The Department of Political Studies and International Studies offers majors in both Political Science and International Studies.

The major emphasizes the empirical, analytical, comparative and normative investigation of political issues, policies, and systems in the world. Attention given to critical thinking, problem-solving, research and writing skills. Introductory courses present basic ideas, issues and concepts of political science. Upper-level courses provide in-depth investigation of introductory material and focus on specialized areas.

Careers  A major in political science provides a basis for graduate study in all the subfields of the discipline and a foundation for careers in government, politics, law, journalism, teaching or any of the many areas in which a liberal arts background is desirable.

The writing-intensive course requirement is met with one course chosen from POLS 250, 301, 306, 313, or 460.

Requirements for a B.A. degree with a
political science major are:

Core:
POLS 201 Introduction to American Politics
POLS 250 Introduction to Comparative Politics
POLS 270 Introduction to World Politics
POLS 299 Experiential Learning in Political Science
   (must be taken at least twice)
POLS 335 Social and Political Thought
POLS 460 Major Issues in Politics
ECON 203 Macroeconomics

Plus complete a track:

American Political Studies Track

Choose four courses from:
POLS 309 Campaigns and Elections
POLS 313 Constitutional Law and the Judicial System
POLS 315 Congress and the Presidency
POLS 320 Ethnic, Race, and Gender Politics
POLS 326 Contemporary American Foreign Policy
POLS 340 Environmental Politics
HIST  341 The Civil Rights Movement in America
Plus: Choose two courses from the comparative Political Studies track

Comparative Political Studies Track

Choose four of the following:
POLS 301 European Politics
POLS 302  Politics of Africa
POLS 303 Latin American Politics
POLS 304 Politics of the Middle East
POLS 306 Politics of Developing Countries
POLS 345 International Human Rights
POLS 425 Contemporary Chinese Politics
HIST  309 Contemporary Europe
HIST  361  Ideas and Values in Conflict in History
Plus: Choose two courses from the American Political Studies track