Political Science, B.A.

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Mission

The Political Science program provides instruction for students interested in a wide variety of careers in political science such as teaching law, international relations, public affairs and civil service. The program provides a thorough knowledge of political science theory, methodology, quantitative reasoning, and computer research skills necessary to meet the competitive demands of graduate and professional study. Students achieve a high level of oral and written communication skills and have opportunities to gain work experience through a variety of internship programs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of the structures, powers and procedures of the United States federal and state government and foreign governments.
Use critical thinking and analytical skills when assessing contemporary political questions,
Demonstrate the ability to examine and evaluate information to solve contemporary social problems.

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Complete a total of 122 credit hours of course work for graduation.

General Education Core - 41 credit hours
Major Requirements - 45 credit hours
Additional Coursework - 36 credit hours

Major Requirements

POL 200 - Introduction to Political Science 3 cr.
POL 201 - American National Government 3 cr.
POL 202 - State and Local Government 3 cr.
POL 206 - Research Methods 3 cr.
POL 301 - International Relations 3 cr.
POL 305 - Political Theory 3 cr.
POL 312 - Problems in Political Science Research Seminar 3 cr.
POL 401 - Comparative Political Ideologies 3 cr.
POL 403 - Third World Political Development 3 cr.
POL 450 - Senior Seminar 3 cr.
STA 306 - Social Statistics 3 cr.
Political Science Elective: 12 cr.

Additional Coursework

CS 101 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
HIS 102 - The Global Past II 3 cr.
HIS 201 - U. S. History 1607 to 1865 3 cr.
PHI 301 - Ethics 3 cr.
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
STA 205 - Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
General Electives: 12 cr.
Social Science Elective: 6 cr.

Political Science Curriculum

First Year

First Semester

ENG 111 - Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
FYS 101 - First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
HIS 101 - The Global Past I 3 cr. ♦
MAT 121 - College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 cr. ♦
UCO 101 - University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr. ♦

Total: 15

Second Semester

AWS 100 - Survey of the African World 3 cr. ♦ or
REL 208 - The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr. ♦
BIO 101 - Biological Sciences I 3 cr. ♦
BIO 101L - Biology Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr. ♦
CS 101 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 cr.
ENG 112 - Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
FYS 102 - First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
HIS 102 - The Global Past II 3 cr.
UCO 102 - University Convocation II 0 cr. ♦

Total: 17

Second Year

First Semester

ENG 201 - Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
ENG 202 - Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
FFR 121 - Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
FSP 121 - Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
POL 200 - Introduction to Political Science 3 cr.
POL 201 - American National Government 3 cr.
SPT 204 - Public Speaking 3 cr. ♦
STA 205 - Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.

Total: 18

Second Semester

ECO 203 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
ENG 199 - Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
FFR 122 - Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
FSP 122 - Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
HIS 201 - U. S. History 1607 to 1865 3 cr.
POL 202 - State and Local Government 3 cr.
POL 206 - Research Methods 3 cr.
General Elective 3 cr.

Total: 18

Third Year

First Semester

PHI 301 - Ethics 3 cr.
POL 301 - International Relations 3 cr.
Political Science Elective 3 cr.
Political Science Elective 3 cr.
Social Science Elective 3 cr.

Total: 15

Second Semester

POL 305 - Political Theory 3 cr.
POL 312 - Problems in Political Science Research Seminar 3 cr.
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 cr.
General Elective 3 cr.
Social Science Elective 3 cr.

Total: 15

Fourth Year

First Semester

POL 401 - Comparative Political Ideologies 3 cr.
POL 499C - Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
STA 306 - Social Statistics 3 cr.
Political Science Elective 3 cr.
Political Science Elective 3 cr.

Total: 12

Second Semester

POL 403 - Third World Political Development 3 cr.
POL 450 - Senior Seminar 3 cr.
POL 499C - Senior Comprehensive Examination 0 cr.
General Elective 3 cr.
General Elective 3 cr.

Total: 12

Total Required Hours: 122

*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102 .

**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.

***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 - Writing Proficiency Examination . Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 - Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).

Note

♦ General Education Core