Political Science, BA

The program for political science majors is designed to provide broad-based training for those who might wish to work in government or the private sector, pursue careers in law, teach political science, or do graduate work in political science.

The political science major consists of 33 credits of coursework.

General Political Science

POL 100 - Introduction to American Politics Credits: 3
POL 151 - Introduction to Global Politics Credits: 3
POL 242 - Research Methods in Political Science Credits: 3
POL 494 - Capstone Seminar Credits: 3

American Politics (1 course)

POL 212 - Parties, Interest Groups, and Elections Credits: 3
POL 221 - State and Local Government Credits: 3
POL 235 - Public Administration and Policy Credits: 3
POL 237 - The Judicial Process Credits: 3
POL 301 - Religion and Politics Credits: 3
POL 332 - Congress and the Presidency Credits: 3
POL 338 - Constitutional Politics: Structures, Powers and Constraints Credits: 3
POL 339 - American Constitutional Law Credits: 3
POL 345 - Politics and Mass Media Credits: 3
POL 348 - Race and American Politics Credits: 3

Comparative/Regional Politics (1 course)

POL 201 - Political Geography Credits: 3
POL 262 - Latin American Politics Credits: 3
POL 303 - Asian Politics Credits: 3
POL 304 - Politics and Society of the Middle East Credits: 3
POL 305 - African Politics Credits: 3

International Politics (1 course)

POL 251 - International Relations Credits: 3
POL 351 - International Law and Organization Credits: 3
POL 352 - Global Political Economy Credits: 3
POL 378 - United States Foreign Policy Credits: 3

Political Theory (1 course)

POL 341 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought Credits: 3
POL 342 - Modern Political Thought Credits: 3
POL 343 - Contemporary Political Thought Credits: 3
POL 346 - American Political and Social Thought Credits: 3

Experiential Learning (3 credits)

Only 6 credits of internship may count toward the major.

POL 350 - The United Nations Credits: 3
POL 391 - Internship Program Credits: 1-3
POL 392 - Washington Semester Internship Credits: 3-9
POL 393 - Washington Semester Internship Credits: 3-6
POL 395 - Studies in Political Science Credits: 1-3
POL 397 - Campaign Management Credits: 3
POL 496 - Washington Semester Program Credits: 9

Electives (6 credits)

Any POL course