Political Science Major

Students majoring in political science must take at least 44 hours of courses.

Required Courses

• PSC 201 National Government in the United States
• PSC 203 Data Analysis and Research Methods
• PSC 321 International Relations
• PSC 325 Comparative Political Systems
• PSC 315 American Constitutional Law
• PSC 415 Introduction to Political Theory
• PSC 497 Senior Seminar

The required courses total 28 hours; the remaining 16 hours may be electives. Majors may select a concentration in American Institutions and Processes or International Relations. All courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.

Students who wish to take courses at other colleges must obtain permission from the chairperson.

Honors Program students are required to have two semesters of faculty supervised in Thesis Honors Research. This requirement may be satisfied in political science with PSC 400 and PSC 497.

Objectives

Upon completion of courses in the political science major program, students should be able to
1. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles of political science in the structures, institutions, and processes of the United States and other nations
2. apply the knowledge of the discipline, using technology as well as traditional methods, to contemporary questions
3. organize ideas and focus them effectively on the issue in question
4. demonstrate an outstanding of verbal and written communicative, analytical and critical thinking skills in various academic and professional settings
5. recognize their personal value systems and apply these to their own social and political worlds
6. provide content for integrating skills for teacher preparation, and graduate and professional schools

Departmental Honor Society

Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society is open to junior and senior majors who have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average and have taken at least four political science courses.