Political Science majors are required to read this document thoroughly. In the past, some students have attained or exceeded the minimum credits required for graduation, but they were not approved for graduation because they did not meet departmental and/or general education and diversity requirements. To avoid falling into a similar situation, majors are advised to confer with their Advisor or department Chair on a regular basis prior to scheduling courses. Please refer to the following departmental course requirements and listing of Political Science courses.


A. Requirements for a Major in Political Science:

1. Total Hours: 34 semester hours of Political Science courses
2. Required Courses: 44-120, 44-280, 44-300, 44-360, 44-405, and 44-470 (see the list of poli sci courses).
3. Elective Courses: 18 semester hours, (a) 12 of which must be upper division courses (numbered 300 or above); (b) Does not include required courses numbered 300 or above

Note: Students who major in Political Science should consult with their Advisor at least once per semester.


B. Requirements for a Minor in Political Science:

1. The minor requires 18 credits from among department courses.
2. U.S. Government (44-120) is required and should be taken as soon as possible.
3. Nations, States and Governments (44-360) is required.

Note: Students who minor in Political Science should consult with the department faculty to discuss how to choose their courses. Upon completion of the minor, students are required to have the department Chair sign a Minor/Career Concentration Completion Form.


C. Other Important Information:

1. Elements of Political Science (44-101) is a general education course designed for non-majors, but is suitable for minors.
2. Ethics, Politics and Public Policy (44-207) can be used for both the major and the minor, and can be used to satisfy the “Values” requirement in general education.
3. For transfer students, double majors, those taking career concentrations, and students with special needs, it is possible to modify requirements that originate within the Political Science department. However, only the Dean of Liberal Arts can modify a general education or graduation requirement.
4. Any student majoring in Political Science has free choice of an advisor in the department. A student may change his/her advisor by contacting the department secretary.
5. The Academic Advisement Center in the Student Services Center keeps the master list of majors and minors. Be sure to “declare” your major with that office.
6. Only 3 credits in the major can be applied towards Group B General Education requirements.


D. Legal Studies Option Within the Political Science Major:

Purpose: To provide students interested in the law with an opportunity to explore legal problems and institutions, the content and processes of the law, and the practice of law from both an academic and practical standpoint. It is designed to help students whether they wish to consider law school, paralegal work, quasi-judicial or legislative research careers, as well as other specialized legal positions in business, politics, governmental service, and social welfare, or as preparation for further education at the graduate level.

The Legal Studies option requires 30 credits

Required Courses: (12 credits) These are required for the major
44-120 U.S. Government
44-280 Introduction to International Relations
44-360 Nations, States and Governments
44-405 Development of Political Thought

The Legal Studies option also requires 18 additional credits:
44-440 President and Congress
44-446 Constitutional Law I
44-447 Constitutional Law II
44-448 Judicial Process
44-452 State and Local Government
44-456 Public Policy
44-487 International Law and Organization
44-497 Internship in a legal or judicial setting (only 3 credits count toward the option)


E. Public Administration Career Concentration

See the details at http://departments.bloou.edu/polisci/publicadm.html




LISTING OF POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES

A. Political Theory and Methodology

108 Contemporary Political Ideologies
210 Intro to Political Theory
300 Research Methods in Political Science
303 Politics and the Arts
375 Multiculturalist Theory
377 Feminist Theory
405 Development of Political Thought
409 American Political Thought

B. American Politics

120 US Government
222 Women and Politics
322 Political Violence
326 Parties, Groups, & Public Opinion
440 President and Congress
446 Constitutional Law I
447 Constitutional Law II
448 Judicial Process
452 State and Local Government


C. Comparative Politics
310 Government and Politics of China
360 Nations, States and Governments
366 Political Systems of West Europe
368 Political Systems of Asia
371 Political Systems of Africa

D. International Politics

181 Contemporary Issues World Politics
250 Globalization and the UN
251 Model United Nations Lab
280 Introduction to International Relations
462 Information Technology and World Politics
466 International Relations in East Asia
487 International Law and Organizations


E. Public Administration and Public Policy

207 Ethics Politics and Public Policy
336 Public Administration Theory
415 Human Rights and Public Policy
437 Public Administration Application
438 Public Personnel Administration
456 Public Policy
458 US Foreign Policy


F. Others

101 Elements of Political Science (Note: It does not count towards credits for the major.)
490 Independent Study
492 Seminar in Government and Politics
497 Internship in Political Science