Information for Prospective Students Information for First-Year Students Information for Transfer Students Information for International Students Learning Communities, Study Abroad, Theme Semester Calendars Quick Reference Forms Listings Table of Contents SAA Search Feature Academic Advising, Concentration Advising, How-tos, and Degree Requirements Academic Standards Board, Academic Discipline, Petitions, and Appeals SAA Advisors and Support Staff

01-02  LS&A Bulletin

Political Science

May be elected as a departmental concentration program

Prerequisites to Concentration. Two courses chosen from different subfields of political science. First- and second-year students choose from among Political Science 101 (political theory), 111 (American government), 140 (comparative politics), 160 (world politics); juniors and seniors from Political Science 400, 401, or 402 (political theory), 410 (public policy and administration), 411 (American government), 440, 450 or 465 (comparative politics), and 460 or 470 (world politics).

Concentration Program. At least 24 credits in political science (in addition to required prerequisites) and 6 elected through a cognate department.

One course in political science elected at the 300-level may be included in a concentration plan; all others must be at the 400-level or above. No more than 4 credits of internship and 4 credits of directed study may be included in a concentration plan. Seniors are encouraged to elect an undergraduate seminar (Political Science 495, 496, 497, or 498).

Political science concentrators are expected to acquire an appreciation of the diverse styles of political inquiry by electing at least one course in four of the following subfields: political theory, American government, comparative politics, world politics, and methodology. Normally, this requirement is satisfied by the prerequisites to concentration and different additional 400-level courses in two subfields. Cognate courses, which are upper-level courses in another discipline, are an integral part of the concentration plan and should be selected with a view toward building a coherent program of study. As a general rule, cognate courses should be in the same discipline with exceptions approved in advance by a concentration advisor. Only 8 hours of foreign credit from a one-term accredited program and 12 hours of foreign credit from a year-long program may be counted toward the concentration core. Students may use Statistics 350 as a methods course in the concentration program.

Honors Concentration. Especially well-qualified students are encouraged to undertake an Honors concentration. Such students elect the Honors proseminar during the winter term of the junior year and prepare a senior thesis under the direction of a faculty member in the department. Senior Seminars (493, 494) provide thesis credit. Students may count only two Honors courses toward the concentration core, one if a previous directed reading has been taken.

Normally, candidates for an Honors concentration must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 in political science courses. Interested students apply for the Honors program at the start of their junior year. Applications and information are available in the student office.

Teaching Certificate. Students interested in obtaining a secondary teaching certificate with a teaching major or minor in Political Science should consult the "Teacher Certification Program" section in this Bulletin and the School of Education Office of Academic Services.

Advising. Normally, the decision to concentrate is made late in the sophomore year or early in the junior year. Advising appointments are scheduled at the department office. Appointments for the Honors advisor are scheduled at 1228 Angell.


Courses in Political Science


University of Michigan | College of LS&A | Student Academic Affairs | LS&A Bulletin Index

This page maintained by LS&A Academic Information and Publications, 1228 Angell Hall

Copyright © 2001 The Regents of the University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA +1 734 764-1817

Trademarks of the University of Michigan may not be electronically or otherwise altered or separated from this document or used for any non-University purpose.