The study of political science
is designed to widen cultural perspectives by providing
an insight into political institutions and behavior; to
impart an interest in, and an understanding of, the responsibilities
of intelligent citizenship; and to promote understanding
of the realities of politics and political behavior. The
department seeks further to provide a foundation for graduate
study; to provide, with other social science courses, preparation
for careers in government service, teaching, journalism
and related professions; and to afford the pre-law student
preparation for professional legal study.
Major:
A major in Political Science consists of ten courses. These
must include one course from the area of American Government
and Politics, one course from the area of Public Law and
Judicial Politics, one course from the area of Comparative
Government, one course from the area of International Relations
and Politics, Political Science 210, two courses from the
area of Political Thought and Theory, Political Science
400, and two additional courses in Political Science.
All majors must take at least three courses in one of the
five areas of the discipline.
Students fulfilling
their Political Thought and Theory two-course requirement
may take any Political Theory course in addition to Political
Science 107: "Introduction to Political Theory".
For students who select Political Theory as their area of
emphasis, Political Science 107 and 325 are both required
courses in addition to a third Political Theory.
Minor:
A minor in Political Science consists of five courses. These
courses must be chosen from at least three of the five areas
designated for political science. Those courses under the
heading "general courses" do not constitute an
area of political science but may be chosen as electives.
A teaching minor must include Political Science 240 (American
Government: National, State and Local) as one of the six
courses.
Although not required for the major,
it is strongly recommended that students planning to attend
graduate and/or professional school take a course in statistics.
Possible courses include Mathematics 106: Elementary Statistics,
and/or Social Science 233: Behavioral Research Statistics.
Recommended supporting areas include courses from other
departments in the Social Science Division (geography, history,
psychology, sociology, and economics) and from the Humanities
Division (philosophy, history and English).
For more information, contact the
Political Science Department at 262-551-5856
