Political Science, B.A.

The major in political science is for students seeking careers in government, the private sector, the non-profit sector or for students who intend to enroll in graduate school or law school. The curriculum stresses analytical and critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and a theoretical understanding of the U.S. and other comparative political systems. Students may take an internship or other directed studies to gain a better understanding of the operations of government and non-profit agencies.

Oral Communication Requirement:

To satisfy the oral communication requirement for the B.A. degree in Political Science a student must successfully complete PLS 401 .

Applied Learning Requirement:

To satisfy the applied learning requirement for the B.A. degree in Political Science a student must successfully complete one of the following courses: PLS 221 , PLS 294 , PLS 401 , PLS 491 , PLS 494 , PLS 498 or PLS 499 .

Requirements for a Major in Political Science for the B.A. Degree:

39 hours of political science: this must include:

PLS 101 - American National Government Credit Hours: 3
PLS 201 - Introduction to Political Science Methods Credit Hours: 3
PLS 220 - Introduction to International Relations Credit Hours: 3
PLS 230 - Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 401 - Senior Seminar Credit Hours: 3

Political Theory

Students must also complete at least one course in Political Theory. Choose one of the following:

PLS 212 - Introduction to Political Theory Credit Hours: 3
PLS 310 - Legal Philosophy and Jurisprudence Credit Hours: 3
PLS 313 - Early Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
PLS 314 - Modern Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
PLS 315 - Contemporary Political Ideologies Credit Hours: 3
PLS 317 - Political Thought of Asia Credit Hours: 3
PLS 415 - American Political Thought Credit Hours: 3

Public Administration & Public Policy Requirement:

Students must also complete at least one course in Public Administration & Public Policy. Choose one of the following:

PLS 217 - Ethics and Leadership in Public Life Credit Hours: 3
PLS 304 - Introduction to Public Policy Analysis Credit Hours: 3
PLS 308 - Public Administration Credit Hours: 3
PLS 327 - Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Credit Hours: 3
PLS 329 - Ocean and Coastal Law and Policy Credit Hours: 3
PLS 354 - Urban Planning and Policy Credit Hours: 3
PLS 359 - American Policy Development: Politics, Institutions and Theories Credit Hours: 3
PLS 360 - Introduction to Nonprofit Management Credit Hours: 3
PLS 361 - Nonprofit Resource Development Credit Hours: 3
PLS 362 - Leading and Managing Volunteers Credit Hours: 3
PLS 370 - Global Environmental Governance Credit Hours: 3
PLS 434 - Nonprofit Leadership Experience Credit Hours: 3

Directed Upper Level Electives:

In addition to PLS 401 , students must complete 15 hours of course work at the 300-400 level. In doing so, students must complete one course from each of the following three subfields: American Political Behavior & Institutions, International Relations, and Comparative Politics. Any other PLS courses (100-400) will contribute to the 39 total hours required for the major. If a course appears in more than one category (e.g., PLS 421 ), students can only use the course to fulfill one category of the directed upper level electives.

Select one of the following courses from American Political Behavior & Institutions:  
PLS 300 - American Constitutional Law I Credit Hours: 3
PLS 301 - American Constitutional Law II Credit Hours: 3
PLS 302 - The Politics of the Supreme Court Credit Hours:
PLS 303 - Political Behavior Credit Hours: 3
PLS 307 - The American Legislature Credit Hours: 3
PLS 309 - The American Chief Executive Credit Hours: 3
PLS 316 - Women in Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 340 - The Black Experience in American Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 341 - Latino Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 350 - State Government and Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 351 - Urban Government and Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 352 - American Political Culture Credit Hours: 3
PLS 353 - American Parties and Interest Groups Credit Hours: 3
PLS 402 - U.S. Immigration Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 403 - Public Opinion Credit Hours: 3
PLS 404 - Campaign Management and Strategies Credit Hours: 3
PLS 406 - Contemporary Southern Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 407 - Political Psychology Credit Hours: 3
One of the following courses in International Relations:
PLS 420 - Politics of Nuclear Weapons Credit Hours: 3
PLS 422 - Contemporary American Foreign Policy Credit Hours: 3
PLS 423 - National Security Policy Credit Hours: 3
PLS 424 - International Security Credit Hours: 3
PLS 425 - International Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 426 - International Law Credit Hours: 3
PLS 427 - International Organizations Credit Hours: 3
PLS 428 - Global Terrorism Credit Hours: 3
PLS 429 - International Political Economy Credit Hours: 3
PLS 463 - International Development Credit Hours: 3
And one of the following courses in Comparative Politics:
PLS 330 - Political Systems of Africa Credit Hours: 3
PLS 331 - Politics in Developing Nations Credit Hours: 3
PLS 332 - Politics of Central America Credit Hours: 3
PLS 333 - Politics of South America Credit Hours: 3
PLS 334 - Revolutionary Movements Credit Hours: 3
PLS 335 - European Political Systems Credit Hours: 3
PLS 336 - Russian and Post-Soviet Political Systems Credit Hours: 3
PLS 337 - Chinese Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 338 - Political Systems of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
PLS 339 - Asian Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 342 - Race and Politics in the Americas Credit Hours: 3
PLS 343 - Democratic Transition in the United States Credit Hours: 3
PLS 421 - Causes and Dynamics of Ethnic and Nationalist Conflict Credit Hours: 3
PLS 430 - Caribbean Politics Credit Hours: 3
PLS 464 - Democracy and Authoritarianism Credit Hours: 3

Note:

A total of 18 hours must be at the 300-400 level. (PLS 401 , which is required, contributes toward this sum).

Additional Information:

A minimum GPA of “C” (2.00) is required among all elective political science courses, and a grade of “C-” or above is required for the core courses (PLS 101 , PLS 201 , PLS 220 , PLS 230 , and PLS 401 ).

Students planning to do graduate work are encouraged to study a modern foreign language and to acquire a basic knowledge of computer science, statistics, calculus, and macroeconomics.