Bachelor of Science

Program Description

A political science degree is a pathway to law school, graduate school, or employment with government agencies or private sector organizations. The Political Science curriculum is designed to improve soft skills and enhance research and problem solving skills. Emphasis is placed on analytical/critical thinking as well as effective written and oral communication.

Philosophy can be described as thinking about thinking. Plato in the Apology, has Socrates say "an unexamined life is not worthy of a human being." In essence the philosopher must examine both on which beliefs we act and how we come to form our belief. This discipline is a perfect complement to political science study.

Career Opportunities

• Teaching
• Government Service
• Legal Career
• Public Policy
• Public Relations

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the discipline of political science in terms of its history, content, purpose and methodologies
• Demonstrate knowledge of the sub-fields of political science (American politics, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, political behavior/policy, and law)
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze materials (e.g. data, texts), and to think critically
• Demonstrate the effective ability to communicate orally
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to intellectual and social skills be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to governmental employment, private employment, graduate and/or professional school

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses:

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
D1: Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

D2: Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18A grade of "C" or better is required in each POLS course.

POLS 2101 Introduction to Political Science (3hrs)
POLS 2201 State and Local Government (3hrs)
POLS 2401 Global Issues (3hrs)
PHIL 2010 Introduction to Philosophy (3 hrs)
Select two of the following (6 hrs):
ANTH 1105 Cultural Anthropology (3 hrs)
ECON 2105 Macroeconomics (3 hrs)
ECON 2106 Microeconomics (3 hrs)
GEOG 1101 World Regional Geography (3 hrs)
HIST 1111 World History to 1500 (3 hrs)
HIST 1112 World History since 1500 (3 hrs)
HIST 2111 U.S. History to 1865 (3 hrs)
HIST 2112 U.S. History since 1865 (3 hrs)
PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology (3 hrs)
SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology (3 hrs)
Foreign Language 1001/1002/2001/2002 (for 3-6 hrs)
PHIL 2020 Critical Thinking (3 hrs)
PHIL 2030, Moral Philosophy (3 hrs)

Area G Required Hours: 18
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

POLS 3116 Theories of Racism
POLS 3133 Intro Political Theory
POLS 3134 Feminist Political Thought
POLS 3137 American Political Thought
POLS 3138 Contemporary Political Thought
Select one of the following American studies courses:(3 hrs)

POLS 3127 The Presidency
POLS 3128 The Legislative Process
POLS 3129 Judicial Process
POLS 3148 Religion and Politics
POLS 3161 American Constitutional Law
POLS 3165 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
POLS 3256 Politics in Film

Select one of the following international relations/comparative courses:(3 hrs)
POLS 3141 Comparative Politics
POLS 4155 International Relations
POLS 4166 International Law and Organizations
POLS 4176 American Foreign Policy
POLS 4177 American Defense Policy

Area H Required Hours: 21
Select 21 hours of POLS courses at the 3000 level or higher not applied in Area G. A grade of “C” or higher is required in each course credited in this area.

Area I Required Hours: 21

Total Hours Required: 123