The Political Science (POLS) major features a progression of core, concentration, DEI, elective, and capstone courses. Students are expected to have a foundation of core courses before taking concentration, DEI, and capstone courses. Please consult with an undergraduate advisor should there be any questions about the major curriculum.
POLS majors focus their upper-level courses in one concentration of their choice:
Each concentration is described more fully below.
43 credits
POLS Core (19 credits)
The POLS core, required of all majors, features a course introducing the discipline and one course in each subfield, along with research methods.
| POLS 100 | Introduction to Political Science | 1 |
| POLS 130 | American National Government | 3 |
| POLS 210 | Political Science Research Methods | 3 |
| POLS 260 | Public and Non-Profit Administration | 3 |
| POLS 270 | Political Theory | 3 |
| POLS 280 | Comparative Politics and Global Studies | 3 |
| POLS 293 | International Relations | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 19 |
POLS DEI, 3 credits from
POLS majors take at least one DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) course. If a DEI course is also listed as an option in a concentration, that course can double-count in that concentration. Otherwise, a DEI course can double-count as a POLS elective.
| POLS 381 | Developing Countries in a World Economy | 3 |
| POLS 394 | Politics of Asia | 3 |
| POLS 450 | Masculinity, Statecraft, and War | 3 |
| POLS 453 | Public and Non-Profit Human Resources | 3 |
| POLS 474 | Women and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 475 | Intelligence and Transnational Extremism | 3 |
| POLS 491 | Political Violence and Human Rights | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
POLS Electives (6 credits)
POLS majors take two elective courses, with at least 3 credits at 300/400 level.
| Any POLS courses; at least 3 credits at 300/400 level | 6 |
| Total Credits: | 6 |
POLS Capstone, 3 credits from
POLS majors complete a senior capstone option, which should be selected upon completion of 60 total credits.
| POLS 404 | Senior Thesis in Government and Politics | 3 |
| POLS 478 | Practical Experience in Government, Politics, or Public Service | 3 TO 6 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
Additional capstone options for the Global Politics and International Affairs concentration are EURO 369: Professional Experience and EURO 479: Practical Experience.
Students wishing to pursue foreign language proficiency should discuss the BA option with an advisor.
Concentration 1: American Government and Politics (15 credits)
Institutions and processes, at least one course from each area (9 credits)
Institutions, 3-6 credits from
Processes, 3-6 credits from
Non-Federal, 3 credits from
| POLS 337 | State and Local Politics | 3 |
| POLS 338 | Urban Issues and Governance | 3 |
| POLS 435 | Intergovernmental Conflict and Cooperation | 3 |
| POLS 466 | Administrative Problems in State Government | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
Theory, 3 credits from
| POLS 312 | Classical Grand Strategy | 3 |
| POLS 313 | European Grand Strategy | 3 |
| POLS 411 | American Political Thought | 3 |
| POLS 450 | Masculinity, Statecraft, and War | 3 |
| POLS 475 | Intelligence and Transnational Extremism | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
Total Credits: 15
POLS 403 (Issues in Political Science), POLS 405 (Reading and Special Study), POLS 407 (Workshop in Political Science) can replace required courses, if they cover American government and politics.
Concentration 2: Global Politics and International Affairs (15 credits)
International Relations and Comparative Politics, choose at least two courses from each
International Relations, 6-9 credits from
Comparative Politics, 6-9 credits from
Total Credits: 15
POLS 403 (Issues in Political Science), POLS 405 (Reading and Special Study), POLS 407 (Workshop in Political Science) can replace required courses, if they cover global politics and international affairs.
Concentration 3: Public Administration and Policy (15 credits)
Required, 12 credits from
| POLS 337 | State and Local Politics | 3 |
| or | |
| POLS 338 | Urban Issues and Governance | 3 |
| | |
| POLS 342 | Public Policy Issues | 3 |
| POLS 351 | Public and Non-Profit Management | 3 |
| POLS 454 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 12 |
Elective, 3 credits from
| POLS 406 | Issues in Public Administration | 3 |
| POLS 447 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| POLS 453 | Public and Non-Profit Human Resources | 3 |
| POLS 455 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| POLS 460 | Social Entrepreneurship and Change | 3 |
| POLS 466 | Administrative Problems in State Government | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 3 |
Total Credits: 15
POLS 403 (Issues in Political Science), POLS 405 (Reading and Special Study), POLS 407 (Workshop in Political Science) can replace required courses, if they cover public administration and policy.