College of Arts and Sciences
Political Science, Public Administration and NonProfit Management
Professor Fouad Moughrabi, Head
Students majoring in political science may earn a B.S. degree, choosing one of four concentrations: Public Administration, American Studies, International and Comparative Studies, or Legal Studies.
The department offers courses in five major subfields of the discipline: political behavior and methodology (200, 202, 203, 302, 303, 401r); political theory (213, 314, 316, 411r, 424); public law and administration (221, 223, 224, 320, 321, 322, 323, 421r, 422r, 423, 434); American institutions and processes (233, 234, 330, 331, 333, 335, 336, 431r, 432, 436); and international relations and comparative government (242, 244, 246, 341, 343r, 345, 346, 347, 348, 441r, 442r). Certain students may also participate in the State Government Internship Program, the Metropolitan Government Internship Program, the National/International Government Internship Program, or the Judicial Honors Internship.
Political Science (B.S.)
- General Education (see for list of approved courses)
- Rhetoric and Composition: Two approved courses in rhetoric and composition (6 hours)
- Mathematics: One approved mathematics course (3 hours)
- Statistics: One approved statistics course (3 hours)
- Natural Sciences: Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component (7-8 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts: Two approved humanities and fine arts courses one, from fine arts and one from either (6 hours)
- Cultures and Civilizations: Option A: Western Humanities I and II and Non-Western Cultures and Civilizations OR Option B: World Civilization I, II, III (9 hours total)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Two approved behavioral or social science courses other than Political Science. (6 hours)
Minor Requirement
All Political Science majors must complete a minor with a minimum 2.0 grade point average.
Major and Related Courses
Requirements depend upon the concentration declared.
2846 - Public Administration Concentration
- 9 hours including Political Science 101, 102, 200
- 9 hours from Political Science courses at the 200 level (excluding 200). Must include Political Science 223
- 9 hours from Political Science courses at the 300 level. Must include 6 hours from Political Science 324, 330, 331, 336, 350
- 15 hours from Political Science courses at the 400 level including at least 6 hours from the Public Administration area approved by the departmental advisor and no more than 6 hours from Political Science 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 480, 481, 495r, 497r, 498r or 499r
Related courses (12 hours):
- English 279 or 300 or Political Science 495
- Economics 101 and 3 hours from Human Services 202, 300, or 301
2848 - American Studies Concentration
- 9 hours including Political Science 101, 102, 200
- 9 hours from Political Science at the 200 level (excluding 200). Must include one of the following: 213, 233, or 234.
- 9 hours at the 300 level from Political Science 321, 322, 323, 324, 330, 331, 333, 335, 336
- 15 hours from Political Science courses at the 400 level including at least 6 hours of appropriate American Studies courses approved by the departmental advisor and no more than 6 hours from Political Science 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 480, 481, 495r, 497r, 498r or 499r
Related courses (12 hours):
- English 279 or 300 or Political Science 495
- Economics 101; History 203 and 204
2851 - International and Comparative Studies
Concentration
- 9 hours including Political Science 101, 102, 200
- 9 hours from Political Science courses at the 200 level (excluding 200). Must include at least 3 hours from Political Science 242, 244 or 246
- 9 hours at the 300 level from Political Science 341, 343r, 345, 346, 347
- 15 hours from Political Science courses at the 400 level including at least 6 hours of International and Comparative Studies courses approved by the departmental advisor and no more than 6 hours from Political Science 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 495r, 497r, 498r or 499r
Related courses (20 hours):
- English 279 or 300 or Political Science 495
- 2 years of one foreign language at the college level
- Economics 101
2852 - Legal Studies Concentration
- 9 hours including Political Science 101, 102, 200
- 9 hours from Political Science courses at the 200 level (excluding 200). Must include Political Science 221.
- 9 hours at the 300 level from Political Science 320, 321, 322, 323
- 15 hours from Political Science courses at the 400 level including at least 6 hours of courses from the public law subfield approved by the departmental advisor and no more than 6 hours from Political Science 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 480, 481, 495r, 497r, 498r or 499r
Related courses:
- English 279 or 300 or Political Science 495
- 2 years of one foreign language at the college level
- Economics 101; Philosophy 211
- Minimum of 2.0 in all political science courses
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300 and 400 level courses
- Electives to complete 120 hours.
POLITICAL SCIENCE MINORS
4642 - Political Science
18 hours including Political Science 101, 102 and 12 hours electives in Political Science. At least nine hours must be at the 300-400 level with no more than three hours from 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. Minimum 2.0 average in minor.
4632 - Political Science: American Government
18 hours including Political Science 101, 6 hours from Political Science 202, 203, 213, 233 and 234, and 9 hours from Political Science 330, 331, 333, 335, 336, 348, 425, 431r, 432, 434, 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. No more than three hours from 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. Minimum 2.0 average in minor.
4637 - Political Science: International and Comparative Studies
18 hours including 6 hours from Political Science 102 104, 242 and 12 hours from Political Science 244, 246, 341, 343r, 345, 346, 347, 441r, 442r, 498r and 499r. No more than three hours from 498r and 499r. Minimum 2.0 average in minor.
4634 - Political Science: Legal Studies
18 hours including Political Science 101, 221, and 12 hours from Political Science 320, 321, 322, 323, 421r, 423, 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. No more than three hours from 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. Minimum 2.0 average in minor.
4635 - Political Science: Political Psychology and Behavior
18 hours including Political Science 101, 202 and 203, and 9 hours from Political Science 302, 303, 401r, 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. No more than three hours from 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. Minimum 2.0 average in minor.
4636 - Political Science: Public Administration
18 hours including Political Science 101, 223, and 12 hours from Political Science 244, 324, 330, 331, 350, 422r, 425, 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. No more than three hours from 461r, 462r, 463, 464, 471r, 472, 481, 498r and 499r. Minimum 2.0 average in minor.
POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES (POLS)
101 American Government (3)
The foundations, institutions, processes and policies of American national government with attention to the Constitution and such topics as elections, political and civil rights and liberties, federalism, public policy, public opinion, political culture, interest groups, and the role of citizens in governance. Every semester.
102 World Politics (3)
The evolution, nature, and operation of the contemporary world political system with attention to the behavior of states, the impact of ideology, culture, and domestic politics on foreign policy, the behavior of transnational political and economic actors, the effects of international competition, and the impact of international institutions on promoting cooperation. Every semester.
103 Controversies in Public Policy (3)
Contemporary policy issues in American politics with attention to current problems, proposed solutions, and competing viewpoints.
104 Politics, Culture and Society: Non-Western Views (3)
A study of culture, politics, and society in the non-western world with emphasis on significant intellectual contributions, modes of inquiry, value systems, structures of belief and practices of everyday life.
