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 402 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. 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, 7623 Haven Hall.

Courses in Political Science