Politics
- PLS 364
- PLS 367* Press and Politics
- PLS 383 Mid-East in World Politics
- PLS 447 Russia in Transition
- PLS 448
- PLS 470 Nationalism
- PLS 475* Political Geography
- Select at least one course from International Relations:
- PLS 304 International Relations Simulation
- PLS 333 American Foreign Policy
- PLS 338 Global Issues
- PLS 339 The Morality of War
- PLS 410 International Political Economy
- PLS 444 National Security
- PLS 445 International Law and Organization
- PLS 475* Political Geography
- Select at least one course from Political Theory:
- PLS 313* Gender Politics
- PLS 336 Politics and Food: "The Political Feast"
- PLS 353 American Political Thought
- PLS 354 Politics and Literature
- PLS 357 Origins of Current Issues
- PLS 362 Women in Western Political Thought
*Note: the appropriate sub-field for PLS 313, PLS 367, and PLS 475 is determined by the course instructor for each offering.
III. Electives -- Students must select 3 additional courses from any of the subfields
- Political Science elective courses (9 credits)
Total Number of Credits: 36
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:- Define the concepts, processes and facts relevant to the field of political science.
- Use evidence to argue and critically evaluate political issues.
- Defend a position or thesis dealing with political issues, in a clear and logical manner.
- Employ the major methods of inquiry into political science research.
- Integrate the relationships between economic and social/cultural factors with politics.
- Evaluate the interconnection between local and global issues within the political realm.
- Critically analyze the role of the “citizen” in the political system.