Department of Political Science — Requirements
The Major
All majors in political science must take a total of eleven courses:
- POLSCI 101-102;
- Five distribution courses, as designated by a letter code following each course title:
- one course in American politics (Category A),
- one course in international relations (Category B),
- two courses in comparative politics (Category C),
- one course in political theory (Category D);
- Four additional political science courses, which may or may not be distribution (letter-coded) courses.
At least five of the eleven courses required of each major must be at or above the 300 level. A student completing requirements for a second major or for a program or minor in addition to his or her political science major may, with the approval of his or her advisor, apply up to two courses from the completed major, minor, or program toward this total of eleven.
No more than three courses in internships, independent study, or honors work may be counted toward these requirements.
The Minor
Students minoring in political science must complete a total of six courses:
- POLSCI 101 and POLSCI 102; and
- four more political science courses, including at least two at the 300 or 400 level.
No more than three courses in internships, independent study, or honors work may be counted toward these requirements.