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Read Course Descriptions
Because of the implementation of the new General Education Program, there are currently two programs of study for the Political Science major:
Program I For students who entered SJU prior to September 2010 and transfer students with 15 or more credits
Program II For students who entered SJU in the fall of
2010 or later, or transfer students who entered SJU in the fall of 2010
with 14 or fewer credits:
Program I
For students who entered SJU prior to September 2010 and transfer students with 15 or more credits:
GER Common Courses (See Curricula): six courses
GER University Distribution (See Curricula): fourteen courses, including
Mathematics:
MAT 117 Topics in Contemporary Mathematics
MAT 118 Introduction to Statistics
Social/Behavioral Sciences:
ECN 101 Introductory Economics (Micro)
or ECN 102 Introductory Economics (Macro)
POL 101 or 111 Introduction to American Government and Politics
POL 201 Introduction to Political Science Research (American)
OR POL 231 Introduction to Political Science Research (Comparative and International Politics).
Ideally majors take this course in the Spring of their sophomore years, after having completed at least two introductory courses.
GER Electives: any eight courses
Major Concentration:
HIS 201-202 History of the United States
Introductory Courses: two courses from
POL 103 or 113 Introduction to Comparative Politics
POL 105 or 115 Introduction to International Politics
POL 107 or 117 Introduction to Political Thought
First-year students entering as majors should take two first-year major classes, i.e. 10x-level, not 11x-level.
Upper Division Courses:
7 POL courses, numbered POL 300-495
Senior Seminar:
1 Senior Seminar POL 400-409.
The Department strongly recommends that all students take the appropriate introductory course prior to enrolling in an upper division class.
Program II
For students who entered SJU in the fall of 2010 or later, or transfer students who entered SJU in the fall of 2010 with 14 or fewer credits:
GEP Signature Courses (See Curricula): six courses
GEP Variable Courses (See Curricula): six to nine courses, including
Social/Behavioral Sciences:
POL 101 or 111
GEP Overlays (See Curricula): three courses, with POL 201/231 satisfying Writing Intensive overlay
GEP Integrative Learning Component: three courses- ECN 102 Introduction to Macro Economics
- MAT 118 Statistics
- Any upper division ECN, HIS, PHL, PSY, SOC or continuing Foreign Language course beyond the GEP requirements.
GEP Electives: at least nine courses
Major Concentration: twelve courses
4 Introductory Courses:
POL 103 or 113 Introduction to Comparative Politics
POL 105 or 115 Introduction to International Politics
POL 107 or 117 Introduction to Political Thought
First-year students entering as majors should take two first-year major classes, i.e. 10x-level, not 11x-level.
POL 201 Introduction to Political Science Research (American) OR
POL 231 Introduction to Political Science Research (Comparative and International Politics)
Ideally majors take this course in the Spring of their sophomore years, after having completed at least two introductory courses.
7 Upper Division Courses:
7 POL courses, numbered POL 300-495
1 Senior Seminar:
1 Senior Seminar from among POL 400-409
The Department strongly recommends that all students take the appropriate introductory course prior to enrolling in an upper division class.
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.
Download the Typical Program for Poitical Science Majors
Download and complete the Pre-Registration Advising Form prior to meeting with your advisor
Download the Curriculum Worksheet for Class of 2011, 2012 and 2013 and transfer students with 15 or more credits.
Download the Curriculum Worksheet for Class of 2014 and beyond and transfer students with 14 or less credits.