Students aspiring to obtain a BA in Political Science must take a nine-hour group of common core courses: POL 2103, POL 2013, and POL 4993. The first two of these courses are designed to provide majors with the basic disciplinary knowledge and skills needed to successfully pursue more advanced coursework in the major. Consequently, they should be taken as early as possible in one's course of study. The remaining course, Democratic Governance, is the Capstone Course for all majors, and should be scheduled for the semester the student anticipates graduation.
 
 

I. Core  Requirements

9 Hrs

                POL     2103    Elements of Political Science
                POL     2013    Information Management in Political Science
                POL     4993    Democratic Governance 
 
 

II. Additional Major Requirements

27 Hrs

Beyond the 9-hour common core, all majors are required to complete an additional 27 hours within the discipline. The department strongly encourages students to plan their curriculum in light of their educational and career objectives. Given the varied fields of study within political science (i.e., local to global politics), it is highly recommended that students arrange, in consultation with a faculty advisor, a coherent and cohesive plan of study. To assist in this task, sequences of related courses, representing distinct fields of study within political science, are listed below. The name of a faculty advisor for each field, to whom questions concerning one's plan of study should be directed, is also noted. Additional advisement material is available in the department's main office.
 
 

American Politics - Prof. Loren Gatch: x5543 POL 1203 State & Local Government POL  2413 Campaigns & Ellections POL  4123 The Congress	Law & Legal Studies - Prof. Keith Eakins: x5275 POL 2203 Introduction to Law POL 3203 Constitutional Law: Limitations POL 4413 Judicial Process
International Relations  - Prof. Randall Jones: x5270 POL 2303 Introduction to World Politics POL 2713 Introduction to Comparative Politics POL 4543 International Cooperation	Public Administration - Prof. Brett Sharp: x5526 POL 1203 State & Local Government POL 2413 Introduction to Public Administration POL 4413 Public Policy Analysis

 
 

III. Free Electives

18 Hrs

The department encourages you to select courses in disciplines which support the objectives of a Liberal Arts Education. You are especially encouraged to consider courses from Economics, English, Geography, or the Humanities, or Philosophy.

Please note that all initial inquiries concerning the B.A. in Political Science should be directed to Prof. Loren Gatch. His contact information is: