Political Science Major
Requirements
36 credits, 12 courses total

POL 120 American Government - 3 credits

Analysis of the structure and function of basic institutions of American government. The cultural setting, constitutional foundations and policy-making process are examined in detail. [Offered every semester]

POL 202 Research Methods in Political Science - 3 credits

Designed to enable students to do research in political science and critically evaluate political science literature. Topics include utilizing library resources, survey research, and the use and misuse of statistics. (Formerly POL 260.) [Offered every semester; Profs. Davis and Shalom]

EITHER

POL 211 Classical and Medieval Political Theory - 3 credits

Analyzes, in depth, the political ideas of important classical and medieval philosophers and schools of thought. Ideas on justice, authority, rights and duties, equality, laws and constitutions and the “good life” are given an analytical and historical perspective. [Offered every Fall; Profs. Gregoriou and Kelly]

OR

POL 212 Early Modern Political Theory - 3 credits

The development of political theory from the inception of the modern state. Emphasis is on concepts such as natural law and natural rights, state and sovereignty, individual rights and the community. Selected political thinkers, such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Marx are given particular attention and placed in historical perspective. [Offered every Spring; Profs. Gregoriou and Kelly]

POL 230 Comparative Politics - 3 credits

An introduction to the field of comparative politics. Emphasizes a critical analysis of the principal approaches and models currently employed by political science in an attempt to understand the process of political change and the variegated political systems of the world. [Offered every semester; Profs. Chadda, Mason, and Weinstein]

POL 240 International Relations - 3 credits

A study of the nation-state system, the struggle for power, the changing patterns of the international system and the basic influences shaping the foreign policy of states. [Offered every semester; Profs. Chadda and Shalom]

POL 480 Seminar in Poli. Sci.

A detailed analysis of some topic in Political Science. At least one seminar is offered each semester. Topics and instructors vary. Students may take more than one Seminar. For descriptions of forthcoming seminars, click here.

Any six other Political Science courses - 18 credits

• POL 110 Introduction to Politics [counts toward the major only if it's one of your first two political science courses]
• POL 120 American Government and Politics
• POL 202 Research Methods in Political Science
• POL 211 Classical and Medieval Political Theory
• POL 212 Early Modern Political Theory
• POL 221 State Government
• POL 223 Urban and Suburban Politics
• POL 224 Political Parties
• POL 225 Political Economy of the United States
• POL 226 American Judicial System
• POL 228 African-American Politics
• POL 230 Comparative Politics: Development and Modernization
• POL 240 International Relations
• POL 272 Politics and Sex
• POL 275 Politics and the Media
• POL 311 American Political Theory
• POL 321 Politics of US Education
• POL 322 The American Presidency
• POL 323 Political Socialization
• POL 324 Constitutional Law: The Judicial Process
• POL 325 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
• POL 327 Congress and the Policy-Making Process
• POL 328 Urban Policies and Problems
• POL 329 Women and the Law
• POL 332 European Political Systems
• POL 333 Politics of the Third World
• POL 335 Russia and the Successor States
• POL 336 Politics of Asia: India and China
• POL 337 Politics of Latin America
• POL 338 Caribbean Political Systems
• POL 339 African Politics
• POL 340 International Law
• POL 342 International Political Economy
• POL 343 The United Nations
• POL 345 United States Foreign Policy
• POL 347 The Middle East in World Politics
• POL 348 War and Peace
• POL 349 Southeast Asia in World Politics
• POL 352 Politics of Poverty
• POL 353 Politics and Labor Movements
• POL 355 Politics of the Environment
• POL 362 Social Movements and Political Change
• POL 373 Politics of Sexual Violence
• POL 399 Selected Topics
• POL 412 Marxist Political Theory
• POL 414 Capitalism and Socialism
• POL 480 Seminar in Political Science
• POL 495 Internship in Politics
• POL 499 Independent Study

(For complete course descriptions, see the University's Undergraduate Catalog.)