Political Science: General Political Science, BALAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science, General Political Science concentration
The World Politics concentration compares internal political dynamics and patterns of political behavior in the world's more than 200 countries. Major comparative themes include democracy, dictatorship and regime change; political institutions; voting behavior, attitudes, and the creation and dissemination of political information; religious and ethnic identity politics; political economy of development and developing countries; social change and political violence; and the impact of globalization and transnational forces such as migration.
See the Political Science BALAS page for departmental distinction information.
for the degree of Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science, General Political Science concentration
See the Political Science Distinction page for departmental distinction information.
Political Science Core Requirements
Students may count a maximum of six (6) hours of credit of any combination of hours from PS 494 toward the advanced hours requirement. Not more than 6 hours of individual study courses in political science (PS 490) or 6 hours of internships (PS 491) or 6 hours of supervised research (PS 492) may be included in the major; a student with any mix of independent study hours and internship hours and supervised research hours may include a maximum of 9 hours of such credit in the major. (PS 496) is reserved for those seniors doing honors theses for distinction in political science and may not be counted in the 45-hour minimum required for the major.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 70 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
General Political Science Concentration Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PS 100 | Intro to Political Science | 3 |
| Select any additional 100- or 200-level Political Science courses | 9 | |
| Select any 300- or 400-level Political Science courses | 15 | |
| Select Political Science courses at any level | 6 | |
| Students will select a second major, or a minor, or a set of courses of at least 12 hours of thematically-related coursework outside political science, developed in conjunction with an academic advisor. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science, General Political Science concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| PS 100 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PS 100- or 200- level course | 3 |
| PS 100- or 200- level course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| PS 100- or 200- level course | 3 |
| Thematic related coursework | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PS 100-400 level course | 3 |
| Thematic related coursework | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| PS 100-400 level course | 3 |
| PS 300- or 400-level course | 3 |
| PS 300- or 400-level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PS 300- or 400-level course | 3 |
| Thematic related coursework | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| PS 300- or 400- level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PS 300- or 400- level course | 3 |
| Thematic related coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science, General Political Science concentration
1. Students will be able to apply central concepts of the scientific method to the study of politics, and demonstrate an ability to draw inferences from data.
2. Students will have a foundational knowledge of facts, concepts, and typologies in their chosen subfield in political science.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of central theories in their chosen subfield and show how to evaluate those theories.
4. Students will be able to define political science and its subfields, drawing contrasts with other social sciences.
5. Students will be able to apply concepts, methods, and theories to research projects, internships, and/or off-campus experiences.
Students completing the concentration will be able to compare political systems and behavior across countries, analyzing themes such as regime types, political institutions, identity politics, development, social change, and the effects of globalization and transnational forces.
for the degree of Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Political Science, General Political Science concentration