WSU Home College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Department of Political Science & Philosophy Political Science Major
WSU HOME | SEARCH | INDEX | CONTACT US

 Contact Us
 Faculty & Staff
 Alumni
 Other Degrees in the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
 		Political Science Major

BACHELOR'S DEGREE (BS or BA)

» Program Prerequisite: Not required for Political Science major. Political Science Teaching majors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Teacher Education Department). Teaching Majors are also required to take HIST 4500, Teaching Social Studies in Grades 5-12, for a total of 42 semester hours including HIST 4500.
 
» Minor: Required
 
» Grade Requirements: Political Science majors must have an overall GPA of 2.00 and a "C" or better grade in courses used toward the major (a grade of "C-" is not acceptable). Political Science Teaching Majors must achieve an overall GPA of 3.00 for admission to the Teacher Education program.
 
» Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation; 40 upper division credit hours are required (courses numbered 3000 and above). Political Science majors are required to take 39 credit hours within the major; teaching majors must also take HIST 4500, Teaching Social Studies in Grades 5-12, for a total of 42 credit hours.
Students who wish to obtain an emphasis in one of six subfields in Political Science (American Government, Public Administration, Comparative Politics, International Politics, Political Theory, or Public and Constitutional Law) can do so by taking 12 of the required 39 credit hours in that specific subfield.

Advisement

All Political Science students are required to meet with a faculty advisor at least annually for course and program advisement. Call 801-626-6694 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Teaching majors are encouraged to also consult with advisors in the Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education (call 801-626-6269).  (Also refer to the Department Advisor Referral List.)

Admission Requirements

Declare your program of study. There are no special admission or application requirements for the Political Science major. Teaching majors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Teacher Education Department).

General Education

Refer to General Requirements for either Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts requirements. The following courses may fulfill both general education and program requirements: POLS AI 1100, POLS SS2100, POLS SS2200, and POLS SS2300. Consult with a department advisor and WSU Catalog for specific general education guidelines. Political Science majors are generally encouraged to take MATH QL1040 (Statistics) to fulfill their Quantitative Literacy Requirement and LIBS TD2804 to fulfill Part D of their Computer and Information Literacy requirement.

Students majoring or minoring in Political Science or Philosophy who transfer from another institution and who intend to graduate from WSU will be required to take, in the case of the minor, at least one class, and in the case of the major, at least two classes at WSU. These classes must be taken during the calendar year immediately preceding graduation.
 
AP credit for high school American Government courses will be accepted for Political Science AI1100. It will count toward the total hours required for graduation and count toward the total of 39 credit hours required for a Political Science major. A score of "4" or above is required.

Course Requirements for BS or BA

Core Courses Required (15 credit hours)

  • POLS AI1100 American National Government (3)
  • POLS SI3990 Intro to Pol Sci Research (3)
  • POLS 4990 Senior Seminar/Thesis (3)
and two of the following:
  • POLS SS2100 Intro to International Politics (3)
  • POLS SS2200 Intro to Comparative Politics (3)
  • POLS SS2300 Intro to Political Theory (3)

Upper Division Requirements

Take at least two classes in each of three of the five following subfields.
° American Government and Public Administration
  • POLS 3600 Political Parties (3)
  • POLS 3610 Campaigns and Elections (3)
  • POLS 3620 Political Behavior (3)
  • POLS DV3630 Identity Politics (3)
  • POLS 3700 Intro to Public Admin (3)
  • POLS 3750 Urban Government & Politics (3)
  • POLS 3760 State Government & Politics (3)
  • POLS 4600 American Congress (3)
  • POLS 4640 American Presidency (3)
  • POLS 4700 Politics of Administration (3)
  • POLS 4750 Public Policy Analysis (3)
° Comparative Politics
  • POLS 3210 Politics & Governments of Europe (3)
  • POLS 3220 Politics & Governments of Asia (3)
  • POLS 3290 Intro to Politics & Governments of Developing Nations (3)
  • POLS 4280 Foreign Policies of Major Powers (3)
° International Politics
  • POLS 3140 Foreign Policy of the U.S. (3)
  • POLS 4160 Topics in World Politics (3)
    or POLS DV4160 Topics in World Politics: Third World Women (3)
  • POLS 4180 International Law & Organization (3)
  • POLS 4190 Theories of International Politics (3)
  • HIST 3230 U.S. Diplomatic History (3)
° Public and Constitutional Law
  • POLS 4020 American Constitutional Law I (3)
  • POLS 4030 American Constitutional Law II (3)
  • POLS 4060 Elements of Law (3)
  • POLS DV4070 Sex Roles and the Law (3)
° Political Theory
  • POLS 3330 American Political Thought (3)
  • POLS 4360 Classical Political Thought (3)
  • POLS 4380 Modern Political Thought (3)
  • PHIL 3200 Philosophy of Democracy (3)
  • WS DV3050 Women's Studies Feminist Theory (3)

Other Elective Courses

Take any of the following as needed for additional credit hour total, or select additional courses from the courses in the five areas above.
  • POLS 2060 Freedoms (3)
  • POLS 2920/4920 Short Courses, Workshops (1-3)
  • POLS 3060 Mock Trial (2)
  • POLS 3150 Model United Nations (2)
  • POLS 3900 Practical Politics (U.I.A.) (1)
  • POLS 4800 Individual Projects & Research (1-3)
  • POLS 4860 Internships (1-6)
  • POLS 4870 Politics in Perspective (3)
  • POLS 4880 Internship Research (3)
  • POLS 4830 Directed Readings (1-3)
  • POLS 4940 Topics in American Politics & Thought (1-3)
Students may take up to three hours in 4830, three hours in 4800, and eight hours from 4860. No more than ten total hours from POLS 4830, POLS 4800, and POLS 4860 may be counted toward the total requirement of 39 credit hours for Political Science Major/Teaching Major; no more than five total hours for the minor in Political Science. HIST 3230 may be counted as History credit and PHIL 3200 may be counted as Philosophy credit, or either may be counted as Political Science credit, but not both.

Suggested Course Sequence

The following suggested course sequence is provided to assist students in planning their schedules. Use this only as a guideline and be sure to consult with an advisor.

Freshman Year

POLS AI1100 (3), and one other introductory course such as POLS SS2100 (3), POLS SS2200 (3), or POLS SS2300 (3). It is suggested that students seek advice concerning the general education requirements of the University during the first two years of study.

Sophomore Year

One of the introductory courses: POLS SS2100 (3), POLS SS2200 (3), or POLS SS2300 (3). At this point it is suggested that each student meet with an advisor within the Political Science Department and plan out the three year course load within the five subfields, depending on the area(s) that the individual student is interested in pursuing. Continue to complete the courses necessary towards fulfilling the general education requirements of the University. POLS SI3990 (3) should be taken during the spring semester.

Junior Year

Continue with the planned courses for area of interest within the five subfields to meet program requirements. Students should start concentrating on the upper division hours required by the University to meet graduation requirements along with those hours required for their minor area of study. POLS SI3990 (3) may also be taken at this time.

Senior Year

Students should take POLS 4990 (3) during the fall semester. Finish the planned courses within the five subfields to make sure a minimum of 39 Political Science credit hours have been met..

 

Weber State University 2008-2009 Catalog

Weber State University
Ogden, Utah 84408