2018-19 Academic Catalog 
    
    Apr 30, 2024  
2018-19 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, BA


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About the Program


Political Science majors explore the world of government and politics both in the US and around the world.  They analyze political leaders, campaigns, voting, the courts and legal systems, international relations, the government and politics of other countries, political violence and terrorism, war and peace, and many other key topics.  In doing so, they learn the critical thinking, writing and communication skills that employers and graduate schools are looking for.

Degree Requirements


  • 120 Credit Hours
  • Minimum grade of C required for ENGL 10400, POL 10100, POL 31200, PSY 12000, and all Foreign Language courses; Minimum grade of C- required for all other POL courses
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 required for graduation
  • Certain courses may only be available at one campus location

PNW General Education Core (30 Credits)


Supplemental Core (63 Credits)


Foreign Language (12 Credits)


Choose from French, German, Japanese, or Spanish. Must complete four (4) semesters of the same foreign language.

Philosophy (3 Credits)


Choose any 10000 level PHIL course except PHIL 15000 .

Political Science Elective (12 Credits)


Any POL course 30000 or higher

Free Electives (24 Credits)


Student may choose any eight (8) courses to fulfil this requirement

Total 120 Credits Required


Degree Map


Requirements


Minimum Grade and Grade Point Average (GPA):  Minimum grade of C required for ENGL 10400, POL 10100, POL 31200, PSY 12000, and all Foreign Language courses; Minimum grade of C- required for all other POL courses; 2.0 GPA

Experiential Learning (EL):  One EL course required.  EL courses are noted by (e) next to the course title.

General Education Core:  General Education notations can be found within the course description.  Please click on a course to see if it meets a Gen Ed requirement.

Milestone Courses noted by (m) next to the course title have been identified as being critical to your success in this field of study. 

Courses that are only offered on one campus will be noted by an (H) for Hammond, or (W) for Westville.

Please see the Additional Information and Guidelines section below for more information.

Semester 5 (15 Credits)


Semester 6 (15 Credits)


  • Aesthetics (See Note 4)
  • POL Theory (See Note 5)
  • Political Science Elective - any POL 30000 level or above (H)
  • Political Science Elective - any POL 30000 level or above (H)

Semester 7 (15 Credits)


Semester 8 (15 Credits)


Additional Information and Guidelines


Note 1: Foreign Language Requirement

  • Foreign Language Level I - Choose from SPAN 10100, FR 10100, GER 10100, or JPNS 10100.
  • Foreign Language Level II - Choose from SPAN 10200, FR 10200, GER 10200, or JPNS 10200.
  • Foreign Language Level III - Choose from SPAN 20100, FR 20100, GER 20100, or JPNS 20100.
  • Foreign Language Level IV - Choose from SPAN 20200, FR 20200, GER 20200, or JPNS 20200.
  • Must complete 4 semesters of the same foreign language.

Note 2: Philosophy – Choose any 10000 level PHIL course except PHIL 15000. (H)

Note 3: American Political Science Elective – POL 10000, POL 19000 (H), POL 30600 (H), POL 31100 (H), POL 31500 (H), POL 33000 (H), POL 34600 (H), POL 35400 (H), POL 36400 (H), POL 37200 (H), POL 41100 (H), POL 46000 (H), or POL 46100 (H). Other courses may be approved by the program advisor.

Note 4: Aesthetics - Choose 1 course from: AD 25500, MUS 25000, ENGL 31900, PHIL 10600, or THTR 20100.

Note 5: POL Theory - POL 33000 (H), POL 34900 (H), POL 35300 (H), POL 38800 (H), POL 38900 (H), and POL 40400 (H) and other courses as approved by the program advisor.

Note 6: POL International Relations - POL 30900 (H), POL 43300 (H), POL 43500 (H), and POL 43900 (H) and other courses as approved by the program advisor.

Resources


The 8 semester plan of study is a recommended sequence of classes designed to show how this program can be completed within four years.

Visit the 15 to Finish website for information and resources.

For career information, check out “What Can I Do With this Major?”

For Financial Aid eligibility, click here. Annual FAFSA filing deadline is March 10. Financial Aid recipients are required to complete 30 credits per calendar year to stay eligible for the standard financial aid award.

Financial Guarantee: If you follow the degree map and find a course unavailable, you may be able to take the course for free in a future semester.  Certain exclusions apply. 

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