Political Science Major

The major places considerable emphasis on the relation between politics in theory and politics in action. The subject matter is arranged into four basic fields: political theory, American politics and public policy, comparative politics, and international politics. Introductory courses are built around themes of citizenship (PSC 111–Introduction to Political Thought and PSC 113–Introduction to American Politics) and nationalism (PSC 114–Introduction to International Relations, and PSC 112–Introduction to Comparative Politics). Students will be required to take one introductory course based on each theme. Majors (and minors) will need to bear in mind early on in their degree that some advanced courses may have prerequisites that are specific to each of the subfields. For instance, an advanced course in political theory may require that the student had taken the introductory course in citizenship in the political theory stream. Courses are also offered in constitutional law, women in politics, urban and ethnic politics, and state and local politics. All majors are required to complete an internship, for at least three credits, in politics and public policy. The internship may be either domestic or international in focus and may be taken for a letter grade only. The major requires 36 credits of course work.

Courses required for the political science major include:

  • PSC 111 or 113
  • PSC 112 or 114
  • PSC 234 or 290 and PSC 316 **

Students must choose one course from each of the following four sub-fields:

American Politics and Public Policy

  • PSC 242
  • PSC 243
  • PSC 245*
  • PSC 282*
  • PSC 285
  • PSC 342*
  • PSC 343*
  • PSC 345
  • PSC 382

Comparative Politics

  • PSC 221
  • PSC 224*
  • PSC 225*
  • PSC 227*
  • PSC 262*
  • PSC 304
  • PSC 321
  • PSC 323

International Relations

  • PSC 241
  • PSC 250
  • PSC 251
  • PSC 255
  • PSC 257
  • PSC 258*
  • PSC 259
  • PSC 263*
  • PSC 264*
  • PSC 265*
  • PSC 350
  • PSC 359
  • IIS 300

Political Theory

  • PSC 200*
  • PSC 201
  • PSC 202*
  • PSC 203*
  • PSC 205
  • PSC 207*
  • PSC 306

* See writing proficiency requirements

** Students who have taken PSC 101 or 102 (but not both) are required to take an introductory course in a sub-field not covered by the previously required 101 or 102. In other words, a student who has taken PSC 101 can meet the new requirements by completing PSC 113 (American) or PSC 112 (Comparative).

Students must take four additional elective courses. All courses listed in the four sub-fields above are eligible for elective credit, as are the following:

  • PSC 124
  • PSC 180
  • PSC 192
  • PSC 211
  • PSC 213
  • PSC 229
  • PSC 233
  • PSC 248
  • PSC 256/267
  • PSC 270
  • PSC 271
  • PSC 297
  • PSC 299
  • PSC 399
  • PSC 450
  • JS 255
  • JS 257

Students must ensure that they have taken at least three courses at the 300 level, one of which must be PSC 316.