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Curriculum

Political Science Major (10 - four credit courses)

REQUIRED COURSES:
  • POLS 111, POLS 121, POLS 211, POLS 221
    (prerequisite for POLS 211: POLS 111 and POLS 121, one of which may be taken the same semester as POLS 211)
  • One or more of POLS 222, POLS 223, and POLS 224
  • Four(4) additional POLS 300-level sequence courses plus a Senior Research Seminar

The DC Summer Study internship experience for 8 credits may satisfy no more than one 300-level sequence course requirement. Any other internship would NOT satisfy one of the upper division POLS course requirements.

NOTE: Students are encouraged to participate in academic internships and summer program opportunities for experiential learning. Note, however, that academic experiences and transferred courses may replace no more than ONE of the requirements for 300-level courses in the major.  Programs of study are to be developed in consultation with a faculty advisor.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Comprehensive exam.
  • Individualized portfolio from each student in the major.

     Political Science Minor (5 course requirement - 20 credits)

For Students Entering 2011 and After

The Political Science Minor is 20 credits and may be taken in the following concentrations:

  • Political Theory
  • Public Law
  • Public Policy
  • Global Politics

Political Science Minor Concentrations

Concentration in Political Theory

  • POLS 111, Introduction to U.S. Politics
  • POLS 221, Political Theory: An Introduction

And any three of the following courses:

  • POLS 311, Classics of Political Theory
  • POLS 312, American Political Thought
  • POLS 313, 20th Century Political Thought
  • POLS 314, Feminist Political Theory

Concentration in Public Law

  • POLS 111, Introduction to U.S. Politics
  • POLS 224, Courts, Law and Policy

And any three of the following courses:

  • POLS 320, Topics in Law
  • POLS 323, Constitutional Law: Structure and Power
  • POLS 324, Constitutional Law: Liberties and Rights
  • POLS 332, U.S. Congress
  • POLS 334, U.S. Bureaucracy and Regulatory Law

 Concentration in Public Policy

  • POLS 111, Introduction to U.S. Politics
  • POLS 222, Analysis of U.S. Policy and Elections

And any three of the following courses:

  • POLS 330, Environmental Politics and Policy
  • POLS 332, U.S. Congress
  • POLS 333, US Presidency
  • POLS 334, U.S. Bureaucracy and Regulatory Law
  • POLS 336, Local and Regional Governance
  • POLS 337, Theory of Public Policy
  • POLS 339, Gender and Politics
  • POLS 350, Topics in Public Policy
  • POLS 351, U.S. Foreign Policy

Concentration in Global Politics

  • POLS 121, International Relations
  • POLS 223, Comparative Politics

And any three of the following courses:

  • POLS 343, Revolutions
  • POLS 344, Middle East Politics
  • POLS 345, Developing Nations
  • POLS 346, Asian Politics
  • POLS 347, Latin American Politics
  • POLS 351, U.S. Foreign Policy
  • POLS 352, Global Gender Issues
  • POLS 355, International Political Economy
  • POLS 358, Topics in International Relations/Comparative Politics