Political Science, Democracy, Justice and Civic Engagement Emphasis, B.A. or B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Political Science

Political science is the study of governments, how they are organized, what they do, and how they deal with other governments. Every citizen of a democracy should know something about his/her government, and other governments, and majoring in political science also opens up many career opportunities. Political Science is an ideal major for a student intending to go to law school, and is also good preparation for government work, business, education, and other fields.

The Democracy, Justice, and Civic Engagement emphasis are of the Political Science program will stress hands-on, experiential learning and exposure to a variety of disciplines that examine the junction of democracy, justice and civic engagement. Students interested in careers in activism, community organizing or the legal profession may benefit from taking this emphasis area of the major.

Experiential Component (Complete 1 of the Following Courses:)

PSC 399 - Citizenship and Service Learning 3 Credit(s).

Program Specific Requirements

B.A. Degree Program Specific (6 Credit Hours)

6 hours of Foreign Language at 200-level or above

B.S. Degree Program Specific (Choose 2 Courses)

HIS 101 - Western Civilization I 3 Credit(s).
HIS 102 - Western Civilization II 3 Credit(s).
HIS 201 - American History I 3 Credit(s).
HIS 202 - American History II 3 Credit(s).

Common Required Courses (12 Credit Hours)

PSC 101 - American National Government and Politics 3 Credit(s).
PSC 202 - State and Local Government 3 Credit(s).
OR
PSC 203 - International Politics 3 Credit(s).
OR
PSC 205 - Comparative Government 3 Credit(s).
PSC 399 - Citizenship and Service Learning 3 Credit(s).
SSC 251 - Introduction to Social Science Research 3 Credit(s).

Democracy, Justice and Civic Engagement Emphasis

Additional Required Courses (6 Credit Hours)

DJC 496 - Individual or Collaborative Study 3 Credit(s).
DJC 498 - Democracy, Justice and Civic Engagement Senior Seminar 3 Credit(s).

Government Major Electives (Choose 6 Credit Hours from the Following List)

PSC 308 - Media and Politics 3 Credit(s).
PSC 310 - Political Parties and Groups in the United States 3 Credit(s).
PSC 324 - U.S. Constitutional Law 3 Credit(s).
PSC 384 - The President and Congress 3 Credit(s). *
PSC 420 - War and Peacekeeping: U.S. National Security Policy 3 Credit(s).

Comparative and International Relations Major Electives (Choose 6 Credit Hours from the Following List)

PSC 302 - Political Geography 3 Credit(s).
PSC 306 - Politics and Human Rights 3 Credit(s).
PSC 366 - Political Evil 3 Credit(s).
PSC 435 - Political Economy of Development 3 Credit(s).
PSC 440 - International Law and Organization 3 Credit(s). **

Theory and Methods Major Electives (Choose 6 Credit Hours from the Following List)

PSC 300 - Research Methods 3 Credit(s).
PSC 303 - Political Theory from Socrates to Locke 3 Credit(s).
PSC 304 - Modern Ideologies 3 Credit(s).
PSC 332 - The Socio-Politics of Gender, Class, Ethnicity and Sexuality 3 Credit(s).
PSC 402 - Policy Analysis 3 Credit(s).

DJCE Foundational Courses (Choose 6 Credit Hours from the Following List)

ENG 338 - Rhetoric 3 Credit(s).
PHI 211 - Ethics 3 Credit(s).
PSC 300 - Research Methods 3 Credit(s).
OR
SOC 470 - Social Sciences Research 3 Credit(s).
PSY 201 - General Psychology 3 Credit(s).
SOC 202 - Social Problems 3 Credit(s).

Legal, Policy and Advocacy Electives (Choose 6 Credit Hours from the Following List)

ACC 290, 390, or 490 - Accounting Practicum 1 Credit(s).
CJU 320 - Deviance and Social Control 3 Credit(s).
ECO 315 - Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3 Credit(s).
ECO 430 - Development Economics 3 Credit(s).
PSC 324 - U.S. Constitutional Law 3 Credit(s).
PSC 435 - Political Economy of Development 3 Credit(s).
PSC 440 - International Law and Organization 3 Credit(s).
SWK 320 - Social Welfare Policy: History, Philosophy, and Current Policies 3 Credit(s).

Groups, Cultures, and Nationalities Electives (Choose 6 Credit Hours from the Following List)

HIS 380 - Latin American History 3 Credit(s).
PSC 205 - Comparative Government 3 Credit(s).
PSC 304 - Modern Ideologies 3 Credit(s).
PSC 306 - Politics and Human Rights 3 Credit(s).
PSY 230 - Social Psychology 3 Credit(s).
REL 151 - World Religions 3 Credit(s).
REL 245 - Religion and Public Life 3 Credit(s).
SOC 203 - Sociology of U.S. Cultural Diversity 3 Credit(s).
SOC 310 - Social Class and Inequality 3 Credit(s).
SOC 340 - Collective Behavior and Social Movements 3 Credit(s).