Social Science, Politics Major

Location(s): WISE

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*Previously Government Major

The politics major provides an understanding of how citizens attempt to deal with power and political decisions in institutions through the study of political organizations such as legislatures, courts and executives. In addition, the focus of study is of national, comparative, and international politics. Our students become aware of the scope of political topics and activities using philosophical, historical, and behavioral methods.

Political science provides a particularly useful background for students planning a career in government or public service, law, non-profit management, teaching, business and other professions that involve an understanding of power and politics.

Students also have the option of adding a concentration in foreign affairs, allowing them to develop the special knowledge and skills necessary for work in fields related to international and comparative politics.

Politics Core

POL 1010 - American National Politics and Political Institutions Credit(s): 3
POL 1030 - Western Heritage of Politics I Credit(s): 3
POL 1040 - Western Heritage of Politics II Credit(s): 3
POL 2010 - Introduction to Comparative Politics Credit(s): 3
POL 4990 - Capstone in Politics Credit(s): 3
**Capstone project will be one of three (3) paths: Service project, internship/assistantship project, or original research project. Projects must be proposed adn accepted the semester before taking the capstone class (due dates will be advertised). Along with the project itself students will be requried to complete portfolio of relevant materials, including a formal reflection on their work and other materials the instructor(s) may require.

Politics Electives 21 hours

Any seven (7) 3000-level or 4000-level politics courses from the lists below.

Up to two of these may, with the permission of your major field advisor, be upper-level seminars drawn from appropriate related fields (e.g. business, crminal justice, economics, environmental science, history, geography, philosophy, psychology, sociology, religion) if the course’s relationship to the field of politics can be sufficiently demonstrated.

Political Theory

Choose at least one from the following:

POL 4010 - History of Political Thought I Credit(s): 3
POL 4020 - History of Political Thought II Credit(s): 3
POL 4040 - American Political Theory Credit(s): 3
POL 4060 - Contemporary Political Theory Credit(s): 3

International or Comparative Politics

Choose at least one from the following:

POL 3050 - Politics of Northern Europe Credit(s): 3
POL 3060 - Politics of Southern Europe Credit(s): 3
POL 3070 - Politics of East Asia Credit(s): 3
POL 3080 - Politics of the Middle East Credit(s): 3
POL 3090 - Politics of Latin America Credit(s): 3
POL 4810 - International Relations Credit(s): 3
POL 4820 - American Foreign Policy Credit(s): 3

American Politics

Choose at least one from the following:

POL 3220 - Amer Parties/Pres Group & Elec Credit(s): 3
POL 3510 - Judicial Process Credit(s): 3
POL 3610 - The American Presidency Credit(s): 3
POL 3810 - Congress and the Legislatures Credit(s): 3
POL 4000 - Media and Politics Credit(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 42

Foreign Affairs Concentration - Additional 15 hours

Students may choose (but are not required) to delcare and adopt a concentration in the area of foreign affairs. This concentration is designed for students with a particular interest in either the areas of comparative and international politics and/or with a particular interest in the practical fields of foreign affairs such as intelligence, international security, diplomacy, intergovernmental politics, and international nongovernmental organizations.

All students seeking the foreign affairs concentration must complete POL 4810 International Relations and at least four (4) more of their politics elective courses will be chosen from the following:

POL 3050 - Politics of Northern Europe Credit(s): 3
POL 3060 - Politics of Southern Europe Credit(s): 3
POL 3070 - Politics of East Asia Credit(s): 3
POL 3080 - Politics of the Middle East Credit(s): 3
POL 3090 - Politics of Latin America Credit(s): 3
POL 4820 - American Foreign Policy Credit(s): 3
POL 4850 - Internship/Assistantship Credit(s): 1=6
POL 4950 - Special Topics in Political Science Credit(s): 1-3
POL 4970 - Individual Research Credit(s): 1-3
POL 4980 - Seminar In Political Science Credit(s): 3

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Social Science, Politics Major

Location(s): WISE

Politics Core

Politics Electives 21 hours

Political Theory

International or Comparative Politics

American Politics

Total Credit Hours: 42

Foreign Affairs Concentration - Additional 15 hours