GER - six courses:
ENG 1011 - 1021
PHL 1011 and 1031
HIS 1011-1021
University Distribution - 14 courses
Foreign Language - 2 courses at the intermediate level or 3 at introductory level
Art/Literature - 1 course (refer to course catalog for qualifying courses)
Mathematics - MAT 1171-118
Natural Sciences - 2 courses required
Philosophy - 1 2000-level course
Social/Behavioral Sciences - ECN 1011 or 1021, POL 1011, POL 1511
Theology - 1 course each from the 1000, 1500, and 2000 level
Free Electives (any eight courses)
Major Concentration - 12 courses
HIS 1031 - HIS 1041
two of the following courses
POL 1031 - Introduction to Comparative Politics
POL 1051 - Introduction to International Politics
POL 1071 - Introduction to Political Thought
Eight upper division POL courses
A political science major must complete one seminar course (POL 2701 level) which is included as one of the 8 upper division POL courses. For political science majors, POL 1011 is a prerequisite for all upper division courses in the American field. Normally, majors should complete all 1000 level political science courses by the end of sophomore year. Business majors who take MGT 2431/POL 2171 may satisfy a GER social science requirement by registering for the course as POL 2171.
Requirements for Departmental Honors
Students with an average of at least 3.5 GPA in political science may apply to the chair for Departmental Honors. Fulfillment of the requirement includes honors research (POL 2953-2963), and an oral defense.
Minor in Political Science
In order to qualify for a minor in political science, a student must complete POL 1011, one course from POL 1031, POL 1051, POL 1071, or POL 1091 and four upper division political science courses. International Relations and public administration majors will take at least two political science courses in addition to their major requirements in order to qualify for a political science minor.
Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools
Students majoring in political science may minor in education to obtain a Level I Teaching Certification in Social Studies. In order to meet requirements in political science and Education, students are urged to apply for the education minor during the spring semester of their freshman year. While students will continue meeting with their political science advisor, they will be assigned an education advisor who will guide them through the sequence of six Education courses and three field experience labs. Students may substitute PSY 1001 for ECN 1011 or ECN 1021. This means that students who follow the political science major requirements will graduate with a total of 41 courses. In order to receive certification to teach, students must take several history courses, since certification in Social Studies and most teaching assignments consist of a majority of history courses. Please see education department for further advising information.