Political Science Major Requirements

All majors are required to meet the department's distribution requirements which include introductory 100-level courses in three of the following four subdivisions: Theory and Methodology (106), Comparative Politics (121 or 143), International Relations (132), and American Politics (173), and a minimum of 24 credits in Political Science courses numbered 200 or above (none on a pass-fail basis).  Inter-departmental courses may not be included in the 24 credits.  No more than 6 credits of independent study and/or field work can be counted toward the 24 credits. In addition majors are to take at least one course in four of the following disciplinary subdivisions: Theory and Methodology; Comparative Politics; International Relations; American Politics; Public Policy and Law. Language preparation is an essential part of any plan of advanced work in international relations and comparative politics. Training in statistics and quantitative methods is a valuable tool for further work in many fields as well, and for this purpose the department offers courses in quantitative methods, particularly POLS 291 (which is open to sophomores).

A.  Students majoring in Political Science must pass introductory 100-level courses in three of the following four subdivisions: Theory and Methodology ( 106 ), Comparative Politics ( 121 or 143 ), International Relations ( 132 ), and American Politics ( 173 ). It is recommended that these courses should be taken during the student's first two years of study.

B.  All majors in political science must pass at least one course in four of the following six subdivisions (total of 12 credits). A W or Q course may be substituted for the same numbered course. Cross-listed courses may count only once toward this distribution requirement:

I. Theory and Methodology: 201 , 202 , 204 , 206W , 207 , 291

II. Comparative Politics: 203 , 223 , 228 , 230 , 231 , 232 , 233 , 235 , 237 , 239 , 244 , 258

III. International Relations: 211 , 212 , 215 , 216 , 217 , 218 , 219 , 220 , 221 , 222 , 224 , 225 , 226 , 227 , 279

IV. American Politics: 241 , 242 , 245 , 247 , 248 , 249 , 263W , 270 , 273 , 274 , 275

V. Public Administration, Policy and Law: 250 , 251 , 252 , 253 , 255 , 256 , 259 , 260 , 261 , 264 , 266, 276 , 277

VI. Race, Gender, and Ethnic Politics: 203 , 204 , 225 , 239 , 245 , 247 , 248 , 249 , 256 , 263W

POLS 296 and 298 may be counted toward this distribution only with consent of advisor.
POLS 208 , 287 , 288W , 289 , 293, 297 , 299 may not be counted toward the Group B distribution requirement.

No more than 6 credits of independent study (Political Science 299) or field work (Political Science 297), or a combination of the two, may be counted toward the 24 credit requirement for the major, except by permission of the Department Head.

The writing in the major requirement may be satisfied by passing any 200  level W course. Advanced information literacy exit requirements are incorporated into all Ws in the major, and students who successfully complete political science W courses will have met this requirement.

RELATED COURSES

At least 12 credits in courses related to Political Science courses taken from one or more other departments.  These courses must be numbered 200 or above and cannot be taken on a pass-fail basis.  All 200-level courses in Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Philosophy, and Sociology will meet this requirement.  Certain Inter-departmental courses and courses in other majors, such as English, Journalism, Linguistics, Psychology and Communication Science, may be approved as related courses at the discretion of your adviser.