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Political Science Department

Faculty and Staff

Home Political Science Program

Program

In the Political Science Program, students investigate the causes and effects of various forms of political behavior; they analyze the policymaking processes of governments, the political and social consequences of laws, sources of international conflict and diplomacy, and values that shape political institutions and procedures. We offer courses in American Government, International Relations, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory. Students work with faculty who research and publish in these areas and who have direct experience in the process of government.

The Program offers the opportunity to pursue either a Major or Minor in Political Science, and many courses count toward the university's General Education requirements.

Requirements

Students majoring in Political Science and operating under the 2017-2018 catalog must complete a minimum of 39 semester credit hours in the Program, including 18 hours in the Political Science core. Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in all courses.

POLSC CoursesTitlesCredits
POLSC 101  American National Politics  3
POLSC 201 International Relations  3
POLSC 202  Comparative Politics 3
POLSC 250 Research Methods 3
POLSC 370  Political Thought 3

POLSC 480  - or - 

POLSC 492

Practicum in Politics or Public Service

Research

 3
POLSC 493 Senior Seminar 3

Political Science electives.

Electives must include one course in each of four categories. Two remaining  electives may be of any type.

1) American Politics: 300, 405, 411, 473

2) International Relations: 230, 305, 306, 460

3) Comparative Politics: 440, 445, 450, 455

4) Public Policy / Administration: 330, 340

 18
    39 Total Credits

Students majoring in Political Science and operating under the 2016-2017 catalog (or earlier) must complete a minimum of 36 semester credit hours in the Program, including 15 hours in the Political Science core. Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in all courses.

POLSC CoursesTitlesCredits
POLSC 101  American National Politics  3
POLSC 201 International Relations  3
POLSC 202  Comparative Politics 3
POLSC 250 Research Methods 3
POLSC 370  Political Thought 3
POLSC 493 Senior Seminar 3

Political Science electives

 18
    36 Total Credits

Students minoring in Political Science must complete a minimum of 21 semester credit hours in the Program, including 9 hours in the Political Science core. Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in all courses

POLSC CoursesTitlesCredits
POLSC 101 
American National Politics 		 3
POLSC 201

POLSC 202		 International Relations
        ~or~
 Comparative Politics		 3
POLSC 250  Research Methods​ 3
Political Science Electives​   12
     21 Total Credits
  •  

    Courses

    (*) Indicates course meets General Education requirements.
    Though subject to change, courses listed with the following tend to be offered in the specified semesters:
    (F) = Fall only (S) = Spring only (SS) = Summer Session

    POLSC 101
    American National Politics (*)

    POLSC 102
    State and Local Government and Politics (S)

    POLSC 105
    (PSYCH, SOC, WS 105) Understanding Human Diversity

    POLSC 106
    Minority Politics in America (*)

    POLSC 201
    International Relations (F) (*)

    POLSC 202
    Comparative Politics (S) (*)

    POLSC 250
    Research Methods in Political Science (F/S) (prerequisite: POLSC 101)

    POLSC 270
    Introduction to Homeland Security (F)

    POLSC 271
    Terrorism (S)

    POLSC 272
    Critical Incident Management (F)

    POLSC 300
    Political Parties and Elections (F) (prerequisite: POLSC 101)

    POLSC 305
    Causes of War (S)

    POLSC 306
    Peace Studies (F)

    POLSC 321
    American Constitutional Development (F) (prerequisite: POLSC 101)

    POLSC 322
    American Constitutional Law (S) (prerequisite: POLSC 321 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 323
    Criminal Law and Procedure (F) (prerequisite: POLSC 101 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 324
    Family Law (S) (prerequisite: POLSC 101 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 330
    Introduction to Public Administration (prerequisite: POLSC 101)

    POLSC 340
    Public Policy (prerequisite: POLSC 101 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 370
    Western Political Thought (F, S) (prerequisite: POLSC 101 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 373
    Intelligence and National Security (F)

    POLSC 374
    Homeland Security and the Law (S)

    POLSC 375
    Threat and Strategic Planning (S)

    POLSC 395
    Independent Study (prerequisite: permission of instructor. 1-3 credits, repeatable to 6 credits)

    POLSC 405
    The American Presidency (S) (prerequisite: POLSC 101 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 411
    The U.S. Congress(F) (prerequisite: POLSC 101 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 440
    Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict

    POLSC 445
    Inequality and Economic Development

    POLSC 450
    Democracy and Dictatorship

    POLSC 455
    States, Citizens and Human Rights

    POLSC 460
    U.S. Foreign and Security Policy (F) (prerequisite: POLSC 201 or permission of instructor)

    POLSC 461
    War and Film

    POLSC 473
    American Political Thought

    POLSC 480
    Practicum in Politics and Public Service (prerequisite: permission of department) 1-3 credits, repeatable to 6 credits.
    Student manual​

    POLSC 491
    Special Topics (prerequisite: junior or senior status with adequate preparation and approval of instructor.) 1-3 credits, repeatable

    POLSC 492
    Research 1-3 credits, repeatable to 6 credits

    POLSC 493
    Seminar (S) 1-3 credits, Prerequisite: POLSC 250 and 370, or permission of instructor.

  •  

    Forms

    Political Science advising worksheets and graduation contract:

    Internship information:

    Internship Flyer
    Practicum in Politics and Public Service - Student Manual (Political Science 480)

Political Science Department

Faculty and Staff

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