2024-2025 Undergraduate Academic Catalogue 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Academic Catalogue

Political Science, BA


Requirements for the Major


Requirements for a major and an example of a typical program of courses are as follows:

First Year


Sophomore Year


Fall Term


  • Political Science Elective*
  • Language Core or
  • Elective
  • PL 200-Level or TH 200-Level Course
  • Math/Science Core

Spring Term


  • Political Science Elective*
  • EN 200-Level or HS 200-Level Course
  • Fine Arts Core
  • Language Core or
  • Elective
  • Math/Science Core

Junior Year


Fall Term


  • Political Science Elective*
  • Political Science Elective*
  • Political Science Elective*
  • Elective
  • Elective

Spring Term


  • Political Science Elective*
  • Political Science Elective*
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Senior Year


Fall Term


  • Ethics Core
  • Political Science Elective*
  • Political Science Elective*
  • Elective
  • Elective

Spring Term


  • Political Science Elective*
  • Internship for PS credit or
  • Political Science Elective*
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Key:


* Required for major.

Notes:


  1.  Majors are advised, but not required, to take at least one upper-level course in each of the four main subfields of the discipline: political theory, American politics, comparative politics, and international relations.
  2. Majors are advised, but not required, to take ST 110  as one of the three course mathematics/science requirement.
  3. Students are encouraged to study abroad, and the department is flexible in its acceptance of courses from schools abroad.
  4. Students majoring in global studies may pursue a double major with political science; however, no more than two political science courses may be counted toward the requirements for both majors. Similarly, global studies majors may pursue a minor in political science, though no more than two political science courses may count toward both the major and the minor. Since political science is already a basic component of the global studies major, political science-global studies interdisciplinary majors are not permitted.
  5. Ordinarily, the Department of Political Science does not offer an interdisciplinary major (ID) unless there is a compelling reason why a particular interdisciplinary major would truly create a positive and meaningful academic package not available through a traditional major, double major, or a major and a minor. Students wishing to pursue an ID major including Political Science should consult the department's document concerning the criteria for such majors.  Approval is at the discretion of the department chair. For an approved interdisciplinary major, the political science component consists of PS 101 , PS 102 , and six relevant upper-level PS courses.
  6. Students must complete the Diversity-Justice requirement by completing two Diversity-Justice designated courses anywhere in their curriculum (see Diversity-Justice Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).