Political Science

Associate Professors: Christina Cliff, Frank S. Cohen

A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Political Science for traditional students.

A minor is offered in Political Science.

The Political Science program engages students in hands-on, project-based learning to prepare them for careers in many fields including government, security, law, education, non-profit organizations, and business. Political Science majors and minors work on real-word problems including: learning how to prepare legal briefs and argue the law in moot court; conducting survey research for campaigns and elections; preparing human rights and economic development reports for international organizations; and assessing global and national security threats. Our students learn how to conduct research and investigate local, national, and world topics that interest them. All majors complete an internship in news media and political communications with the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communications. Seniors in their senior seminar complete research around academic and career interests they have developed during their time at the University. With our relatively few requirements, Political Science majors commonly pick up additional majors and minors in History, Criminal Justice, English, Intelligence/Security Studies, and Business. Political Science students are leaders on campus and commonly serve in student government, campus clubs, and participate actively in Division II and intramural athletics.

Major Requirements

In addition to all graduation requirements, the following courses must be completed successfully to fulfill the major requirements:

First Year Experience (3 credits):
PO110 Political Violence or
PO111 Politics and Popular Culture

Methodology & Political Thought (9 credits):
PO200 Political Science Research Methods
PA2XX Any PA 200-level course except PA 209 Ethical Reasoning
HS2XX Any HS 200-level course

Foundations (9 credits- choose any 3)
PO201 U.S. Government
PO202 State and Local Government
PO205 International Relations
PO206 Comparative Politics

Applied Learning in Political Science (12 credits- choose any 4)
American Politics
PO321 Constitutional Law/Moot Court
PO322 Campaigns, Elections, and the Policy Process

Global/International Politics
PO330 Global Security and Diplomacy
PO331 Prosperity and Freedom in the World
PO332 Disinformation and Propaganda

Capstone (4 credits)
PO410 Senior Seminar

Field Experience (1 credit):
PO491 Field Experience in Political Science

Minor Requirements (15 total credits)

First Year PO Experience (3 credits)
PO110 Political Violence or
PO111 Politics and Popular Culture

Foundations (6 credits; choose two)
PO201 U.S. Government
PO202 State and Local Government
PO205 International Relations
PO206 Comparative Politics
PA2XX Any PA200-level course except PA209 Ethical Reasoning

Applied Learning in Political Science (6 credits; choose two)
American Politics
PO321 Constitutional Law/Moot Court
PO322 Campaigns, Elections, and the Policy Process

Global/International Politics
PO330 Global Security and Diplomacy
PO331 Prosperity and Freedom in the World
PO332 Disinformation and Propaganda

Recommended Curriculum Guide - 4-year Political Science

First Year
*Fall Semester*		*Credits*	*Spring Semester*		*Credits*
PO110 or PO111	Political Violence or Politics & Pop Culture	3	PO2__	US Government or State and Local Government	3
GLE101	First-Year Inquiry	3	PA2__	Any PA200-level except PA209	3
GLE110	First-Year Composition	3	______	GLE Elective	3
______	GLE Math	3	_____	GLE Lab Science I	4
_____	Elective	3	_____	Elective	3
	Total	15		Total	16
Second Year
*Fall Semester*		*Credits*	*Spring Semester*		*Credits*
PO205 or PO206	International Relations or Comparative Politics	3	______	GLE Elective	3
______	GLE Lab Science II	4	PO200	Political Science Research Methods	3
______	GLE Elective	3	GLE230	Second-Year Composition	3
______	GLE Elective	3	______	GLE Elective	3
HS___	History 200-level	3	______	Elective	3
	Total	16		Total	15
Third Year
*Fall Semester*		*Credits*	*Spring Semester*		*Credits*
PO205 or PO206	International Relations or Comparative Politics	3	PO____	PO 300-level	3
PO____	PO 300-level	3	PO____	PO 300-level	3
______	GLE Elective or Elective	3	______	Elective	3
______	GLE Elective or Elective	3	______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3	______	Elective	3
	Total	15		Total	15
Fourth Year
*Fall Semester*		*Credits*	*Spring Semester*		*Credits*
PO____	PO 300-level	3	PO410	Senior Research Seminar	3
PO491	Field-Based Experience in Political Science	1	______	Elective	3
______	Outstanding GLE Requirement	3	______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3	______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3	______	Elective	3
	Total	13		Total	15
				Total Credits	120

*One or more additional electives may be needed to fulfill general education requirements. See General and Liberal Education (GLE).

Recommended Curriculum Guide - 3-year Political Science

First Year
*Fall Semester*		*Credits*	*Winter Semester*		*Credits*
PO110 or PO111	Political Violence or Politics & Pop Culture	3	______	GLE Art or Humanities	3
GLE101	First-Year Inquiry	3
GLE110	First-Year Composition	3
PO200	PO Research Methods	3
	GLE Lab Science I	4
	Total	16		Total	3
*Spring Semester*		*Credits*	*Summer Semester*		*Credits*
PO205 or PO206	International Relations or Comparative Politics	3	PA201	US Government	3
PA2__	Any PA200-level except PA209	4	______	GLE Soc Science	3
HS2__	History 200-level	3	______	GLE Art	3
______	GLE Math	3	______	GLE Elective	3
______	GLE Lab Science II	4
	Total	16		Total	12
Second Year
*Fall Semester*		*Credits*	*Winter Semester*		*Credits*
PO205 or PO206	International Relations or Comparative Politics	3	______	Elective	3
PO3___	PO 300-level	3
______	GLE Elective or Elective	3
______	GLE Elective or Elective	3
______	Elective	3
	Total	15		Total	3
*Spring Semester*		*Credits*	*Summer Semester*		*Credits*
PO____	PO 300-level	3	______	Elective	3
GL210	Composition II	3	______	Elective	3
______	GLE Elective or Elective	3	______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3
	Total	15		Total	9
Third Year
*Fall Semester*		*Credits*	*Winter Semester*		*Credits*
PO____	PO 300-level	1	______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3
	Total	15		Total	3
*Spring Semester*		*Credits*	*Summer Semester*		*Credits*
PO3___	PO 300-level	3
PO410	Senior Research Seminar	3
PO491	Field Experience PO	1
______	Elective	3
______	Elective	3
	Total	13		Total Credits	120

*One or more additional electives may be needed to fulfill general education requirements. See General and Liberal Education (GLE).