Political Science

Major & Minor Requirements

Carthage's political science major prepares students for graduate study in political science or, with other social science courses, careers in government service, teaching, journalism and related professions. Many pre-law students choose to major in political science as preparation for law school.

Carthage offers a major and minor in political science. Carthage also offers a major in International Political Economy.

Please note: Current students should follow the printed version of the College Catalog, and work with their advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.

The Political Science Major

A major in political science consists of 10 courses:

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
POL 3100 The Logic of Political Inquiry
Two courses from the area of Political Thought and Theory
POL 4000 Senior Seminar
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 POL 1070 Introduction to Political Theory. For students who select Political Theory as their area of emphasis, POL 1070 Introduction to Political Theory and POL 3250 Classics of Political Thought are both required courses, in addition to a third Political Theory course.

The Political Science 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.

Recommended 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:

MTH 1050 Elementary Statistics
SOC 2330 Behavioral Research Statistics
BUS 2340 Applied Statistics

Recommended supporting areas include courses from other departments in the Social Science Division (Psychology, Sociology and Economics) and from the Humanities Division (Philosophy, History and English).

Course Categories

American Government and Politics

POL 1040 Introduction to Public Policy
POL 2400 American Government: National, State and Local
POL 3510 Campaigns and Elections
POL 3520 America at War
POL 3530 American Political Institutions
POL 3580 American Foreign Policy

Comparative Politics

POL 1030 Introduction to Comparative Politics
POL 3200 Women and Politics
POL 3350 Human Rights
POL 3370 Russia/East European Politics
POL 3380 West European Politics
POL 3390 Asian Politics
POL 3440 African Transitions

General Courses

POL 2050 Philosophical Foundations of Political Economy
POL 200T Topics in Political Science
POL 3100 The Logic of Political Inquiry
POL 4000 Senior Seminar
POL 4050 Seminar in International Political Economy

International Relations

POL 1050 Introduction to International Relations
POL 3600 International Security
POL 3610 Nuclear Proliferation
POL 3620 Environmental Politics

Political Thought and Theory

POL 1070 Introduction to Political Theory
POL 3250 Classics of Political Thought
POL 3260 Studies in Political Theory

Public Law and Judicial Politics

POL 1900 Constitutional Rights: Freedom of Expression
POL 1910 Law and Society
POL 2900 Constitutional Law I
POL 2910 Constitutional Law II
POL 2920 Judicial Process and Behavior
POL 3900 Comparative Law
POL 3930 Environmental Law

Honors in the Major

Departments at Carthage offer students the opportunity to earn Honors in their major. Each department may establish the requirements for Honors in that department. Please see the department chair for details.

Basic requirements for Honors in a major include an overall GPA of 3.5 at graduation, completion of all requirements for the major, a formal recommendation by department faculty, a rating of "excellent" on the senior thesis by department faculty, and presentation of the senior thesis to an audience beyond the department.

Academics at Carthage

Prospective Students

Student Voices

"Political science is a great major that offers a lot of freedom to study what interests you," says Brittany Dayton, '10. "In class, the professors will always encourage you to speak your mind and voice your opinions, so be prepared to talk." Read more.

Carthage Model United Nations

Students travel to New York to discuss global issues at National Model United Nations conference. Read more ...

J-Term Travel

The Political Science Department offers regular study tours during J-Term, giving students the opportunity to explore the politics, economics and culture of Argentina, Cuba, Russia and more. Read more.

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The Carthage Political Science Department is on Facebook. Connect with fellow alumni and current students.