Political Science, B.A.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of political institutions and processes in the United States.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of political institutions and processes in at least one non-U.S. region.
3. Students will be able to compare and contrast political institutions and processes among different regions and cultures.
4. Students will understand the principles, actors, structures and processes related to conflict and cooperation in the international system.
5. Students will be able to apply classic and contemporary political theory to contemporary political events.
6. Students will demonstrate basic descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis, probability issues, inferential statistics, and use of statistical computer software related to the study of political science.
7. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and limitations of different data collection strategies.
8. Students will demonstrate competency in the effective written presentation of original ideas and supporting material.
9. Students will be able to critically assess published political science research.
10. Students will demonstrate competency in the effective oral presentation of original ideas and supporting material.
11. Students will develop skills necessary for active participation in political life.

General Education Requirements (30-40 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 33 *

Minimum Competence Requirement

A grade of C- or better is required for all courses submitted in fulfillment of the Political Science major (including 30 credits in PLSC and required related courses).

Department Writing Requirement

Political Science majors are evaluated on the basis of substantive content and the quality of exposition in 300- and 400-level courses. Faculty assign writing projects of 15 pages or more including term papers, reports, etc. Faculty have discretion in determining assignments. Grades are reported to the Department Chair at the end of each semester and recorded on the pre-graduation form. A grade of C- or better is required to fulfill the writing requirement.

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map  

• First Year
  • Fall - 14 Credits
    • PLSC 110 - American Politics  
    • Natural science with lab - Credit(s): 4
    • WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle)  
    • World Language 101 - Credit(s): 4
  • Spring - 16 Credits
    • PLSC 120 - Comparative Politics  
      • Counts for Global Society: CGC and WCV
    • PLSC 140 - International Politics  
    • World Language 102 - Credit(s): 4
    • Global Society: CAI - Credit(s): 3
    • Electives - Credit(s): 3
• Second Year
  • Fall - 15 Credits
    • PLSC 251 - Modern Political Analysis  
      • Counts for Math/Quantitative Reasoning
    • Global Society: DPP - Credit(s): 3
    • Global Society: SST - Credit(s): 3
    • Electives - Credit(s): 6
  • Spring - 15 Credits
    • PLSC 130 - Political Theory  
    • PLSC 3xx-4xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
    • Electives - Credit(s): 9
• Third Year
  • Fall - 15 Credits
    • PLSC 3xx-4xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
    • PLSC 4xx Subfield 1 Elective - Credit(s): 3
    • Electives - Credit(s): 10
  • Spring - 15 Credits
    • PLSC 4xx Subfield 2 Elective - Credit(s): 3
    • Integrative and Applied Learning - Credit(s): 3
    • Electives - Credit(s): 9
• Fourth Year
  • Fall - 15 Credits
    • PLSC 4xx Subfield 3 Elective - Credit(s): 3 
    • Electives - Credit(s): 12
  • Spring - 15
    • PLSC 4xx Capstone or Senior Seminar - Credit(s): 3 
    • Electives - Credit(s): 12

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

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